Chapter Fourteen: The Commission

After the appraisal was completed, Zhao Tianhe walked back to his apartment, troubled. The equipment’s attributes were revealed, but the issue was that the ring’s stats were so good he didn’t want to sell it.

Ring of Tenacity, Grade E Equipment
Perception Sensitivity +2
Health +20

Two points in sensitivity equated to a boost in agility. While it didn’t grant benefits in insight or dexterity, the practical value of perception sensitivity was obvious, and its life-saving potential far exceeded other stats. Moreover, twenty extra health points amounted to two points in constitution.

“It’s far better than yesterday’s boots. Hmm, I’ll keep it for myself!” After some hesitation, Zhao Tianhe finished his grocery shopping and finally decided to fuse the ring into his equipment slot.

The Hero System’s equipment slots numbered ten: helmet, upper armor, lower armor, boots, gloves, two weapon slots (heavy dual-wielded weapons took both), and three accessory slots.

That was the standard for a novice hero; after changing class, the number of slots might increase or decrease depending on the profession.

He had just opened the door when Pixie pounced on him!

“Where’s the phone?! Where’s the phone?! I haven’t finished yesterday’s quest!” Pixie grabbed Zhao Tianhe’s collar, shouting.

“You’re getting a bit too addicted, aren’t you?” Zhao Tianhe frowned. “You need to rest.”

“I’ve rested for who knows how many years…” Pixie replied, making a strange face. “I’m a spirit of nature, a fairy who lives as long as heaven and earth! Give me the phone!”

“Alright, alright… How about I make you another account?” Zhao Tianhe handed the phone over helplessly, truly surprised that Pixie had become addicted to grinding.

“Really?” Pixie’s sparkling eyes pressed up against Zhao Tianhe’s face.

“Well… I’m not sure, I’ll ask for you.” Zhao Tianhe nodded, planning to ask Artoria during his daily tasks if another account could be created.

That mysterious phone had only basic functions and the game; nothing else. But when he tried to register for the game, a bunch of garbled text popped up, and Zhao Tianhe had no idea how to fix it. He was merely testing it, as he’d had enough grinding himself—he wouldn’t bother registering a new account for fun.

After completing the lunch quest, Zhao Tianhe handed Pixie a note. Artoria was happy for him to actively level up a side account and draw cards to support her, but there was no extra daily mission reward this time. Apparently, there was a limit to these things.

A knock sounded at the door. Zhao Tianhe, preparing stuffing in the kitchen, quickly washed his hands and opened it.

Standing outside were a burly young man and a girl with a ponytail, dressed in a white mage’s robe.

“Hello, Mr. Zhao Tianhe,” the young man nodded politely. “I’m Kentor. We met when you first arrived.”

“Oh, I remember.” Zhao Tianhe nodded.

He knew Kentor well; Kentor was the leader of the nearby E-grade dungeon team, Shadow Cavern.

Though called a leader, his team rarely exceeded three members, since E-grade dungeons weren’t particularly difficult—they were mostly transitional leveling zones for newcomers.

“She’s new last week—a healer named Lainis, gifted with nature magic,” Kentor introduced.

“Come on in, please,” Zhao Tianhe hurriedly invited them. “Just a moment while I tidy up.”

Once seated, Kentor glanced at the kitchen full of utensils, wondering if Zhao Tianhe was training to be a hero or a chef...

‘Still, once a heroic spirit awakens, they’re quite formidable. Even with little experience, E-grade dungeons shouldn’t pose a challenge,’ Kentor mused.

“So, what brings you here?” Zhao Tianhe asked, wiping his hands as he sat across from them.

“We completed our first class change yesterday. According to the rules, we must leave here for a D-grade dungeon tomorrow,” Kentor explained.

Novice heroes capped at level ten, and could transfer classes once maxed out.

“Hmm, no new recruits coming in?” Zhao Tianhe asked, glancing at the shy girl, Lainis. He more or less understood their purpose.

“Our area is too peaceful. According to this year’s allocation, it’ll be at least two months before replacements arrive.” Kentor smiled wryly. “With the Empire’s northern expansion, more than fifty new dungeons have been established in the past two years, and manpower is prioritized for the north—you know about this, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve read the reports,” Zhao Tianhe nodded.

The purpose of dungeons and heroes was to suppress the origin of monsters, allowing civilized races to expand their territories and resources. As the number of heroes increased and dungeon layouts stabilized, every few decades the races would expand again; recently, it happened to be such a period.

Expanding meant subduing more monsters, establishing new dungeons, and training more heroes.

So anyone with Hero System compatibility needn’t worry about employment. Yet most, even if compatible, didn’t want to be heroes—it was high-risk work. No matter how strict the protocols, many died in dungeons every year.

“But my side…” Zhao Tianhe scratched his head, hesitant.

“You’ve awakened as a heroic spirit, right?” Kentor smiled. “Though it’s only been a short time, I’m sure you’ve finished exploring the second floor of the Slime Cavern? The monsters there refresh too slowly to suit your needs. Moving up to an E-grade dungeon is inevitable. As for Slime Cavern… leaving it unattended for a while doesn’t matter. Even if monsters break through the first layer’s barrier, nothing in there can harm anyone… I’ll file the report for you; in two months, a new recruit will take over, or the restaurant uncle can check in occasionally.”

“That’s true. It really is too easy for me… Alright, starting tomorrow, I’ll take Lainis to the Shadow Cavern!” Zhao Tianhe smiled confidently.

“Thank you. I—I’m just a healer, not good at fighting. I always hide behind Brother Kentor, so, so…” Lainis stood up and bowed, stammering.

“Hey, don’t be nervous. By the way, what level are you now?” Zhao Tianhe waved, smiling.

“Just—just level five…” Lainis answered shyly. “I’ve always been in a party, even at school. I’ve never managed a dungeon alone like you, so my level is low.”

“Oh, well, that’s… Level isn’t everything…” Zhao Tianhe swallowed quietly. ‘Thank goodness Artoria helped me kill mutated elite monsters these past days to reach level five, or I’d be worse off than a rookie!’

“Alright, I’ll leave Lainis in your care,” Kentor said, rising with a smile. “Starting today, you two will live together. Brother Zhao Tianhe, I’ll help you move your furniture and luggage to the E-grade apartment.”