Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The A-Rank Completion Reward for the Rare Quest

Traveling on a day when the wind and snow filled the sky should have been a miserable affair.

But the party from the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House galloped freely through the cold wind, their hearts filled with joy.

Their current happiness was a perfect match for the anxiety they had felt over the past day since hearing that Reya had been attacked.

As dusk fell, the gate guards had been preparing to close the city gates, but when they saw the group returning from a distance, they tacitly slowed their movements.

After all, the master of Birch Town, Lord Paris Manola, also had a stake in the Noble United Commerce Association.

They were all on the same side!

When the Trading House party rode into the city on horseback, a few of their guards even exchanged greetings with familiar city guards, creating a cheerful and harmonious scene.

The gate guards looked at the Trade Hall Guards, whose spirits were now completely different, and at the heavily bundled female figure sharing a horse with the renowned ice-cold beauty, and felt a sense of relief.

A middle-aged guard with a world-weary face watched Rosalind’s group depart and let out a long, low sigh.

"At least nothing terrible happened..."

His companion standing beside him, in much the same posture, added with a sigh.

"Tell me about it... All that trouble when the old Count died ten years ago, who would want to go through that again—"

"Shh! Are you trying to get yourself killed? How dare you say something like that out loud!"

"Hah... It’s been so long..."

Their words slowly faded into the wind, and only then did the spying gazes from the houses lining the road slowly disappear.

...

The Trading House party entered the town and soon arrived at the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House.

Pascal and his guards were already waiting there to receive them.

Reya and Rosalind dismounted first, hurrying forward through a human wall formed by the guards. Jon led the way at the very front, while Evans followed behind the two women to prevent another assassination attempt.

Perhaps their strict and cautious formation was intimidating enough, or perhaps the hidden hand behind the scenes had chosen to temporarily stand down. In any case, no incidents occurred until the very last person had entered the Trading House.

And finally, a notification flashed before Jon’s eyes.

——

[A Choice Once More I (Rare - Chain Quest), Complete]

[You chose to take the noble girl "Reina Weber" to the Abandoned Mine to rest, then hid her in the Sanctuary of the God of Knowledge. You entered Birch Town alone to call for reinforcements, solved the trouble facing the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House, dealt with the attacking assassins on the road, and finally brought her back to Birch Town safely. Now, she is safe...]

[You have completed a meticulous escort mission!]

[Completion Grade: A, Reward Multiplier: 3.0]

[Completion Reward: 6,000 General Experience Points (2,000 base x 3.0 reward multiplier), 1,500 Heta County Noble United Commerce Association Reputation (500 base x 3.0 reward multiplier)]

[Heta County Noble United Commerce Association Reputation Level Increased: Neutral → Friendly]

[Current Heta County Noble United Commerce Association Reputation Level: Friendly (1100/5000)]

[As your existence is unknown to certain factions, their related reputation levels remain unchanged.]

——

’An A-grade completion...’

The outlander looked at the summary on the mission report and briefly considered it. He figured the reason he hadn’t achieved an S-grade was likely because he had delayed for a night by taking Reya to the Abandoned Mine.

If he hadn’t gone to the Abandoned Mine and had proceeded directly with the next steps, he probably could have gotten an S-grade.

But the risk would have been too great. If his level was too low and his skills weren’t strong enough, he would have had a hard time getting past the Blood Eye Association’s assassin attack.

’You win some, you lose some, I guess...’

One can’t be too greedy. Besides, the rewards for an A-grade weren’t bad at all.

6,000 Experience Points! 1,500 reputation! And his reputation with the Noble United Commerce Association had risen to Friendly!

Counting the reward from the sudden assassin quest earlier, his total experience reserves broke ten thousand for the first time, reaching 12,100 points!

The changes brought about by the increase in reputation level were also displayed quite intuitively on the social panel.

——

[Heta County Noble United Commerce Association Reputation: Friendly (1100/5000)]

[When trading with this faction, you can receive better discounts. You can make certain requests to the faction’s leaders. You will receive greater rewards when completing this faction’s quests.]

——

Unlike in a game, the benefits of "better discounts" and "greater rewards" from the reputation increase weren’t shown as hard numbers, but rather as more general guidelines.

To put it bluntly, how much you could get depended entirely on your own negotiations!

Take the supplies he had Pascal retrieve earlier, for example. They added up to a considerable sum. The engineering tool kit imported from the Fairy Kingdom, in particular, was listed at a price of 200 Gold Coins!

Adding in the Silver Crystal, potion-making tools, and other Engineering Parts, the total value of these supplies was close to 300 Gold Coins—equivalent to 100 complete great snow fox pelts!

But even if Jon wanted to pay, who at the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House would accept his money now?

Reya? Or Rosalind?

Not a chance. They were the ones who had to thank him!

Just like now. After Rosalind and Reya entered the lounge, without even changing their clothes, they gave him—a mere "Trade Hall Guard"—a respectful bow right in front of Evans.

"Mr. Jon, please allow me to formally express my gratitude. If not for your selfless dedication and wholehearted assistance, we would not have been able to bring Miss Reya back safely."

The stern, silver-haired beauty bent her slender waist, revealing the fair skin of her nape, her attitude bordering on "humble."

"Your benevolence, your courage, your wisdom—these are the most precious gifts you have bestowed upon us."

"You will forever be a friend to the Heta County Noble United Commerce Association."

Reya also took off the large, woolen sweater she was wrapped in for warmth, revealing a charming, flushed face.

Leaning on Rosalind’s arm, she gave a graceful curtsy.

"Yes, Mr. Jon. Without your help, I’m afraid I would have fallen into those people’s hands long ago and suffered a terrible fate."

"It’s just a pity that the identity of the Lurker the enemy has planted among us is still unknown, so we cannot publicly announce your righteous deeds. Please forgive us."

As she spoke, she followed Rosalind’s lead and bowed deeply, her expression extremely earnest.

Faced with such solemn gratitude, Jon didn’t put on airs. He took off his half-helm and made a gesture for the two women to rise, speaking seriously.

"Please, there’s no need for this. I believe any person with a conscience would not have stood by and watched such a tragedy unfold. I only did what was within my power to do."

"Now that Miss Reya has returned here safely, security should be immediately readjusted to prevent another enemy attack."

He then looked at the red-haired girl, his meaning clear.

"Besides, don’t you also need to communicate with Miss Reya’s father, Lord Viscount Yed, about what happened today?"

"As a father, I’m sure he’s worried sick."

Hearing him say this, Reya couldn’t help but look a bit bashful, but the urgency in her eyes was impossible to conceal.

If she, a daughter with little power, had been ambushed and nearly kidnapped, what sort of sinister plots must her father be facing?

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t worried.

She didn’t say any of this in front of Jon, however, merely turning to look at her dear "big sister" Rosalind, who was closer to her than a real sibling.

Rosalind straightened up, folded her hands in front of her stomach, and gave Jon a slight nod.

"You are right, we do have many things to attend to. But as our eternal friend, expressing our gratitude to you is equally important."

"Please rest here at the Trading House for the night. Tomorrow, we will formally discuss the matter of your reward. We insist you do not refuse."

Jon naturally had no objections and nodded in agreement.

The silver-haired woman then turned to the black-haired swordsman, who stood to the side with his arms crossed.

"Evans, I’m leaving security within the Trading House to you."

"It is my duty."

Evans Dean acknowledged the order, his expression unchanging. He gave Jon a nod before pushing the door open and leaving.

At this point, Reya had also calmed her emotions. Mimicking Rosalind’s ladylike posture, she spoke softly to her savior.

"Mr. Jon, please don’t be a stranger. Make yourself at home."

"I think... my father will also be very happy to meet you."

After saying that last sentence, the red-haired girl seemed a bit embarrassed. She wished him goodnight and quickly departed.

Rosalind didn’t linger either. After a word of farewell, she followed Reya out of the lounge.

Jon watched the two women leave, rubbing the new stubble on his chin thoughtfully.

’Are those two... hiding something from me?’

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