Chapter 76: The Bell of Copper

Chapter 76: The Bell of Copper

The morning sun streamed through the tall arched windows of the Adventurer Guild Hall, casting a warm glow on the polished wood and golden-rimmed furniture. Excitement hung thick in the air.

The lively murmurs and the scent of metal and leather filled every corner, creating an atmosphere that felt electric with anticipation.

Adventurers, and commissioners packed the hall, buzzing with energy.

At the far end stood the enormous Mission Board,now twice its original size, adorned with Mission Dockets that showcased how far the Guild had come.

Weapons clinked against each other, boots scuffed on the floor, and laughter echoed as adventurers made friendly wagers about the outcomes of last week’s competition that had taken Greyvale by storm.

In the midst of it all sat Sage,slouched in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, idly spinning a silver pen between his fingers.

His long coat draped casually over his seat while his eyes scanned the crowd with an air of boredom that suggested he was already weary before things even began.

He also looked worn out; dark circles faintly shadowed his eyes from days spent juggling registrations, missions, disputes, system notifications, and forcex mage training.

Yet beneath that fatigue lay an unmistakable glimmer of satisfaction,as if he were watching a trap close just as he had planned.

Finally, he sighed deeply, leaned forward, and reached for a small brass bell resting beside his desk.

With a flick of his wrist...

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The clear chime sliced through the chatter like a knife. Conversations halted abruptly; all eyes turned to their Guildmaster who now straightened up, wearing an expression caught somewhere between reluctant duty and quiet amusement.

Clearing his throat dramatically, Sage said, "Alright everyone, let’s wrap this up before someone starts a fight in my Guild. I had plans to sleep in today but apparently destiny had other ideas."

A ripple of laughter swept through the room.

Gregor leaned against the wall near the entrance with arms crossed and chuckled at Sage’s quip.

Mina stood a few paces ahead of him, puffing out her cheeks like an annoyed cat as she shot him an irritated glare for no apparent reason.

Brutus stood nearby alongside Caelis, Calista, and Leona,all grinning from ear to ear.

Sage tapped on a sheet of parchment laid out on his desk. "As you all know," he began with feigned seriousness, "our first-ever internal competition has officially concluded. I must say..."

He paused dramatically while narrowing his eyes at them with a faint smirk. "...watching you lot bicker and nearly burn down half the forest has been... mildly entertaining."

Laughter erupted from some corners while others scratched their heads awkwardly.

"But jokes aside," Sage continued as his tone became more earnest, "each one of you who participated has helped make this Guild’s name resonate throughout Greyvale. People are talking. and right now they’re talking about you."

He picked up another parchment,thicker and sealed, and unrolled it. "Now, onto what you’ve all been waiting for... the results."

He let the silence linger just long enough to make everyone lean forward in anticipation.

Then, with deliberate calmness, he announced, "In first place, with a total of five completed 2-Star missions and seven 1-Star missions... Gregor Windsoul."

Cheers erupted throughout the hall, accompanied by thunderous applause. Gregor blinked in disbelief for a moment before breaking into a wide grin.

Mina crossed her arms and muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, "Green-haired showoff."

Sage waited for the noise to subside before continuing, "Second place goes to our fiery little Flatboard Princess, Mina Oakshield. And in third place, we have the one and only Brutus Ironfist."

Brutus raised his arm and let out a triumphant roar as he flexed one bicep. The hall erupted in laughter and cheers once more.

"Fourth through sixth place," Sage continued, "goes to Gregor’s loyal party of maniacs, Calista, Caelis, and Leona. Seventh through tenth are Alden, Mira, Corin, and Faye for their outstanding consistency in mission completions."

He rolled up the parchment and set it aside before retrieving a small wooden chest from beneath his desk. When he opened it, the flickering light from the lanterns danced off stacks of coins that gleamed like captured sunlight.

"Now for the rewards," Sage announced. "First place, Gregor, receives fifty gold coins."

Gasps and murmurs filled the air; fifty gold coins was no small prize. Gregor stepped forward, trying to maintain his composure as Sage handed him a small pouch heavy with coin.

"Second place, Mina, gets thirty gold coins."

Though still pouting slightly, Mina accepted hers with both hands along with a reluctant smile.

"And third,Brutus Ironfist, earns ten gold coins."

Brutus grinned so widely it seemed his face might split in half.

"The rest of our top ten," Sage continued, "will each receive certificates officially recognizing them as part of history’s first generation of Copper Rank Adventurers. These aren’t just pieces of paper, they’re proof that you’ve helped build this Guild’s legacy."

As the certificates were distributed, pride and awe filled the room; for many present, this was their first official acknowledgment of their hard work.

But Sage wasn’t finished yet. With a faint smirk on his lips, he reached into his drawer and pulled out a small black box, long and elegant with a bronze clasp locking it shut.

He opened it slowly; soft golden light spilled out.Inside the hall lay ten gleaming Copper Adventurer Badges, each meticulously engraved with the Guild’s insignia: all framed in polished copper.

A hush fell over the room.

"These," Sage began, his voice steady yet unusually solemn, "are your new Adventurer Badges. Each one signifies not just your status but also your reliability and growth. Carry this badge, and you carry the name of this Guild."

He stepped away from his desk, distributing the badges one by one, starting with Gregor, then Mina, Brutus, and continuing down the line.

Once he returned to his seat, he leaned back and clasped his hands behind his head. "Alright, ceremony’s done. I expect all of you to work hard. Copper Rank doesn’t mean an early retirement; it means the real grind is just beginning."

He yawned and stretched his arms. "Now that I’m feeling generous, and because I’d rather not explain this ten times, let me clarify how ranking up works."

Leaning forward slightly, he continued, "To achieve Copper Rank, you need to complete either ten 1-Star missions or five 2-Star missions. Simple enough?"

For a moment, everyone nodded in agreement, until a single voice pierced through the air.

"Wait... WHAT?!"