A rush of potent mana streamed into his nerves. It was like taking a first puff of a cigar. It made him dizzy but at the same time, felt light headed.
Zayden summoned a ball of mana and compared it with previous E rank mana core. The density and purity of mana was 5 times greater than the previous one.
His mana storage also increased.
Wow, I don't know that the difference between the ranks would be this high.
" So how many points do I need for another upgrade?"
[ 1000.]
Zayden sighed. He played around with his mana and found that the affinity of elements also increased.
At the start he could only create a spark of flame but now he could fully transform mana into raging fire.
Damn. So much new stuff from a single upgrade. I need to explore more into mana core. Wind manipulation is great but I think the real deal is Mana core.
" Please be careful with the fire. I don't want to see the building burning down."
A sharp voice echoed inside the room. Zayden was startled by this but he composed quickly.
Damn, almost caught me lacking.
" Don't worry about it. I can kill the fire if the situation happens." Zayden transformed the fire into a ball of ice.
" Even so, please don't use your power here."
" Alright."
The man walked over to Zayden and sat in front of him. The man was a handsome youth with orange hair slick back but not completely as a single strand of hair poke out.
He took off the sunglasses and placed them on the table.
Now, that is a show off. Wearing sunglasses inside the building?
" Nice to meet you, Zayden." The man spoke in perfect English.
" I can speak Korean." Zayden said.
" I see. Let me introduce myself. My name is Woo Jinchul." The man placed his hand on his heart and muttered. " I am here as a representative for the Korea Hunter association."
" Normally, after awakening you can take the offer of guilds but your case is special."
Zayden nodded. He understood that. After all, he was not Korea's citizen. He just came here to attend university.
" Because of your status, we can't just give you a Hunter License. Unless, you transfer into our nation."
Zayden laid back on the sofa. He hummed a tone before saying, " So I should transfer back to Canada."
" You can live here." Jinchul said. " But you won't have the license."
" That is great, I like this country." He sighed.
He then stared at Jinchul's eyes and said slowly. " Now, tell me your purpose. I am sure, a representative of a great association didn't come simply for that."
Zayden knew the answer. He just wanted him to say out loud.
Hehe. It feel so good.
Jinchul sighed. " I am here to recruit you into the country."
" What is the term?" Zayden asked sharply.
" Money."
" Boring." Zayden interpreted. " Before you say unnecessary words, I will lay down my terms. Nice and simple."
" I want fame. Not power, not money. Fame. I want my name to be heard across the world. Can you do that?"
Jinchul glanced at him with surprise. He had met a lot of hunters with various interests but this one was the strangest.
" Well,that depends on your strength."
" I know. I just want you guys to promote me. I will work on my part."
Jinchul thought for a moment. As an experienced hunter, he considered pros and cons very quickly.
He then extended his hand.
" Consider it done."
Zayden covered his palm with mana and grabbed the hand. They both shook. As Zayden's suspect, Jinchul then tested his strength.
Ahh! What is this strength? Easy. You could break my bones.
Zayden rubbed his hand.
" You are quite weak." Jinchul said.
" I think I specialized in magic. I need to test my strength and weakness."
Jinchul nodded. " I will prepare a testing dungeon for you after finishing the paperwork."
" Dungeon? Why not testing room?"
" The room is under construction right now."
" I see.Then see you later." Zayden said.
He walked out of the room. Jinchul stared at Zayden's back with a piercing gaze. He had a feeling that the man in front of him was quite weak.
But the test showed him at a level of mid A Rank. He sighed. " How can the sphere make a mistake? Maybe I am just sensing things wrong. I need to sleep. I haven't been in a bed for two night."
***
Zayden whistled along the way. He was pretty happy about his acting. Although he wouldn't call it perfect, he had established his presence.
Normally, there will be people flying toward me like mosquitoes finding a good blood source but due to my current position. I remain unnoticed.
If I had another system, I would be happy.
Zayden sighed.
" Think about the good stuff. I need to create more skill."
***
The next day.
Knock! Knock!
Zayden looked at the door and heard someone. No. He sensed someone standing.
He closed off the television and opened the door.
Woo Jinchul was standing at the door with a bunch of paperwork. Zayden could see the defeated soul under his sunglasses.
Did he not sleep last night? His face getting worse. I sure hope my fate will not be like his.
" Oh. Mr Jinchul. Come on in. It is a mess but you know, who cares. I will be moving anyway." Zayden chuckled.
He guided Jinchul to the living room. " Want coffee?"
Jinchul shook his head.
" Are you sure? You look like you need one."
Jinchul clicked his tongue and said, " Fine. But don't make it bitter."
" Okay."
While Zayden was preparing coffee, Jinchul started managing the papers.
" I thought it would take about three days."
" Normally, it took forever but hunters are exceptional to the rules." Jinchul explained. " Because of that I miss my sleep."
Jinchul muttered quietly for the last part.
Zayden walked toward the table and placed a coffee. " Here. It is hot. Tell me about the taste. I just got a new coffee machine."
Jinchul took a slip and nodded. " Not bad."
" Here is the card. You are now the A-Rank hunter of Korea."
Zayden checked the card and tried to bend it.
" Careful. Do you know how much it cost?"
Zayden shook his head.
" It is expensive. The material is made from mana crystal and monster core. It is resistant to mana and blunt force." Jinchul explained.
" Oh, nice. I can sell this when I need quick cash."
Jinchul's lips twitched. It was a shameless behavior. This kind of card was only special to Rank A or higher. Jinchul decided not to speak about that fact. He feared that Zayden would actually sell.
" There is something missing here." Zayden pointed at the card and said.
" Yeah, about that. As a contract, our association will promote you but we can only do that within our influence. Now, you need to make a choice."
" In about 15 minutes, our website will post your information. Soon, guilds will come find you. Before they could say a word, I would like to invite you to our association."
Zayden played with the card. " What kind of job? I am not fit to be in your position. I want my beautiful sleep."
" I know. We have many departments. You want to hunt right? Lead a group of hunters and gain fame as a hero."
Zayden nodded. " Kinda. "
Shit. Shit. It is too soon. I am not Rank A yet. Shit.
" Your role will be exterminating Dungeon."
Zayden closed his eyes and acted like he was thinking about deep thoughts. But inside his head were nothing but blank.
Oh well.
I am aiming at the position from the start anyway. I can hunt and gain influence on other guilds with ease. If I perform well enough, my farming will be huge.
But I am lacking strength. I can't just start from Rank-A Dungeon. I will be dead. Besides, I never fought monsters before.
Think about a good path. If I join another guild, my voice will become suppressed by the guild master. They will immediately notice my power when sparing my strength.
Inside the association, I will have some influence. I just need to play smart. Yeah.
" Alright, I will join you. But I will decide on the hunt."
" We can negotiate that."
Jinchul opened his phone and called the chairman. " Yes sir."
The call ended. " The chairman wants to see you."
Zayden froze.
Dammit, he will surely sense my mana.