Chapter 164: Earth-Sundering Monarchy

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Earth-Sundering Monarchy

The lowest tier was the "Burning Fire" group, for those who had just condensed their Source Material.

Above them were the "Star Forger" and "Seating Arrangement" groups, and finally the "Legend" group, whose members were almost never seen.

If Lance were to participate this year, he would be placed in the lowest tier, the Burning Fire group, to compete.

Furthermore, the rankings were divided into different tiers based on the size of the continental region they covered.

A basic regional division typically encompassed the four nearest major Underground Cities and the surrounding area.

In order of increasing regional size, the rankings were, from lowest to highest: the [Lord’s Certificate], the [Earth-Sundering Monarchy], and the highest of all, the [Abyssal Scroll].

The [Lord’s Certificate] was the lowest-tier ranking with the most competitors, and was thus considered relatively less prestigious.

The scope of the [Earth-Sundering Monarchy], on the other hand, encompassed the entire White River Province, pitting all of its Burning Fire Level Adventurers against each other.

As for the highest-level ranking, the [Abyssal Scroll], its competitive scope spanned the vast territory of the entire Iris Kingdom.

An unprecedented, top-tier ranking of this scale was a rare event, only occurring once every several years.

A glint of pride flashed in Necros’s eyes.

"Back in my day, I was fortunate enough to participate in the competition for the Abyssal Scroll."

The guild president patted his broad chest.

"That was a true gathering of titans. The most brilliant geniuses from every race on the continent were locked in a bloodbath over that ranking."

"In the end, even after giving it my all,"

"I only managed to scrape into the nineties in the Seated Level competition."

Lance couldn’t help but gasp when he heard that rank.

’Even a top Hero officially recognized by the Kingdom, someone like Necros, could only rank in the nineties on that list?’

That alone proved just how unbelievably prestigious the Abyssal Scroll truly was.

"As long as you can earn a title in this Summer Crown—even one from the lowest-tier ranking—"

Necros leaned forward, dangling his most irresistible bait.

"Then the major Knight Orders in the Royal Capital, the Caster organizations, even the Royal Guard that reports directly to the Royal Family... they will all come flocking to you with generous offers."

"And, for the most practical benefit..."

The guild president watched as Lance’s expression grew serious, and he deliberately drew out his words.

"Once you have a title, you can walk into any town on this continent."

"Go to any chain Alchemist Guild or a shop under the Alchemist Association to buy High Tier Potions and expensive supplies."

"Just show them your title, and they’ll give you a very substantial discount."

"It’s an unspoken rule acknowledged by every commercial Alchemy organization on the continent."

"DISCOUNTS!?"

Upon hearing that word, a sharp glint flashed in Lance’s eyes.

’Out of everything Necros had just said, *that* was what truly got to him!’

He didn’t care much about being courted by various organizations. After all, with power came obligation.

But a discount was a tangible benefit that saved him cold, hard cash. For that, he wouldn’t just fight in an Underground City; he’d charge through a mountain of blades and a sea of fire.

"And there’s more."

Seeing that Lance had finally taken the bait, Necros decided to strike while the iron was hot and sweeten the deal.

"Once you obtain a title, your information access level at any Adventurer’s Guild branch will be automatically upgraded."

"You’ll start with Level 3 Advanced Authority, which allows you to access a great deal of Knowledge unavailable to the public."

"Furthermore, the Guild will grant you a special exemption to accept high-level quests that are above your official rank."

Special privileges, discounts, and access to advanced Knowledge.

Every incentive Necros offered was perfectly tailored to Lance’s interests.

"President."

The black-haired youth looked up. The eyes that had always seemed lazy to Necros now held an irrepressible, sharp glint.

"How long until this year’s Summer Crown officially begins?"

Seeing that the youth who always hid his true strength had finally revealed his hidden Tusks, Necros leaned back in his chair, a satisfied, foxy grin spreading across his face.

This was his unique method for molding Lance.

By using the things Lance cared about as bait, he could slowly chip away at the rough exterior of this peerless, uncut gem.

"There are almost two months."

The guild president gathered and folded the official documents on his desk, then looked at Lance with a smile.

"That’s enough time for you to clear up your questions in the library."

"It’s also enough time to complete your Profession ceremony."

"And then, you can go into that perilous Underground City and raise some hell for this old man."

...

"Mr. Raven, after exchanging for the Merit Badge, your current total for Merit Points is 312."

The clerk behind the counter handed the Plaque, its data now updated, back to him with both hands.

Lance accepted the cool metal Plaque and nodded in satisfaction.

Aside from the 200 points the guild president had just specially approved, the remaining hundred-odd points were all accumulated bit by bit from his time hunting Iron Shell Crabs in Copper Creek Forest, clearing out Goblin strongholds, and rescuing Toby’s three-person party.

’Oh, right, and there were the points from rescuing that greenhorn Damian a while back...’

’Holy shit!’

The thought made Lance curse inwardly.

’He’d completely forgotten about that unlucky kid, Damian.’

He hadn’t visited him once since bringing him back.

Then he’d come into a bit of money, replaced all his gear, and started keeping his Wind Hat pulled down low every day to hide his identity.

’Damian probably wouldn’t even recognize him if he saw him in the Guild hall.’

’I wonder how that kid is recovering,’ Lance mused to himself.

’Oh, well.’

’There’s just too much to do lately. I’ll find some time to look him up later when I’m free.’

Damian: Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ

Now that he had a decent amount of Merit Points, he had much more flexibility in choosing his Skills.

In the Guild’s internal Skill redemption catalog,

The Breathing Combat Technique was the most expensive and most unique type of Status Skill available to Non-Professionals.

The other Status Skills, which provided temporary bursts of power, weren’t nearly as expensive to redeem.

Some quite effective Skills were generally priced below 300 Merit Points.

However, the rules of this world were nothing if not fair.

The more powerful a Skill’s Status Enhancement Effect, the more severe the physical side effects after its use.

Moreover, during the novice stage below the Professional Level, few Adventurers were willing to spend their hard-earned Merit on these kinds of Status Skills.

After all, everyone was risking life and limb to complete their Profession ceremony as quickly as possible.

No one was willing to waste time and effort learning auxiliary skills that had little to do with their future professional path.