Chapter 158: Spy
"Average," the woman behind the counter muttered, chewing on something as she checked Hades’s mana reading.
Hades gave a wry smile. "So... do I get a rank or something?"
She lifted a brow, then sighed. "Don’t tell me you don’t know how ranks work?"
Hades shook his head.
"Tch. Figures." She leaned back, voice flat but practiced—clearly something she’d explained countless times before. "Alright, listen up. This is part of my job, so I’ll give you the rundown."
From beneath the desk, she pulled out a metal-colored card. "This here’s your license. Doubles as your ID too. There are seven types, each a rank. They go like this: Cub, Fang, Claw, Howl, Alpha, Apex... and at the very top, Paragon."
She waved the card slightly. "All the Dragon Kings are Paragon. Our guild master? Apex—he’s the only one in this town."
Her tone hardened just a touch, the kind that carried rules worn smooth by repetition. "Your rank decides what jobs you can take. Do enough of them, hit your monthly quota, and you’ll get a bonus depending on your rank. Skip jobs for three months straight? You’ll be fined. And if you don’t use your card for six months, it gets revoked. Simple as that."
She snapped a card and dog tags of the same shade against the desk once before sliding it toward him. "Any questions?"
Hades looked down at the metal card in his hand and asked, "Can I use this anywhere?"
"Oh, yes," the lady replied. "Hunter’s Hub is spread across the realm. You can use your card anywhere."
Hades hummed before pressing on, "And what about ranking up?"
The woman let out a tired sigh. "You’ll be assigned tasks above your rank. Clear them, and you get promoted. Fail three times, and you’ll be barred from attempting another promotion for three years."
Hades gave a small nod. He wasn’t planning to stop here. Not only would this card help with his current mission, but it was something he could rely on for the future.
He already had an adventurer’s card from the human realm, but that was useless now.
"So...based on my rank, what task would I get?" he asked.
The woman shook her head. "Go check the quest board. Next!"
Before Hades could ask further, the man behind him shoved forward impatiently. With a faint shake of his head, Hades stepped aside and left the assessment room.
"Got one, kid... hmm, you’re kinda mid," Brad teased when he spotted the shade of Hades’s hunter card.
Hades grumbled, "Well, I’ll work hard and gain as much as I can."
Brad chuckled. "With that rank, I doubt you’ll be able to make a decent living here." He patted Hades’s shoulder before adding with a grin, "Anyway, see ya around, kid. If we run into each other again, don’t forget to treat me to a meal."
With that, Brad walked off, his figure fading into the crowd.
Hades watched him go for a moment, then turned his attention to a large rectangular board mounted on the wall.
People were gathered around it, scanning and picking their quests.
Hades stepped closer, eyes scanning the postings.
And then—he spotted it.
Something that immediately caught his interest.
Herbs collection.
°°°°°°°
"How are you feeling now?" Luna asked as she stepped into the room, finding Peri awake.
After requesting a more intense training session, Peri had returned utterly exhausted. Without even taking a bath, she had collapsed on the bed and drifted straight into sleep.
Now, she was feeling better, picking at the food the maid had brought her.
"Fine... just sore," Peri replied, chewing on a piece of meat. She’d been eating a lot of meat lately—it helped with muscle recovery.
Luna sat beside her. "Did you manage to talk with Hades?"
Peri nodded. "Mm-hmm... I connected with him without even realizing it. Mostly, I was groaning the whole time while he told me where he was and what he planned to do."
Luna chuckled. "Well, he is patient—takes the time to explain everything separately."
Peri glanced up. "You think we’re bothering him?"
Luna hummed. "Not exactly. He never sounds annoyed. But we probably shouldn’t contact him individually when he’s busy. He is not out there to play."
"That place is known for gambling, though..." Peri teased.
Luna giggled. "Okay, how about we limit it to twice a day? Once in the morning, once in the evening."
"Sure, but tell me what he says during the evening," Peri replied.
"Same goes for you," Luna said with a mischievous grin.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Yes, just a moment." Luna opened it and found a maid standing there.
"Jenny? What is it?" she asked.
The maid’s voice was calm and formal. "Lady Supreme wishes to see Miss Perilophe."
Peri groaned. "How many times have I told you not to call me by my full name?"
The maid’s lips curved into a secret smile, but she never looked up.
Peri sighed, wiped her hands, and stood. "I don’t look presentable, do I?" She still wore her torn training clothes and hadn’t even bathed.
Luna gave her a reassuring pat. "She won’t mind. Now go."
Nodding, Peri stepped out.
It was unusual for Kaelith to summon her. Since Hades had left, the matriarch had never appeared before them. But with training keeping both Peri and Luna busy, she hadn’t minded.
Still, the sudden summon left a flutter of anxiety in her chest. Hopefully, this isn’t about Hades... Right? We just talked, so there shouldn’t be a problem.
The maid guided her down the hall to the matriarch’s room, then quietly stepped aside.
Peri knocked gently. The door swung open to reveal...
"Teacher?!" Panic shot through her, until she remembered—her teacher was the matriarch’s personal maid.
"Come in," the woman said, stepping aside.
It was Peri’s first time in the Queen’s room, and she was immediately awed by the grandeur.
Before she could linger on the marvels of the room, a clear, commanding voice cut through her thoughts.
"You can sit here,"
Peri turned and found Kaelith was sitting there with a stern look on her face.
Peri took a strong gulp before nodding and taking the seat across from her.
Kaelith went straight to the matter, "We have recently discerned the person who spied on my son and informed Cravanvor."
Peri’s eyes turned frosty as she remained silent, waiting to hear her next words.
Whoever this person was, he had endangered Hades’s life.
And that only meant one thing.
Kaelith suddenly pulled a sketch from the drawer and extended it to Peri, "This is that mole."
Peri’s body froze upon seeing the person on the parchment.
"Gerald?!"
°°°°°°°
A/N:- If you don’t remember, he Peri’s childhood friend whom she met during her date with Hades.