The Appraisal Department fell silent.
Aiden stood calmly while Alfred continued examining the Black River Drake materials.
The old appraiser finally set down the mana core and adjusted his glasses.
“I have one last question.”
Aiden nodded.
“Go ahead.”
Alfred folded his hands.
“When did you defeat this Black River Drake?”
Aiden thought for a moment.
“About two months ago.”
The answer surprised both Alfred and the receptionist.
“So you’ve been carrying these materials ever since?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know they were valuable.”
The two guild employees looked at one another.
Most adventurers would have rushed to sell materials worth such a fortune.
Yet this young man had carried them across mountains, forests, and roads without realizing their true value.
Alfred couldn’t help smiling.
“You really are an unusual young man.”
Nearly half an hour passed as several guild employees finished calculating every material Aiden had brought.
F-Rank Gray Fang Wolves.
E-Rank Forest Boars.
Monster hides.
Fangs.
Bones.
Mana cores.
Bundles of preserved monster meat.
And finally…
The remains of the Black River Drake.
The receptionist carefully checked the final report before placing it before Alfred.
The old appraiser read it once.
Then nodded in satisfaction.
“The calculations are correct.”
He looked toward Aiden.
“Mr.
Valen.”
“The Guild will purchase every item.”
“You’ve brought us excellent-quality materials.”
The receptionist smiled.
“The total comes to…”
She announced the amount.
Although Aiden had never seen this world’s currency before…
Even he could tell it was a considerable sum from everyone’s reactions.
Several nearby employees quietly gasped. Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
“That’s enough money to live comfortably for years…”
“For an F-Rank registration…”
“Unbelievable.”
Aiden simply accepted the leather pouch after confirming the amount.
“…Thank you.”
There wasn’t a hint of excitement in his voice.
After surviving the Forbidden Forest…
Money felt useful.
But it wasn’t everything.
Once the transaction was complete, the receptionist returned to the main counter carrying another small box.
Inside rested a simple black metal badge engraved with a single silver letter.
**F**
She smiled warmly.
“Congratulations.”
“From this moment onward…”
“You are officially registered as an F-Rank Adventurer.”
She handed him the badge.
Aiden accepted it carefully.
The small piece of metal wasn’t expensive.
Nor was it magical.
Yet…
It represented something far greater.
No king had given it to him.
No prophecy had chosen him.
He had earned it himself.
Slowly…
He pinned the badge onto his cloak.
For the first time since arriving in this world…
Aiden truly felt like he belonged somewhere.
The receptionist continued explaining.
“As an F-Rank adventurer, you’ll only be allowed to accept F-Rank quests.”
“After earning enough contribution points and completing the promotion examination, you’ll advance to E Rank.”
She pointed toward the enormous request board filling one side of the guild hall.
“Each rank unlocks more dangerous quests.”
“Higher-ranked quests naturally offer greater rewards.”
Aiden nodded.
“I understand.”
Before he could leave…
Alfred suddenly spoke.
“One moment.”
The elderly appraiser slowly walked over.
He looked directly into Aiden’s eyes.
“Do not tell others you defeated that Black River Drake.”
The receptionist looked surprised.
“Master Alfred?”
He sighed.
“Most people won’t believe him.”
“And those who do…”
“They’ll either fear him…”
“Or try to use him.”
He looked back at Aiden.
“Until you’ve built a proper reputation…”
“Keep your true strength to yourself.”
Aiden immediately understood.
It was the same lesson he had learned in the Forbidden Forest.
Not every battle required displaying all of his strength.
“I’ll remember that.”
Alfred smiled.
“Good.”
Aiden stepped back into the main guild hall.
The lively atmosphere hadn’t changed.
Adventurers still laughed.
Quest boards remained crowded.
Life continued as normal.
No one realized that the quiet young man walking past them had once survived the Forbidden Forest alone.
No one knew he had defeated a B-Rank monster before ever becoming an adventurer.
And Aiden intended to keep it that way.
He slowly approached the request board.
Dozens of quests were pinned neatly across its surface.
Gather healing herbs.
Deliver supplies.
Hunt Goblins.
Escort merchants.
Eliminate F-Rank Wolves.
Each quest displayed its rank and reward.
Aiden quietly read every one.
This…
Would be the true beginning of his new life.
He reached out and removed his very first quest from the board.
A simple F-Rank monster extermination request.
Nothing glamorous.
Nothing extraordinary.
Exactly what he wanted.
With the quest in hand, Aiden smiled faintly.