“C-Rank promotion examination? I am qualified to take the examination already?” Leo couldn’t believe his ears, as he didn’t think he would actually qualify so quickly.
“You heard properly. Indeed, you’re qualified to take the C-Rank examination. I have seen the report made by Tami Barlow, and he really commended your efforts and talents, even saying that it would be a shame to keep you at D-Rank, not to mention the results of your recent mission. Therefore, I, as the Guildmaster, have decided to give you a chance to be promoted.”
“So let me ask you again—”
“I want to take the examination!” Leo immediately said without hesitation.
Guildmaster Borus smiled and nodded, “Great. Then report back here tomorrow morning for the details. Unlike your previous examinations, the C-Rank examination is vastly different and requires you to take on a special mission.”
“I understand.” He nodded.
Leo left the Adventurers’ Guild shortly after.
“Leo, you should be careful around that guy. There’s something off about him.” Lilith suddenly warned him.
“Guildmaster Borus? What’s wrong with him? He seemed like a pretty genuine guy to me.”
“I don’t know, but my instincts are telling me that he’s not what he seems. Also, the way he looks at you feels creepy. If you ask me who’s behind your bounty, I would put my money on him.”
“Seriously…? The Guildmaster of the Adventurers’ Guild? Even if that is true, how do we fight someone so powerful?”
“I would go seek Miss Camille’s help. She’s probably the only one who can help you right now.”
Leo sighed, “As much as I want to ask for her help, I don’t want to keep relying on her. Let’s see how things progress first.”
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Leo. However, I like it. If you truly intend on becoming strong and independent, you’ll need to learn to solve these kinds of situations by yourself.” Lilith said.
“Anyways, what are you going to do until tomorrow?”
He pondered for a moment before speaking, “I’m going to do some shopping, then I am going to spend the rest of the day in bed.”
“What are you buying?”
“A cell phone. If I see anything else I want, I’ll grab it as well.”
Sometime later, Leo called for a taxi and said to the driver, “Global Terminal.”
“Global Terminal? Do you mean Stellar Terminal?” The taxi driver asked him.
“The shopping center?” Leo asked.
“Yes, that would be the Stellar Terminal.”
‘I guess it’s called Stellar Terminal here…’ Leo thought to himself.
“Then take me to that place,” he said the following moment.
“Roger that.”
Half an hour later, the taxi stopped in front of a large skyscraper.
After paying the driver, Leo stepped out of the taxi and tilted his head to look at the skyscraper with a dumbfounded look on his face.
“What’s the difference between this building and the one from your world?” Lilith asked him.
“For starters, it’s many times more massive. It was called Global Terminal, one of the most popular shopping centers in the city. Whether it be electronics or books, you could find them all there. Judging by the size of this place, I have high expectations.”
Leo made his way towards the crowded entrance.
Once he was inside the building, he looked around until he could find a map.
There were 100 floors in this place, and the electronics were between floors 11 and 20.
After walking around until he could find the elevator, Leo went straight to the 11th floor.
When he found the section selling cell phones, he began looking around until a worker there approached him.
“Do you need any help? If you’re looking for a specific brand or function, I can help you.”
“I would like something durable. The brand doesn’t matter. As long as it can be used in the Wilderness.”
“I see. Then how about these? They’re created by Nova, a very popular brand used by many Adventurers, and these are specifically built for the Wilderness, so all of its functions will work there. Specifically this Model 9X, which is the latest model and most powerful phone currently available. There is a built-in GPS that can track and help you navigate most available routes in this continent so you will never be lost in the Wilderness.”
“Furthermore, it can even sense and warn you about nearby mana disturbances. There is also an alert system that will warn you about monster swarms and many other functions.”
Leo swallowed nervously after digesting all of the information the worker gave him.
“How much is this Model 9X?” he asked a moment later.
“The price is 500,000 dollars after tax.” The worker casually said.
‘Half a million dollars for a freaking phone?!’ Leo cried inwardly after hearing the ludicrous price.
“These phones are more expensive than normal phones due to their purpose and special functions. Despite their price tag, they are still very popular amongst Adventurers. In fact, pretty much all B-Rank and above Adventures have one of these phones. However, if you want something cheaper, the older models are around 50,000 dollars, but they will have much fewer functions.”
“How durable are they?” Leo asked after pondering for some time.
“They’re very durable because they have been enchanted with magic, and it even consists of some anti-magic material. They can survive a direct hit from magic spells with less than 7,000 magic power. As for its physical damage defense capabilities, even C-Rank monsters would have a hard time destroying it.”
‘If it’s that durable, I don’t have to worry about breaking it by accident, but spending 500,000 dollars on it…’
Despite all of its useful functions, Leo had a hard time justifying spending so much money on a phone. In his old world, he could easily purchase a large house with this much money.
‘Since this phone can help me navigate through the Wilderness, I won’t have to worry about being lost anymore, and it could potentially be a lifesaver in the future. Although it’ll cost me half a million, I can just earn it back through missions and other stuff, not to mention the Affinity Orb that can still be sold.’
“Leo, 500,000 isn’t a lot of money if you really think about it. You’ll be earning that much and more every day in the future.” Lilith said to him, giving him the last push that he needed to come to a decision.
“Alright, I will buy it.” Leo said with a heavy heart.
“Great! Please follow me!”
Leo nodded and followed the worker to the front desk, where they continued the purchase.
“Do you want a lifetime warranty for the phone? It’ll cost an extra 100,000, but you’ll be able to get a free replacement once if it ever breaks or malfunctions, and this warranty will last for as long as you live until you use it. By the way, this warranty doesn’t cover lost or stolen phones.”
“I guess.” Leo nodded.
Since he was already spending 500,000, he might as well spend another 100,000 just in case he ever breaks it.
After paying for the phone, Leo immediately placed it inside his Spatial Ring.
He left the 11th floor shortly after, but he didn’t leave the shopping center yet.
Instead, he went to the 51st floor to look at the artifacts that were being sold there.
However, when he saw the price tag for mere F-Rank artifacts, he turned around and walked away, not even bothering to look at the others.
‘They want a million dollars for mere F-Rank artifacts when I can purchase them through the system with a couple of Magic Points? That’s robbery in broad daylight!’ He cried inwardly as he left.
After leaving the building, Leo called a taxi and went to a nearby hotel to rent a room.
Once he was inside his room, he took a long bath before spending the rest of the day in the bed fiddling with his new phone.
The following morning, Leo made his way to the Adventurers’ Guild.
“I’m here for my C-Rank promotion examination.” Leo said to one of the workers at the front desk.
After checking his ID, the worker said, “I have confirmed your identity. In order to be promoted to C-Rank, you must complete a special mission that has already been sent to your account. You can access it through the computer like you do with other missions. If you have any questions, you can come back.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
Leo took back his ID and went to look at the special mission.
“The hell? It’s a bodyguard mission?” Leo raised his eyebrows after seeing the special mission in the ‘Rank Promotion’ tab that was not there before today.
After reading the details of the information, Leo sat there in disbelief.
“This is all I have to do to become a C-Rank Adventurer? Isn’t this too easy?” He mumbled to himself.
“I think there is more to this mission than it seems, just like Guildmaster Borus. I wouldn’t come to a conclusion so quickly.” Lilith said.
“You’re right. There’s no way this is an ordinary bodyguard mission. Hopefully, it’s nothing too crazy.”
After memorizing the information on the screen, Leo retrieved his ID and left the Adventurers’ Guild.
He called a taxi and gave the driver a specific address.
The driver’s eyebrows lifted slightly after hearing it, but he didn’t ask any questions.
Half an hour later, Leo got out of the taxi and approached the address from the mission.
“My god, this place is even bigger than Miss Camille’s mansion!” Leo exclaimed in a shocked voice after seeing the mansion that could be considered a castle.
