Chapter 169 - Challenge
When Rhode once again arrived at the Mercenary Association, the place was already starting to get crowded. Although it was still a little bit deserted, it was a lot better than before. After the Mercenary Association got information of Rhode’s arrival, they immediately greeted him and brought him to the waiting room. They respectfully told him to wait for a while and then left. Right now, Rhode was leisurely looking at the surroundings. After a while, he saw the Old President and Sereck happily walk toward him.
Looking at the “warm smile” from the both of them, Rhode frowned.
He was really suspicious.
However, he said nothing and relaxedly drank his tea as usual, nodding to the both of them. Both of them seemed not to care about it and kept smiling at him. They sat in front of him and the Old President glanced at Sereck. Sereck helplessly shrugged his shoulder then looked at Rhode and said, “You finally come, kid. Judging from your face, it seems that your mission has gone smoothly? Very well.”
“It’s alright.” Rhode shrugged his shoulder and put down the tea cup in his hand, looking up. Both of them looked expressionless, and it seemed like both of them had something to ask of him. Else, judging from the Old President’s temper, there would be no way he would let Sereck praise him. His first reaction would probably be complaining about whatever Rhode did, saying that it made the entire Deep Stone City became not peaceful. Else, he would hold a grudge toward everything that he had done and then signalled Sereck to tell Rhode the reason the he had called him here. Now what? “Why are you two looking for me?”
“Hm… it’s like this.” Hearing Rhode’s question, Sereck stayed silent for a while, after which he rubbed his hands while looking at the Old President then said. “Starlight’s point have reached…12 right?”
“If the point from the previous missions are counted there, then that’s right.” Hearing Sereck’s question, Rhode frowned. He thought that the two of them might call him because there was a mission or something. Did he guess wrong? Were they worried about his mercenary group?
“It’s not even the early summer, but you guys have already achieved 12 points. Have you ever thought about your next plan if this keeps going on?”
His next plan? Hearing until here, Rhode was surprised, but his expression didn’t change. “I think both of you clearly know my next plan. As the leader or Mercenary Association, I think both of you know that the No.1 ranked mercenary group can be promoted to an ordinary guild.”
“That’s why I can only depend on you now. Starlight’s performance isn’t bad at all, whether it’s in the Silent Highland or Twilight Forest, your performance is always very exceptional. Your commanding skill is also above Hiller’s, and you know the situation in our Papheld area. It’s already lucky enough for the other mercenary groups to be alive, much less the fact that they can help or not. Don’t show me your expressionless face; it’s not like this competition has no merits for you. If your performance is good, then your mercenary group would be upgraded into a mercenary guild immediately. You’ll be even more famous! Other mercenary groups need to struggle for many years, but you will only need months to achieve that position. What do you think? You must be happy inside, right!”
“Everything has to be done in order, step by step. I still know this principle, Old Man.” Rhode drank the tea in his hand to cleanup the cookies crumbs in his mouth then said. Honestly, he was indeed interested with it. If the Old President was telling the truth, then he didn’t have to try that hard to accumulate points. Especially since the prohibition was about a month, it would be really bothersome. However, he still showed his emotionless face. Since he was requesting his help, at least Rhode needed to con him something.
Rhode’s way of thinking was just like that of a typical player. Every mission had to have a benefit. If ordinary missions weren’t enough, then take the bonus mission. If the bonus mission wasn’t enough, then take the hidden mission. In short, a player will squeeze out every layer of oil until the last copper was pulled out; else, they wouldn’t give up. In the Dragon Soul Continent, missions also work like that. There was a commission entrusted to players by a father to rescue the son he had lost in the mountains. For most online games, after the player sends the child back, the NPC will say thank you and pay for it, and the player will accept the reward and the task is completed. But there are in fact many hidden parts. If you could just nicely describe how difficult was it to find that child in such a dangerous environment, then the NPC will increase your reward. If the player still thinks that it wasn’t enough, they could show off their strength and tell the NPC that their lives were a lot more valuable than their money. Doing so, the player would be able to accept their family heirloom. In just a mission like that, if the player tried harder, then they would be able to get unexpected rewards and equipment.
He already did this once in High Cliff Village, and he didn’t mind doing it again. “Our members are limited, and the time left isn’t much. Not only are we a mercenary group, but facing the mercenary guild from different regions will be really difficult.”
“Of course I know this.” The Old President waved his hand. “That’s why the Mercenary Association will aide you. Whether it’s equipment or a person, just tell me what you want!”
“Really?!”
“Of cour…” Before the Old President wanted to say “of course,” but after looking at Rhode’s face, he immediately stopped. The Old President remembered that the kid had been asking him for some requirements! “If it’s within our Mercenary Association’s strength, then it’s no problem!”
“Then, I want some people and some magic equipment. There’s no problem, right?”
“It depends on the person and the equipment, kid.” The Old President laughed. After interacting with Rhode for sometime, he thought that he had begun to understand Rhode’s greedy personality. “If you said that you wanted Sereck, then keep dreaming. This competition will be supervised by the Mercenary Association HQ, so don’t be too much. Be careful; they won’t let you succeed.”
“I don’t plan on letting Sereck join me. I only need some idle mercenaries.” Rhode shrugged. “I need two smiths and four clerics… Yes, those girls that have accompanied me to the Silent Highland before. That’s right, I need to tell you this first. I’m not borrowing them; they will be permanent members. There should be no problem with this point, right?”
“What do you need them for?” Hearing Rhode’s request, the Old President was surprised. “I heard about the previous situation from Sereck, but kid, this time we’re not facing undead creatures.”
“Of course I know, but that’s not the reason I want them.” Rhode stretched out his hands and made a gesture. “And, I want some magic materials, including ore and woods. Of course, I hope that the Mercenary Association will show me some sincerity. Provide it for free… since I don’t have that much money to buy those things.”
“… Alright, no problem, I agree as long as it’s not too much.” The Old President took a very deep breath, reminding himself to be patient. Just think of his words as fart. Be careful not to give him any opportunity… Although the Old President had already made a mental preparation, Rhode’s requests still left him a little bit shocked.
“That’s right, I want to confirm. Is is considered as a mission from Mercenary Association?”