Adam landed at the outskirts of the city, making sure to avoid attention. He knew little about this world, but one thing was certain—he could not afford to stand out. Not yet.
The world had changed from what he once knew. Towering buildings reached into the sky, glowing signboards flickered with advertisements, and machines roamed the streets—some carrying people, others transporting goods. It was all unfamiliar, yet strangely fascinating.
But amid the unfamiliarity, there was something he recognized: Awakened warriors.
They stood out from the rest. Unlike ordinary civilians, these people carried weapons that pulsed with energy. Artifacts that glowed with power. Their bodies radiated strength, their movements precise and disciplined.
Adam narrowed his eyes. So these are the "heroes" of this world.
In his time, heroes had been different—men and women who fought, bled, and died in battle against monstrous foes. Warriors who did not care for rankings or fame. But here, strength was neatly categorized into ranks.
Rank E - The beginner level, where most new Awakened started.
Rank D – They are as strong as Ten Rank E awakened.
Rank C – Considered average among awakeners , But enough to influence anything much.
Rank B – Skilled fighters, respected among the Awakened.
Rank A – Very strong among the hunters, If anyone were to become A rank then they would be automatically be promoted to 1st class citizen.
Rank S – The strongest group of awakeners. If one surpassed Rank A, they automatically entered this tier. There are only a handful in a country.
Adam's battle-hardened instincts stirred. "How strong are they compared to me?"
For a brief moment, his aura slipped.
The air grew heavy. The ground beneath him trembled slightly.
The nearby Rankers stiffened—some of them reached for their weapons, their instincts warning them of danger.
But just as quickly, Adam reined in his power.
(No more fighting. That life is behind me.)
He exhaled and looked down at the small bundle tucked inside his armor. The baby remained blissfully unaware, sleeping soundly against his chest.
He smiled faintly. "This is enough for me."
With that, he turned his focus back to the task at hand—he needed money.
---
The Gold Exchange
The city was bustling with activity. Market stalls lined the streets, selling everything from enchanted weapons to rare herbs. Vendors called out their wares, hoping to attract Rankers in need of supplies.
Ignoring the noise, Adam entered a high-end shop with golden accents and lavish decor. The interior was filled with display cases showcasing rare gemstones, enchanted rings, and artifacts.
A well-dressed man greeted him with a polite smile. "Welcome, sir. How may I assist you today?"
Adam wasted no time. "Where do I exchange gold?"
The man's professional expression did not waver, but Adam noticed the slight flicker of interest in his eyes. Gold must be valuable here.
"Please follow me, sir."
Adam was led to a private room where transactions took place. A table was set in the center, with a scale and various tools for assessing the purity of materials.
The man, whose name tag read Rahlf, gestured toward the table. "How much gold do you wish to exchange? We offer the best market rates."
Adam reached into his pockets and pulled out all the gold coins he had with him. The heavy clinking sound filled the room as he set them down.
Rahlf's eyebrows twitched in surprise. He composed himself quickly and began counting.
"One hundred and sixteen coins in total," he confirmed. "That is quite a sum, sir. However, before we proceed, I will need to see your Ranker ID."
Adam frowned.
"Why do I need an ID?"
Rahlf smiled patiently. "It is a standard procedure. All large transactions must be recorded. If the government, the police, or any major clans inquire, we must provide them with the necessary information."
Adam's frown deepened. He had no ID. He had no desire to get entangled with the authorities.
Rahlf noticed his hesitation and quickly added, "However, there is another way."
Adam remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
The man leaned slightly forward. "For high-value clients who wish to remain… discreet, we offer a special exchange service. There is a small processing fee, of course, but your identity remains unrecorded. No questions asked."
Adam considered it. He did not trust this man, nor did he like the idea of hidden fees. But for now, avoiding unnecessary trouble was the priority.
"Fine," he said. "Use that method."
Rahlf nodded and rang a small bell. A moment later, a woman entered, carrying a black metal case.
"This is the unregistered transaction service," Rahlf explained. "The exchange rate will be slightly lower, but we ensure complete anonymity. You will receive credits, which can be used anywhere."
Adam said nothing as the woman began weighing the gold.
The process took several minutes.
Finally, Rahlf handed him a small metal card.
"This card contains 1,392,000 credits. Use it like cash in most establishments."
Adam took the card and inspected it. A simple object, yet it represented more wealth than most people in this world probably saw in a lifetime.
"Pleasure doing business, sir." Rahlf smiled.
Adam pocketed the card and turned to leave.
But as he stepped out of the shop, he felt it—a presence.
Someone was watching him.
His instincts, honed from years of battle, screamed at him.
His hand twitched slightly, ready to strike if necessary.
(…Who is watching me?)