Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

"So, this mission is dangerous?" Vincent pressed, his tone cautious but curious.

Mochi's gaze was distant, her small frame perched comfortably on his shoulder. "Maybe," she said softly. "My abilities can't yet see the full picture."

Her words hung in the air, and Vincent fell silent, mulling over her response. Although skeptical of her supposed ability to read fate, he couldn't completely dismiss it.

But is it worth it?

Jessica's warning echoed in his mind. The Blackthorn Clan might already be searching for him.

But so what?

Vincent wasn't the type to back down easily. While cautious by nature, he wasn't afraid of a fight. The decision formed solidly in his mind—he'd join the mission.

As he deliberated, a strong yet calm voice broke through the din of the Novice Center's Lounge, cutting through the chatter of warriors registering for the special mission.

"Count me in."

The voice reverberated across the room, silencing the boisterous crowd. Heads turned toward its source, including Vincent's.

In the corner of the lounge, a towering figure leaned casually against the wall. Standing approximately 6 feet 8 inches tall, the green-skinned individual wore a steel breastplate that left his sculpted abs exposed. Sharp steel spikes protruded from his pauldrons, and a white cape flowed over his shoulders.

As he strode forward, the crowd instinctively parted, forming a path for him. A beam of light illuminated his imposing figure, revealing his distinctive features.

With a bald head, muscular build, and a pair of upward-curving fangs, the man resembled an orc straight out of Earth's fantasy stories. Yet, the blue diamond-shaped gem embedded in his forehead marked him as something more—Shardbone.

The Shardbone race was renowned for their intimidating presence and their unique talent, tied to the gemstone on their foreheads.

Vincent recognized the race instantly. Stories of Shardbone warriors had circulated even during his younger days.

The whispers began almost immediately.

"Isn't that Saffiro Blujem?"

"Yeah, the Young Master of the Blujem Tribe."

"I thought he was challenging the Tower of Combat. Why is he here?"

"Maybe it's because of the rumors about the exchange items from the tower disappearing."

"Who knows? But with him here, we've got more competition…"

Saffiro ignored the murmurs, his piercing gaze fixed on Maggie, who stood at the front of the room.

"I can participate, right? You said anyone could join, Miss Maggie," he said, his tone arrogant as he emphasized the word.

Maggie's expression tightened briefly at the sight of him. As the daughter of a weaker clan on the same planet as the Blujem Tribe, she was all too familiar with Saffiro's antics. For months now, he had been pestering her to become his woman—a prospect she loathed. But with the Blujem Tribe's influence looming over her own, she was powerless to confront him directly.

"Naturally, Young Master Saffiro," Maggie replied, keeping her voice steady despite her distaste. "You're welcome to participate."

Saffiro smirked and tilted his chin upward. "I have a question, Miss Maggie."

"What is it?" she asked, her tone clipped.

"If I get the highest kill count, can I exchange my reward for something else?"

Maggie's brows furrowed. "Stop being cryptic, Young Master Saffiro. If you have a specific request, state it clearly. The Novice Center Association will accommodate it if it's within reason."

"I can't reveal it just yet," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But I need your promise first."

Silence settled over the room as Maggie considered his words. Her frown deepened.

Saffiro pressed on. "Take your time deciding, but I don't think your people can afford to wait too long."

His grin widened, and Maggie felt a surge of frustration. She sighed inwardly, weighing her options. With the leader of their group unavailable, she needed all the help she could get—even if it meant making concessions.

"Fine," she said at last. "You have my promise. But only if you achieve the highest kill count."

Saffiro's grin widened further. "Perfect. I'll make sure to meet your expectations."

Ignoring him, Maggie turned her attention back to the crowd. "Registration will be sent to your identification tokens shortly. If you wish to join, simply accept the mission. Once registered, follow me to the South Gate!"

With that, Maggie disappeared, leaving the room buzzing with activity.

A soft chime sounded from Vincent's pocket. He pulled out his identification token, and a glowing screen appeared before him.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Would you like to join the Special Mission: Stop the Outbreak?"

Without hesitation, Vincent tapped the confirmation button and moved with the crowd toward the South Gate.

As they walked, Mochi's voice echoed in his mind. Find adventures on empire

"Are you sure about this? Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"If you're that scared, you can hide in the capture ball," Vincent retorted, his tone dry.

The black-furred rabbit puffed up indignantly. "Hmph! I'm just worried about you. Go ahead and die if you want, but don't come crying to me later!"

Mochi fell silent after that, refusing to engage further.

Before long, they reached the South Gate of the Novice Sanctuary. Vincent scanned the gathered warriors, estimating their numbers.

Three hundred Origin Warriors stood ready. The majority were Tier 1, with only about fifty at Tier 2. Among them, three were at the peak of Tier 2—Saffiro Blujem and two others.

Maggie stood at the forefront, flanked by two women of the Drakorii race.

"We'll split into three groups," Maggie announced. "Each group will head to a designated target location. Pyra and Pyre will lead two of the groups."

She gestured toward the women beside her. Pyra, on her right, had striking purple hair, while Pyre, on her left, sported green locks.

Finally, Maggie's gaze landed on Saffiro. "I assume you can handle a Tier 1 Labyrinth with your team, Young Master Saffiro?"

Saffiro's smirk was unshaken. "You don't need to worry about me, Miss Maggie. Just keep your promise."

Without waiting for a response, Saffiro gathered several Tier 2 and dozens of Tier 1 Origin Warriors before heading out.

Pyra and Pyre quickly divided the remaining warriors into two groups. Maggie, meanwhile, took only a small contingent of Tier 1 fighters. Despite her confidence in handling a Tier 2 Labyrinth alone, she brought them along for field support. Among her group was Vincent.

Vincent had maneuvered his way into Maggie's team through a subtle trade, paying another warrior to exchange places. He wanted to see if Mochi's vague warnings held any merit.