Chapter 95 : Decision
Sal thanked Quest for thoughtfully allowing him to perform the mission quietly.
The gun looked entirely unremarkable, so he struggled to find the secret hidden within it.
The first thing that beca clear was that there was no essence imbued in the gun at all.
It possessed no abilities or attributes, and as Sal guessed, it was like a basic model crafted long before his ti, before monsters first appeared.
After glancing at Quest, who was sitting in his chair with a aningful smile, Sal sighed and began to examine the gun again.
The materials were at a common level for its ti and the assembly was quite excellent, but not enough to grant any special bonuses.
In other words, except for its na value, it was a gun with nothing special about it.
Na: Honorable Savior's Python .357 Magnum
Source: Handcrafted
Age: 65 Years (Relic)
Rank: Common (Low)
Size: Barrel 6 inches, Overall Length 11.5 inches, Height 5.5 inches, Weight 2.1 lbs
Material: Stainless Steel, Laminated Walnut
Attributes: No Essence
Abilities: No Essence
Power Source: Combustion
Evolution: Impossible
Quality: Good
Condition: 82%
Estimated Value: $1,200 ~ $2,000
Sal guessed that this weapon would have much greater value as a relic.
It wasn't easy to put an exact price on it, but there would surely be added value due to its symbolism.
Returning his eyes to silver, Sal carefully placed the gun in the display case.
"It has a fancy appearance and the weight feels decent too."
Sal tried to package it nicely, but Quest imdiately noticed his inner thoughts and burst into laughter.
"No need to force complints. In this day and age, it's just a worn-out piece of scrap tal. If you want to examine the blueprint more closely, should I disassemble it for you?"
Quest stared at Sal with curious eyes and reached for the display case.
Sal shook his head lightly, closed the display case, and tapped his head with his finger.
"Mythos Crafter has already finished disassembling it in my head. However, the title 'Honorable Savior' is quite interesting. May I ask what that is?"
Quest paused and looked at Sal with a surprised expression.
"You an you can see the na of the weapon? How is that possible?"
Sal smiled gently, turned the box, and showed Quest the naplate on the side that was facing him.
"Usually, nas pop up when reading the Essence Signature. Crafters can sign their work directly with essence or put soone else's na in. Sotis nas appear by filling in the blanks during the appraisal process, but this one is clearly visible even to my ordinary eyes."
When Sal tapped the naplate lightly playfully, Quest laughed and shook his head.
Rising from his seat, Quest took the box and headed to the display case next to the office.
"Although the exterior isn't flashy, it can be a good starting point for you to conceive a more modern design. This was awarded to as a souvenir by the Hunter Network in honor of my service during the war. It would have been better if it were more than a simple formality, but since it looks cool, I've kept it until now."
Quest shrugged lightly at Sal and moved to his table.
"A much cooler gift than that is prepared, so wait a mont."
Quest tapped on the console to bring up a screen.
After quickly scanning the information with his eyes, he repeated several gestures and touches.
As the tablet vibrated and he saw Quest's expectant gaze, Sal knew at once it was a ssage sent by him.
To Sal, who was taking out his tablet, Quest pointed at the screen and continued.
"As I said before, we want to bring out your abilities to the fullest. I think this tracker concept will be a great first step in unfolding your abilities. I sent you a list of heroes who possess the abilities needed for crafting the tracker. Among them, there might be so students with low-rank abilities. Since the most outstanding heroes are likely to be found in the field, I strongly recomnd participating in the upcoming field practice."
Sal opened his ssage box and ticulously checked if it matched the list of abilities he had written down.
Confirming that all items were included without omission, the goal suddenly felt much more realistic.
The thought of external activities still evoked fear and anxiety, but Quest was right that he had to overco those limits to prepare for the future.
If Chatfield's plan went through, a completely new curriculum would be introduced soon, and he would end up fighting against monsters.
If he didn't prepare for that ti, dropping out of the academy was inevitable.
As Sal fell into thought looking at the list, Quest's warm voice rang in his ears once again.
"It doesn't an you absolutely must craft a tracker or a defensive gun. It just ans having such things would be useful for the next few years. What you really need right now is a firm determination to navigate this path to the end and an attitude of seriously imrsing yourself in your studies. Your talent is truly excellent, but you will constantly be put to the test. If you truly wish to beco a hero who protects others, you must clearly know what we have to fight against. Through external activities, that is, field practice, you will learn what that target is and how strong our team has beco."
Quest stared at Sal and continued in a soft tone.
"You must have seen the video of the strike team attacking the dungeon? It was a display of strength to protect those we hold most dear. Field practice is to teach from a strategic perspective how to avoid such conflicts like war. Paradox Guild is a suitable place for external activities, but experiencing Delvers Guild or Source Guild first might be a better introductory course. The choice is up to you, Mr. Salvatore. I hope you won't yield to fear or uncertainty and miss a precious opportunity to learn and grow."
Sal nodded, putting the tablet in his pocket.
Then he shrugged with a playful smile.
"I think it's ti to stop being trapped in my own thoughts and get out of my comfort zone. Making friends and learning here is truly enjoyable. But I don't want fear to dictate my future. So I'll apply first and see how it goes. There's plenty of ti before the Analysis class, and even if I can't get the necessary materials or abilities I want, there will be plenty to learn from Professor Beck. Thank you so much for lending the rifle and giving advice."
As Sal stood up, Quest raised his hand to stop him.
"Are you having trouble obtaining materials?"
Sal shook his palm from side to side.
"It doesn't seem easy. Vanessa told to ask the Reavers Guild. Hellfire Titanium and Lord Crystal are the best parts for the tracker, but obtaining Lord Crystal especially seems difficult."
Quest frowned in thought, then snapped his fingers and smiled.
"There might be a solution for you to go out into the field. Have you ever heard of a Scavenger Run?"
Before Sal could even shake his head, answering with just a blank expression, Quest laughed, leaned forward, and tapped the console again.
"I don't know when the next schedule is, but you can check in the workshop. A Scavenger Run is one of the low-cost external activities, especially suitable for the Support Class. Since it takes place only within recently reoccupied safe zones, you don't have to worry about monsters. Hmm... Of course, not always. Since you have to harvest cores from recently killed monsters and organize loot scattered around. The biggest advantage is that you can procure materials needed for crafting directly from the area. Many Support Classes secure project funds through this, and Material Recovery and Refining classes resell them to the Credit Floor or Workshop."
Sal's eyes widened, and Quest continued his explanation.
"It will be an excellent starting point for overcoming the fear of dealing with monsters. By checking their corpses directly and learning how to harvest cores efficiently, you will beco familiar with the existence of monsters itself. Isn't it quite interesting? You might discover rare materials useful for work in the field or get a chance to earn Q-Credits. Although you have to pay a portion of the loot you gathered as a participation fee for the Scavenger Run, I think it's well worth it."
To Sal, the interesting story seed like a good opportunity to secure more materials.
He had been using materials received as an admission bonus and filling in the lacking parts with his essence.
If he utilized the tracker and Analysis skill appropriately, he could create new attributes and abilities from various materials.
Recalling the result of analyzing the crown in the Skylounge, the thought that he might be able to grant new options to weapons lingered in his head endlessly.
Before he knew it, his heart beat faster and faster with the desire to make better gear.
Now desire began to overwhelm the fear of stepping into the field.
This ti, the excitent was greater than the fear.
"Thank you, Headmaster. I want to participate in a Scavenger Run too. Can first years participate?"
Quest smiled and nodded.
"You can. However, since the number of people is limited, usually third years are first, then second years, and lastly first years. There are various grades too, but if it's an introductory level course, there will surely be spots. Like other courses in the academy, there is a ranking system, so to participate in higher-level runs, you have to increase your Scavenger proficiency. Ultimately, it's decided by skill. If you want, I can put your na on the waiting list. If it helps relieve vague fears about field practice, I will arrange your first participation opportunity as quickly as possible. Everything after that depends on your effort."
Sal nodded resolutely and willingly accepted Quest's proposal, asking him to put his na on the waiting list.
"For the advice and consideration, thank you for everything. I feel like I've taken up too much of the Headmaster's precious ti over the past month. Do you perhaps say this to every student and help them?"
Quest blinked for a mont and smiled bitterly.
Then he swept up his fading blond hair with one hand and shrugged.
"There aren't many students who ask for help, but I do my best for those who need it. I don't know if this will put your mind at ease, but the amount of support and advice you are receiving now is still on the small side compared to other students. A few years ago, there was a student who received counseling every day out of fear that they couldn't control their power. That student was constantly anxious about inadvertently hurting soone, and we did everything we could to relieve their anxiety. Now they have grown into a respectable officer recognized in a Tier 2 guild. Let emphasize once again, I intend to fully support any student who needs help so they can succeed, whoever they are. You are the sa. So if there is anything you need, don't hesitate to co find anyti. That's what we are here for."
Quest clapped his hands.
"Now, let's summarize. You will start with a Scavenger Run to gain field sense and stockpile materials. Then, through external activities, you will build up a portfolio of abilities to use for the Mythos Crafter skill. And you will make an evolutionary tracker, and perhaps an evolutionary gun too. Did I miss anything?"
Sal smiled and shook his head lightly, and Quest pointed toward the door with a smile.
"Then see you next ti, Mr. Argento. It was a pleasure today too. I look forward to your growth!"
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