The next day, Jin woke up early to tend to his physical training. It took him a few hours to reach a satisfactory level of effort, but it was worth the time. With his body now fully healed, a strange vitality coursed through him. But training so hard had left him lethargic.
Taking a cold bath to shake off the weariness, he put on the pair of clothes Morgan had provided him with.
Morgan was as straightforward as he had been when Jin met him. The equipment he had promised had been delivered to Jin's house last night. Not only that, but he had also put in a few government-standard clothes that matched Jin's size perfectly.
While it seemed like a considerate thought, Jin knew what message Morgan had wanted to send.
'The government...'
It was only natural to send a few gifts to the ones you favor. That was what Morgan wanted to convey, as well as what Jin understood completely. But it didn't end there.
'Since Morgan favors me openly, it won't be surprising if a few other people he is associated with also knew about me. The question is, just how does he perceive me to send so much?'
Unlike how he had only promised one piece of equipment, Jin could feel a few other things inside the locked box as well. He decided not to open it yet and had only opened the other box containing a few pairs of well-sewn clothes.
He wanted to let Morgan think that he had accepted his favor. But if things go sideways with the government, Jin could simply return the box of equipment.
Sighing deeply, he put on his two-piece suit. The shirt underneath was a bit tight since it belonged to Lian before he went inside the tower. The transformation after coming out was visible, but the suit made it such that it was wearable.
"Relax, I'm not Jin. Everyone in this realm thinks of me as Lian, a nobody from the outskirts. I haven't done anything worth getting noticed yet."
He didn't like the sound of someone underestimating him, but it was for the better. Until he could fend for himself, he had to keep a low profile.
Fortunately, he didn't run into anyone as he was leaving. As much as he had steeled himself to become a part of this family, he wanted to keep them at a distance.
Whether it was for his own sake or theirs, he didn't want to think about it yet.
The street was already busy; even the small road in front of his house was filled with people. Some were going to their jobs, while the others made their way to the city. He could see a few children mixed in the crowd, trotting alongside someone who seemed like their mother.
Despite the grim environment of the lower districts, the people here had also found their way to a normal life.
It reminded him of how the populace of the central plains would naturally find solace between the countless wars that took place. After all, it wasn't their war, just like it wasn't for the ordinary people on this planet.
As he moved toward the entrance of the inner city, he felt the number of people increasing tremendously. Being a challenger, he didn't feel as much of a difference, but the people around him were sweating profusely.
But there was something else he was worried about, unlike the slightly warm climate.
'Old… No, it's only one person. Light yet confident steps, a challenger just like me. I don't feel any hostility from them. But they've been tailing me since I left home. It can't be a coincidence.'
He quickly realized that a stranger was following him. Analyzing their characteristics, Jin knew that the person was rather inexperienced and had only made sure to keep a distance from him.
To confirm, he kept changing paths, circling the same spot several times.
'Is it someone from the government? No, it could also be someone from the Fight club.'
Sliding inside a narrow alley, he lunged to the other end. His movements were erratic yet smooth, as if his legs knew where he would land before he could decide.
The stranger entered the alley behind. But by the time they arrived, Jin was nowhere to be seen.
The stranger leaned against the concrete wall beside them, a complex maze of pipes running through the side of the buildings. The girl wore a suit similar to Jin's, the topmost button removed for convenience.
If someone didn't see her face closely, they might think she was a man instead.
Just as the girl was about to turn back, a chill went down her spine.
Jin spoke from behind.
"Why were you following me?"
The girl wanted to turn around, but something sharp rested against her back.
Frowning deeply, she spoke.
"It'd be best for you to put your weapon aside. I'm here for a conversation."
Instead, Jin thrust the object in his hand even further.
"Why should I trust someone I've never seen before? Do you take me for an idiot—"
Before he could finish, the girl turned around and landed an elbow strike toward his throat. He swiftly moved his hand to block her attack.
It was a quick response to his threat, capable of catching him off-guard under normal circumstances.
Soon, he realized that it was only a feint; her real target was the weapon in his other hand. Grasping his fist firmly, she pressed on the ligament with her thumb. If he kept holding the object in his hand, he would certainly lose his hand.
Just as she was about to increase the pressure on his wrist, she looked down at his hand.
"A… pen?"
He clicked his tongue, letting go of her elbow.
"Calm down. I never meant to hurt you."
Jin was impressed by her movements. Any other weak-hearted person would've given in to his threat, but she decided to strike back. Her gaze was sharp, as if she never expected her to lose in a confrontation against him.
On the other hand, the girl seemed completely enraged. It looked as if she wanted to punch him in the face, her fist clenched behind her back. Thankfully, she was capable of controlling her temper.
Sighing deeply, she regained her stern posture. Instead of confronting him about his sneak attack, she decided to prioritize her objective.
"So, are you willing to hear me out?"
Jin nodded firmly.
She took out a card from her suit's inner pocket. The card seemed as if it belonged to an elite corporation, a minimalist design etched on it. In the very center was the name of the corporation, or rather, a guild.
Receiving the card, he raised a brow.
"Hope guild? Is that intended to be the name?
The girl clenched her jaw but immediately composed herself.
"Our vice-guildmaster wants to have a conversation with you. As for what it is, I'm unsure."
Jin slid the card inside his pocket.
"What does your vice-guildmaster want with me? I doubt there's any guild whose vice-guildmaster does the recruiting."
The girl fixed her suit.
"You can ask that yourself. Consider it for a few days. If you don't feel like it, you can just not come."
Saying that, she pushed him aside and exited the alley.
Jin narrowed his gaze.
'The Hope guild, huh.'
He had known that just like Morgan, a few others must have noticed him as well. He didn't like to gloat about it but was certain that his prowess must stick out between his peers. With the new batch of challengers returning just a few days ago, several guilds were actively seeking promising individuals.
His initial plan was to enter a less known guild and make his way up from there. But with the vice guildmaster wanting to have a conversation with him personally, Jin couldn't simply push away the offer.
'The Hope guild's vice guildmaster… If someone from a position so high wants to meet me, it can't be just for recruitment.'
He glanced at the girl's back. Her agility and strength were certainly higher in caliber than him, her energy resembling his. Jin had been examining her posture and stance, which were no different than his own—ready to charge if an enemy appeared.
'A first-ranker, clearly a renowned one in her generation. And they sent someone like her instead of some other employee.'
No matter which angle he looked from, the Hope guild seemed to favor him far too much. They were not trying to hide it either. He was sure that once they entered the inner sections, people would notice her immediately.
He knew that a day like this was prone to come eventually, but he didn't know it would come so early.
He grinned gently.
'A drawn bow is not meant for admiration.'
The opportunity had already come to his doorstep, and Jin wasn't going to just let it go.
"Sure."
The girl halted in her steps. Turning back, she asked, "Sure?"
Jin passed the card back to her.
"Your vice guildmaster wants to meet me, right? It would be wrong to make him wait any longer."
The girl watched him move past her, as if she hadn't expected this outcome.
Shaking her head, she caught up to him.