Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Four-Star Hero

Perhaps it was her new best friend’s good luck rubbing off on her, because while Ge Tian’s ten-pull was all White Cards, two of them were decent Equipment Cards that could sell for a combined 150,000 to 160,000 Credit Points. She was thrilled.

After her, Lin Xin’Er was actually the second person to get a good drop. She had gone all-in at the Mysterious Merchant earlier and didn’t have enough Magic Stones for a ten-pull, but she managed to get a Green Quality Function Card through single draws.

Its name was 「Mushroom Physique」.

This was an extremely rare Function Card that granted a permanent enhancement. Upon use, it bestowed a special physique: as long as the user was in a natural environment—especially on dark, damp soil—their healing of both internal and external injuries would accelerate.

It was actually a perfect fit for Lin Xin’Er’s brutish, head-on fighting style. Her methods meant she was bound to get hurt, so a physique that accelerated her healing would effectively boost her combat strength and survivability.

Lin Xin’Er, having just retied her ponytail, couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across her lips. Then, without a moment’s hesitation, she used the Card.

BUZZ.

A flash of green light.

The Universal Card in her hand vanished, but she herself didn’t appear to have changed in any noticeable way.

Presumably, only Lin Xin’Er herself knew exactly how it felt.

The drop of two Green Cards sparked a heated discussion among the livestream viewers. Some were congratulatory, others were green with envy, but most people were just happy for the two young women.

Professional Warriors risk life and limb; they deserve a good outcome.

Soon, everyone had finished drawing their Cards. Only Wang Xi had yet to make a move.

"Aren’t you going to take this chance to try your luck, Wang Xi?"

Xiao Yuzhe asked with a smile, looking his way.

"Even for Professional Warriors, it’s not like we can enter a Maze anytime we want. Except for certain emergencies, we usually have to wait for the Overlook Bureau to coordinate and open them, and we also have to apply to the Hero Association."

"Of course I’ll give it a shot."

Noticing everyone’s eyes on him, Wang Xi smiled, nodded, and strode forward.

With all eyes—and cameras—on him, he walked straight up to the rainbow-colored great mushroom. He tossed out several Magic Stones of varying sizes, enough to make up 1kg in weight.

Livestream Chat:

"OMG! Six Gods is doing a ten-pull too!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"No, Six Gods! Have you forgotten that solemn vow you made?!"

"Oh man, I’d totally forgotten about that."

"Lol, if he pulls ten pieces of white-tier junk, I can’t even imagine how priceless Miss Xin’Er’s expression will be."

"Haha, a man’s words are full of lies. You actually believed him?"

GLORP GLORP...

Amidst a series of crisp sounds, the great mushroom spewed rainbow light, twisting and turning.

Then, while Wang Xi was still in a daze.

A stream of white lights shot out—PHUT PHUT PHUT—tracing arcs through the air before converging in front of him.

Unsurprisingly, nothing surprising happened.

Ten White Cards...

Wang Xi took a deep breath, forcing himself not to think about the hundred thousand Credit Points this cost. ’That money could have gotten Miss Ning Meng to cook for me a thousand times, bought a thousand cases of Demon Child Soda, or paid for a few trips to the second floor for a massage...’

SWIPE!

He swept the Cards into his arms, stacked them into a neat pile, and turned to walk away.

When he rejoined Xiao Yuzhe and the others, he saw their satisfied expressions... with the sole exception of Lin Xin’Er, who was staring at him with a complex look in her eyes.

"Ahem." Wang Xi gave an awkward laugh and theatrically raised his Monitoring Wristwatch, pretending to scan the Universal Card in his hand while actually scrutinizing it with Kaos.

He even said aloud:

"They may all be White Cards, but who knows, there could be a hidden gem in here! As long as I get one top-tier card, it’s not a total loss!"

Xiao Yuzhe nodded, giving him a knowing look.

BEEP BEEP.

The wristwatch beeped.

But Wang Xi wasn’t looking at his watch. The detailed information for each White Card was already materializing in his vision.

「Gorgeous Umbrella Cover」, 「Evil Bee Sting」, 「Singing Mushroom」, 「Goblin Honey」, 「Mushroom Hero’s Rags」...

The more he looked, the more strained his smile became.

’Junk. It’s all junk.’

A wave of amusement swept over the crowd, both on-site and online, as they watched the young man’s expression shift.

Then he saw the last two Cards, and he froze.

「Water Ball (Skill Card)」

「Quality: White One Star (Upgradeable)」

「A form of Water Magic possessed by the Lake Merfolk. They often use Water Balls to envelop their prey and suffocate them. The Water Ball can also be launched at high speed to bombard targets.」

「Upon use, you will be able to condense and fire a Water Ball. Each use consumes a certain amount of Magic Power (if you lack Magic Power, it will consume double the stamina).」

Another Water Magic Skill Card.

’Looks like I’m heading further and further down the path of the "Water-Spraying Warlock,"’ Wang Xi thought. ’But no matter how you slice it, this is definitely not junk.’

The other Card had that familiar, unique goblin trash-talk flavor—

「See Through Your Scars (Skill Card)」

「Quality: White One Star (Upgradeable)」

「High goblins are not naturally aggressive; they prefer to resolve conflicts and live as recluses in the forest, apart from the world. However, when faced with a powerful foe, they will seize any opportunity to repeatedly strike an enemy’s scars for the sake of self-preservation.」

「Upon use, you will master this technique. Continuously attacking an enemy’s wounds will cause a tearing effect, with a chance to make the enemy hemorrhage. Each use of this Card consumes a certain amount of stamina.」

’Well, what can I say.’

’It feels like one of a series of trash-talk Cards.’

But compared to trashy special-attack Cards like 「Knock Your Horse」 and 「Hitting Humans and Knocking You Down」, this 「See Through Your Scars」 was clearly much stronger.

Its special attack was widely applicable. In fact, in a way, its value was greater than one might imagine.

’You could even call it a top-tier find.’

"Two high-quality White Cards!"

Wang Xi raised his hand, holding up the two White Cards—one printed with a Water Ball, the other with a grinning goblin—as if in a glorious display, or perhaps to deliberately prove a point.

He said nonchalantly,

"Looks like my luck isn’t so bad after all."

"That... that can’t be right."

Xiao Yuzhe and Jiang Tianjie crowded around, constantly scanning the Cards with their Monitoring Wristwatches, their expressions shifting between doubt and resigned sighs.

"How did you pull two top-tier cards back-to-back? Even if the drop rates in this Maze Card Pool are high, why didn’t I get anything like this? It’s not fair!"

Wang Xi just shook his head, saying nothing.

’This is just what happens when you’re handsome.’

’And you guys aren’t.’

...

...

With everyone finished drawing their Cards, the Maze exploration came to a definitive close, also marking the end of the third round of the combat assessment.

Behind the "Maze Card Pool"—the great rainbow mushroom—a deep purple, two-meter-wide vortex portal hovered in the air.

This was the exit for those who had cleared the Maze.

Those who failed to clear it had to backtrack and leave through the entrance portal.

HUMMM.

One by one, they passed through the vortex.

And emerged from the restroom of an abandoned gas station.

Staff members waiting by the door greeted them with smiles, quickly handing over pre-prepared towels and bottles of water, offering their congratulations and thanks.

When they stepped outside, they were met with applause from the panel of Examiners and the flashing, clicking cameras of hovering drones.

"Congratulations to all of you."

The middle-aged Examiner, Shi Bo, led his team forward and said with a smile,

"Please board the vehicle to return to Valley City and get some rest at the Association headquarters. Once the Examiners’ panel has concluded its evaluation, Chairman Wei Xuan himself will announce the results of the assessment this afternoon."

...

...

「Around 2:30 in the afternoon.」

「Valley City Hero Association, Engraving Square.」

The square was packed with people who had caught wind of the event and flocked to get a close-up look at this year’s crop of geniuses.

The din was constant. The Overlook Bureau had even dispatched regular police officers from the Security Bureau to help the Association maintain order.

Reporters from various media outlets, corporate representatives, and personnel from government agencies had all arrived on the scene.

Dozens of drones hovered over the square, recording the grand occasion and broadcasting it live.

"Here they come, here they come!"

"Mr. Wei Sr. and the panel of Examiners are coming out!"

"This is Valley City’s first Star Promotion assessment! I wonder what star-level Hero Certificates they’ll get?"

"I watched the entire livestream this morning. Their performance in the Maze was really impressive. They’ve got to be at least Two Stars, anything less would be ridiculous."

"I think they’ll get more than that..."

The crowd buzzed with excited discussion.

In this new age, Professional Warriors were the true celebrities; their every move captivated the public.

An elderly man in a long, black gown emerged from the building’s entrance, leading a dozen sharply dressed Examiners in suits. They descended the steps and came to a stop directly in front of Wang Xi’s group.

"Your performance was outstanding!"

Wei Xuan announced with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back.

"It even exceeded the expectations of myself and the Examiners. I originally didn’t have high hopes for the third round of combat. I never expected that you would not only cooperate seamlessly during your exploration of the Maze and hunt numerous monsters, but also successfully defeat the Demon King and clear the entire thing."

"The reality distortion level of Maze Black Spade ♤2, the「Sugar Witch」 Maze, has been reduced by nine points as a result. This is your accomplishment. On behalf of the Association and the people of Valley City, I salute you."

At his words, led by Shi Bo, the panel of Examiners simultaneously extended their fists, placed them diagonally across their chests, and performed a Mountain and Sea Salute.

The old man surveyed the group, his vigorous voice echoing across the square:

"Seeing you all today, shattering a den of demons with your blood and courage, slaying a Demon King to protect the people... it is only now that I know our legacy is in good hands. A Hero’s heart is iron ’til death’s door; watch as they try their hand and mend the shattered heavens!"

"Fifteen years ago, I was just an ordinary Professional Warrior in Southern Continent He City... I once saw a child, huddled in the ruins, wailing while clutching the severed arms of his parents. At that moment, I swore an oath: to fight the disaster of the Mazes until my very last breath, and to die without regret."

Mr. Wei Sr. pointed to the blue, shield-shaped emblem on his chest—the symbol of a Hero.

His expression grew solemn as he spoke in a deep voice:

"May you all go forth to eliminate calamities and guard our land, keeping it forever at peace!"

"And now—the awarding of the Hero Certificates!"

"Zhong Shuang, Ruan Cheng, Ge Tian, step forward."

"Present!"

The three commoner geniuses exchanged excited glances and stepped forward from the line in unison.

Mr. Wei Sr. smiled.

"Congratulations on passing the assessment. You are hereby promoted to 「Professional Two Stars」!"

Examiner Shi Bo personally stepped forward to hand them a silver-gray card, an emblem, and a small red-covered booklet.

Camera drones zoomed in, capturing the trio’s delighted expressions and the Silver Cards and emblems in their hands.

"Yu Jiali, Jiang Tianjie, Xiao Yuzhe, Lin Xin’Er, Carl Lee, Nagata An..."

The old chairman called out six more names—the six seed candidates.

Once they had stepped forward, Wei Xuan announced with a smile:

"Congratulations to you as well for passing the assessment. From now on, you are 「Professional Three Star」 Heroes!"

A murmur rose from the crowd, who seemed even more excited than the candidates themselves. The sound of camera shutters—CLICK! CLICK!—was incessant, and the flashes were blinding.

Three Stars!

That was already a major milestone for a Professional Warrior!

And for them, it was just the starting line after passing their assessment. Countless Professional Warriors watching this scene were filled with envy and admiration.

Though Yu Jiali and the others maintained their composure, they couldn’t help but show a flicker of excitement the moment they received their Silver Cards.

"Heh, not bad,"

Carl let out a soft chuckle.

"Still, compared to *that* guy, this doesn’t feel like much..."

Then, he and everyone else present turned their gazes to the one person who had yet to step forward: the young man with black hair.

The crowd and the cameras all focused on him.

"And finally—" Mr. Wei Sr. boomed, laughing heartily, "Wang Xi! You are promoted to a 「Professional Four Star」 Hero!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.