Chapter 33

The car hummed softly as I drove through familiar streets, the kind that carried whispers of the past with every turn. My destination came into view—a towering, rugged building adorned with banners of heroism and faded insignias from a bygone era. The sight of it tugged at something deep within me.

"Seeing it again makes me remember my days... Ah, those good ol' days," I murmured to myself, a nostalgic smile creeping across my face.

As I stepped out of the car and approached the entrance, two guards moved to block my way. Their uniforms were spotless, their demeanor professional.

"Please show us your ID, sir," one of them said politely, though their sharp eyes scanned me with suspicion.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small, metallic card. It was weathered, rusted in spots from years of neglect, but still bore faint traces of its original grandeur.

The guard inspected it briefly before looking up. "You seem like a seasoned adventurer, sir, but this card is outdated. We usually don't allow these. The information is barely legible, and we can't confirm your identity properly. You'll need to re-register at the reception desk."

I sighed, tucking the card back into my pocket. "Thank you for your concern," I replied calmly, and without protest, I made my way inside.

---

The reception area was bustling with activity, a mix of rookie adventurers and seasoned heroes exchanging banter or preparing for their missions. I approached the desk, where a young receptionist greeted me with a bright, professional smile.

"I'd like to re-register," I said, placing my old ID card on the counter.

She picked it up carefully, her brow furrowing as she examined the corroded edges and faded details. "This card is severely damaged due to corrosion, sir," she explained. "Some essential identity numbers are missing."

"Don't worry. I remember them," I replied confidently. "Just input what I say."

As I dictated the numbers, a faint murmur began to ripple through the room.

"Who's that old guy? He looks like he's pushing forty!"

"What's he doing here with such an ancient card? Does he even know creating a new ID resets your achievements?"

"Pfft. Like some washed-up old hag would have any achievements to begin with!"

The mocking laughter echoed around me, but I paid it no mind. I wasn't sighing because of their jeers—I was sighing because I knew what kind of commotion was about to unfold.

The receptionist finished entering the numbers, and a unique ID popped up on her screen. She squinted at the display before reading aloud.

"Alfred Xavier, huh? Alright, the re-registration fee will be $200."

The room fell into an eerie silence.

---

One of the men who had been laughing at me moments ago suddenly stammered, "D-Did she just say Alfred Xavier?"

"Uh... yes?" the receptionist replied, confused. "Is something wrong?"

The room erupted.

"Alfred Xavier?! That can't be right!"

"There must be some mistake! The Alfred Xavier retired years ago!"

"No way it's him! The White God doesn't just waltz in like this!"

The receptionist turned to me with wide eyes. "Uh, sir, the system shows that the ID is inactive. You'll need to enter the password to restart it."

I nodded calmly. "Please hand me the keyboard."

As I typed in the password, my fingers moved too quickly for anyone to follow. A faint chime confirmed the reactivation, and the receptionist stared at her screen as the full profile loaded.

"It's done," I said, stepping back.

"Y-Yes, sir," she stammered.

Now, the crowd was certain. This wasn't a mistake.

The noise in the room swelled as adventurers swarmed toward me.

"Sir, please! Sign this sword for me!"

"Sir, I'm your biggest fan! Can you sign my shield?"

"White God! I-I've heard all about your feats! Please, just one autograph!"

I sighed and began signing their weapons and trinkets, ignoring their incessant chatter. Once the frenzy subsided, I turned back to the receptionist.

"Dollar or yen?" I asked.

"Two hundred dollars, sir," she replied, still dazed.

I reached for my pocket and frowned. I had forgotten my wallet. Then I remembered—a privilege granted to S-rankers like me allowed free re-registration.

"Check my card again," I said. "It should mention the privilege."

The receptionist looked nervous. "Sir, I'm sorry, but your old card doesn't display that information, and I can't issue your new card unless the fee is paid first."

Several adventurers eagerly offered to cover the cost for me, but I waved them off. "I'll return tomorrow," I said, turning toward the exit.

As I walked away, the receptionist hesitated before calling out softly, "Sir, who are you really? Why is everyone so obsessed with you?"

I stopped, glancing back with a small smile.

"Ever heard of the White God?"

Her eyes widened, but I was already gone.

---

The receptionist stared at her screen, her hands trembling as she processed the re-registration. The name "Alfred Xavier" gleamed in bold letters, followed by a rank that sent shivers down her spine: SS+.

Her breath caught as she read further.

Achievements: Exceeds potential storage points. Recognizable ones include:

Saving the world from the Black Mist Abomination.

Defeating the Multi-Headed Gargoyle.

Nickname: White God.

She clutched the card tightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm definitely going to get fired for this…"