Chapter 247: The Notorious Rookie Returns
After another busy day of watching over and illuminating the world with its majestic golden rays, the proud sun started to retreat, painting the cosmic canvas in hues of pink, orange, and blue.
Shye, sauntering beneath this picturesque sky, walked eight hours straight.
He really wanted to enjoy a nice bed tonight, hence, he had to sacrifice a decent lunch, eating only dried rations on the way back in exchange for a sumptuous dinner and a nice room at an inn.
As Balkrow City's familiar wall appeared in his line of sight, Shye smiled.
'Finally…I can have a good rest tonight…' he mused, retrieving his Balkrow Token and showing it to the guards before entering the city and heading straight toward his guild.
Despite it being only around 6 PM, Shye was already tired.
Well, he barely had any peaceful sleep in the Silvergrass Savanna, however, Shye knew that such is the life of an adventurer.
To preserve one's life, particularly when embarking on a solo quest, it's crucial not to sleep too deeply, otherwise, one might awaken as a wandering soul in the afterlife.
After around twenty-five minutes of walking, Shye arrived in front of Raven's Blade's branch headquarters, prompting the expressions of his guildmates, who were just outside the guild, to turn into one of either confusion or disbelief upon recognizing who he was and remembering that he embarked on a quest to hunt for Ripper Koalas.
Curious, they couldn't help but follow him to see what's up.
Intentionally pushing the door open with a loud creak, Shye maintained a stoic expression as he stepped into the building, effectively capturing everyone's attention.
"Hey, look, that's the notorious rookie we've all been telling you guys about."
"The arrogant one who dared humiliate Candor? Hmmph! He doesn't look tough to me!"
"Heh, didn't he take on a quest involving Ripper Koalas? Why is he back so soon?"
"Hahaha, he obviously failed, duh. But wait…why does he look familiar?"
Hearing the loud commotion he managed to stir up as he entered, Shye inwardly celebrated. Not only because he would probably earn quite a few extra points but also because he…enjoyed it.
It seems that his decision to turn his quest in tonight was the correct one as there were significantly more people inside the branch headquarters compared to early in the morning.
After a momentary pause, Shye proceeded to the rewards desk, further deepening the curiosity of his guildmates—a few even stood up from their tables in the lobby to see what he would do.
"Did he actually complete the quest? In seven days? Solo?"
"Impossible, maybe this guy thought that he could have the rewards receptionist cancel the quest for him to avoid embarrassment!"
Just when the doubters were voicing their skepticism about him completing the Ripper Koala quest, Shye took out a sack bag—its base, purple.
The more experienced ones knew that the Ripper Koala's blood was purple, hence, as they observed Shye placing the sack bag on the counter, the true veterans already knew that he completed it.
They remained silent though, satisfied with smiling knowingly as they waited for the reactions of their guildmates.
In the hearts of the true veterans of the Balkrow branch—the elites, they knew that Shye was the real deal.
After all, at the same age, none of them was sure if they could do the same as they weren't crazy enough to try.
Noticing the ashen-haired young man in front of her, the rewards desk receptionist flashed her usual "duty smile", however, this time, it was a bit sincere.
She heard from her friend Aya that this rookie was probably the most excellent one they had in the history of the branch guild, after all.
"Hello, Sir Crowley, correct?" Shauna asked, introducing herself right after. "I'm Shauna, the rewards desk receptionist."
"Hello, yes, I'm here to turn the quest items in and complete my quest," Shye replied, in a tone neither too polite nor too arrogant as the stoic expression on his face remained steadfast.
"I-I see, let me check the quest registered under your name. One moment please."
Pretending to check what Shye's quest was as it was customary, Shauna picked up the small mana crystal on the side and placed it in the small hole on her desk, prompting a holographic screen to appear shortly after.
Shye briefly saw Aya activating this type of device as well, however, he wasn't able to focus on it that time since Candor was trying to bullshit with him.
'This screen looks a bit like my system, doesn't it? But I can see it so maybe not? Only I can see my system after all…' Shye mused as he waited for Shauna to check the details of the quest registered under his name.
Little did he know, he was currently the hottest topic among the guildsmen and that Shauna already knew about it a few days prior.
His craziness for daring to take the quest solo was one of the trending subjects, after all.
Due to this, the interest of the guildmates who weren't around when he registered, even the elites, was piqued.
They wanted to see the notorious rookie.
Luckily, quite a few of those who missed his appearance last time, were present, allowing them to witness the so-called "vicious-mouthed and arrogant" rookie in his full glory.
Well, speaking about his appearance, there was nothing to criticize. Not only was he handsome, but his physique was also well-built.
A few promiscuous women in the guild even licked their lips as they schemed on how they could "have a taste" of this rumored, manly rookie.
Unfortunately for these…unchaste ladies, not one of them stood a chance against Shirley.
Not in looks, nor physique, nor disposition.
Their dreams of ever having a taste of the notorious rookie were bound to forever remain a dream.
A few moments later, Shauna was finally done "checking" the registered quest under his name.
Refocusing on the ashen-haired young man in front of her, Shauna spoke:
"A-As per the requirements, you need to turn in thirteen titanium ivory claws from a mature ripper koala. May I please see the quest items?"
Hearing Rewards Receptionist Shauna's words, the guildsmen waited with bated breaths.
"Here, 36 titanium ivory claws in total. Miss Shauna, please check."