In the back room, several box-shaped machines stood where the guild staff appraised items. The machines resembled a Pokédex from the Pokémon world, the only difference being their shape and size.
To appraise an item, the staff would place it in the center of the machine, which would emit a light similar to a scanner. The appraisal machine had a wealth of information on all the items from across the Six Continents.
At this moment, the staff placed the gem in his hand into the appraisal machine.
[BEEP!]
[BEEP!]
[Scanning... scanning completed!]
[BEEP!]
[Item: Space Gem (Half)
Information: Not recorded...
Rating: SS-Class item (This half of the gem has a higher value compared to other S-Class items.)]
"W-what!? An SS-Class item?"
...
Meanwhile, outside the Explorer Guild stood a young girl wearing a sleeveless dress and bloomers, with a mantelet and skirt over them, along with gloves and plain leather shoes. Her overall appearance was reminiscent of a porcelain doll.
Her name was Biscuit Krueger, though she preferred to be called "Bisky." She was a Double-Star Stone Hunter and one of the S-Class Nen users of the Explorer Guild.
Her true form gave her a taller, muscular, and more masculine appearance, with her voice also becoming deeper and more masculine.
"Whenever I come to this place, I can't help but think about how amazing that brat is," she said as she looked at the guild. "In just 15 years, he created an organization that even the biggest forces won't carelessly offend. Although the Explorer Guild is neutral and focused solely on exploration, it's still scary to think that this guild has spread across all six continents."
"Alright~ Ancient Ruins, huh? I hope I find a gem as remarkable as that brat. Alas~ I'm getting old," she said, striding toward the entrance of the guild.
*RING*
"G-good day, ma'am!" The guard stuttered as he glanced at the badge on Bisky's chest. It was deep black in color, with Bisky's name on it.
"Hmm~" Bisky glanced at the guard for a moment before heading to the second floor, where the guild's task board was located.
The Explorer Guild has five floors in total. On the first floor, you can find the information desk, reception desk, back room, drinking area, and relaxation area. The second floor is where the task board is located. The third floor contains guest rooms and staff rooms, while the fourth floor has rooms for high-ranking members (one of their benefits). The fifth floor is where the guild master resides.
...
At this time, the staff hurriedly walked back to the information desk where Kastro was located. "Sir, your gem is really something special. The appraisal machine doesn't have any information on it, but it knows the name and rating. Would you like to discuss it here or in a private room?"
Seeing the staff and hearing what she said, Kastro felt disappointed and replied, "Sigh~ at least it knows the name and rating. Okay, just tell me here."
The staff then repeated what the appraisal machine had stated earlier. "Your gem's name is Space Gem, and it's a half gem, not a complete one. It has a rating of SS-Class."
"Space Gem, huh? Alright, how much does the information cost?" Kastro said casually, but he was suddenly stunned. He looked at the staff and asked loudly, "W-what did you say? Not complete? SS-Class?"
*MURMUR*
*MURMUR*
Suddenly, the people around them grew noisy after hearing Kastro, and they began to talk among themselves.
"W-what!? An SS-Class item?"
"How is this possible? Although I haven't seen an S-Class item, the guild manual says that the highest class items are only S-Class."
"Hey, you new here? The book you read only contains the basics. It's free when you register to join the guild, but that doesn't mean all the information is in the book."
"Yeah, newbie, what's the use of the information desk if they put it all in a book?"
"Oh..."
"Although it's my first time hearing about an SS-Class item, it's not that surprising. Even if the guild revealed an SSS-Class item someday, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Stop acting like a bigshot, I saw you earlier with a surprised expression on your face."
"HAHAHAHA"
"Maybe the Seven Most Beautiful Colors In The World are considered an SSS-Class item?"
"Who is that man? Why does he possess an SS-Class item?"
Bisky, who was near the staircase leading to the second floor, stopped for a moment, suddenly intrigued by what she had heard.
"Oh, someone took an SS-Class item in public, huh?" With that thought in mind, Bisky turned around and walked toward the source of the noise.
...
At the information desk, Kastro hurriedly apologized to the staff. "I-I apologize. I was stunned and surprised by the value of this gem, that I didn't control my voice. This gem won't cause any trouble for the guild will it? It's an SS-Class item, after all."
"N-no worries, sir. We're not afraid of any trouble, and the buyer's information won't be leaked. Even the people around won't say anything. After all, our guild operates across the Six Continents, and no one would risk their life by being hunted for leaking the buyer's information," the staff replied, reassuring him.
"T-that's good to hear, thanks, I guess?" Kastro said, feeling relieved by the staff member's words.
"Hey, brat! Do you want to sell your gem? I can buy it at a reasonable price."
At that moment, the voice of a young girl suddenly interrupted their conversation.
Kastro turned around and saw a young girl. "Sorry, kid, this gem has sentimental value to me."
"K-kid!?" The corner of Bisky's mouth twitched.
The staff was dumbfounded and hurriedly said, "I-I'm sorry, Master Bisky. He's a non-member of the guild, so maybe he doesn't know you." The staff then bowed slightly towards Bisky and introduced her to Kastro, saying, "Sir, she's one of the S-Class members of our guild, named Bisky."
"Wh-what? So young?" Kastro was also dumbfounded.
"U-um..." The staff didn't know what to say.
"Never mind..." Bisky nodded to the staff and then looked at Kastro. "Brat! With your strength, if people outside with malicious intentions and power got interested in your gem, you wouldn't even know how you'd die."
She then looked at the gem and continued, "You're lucky that the gem you're holding isn't well-known or doesn't have information attached to it. Holding a priceless treasure without strength is just asking for trouble."
"Th-this..." Upon hearing her, Kastro was stunned for a moment.
"You don't need money? How about I teach you the power of the strong in exchange for that gem?"
After saying that, Bisky released all of her aura without holding back.
*BOOM*