Becoming A Mercenary: Ranked And Levelled

"Isn't that the earth dragon? I thought you killed it!" The black-haired lady shouted, they were already miles outside the Palisade and journeying on a wagon.

"No I didn't, but in exchange, he changed lairs and stopped disturbing the kingdom."

"Damn, I can't believe you are friends with a dragon, it was so terrifying to watch, every moment I was on the edge in case he decided to attack."

"Mullat and I have been friends now for three years, he also helps me with killing some tough beasts. If this job pulls through, I'm sure I'll become a tungsten rank."

"No doubt," She once again replied in excitement.

"But he made it sound very tough, is it something we'll be able to do and what has Brelzred got to do with this, who is he?" The second girl asked.

"Brelzred... is an elderwyrm fire dragon and he is one of the three candidates for the deity title dragon god."

"Wow, what about the other two."

"I don't know their names, but they are green dragon and blue dragon. The reason why Brelzred is prominent is if Ramires is known as the bastard dragon, Brelzred is the INSANE DRAGON, alias Fire King, that thing kills with no remorse, even its kin, it is one of the reasons why all the elderwyrm dragons are yet to conclude on who to become the dragon god. But the fact that Ramires fears him is a good thing, I'm sure just calling his name will come in handy during battle."

"That is great, are we still going by the same plan?" She asked.

"Yes Tai"

"I've been meaning to ask." The black-haired girl called out.

"Yes, Douma?"

"The plan is to wait till other teams wear out the dragon, what if it gets killed while we are waiting?"

"That's why we are waiting close, we steal the kill and kill the killer."

"You sound confident, three of us together can take care of an adamantine rank but do you think a Tungsten rank will be possible? especially if it's Brandon." Tai said

"Then, we should pray that Brandon does not appear here, because either one of us will die and it is definitely not going to me."

"Ah... that dragon was right, your arrogance is out of this world." Douma said, shaking her head, "Brandon is a level 17 Prima with two SSS grades vassal weapons, he's the best of the best, to think you a level 15 Prima can defeat him...waah, I marvel at your fantasy. But then again on second thought, you have a grade EX"

"Speaking of Primas no one has passed level 19. It was recorded that level 20 is the limit of a prima and its height, the last time we had a level 20 is the founder of the Binneniel Empire, according to history. Except for the Emperor of Resin who is level 19 I don't think there's anyone close." Tai said

"More Primas are coming, even my younger brother is so optimistic about being a Prima," Douma added.

"Support him, there's no telling the height those youngsters might reach," Arthur added as they rode on and away.

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"I don't know why you insist on coming, I told you there's no need"

"It's fine, I should accompany you." 'I've been dead curious these past three days that I couldn't even work there's no way I can rest, without knowing what happened.'

Both of us entered the guild at the exact time, we were greeted by a long line of attendants and workers, with the guild manager in front of them, the entire place was silent unlike the last time there was no one around.

"We have been expecting you, sir, if you will come with me to my office." The man said.

I followed up upstairs and into his office, I sat down and anxiously waited for what he was about to say as it seemed very important.

"Sir, I sincerely apologise for the delay in your evaluation the reason why I asked you to come back was I had to confirm, the ice orb is the highest of all grades and is even able to measure a level 20 Prima which is the height of the strength of a Prima.

Each level has a colour however, we have never experienced the colour black. At first, I thought it was a level 20 because it has been a very long time since the emergence of a level 20 but I had to discuss it with the FIRST ORDER BUREAU before deciding on something like that.

It was through them I was able to find out that level twenty has a golden colour, after several meetings they concluded that colour black might be the emergence of a level even higher than 20 but as we are still unsure, we'll be giving you a temporary level 20 after the bureau has found a way to properly measure your level. This is your card, Congratulations on becoming a Tungsten rank mercenary."

My mouth fell as he spoke, I took up the card and looked at it, "I thought I had to climb up the ladder from the lowest rank?"

"You are the first level 20 in five hundred years and there's a high chance that your level might even be higher than 20, the bureau felt there should be no issues pronouncing you as a Tungsten rank. However, they have a job for you."

'As expected... no one gives goodies for free' My demeanour changed as he spoke, not that it was visible behind the mask but he could somehow tell due to the change in air.

"I can assure you they are not trying to take advantage of you. It's a popular job and there are rewards. This job request was put together by kingdoms even the Binneniel Empire included, if you win you will be granted the highest peerage in any kingdom of your choice, and you will be assigned an estate of your own along with a hundred slaves.

You will receive a hundred thousand diamond coins, two grade SSS vassal weapon and one grade EX." He concluded.

I gulped at the list of rewards he mentioned.

"So what's the Job."

"The job is to kill the bastard dragon, though many others are on this job including other Tungsten rank mercenaries, the bureau think if it's you, you'll be able to talk to the bastard dragon and find out why it attacked the Iredale Fort."

"This reward, is that what everyone is receiving?" I asked.

"Not as much." He replied

"Then why are they offering me this much?"

"As I said, there's an additional request for you to find out why the dragon attacked the Fort."

"So if I don't find out does that mean the rewards will go away?"

"The bureau will appreciate it if you can find out."

I rubbed my chin slowly.

'A hundred thousand diamond coins are no joke, I'll practically be able to take care of all the expenses of the jobs I want to give Challan and I'll be well off, I'm not particularly intrigued about the vassal weapons but seeing a stronger vassal weapon is not a bad idea. Moreover, I will even be gaining the highest peerage of the kingdom I choose, isn't that like archduke or something. Imagine me being the archduke of Binneniel Empire, nice... that will even help me to gain first-hand info about the world and the empire and make some contributions too.'

"Goshujin, You are already taking too long to reply."

"Sir...?"

I jacked back to reality after Anastasia's warning.

"I'll take the job, I'll do it."

"Oh, thank you so much. I hear your vassal weapon is a grade S. The guild is willing to borrow you a higher grade for the job."

"They are underestimating you, Siegfried."

<It's understandable, I'm grade S.>

"You are boring." She replied after not getting the answer she expected.

"It's fine, I'm fine..."

"If you also don't mind. This will be going public by morning."

"I don't," I said, admiring my profile card, somehow it gave me a sense of ownership. Suddenly I remembered.

"Oi, what about the compensation you promised."

"Ah..." He paused and smiled, "Then the guild will give you five hundred thousand gold coins. It's on the house and this is the first time this guild is catching the attention of the public we would also love it if you decide to be loyal to us."

"Tsk, no problem," I said joyfully as I perceived the smell of gold coins I had not even seen.

I was escorted outside afterwards, Challan awaited me with eyes full of excitement, it seems the news has gotten to him before I get to deliver it. He naughtily smirked at me.

"I knew you were going to amount to much there are so many questions I have but I will wait. But still, level 20?! That's crazy!" He exclaimed as we walked the dark street.

"I know right."

"So? what did he say?"

"First job request is to kill a dragon."

"WHAAAAT?..."

'Let's calm down, this is another opportunity to see his might.' "So when are you going."

"I'll have to patch things up in the palace, I'll probably need one to two days."

"But will you be able to do it?" He asked calmly observing me.

"Hmph, defeating a dragon should be possible, if we add Ardor's power, all the magic you know and Siegfried it should be possible however don't you dare use ars elementum impetum."

'Yea yea...'

After a few steps in silence, "Well, it should be possible." I responded to him with an indifferent expression.