Chapter 278: 278. Starflame Guild
After verifying their identities, they entered the secured building.
They were greeted by a bustling hall filled with many guild members moving in and out.
"Evening, Miss Erza."
"Miss Erza, you've cleared the poisonous dungeon. Well done."
"Miss Erza is as swift as ever when it comes to clearing dungeons."
The members greeted Erza as they passed by, and she nodded in acknowledgment each time.
Before long, they reached a large hall teeming with people, with various groups gathered in clusters around the room.
"Alright, we're done here," Erza said to her teammates. "You guys can go and collect your rewards for the dungeon. You're off until further notice."
The teammates who had fought alongside her in the dungeon nodded and dispersed, going about their business.
Only Orion remained.
"I'll be heading out too," Orion said to her.
Erza nodded and reminded him, "Be sure to upgrade your hunter ID at the Hunter Association before coming to the guild."
Orion nodded. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then." Waving goodbye, he left the hall.
Erza's expression turned solemn after Orion walked away. "Ray… He's definitely hiding something, and his strength? He's only showing a fraction of it. I'll have to tell my big sister about him," she muttered to herself.
She had been dungeon raiding with Orion for over two months, and throughout their adventures, she had never seen him falter. Every time he engaged in combat, it was evident that he was holding back. His attacks were executed with a deliberate restraint, as if he was participating in the raid more out of obligation than from a desire to fully exert his strength.
From her observations, she came to a clear conclusion: Ray's true goal was to align himself with a powerful guild to gain entry into Dallas Academy. The prestigious academy was notoriously exclusive, and admission often required the backing of a formidable power.
Given Ray's persistent inquiries about the academy's selection process and his noticeable lack of enthusiasm during battles, she deduced that his primary aim was to secure a guild's endorsement as a stepping stone to the academy.
This strategic maneuver, she realized, was the real motivation behind his seemingly casual involvement in the raids.
Shaking her head, Erza also left the hall.
---
After leaving the hall, Orion entered an even larger area filled with stalls and shops where people were busy buying and selling goods. It was more bustling than the previous hall.
Orion wasted no time and approached one of the stalls.
"Yo, Ruck!" he greeted the man behind the stall.
"Ray, it's you again! So, what treasures do you have to sell this time?" Ruck asked with a flattering smile.
Orion laid out all the treasures he had obtained from the poisonous dungeon.
"How about 20,000 UNI?" Ruck offered after inspecting the items.
Orion raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that too low? It should be around 30,000 UNI."
Ruck chuckled. "Hehe, you've haggled enough in the past. I've given you a fair price for everything."
Still unsatisfied, Orion countered, "How about 25,000 UNI? I won't sell for anything less."
Ruck frowned, his expression shifting several times before he finally replied, "22,000 UNI. That's my final offer."
"Deal." Orion smiled and accepted. "It's always a pleasure doing business with you."
"Heh," Ruck smirked at Orion's cheeky grin and tapped his watch, bringing up a holographic display. After a few taps, the transaction was complete.
"Done. I've transferred the money," Ruck confirmed.
Orion checked his watch and saw the notification. "Great, I'll be back someday." He waved goodbye and left the hall.
After leaving the shopping complex, Orion made his way towards the exit.
'Now that I have all the cores, I can finally upgrade to gold rank,' he thought while scanning his watch at the exit gate.
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The gate opened, and Orion exited the building. He walked in a certain direction before arriving at a parking lot. He approached his motorcycle, scanned it with his watch, and turned it on.
'Let's go.'
He sped through the bustling streets of Masturi City on his motorcycle, the roar of the engine blending with the hum of evening traffic. The cool wind whipped against his face, bringing with it the familiar scents of the city.
Above, the sky was painted in shades of crimson and gold, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the towering skyscrapers that lined the horizon like silent sentinels.
As he weaved through the crowded streets, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. The vibrant cityscape, with its neon lights and distant chatter, took him back to days long past. He could almost see his younger self riding home from college, feeling that same sense of freedom and quiet contentment.
The memories brought a bittersweet smile to his lips, a reminder of simpler times when the future felt full of endless possibilities.
'This sure brings back a lot of memories.'
Orion sighed as he continued driving, the bustling streets gradually giving way to quieter, less crowded roads.
After half an hour of navigating through the city, the noise and chaos of Masturi City began to fade into the background. The towering skyscrapers dwindled, replaced by smaller, more serene buildings.
After a few more turns, he reached his destination: his home. It was a modest villa tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood. Though not grand enough to be called a true villa, its sleek, futuristic design gave it an air of sophistication.
The clean lines, smooth surfaces, and minimalist architecture set it apart from the more traditional houses nearby. Under the soft evening light, the exterior glowed faintly, reflecting Orion's taste for both elegance and simplicity.
Orion parked his motorcycle and entered his house.
At that moment, Orion's watch vibrated. He glanced at it and noted the notification.
'I see, my flying bike has been repaired.'
He felt a bit embarrassed remembering how he had crashed it into a building out of sheer excitement while flying at high speed—right after buying it and flying for only an hour.
'I'll pick it up tomorrow.'
Orion then headed to his room, changed into casual clothes, and went to his training room.
'Status.'
---
[Name: Orion Darkwood]
[Rank: Silver]
[Divine Ability: Transformation]
[Talent: Copy Curse - 30%]
[Sub Abilities: Burst Mode, Curse Transformation, Curse Synthesis]
[Curses: Corrosive Blood, Rotting Flesh, Stormcaller, Uncontrolled Flight, Withering Touch, Fading Light, Unseen Chains, Fading Memories, Reflective Pain, Blinding Speed, Corrupted Terrain, Chaotic Energy]
[Strength: 100]
[Stamina: 100]
[Agility: 100]
[Perception: 100]
[Constitution: 100]
[Mana: Nil]
[Skills: Nil]
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