I Want to Buy a House

Everyone in the guild stared at Qi Yan and Elfman in disbelief.

Qi Yan was also taken aback when he saw everyone. "Yo! You're all here."

"Qi Yan?! Elfman?! You're okay?"

"Okay? What could have happened to us?"

Qi Yan was a little confused. What could possibly have happened to them?

Makarov waved a hand. "It's good that you're fine! Luckily, you didn't take that mission. It's been upgraded to an S-Rank Mission. I was really worried you'd get carried away and go do it. Giving up the mission was the right choice."

"Give up the mission? What mission?"

"What other mission could it be? The Phantom Thief Guild mission you accepted!"

"We completed that mission."

"What did you say?!!"

Everyone in the guild was startled by those words and stared at Qi Yan in utter disbelief.

Mira looked at Elfman questioningly. Elfman nodded at her, confirming it.

Makarov's eyes widened as he looked at Qi Yan. "You... you really completed it? You defeated Camille, the 'King of Assassins'?"

Qi Yan nodded. "Yeah! That guy was pretty troublesome. He wasn't easy to deal with."

"..."

Elfman said nothing, but inwardly complained, Yeah! Really hard to deal with. He only took a minute to finish him off.

"You... how could you be so reckless? That was an S-Rank Mission! He was the famous 'King of Assassins'!"

Qi Yan spread his hands. "What choice did I have? I'd already accepted the mission, so I couldn't just abandon it. Besides, they wanted to kill my client. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing, could I? That would damage Fairy Tail's reputation."

Just then, a newsboy selling newspapers happened to run past the guild entrance.

"Extra! Extra!"

"The infamous Phantom Thief Guild has been captured in its entirety!"

"The identity of the Phantom Thief Guild's leader is shocking!"

The guild members hurried over to buy a copy.

"They really did complete it!!"

"Qi Yan, a newcomer who just joined the guild, actually completed an S-Rank Mission! That's incredible!"

"Yeah! No wonder he defeated Natsu. This guy's strength is on a monster level!"...

Seeing the report in the newspaper, the guild members cried out in amazement. They finally believed that Qi Yan had truly completed the S-Rank Mission. After all, it had already made the papers, which clearly stated that Fairy Tail mage Qi Yan had defeated the Phantom Thief Guild.

Makarov took a deep breath. "Report the course of the mission."

Elfman began reporting the mission's events, recounting everything in detail from beginning to end.

And according to Elfman's report, Qi Yan had actually completed the entire mission alone from start to finish.

He had defeated all thirteen members of the Phantom Thief Guild by himself, including Camille, the so-called King of Assassins. That was far too impressive.

Makarov let out a breath and looked at Qi Yan. "We'll let it go this time, but don't ever be so reckless again!"

"Got it! Oh, right, Master. Since I completed an S-Rank Mission, can I go up to the second floor?"

There were so many S-Rank Missions on the second floor that he had been longing for. As long as he completed more S-Rank Missions, he could earn more chances at the lottery. Wouldn't his strength soar then?

"That's right!"

"Qi Yan completed an S-Rank Mission, so doesn't that mean he can go up to the second floor?"

S-Rank Missions were extremely dangerous even for S-Rank Mages. Since Qi Yan had completed one, he should qualify to go up to the second floor.

"No!"

"S-Rank Missions are S-Rank Missions, and the second floor is the second floor. To go up there, you must become an S-Rank Mage. Those are the guild rules."

Makarov immediately refused. This stubborn brat had dared to take an S-Rank Mission right after joining the guild. If he let the little rascal onto the second floor, who knew what he might do? He might even dare to take on a Hundred Years Quest.

Moreover, he had to put an end to anyone else thinking they could reach the second floor by completing an S-Rank Mission. If everyone wanted to go upstairs and started taking S-Rank Missions, he would never be able to keep watch over them all.

"Ah! Fine then! Master, how do I become an S-Rank Mage?"

Qi Yan was somewhat disappointed. He had thought he could go straight to the second floor and pick whatever missions he wanted.

Makarov answered, "If you want to become an S-Rank Mage, wait for the S-Rank Mage promotion exam at the end of the year. Only by passing the S-Rank exam can you advance to S-Rank Mage."

Qi Yan's eyes widened. "The end of the year?! It's only the beginning of the year now! Doesn't that mean I have to wait more than half a year?"

"That's right!"

Makarov thought, You'd better go do some other missions like a good boy.

Before long, the guild returned to normal. Many people eagerly discussed Qi Yan's completion of the S-Rank Mission. Just looking at the photos of the destruction in the newspaper was enough to show how intense the battle had been.

Qi Yan ordered an entire table full of food. He had lived a hard life for half a month after arriving in this world. Now that he had money, he would make up for it all.

While eating, many people in the guild came over to invite him to form a permanent team, but he politely declined each one, saying that he wanted to act alone for the time being.

Teaming up had its benefits. First, it improved safety, and it also allowed people to take on more difficult jobs together.

But that was only when everyone's strength was about the same. If the gap in strength was too great, they would only slow down his work.

Slowing down his work meant slowing down his progress in becoming stronger.

Besides, his goal was S-Rank. Once he became an S-Rank Mage, he would definitely take on S-Rank Missions. Those without enough strength would only be in greater danger. Rather than disbanding when that time came, it was better to refuse now.

"Mira! Another beer!" Qi Yan called.

"Coming!"

Mira quickly brought over a mug of beer and set it on Qi Yan's table.

"Qi Yan, thank you for this time."

She had heard from Elfman that Qi Yan had gone alone to deal with the Phantom Thief Guild and had not let Elfman intervene. Even after completing the mission, Qi Yan had wanted to give half the reward to Elfman. In the end, Elfman had insisted on taking only one million J. One million J was no small amount; it required completing an extremely difficult hunting mission to earn such a reward.

Qi Yan blinked. "Thank me? Why? I should be thanking you. If you hadn't had Elfman accompany me, then if Elfman hadn't protected the client during this mission, I might have completed the mission with no one left to pay the reward."

Hearing Qi Yan say that, Mira felt considerably more favorably toward him. "If you ever need my help in the future, just say the word."

At that moment, Qi Yan remembered something. "Hmm, I actually do have something I want your help with."

"What is it?"

"I want to buy a house."