The streets leading toward the Currency Exchange Office were crowded with adventurers of all kinds—some clad in worn leather armor stained with dungeon blood, others wearing freshly polished gear that gleamed under the afternoon sun. The constant clinking of coins, murmurs of negotiations, and the distant cries of vendors created a lively yet tense atmosphere.
As they walked side by side, Rey broke the silence.
"Is the place we're heading to really fair when it comes to currency exchange?" Rey asked casually, glancing at Melvin and Elysa.
Melvin hesitated for a moment before answering, his expression tightening slightly.
"Usually… the people there judge based on a person's level and class," Melvin explained. "Those with high levels or high-ranked classes receive better treatment. But we're only Class D adventurers. I'm Level 14, and Elysa is Level 15."
She clenched her fist unconsciously.
"To them, we're just newcomers. When we sell items or loot obtained from dungeons, the common split is sixty-forty. We only get sixty percent."
Rey raised an eyebrow. "That's already unfair."
Melvin nodded bitterly. "That's why we joined Robert's party. We thought that by joining a stronger party, we could earn more."
She paused, her voice lowering.
"But once we entered Robert's party… we barely received anything. Just scraps compared to the effort we put in."
Elysa, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. Her voice was soft, but filled with sincerity.
"That's right, Lord Rey," she said, looking up at him. "I've been wondering… would you consider forming a party with us?"
She hesitated for a moment, then bowed her head slightly.
"We know we're weak. But we'll do our best. We'll support you with every ability we have… if Lord Rey is willing to accept us."
Rey froze.
Elysa's eyes shimmered faintly, her expression earnest—almost pleading.
Rey swallowed hard.
Gulp…
"Oh, Elysa… you're way too cute when you make that face," Rey thought inwardly, his imagination running wild. "Hehehe… if I form a party with them, things will progress faster… and my harem progress too—"
Lost in his own delusions, Rey's face twisted into a foolish grin as he drifted into fantasy.
Melvin noticed immediately.
"Erm… Lord Rey?" Melvin asked cautiously. "Are you… alright?"
Rey snapped back to reality.
"Ahem!" Rey cleared his throat loudly, his expression instantly transforming into that of a serious, resolute warrior. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about how to properly form a party."
Melvin let out a small sigh of relief. "Oh… if Lord Rey agrees to form a party with us, we'll only need one more member."
"One more?" Rey asked.
"Yes," Melvin replied. "The Adventurer Guild requires a minimum of four members to officially register a party. From what I can see, Lord Rey's role is Warrior. Combined with me and Elysa…"
He counted silently.
"We're missing a Support."
Elysa nodded, her brows furrowing slightly. "But Support roles are extremely rare. Most people avoid that role entirely… finding one will be difficult."
As Rey pondered their words—
Ding. Dong.
A familiar mechanical sound echoed within his mind.
[System Detection Complete]
Candidate Detected: "Bond of the Strong."
Objective: Recruit the Candidate into Host's Party.
Reward: Substantial.
Rey's eyes widened.
"Ohhh? A new candidate?" Rey muttered inwardly. "Are they currently unaffiliated? Not part of any party?"
[System Response]
Candidate is a Player, same as Host.
Current Status: Member of a Major Clan — Clan Rose.
Clan Rose is a direct rival of Clan Glory.
Rey nearly stumbled.
"What?! They're already in a clan? And not just any clan—but a major one?!" Rey exclaimed internally. "How am I supposed to recruit someone like that? What's their position in the clan?"
[System Response]
Clan Rose is led by a female leader.
Level: 67
Class: S
Rank: 5
The clan possesses Eleven Class S members in total.
All female.
Their respective ranks are: 14, 17, 20, 23, 28, 33, 35, 38, 45 and 47.
Rey's jaw dropped.
"Wait, wait, wait—Class S up to Rank 47?! Isn't that way too high?!"
[System Confirmation]
Correct, Host.
Class S possesses a maximum of 50 ranks.
Rey rubbed his temples.
"So many… What exactly are Class S? Why do they sound like some kind of national army?"
[System Explanation Initiated]
System will now provide a detailed explanation.
Please focus, Host.
Rey sighed. "Alright, go ahead."
[System Explanation]
Individuals who reach Level 50 and above are classified as Class S.
Each country maintains its own Adventurer Guild.
Host is currently located in the Nation of Christope, a mid-tier country.
Beginner City serves as the central hub of Christope.
The Adventurer Guild of Christope currently has 50 registered adventurers who exceed Level 50.
These individuals are designated as Class S.
Rey nodded slowly.
[System Continuation]
However, higher-tier nations enforce stricter regulations.
Example: Nation of Xylandra.
Requirement for Class S designation: Level 70 and above.
As a result, Xylandra only possesses 20 Class S adventurers.
Rey groaned.
"Argh… that's way too much information at once."
He paused, then asked, "So… how many countries even exist in this world?"
[System Response]
There are many nations.
Exceeding several dozen in total.
To simplify information, System will categorize by continent.
Rey straightened slightly.
[System Explanation]
Host is currently located on the Northern Continent.
Northern Continent contains:
3 low-tier nations
2 mid-tier nations
2 high-tier nations
Total: 7 nations.
Rey listened carefully.
[System Continuation]
The world consists of four continents:
Northern Continent
Southern Continent
Eastern Continent
Western Continent
Each continent contains approximately 6–8 nations, divided into low, mid, and high tiers.
Rey's lips slowly curled into a grin.
"So… that means there are a lot of countries, huh?" he chuckled. "Hehehe… then I just need to level up as fast as possible."
His grin widened.
"I'll travel across continents… dominate every nation… become the number one in the world…"
He laughed loudly in his mind.
"And of course—build the greatest harem this world has ever seen! Hahahahaha!"
Suddenly—
"Lord Rey?!"
Melvin and Elysa both stared at him in shock.
Rey had begun laughing out loud without realizing it.
"E-Elysa…" Melvin whispered nervously. "Why does Lord Rey keep talking to himself… and laughing like that?"
Elysa tilted her head slightly, trying to remain polite.
"Erm… maybe he's imagining forming an incredibly powerful party?"
Before Rey could respond—
[System Warning]
No.
No.
No.
Host is not permitted to form a harem arbitrarily.
All actions must comply with System regulations.
Rey stiffened.
"…Tch."
The road ahead suddenly felt much longer than before.
"Alright… alright. I understand," Rey said quietly. "But tell me something, System. Do you know who the strongest being in this world is?"
There was a brief pause.
[System Response]
Unable to detect the strongest entity at the present time.
Reason: Host's level is still too low.
Rey frowned slightly.
[System Continuation]
However, System can provide limited historical data.
Several hundred years ago, there existed an individual who reached Level 100.
That individual fought against an extremely powerful being.
Rey's eyes sharpened.
"A powerful being?" Rey asked. "Was it a creature from this world… or something from outside?"
[System Response]
System cannot provide specific classification.
What System can confirm is this—
Host must increase level rapidly.
Powerful entities must never be allowed to detect the System residing within Host's body.
Rey fell silent.
This was the second time the System had warned him in such a manner.
Twice, it had emphasized the same thing.
Level up. Quickly.
"…So that's how serious it is," Rey muttered.
He exhaled slowly.
"Alright, System. Be honest with me," Rey said. "What level do I need to survive? To protect my life… my party… my h—"
He coughed lightly.
"…everything I have in this world."
[System Response]
Ehem.
Is Host prioritizing potential harems over System integrity?
"Eh—no, no, no!" Rey waved hurriedly. "I was joking! Just tell me the level."
[System Calculation Complete]
After evaluating all known variables…
System recommends Host reach at least Level 95
in order to survive
should a major power become aware of Host and System.
Rey froze.
"…Level 95?"
He stared at nothing for a moment.
"That means… I still need fifty more levels," Rey muttered.
He clenched his fist.
"Fine. Once the party is formed and all matters are settled… I'm going back into the dungeon."
Time passed.
The three of them soon arrived at their destination.
Before them stood an enormous, majestic building adorned with glowing crystals embedded into its walls. Light refracted through the crystals, scattering rainbow reflections across the stone pavement.
This was The Exchange—the official currency and item conversion center.
Inside, the atmosphere was bustling.
Adventurers exchanged coins, sold dungeon loot, negotiated prices, and argued over value.
Rey glanced around.
"Hey… you two," he asked. "Can't items and loot be exchanged at the Adventurer Guild?"
Elysa nodded. "They can… but only high-grade items."
Melvin continued, "Class A and above usually exchange their items at the guild. Their dungeon loot tends to be high quality."
Rey frowned.
"But the items I got are high quality too. I defeated monsters far above my level."
He thought for a moment, then spoke decisively.
"Melvin. Elysa. You two only sell loot obtained from monsters Level 25 and below."
They blinked.
"The Level 25 wolf items—fangs and hides—Try to sell at a profitable price."
Both of them nodded, understanding immediately.
They exchanged items accordingly.
Rey handed them the lower-level loot, while taking the higher-grade items himself.
He then approached the currency counter.
"Hello," Rey said calmly. "I'd like to exchange some currency."
"Yes, sir," the clerk replied. "How much would you like to exchange?"
"Five gold into silver. Two gold into copper."
The clerk nodded and worked quickly.
"Understood. A total of seven gold coins. You will receive 300 silver and 6,000 copper."
Rey's expression changed instantly.
"…Why only sixty percent?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Isn't one gold equal to one hundred silver? And one silver equal to one hundred copper?"
The clerk bowed politely.
"Our establishment follows Adventurer Regulations. Adventurers of Class B and below receive only 60% exchange value."
Rey's jaw tightened.
"So Class A adventurers get full value?"
"Yes, sir. With a Class A certificate, the exchange rate becomes 100%."
Rey exhaled sharply.
"…Fine. Proceed."
This isn't good, Rey thought. I need another way to exchange coins without bleeding value.
He turned and walked back toward Melvin and Elysa.
They were at another counter, exchanging dungeon loot.
"Each item will be processed under a 50:50 split," the clerk said.
"For example—twenty Level 25 Wolf Fangs valued at twenty gold will result in ten gold for you."
Melvin stiffened.
"But shouldn't Class D adventurers still get sixty-forty? That would be twelve gold."
Elysa added, "And the Level 25 Wolf Hide—market price is around twenty-five to thirty-five gold. Why is it also valued at ten?"
The counter clerk hesitated.
Suddenly—
"What's going on here?" a stern voice interrupted.
A manager approached.
After listening to the explanation, the manager nodded slowly.
"I see," he said calmly. "Apologies, but this is our store policy. Wolf hides currently have low demand in this region."
Melvin frowned. "But the market—"
"We price according to local demand, not global value," the manager replied.
He continued, "As for the 50:50 split—it applies to first-time customers under our new policy."
"But we're not first-timers," Melvin argued.
The manager paused. "Allow me to check the system."
Moments passed.
"…I see," the manager said finally. "You previously exchanged items under Party Robert."
He looked at them coolly.
"Party Robert recently announced your removal. Therefore, you are now considered new guests."
Melvin and Elysa fell silent.
Guilt crept into their eyes.
Then—
"I just exchanged gold at sixty-forty," Rey said as he approached. "Why are they receiving fifty-fifty?"
Relief flickered across Melvin and Elysa's faces.
The manager turned.
"Currency and items are processed differently," he replied.
Rey's gaze hardened.
"Then be honest about your rules," Rey said firmly. "If new adventurers receive sixty-forty, that's what they should get."
Suddenly—
The room fell silent.
A man stepped forward.
He radiated authority.
"If you're done with business," the man said coldly, "leave my shop."
Whispers spread.
"That's the owner…"
"He only comes out for VIPs…"
"We'll be receiving a VIP guest shortly," the owner continued. "Do not cause trouble."
Rey inhaled.
"Then return the Level 25 Wolf Hide and Fangs."
The owner smirked. "Sold items cannot be returned—even at triple value."
If I give those to Lord Marek, he'll be pleased, the owner thought.
"I'll pay five times," Rey said calmly.
The owner froze.
"Five times?" he echoed.
Before he could respond—
A heavily armored man entered.
"I'm Iron," the man announced. "Party Leader under Clan Glory. Lord Marek is waiting outside."
The owner bowed instantly.
Iron smirked when he saw the items.
"Level 25 wolf items? Marek will like this."
Rey's eyes narrowed.
"Didn't you agree to sell them back to me?" Rey asked.
Iron scoffed. "Who's this kid?"
Rey replied evenly, "I don't need to know who you are."
Iron laughed.
"Fine. You can take the fangs. The hides belong to Clan Glory."
"And the women stay," Iron added. "Lord Marek wants them."
Rey smiled.
A terrifying smile.
"HAHAHAHA… what a wonderful agreement."
Before Iron could react—
BOOM.
Rey's fist struck.
No one saw the movement.
Iron's armor shattered.
His body flew out of the shop, crashing beside Marek's carriage.
After that moment, the room fell silent like no one dare to act, but suddenly,
Ice spears shot toward Rey.
He caught them with two fingers—and shattered them.
Two assassins attacked.
Rey stomped.
The ground shattered.
They flew—just like Iron.
Silence.
Then—
"Well done," a calm voice said.
A man stepped out of the carriage.
"Are you brave… or foolish… to challenge Clan Glory?"
STATUS DISPLAY
Name: Marek
Level: 57
Race: Human (Origin)
Role: Mage — Fire Specialist
Title: Vice Leader of Clan Glory
Stats:
HP - 6027 (x76%Armor+40%accessory)
STR - 138 (x50%Accessory)
AGI - 214 (x91%Armor)
SPD - 256 (x83% boots)
INT - 421 (x82%Accessory + 75%Weapon)
END - 201 (x63%armor)
MP - 342 (X55%Accessory)
"Hey, kid," Marek said coldly, his voice carrying an oppressive pressure. "Are you bored of living? Do you really not know how powerful Clan Glory is in Beginner City?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted.
His eyes landed on Melvin and Elysa.
A slow, twisted smile spread across his face.
"Your crime cannot be forgiven," Marek continued. "You assaulted my subordinates and destroyed the shop I've built over the years."
He raised a finger.
"But I'm generous. You may leave this place—if you agree to a few conditions."
Rey tilted his head slightly.
"Oh?" he replied calmly. "So this shop belongs to you? Interesting. After everything your men did to me, you are the one offering conditions?"
He smirked faintly.
"Go on. I'm listening."
Marek's eyes narrowed.
"You're quite arrogant," he said. "But that's fine. The conditions are simple. Only two."
He lifted one finger.
"First—pay me compensation. One thousand gold coins."
A second finger followed.
"Second—those two women will remain here. You may leave alone."
Silence fell.
Rey stared at him for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"…That sounds awfully similar to the deal your dog tried to force earlier," Rey said.
He spun the blue-glowing dagger in his hand lazily, its edge reflecting cold light.
"So tell me," Rey continued, "why should I pay you a thousand gold? And why should I leave them behind when they're members of my party?"
Marek's expression twisted.
Without another word, a massive fireball formed above his palm, flames compressing violently as scorching heat warped the air around him.
Before he could launch it—
A sharp female voice thundered through the street.
"MAREK!!!"
Everyone froze.
"DO YOU THINK THIS AREA BELONGS TO YOU ALONE?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS?!"
A woman strode forward, icy mist trailing behind her steps.
She wore a robe of deep sapphire blue, frost runes shimmering faintly along its edges.
She was Evelyn.
Level 57 Mage.
Vice Leader of Clan Rose.
Rey activated Invisible Sight.
Her stats appeared—impressive, rivaling Marek's.
So she's the ice specialist, Rey noted. No wonder these two clans keep clashing.
Rey turned inward.
"System," he asked quietly, "why does Marek's race say (Origin)?"
[System Response]
"Origin" indicates a native of this world.
He is not a Player like Host.
Rey nodded.
"So anyone with Origin is a native?"
[System Confirmation]
Correct, Host.
Rey immediately asked the System to scan whether the third candidate was among Evelyn's group.
No result.
His attention returned to the scene.
Evelyn and Marek were already releasing pressure, their mana clashing subtly in the air.
Rey cleared his throat.
"Ehem… excuse me," he said politely.
"Lady Evelyn, thank you for intervening. I have a few questions—and a request—related to Clan Rose."
He smiled lightly.
"If you have the time, perhaps we could speak?"
Marek's irritation surged.
He had been completely ignored.
Evelyn blinked.
He knows my name? she thought.
In the next instant, she moved—appearing directly in front of Rey, her speed blinding.
At the same time—
Marek released the fireball.
A massive sphere of condensed flames shot forward.
Evelyn realized it too late.
The attack was seconds away.
Marek smirked inwardly.
Die together, he thought. I've already placed protection on the two women. They'll survive with injuries. That's enough.
Then—
Rey smiled.
"Hmm… is that all you can do?"
He waved his hand—casually, as if shooing away an insect.
The fireball exploded harmlessly, its energy redirected upward, detonating in the sky like distant thunder.
Silence.
Utter silence.
Marek's eyes widened.
Evelyn's breath caught.
That spell… only Class S at Level 60 could stop it…
Before Marek could react—
Rey was beside him.
A hand landed gently on Marek's shoulder.
"Be careful with attacks like that," Rey said calmly. "You might hurt civilians."
"I'm leaving."
Marek turned—
Rey was gone.
He blinked—
Rey stood beside Melvin and Elysa.
Marek's body trembled.
"What… what kind of strength… speed is that…?" he whispered. "Damn it…"
He shouted, voice cracking.
"YOU—WHO ARE YOU?! Are you a Class S adventurer?!"
Gasps erupted.
Evelyn stiffened.
A Class S? she thought. With that power… it wouldn't be strange…
Rey turned.
"Who am I?" he repeated.
He smiled faintly.
"My name is Ace. Remember it."
Marek snarled.
"Ace?! Don't get cocky! This won't end here! You don't know the true power of Clan Glory!"
Rey yawned.
"…I know enough," he said. "And honestly?"
He looked unimpressed.
"Weak."
"YOU BRAT!!!" Marek screamed.
Rey released pressure.
He pressed his foot into the ground.
The earth cracked.
Within a 50-meter radius, the ground collapsed inward as if crushed by gravity itself.
People froze.
Marek fell to his knees.
"T-That's enough… retreat…" Marek gasped. "Everyone—withdraw!"
As he fled, he shouted back,
"You just wait, useless brat! Revenge will come!"
Rey waved cheerfully.
[System Notification]
Host, why did you not use Level 40 power?
System dislikes that individual greatly.
Would Host like to destroy Clan Glory?
"No. No. No," Rey replied. "No need."
He paused.
"…Wait. I didn't use Level 40?"
[System Confirmation]
Correct.
Host only used Level 15 power, as previously set.
Rey sighed.
"…You really should inform me earlier."
He glanced at Evelyn.
"But right now, something else is more important."
[System Reminder]
Please remember System's restrictions regarding Titles and Candidates.
"Yeah, yeah. Got it."
Rey approached Evelyn and politely asked if she had time to talk.
Elysa watched them.
Her chest tightened painfully.
Why… why does it hurt so much…?
Is this… love?
Have I fallen for Lord Rey…?
She looked at Melvin.
Should I tell him…?
She didn't know.
Meanwhile—
Rey and Evelyn reached an agreement.
They would head to Clan Rose.
There were matters Rey needed to discuss—with the Clan Leader herself.
Rey and Evelyn turned away from the shattered street, their figures moving side by side toward an uncertain destination.
Clan Rose.
Behind them, Elysa stood frozen, her hand clutching her chest as emotions she did not yet understand quietly took root.
Above them all, unseen forces began to stir.
And somewhere within Clan Rose—
A decision was about to be made
that would change Rey's path forever.