System Change

Derek frowned at the mention of a drink. The ale he had drank didn’t do it for him. Of course, he didn’t actually need to drink it. He laughed. “Sure, why not?”

Shae nodded and walked over to the wall with all the runes and activated one. In an instant, a glow washed over the room and all the dirt, grime, and blood was washed away with it. It was as if the two had never even been inside.

Derek made sure he was properly clean before throwing his original clothes back on. Before leaving the room, Derek glanced at his gains. Physical Resistance increased to level 12, and he received a level in Greater Meditation earlier.

Huh… Getting organs destroyed by a level 200+ spear master seems to be the way to go if I want to increase my Physical Resistance skill. Derek unconsciously ran his hand over his abdomen. Unfortunately, if I want to increase my Unarmed Combat Mastery, I’m going to need to do better than landing one punch. At least I got another level in Chain Lightning. He thought, as the skill was now at level 13.

Derek sighed. I need to find a way to train my void abilities better. Looks like I’m going to need to get a list of dungeons from Shae.

Derek pat Shae, who was waiting by the door, on the back. “Let’s get this badge situation over with.”

When the door opened, Thomas jumped in front of the duo and heaved a heavy breath. “Oh, good. You’re both okay.” He muttered.

Derek tussled the boy’s hair. “Of course, we’re fine. We were only sparring. I was just using an area attack, so I didn’t want it to hit you.”

“Exactly.” Shae agreed. “We’re not brutes.”

Both Shae and Derek cracked up at the joke while Thomas eyed them oddly.

Soon, they were sitting in another room, Shae across a table from Derek. The Guild Master pulled a box out of his storage ring. After injecting some mana into the box, it clicked and opened, revealing three Onyx Badges inside.

“There aren’t many Onyx Ranked Adventurers.” Shae said. “So, we only carry a few at a time, and they have to be stored properly, as well.” Shae took one of the badges and placed it on the table. Then, he closed the box and locked it with his mana, storing it afterward.

“Let me see your current badge.” Shae said.

Derek took the badge out of his storage ring. He hadn’t put it back on after getting dressed. He then handed it to Shae.

Shae held the Gold Badge in one hand and the Onyx Badge in his other. Then, both badges began to glow blue with mana. The glow lasted for more than a minute. Finally, the glow on the Gold Badge dulled until it vanished, and the glow on the Onyx Badge became more brilliant.

Soon, the Gold Badge crumbled into dust before Shae retracted his mana from the Onyx one. Shae slid the newly imprinted Onyx Badge towards Derek. “I’ve transferred your mana signature from the Gold Badge to the Onyx Badge.” He explained.

“Inject some mana into it to activate it.” Shae said.

Derek did as he was told. Instantly, the mana he injected was consumed, and he was linked to the badge.

“Congratulations.” Shae said. “You are now an Onyx Ranked Adventurer. I would suggest you always wear that badge. You’ll end up with a lot of benefits, and there aren’t really any downsides. It’s a great way to keep from being pestered by people, too. Who wants to risk offending someone with an Onyx Badge?”

Shae then pulled out a small stack of papers before filling them out and signing them. After a few minutes, he straightened the papers and stored them. “I hate paperwork.” He said. “Judy usually does most of it, but I have to personally do it when it’s related to a new Onyx Ranked Adventurer.”

“I see.” Derek placed the badge on his upper arm, wearing it in the same fashion as Shae. “I guess it won’t hurt to keep this one on.”

With that, the trio left the room and walked back to the lobby of the Adventurer’s Guild. When they arrived back up front, the lobby was as full as ever.

Judy noticed the trio coming out from where the door used to be. After giving them a quick scan, her eyes fell on the newly placed badge on Derek’s upper arm. Her eyes widened in shock, then quickly resumed their normal appearance.

Shae and Derek walked up beside the woman. “We’re finished with our tests. Mr. Hunt passed with flying colors.” Shae said.

“Did you…” Judy began.

“Yes, I’ve already filled out the paperwork and transferred his signature. You don’t have to worry about that.” Shae answered.

Judy nodded before turning to Derek. “Mr. Hunt. I once again apologize for my earlier display. Congratulations on becoming an Onyx Ranked Adventurer. We at the guild look forward to all of your upcoming accomplishments.”

Derek smiled. “No harm, no foul.” He said.

“Now, Judes.” Shae said, causing the receptionist’s eye to twitch. “I’m going to treat our new Onyx Adventurer to a drink. It’s the least I can do.”

“But your reports…” Judy began.

“Will still be waiting for me when I get back.”

Judy snorted and whipped her head back around. “Next.” She said, ignoring Shae and Derek.

Shae looked at Derek with a grin. “Let’s go.”

Derek chuckled. “You’re going to be paying for that later.”

Shae shrugged. “I’m still paying for the last time.”

Derek just smiled and shook his head while following behind Shae.

As the trio left the guild, Derek noticed another trio approaching the building. Two elven guards leading a beautiful female elf.

The second the guards recognized Derek, they stopped dead in their tracks.

“Why did you stop?” An annoyed voice chimed out from behind them.

The surprised guards did not answer the elf. Instead, their eyes were drawn to the Onyx Badge on Derek’s arm and Shae.

“Have you met Sabrina Elras?” Shae asked in a quiet tone. “She is a foreign dignitary from Indria.”

Hearing another voice, the elven lady peaked out from the side of her guard. Instantly, her eyes locked on to Derek, then fell to the ground. Her face flushed red as she grabbed at her dress.

“We met before, in the City Building.” Derek answered, not bothering to lower his voice. “Her and her retinue were quite rude. Everything’s fine though, I took care of it.” Derek kept walking past the elven group. He stopped just beside the female elf. “Milady.” He said, then continued forward.

Shae hurried back to Derek’s side, and Thomas scurried after.

“What are you still standing there for?!” Derek heard the shrill scream of the lady behind him. “You’re both useless.”

Derek held back his chuckle as the elven trio vanished into the guild.

“That was… interesting.” Shae said.

Derek shrugged. “It is what it is. What’s so special about her, anyway?”

“Well… She’s a Duke’s daughter, the King of Indria’s niece.” Shae answered.

“So, she’s a spoiled brat?” Derek asked.

Shae snorted. “Isn’t that exactly what I just said? Though she’s much too old to be called a brat.”

“You can be a brat no matter your age, race, or gender.”

“True enough.”

“Now, you wanted to have a drink? Where?” Derek asked.

“Yup, I got just the place.” Shae answered before turning to Thomas. “Sorry, kid. It’s not a place for kids.”

“I’ll see you back at the hotel later.” Derek said.

Thomas ducked his head, but eventually answered. “I should check on Brandi and the others anyway.” He replied.

Derek nodded. “Good idea. I’m sure I won’t be long.”

With that, the Onyx Ranked duo split off from Thomas. Derek followed silently behind Shae without making conversation.

Eventually, Shae brought Derek to a run down looking building close to the edge of the city.

“Here we are.” Shae said. “Best drinks in the city.” He led them inside.

Derek scanned the room when they entered. It reminded him of an old-fashioned saloon. Its image was the exact opposite of something from the Crown. He ran his finger along one of the tables, and it came back covered in dust.

In the back was two rough-looking men slugging it out while others bet coin on the winner. Derek shook his head.

“When you said the boy couldn’t come with us, I was expecting something… different.” Derek said.

Shae slapped Derek on the back. “What do you mean? I’m a happily married man. When I say I want a drink, I want a drink.”

“And this place has good drinks?” Derek asked with skepticism.

“The best.” Shae answered. “Now, let me show you.”

Shae led Derek to the bar, and they both sat on a stool. Derek looked around for someone to serve them, but no one came. Soon, a loud cheer came from the boxing match. Derek looked over to see one of the rough-looking men sprawled out on the ground, while the other had his arm up in victory.

At that time, a short, stout man broke off from the crowd and made his way to the bar. Derek couldn’t tell if the man was a tall dwarf or a short human. Maybe he’s a half dwarf. He thought.

“About damn time, Roman.” Shae said.

“Zip it, less I be out of your brew.” Roman said. “Now, who do we got here?”