The Guild Hall buzzed with the residual excitement of the recent ceremony when Gregor suddenly grasped what had just transpired.
Moments earlier, he had stood proudly at the center of attention, first place in Copper Rank, fifty gold coins jingling reassuringly in his pouch, and a brand-new Copper Adventurer Badge still warm in his hand.
The applause lingered, with murmurs of admiration drifting through the air like a sweet fragrance.
Commissioners spoke among themselves, Adventurers exchanged envious glances, and for a fleeting moment, Gregor felt as if the world had finally tilted in his favor.
Then it struck him. Not like a sword blow or a crushing defeat, but as a chilling realization creeping up his spine.
Wait.
His smile faltered.
Gregor replayed Sage's earlier explanation, the lazy, almost casual way the Guildmaster had outlined the requirements for achieving Copper Rank: ten 1-Star missions or five 2-Star missions.
