With the clearance in hand, he left the office and made his way to the lobby to collect his license.
At the counter, they handed over his Starfront Ability and rit Rank Card.
(S RANK)
(F- RANK)
Astra ntioned earlier that the Hyperion teleporter wouldn't be accessible for another three days—that was the soonest it could be used, and he would need to travel along side other organizations.
Shery, who had been waiting nearby, lit up the mont she saw him.
"Boss, did everything go well?" she asked.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I'll be leaving in three days."
Her smile faded slightly. She tried to hide it, but her eyes gave her away
"Why do you look like you're about to cry? Aren't you supposed to be happy?"
She quickly raised both hands. "I'm happy, Boss. Really, I am. It's just... I feel like I didn't do much."
He gave a small sigh, then gestured toward her pocket. "Raise your phone."
She looked confused but did as told.
Within seconds, her screen lit up with a notification—20,000,000 units had been transferred.
"You helped more than you think," he said. "Use it for yourself. Or don't. Either way, you've earned it."
He didn't wait for her reply. Just turned around and walked off.
Shery stood there, montarily stunned. Then a wide smile broke across her face as she hurried to catch up.
"Boss, you said you'll be here for three days, right? How about we find you a place to stay? I know a good hotel."
"Sure , but first, I need to head back to that Bureau place. I have to gave them the clearance first."
"Okay boss,"
With that, they headed back. This ti, the rude male clerk from before was already sneering the mont he saw Asher walk in.
"What are you doing here again?" the clerk sneered. "I told you already—you can't just walk in here."
Shery's patience snapped. She stepped forward.
"Hey, watch your tone. Do you want to die?"
Her power rippled through her, and though she wasn't high-ranked, she was still far more powerful than the clerk, who was just a regular worker.
The clerk's face drained of color as he took a step back. "Y-You think you can scare ? I could have you arrested for this, you know."
Shery clicked her tongue in annoyance and hid her powers.
The clerk, sensing the retreat, straightened up with a smug grin spreading across his face.
He thought he had won.
"You two better get out of here. Or else!" he snapped, riding the wave of his false confidence.
"Or else what?" Asher said calmly, placing a card on the table.
The clerk scoffed at first, but when he looked down, the color drained from his face.
Bold and clear, the card displayed a single letter—S Rank.
A chill ran down his spine. Cold sweat ford on his brow. The last person to walk in with a card like that was none other than the guild leader of Starfront.
"I…"
"Stop wasting my ti," Asher cut in.
"Just call soone who can help us." His voice left no room for argunt.
"R-Right away, sir. I'm sorry," the clerk stamred, bowing his head. "I was too blind to see the heavens…"
He didn't dare et Asher's eyes. An S-Rank was still an S-Rank—status like that ant wealth, power, and influence.
If soone like Asher turned hostile, no law enforcer in this place could stop it. Not for a regular clerk like him
Shery watched the whole exchange with a satisfied smirk. Seeing the clerk shrink back like that felt good.
She didn't mind this side of Asher—the commanding presence. If anything, it made him look even cooler in her eyes.
anwhile, the employees who overheard the conversation couldn't help but laugh.
"Serves him right," one muttered under her breath, trying to hide the grin forming on her face. "That's what he gets for being such an asshole."
Another worker shook her head in disbelief. "I thought he'd get away with it again, but he actually ssed with an S Rank. Hope he learned his lesson."
The clerk, still shaken, could feel the mocking stares. His face turned red with embarrassnt. He wanted to say sothing back, to save face, but he knew better now.
With the issue at the front desk finally settled, they were allowed inside the building.
A wide hall opened up before them, clean and sterile, lined with polished walls and glowing panels.
A nearby screen directed them to the twelfth floor—where all Hyperion-related matters were handled.
The elevator humd softly as it rose.
Once they stepped out, a large sign confird they were in the right place.
The entire floor was dedicated to processing clearance, transport coordination, and anything involving deep-space travel.
At the entrance, a security guard stepped forward and held out a scanner
"Clearance,"
Asher handed it over without a word.
The guard scanned it, gave a small nod, then gestured for them to wait.
Monts later, another employee approached, holding a tablet.
"Your clearance is being verified," she said politely. "Please wait over there. This shouldn't take long."
Asher and Shery took their seats in the waiting area.
Minutes passed before a soft chi sounded, and a different employee called Asher's na.
"This way, please."
He followed her through a long hallway that opened into a much larger space—far more impressive than even the guild leader's office.
From this floor, one could see entire sections of the city, with wide glass panels stretching out to the sky.
A woman with green skin sat near a desk. She was mid-conversation, waving a hand casually for Asher to take a seat.
"I've got him here, Astra," she said, speaking into a comm device. "You sure about this? Sending soone this promising on a suicide run?"
She glanced over her shoulder at Asher, sizing him up with a quick look.
"He's got a lot of potential... and he's also very good-looking."
There was a mont of of silence.
"Wait—what?" Her tone shifted. "He volunteered himself?"
She turned back to Asher, raising an eyebrow like she couldn't decide if he was brave or just plain stupid.
After a long pause, she let out a sigh and ended the call with a quick swipe of her hand.
The room fell quiet for a mont before she crossed her arms.
"You're either the boldest rookie I've seen, or you have a death wish."
"I don't care about that. I just want the fastest way to reach the center."
The woman studied him for a few seconds, then gave a half-smile—one that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"People with no patience usually co with a body count. And most of the ti, it's your own."
She paused, trying to gauge his reaction.
There was none.
"Fine. If you're that eager to throw yourself into it, I'll process the clearance from this side. Just don't bla us when you die out there."
With a few more clicks, she completed putting all his information.
"This card will let you into the Hyperion station," she explained. "You'll board a mother ship at the designated ti. If you have your own ship, you'll need to inform them so it can be stored in the space-manipulation hangar."
She slid the card across the desk.
"And rember,"
"Even though the Hyperion Teleporter can cover vast distances and minimize ti dilation, everyone who passes through it will still feel the passage of ti. With seven jumps, it'll feel like traveling for a couple of days. So, make sure you behave. The guards onboard the armada have the right to execute anyone who causes trouble."
"I will,"
"Good. Now, get going. You've got a lot to prepare for."
She gave him a curt nod, her expression softening just slightly.
"Thank you.... by the way," Asher paused, "I suggest you replace that male clerk on the first floor. You shouldn't hire people who don't even know how to do their job and respect others."
"That idiot again," she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Don't worry, I'll review the footage and get him kicked out. I already gave him a second chance, and he ssed it up."
With that, she turned back to her console. True to her words, she contacted security and requested the footage.
Asher didn't waste any more ti. He turned and made his way toward the door.
Outside the bureau, Shery and Asher walked side by side.
"This... this is insane," Shery finally spoke, glancing at Asher. "We're talking about a mission most people run away from. And you—what, you just sign up?"
She just learned that he volunteered for such a dangerous mission, and it hit her hard.
Even with his rank, dealing with an Astral Beast was insane. The reward was astronomical, but was it really worth the risk?
"You know boss, I just don't get it. With your abilities, you could probably earn the sa amount of rit if you took on tough missions for a few months. It doesn't have to be this crazy."
"Maybe, but those missions wouldn't get to the center this quick."
Shery hesitated, her concern growing. "But this... it's not just a mission. It's a gamble with your life. Even the highest ranks—SSS, even—can't deal with an Astral Beast like it's nothing."
"I know the risks. But it's my choice. No one's forcing into it."
She wanted to argue, to make him reconsider, but she knew it wouldn't change anything.
He was hell bent to reach the center of the universe no matter what the cost.
She could not even imagine what he was after to make him this desperate.
User Comments
0 comments from readers