When it was their turn, the group exited the secret realm. Similar to when they entered it, they suffered from slight dizziness, though it was less pronounced due to them suspecting such a thing. That doesn't mean there aren't those who are prepared for it though.
"Make way, make way!"
"Ugh, why?!"
"Get away unless you wanted to see this old man breakfast!"
"Some people never learn," Ryker shook his head, seeing the same thing happen again. However, there were fewer people as a lot of them had wizened up to the fact they might suffer from vertigo.
"I'm going to meet the leaders," he told the others before making his way to where the higher-ups are located. While the path there was crowded, it was something that made it easier for him to blend in as he quickly reached the tent where the higher-ups were.
He gave them a token given to him by the Baron. The guards did a quick check before letting him in. He quickly entered the tent, to see the higher-ups of the Barony, along with the members of the Adventure Guilds and some of the elites sent by the Birak Kingdom.
He gave them a bow before saying, "I'm here to report on what happened inside the secret realm,"
The Genesis Spring expert of the kingdom did a quick look over him before nodding, "Good.
Tell us what happened and what you learned of the secret realm,"
-x-
By the time he finished recounting the happening inside, the Genesis Spring expert seemed to contemplate something, "Gave me your hand," he ordered. Ryker did so, showing the hands that imprint we're left on.
The expert grabbed it before starting at it, before he let out a sigh and let the hand go, "Looks like we have to wait until you reach the Spirit Grand realm. Even if it was something left behind by a mere soul manifestation, it was still something done by an Earth Source realm expert.
Unless we want to suffer some repercussions for meddling with the imprint, the best thing is to let you keep the imprint and open it when you get strong enough. At least the kingdom would get something if the secret realm opened,"
While the man may seem optimistic about Ryker's chances of entering the Spirit Grand realm, it was merely something he hoped for as the level was very hard to achieve unless one was born talented or at least had the support of a very powerful force. If not, achieving the next Grand realm needs to take a lot of luck.
Ryker merely nodded, as his goal was beyond the Spirit Grand realm. His goal was even to surpass the World Source realm, the highest cultivation realm in the world. Naturally, he didn't voice it out as it would make him look like a lunatic.
Still, with the man's words, he was guaranteed to not be harrassed due to possessing such a thing. After all, none of the forces in the continent could steal the imprint. They could only force him to open the door for him. But he has the identity of an adventurer so the Adventurer Guild would likely not let him suffer.
"In this case, the Adventurer Guild would be behind him. If there is anyone dares to make trouble for him, we'll make sure they don't get away with it," he heard one of the leaders of the Adventurer Guild say.
"Good to hear that. Is there anything else someone wants to add,". After a brief moment of silence, the Genesis Spring expert continued, "In that case, the meeting will be adjourned," Ryker quickly took his leave. After all, there is nothing else for him to do.
-x-
He quickly joined in with the Barony's expedition force. They seemed to notice his disappearance but didn't question it, something that made things a lot easier. With him finally present, the four leaders, each from the Great Families and Noble Family went to the front to address the group.
"During the expedition to the treasure trove, all of you have got a lot of treasures and resources. As per the agreement, half of the resources you have taken will belong to you while the rest will be divided between the families," no one objected as it was something they had agreed on earlier.
"The same for the mercenaries though we will give you extra resources for the contribution you made," the elder from Gurdon Family said, looking at the mercenaries hired by the group. Similarly, there is no objection as it was part of their contract.
"As for Ryker, because you made the biggest contributions, from finishing the first trial and getting some of the more precious treasures, to getting the final rewards and allowing the group to gain the most out of everyone else.
Because of this, you will be allowed to keep every treasure you found." this causes a major uproar among the mercenaries.
"Why can he keep all the treasures he got?!" one of the mercenaries yelled, causing some of the other group to look at them with curiosity.
"As I said earlier because he contributed the most out of all people here, he would receive extra rewards in the form of keeping the resources he gained. If you disagree, to bad because this is something decided by the higher-ups. Even if he didn't pass the trial, he will still receive the same privilege,"
The statement by the elder causes some murmurs to happen between members of the Great and Noble Families. Whispers and chatters happened between some people until the elder cleared his throat.
"This is not negotiable. You had already agreed to everything, even the distribution of the treasure. Besides, he will not get any of the shared piles," 'Though he will get some more resources,' the elder thought to himself.
With the words from the elder, the chattering dies out. Though, some people look at Ryjer in resentment while some of the mercenaries look at him with greed, seemingly forgetting his feat earlier.
Ryker couldn't have cared less. He knew the reason he received such privilege was because he had been the one to find and open the secret realm. The elder merely said it out loud to tell the members of the prominent families to not have any ideas about him.
As for the mercenaries, if they dared to cause trouble, he could handle them easily enough. If they target his family, he could always ask for protection from the Hal Family. Though, right now, he would prefer to count the gain he got from the secret realm, though it was something he could put on hold.