Alex continued his routine of going to school to cultivate the Crazy Immortal Sutra by harvesting bad luck, followed by training Gun Technique and participating in Guns of Gliry's Shooting Tower and Versus Mode.
Over the past few days, Alex had completely exhausted the bad luck circulating around the school and it would take a while for bad luck to aggregate once again in a brief period. Alex was searching for a new place where he could harvest bad luck for his cultivation.
The bad luck events that would occur daily also became more controllable since the appearance of the triple helical energy cycle within Alex's body and his improved strength to resist most unusual events in a safe environment.
Improvement with the Gun Technique had slowed down, and Alex had spent a lot of time in Versus mode challenging opponents to a duel to learn how to use field tactics and skills like terrain mapping to improve his combat ability. His overall origin strength was still quite low, even if his fleshy strength was rather high among peers, and he was at constant disadvantage during gun fights.
Feeling a bottleneck once again, Alex decided to change tracks and focus on improving his Hunting and Tracking skills.
As he was charting his next course in class, the class tutor, a woman named Janet walked into the class and everyone quickly turned silent because her demeanor was one of making an important announcement.
"Students, in order to help everyone prepare for the final exams the school has decided to organize an expedition into the Tributary area of the Blue Palm Monster Zone. Those of you, who are interested in joining in quickly ensure your participation by registering with me." The tutor said blandly.
The class erupted in expectation. Most of the students hadn't yet visited the hunting zone. Alex guessed that a few people in class seemed to not be surprised by the announcement. He guessed that they probably were regular hunters in the Monster Zone, or that they knew about this matter before hand.
Jonas turned around to look at Alex. "Hey buddy, are you thinking of joining in?" He asked complacently. Clearly, he was an experienced traveler in the Monster Zone.
Alex nodded. "I'd like to gain experience in what it's like to enter a Pocket Dimension and hunt a few monsters." He replied. "Moreover, as a group its safer to head in."
"Where is the tributary area though? I've been to the Blue Palm Hunting Zone a few times, but this is the first time I'm hearing about it." Jonas grumbled in some confusion.
Alex shrugged. He had looked into the Monster Zone in detail to understand the situation, but this was the first time he heard of it as well.
"It isn't surprising that you lot are unaware of the Tributary Area." The girl named Cathy suddenly walked over with her gang of four followers.
Cathy was the daughter of someone high up in the Federal Government, was a descendant of a rich family that liked to perceive itself as a functional nobility of the new world.
"The Tributary Area is a private gate deep into Blue Palm Monster Zone, that isn't regularly accessibly through the publicly useable gates." Cathy explained with her characteristic smugness that caused Alex to roll his eyes.
"A private gate? How can that be allowed? Aren't all gates controlled and managed by the Federal Government?" Jonas asked in shock. He fashioned himself fairly knowledgeable about Monster Zones only to be surprised by this piece of news.
"An ordinary pleb will remain ordinary. It is no surprise you are unaware of such things. The Tributary Area gate is owned by the Phillips Family which has a monopoly over the potion making industry of the Blue Palm settlement. " Cathy smirked. "Luckily, I happen to know the daughter of the Phillips family heir apparent and can get some information about the Tributary Area in advanced."
Alex nodded in understanding at how a family group was able to monopolize the entry through a gate. To be able to bargain with the Federal government and purchase entry rights into the Gate, the Phillips family probably has a very strong background!
"Does every Monster Zone have similar private gates" Alex asked Cathy, who continued to smirk.
"Obviously, doofus. Do you think the federal government has the capacity to hold and protect all gates? Without the backing of the nobility can the Federal Government even exist?" Cathy replied by lacing her words with a tone of superiority.
"So that's how it is." Alex replied. The understanding of the previous inhabiter of the body was a rather naive one where the power of the Federal Government was absolute. Reality seemed to be far more complicated than he originally imagined. The control of the federation seemed to be tied together in a complex web of dependencies and power struggles.
Cathy just now had been embellishing the role of Nobility. In the eyes of the general public, the term was looked down on with considerable distrust. However, the inherent asymmetry of growth that acquiring wealth and power awards creates a gap between potential and eventual growth, constantly increasing the power of these nobles as the gap between them and the ordinary people continues to increase dramatically.
Alex shook his head. He was far too weak to discuss these complicated affairs and wanted instead, to focus on growth and gaining strength. After class ended, Alex walked over to the tutor's room to register for the School Hunting Trip to the Tributary Area.
The tutor was surprised to see Alex. "Alex, are you okay with going to the hunting zone?" She asked in puzzlement.
"Tutor, I have finally recovered from my illness and begun cultivation. It would be a good opportunity for me to experience the Monster Zone." Alex replied cordially.
"Well, that's good news. But I must warn you that even in the group, you can't be perfectly safe. Especially when you have almost no cultivation." Janet tried to observe Alex's cultivation and found no signs of any from him, her expression turning more serious. "The Tributary Area is a much deeper region within the Blue Palm Hunting Zone and the monsters are very strong. Most of the monsters are above ordinary grade 7 there. I won't stop you from registering for the trip, but I should warn you about the dangers before hand."
"Tutor, I understand your concern. However, I will still choose to apply." Alex replied.
"Very well. You should rent out or purchase supplies, weapons and a space bag before you enter. Tributary Area is a private dimensional gate that the school has received temporary permission to enter. There are no shops or trading area within the Gate." Tutor Janet warned.
Alex nodded and left the room. However, Janet was frowning when she observed Alex walk out. "His fleshy body is at the peak of Ordinary Rank yet I can feel no signs of cultivation from him. Did he learn some method to hide his energy, or did he possibly practice that trashy art? This year truly seems to have some.crouching tigers hiding beneath the veneer of harmlessness." Janet mumbled to herself as she returned to studying the file she was looking into before Alex entered.
The file was the complete information about a particular student in Alex's class. Rowan Rode.