C6 Sunstriders

"The Sand Adventure Team is seeking Class 3 experts to pioneer the 200th floor. Applicants must have high-quality gear, with weapons at a minimum Magicka level!"

"The White Rabbit Adventure Team is on the lookout for seasoned Class 2 adventurers, requiring a full set of Origin Power Level equipment and extensive combat experience!"

"The Stream Adventure Team is hiring scavengers. Just being Class 2 is sufficient, with a 5% share of the profits!"

"Offering a set of second-hand Origin Power Level equipment for just 10 silver coins!"

"Will pay top dollar for Magicka level defensive gear with high fire resistance. Price is open to negotiation!"

As Egerton approached Ventia Street, the cacophony of voices shifted. Believers huddled in groups, engaging in trade or seeking the right teammates or teams. Yet, the majority were low-ranking Adventure Teams.

"They're setting the bar so low; it's a clear trap!" Egerton sneered at an Adventure Team nearby that was recruiting Class 2 adventurers with no prerequisites. Within a second, he dismissed any thought of joining them.

"Do you really only need a Class 2 to join?"

A crisp voice caught Egerton's attention, drawing a chuckle from him. A petite figure with brown hair stood before the Adventure Team he had disregarded, clearly having been duped.

"Never mind, I can't get involved in everything. Time to find an Adventure Team!" Shaking his head, Egerton walked away.

In the Eastern Region, he might be an all-powerful Ruler, but here, he was merely a poorly equipped Class 2. In direct combat, he might not even best that deceitful Adventure Team. Making too many enemies would be foolish.

"I'm sorry, you might indeed be strong, but we need more assurance!"

"Adventuring is a serious business, and I have to look out for my team!"

"If you're truly committed, why not purchase some Origin Power Level armor first? For someone of Class 2, it shouldn't be too difficult, right?"

Rejection after rejection made Egerton face the harsh realities of this world for the first time.

Yet, he couldn't argue, as they relentlessly pointed out his critical flaw: a lack of complete equipment.

The strength of the magical creatures was formidable and mysterious. Without any weapons or equipment, a Class 2 believer stood almost no chance of defeating a Level D magical creature. Even with a full set of gear, the best they could hope for was a stalemate.

This was precisely why Class 2 believers, even when facing only Level D magical creatures, were required to form teams of at least five members to gain entry.

"Damn, do I really have to fight my way up from the first floor?" Egerton muttered in frustration.

Warp Gates corresponding to specific levels were situated outside the Skyreach Spire, but they were limited to floors like Level 1, Level 100, Level 200, and so on. To access intermediate levels like 2 or 3, an adventurer had to start from Level 1 and navigate through the tower's internal teleportation points.

Despite the myriad of directional signs within the Skyreach Spire, guiding adventurers on the quickest paths to the next level, the journey from the first to the hundredth floor remained a perilous and lengthy ordeal.

"Forget it, it's a hassle, but there's no other choice!" Egerton resigned himself after another rejection and headed toward the Warp Gate on the first floor.

"Excuse me, please let me through!" A figure suddenly emerged, blocking Egerton's path. As they were about to collide, Egerton swiftly sidestepped, avoiding the figure and pressing on.

"Young man, please hold on a moment!" The same voice called out again. Egerton, assuming the call was for someone else, didn't look back and kept moving. Yet the voice persisted, close behind him. "Young man, please wait a moment!"

"Are you talking to me?" Egerton stopped and turned around, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Hey, isn't that Garros, the captain of the Sunstriders?"

"Indeed, it is. I wouldn't have guessed he'd come here, right to the first level's Warp Gate. Is he planning to mentor a newcomer?"

"That's laughable. The esteemed Class 5 Black Night Emissary doesn't need to personally mentor newcomers. Now, if he's scouting for new talent with potential, that I'd believe!"

"Could it be that the kid who was scared silly is the one Garros has his eye on as a new recruit?"

People around were whispering among themselves, but Egerton was elsewhere in his thoughts. Despite having picked up on the identity of the sunny and handsome young man before him through their chatter, what truly captivated him was the item he was currently fixated on.

"Dressed in Specter Level gear, this guy must be loaded!" Egerton mused to himself.

Specter Level gear was a notch above Magicka equipment. Even the most basic piece would set you back 1000 silver coins. Garros was decked out in a full set, and judging by the sheen of the gear, it was top-tier Specter Level stuff. The whole ensemble must have cost close to one gold coin.

"But why would such a wealthy guy seek me out? Surely he's not here to invite me to join an Adventure Team, right? Ha, I should stop daydreaming. He probably just wants to give me a hard time for nearly bumping into him earlier. These rich folks usually have such short fuses!"

"Are you interested in joining my Sunstriders?" Garros asked, his smile shining as brightly as the sun emblem on his chest.

"I was just about to apologize for almost running into you... Wait, what did you say?" Egerton started to apologize out of reflex, but he stopped mid-sentence, realizing that Garros's words were not at all what he had expected.

Oh wait, they were exactly what he had expected!

"I'd like to invite you to join the Sunstriders. Would you be interested?" Garros repeated.

"Why? Do you really have that kind of interest in me?"

Egerton struggled to grasp the situation, noticing a gleam of eagerness in Garros's eyes that sent a shiver down his spine.

Damn, after yesterday's stroke of romantic luck, now this? There's no need for such intensity, right?

"Uh, you've got it all wrong. When we almost collided earlier, I was ready to dodge, but you reacted even quicker. Your reflexes and agility are clear indicators of your capabilities, which is why I want you to join my Sunstriders!" Garros explained earnestly.

"I see. But is it really just because of that?" Egerton asked, still somewhat taken aback.

The individual in question was not only a Class 5 professional but also a wealthy tycoon. It was quite extraordinary for him to extend an offer to a Class 2 believer after a mere chance encounter, especially with such earnestness.

"That's all there is to it. I trust my instincts!" Garros said with a confident smile.

"You're an exceptional individual, but I'm just a Class 2, and you're a Class 5. I doubt I'd be much help to your Adventure Team. Besides, given your level, your team probably operates between the 400th and 500th floors of Skyreach Spire. I fear the guards wouldn't even let someone of my strength through," Egerton said, shaking his head.

Within Skyreach Spire, certain magical creatures possess the ability to manipulate minds, making adventurers of lower strength easy targets. This not only poses a great risk to themselves but can also cause complications for their fellow adventurers. Hence, a matching level of strength is required.

"Don't worry about that. Frankly, my presence here is to scout for Class 2 adventurers with potential to form the lower-level team of the Sunstriders. This is to lay the groundwork for the future growth of the Adventure Team and to ensure a steady supply of low-level materials. Once you join, you'll be teamed up with others of similar strength, and you won't be taken to floors that are beyond your capabilities," Garros explained.

"I see. So, what are the requirements to join your Adventure Team, and how is the loot divided?" Egerton inquired further.

"The sole requirement is that we'll assign a High Class adventurer to lead your group, and I expect you to follow his directives. Regarding the loot, 20% goes to the High Class leader, and the remaining 80% is distributed based on performance. Don't fret over fairness—I'll be checking in regularly. If you have any concerns about the allocations, you can come directly to me," Garros said with a laugh.

"So, this is what a major Adventure Team is like? The treatment is worlds apart from those makeshift teams!"

Egerton was at a loss for words. The offer from Garros was not just good—it was unbelievably generous.

Venturing into the Skyreach Spire was inherently risky. Although the magical creatures were currently distributed in a balanced manner, preventing an overwhelming number or an excessively powerful creature from appearing on the lower levels, there was no guarantee against accidents.

Having a High Class expert as an escort meant a significant level of security for one's life. What's more, this expert only requested a twenty percent share of the loot. Even though he wouldn't actively engage in combat with the magical creatures, it was still an exceptionally good deal.

"Let me give it a shot first, is that okay?" Egerton asked with a smile.

"No problem!" Garros nodded, seeing nothing excessive about the request.

"Attention, attention. A temporary mission has been triggered. Mission Level: C, Difficulty: D. Rescue the young girl Quintana. Time Limit: One day. Failure to complete the mission will result in a deduction of 50 silver coins."

Following Garros, Egerton was once again irritated by the missionary system's prompt echoing in his mind.

'How utterly shameless! Upgrading the mission before was one thing since it was already accepted, but now? Dumping a mission on me out of nowhere, and I don't even know the person in question? How am I supposed to handle this?'

"What's the matter?" Garros asked, noticing Egerton's sudden pause.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Egerton quickly replied, shaking his head.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder, 'The missionary system has never been this unreasonable. Even the last mission was optional. Could it be that this mission is something I'm bound to come across, and that's why it was forced on me?'

Meanwhile, at the Warp Gate on the 100th floor of the Skyreach Spire, the brown-haired girl stood there, lost in thought.

"Quintana, don't worry. With us by your side, the magical creatures on the 100th floor aren't as terrifying as you imagine. Come on, let's go!"

The leader of the swindler's Adventure Team turned back to Quintana with a reassuring smile, prompting her to move forward once again.