The Discarded Son's Skill Market

The Three Villages of the Ancient Temple!

Although they are called "villages," they are not like any ordinary small town. They are not three local hamlets. Rather, they are three small fortified towns that are arranged in a triangle around a mountain on which stands a massive temple.

They weren’t formed recently; they’ve existed since before the portals appeared. In fact, their history dates back hundreds of years, to a time before the advent of technology and scientific progress.

They have always been there, even before Toluria existed.

They are highly independent, with their own local guilds and residents who generally avoid contact with the outside world. They are not powerful, but they are respected for their longevity.

Zaid held the letter he was supposed to deliver to a priest of the Ancient Temple and frowned as he stepped out of the elderly Anhur’s courtyard.

No sooner had he received the letter than he was kicked in the butt and thrown out. He was specifically told that he could only reenter once he had completed his errand of delivering it to a famous priest of the Temple.

He didn’t know what was in the letter, since it was sealed. He wasn’t going to open it—he wasn’t that stupid.

He looked at it for a while and wondered why the old man Anhur had decided to send him there. He had plenty of powerful people at his disposal—why choose the weakest one? Did he want to kill him or something?

"Maybe it’s some kind of test?" he thought.

Zaid looked at something else that the elderly Anhur had given him. On his mask was a small layer that covered it entirely. He could feel his energy resonating with that layer of the mask.

Its function was simple: it allowed him to conceal his aura and energy to a great extent, as well as alter his voice without him having to strain.

It was a nice gift he’d given him, which was why it made him think he was being put to some kind of test.

"This old man seems complicated." Zaid sighed and began to walk away from the place, following where his memories led him.

He had a good memory, because he didn’t get lost even though it was his first time walking alone through what seemed like a maze with so many twists and turns.

Upon returning to the first floor, Zaid walked among the mercenaries and contractors to check out the missions.

During that time, some people had contacted him through the app to buy the items he had listed for sale.

In just over two hours, Zaid had sold everything he owned... After checking all of it in at the front desk, they asked him a few questions.

Did you hunt all of that yourself?

Do you need to take another test to determine your exact rank? (This was where he needed to show his talent.)

There were many questions, all of which were quickly answered...

After the Q&A session ended, the receptionist nodded at him professionally, with a smile.

"Mr. Gio, honestly, you should already be able to advance to Silver Rank. However, you must complete or participate in a qualifying mission in order to move up. There are some relatively safe but important missions that require a Silver-Rank mercenary—ones you could handle. Would you like to see the list?"

Zaid frowned. "Do you have to participate in high-level missions to reach that level?" he asked, puzzled.

"Not exactly," the receptionist replied. "It’s also possible through accumulated experience, but you need to demonstrate, in some way, that your promotion makes sense. The best way is to complete or participate in missions at the desired level to achieve it. Although, of course, you must always keep in mind that the rule states a person can only undertake missions two ranks above their own."

He nodded and fell deep in thought. He knew he could move up in rank, but he hadn’t expected to skip Bronze and go straight to Silver. That was a good sign.

Should he give it a try?

"I’ve got nothing to lose by trying..." he thought...

Just then, a commotion snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Wow, that woman is beautiful..." someone in the crowd said.

Then another added, "Has such a beautiful woman really joined the guild?"

"But she looks so young—could she be a student?"

"It’s possible..."

Zaid looked behind him and saw Alice coming over, smiling, to turn in her mission. She only had to run a few errands in town, so it wasn’t dangerous for her. That also gave her a little more confidence.

Zaid decided to postpone his attempt to move up in rank. After accompanying Alice to turn in her mission, the two of them left together, sparking rumors once again—especially among those who had been hanging around the reception area all day.

"Wasn’t that the girl who caught Young Master Finn’s attention?"

"I’m sure it was her. Does she have a boyfriend? Who was that other guy? His voice didn’t sound very old—he must be young."

"But he’s only at the Iron Rank... That woman doesn’t know what she’s doing. Young Master Finn is clearly interested in her; if I were a woman, I’d run into his arms." One of them said, almost jokingly, though they all knew he was telling the truth.

That’s why the taunts weren’t long in coming...

"Don’t they all think the same way? Tsk, an emissary from a department. To hell with dignity, you bastard! Do you know how much money someone in that position makes? I could live comfortably for the rest of my life!"

"Tsk, tsk, you’re selling yourself out for so little..."

"Shut up, you bastard!"

The arguments, jokes, and nonsense didn’t stop the talk about the duo that had just left. Especially since a new member mentioned something.

"I heard his name is Gio—he’s a newly registered mercenary who was selling some good gear a little while ago. Rumor has it he might move up to Silver Rank," he said.

Another shook his head. "No, I heard he could be promoted to Gold Rank. Apparently, he has some good connections. Does anyone know which department he joined?"

As they talked, Finn watched from a distance as Zaid and Alice walked away on the other side of the door.

Who knows what was going through his mind, but he watched them until they disappeared from view.

"Finn, it’s time to get ready. We’re leaving at dawn." Someone approached him and whispered.

Finn nodded and stopped staring at the outer door. He turned and looked at his companion—the only man other than his master and his grandmaster whom he tolerated, his best friend. "I heard there are several caravans heading to the three villages. Do you know why there are so many people all of a sudden? Usually, there’s only one a month."

"It’s because of the Seventh Night Festival. There are a lot of parishioners heading there to celebrate it."

Finn frowned. "Wasn’t that held every two years?" he asked... He clearly remembered that one had just been held last year—was his mind playing tricks on him?

However, his friend confirmed that he wasn’t completely off his rocker. "I’m wondering the same thing. Apparently, it was moved up, and I don’t understand why."

Finn shook his head then. "Well, maybe it’s because of the system’s introduction. That’s changed a lot of things in the world. Never mind—let’s get ready. If we’re late, someone’s bound to complain."

--

The next morning.

5 a.m.

Zaid arrived at the city’s massive walls and stared at them for a while.

These walls were over 40 meters high and as wide as a highway. Building them was a real challenge, but with modern technology, it was possible. Even so, completing the project in just a few years was still a challenge for the workforce, even with the help of machines.

Somehow, he was always in awe whenever he saw them. Not only were they an extraordinary feat of engineering, but they also protected them from the most powerful beasts. At the top of the wall were many sensors and powerful people, protecting the city.

Getting there wasn’t easy these days. There was too much security on the road, since it didn’t just cover the city. It covered everything that had once been the city.

That includes the Portales de Desecho area, the Forest of the Undead, and other hunting grounds located inland.

Across from him were military barracks and hunters’ quarters. The powerful people who protected the city and the soldiers who had awakened were here.

After looking at the wall, Zaid lowered his gaze and observed the various caravans that were ready to depart. Among them, he found his destination and spoke. "Let’s go. They’re waiting for us."

Alice, standing behind him, nodded, a little nervously.

Today, both of them were wearing black masks and hoods.

When he reached the second caravan, Zaid stood there, puzzled, looking at two familiar faces here... not to mention the more than seven he had seen in the other caravans.

One of them, Finn, frowned. "What the hell are you doing here?" he asked immediately.

Zaid didn’t know what to say... and well, he didn’t get the chance anyway. Someone else greeted him.

"Hey, it’s you!" Martin smiled happily and walked over to him before putting his arms around his shoulders. "Did you join this caravan too? Wow, you brought a real stunner. I saw her earlier—is she your girlfriend?" he exclaimed.

Zaid, who had hoped to go unnoticed, found himself with a little problem... he wasn’t going to pull it off.

As soon as Finn and Martin greeted him, all the attention turned to him and Alice.

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