This was a huge dilemma for Min. Before, he had thought that this Aunt of his just wanted to lock him away in an effective cage so that their family's reputation wasn't in danger. That would obviously be horrendously destructive for Min's plans.
But now, the stakes had changed. By not going back he was effectively losing the chance to establish a very stable foundation in the Galaxy. There, he could probably set up a mercenary group or something similar for the Players with his excess funds. In this way, he could potentially become a qualified competitor with the Black Star Army due to his amount of starting funds. Or he could bring Han Xiao over to the Ancient Star Desert. Or he could do a million other things. This wasn't even mentioning the resources that would be available to complete the Main Storyline mission for Planet Brighton in both this and the next version.
However. While this path was less dangerous and had a lot of present power, it didn't fit Min's long-term plans. He firstly wasn't confident that he could even compete with Han Xiao in terms of personal organizations, nor did he have the desire to. Min felt that he wasn't a leader by nature and didn't have the ambition to compete with Han Xiao. His current plan was to hug the biggest thigh he found and become an important NPC for the players. If he was loved by the community, they might follow him to space- especially when he revealed his alien identity.
There wasn't enough time for him to thoroughly compare the pros and cons of each position in the middle of a battle, though. So, Min clenched his jaw in frustration before speaking up.
"Is it possible for me to return temporarily and do some figurehead stuff before coming back to Brighton? It would be good to have a lot of money and supplies for my plans here…"
"No! You run away for so long and then ask for money? Shameless!"
Tch, even though he was shameless, this one stung a little. Min didn't even personally do all of this stuff! However, based on this reaction, there'd be very little trust given to him by Meng-Tsu Shai corporation. He'd probably just be returned and locked up to be a pretty face. Of course, Min did have a pretty face, but that was besides the point!
"Sorry, I can't come back, then! I have stuff to do here. Now, leave or die!"
Clenching his jaw, Min held the bow up and aimed it at Brahm. He tried his best to act intimidating, which was a skill he had kind of learned from the Arena, so it had some effect. A protracted battle here would only be more trouble than it was worth. Besides, he didn't want to kill this guy.
The Pugilist hesitated for a moment before groaning and putting the metal bat back on his back.
"Listen here! I'm going to tell your Aunt that you've started to be violent, and she'll send someone powerful enough to beat you into submission! Then you'll learn your lesson!!"
Brahm turned and started sprinting back into the forest while grumbling something. Min stared at his back helplessly… it felt like he was watching his enemy call for reinforcements while not doing anything. While killing this guy would delay any new people coming to get him, it felt rather excessive.
It wasn't like getting brought back to space would kill him, so it was hard to justify taking this guy's life over something so simple… ugh. Min couldn't help but fidget with his bow while sneering to himself.
"Bleh. How awful of an experience."
Coming to this world, this universe, had been so unpleasant. All Min had to hope for was the possibility of going home…
Ping!
—-----------------------------------------------------------
You have completed the Sudden Mission [Pursuer]. The Bonus Requirement, "Remain above 50% Health", was achieved.
Calculating rewards…
You have gained 9,500 Exp and a 30 minute 2x Experience Card.
—-----------------------------------------------------------
Ooo, nice distraction, system. This reward was actually pretty good. Back in Galaxy, this double exp card was really only useful for high-reward grinding and completing Main Storyline Missions. Players valued it moderately, but the opportunities to use it were rather rare, so there were better options. Its applications in Leek Farming were also somewhat limited, but it could act as a nice fertilizer for a large, short-term harvest sale. This was Min's supposition, at least.
Min retraced his steps and went up the path, meeting the party back at a manor. Joseph was waiting for him outside of the gates, and once Min got there, Joseph nodded to a servant who was on the other side. The two adventurers entered into the gated estate.
Min and Joseph walked on the long, paved path within a forest before the woods cleared, and a manor came into view. A gorgeous water fountain laid at the middle of a small cul-de-sac at the front of the manor. There were some divergent paths before this cul-de-sac that led to other buildings on the property, but they mostly bled into the aforementioned forest. The large manor home was clearly the center piece of the property.
The whole look of the manor, along with the hedge gardens around the edges, looked very similar to an otome isekai's central setting… what? Don't look at me like that! Can't a man enjoy some clichè romance?!?
The two entered the exquisite building silently while Joseph led the way. Tension held in the rogue's face as he looked forward expressionlessly. Butlers and maids ignored him as he led Min up the stairs and to a certain study. Even from outside the door, they could hear the loud voice akin to a rowdy adventurer.
"...studied there! It's a surprise that we didn't see this section before! Guess that's what happens when you knock on a few walls, huh?"
When Joseph opened the doors wide, Min saw a moderately-sized man sitting behind a mahogany desk with dozens of ornamental objects on it. Two stacks of papers were off to the side, one a lot smaller than the other, making a small square of empty space right in front of the man. The desk was quite cluttered but the middle-aged man behind it appeared quite clean. He looked every part a patriarch noble: clean-cut, dark hair, a mustache with sharp ends, and a black, buttoned vest. A similarly dark cape rested on the top rung of a coat rack behind him. Despite this put together appearance, he had a rugged build and a voice compatible with it.
The presumed Lord Halden was currently reached over his desk and slapping Mark's arm repeatedly. He was laughing in a friendly way, but Mark's eyes twitched with every touch. But the doors opening caught his attention. The man, looking away from Mark, leaned forward in his chair and put his elbows on the desk. He stared at Min with great, sudden interest- like a shiny piece of metal entered his view.
"Wow, so this is your Super! He looks cool! Scars, muscles… eh, the face is too pretty, but you'd be a great gladiator fighter! Not that those legally exist!... but if they did, even a baby Silver rank like you would do well there."
Internally, Min felt a mixture of speechlessness and offense. He… didn't look like an arena fighter… right? That was behind him! Before Min could go down a mental path of insecurity, he put the frankly irrelevant thought away and looked up to speak. But this energetic guy had already moved the conversation along!
"Anyway, I know you guys have been around the area of these ruins before. That's why I recommended you to my friend! Luckily, he accepted the assignment of your party to protect his student researchers, so you should make some pretty big bucks from this!"
Lord Halden laughed once again, subtly giving Min the general idea of what their mission was. Min couldn't help but think that this guy was probably quite experienced in managing people. However, before he could mentally praise this guy, the entire atmosphere suddenly got tense.
"Remember, Waters, they all have to come back alive. I hope last time doesn't happen again… I was gracious in reducing your pay to reimburse my friend for the damage. Just think of what another Holder would have done…"
Lord Halden leaned back in his chair and frowned, pursing his lips as if he were disappointed. A light pressure emitted from his form, making even Min feel somewhat suppressed. Angela pressed her lips together while nodding, not daring to make eye contact.
"Yes, sir, we'll keep them safe. You have my word."
She barely spat out the words. But before the tension in the room could dwell, Lord Halden made a loud clap.
"Good! Happy hunting, fellow adventurers! To cutting down Beasts and Barbarians alike!"
Lord Halden raised his hand, as if holding a class to cheer. Joseph, who had gone up to the desk earlier, joined the other two in cheering his pretend drink. With that, Lord Halden shooed them away from his room to return to whatever work he had before.
The two doors to the study closed behind them. Without that cheery noble filling the air, silence befell the group. Min looked at the group before pointing his thumb over his shoulder, toward the door.
"That guy had a lot of energy and seems quite strong. How'd you meet him?"
He was a little careful with his word choice. That guy seemed kinda strong, and strong Supers had good senses. Lord Halden likely was hearing everything here. Angela immediately started moving to leave, nodding slowly herself.
"Mh, Lord Halden is a former Gold-rank Adventurer, so he knows this business very well. He was even the one who… ahem, financed my magical education."
Everyone frowned when Angela brought up her education. Min himself sighed… he had learned a few things while being on Planet Brighton. One of them was the relationship debt had to personal autonomy. For Angela, her family had been approached by this Lord Halden when she was young since he had "recognized her talent" and thus wanted to pay for her education. Her family poured as many of their resources as they could into teaching her magic, but it turned out that her talent was only somewhat above average. So, while she did end up learning magic, she owed a large amount of debt to Lord Halden without becoming strong enough to pay it off quickly. So, under Planet Brighton's system, Lord Halden became her debt "Holder" while she was the "Debtor".
In the Galaxy's information records on Planet Brighton, this was labeled as debt slavery.
Min couldn't help but shake his head internally. While this had been present on Earth to some degree, it was a formal, recognized system on Planet Brighton. And much of the populous held these indebted persons in contempt- usually labeling them as financially irresponsible. So, while it wasn't quite chattel slavery, this peculiar institution still stirred Min's American heart.
''Tsk, my mom's ancestor was a Union soldier and even died in the American Civil War. While I doubt I'll die trying to destroy this institution here, hopefully I can do something about it later.'
But this consideration was way too far away for him to think about right now. Currently, Min had to prepare for whatever mission they were going to. The group returned and got their gear before going to the Adventurer's Guild.
…
The sun hung high in the sky, heat beating down onto the town of Arshle. While it wasn't the overbearing summer heat, the spring still had some warmer days, like today.
The Adventuerer's Guild was somewhat bustling for the offseason.
A board hung on the wall nearby the receptionist bar. It had all of the ranks within the Adventurer's Guild present, and they were divided into Metal Ranks, Gem Ranks, and Conceptual Ranks. The Metal Ranks roughly corresponded with Grade D- Supers and below, the Gem Ranks with Grade D-C Supers, and the Conceptual Ranks with Grade C+ Supers. Yes, Planet Brighton had Grade C+ Supers! And while Planet Brighton did have the concept of the Grade ranks, the Adventurer's Guild had existed for tens of thousands of years. So it culturally superceded the Grade ranks for most adventurers. The general public typically used the Grade ranks, however.
A group of ten university students and one professor sat at a round table in the guild building while a tall, stoic soldier stood beside them. Even as the hall bustled with activity, the academics were too busy checking their supplies, sticking their noses in books, and being lectured by the professor. Min and the others entering was not an exception.
The stoic soldier caught sight of Angela first and motioned for her to come over. When the group arrived, he held a hand out for her. His free wrist rested on the pommel of his sword.
"You must be Lord Halden's guide, and you all are her team. We are ready to depart, so fill us in on the local area while we traverse to the Eldor Terminal."
While this guy went through the polite motions, his expression didn't change at all. The class all stood up as he shook Angela's hand and began leaving the building under the professor's direction. They almost felt detached from the reality of their protection's presence and ignored them for the most part. Since they were so quick, Angela didn't get a chance to respond properly.
Outside, the researchers got into a transport vehicle. It was a bus-like contraption designed to transport adventurers to the nearest Eldor Terminal, which was the veil Min had gone through earlier. While effective and convenient, it usually only serviced the adventurers with good disposable income.
On the side of the bus were some small platforms and hooks. A few people were hanging onto them while trying to hold all of their things. This was the cheaper fare, which the soldier was going to use and Lord Halden had purchased for Angela's Group.
As they got on, the soldier sized Angela's group up before his gaze landed on Min. He squinted slightly at the unique appearance before opening his mouth.
"There are supposed to be three local guides, not four. When did you-"
From the window next to the soldier's head, one of the students reached out and flicked the man's head.
"Richard, why do I have to read the class trip details before you do? He's a late addition- a silver rank, apparently."
The soldier's eyebrows rose slightly, but he took the answer from the petulant student. The soldier turned to Angela and began to question her about the local terrain and what dangers they might face within the Eldor rainforest.
Since he had a moment, Min brought up his Interface and looked at the mission this escort produced.
—-----------------------------------------------------------
You have triggered a Class-E Mission!
[Jungle Ruins Escort]
Mission introduction: A renown university on the Eldor continent is taking a research trip to explore a new room in an old ruin. You will escort them to the ruins, watch their backs inside the ruins, and then return them back to Arshle, all while protecting them from any danger.
Mission requirement: Successfully return to Arshle with the researchers alive.
Reward: 31,250 EXP, +10 Adventurer's Guild Reputation
Bonus Reward: 50,000 EXP
Fail condition: Death of 80% of the researchers.
—-----------------------------------------------------------
This was his first longer term mission, so it was good to get some rich rewards from it. This also made him a little cautious, though. The reward implied that the difficulty of the mission was on the standard of a Grade E Super, meaning there could be some properly difficult fights ahead.
In any case, Min cleared his head and chatted with the rest of the group. The brick road passed by as they came upon the Eldor Terminal's waiting area.