Crafting Gear From Monster Genes

"Mr. Grad, I ask you to reconsider!" Ophelia exclaimed from the sidelines.

Grad, who was sitting relaxed on the couch drinking coffee, just waved his hand.

"I said that this time, I’m the only one making the decision. I don’t need your analysis, Ophelia, I saw everything with my own eyes."

Kreyn sat across from him, holding a cup of hot chocolate. They moved from the training room to the lobby, where they waited for Kreyn’s Badge to arrive. It took no more than an hour to manufacture and deliver it.

Normally, all three members of the evaluation team were supposed to vote, taking into account the candidate’s abilities, potential, rarity, behavior during combat, and much more.

That is, Ophelia, Artis, and Grad - each of them was supposed to express their opinion, but Grad decided to ignore this rule and do everything himself.

"This... This is a mistake! You’ll only hurt Kreyn with your reckless actions!" Ophelia’s face was red with anger.

Grad waved his hand dismissively.

"I don’t want to hear any of it. In any case, Kreyn has the final word, and you know it."

Ophelia turned to Kreyn, hoping for his sanity.

Kreyn shrugged, looking at his reflection in the cup.

"The higher the Badge, the better overall, isn’t that right?"

"Yes, but—!"

Kreyn didn’t let her finish.

"Sure, I get that the higher the access level, the more opportunities, and therefore the more chances to get into trouble. But every Hunter decides for themselves what they should do, right? If you want to screw up, you’ll do it with any Badge."

"Hahahahahah!" Grad laughed out loud. "Did you hear that, Ophelia? Now that’s what I call an analysis!"

After that, Kreyn looked at Grad.

"What about the Badges? How do they differ?"

Grad smiled broadly. "It’s actually very simple. There are five levels: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Prima showed you her Badge, she has a Silver one.

"The Badge level doesn’t carry over between Ranks, so if you become a First Rank Hunter, you’ll have to start with an Iron one. Well, unless something special happens, of course."

"If?" Kreyn raised an eyebrow.

Grad spread his arms wide.

"What can I say? Hunters die, and pretty often. Although... Considering what happened to you at Aegis A-13, you should’ve figured that out by now."

"I guess so."

"Nah, don’t think about it too much. As for the Badges, the higher the rank, the more mission options you have, as well as perks like transportation, support, military assistance, and so on."

Kreyn glanced at Ophelia.

"Do you think I’ll take on a mission that’s too difficult and die?"

"Yes!" she replied, clenching her fists tightly. "You have no idea how many talented people I’ve seen go out and die for nothing. All of you just want to go on a suicide run!"

"Huh..." Kreyn chuckled.

Ophelia frowned. "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing, just... I’m not talented."

"You passed the test at Aegis A-13! Of course you’re talented!"

Kreyn didn’t reply as he took another sip of hot chocolate.

Crack!

At that moment, the door opened, and a stern-looking woman in military uniform walked in. In her hands was a dark box. On its lid was engraved a nine-pointed star.

"Mr. Grad, the Badge for Hunter Kreyn Scard has arrived!"

Grad glanced at her and pointed at Kreyn.

"He must do this."

The box was placed in front of Kreyn, he nodded and slowly opened it.

Inside was a silver Badge just like Prima’s, but on the front was a sword symbol instead of a number, as with Prima.

"A silver Badge?" Kreyn muttered, holding it up.

Grad nodded deeply.

"Usually, when a rookie performs exceptionally well during a test or possesses useful and rare abilities, they can be awarded a Bronze Badge, one rank higher than the standard Iron one, but I believe you deserve more."

Ophelia frowned. She was still opposed to the idea, but she didn’t say anything.

"And this sword, does that mean I have the Initial Rank?"

"Correct."

Kreyn was happy, but at the same time, he had a strange feeling.

What was he supposed to do now?

He’d become a Hunter, just as he’d always wanted, but he’d never thought about what was supposed to happen next.

"Looks like someone’s a little lost?" Grad’s voice rang out.

"Yeah, something like that. I’ve got so many opportunities now, but at the same time, where do I even start?"

"It’s simple."

Grad stood up and touched Kreyn’s shoulders.

"Head to the Hunter Hub. Ophelia will show you the way. There, you’ll get your uniform and your first cash reward. As far as I know, you live in Sector 18, right?"

Kreyn’s expression grew more complex as he nodded.

Dust Star was divided into 21 residential sectors, not counting the city walls and the center. The farther out a sector was, the poorer it was. Sure, Sector 18 wasn’t the worst, but it was one of them. Anything beyond Sector 15 was practically considered slums, and almost none of the people living in those sectors had the money to pay for the Soul Shard test.

"Great! I mean, it’s not the best place, but after one or two missions, you’ll be able to move somewhere better, so there’s your first goal!"

"Rent a better apartment?" Kreyn looked up, confused.

In response, Grad shrugged.

"Why not?"

In fact, that’s when Kreyn realized he did have a goal, but it had nothing to do with a new home.

He looked down at his boots and his arms, which had finally returned to normal state after a long time.

’What I want is to keep creating, which means I have to hunt monsters!’

Step.

Ophelia stepped forward, standing in front of him.

"Are you ready? The Hunter Hub will be our last stop for today."

Kreyn clenched his silver badge and stared at her, his gaze full of determination.

...

The black car came to a stop as Ophelia and Kreyn stepped out onto one of the city’s busiest streets.

Numerous roads led to the square that lay before a massive building made of smooth metal and blue glass that blocked out the sunlight.

The area around the building was fenced off by a holographic barrier that ran along the ground like a blue line of light.

"Is this the Hunter Hub...?"

Ophelia nodded. "Yes. Let’s go. Only Hunters or officials like me have access here. We need to register you."

A few passersby glanced at them, but Hunters were frequently seen here, so it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

After passing through the gate, they entered a spacious hall filled with terminals, where Hunters gathered. There, they could select a mission, learn the details, or find information about a monster or material.

Right in the center was a registration desk where staff members helped Hunters with their questions.

"Welcome to the Hunter Hub! How can I help you?"

The woman with chestnut-brown hair and a bright smile greeted them.

Ophelia gave her only a cold look and pointed at Kreyn.

"You need to register him and give him a starter pack. He’s a new Hunter."

As soon as she said this, several Hunters turned around, glancing curiously at Kreyn.

Newcomers always attracted extra attention.

"Sure! Please show me your badge!" the woman replied, pointing to the terminal.

Slowly, Kreyn placed his Silver Badge on the counter, sliding it along the marble surface.

"Agh...? Silver...?"

The woman’s face froze as silence fell over the hall.

No one expected to see a Silver Badge on someone who hadn’t even been registered yet.

Kreyn didn’t know it yet, but the extra attention was always the cause of both problems and new opportunities.

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