Chapter 42 : Chapter 42
Chapter 42 : Outside activities
After chatting with Anders for about an hour, Sal felt it was time to head back to the dormitory.
He convinced himself that while he didn't intend to waste the day sleeping, getting a few more hours of rest would be fine.
His hands were itching to run to the workshop immediately because of the talk about new inventions.
However, if he continued to pull all-nighters every time, burning out would only be a matter of time.
Upgrade's class had made him realize how he should approach crafting.
Charging headfirst like he had been doing was fine for now, but it couldn't last long.
He still lacked the basics.
If not for the knowledge of Martin, Gosha, and Upgrade, the sniper rifle would never have been completed.
Sal recalled a saying he had heard before.
If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail.
He no longer wanted to rely on the method of pouring in Essence to force results.
Of course, he was gradually finding his direction, but Sal still had much to learn.
Getting off the elevator and arriving at his floor, Sal was secretly relieved that no one was around.
“Phew….”
He didn't want to get involved in another conversation right now.
The fatigue rushing in as he got closer to his room was probably as natural as the sudden urge to use the restroom when standing in front of it.
As soon as he locked the door, he collapsed onto the bed.
Sunlight spread warmly into the room through the window, but he didn't care at all.
No light would be able to disturb his sleep now.
As soon as he had that thought, he fell into a deep sleep.
***
“Gasp…!”
Sal woke up, opening his eyes suddenly.
He panicked for a moment because something was tightly wrapping around his arms, binding them.
After struggling and flailing a few times, Sal barely managed to roll onto the floor.
“The blanket?”
Only then did he snap out of it.
He groaned, untangled the blanket, and stood up.
Seeing the sun still high in the sky, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He couldn't even remember the last time he had woken up this refreshed.
That was why he hadn't even set an alarm this time.
But it was clear that something had suddenly woken him up.
Sal checked his tablet, saw that he had slept for about four hours, and realized it was late afternoon.
In the meantime, countless messages had arrived.
Even while he was holding the tablet, two or three more popped up.
Unread Messages: 64
-Credit Floor: Administration Team (41)
-Credit Floor: Vanessa (12)
-Quest Academy: Administration Team (3)
-Quest Academy: Upgrade (3)
-Silver Cohort: Divinity (2)
-Purple Cohort: Hannah (2)
-Green Cohort: Anders (1)
“What on earth…?”
Sal had to check the screen twice.
There had been no notifications before he went to sleep, so he couldn't grasp what could have happened to cause this.
At that moment, another notification chime rang, and the message count for ‘Credit Floor: Administration Team’ increased by one more.
Sal, who was staring blankly at the screen, finally opened the new message, and similar messages unfolded below it in a list.
Urgent Appraisal Request - Reavers Guild - Item 492 - Details Attached
Urgent Appraisal Request - Reavers Guild - Item 493 - Details Attached
Urgent Appraisal Request - Reavers Guild - Item 494 - Details Attached
Sal scanned the list and confirmed that most of them were appraisal request messages.
He scrolled up quickly to the very beginning, and only then was the cause of this message bomb revealed.
The Reavers Guild has successfully cleared a dungeon!
As a preferred provider and Silver Token holder, you have been granted priority appraisal rights for the items listed below.
Please verify your current availability and capacity for appraisal. Internal appraisal work will proceed first, and any remaining work will be transferred to the third-party network.
If there is no reply within 12 hours, the appraisal rights will automatically return to the Credit Floor.
We are currently classifying the 73 items obtained from the dungeon, and individual item information will be transmitted shortly. Please convey your acceptance via message or by visiting in person.
Sal shook his head, exited the message chain, and checked the message from Vanessa.
The fact that she had sent a message personally made him worry that his identity might have been discovered.
As far as he knew, Vanessa had never encountered him as Sal, only as Mythos.
He was slightly nervous at that thought, but he took a deep breath and opened her message.
Quest Academy: Credit Floor
It’s a sunny Friday!
Hello, I’m Vanessa, working on the Credit Floor.
I previously worked personally with Mythos, and he spoke very highly of your appraisal skills.
A large quantity of items recently came in, and the Credit Floor intends to entrust this work primarily to internal providers.
Since the work with Mythos was very satisfying, I am looking forward to working with you as well.
I’ve selected a few promising lists where you can earn a lot of Q-Credits and sent them to you!
Since I checked in your file that you prefer working in the workshop, I will set it up so you can proceed in a private room.
I apologize for approaching you directly like this, but I really wanted to work with you!
Sal checked the remaining messages as well.
Most were appraisal requests, and some of them contained explanations of why she recommended this list out of the many items.
Sal had to admit how skilled she was at handling people.
Honestly, it didn't matter if she realized Sal and Mythos were the same person.
Above all, the fact that she was taking care of him was enough for him to overlook her obvious lie that Mythos had praised Sal.
With a few taps of his finger, the list of requests Vanessa had personally selected appeared on the screen.
Every time he looked at an item, the corners of Sal's mouth went up further.
As she said, the items on the list were of high quality.
Taking a nap in the afternoon was a stroke of genius.
“No more sleep for today.”
Sal steeled his resolve, closed the list window, and turned his gaze to other messages.
Quest Academy: Administration Team
Please attend the Headmaster’s office at 9 AM on Saturday.
This is a follow-up measure regarding the impact of the Skill Master ability on Divinity Khan.
Quest Academy: Administration Team
Please attend the Doom Society meeting held at the Skylounge at 7 PM on Sunday.
Quest Academy: Administration Team
Congratulations. You have been selected for the Accelerated Crafting Course recommended by Upgrade.
Please refer to the attached file for details.
Sal let out a long sigh seeing the schedule pour in all at once, making the peace throughout the week seem colorless.
Doom Society.
The organization Neuro had mentioned, which predicts disasters and takes measures to prevent them.
He didn't know how helpful he would be, but he hoped that what he had seen could contribute even a little.
And.
“Divinity… I had completely forgotten.”
Still, the fact that the school was taking this seriously was a comfort.
He didn't have a clue what the last message, the Accelerated Course, meant, so he immediately checked the message Upgrade had sent.
Quest Academy: Upgrade
Hi, Sal! I’m leaving a message since we didn't get time to talk properly after class today.
Whatever your ability is… it completely changed my ability.
As a token of gratitude, I’ll teach you how to transform your equipment into armor the next time you stop by the workshop!
Quest Academy: Upgrade
Are you serious about engraving our names on the gun stock? It’s crazy!
You absolutely didn't have to do that.
Martin and Gosha have been dancing in the workshop all day.
I’m so touched. Thank you!
Quest Academy: Upgrade
I recommended you for the Accelerated Crafting Course.
This course involves 1:1 mentoring with the great me, and practicing in a team with a few seniors.
Don’t say thank you. Because this is going to be hellish training!
This course is a program that raises you through Basics, Fundamentals, Intermediate, and Advanced crafting stages at a ridiculous speed.
I believe your ability is special. So I definitely want to help you reach the top tier!
Hmm, fine! If you want to say thank you, I’ll accept it.
Sal closed the message and checked the last remaining notifications.
Divinity asked what external activity Sal was going to register for this weekend, suggesting they coordinate before deciding.
Sal wondered if she asked on purpose, knowing he wasn't very interested in external activities.
Did she know that just one word from her might sway him?
Lost in thought for a moment, Sal shook his head and blinked.
If he over-interpreted everything Divinity said, he might go crazy.
There was no way she spent the entire Friday afternoon worrying about what choice he would make.
Chuckling at his own thoughts, Sal sent a simple reply.
He said he hadn't decided on an activity yet and would be at the workshop for the rest of the day to proceed with the Reavers Guild's appraisal requests.
Next were two messages from Hannah.
One asked if he would participate in an external activity, and the other asked if he wanted to hang out in the evening.
Sal deliberated for a moment.
He didn't want to make excuses for fear of causing unnecessary confusion.
Instead, he sent a screenshot of the list of 73 items from the Credit Floor and replied that he thought he would be working at the workshop tonight.
Even after pressing the send button after minutes of deliberation, he wasn't sure if it was the right decision.
But Q-Credits were the foundation of everything in this Academy.
He couldn't miss this good opportunity.
Moreover, this matter would be reported to Jez during the Administration class.
Thinking about Jez verifying his Q-Credit income, he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.
Just processing the eleven items Vanessa had sent separately would allow him to lead the class by an overwhelming margin.
Finally, Sal checked the message from Anders.
It was unexpected but welcome.
The content was simple.
Thanks for lunch, and let's meet again next time to continue talking about the bandage robot and combat drone.
Sal replied that it sounded good and suggested they set a time before the next crafting class.
He was busy for the next few minutes clearing the pouring notifications from the Credit Floor.
But it felt like a Hydra where two more would appear if he cleared one.
Eventually giving up, Sal sighed, put the tablet down on the bed, and headed to the shower room.
He had rested well, and now he wanted to wash up clean before going to the workshop.
It seemed like it would be another long, long night, but Sal didn't mind.
A Legendary Grade sniper rifle was waiting to be appraised, and Q-Credits to fill his bag were waiting for him.