The thunderous roar of the crowd faded as Lin Ke was escorted from the arena floor, not back to the common waiting area, but through a series of secure corridors into the Guild's executive wing. The atmosphere shifted from the chaotic energy of the masses to the quiet, dignified hum of true power. He was brought to a luxurious private lounge, the same one where he had met Chief Proctor Magnus before.
Magnus was waiting for him, a warm, genuine smile on his face. He stood and poured a cup of fragrant tea for Lin Ke with his own hands.
"I must confess, young man," Magnus began, his voice filled with admiration. "Even I did not foresee that conclusion. To turn the very ground your opponent stands on into a weapon... that was not just a tactic; it was a work of art."
"I was fortunate that my opponent was overconfident," Lin Ke replied with his usual humility, though he gratefully accepted the tea.
"Fortune favors the prepared mind," Magnus corrected him, his eyes sharp. "And yours is one of the most prepared I have seen in decades. Now, for what you have rightfully earned. The spoils of victory."
A Guild staff member stepped forward, placing a sleek, black case on the table. Magnus opened it. Inside, nestled in velvet, were three items.
"First, the standard prize for the champion: five hundred thousand credits," Magnus stated. A terminal beeped, and Lin Ke felt his personal device vibrate. A transfer of 500,000 credits. It was a sum that, just a few weeks ago, would have been an unimaginable fortune, enough to solve all of his immediate financial problems and then some. It was a solid first step towards funding his mythical egg project .
"Second," Magnus continued, picking up a newly minted ID card. It was made of a heavy, obsidian-colored alloy, with Lin Ke's name and a silver 'C-Rank' insignia gleaming on its surface. "Your official Beast Tamer license. This is a provisional C-Rank, a privilege not normally granted to a fresh graduate. It will give you access to more lucrative and challenging missions, and greater access to Guild resources. You are no longer just a candidate, Lin Ke. You are a professional."
Lin Ke took the card, feeling its significant weight in his hand. This was his new identity, a symbol of his journey from an overlooked orphan to a respected tamer.
"And finally," Magnus said, his tone growing more significant. He picked up the last item: a simple, elegant keycard made of a strange, star-flecked material. "My personal promise . This is a permanent, unrestricted access key to the Archive of Forgotten Species. The knowledge within is priceless, and for a mind like yours, I suspect it is the greatest treasure of all."
Lin Ke's heart pounded. He took the keycard, his fingers tracing the cool, smooth surface. The prize money was life-changing. The license was an opportunity. But this key... this was the key to unlocking the future. This was the key to awakening a god.
As if on cue, the staff member cleared his throat. "Sir, forgive the interruption, but the public networks are... active." He gestured to a large screen on the wall, which flickered to life, showing the homepage of Mo City's most popular Beast Tamer forum.
The entire front page was dominated by his name.
[VIDEO] SHOCKING FINALS! ROCK VOLE DEFEATS VOLT-FANG PANTHER WITH ONE HOLE![ANALYSIS] THE BIRTH OF A TACTICAL GOD: A DEEP DIVE INTO LIN KE'S GENIUS[POLL] IS LIN KE'S ROCK VOLE THE STRONGEST F-RANK PET IN HISTORY?
He was no longer an unknown. He was famous. Overnight, the bookworm with the "trash" pet had become the most talked-about tamer in the entire city, a living legend to a new generation of aspiring youths. The ridicule he had once faced had transformed into awe and reverence .
Lin Ke looked at the screen, then at the rewards in his hands, his calm facade finally breaking into a small, genuine smile. The first stage of his grand plan was complete.