C5 Sophia

"You're the real mascot here!" Lankro said with a playful pout, sticking out her tongue.

"Maybe I am, but that's not so bad," Egerton replied, unfazed and smiling as he pushed open the door.

Upon leaving Hayne Lane, Egerton didn't rush towards Sunblessed Vale, where Skyreach Spire loomed. Instead, he took a detour to the Bounty Guild. Typically, a significant number of the Guild's missions involved venturing into the Skyreach Spire.

For a Class 2 Believer like Egerton, teaming up for a day's adventure in the Spire might yield less than one silver coin. But with the additional rewards from the Bounty Guild, his earnings could increase by about one silver coin. After accounting for the wear and tear on weapons and armor, plus the cost of consumables, he could net over ten silver coins in a month.

This sum was a considerable improvement compared to the average family's annual income of ten silver coins, which still had a tax of two silver coins deducted. Yet, for a Class 2, such earnings were meager.

A basic Origin Power Level weapon alone cost ten silver coins, and higher-end magic tools were outrageously expensive.

Egerton, seasoned in combat, could manage with just an Origin Power Level longsword and no armor. But for other Class 2 adventurers, full sets of Origin Power Level gear were essential to brave the Skyreach Spire, tripling their expenses.

"I wonder if any Adventure Teams would want a barebones guy like me," Egerton mused as he entered the Bounty Guild.

"I'd like to take on a few Skyreach Spire missions, difficulty levels D and E," he requested at the mission counter.

"Sure thing. Are you setting out to explore the Skyreach Spire?" A gentle voice caught Egerton's ear.

She was a vision with her wavy blonde hair, prominent nose, porcelain skin, and graceful figure.

"Are you on duty today?" Egerton greeted the lovely staff member, whom he recognized.

"Do you expect me to keep slacking after a two-day break?" Sophia replied with a playful glance, flipping through the mission catalog.

"So it's your first time heading to the Skyreach Spire, huh? Even with your Class 2 prowess, your gear is quite modest. Start from the first level and take it slow. Don't rush. I've seen too many adventurers like you who were too eager and never returned."

Sophia's eyes shimmered with an endless depth of affection, a look no ordinary man could overlook.

"Yeah, I've seen you use those words and that gaze with plenty of adventurers. Doesn't it ever wear you out?" Egerton said, shaking his head.

Sophia worked at the Bounty Guild and was considered its belle, with countless admirers and supporters, including a fair share of hopelessly infatuated souls.

Yet to Egerton, these individuals were pitiable, not entirely at fault for their feelings. How could they resist when Sophia's interactions with every adventurer were laced with such ambiguity?

Being an adventurer was inherently risky, with emotions often running high. A soft-spoken beauty like Sophia could easily sway their hearts.

And then, they'd be in for a rude awakening.

Egerton had stepped in to deal with some of Sophia's overly enthusiastic suitors before, which brought them closer.

Still, Egerton couldn't be sure how many others had shared a similar closeness with her.

"Sophia, who is this guy?" he pondered, only to be interrupted by an irate voice nearby.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" Egerton glanced at Sophia, who looked utterly confused, and decided to bite back his comment, turning instead to the fuming man.

He was a burly fellow, handsome despite the alcohol fumes and his disgruntled expression, the very picture of jealousy.

"Harper, you're drunk. Stop causing a scene!" Sophia said, her delicate brows knitting together in annoyance.

"Sophia, you used to be so warm to me. Why the sudden cold shoulder? Is it because of this kid? What's so great about him? A mere Class 2 pretty boy. In terms of strength and looks, how am I not superior?" Harper bellowed.

"Look, man, say what you will, but leave me out of it. I'm just passing through," Egerton replied, exasperated.

"Hmph, what a loser. You don't even have the guts to admit it. Sophia, you can't seriously consider someone like him worthy of you!" Harper sneered.

"Exactly, I'm not worthy, but you are. Now, if you don't mind, go back to your drink and let me pick up my mission in peace, okay?" Egerton said, adopting a placating tone that made Sophia burst into laughter, her smile blooming beautifully.

In Harper's view, the exchange seemed like nothing more than flirtatious teasing, a mockery directed at himself.

"Damn it, get out of here!" Harper seized Egerton's collar, intending to use his Class 2 Awakened One strength to hurl the seemingly frail man out of the Bounty Guild. To his surprise, he grasped at thin air.

"Look, buddy, if you've had too much to drink, try to keep it together, alright? Don't stir up trouble for me," Egerton said, effortlessly flipping over and securing Harper's neck with one hand while pinning his waist with his foot.

"Release me!" Harper bellowed, straining with all his might to break free. But with his joints locked, he couldn't muster any strength. His face turned beet red, and his body shook uncontrollably.

"Haha, Harper, you're really useless, aren't you? You can't even outmuscle someone else!" an onlooker jeered.

A devout follower of the God of War, Harper's Class 2 Awakened One status granted him strength and speed beyond human limits. Among the various Class 2 professions, his was known for its formidable power. Yet, he never imagined he'd be so easily overpowered by an unknown youth.

"What's going on here?" A commanding voice cut through the commotion, silencing the crowd.

"Ryan's here today? What's the occasion?"

"Who knows, but it looks like Harper's in for it now!"

"Fighting is prohibited in the Bounty Guild. Are you two unaware of that?" Ryan approached them with authority. By this time, Egerton had already released Harper, who stood there, quivering as though he had sobered up from his drunken stupor.

But many were aware that Harper's sudden clarity wasn't due to sobriety; he was simply terrified.

Ryan, the captain of the Bounty Guild's guard and a Class 4 Sword Wielder, was known for his icy demeanor and impartiality. Typically, since the Bounty Guild rarely faced any disturbances, Ryan would lead the guards on hunts in the Skyreach Spire. Today, however, he unexpectedly showed up at the Guild and happened upon the scene, much to Harper's dismay.

"I know, but we didn't fight!" Egerton stated, unfazed.

"Right, right, right, we didn't fight!" Harper chimed in, suddenly animated.

"Then why were you yelling just now?" Ryan asked, his voice steady and his face unchanging.

"He had a bit too much to drink. I was just helping him sober up. He got overly excited and started yelling," Egerton said, blatantly lying.

"What do you mean I got too excited?... Oh, right, I did get too excited, haha, haha!" Harper began to object but, catching Ryan's skeptical look, he quickly corrected himself.

"Even if there was no fight, the Bounty Guild is not a place for loud disturbances. I'll let it slide this time," Ryan declared coldly.

With that, he turned and left the Bounty Guild without giving Egerton and Harper another glance, as if he had merely been passing by and decided to pop in for a moment. Harper sighed at his own bad luck, unnoticed by the others.

Yet, what everyone failed to notice was the brief moment when Ryan turned around, Sophia felt his glare directed at her.

"It should be okay, right?" she pondered anxiously, remembering her ongoing review process.

"Alright, no more trouble. Let me see the mission catalog," Egerton said, dismissing the incident.

Knowing he was no match for Egerton, Harper stormed off in a huff, shooting a vengeful glare at Egerton that promised retribution. Egerton ignored it completely and approached the counter where Sophia was distractedly standing.

"Here!" Sophia, clearly in a foul mood, took out her frustrations on Egerton, tossing the neatly organized mission catalog into his hands with a huff, leaving Egerton feeling rather exasperated.

What's going on here? I'm just here to pick up a mission, and everyone's acting so strangely.

After selecting several Level D missions, Egerton handed the catalog back to Sophia, only to be chided again, "Choosing so many Level D missions, you might end up wasting your time if no Adventure Team wants a newbie without any gear."

"That's none of your concern. Did you eat gunpowder for breakfast, or am I just dealing with someone you fancy, and that's why you're so irate?" Egerton retorted, clearly irritated.

"I just came here to get a mission. What's with everyone going mad?"

"Get out!" Sophia snapped, her eyes blazing with fury as if she were ready to strike Egerton down.

"Get lost! The mission hasn't even been registered yet!" Egerton pointed to the nearby seal.

"Get lost!" Sophia's curt reply put an end to any further argument from Egerton.

"What's with her? Is it that time of the month? Women from other worlds are such a hassle, with those inexplicable days every month. Oh well, I'll just come back tomorrow when she's not in that mood," Egerton grumbled to himself.

Despite his complaints, he couldn't entirely dismiss what Sophia had said.

In his current state of undress, finding an Adventure Team at Skyreach Spire would be quite the challenge.

If he had a support class, it might not be such a big deal, but Egerton was firmly in the warrior class.

Lacking defensive gear, Egerton doubted anyone would believe he could take on a Level D magical creature.

"Forget it, I'll just go have a look. If all else fails, I can always buy some Origin Power Level armor. It's not like it'll wear out or anything!"

With that in mind, Egerton made his way toward the Central Region, heading for Sunblessed Vale.