Taking the First 6 Star Mission

 As the guard was taken outside, the Duke gave him a delightful smile. "Looks like you are far stronger than I expected. I expected you to challenge the Genesis Spring expert but I expected the 1st or maybe the 2nd Stage at most,"

 "I aim to please," Ryker answered coyly, making the Duke laugh uproariously, "Good, then let's talk about the deal somewhere else," he put his arm around Ryker's shoulder before dragging him elsewhere.

 "Oh, and before I forgot, those at the 4th Stgae Genesis Spring, you on cleaning duty for a month," the sound of despair seemed to brighten the Duke's mood even more.

-x-

 After the deal with the Duke, Ryker takes the secret passage the Duke created a long time ago, in case danger comes upon his city and his personnel have to escape. Naturally, the one to show the secret passage was Hylla.

 As she led him through the passage, which seemed to have endless turns and countless crossroads that he didn't even bother to count, they reached the exit. The servant took out a key before opening the door.

 When they got out, Ryker saw they were in some cellar or a storage area. He isn't sure about it but he was sure that the door would lead him to a store or something similar. Maybe even a warehouse.

 "This store is built and bought by the Duke so he could build this secret passage. The people working here are all former guards or guards in training. Their job is to keep watch over the store and keep the illusion of this being a regular store," Hylla explained, earning her an awe from him.

 "They won't try to stop me, right?" he had to ask. 

 "No, they knew everyone that was shown the secret passage likely someone the Duke trusted so they won't do anything to you. Just don't think you can go from this passage to the mansion," she reminded him.

 "Of course not, unless the Duke called me which meant I should go through the main entrance," he replied.

 "That is up for the Duke himself, so you don't have to think about it. You should head to your home now. When the time comes, the Duke will send you a message," Ryker gave a nod to show he understood her.

 With nothing else to say, he left the store, leaving Hylla, who had a complicated look on her face before sighing, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

-x-

 When he returned to his rented mansion, he was immediately crowded by his family, all asking him about what happened inside the Duke's palace. He created that immediately before telling them to stop asking questions so he could answer them.

 He then told them of what happened inside the Duke's mansion, though he did not mention the deal he made with the Duke as it was not something they should know. After finishing his tales, he decided to stay for the day, not planning to go out or do anything else.

 After all, there are only less than 7 days left before the hidden realm will be opened.

-x-

 Unfortunately, he forgot one thing. Staying at home is a bit boring. And unfortunately, he didn't want to practice the auxiliary profession yet so his boredom grew even more.

 So, he decided a quick mission would be a good way to relieve said boredom.

-x-

 "Wait, so now I can take the mission meant for Genesis Source expert, though my ranks won't change for the time being?" he asked, still not believing the windfall he got.

 "Yes, the head had seen your performance in the tournament and decided to allow you to take the harder missions. Unfortunately, the rules of the Adventure Guild dictate certain rises in ranks required in the appropriate cultivation realm," the receptionist said apologetically. 

 "It's alright, the head likely bent enough of the rules to allow me to get the higher difficulty mission, am I right," seeing the man nod, he continued, "And I don't mind the lower rank for now. There will be a chance for me to raise my rank in the future so there is no need to worry about it,"

 Seeing how he seemed to be nonchalant about it, the receptionist sighed in relief. After all, it is better for the powerful adventurer to accept the current arrangement than get involved in a shouting match with a receptionist. With him being the one responsible for the young man, the poor receptionist in question would be him.

 As he was grateful for the thoughtfulness of the young man, Ryker went towards the mission room before taking a look at the mission meant for Genesis Source adventurers. Naturally, the sight of a Genesis Core browsing through missions meant for Genesis Source experts would make the person be subjected to insults and sneer.

 However, because he didn't use any form of disguise, he was quickly recognized by everyone there, though one of the vice-head of the Adventure Guild branch quickly stopped them from spreading the news, threatening to lower their ranks if they did so.

 After browsing through the missions, he picked one that was among the more difficult ones, though it likely won't be that much of a challenge with his strength around 4th Stage Genesis Source, and with him still sandbagging it.

 Recording the mission, he then went to the receptionist before giving him his token. The man accepted before looking at the chosen mission. A frown appeared on his face before saying,

 "This is among one of the more difficult missions with the likelihood of the mission rank being raised high. But then again, your strength is likely sufficient to handle this mission so I think you could take the mission with no problem. Let me check with the head first,"

 Ryker let the man send a message to the head before the man gave him a nod, "The head approved of you taking the mission, but please be careful as there is no telling what danger would there be," the receptionist advised him.

 Ryker accepted the advice seeing nothing wrong with it. In the worst-case scenario, he could escape using the Duke's gift but what are the chances for that to happen?

-x-

 "Hmm, these guys are too weak. There are no decent challenges anymore," a bandit said, taking a sword out of the dead adventurer's body, one he just killed moments ago.

 "I know right, when will they send some stronger guys?" another bandit complained before another voice laughed at him.

 "Hah! Right, if there is a strong guy you will run for the hills in mere seconds of spotting them,"

 "Why you?!" the second bandit was about to charge towards the third voice when another voice stopped them.

 "Enough, the leader is calling us," the bandits' eyes widened before they left and headed towards the direction of their base, leaving behind corpses of adventurers in their wake.