Chapter 70 – Iron Adventurer Test.

“This isn’t so bad. If we keep going like this, we’ll have enough gold in no time”

Rusty commented as he played with a large sack of gold coins he had earned in a day. There were already close to five gold coins inside, and he hadn’t even had to work that hard for them. However, as usual, one of his guides was there to set him straight.

“It would be unwise to continue like this, Rusty. People might start getting suspicious if this goes on…”

“They will? But I’m just selling ingots, and people don’t have a problem buying them.”

“There’s a limit to what you can do, and we’re not in a position to stand out.”

“But you’re the one who told me to do it!”

“I know, and now I’m advising you to stop. Seven gold coins are already plenty. We should pause for now and try something else. After some time has passed, we can do it again.”

During his visit to the blacksmith’s stall, he was advised to grab the barrel filled with scrap metal. He sold his weapons and used the gold to buy the scraps, which he then converted into various ingots. Once that was done, he returned to sell them off for a profit. It was an ingenious way to earn money, and it seemed there was no end to it.

The city they were in had an abundance of rusty steel and iron, along with corroded chunks of bronze and brass. He could pick up pieces of old fences and discarded junk from the ground that no one wanted and turn them into fresh ingots through his system. Even if he used up all the living armor monster parts he had stored, he wouldn’t run out of base materials for a while.

The only problem was the suspicious looks of the vendors he visited. After being done with one blacksmith, he started visiting the others, and that’s where the trouble began. The more Rusty moved through the market, the more people started to take notice of his repeated visits to various blacksmiths and merchants. The allure of easy gold had blinded him momentarily to the fact that merchants in a bustling city were a close-knit community, and word spread quickly. His rapid and unusual ability to produce high-quality ingots from seemingly worthless scraps raised eyebrows, and questions began to circulate about his true nature.

Rusty sighed, staring at the sack of coins that felt heavier in his hands after Alexander’s warning. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his guides, but at this pace, it would be easy to gather the gold needed for Gleam’s auction. Still, he had noticed the strange looks and whispers, so it was wiser to lay low for a few days. Perhaps this was a good time to visit the adventurers’ guild. His possession skill had advanced further, and Aburdon could now use a technique to alter his status, which should grant him access to the higher-tier dungeon.

“Alright, I’ll stop for now, we can try visiting the guild before it closes for the night.”

“That’s a good idea, best we just ask one of the receptionists about the higher rank, I’m not sure how they handle things these days…”

Rusty tucked the heavy sack of coins away, leaving only a small amount in his outer satchel while stashing the bulk in his hidden inventory. If someone attempted to rob him, they would find only a modest sum. He then made his way through the bustling market, where a few gazes still lingered. It was clear that people were growing suspicious, and he considered changing his armor the next time he showed up.

As he walked through the city, he kept an eye on his surroundings. One particular large statue caught his attention, something his guide, Alexander, seemed familiar with. It depicted a gallant-looking man clad in a magnificent suit of armor, wielding a strange sword covered in runes. They passed this large statue a few times already and whenever they did, Aburdon would tease Alexander about it.

“They could at least clean it from time to time, is that moss I see? Such a shame, to desecrate the statue of such a great hero~”

“…”

Alexander didn’t reply, but Rusty could tell that he recognized the figure depicted by the statue. Perhaps after they were done saving Gleam, he would ask him about it. For now, though, his focus was on gaining entry to the new dungeon. There, he could further his level and grow stronger. As an E-rank monster, his next evolution would push him to the pinnacle of that rank – maybe even allow him to skip straight to D-rank if he was lucky.

Rusty made his way through the bustling streets, his mind occupied with thoughts of the new dungeon. As he approached the Adventurers’ Guild, the grand building loomed ahead. Now that it was still day, many more people were around, adding to the lively atmosphere. The crowds heightened the lively atmosphere, and the inside felt just as intimidating as before. Many of the adventurers had strength far superior to his own, and if anyone realized he was a disguised monster, it would all be over.

As he made his way inside Rusty noticed the variety of adventurers present. Some were heavily armored, bearing the scars of countless battles, while others were dressed in lighter, more agile clothing, carrying staffs or bows. The atmosphere was lively, with groups of adventurers discussing strategies, sharing stories, or negotiating rewards for completed quests.

His goal today was to gather more information about the guild and familiarize himself with how things operated. As he began looking around, the first thing he noticed was a giant board filled with strange papers. Each paper had a stamp in the corner, displaying a letter representing a rank and a corresponding color. From time to time, an adventurer would take one of the papers down and bring it to one of the counters.

“That’s the Adventurer Mission Board.”

Alexander explained, his voice filled with the knowledge of someone who had been an adventurer in the past.

“It’s a good way to earn money while leveling up. People often request monster parts or items from the dungeon. There’s no reason not to take one of those missions when heading into the dungeon.”

After familiarizing himself with the board he glanced in the direction where some adventurers were being rowdy. There was a part similar to a pub area, filled with long wooden tables and benches, where adventurers gathered to drink, eat, and share stories. The scent of roasted meat and ale wafted through the air, mixing with the laughter and loud conversations. Rusty could hear snippets of their conversations, mostly boasting about recent conquests or strategizing for upcoming ventures.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“That might look like a regular pub, but that’s where parties are usually formed and people discuss their next mission. If you want to discuss things in private, some rooms can be rented, even ones with magical enchantments that block out any sounds.”

Alexander was like a tour guide, explaining to him anything he glanced at. They were inside the main hall but other rooms and facilities were behind closed doors. One such place was an infirmary, another the place Gleam had been kept for a month in storage. In the back there was a large training area where adventurers practiced their combat skills, honing their abilities before delving into the dangerous dungeons. Sparring with others was a good way of leveling up skills and much safer than fighting monsters in the dungeon.

Though tempted to explore further, Rusty reminded himself that his primary goal was to inquire about gaining access to the higher-tier dungeon. He approached the reception area, where several receptionists were busy assisting adventurers. Most of the people here were human, but there were also a few other races, like elves and beastmen. Rusty chose a queue leading to a shorter woman wearing large glasses and waited his turn.

While waiting, Rusty grew increasingly fascinated by the various humanoid races present. To a monster like him, they all seemed quite similar but unique in their own peculiar ways. They communicated in different manners, some waving their hands around as if it would enhance their results. For a creature who wasn’t even a year old, it was all quite fascinating. The world was vast and filled with strange things, and he was beginning to truly appreciate his newfound freedom.

“How can I help you today?”

When it was finally his turn, Rusty approached the receptionist, a woman with soft features and rather large glasses. Her glasses made her eyes appear larger than they originally were. The combination made her very approachable to most normal adventurers.

“Good afternoon, I’m interested in learning more about the higher-tier dungeons and the requirements needed to access them. I’m currently an E-rank adventurer and was hoping to advance further.”

“The Higher-tier dungeons? Could I have your adventurer card?”

“…”