Cheers filled the Adventurer Guild Stormhall's hall when Crowne's name was announced as Rank F. In the city of Stormhall, there were no adventurers of Rank F. He was the only one, making him stand out clearly.
"Rank F?!"
"Hahaha! Damn, even a farmer could be stronger than that!"
"That's hilarious. If I were him, I'd kill myself out of shame."
"Look at his calm face. He must be terribly embarrassed, but holding it in."
Several adventurers laughed at Crowne. Their voices were loud and deliberately so, so that everyone could hear their mockery.
Ronan clenched his teeth, his face red with anger. "Damn it! They don't know who Master Crowne really is!"
However, Crowne only glanced briefly at the crowd mocking him, then walked past them without paying the slightest attention. He was already used to being insulted like this. His eyes were cold, emotionless.
"Come, Ronan. We still have things to do. Don't waste time," said Crowne.
"But master, they..."
Crowne patted Ronan's head. "So what if they insult me? Does that make me lower than them? You know better than that."
Ronan fell silent. He nodded. When he accidentally looked at Crowne's hand, he realized something. His master was highly skilled at hiding the emotions he felt.
"Hold your emotions! Let them belittle you as much as they want, until the right time. Then slap their faces with the truth that you are far above them," Crowne said quietly.
The aura within his body felt unstable. Ronan realized that his master was angrier than he appeared.
His master was holding himself back. So he should do the same.
"Yes, they are disgusting indeed."
**
The Stormhall Guild had a large board full of papers. Posted there were various missions such as hunting low-class monsters, delivering goods, or guarding caravans. There were many missions available with rewards according to their level.
Ronan read seriously. "Most of these missions can only be taken by Rank D and above. We can only choose from the bottom section of the board."
He pointed to one worn-out piece of paper.
Mission: Solve the problem of missing livestock in Garlun Village.
Rank: F
Reward: 10 bronze coins.
"Master, this looks interesting." But after reading the location of the village where the mission took place, he dropped the paper. "This is too far. It takes two days by carriage to get there. And the reward is only 10 bronze coins. We'll lose money."
Ronan wanted to find another mission. But Crowne took the paper without hesitation and handed it to the receptionist. "We'll take this one."
Ronan, seeing that, was shocked. "But that's too—"
"It's fine. I have a good feeling about this mission," Crowne replied.
Ronan shrugged his shoulders and nodded. He followed whatever his master had decided.
When the mission paper was handed over, the receptionist stared at Crowne for a moment before giving a faint smile. "Very well, mission registered. Good luck, Adventurer Rank F."
Her tone sounded like a subtle mockery, but Crowne paid no attention to it.
Crowne immediately left the place.
**
Meanwhile, in Whitelord City.
Supreme Magus Zamond sat inside a luxurious carriage moving toward the capital. His body was still weak, but his eyes were sharp, filled with determination.
"Jörmungandr…" he muttered. "Next battle, I will defeat you. I swear it."
Zamond was full of resolve. In his entire life, this was the first time he had been so powerless in a fight. He felt like he had been toyed with.
That humiliation burned him red. Determination within him flared.
"Jörmungandr... he surely wasn't even serious back then. I'll make you fight with your full strength next time."
**
A few days later, Crowne and Ronan arrived at Garlun Village. The village looked desolate, as if shrouded in fear. The villagers rarely left their homes, doors tightly locked.
A fat village chief approached them with a worried face. "You're from the Adventurer Guild?"
Ronan and Crowne nodded.
The village chief looked Crowne up and down. He hesitated at Crowne, but dismissed the thought and smiled at both of them.
"Please help us. Every night, our livestock disappears. Fences are broken, pens destroyed. We don't know who's behind it. Can the two of you handle it?"
Ronan nodded. "Don't worry, we'll solve this problem."
Crowne looked at the broken fences. His hand touched the ground, his eyes narrowing. There were traces—but not from humans or ordinary animals.
He glanced at the village chief again. The man smiled at him. He didn't look as frightened as the rest of Garlun's villagers.
Crowne stood and walked toward the village chief again. "Can we stay in some unused place?"
The village chief stroked his chin, thinking for a while. "Ah, yes. Follow me!" he said.
The chief walked ahead. Crowne and Ronan followed behind. Crowne tapped Ronan's shoulder, signaling him to keep some distance from the village chief.
"This village chief is suspicious," Crowne said.
Ronan frowned. He kept glancing at the man but didn't feel anything suspicious from him. To Ronan, the chief looked like a cheerful, kind person.
"Why do you think so?" Ronan asked.
Crowne leaned closer and whispered. At that moment, Ronan's eyes widened.
"Are you sure?" he shouted.
The village chief turned his head. "What's wrong?"
Crowne stepped on Ronan's foot, his gaze sharp. Ronan quickly waved both hands and shook his head.
"Nothing. We were just talking about women," Ronan replied.
The village chief laughed. "Turns out you like beautiful women too. Interesting. By the way, this village has many lovely women. You'll like them."
**
At the Adventurer Guild, a man came down from the upper floor. He walked to the receptionist. "Cancel the mission I issued a few days ago! Something's wrong with that mission."
The receptionist frowned. "You mean the Rank F mission?"
The guild master nodded. "Give it to me!"
The receptionist shook her head. "It's already been taken by newcomers. They left for Garlun Village two days ago."
The guild master was shocked. "Are you serious? Didn't I tell you before to keep that mission stored first? Not to post it on the mission board until the investigation was finished?"
The receptionist lowered her head in shame. "I'm sorry."
The guild master clicked his tongue in irritation. "Damn it." He walked behind the reception desk, grabbing a sword there. "I'll go myself! Stay here!" he said.
The guild master hurriedly left. The receptionist looked confused. She didn't understand why he acted that way.
"Is it really that urgent?"