Aric and Su Jing approached the receptionist's counter, the air thick with musty paper and sweat. Behind the counter stood an older woman, her face lined with years of hard work and experience. Her eyes flickered up to meet Aric's as he cleared his throat.
"Excuse me," Aric began, a firm determination in his voice. "We'd like to register as mercenaries."
"Of course," the receptionist replied, reaching beneath the counter to retrieve two registration forms. As she handed them over, her gaze lingered on Su Jing for a moment before returning to Aric.
Aric and Su Jing sat down at a nearby table, the wooden surface worn smooth from years of use, and began filling out the forms. As they scribbled down the basic information, Aric noticed a strange field on the form labeled "Evolvers." He furrowed his brow, confused by the term.
"Su Jing," he whispered, leaning towards her. "Do you know what evolvers are?"
She shook her head, her ebony hair swaying slightly. "Sorry, I have only heard about their existence, but I have no idea about who they are. Maybe we should ask the receptionist?"
Aric nodded and walked back up to the counter, his boots thudding softly against the creaky floorboards. The receptionist raised her eyebrows inquiringly as he approached.
"Excuse me," Aric said hesitantly, pointing to the unknown field on the form. "Can you explain what an evolver is?"
"Ah, yes," the receptionist responded, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Evolvers are individuals who have transcended the limitations of a normal human body. They possess enhanced power, respect, and privileges within our society."
"Are there any specific abilities that define an evolver?" Aric asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Each evolver's abilities can vary greatly," she explained. "Some may possess incredible strength, while others might have heightened senses or even the ability to control elements. It's quite rare, but those who are classified as evolvers are considered exceptional assets in our world."
Aric pondered her words, his thoughts racing. "So, if I were to classify myself as an evolver, would that grant me any immediate advantages?"
"Indeed. You can easily find high-paying missions and command the respect of people wherever you go" the receptionist said cautiously. "However, be aware that being an evolver also comes with its own set of challenges. You'd likely be expected to take on more dangerous missions and face greater scrutiny from those around you."
"Some very powerful evolvers are also targeted by the various powers in the Sanctuary. They often receive a lot of benefits from these families, but are often targetted by other families"
"After all, no one wants to see their rivals go stronger and become a threat."
"Do you mean that there is still a threat to the lives of the evolvers in Survivor's Sanctuary? Isn't the law very strict here?" Aric asked
"Yes, it is. But what about when the evolvers step out? Even we do not have the capabilities to investigate what happens outside the sanctuary." The receptionist paused for a moment before continuing.
"And besides, some very powerful families definitely have their means to do what they want. It is just that it is slightly more difficult to target a high-level evolver, but not impossible"
"Thank you for the information," Aric replied, nodding thoughtfully. He turned away from the counter, his mind comprehending the new information.
Turns out that even this last bastion of humanity is not all fair and just to everyone.
As he returned to Su Jing, he couldn't help but wonder if revealing his magical skills would be wise. The power and respect granted to evolvers sounded tempting, but the potential dangers weighed heavily on him.
"Su Jing, I just learned some interesting things about evolvers from the receptionist," Aric said as he approached her and told her all he had learned.
"It seems they are highly respected and powerful individuals, but their lives can be fraught with danger."
"Really? What kind of danger?" Su Jing asked curiously, her eyes narrowing in concern.
"Apparently, there's a lot of competition among the powerful families within Survivor's Sanctuary. Evolvers are often recruited by these families to strengthen their ranks, but that also makes them targets for rival families. And even though the law is strict here, there's no guarantee of safety when an evolver steps outside the sanctuary." Aric explained, his voice tinged with unease.
"Sounds like a double-edged sword," Su Jing mused, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "On one hand, you could gain power, respect, and resources, but on the other hand, you could be painting a target on your back."
"Exactly," Aric nodded. "And while my magical skills may be an asset, I'm not sure if it's worth revealing them and potentially putting us in more danger."
"True. We're already facing enough challenges trying to survive in this harsh world. Adding more threats to our lives might not be the best idea," Su Jing agreed, her face showing the same concern Aric felt.
"Then we should probably keep my abilities a secret, at least for now," Aric suggested. "We can always revisit this decision later if circumstances change."
"Agreed," Su Jing nodded. "Let's focus on becoming mercenaries first and see where that path leads us."
With their decision made, Aric and Su Jing returned to the receptionist to complete their registration process. As they handed over their filled forms, the receptionist scanned them quickly before handing them each a mercenary badge.
"Congratulations, you are now officially registered mercenaries," the receptionist announced with a warm smile. "Your first mission is to hunt down two Radfangs, wolf-like beasts that roam the wasteland. You'll need to complete this mission within seven days, or you'll lose your mercenary status and be required to apply again after a month."
"Understood," Aric replied, accepting the mission details from the receptionist. "Is there anything else we should know about these Radfangs?"
"Radfangs are fast and agile, so be cautious when engaging them," the receptionist warned. "They often travel in packs, so you may encounter multiple Radfangs at once. And remember, teamwork is key in situations like this."
"Thank you for the advice," Su Jing responded, her eyes focused on the task ahead. "We'll do our best to complete the mission successfully."
"Good luck out there," the receptionist said, nodding at them both. "And remember, Survivor's Sanctuary is relying on skilled mercenaries like yourselves to help maintain order and security in these trying times."
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As they exited the mercenary headquarters, Aric contemplated their next move. "We have seven days to complete this mission," he said thoughtfully. "Should we head out immediately to hunt the Radfangs, or should we take some time to gather more information and stock up on supplies?"
Su Jing considered his question. "I think it would be wise to prepare ourselves first. We're not familiar with these creatures, so gathering intel could give us an advantage."
"Agreed," Aric nodded. "Let's head to the library then. We might find something useful there. Additionally, we also need to find more information about the Heart of Darkness. I hope we can find some clues there"
With their plan set, Aric and Su Jing made their way through the dusty streets of Survivor's Sanctuary towards the library.
As they walked, they stumbled upon a scene that made Aric's stomach churn. A crowd had gathered around what appeared to be a slave market. Men, women, and even children were caged in small enclosures, their expressions hollow and defeated. Everyone had collars on their necks as if marking their slave status.
"What is this place?" Aric asked, his voice filled with revulsion.
"It looks like this is a slave market," Su Jing replied solemnly. "People who have committed crimes or those who were captured due to the financial struggles of their families are often sold here as slaves. The collars they wear can incite extreme pain if they show any sign of disobedience."
"Isn't there anything we can do to help them?" Aric questioned, his emerald eyes darkening with anger. He was not so much concerned about criminals, but seeing children inside such cages made his blood boil
"Unless you have the money needed to buy out all the slaves, no." Su Jing sighed. "As much as I despise this practice, it's not something we can aim at right now."
Aric turned his attention back towards the slave market, and let out a frustrated grunt. But after a couple of seconds, he sighed in resignation
"Let's go. We still have things to do" Su Jing tugged at Aric's arm.
With heavy hearts, Aric and Su Jing left the grim scene behind them, focusing their efforts on the task at hand.
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As they approached the library, the structure stood out like a beacon of knowledge amidst the desolation. The building was a massive, cylindrical tower with large windows that allowed sunlight to stream inside. Its exterior was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and symbols, hinting at the vast information held within its walls.
Upon entering, Aric and Su Jing were greeted by the scent of aged parchment and polished wood. Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched before them, each filled with countless volumes that had survived the apocalypse. The atmosphere in the library was hushed as if the very air held reverence for the knowledge contained within.
"Excuse me," Aric called out to the librarian, an elderly man with a long white beard and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He wore a simple brown robe, and his eyes held a glimmer of intelligence that suggested he knew much more than he let on.
"Ah, welcome! How may I assist you today?" the librarian asked warmly, his voice surprisingly strong despite his advanced age.
Aric hesitated for a moment, unsure how much he should reveal. "We're looking for information about a certain artifact, something called the Heart of Darkness. Do you have any books or records on it?"
The librarian furrowed his brow, deepening the lines on his weathered face. "I'm afraid I haven't come across anything like that in my years here. However, there is an upper section of the library where more rare and valuable information can be found, but access is restricted to those of high status."
"And how do we gain access to that section?" Aric inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Your best bet would be to increase your mercenary rank above Rank A," the librarian advised. "Only individuals with significant influence are granted access to the upper section."
"Thank you for the information," Aric said, his mind already racing with plans to climb the mercenary ranks. "Is there anything you could recommend for us to read in the meantime? Something which could help us in raising our Mercenary ranks."
"Of course! Here is a basic book on various beasts and herbs found in the wasteland. It should be of help on your journey." The librarian reached out and handed them a tattered volume titled 'Creatures of the Wasteland.'
"Thank you," Su Jing said, taking the book with a nod of gratitude.
"Good luck to both of you," the librarian wished them warmly as they turned to leave. "I can see that the both of you are new mercenaries. I would suggest you not to take any unnecessary risks to gain more rewards. Remember, Greed's allure sows the seeds for misfortune"
"Thank you, kind sir. We will definitely follow your wisdom," Aric said as he bowed and took a leave. This was the first amicable conversation he had had with a stranger ever since he came onto this new world.
And with that, the duo headed out towards a nearby inn, aiming to refresh and restock before starting on their first mission.