Who Says I’m Not a Legitimate Adventurer?

The lowest level was the “Ignition” group, made up of those who had just condensed Source Essence.

Above that were the “Starforge,” “Constellation,” and finally the “Legend” group, whose members rarely ever appeared in public.

If Lance participated this year, he would only be assigned to compete within the lowest-ranked Ignition group.

Moreover, the scope of the rankings was divided into different tiers according to the size of the continental regions.

Normally, each region radiated outward from the nearest four large Underground Dungeons, forming a foundational territorial division.

According to the increasing scale of regions, the rankings from lowest to highest were divided into 【Proof of Lords】, 【Fractured Earth Sovereignty】, and the highest-tier 【Abyssal Scroll】.

Among them, 【Proof of Lords】 was the lowest-level ranking and also the one with the largest number of competitors, so its prestige was relatively low.

As for 【Fractured Earth Sovereignty】, its range essentially gathered every Ignition-rank Adventurer within the entirety of White River Province into the same ranking competition.

As for the highest-level 【Abyssal Scroll】, its competitive scope stretched across the vast territory of the entire Iris Kingdom.

This kind of unprecedented top-tier ranking event usually only opened once in many years.

A trace of pride flashed through Necros’s eyes.

“Back in my day, I was fortunate enough to participate in an Abyssal Scroll ranking battle once.”

The old Guild Master patted his broad chest.

“That was a true gathering of heroes. The greatest geniuses of every race across the continent slaughtered each other in rivers of blood just for that ranking.”

“And in the end, even after giving it everything I had—”

“I only barely managed to squeeze into the ninety-something ranks during the Constellation-tier competition.”

Hearing that ranking, Lance could not help but inhale sharply.

Even a top-tier hero officially recognized by the kingdom like Necros had only ranked somewhere in the nineties?

That alone was enough to prove how terrifying the prestige of the Abyssal Scroll truly was.

“As long as you can earn a title in this Summer Crown, even if it’s only within the lowest-level rankings.”

Necros leaned forward slightly and began throwing out the deadliest temptation.

“Then the major knight orders, spellcaster organizations, and even the royal guards directly subordinate to the royal family in the capital will all come personally to recruit you with generous offers.”

“And the most practical part of all.”

The old Guild Master looked at Lance’s gradually serious expression and deliberately dragged out his words.

“As long as you possess a title, no matter which town across the continent you travel to in the future—”

“If you go to those non-independent chain Apothecary Guilds or branches of the Alchemist Association to purchase high-grade potions or expensive supplies—”

“The moment you display your title, they’ll all give you extremely generous discounts.”

“This is a rule tacitly acknowledged by every commercial alchemy organization across the continent.”

“Discounts!?”

The moment he heard those words, two brilliant lights practically exploded from Lance’s eyes.

Out of everything he had just heard, this was what struck directly at his soul the hardest!

He honestly did not care much about recruitment from various organizations, because authority within organizations also came with obligations.

But discounts were genuine hard cash savings. Forget charging into Underground Dungeons—he would dare to storm through mountains of blades and seas of fire for that.

“And that’s not all.”

Seeing Lance finally take the bait, Necros immediately struck while the iron was hot and continued increasing the stakes.

“As long as you obtain a title, your authority to access records at any Adventurers’ Guild branch will automatically be upgraded.”

“You’ll start directly at Level Three High Authority and gain access to a great deal of knowledge unavailable elsewhere.”

“And the guild will also grant you special exemption rights allowing you to accept high-rank commissions beyond your level.”

Privileges, discounts, and high-level knowledge.

Every bargaining chip Necros threw out precisely struck the exact interests Lance cared about most.

“Guild Master.”

The black-haired boy raised his head. In Necros’s eyes, those normally somewhat lazy-looking eyes had already begun uncontrollably revealing sharpness.

“How much time remains before this year’s Summer Crown officially begins?”

Seeing this boy, who always preferred hiding his talents, finally reveal his hidden fangs—

Necros leaned back into his chair in satisfaction and revealed the triumphant smile of an old fox.

This was his unique way of cultivating Lance.

As long as he firmly grasped the things Lance cared about as bait, he could slowly polish away the rough disguise covering this peerless jade.

“There’s still close to two months left.”

The old Guild Master gathered and stacked the official documents on the desk before smiling toward Lance.

“That’s enough time for you to clear up those doubts in the library.”

“And enough time for you to complete your Class Advancement Ritual.”

“Then go into that danger-filled Underground Dungeon and make a huge scene for this old man.”

……

“Mr. Raven, after exchanging your merit badges, your total Merit Point balance currently stands at 312 points.”

The clerk behind the counter respectfully handed back a metal nameplate refreshed with new data.

Lance accepted the cold metal plate and nodded in satisfaction.

Among these three hundred-plus Merit Points, aside from the 200 specially approved by the old Guild Master—

The remaining odd amounts were all accumulated bit by bit from his recent extermination of Ironhide Crabs in Copper Creek Forest, clearing Goblin strongholds, and rescuing Toby’s three-man party that time.

Oh right, and also the points from rescuing that reckless idiot Damian earlier…

Holy shit!

At this thought, Lance suddenly cursed inwardly.

He had completely forgotten about that unlucky brat Damian.

Ever since rescuing him last time, he had never gone to visit him again.

And later, after making a small fortune, he had directly replaced his entire set of equipment with brand-new gear. In order to conceal his identity, he even kept his hood tightly pulled down every single day.

At this point, even if Damian ran into him in the guild hall, he probably would not recognize him at all.

“I wonder how that kid’s recovery is going.”

Lance muttered inwardly.

Forget it.

There were simply too many things to deal with recently. He would wait until he had time later before visiting him.

Damian: Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ

Now that the Merit Points in his possession had become plentiful, he had much greater freedom in skill selection.

Within the guild’s internal skill exchange catalog—

Breathing Techniques were practically the most expensive and most special type of Status-Type Skill available to non-Professionals.

As for the other Status-Type Skills used for temporary bursts of power, their exchange prices were nowhere near as outrageous.

Many highly effective skills were generally priced below 300 Merit Points.

However, the rules of this world were extremely fair.

The stronger the enhancement effects of those status skills, the more intense the physical side effects accompanying their usage became.

And during the beginner phase below the Professional Rank, very few Adventurers were willing to spend their hard-earned merit on these kinds of Status-Type Skills.

After all, everyone fought desperately in order to complete their Class Advancement Ritual as quickly as possible.

Almost nobody was willing to waste effort learning auxiliary skills that had little connection to their future Path of Professional Advancement.