Selection

The bustiling section filled with Arcansits was the exact location Ash needed to go to. This village was not just some fleeting checkpoint he would leave after one day. Ash was planning to stay here for at least a week. 

His objectives were clear: first, advance to the Red Core; second, gain valuable experience and knowledge; and third, perhaps find a comrade to adventure alongside. The last goal wasn't essential, but Ash wouldn't mind the company.

"Well, I guess its time to make my presence known." Ash said aloud, his voice brimming with confidence.

'Ugh, that sounded so cringe.'

'Whatever.'

Ash pushed the thought aside and began to make his way toward the area overflowing with Arcanists. As Ash entered, he was met with a multitude of buildings, each having their own purpose.

There was an armoury stocked with weapons and equipment tailored for Arcanists, a buffet overflowing with food, and the crown jewel of the village—a grand structure serving as the headquarters of a minor clan.

'Mistmore' 

The name "Mistmore" was displayed on both the village entrance and the facade of the clan headquarters.

The clan headquarters is mainly designed for members to take on tasks, interact, and train with each other. But due to the nature of the village, non-members were also given the opportunity to take on different tasks and missions for adequate rewards.

Of course, the privileges of being a member were far more valuable in terms of resources than not being a member. That is why nearly every single Arcanist alive hopes to join a clan, no matter the tier. 

Yes, it would be much nicer to join a high-tier clan or even better one of the great clans, but that is just not realistic for most. The recruitment in the high-tier clans is far stricter, along with the rules enforced. That's why most people don't even fathom the idea of joining one of the best clans.

To put it into perspective, the clan leader of a low-tier clan like Mistmore will at most be regarded as a mere captain of a small squad in those higher-tier clans, which host thousands of members. The disparity is monuemental.

As for the Spirit Guardians or the Royal clan, their standards made even the highest clans seem somewhat accessible by comparison. Despite these divides, joining any clan was almost always beneficial.

It would be a lie if Ash did not say he was a bit nervous. It would be his first time meeting proper Arcanists whose lives are dedicated to protecting Perindo from Luminaros and other threats.

Ash controlled his breathing and began to walk to the clan headquarters entrance. As Ash looked through the glass windows, he saw how packed it was along with how luxurious it seemed. 

He stood at the entrance and pushed the door open, entering the hot spot. He was immediately met with loud noise due to the sheer amount of people speaking. There were easily over one hundred people in this massive building alone, each doing something different. 

Some were just chatting around tables, enjoying some drinks next to the restaurant. Others were just reading a board filled with different missions and the recommended grades.

The mission board was enormous—spanning five meters wide and four meters tall—with tasks ranging from hunting rabbits to tracking named Luminaros. The variance in difficulty was staggering, with higher-tier missions demanding much greater strength and experience.

Ash found himself chuckling at the absurdity of some tasks. He knew he needed to pick a beginner-friendly mission, but an inexplicable urge pushed him toward one involving Luminaros.

Ash had no idea why, but he was so tempted to take on a mission related to Luminaros.

'My instincts haven't proven me wrong yet!'

'Or have they?'

Ash just brushed it off and began looking for missions related to the lowest class of Luminaros, the Lurkers. His efforts were soon paid off when he found one near the bottom of the board.

[Subjagate Lurkers]

[Requirment: {Deep Red Core}] 

[Recommended: {Pure Red Core}]

This was the lowest-ranked Luminaro mission Ash could find, with all the others requiring a minimum of the third grade. The problem was that he needed another few days till he reached the second grade and awakened his soul core. That is if he absorbs soul cores. If he were to just practice atmospheric absorption, he estimates it would take half a month. 

Unfortunately, Ash had no food and very little money left, so he had to take the mission straight away. The subjagation missions usually take a week or so, which would lead Ash to reaching the second grade, especially if he begins to absorb some soul cores.

Ash could have waited it out, but then his progress would have halted. He could have taken some menial task like hunting rabbits, but again, his progress would come to a halt.

'Well, sometimes you got to risk it for the biscuit!'

Ash took the sheet displaying the mission and began planning. He clearly could not hand in this mission as he wasn't at the required level or even the recommended level.

There was only one thing he could really do. Find a partner.

Ash began scouting the area to hopefully catch someone who was alone and looked a bit lost. He eventually spotted a young boy standing a few meters to Ash's right who looked like he was in his mid- to late teens. The boy was staring at a mission with an intense stoic gaze.

Ash slowly creeped up next to the boy and began to read the mission.

[Subjagate Lurkers]

[Requirement: {Pure Red Core}]

[Recommended:{Deep Yellow Core}]

Ash gave a side eye to the boy, who seemed somewhat frustrated with his furrowed brows and clenched fists. Ash assumed it was due to him not reaching the set requirement. The boy eventually closed his eyes, seemingly trying to control his emotions.

'Now I strike!'

"Hey," Ash greeted, breaking the silence.

The boy turned around as if not expecting anyone to speak to him till they made eye contact. He looked a little surprised but eventually composed himself.

"Oh, hey," he replied.

Ash put his hand out, "What's your name?"

The boy likewise put his hand out, and they shoke hands, "The names Cain For... just Cain. Yours?"

"Ash, just Ash aswell."

Ash cut right too the chase and asked Cain, "I saw you staring at that mission for a while; do you perhaps not meet the requirement?"

Cain was a bit taken aback by Ash's observation, but he soon returned to his previous stoic expression, "Yes, unfortunately, its going to take a while for me to reach that level."

"What grade is your core?" Ash asked.

Cain felt a bit reluctant to say, but he soon submitted and answered with his extremely serious yet somewhat forced face.

"Grade 2, Deep Red," Cain replied curtly, his stoicism unwavering.

"What about you?" he added.

Ash hesitated, feeling a twinge of embarrassment, but he swallowed it down. This guy who looked not a day older than him was also more capable. Ash didn't really understand why he felt embarrassed by something as small and menial as that, but whatever.

"I still haven't awakened my soul core."

"But I should reach the second grade in a few days if I absorb a few soul cores."

Ash was a tad bit intimidated, as Cain had kept that same stoic expression their entire conversation. Everything that Cain told Ash during their conversation had further motivated him to partner with Cain for the mission. A boy who was nearly the same age as him and was near his level was the perfect starter pack for someone who can be a comrade in arms.

Cain was silent, and so was Ash. The atmosphere felt a bit awkward, but Ash eventually asked the main question.

"Would you partner up with me for a mission?"

"What mission?"

"It's a Lurker subjagation mission that has requirements for the Deep Red Core and a recommendation for the Pure Red Core."

Ash had said most of what he needed to say; now he just had to wait for the response. Cain seemed to be deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons, but before he could utter another word, Ash made the bold decision of laying down terms.

"You can take 80% of all the soul cores, and I take the remainder."

Cain's expression immediately softened a bit. Ash thought that this would be the icing on the cake for Cain, but he still kept on thinking till he eventually responded.

"Deal."

Ash was extremely relieved

"Okay th..."

"But I won't be taking 80% of the loot; we'll split it 50/50." Cain abruptly cut Ash off.

Ash could not believe his luck, but even though he knew very well that Cain was most probably worth more than him. It left a slightly bad taste in his mouth, but he would slowly learn to deal with it.

"Thanks, lets not waste anytime; let's go hand in the mission, Cain."

"Sure... Ash."