Ethan blinked awkwardly. He didn't expect Da Dao Zai's stealth skill—which could blend into shadows and escape detection from most opponents—to be completely ineffective in front of the headmistress elder.
It was a little... embarrassing.
But Ethan quickly caught on. The headmistress wasn't trying to expose Da Dao Zai. Instead, her earlier offer to cook had a hidden message: she wanted to send the principal away.
The second message was even clearer—Ethan didn't need to summon Da Dao Zai right now. With her around, no bodyguard was necessary.
Ethan obediently recalled Da Dao Zai into the "Beast Summoning Space."
---
He realized something else too.
When he had copied one of the headmistress's skills, she probably became aware of his unique abilities then. There was no way he could keep secrets from someone like her forever.
As for the deal to keep her identity hidden from the principal for now—that was more for his emotional comfort than out of necessity.
Seeing Ethan quietly comply, the headmistress gave him a small, approving nod.
---
"Principal Grandma," Ethan asked curiously, "what's your actual power level?"
She gave him a playful smirk and simply held a finger to her lips. "Shh~" Then she gestured toward the kitchen.
Oh.
Got it. The principal didn't know about her identity. It was best not to ask.
Ethan wasn't the type to dig deeper when someone clearly didn't want to say more.
---
He changed the subject. "Then… can I ask something else?"
"What's the biggest difference in the difficulty levels for first-turn tasks?"
The headmistress gave a straightforward answer.
> "The difference lies in the attribute points you earn after every level-up, once the task is complete.
Completing a simple-level task gives 2x the base attributes per level.
Hard-level tasks give 3x,
And Nightmare-level tasks give 5x."
---
Now it all made sense.
No wonder higher talent levels created such massive gaps in power later on. It wasn't just about the starting strength—it was the multiplier over time.
If someone with S-rank talent completed a Nightmare task, they'd get 50 points per level-up, and if their profession offered double bonuses, that's 100 points per level—meaning 4,000 points by level 40.
But someone with SSS-level talent?
They'd start with 200 base points per level, and if their profession gave triple or quadruple bonuses, plus class-specific boosts in a single stat…
It was possible to reach 20,000 points in a single stat before level 40.
That's 10 times the power of an S-rank talent.
And below S-rank?
The gap was even more horrifying.
---
But not everyone could survive a Nightmare-level first-turn task. Most professionals barely managed hard-level challenges.
Ethan mentally calculated his situation:
He had three SSS-level talents. That meant each level-up gave 130 base points. With a 5x multiplier from a Nightmare task, that became 650 points per level.
Add in the double profession bonus: 1,300 points per level-up.
By level 40, he'd have over 26,000 points, not even counting new skills or extra talent triggers.
Insane.
And he hadn't even fought personally yet. His summoned beasts—Da Dao Zai, Anti-Bone Boy, the Queen Ant—would only keep scaling harder.
---
After a warm dinner, Ethan offered to wash the dishes, surprising the elders.
The next morning, he arrived at the Job Transfer Temple, ready to take on his first-turn challenge.
---
Unlike other items, the Job Change Scrolls weren't made by humans. They were like the Job Change God Stone—ancient, mysterious, and tied to the world's system.
After a quick registration process, Ethan bought a Nightmare-level scroll.
It cost 3 million credits.
He wasn't expecting that.
Becoming a professional sure made you think about money differently.
---
Just as he was pondering the price, a familiar voice called out.
"Ethan?"
It was Mr. Walker, the head of the temple staff.
Ethan had avoided him ever since he'd missed the Sandstone Vortex battle. Mr. Walker had started acting like he admired Ethan and even praised the principal of Ravenshade High.
Sure, the materials he had once handed over for free had helped Ethan strengthen Da Dao Zai and even saved Fairwind's life.
Still, Ethan didn't have a great impression of the man.
He tried to pretend he didn't hear and made a move to sneak away.
But Mr. Walker quickly caught up and blocked his path.
"Ah, Ethan! I didn't expect you to be ready for your first-turn so soon! As the official in charge, it's my duty to guide you!"
"Open your scroll now," he urged. "If the task isn't suitable, I'll help you switch to a better one—for free."
---
Ethan hesitated.
He remembered what the principal had told him earlier—once a scroll is opened, you can reject it without penalty, but the scroll is lost.
That meant wasting 3 million.
But if Mr. Walker was offering free replacements? Why not?
Besides, Mr. Walker couldn't hurt him now—not with the power Ethan had.
Hum~
The scroll shimmered and opened in his hands.
> "Use the scroll to upgrade the LV5 Savannah Dungeon to Nightmare level and clear it within 3 hours."
Accept mission?
Mr. Walker clapped his hands. "Perfect! This one is super easy."
---
A level 5 dungeon only required about 3 stars of combat power.
Even if it was boosted to Nightmare difficulty, it would only ask for 15 stars.
The only real challenge was clearing it fast.
But with Ethan's strength?
Laughable.
---
Still, Ethan shook his head.
"I want another one."
"W-What? Why?! This task is ridiculously easy!"
"I don't want to travel outside the city. Too far."
He canceled the mission. The scroll dissolved into stardust.
---
Mr. Walker stood stunned.
To be fair, he had seen the warning issued by the Lord of Ravenshade the night before.
The wilderness was no longer safe.
He understood why Ethan was being cautious. Outsiders love hunting down lone professionals, and the Lord didn't publicly announce the danger to prevent panic.
Still, Mr. Walker was determined to help.
---
He handed Ethan a second scroll and nodded to the staff. "Charge it to my account."
Hum~
New mission:
> "Raise a silver-ranked summoned beast to maturity within 7 days."
Accept?
Mr. Walker's eyes lit up again.
"Now that's a great one! Easy for you. I'll even give you a silver beast myself if needed!"
---
But before he could finish, Ethan declined again.
"...!!?"
Mr. Walker was speechless.
What was wrong with these missions?
They were both safe. Both easy.
Was Ethan doing this just to mess with him?
---
Then Ethan opened the third scroll.
He took one look at it and immediately smiled. "Perfect. Thank you, sir. I'm off to complete my task now."
"...!?"
Mr. Walker stood frozen, watching Ethan leave.
He had no idea what was in the third scroll, but one thing was clear—this kid didn't play by the rules.
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