Around 10 AM, when Gin finished his fresh bath and having a nice breakfast, he received a reply from Ranker Division that the client has accepted his team for their Escort.
Soon, Gin logged into the Ranker Website and got the details of the Mission, such as when and where to arrive, the time required to complete the mission, etc.
Gin messaged everyone on the team that the mission is approved and told them to check out the details on the Ranker website. He also notified them that the mission starts tomorrow.
He didn't rush again to practice, as he knows his body needs some time to completely absorb and stabilize his strength.
Combined with an 80 Kg boost from his hybrid martial art, Gin's overall strength is around 350 Kg which is equal to an early 6-star Ranker in strength.
With his current strength, combined with Yirene and Hammer their team can effortlessly complete the mission.
--
Next day,
Morning,
Gin arrived before a 3-story office building located at District 7, which was the gathering place mentioned in the mission details.
At the same time, he saw Astro who just arrived and looking around. "Astro, here"
"Brother Gin, when did you come?" Astro asked, halting beside Gin.
"Just now. So, did you prepare everything needed for the mission?" Gin asked since this escort mission may take around 1 week. Even though they can find some food in the forest, it's better to be equipped.
"Yes, I packed dry rations, water bottles, some spare clothes, and other things as you asked," Astro told.
"Brother, this is our first mission, will everything be okay?" Astro asked, nervous.
"Don't worry, I am here." Gin patted Astro's shoulder and assured him.
In the next 5 mins, Hammer also arrived with a backpack on his back like Gin and Astro.
Unlike Gin and Astro, Hammer was decked in a dark blue combat outfit which is designed like dragon scales.
Combat clothes - something that only rich can afford. It is a uniquely created outfit that is designed in such a way to protect the person who wears it.
Most of the combat outfits are built from wild beasts or magical beasts - using their furs, hides, feathers, scales, etc. They are very rare and expensive as only high-level Rankers and extremely rich people can afford it.
"Yo! Gin, Astro. Sorry buddy, I got late. Did you meet our client?" Hammer spoke.
"No, I messaged them stating 'we have arrived' and got a reply 'we will be there in 5 mins'."
At that moment, a group comprising of four peoples came out of the office building: 30-year old woman, a 25 something looking lady and two men who both seemed to be around thirty years old.
The 30-year-old woman looked beautiful for her age with slight makeup and she wore an insulated yellow jacket over her specially designed sports clothes for venturing into the forest.
"Hello," The beautiful voice of the women woke Gin from checking out others. He saw the lady is now standing before him with her right hand extended.
"Hello. Nice to meet you. I am Gin and this is Astro and Hammer–my teammates. My team is the one who's responsible for safely guarding you on the trip." Gin said and shook the lady's smooth hands with a bright smile.
"I am Emeera Dew. Yes, I saw your team profile and also came to know that you guys are complete rookies like us, with no experience." The lady spoke with elegance and has an air of authority around her.
With a single exchange between them, Gin was certain the lady standing in front of him is possibly the boss of the small company and he also perceived that she was testing their team's ability.
"Even though we are rookies, our strength can't be questioned as we have two 6-star Rankers in our team." Gin responded, symbolizing before strength, inexperience doesn't matter.
Emeera smiled and introduced the other three members. The girl beside Emeera is called Athusa who looked beautiful for her age with a fair appearance and slender figure. She was decked in a blue jacket over a blue sports clothes.
The other two men who looked like office workers are called Clog and Kildo. Clog looked manly in his tight black full sleeve t-shirt, blue jeans and wore an expensive wild beast jacket which would cost 10,000 Ranker credits.
In Gin's eyes, Clog looked like a second-generation rich young master type who came for vacation, wearing many fancy items.
While Kildo seems to be the simplistic type, he was dressed in a blue shirt and black pants with a normal brown jacket which you can get it from any clothing shops.
Gin then introduced Astro and Hammer - and also told Emeera about Yirene who is also a 6-star Ranker.
"If everything is ready, we can set out after my friend arrives. I already called my friend, she will arrive in 5 mins." Gin said.
In the meantime, Gin inquired about Emeera's company. It's not something secret, so Emeera described the outline of her company and what they do.
Emeera's company is mainly into research, about various plants and trees which have medicinal benefits.
They research the herbs, find various characteristics of it and sell it to the big organizations that produce medicines.
According to Emeera, it will grow into a profitable business if her company finds some hidden properties of a herb.
--
At that moment, everyone noticed an exquisite hovercar approaching them; It was pure white, simple and beautifully designed.
When the car came to a halt, the door opened, and Yirene hopped out of it. Of the driver seat side, a middle-aged man came out, who looked vigorous and strong.
Everyone apart from Gin and Hammer was stunned, their eyes moved from and to between beauty and her car.
Because only the richest of the rich can even think about buying a hovercar. Moreover, Yirene's car brand is a limited edition that was sold only to some major figures of the Silver Mist Region.
But, only Gin noticed the middle-aged man who came with Yirene. He's six feet tall, grey-haired, and was dressed in a black suit.
He looked thin but fit-looking, trimmed and resembled that of an uncle staying next-door.
But, Gin's extraordinary perception sensed a powerful and incomprehensible aura from the middle-aged man like some sort of ancient fierce beast is slumbering inside him.
Danger!!
Gin's subconsciousness screamed at him to stay as far as possible from the middle-aged man who could likely destroy him with a single glance.
Noticing someone is staring at him, the middle-aged man's vision quickly locked on Gin.
At that moment, Gin believed he's going to die and that too without any remains.
Because everything around Gin faded away, and he was now standing in a pure white world. In front of him is a huge ocean-like azure eye, that resembled as of some huge creature's eye.
Gin stood frozen on the spot, completely frightened. He felt that the huge eye is looking straight at him. Before that eye, he seemed like an ant...no, he's just a speck of dust.
In the next moment, Gin was once again standing alongside Astro and Hammer as if nothing transpired.
'Is it an illusion? No, it's too real to be an illusion. And that eye, it's horrifying!' Gin's heart was thumping madly, he's horrified by what he has witnessed.
His entire body, muscles, bones are all out of power; he's using every ounce of his willpower so that he won't collapse.
Gin's entire back is filled with sweat and he noticed the middle-aged man is now warmly smiling at him. Gin forced a smile back and shifted his gaze away.
He soon gazed at everyone, to discern any abnormality but like before, others were still gaping at Yirene's hovercar as if nothing happened.
'What kind of being is that middle-aged man? He is too powerful! Even the arrogant young man I met during the Ranker exam can't hold a candle to him.' Gin thought.
In a single second, he experienced what it like's to be in hell and once again coming back.
Gin knows he survived the catastrophe because the middle-aged man didn't hold any thought of hurting him, otherwise, he would be dead right now.
Maybe in the Middle-aged man's eye, it's not even considered as an attack.
'Stand before a mighty warrior who baths in blood every day and look at his eye, then you will understand.' Gin understood the meaning of this phrase.
'Only true warriors can stand face to face with other true warriors.'
'Only true powerful beings are qualified to sit and drink with other powerful beings.'
A single glance, that all it took to shake Gin's heart and wash away the little bit of arrogance and pride he had.