Free Web NovelChapter 313: Chapter 301: Upper-tier Profession [Wanderer]
"An Upper-tier Profession?"
Staring at the Profession requirements in his field of vision, Roland couldn’t help but feel a flicker of joy.
It wasn’t because the [Wanderer] Profession itself was particularly powerful, but because it had been a long time since he’d encountered a new Profession other than hidden or Basic Professions since he started practicing the Knight’s Breathing Technique.
"But... ’Deceitful Skills’?"
Looking at the word ’Cunning’ in the requirements, which had no explanation, Roland’s brows furrowed.
The term was far too broad, making it difficult for him to grasp its meaning.
But after a moment, he had a theory.
Based on his past experience with Professions, he knew that some didn’t explicitly require a prerequisite Profession. For example, one didn’t need to be a [Knight’s Attendant] before becoming an [Apprentice Knight].
However, judging by the required skills, there was usually some inherent connection between Basic, Upper-tier, and High Tier Professions.
’Which means...’
’Perhaps the prerequisite Profession for the Upper-tier Profession [Wanderer] is Thief? In that case, ’Deceitful Skills’ likely includes stealth and... pickpocketing?’
Setting aside his speculation about Deceitful Skills, another theory surfaced in Roland’s mind.
He ruled out Basic Professions unrelated to combat, like Chef or Fisherman, as well as High Tier Professions like Enchanter.
In the history of this continent, these Professions were never clearly associated with a specific Extraordinary path.
But [Wanderer] was different.
Based solely on his current experience, knowledge, and the Profession’s requirements, Roland easily deduced its likely advancement path...
’An Assassin?’
Recalling the powerful Assassin named Jia Xiu he had met in the River Domain, the corners of Roland’s mouth turned up slightly.
’I can’t believe a commission I took on a whim unexpectedly opened a path to another Extraordinary Profession. This is truly...’
He shook his head, dismissing the pointless fantasies.
The flicker of annoyance he had felt from failing to fully analyze the source of the mysterious liquid had now vanished completely.
Letting out a soft sigh, Roland put the empty Crystal Bottle back into his waist pouch.
’I’m not sure if that... subtle sensation I just experienced counts as valid information for analyzing the liquid’s source, but...’
Feeling the shadows around him, which now seemed to have a life of their own, Roland’s steps became a little lighter as he left.
’Even if I don’t end up getting a reward equal in value to a Second Ring Spell, just unlocking the [Wanderer] Upper-tier Profession is a huge gain. I just wonder...’
Recalling the viscous liquid from the Crystal Bottle, Roland subconsciously rubbed his smooth chin.
’Where exactly did that mysterious liquid come from? If I could use the Trait [Harmony of All Things] to consume it continuously, could my Perception of this special Energy called ’Shadow’... evolve even further?’
As his thoughts churned, Roland quietly left the abandoned building.
Gazing up at the inky black night sky, he strode off once again toward the Adventurer’s Guild.
The main hall was empty and quiet late at night, with only a few kerosene lamps casting flickering, yellow halos on the walls.
He pulled his hood low and spoke to the clerk behind the counter in a disguised voice.
"Regarding Her Highness Princess Gloria’s commission, I’ve obtained some information about the liquid’s source."
The clerk looked up, glanced at the figure with the concealed face, and nodded without asking any questions.
"Please wait a moment."
He then turned and disappeared through the doorway behind the counter.
A moment later, the clerk returned and gestured for Roland to follow him.
The dull thud of footsteps sounded especially loud in the silent hallway.
Roland noticed several armored Guards standing rigidly in the shadows on either side.
Their hands rested on their sword hilts, their wary eyes following his every move.
The clerk stopped before a heavy wooden door, knocked gently, and then pushed it open.
Inside was a windowless, sealed room, lit only by a single, solitary kerosene lamp.
The dim light stretched the furniture’s shadows long, making them dance restlessly on the walls.
Gloria was seated at a wooden table, while a stern-faced female official in a simple, dark dress stood silently a short distance behind her.
Her Imperial Highness the Princess was still in a simple dress, but her long, golden hair seemed somewhat dull in the dim yellow light, and a persistent worry clouded her features.
She nodded slightly when the cloaked figure entered.
"Thank you for coming to respond to my commission."
Gloria’s voice was gentle, yet it carried a hint of poorly concealed urgency.
"I am Gloria. How should I address you?"
The female official beside her quickly sized up Roland with a cautious gaze, clearly assessing any potential threat.
Roland simply gave a slight nod, not removing the veil that covered his face.
"Just an ordinary Adventurer, Your Highness. My name is unimportant."
After his low reply, he concisely described the chaotic and foul composition of the Magic Power he had perceived after "analyzing" the liquid. He emphasized the bizarre coexistence of its cold stillness and restless corrosiveness, finally mentioning the most crucial element: a faint, pulling sensation.
Gloria listened quietly, her azure eyes fixed on Roland, growing deeper and more solemn with his every word.
When Roland mentioned the "malice" and the "pulling sensation," her hands, clasped in front of her, tightened unconsciously.
The female official behind her also frowned slightly but remained silent.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the crackling of the lamp’s wick.
Her Imperial Highness the Princess lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on the flickering shadows, as if she were painstakingly trying to piece together what she knew with Roland’s description.
After a moment, she took a shallow breath, her voice so soft it was almost a sigh.
"The Abyss..."
Although Gloria’s voice was as soft as a whisper, Roland still keenly caught the word she had uttered.
Regarding the Abyss, he only knew from ancient texts that it was a dark dimension outside the world’s fissures, a place filled with Chaos and Destruction, the birthplace of Demons and all manner of unspeakable evils.
Beyond that, he knew very little.
The rest of the information he had seemed more like cautionary tales from old books than a tangible threat.
As his thoughts raced, Roland did not press for more information.
Gloria, however, quickly composed herself after her momentary lapse, as if her whisper had never happened.
She looked up, a polite, gentle smile returning to her face, though it seemed somewhat forced.
"Thank you for the valuable information, Mister Adventurer."
She decisively changed the subject, her voice regaining its earlier composure, but a hint of haste in her slightly quickened speech revealed her desire to end the topic.
"This is the reward you’ve earned."
As she finished speaking, the silent female official at her side stepped forward and gently placed two items on the table.
One was an old Scroll stamped with a magical insignia, and the other was an official permit bearing the royal wax seal.
"As per the commission’s agreement, this is the Scroll and study permit for the Second Ring Spell, [Domain of Honesty]."
Gloria explained.
Roland’s gaze swept over the table, but he did not reach for the items.
"Your Highness..."
he said calmly.
"Forgive my presumption, but this Magic... is not of great use to me. I heard you previously promised that it could be exchanged for other items of equivalent value?"
Gloria did not seem surprised. She nodded lightly.
"Of course. Then... what is it that you want?"
Without hesitation, Roland softly spoke the name he had decided on long ago.
"Supreme Slash."
The moment the words left his lips, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
The female official’s pupils contracted slightly.
The Guard, who had been standing as still as a statue, moved his hand imperceptibly closer to the weapon at his waist.
Even the formulaic, gentle expression on Gloria’s face froze instantly, her azure eyes filled with deep scrutiny.
A heavy silence fell over the dim, secret room.
