Infinite Mana In The Oasis

"Most people know them as Hexers."

Eren raised his eyebrows as he processed the information Mia had provided him. He frowned and looked at the coin he was tossing before clenching it in his fist. Mia saw Eren's expressions and added up.

"Don't get me wrong, Eren. Hexers are not weak per se. They once held the same position as the elite rankers in the past when various kingdoms used them to serve their cause during their wars.

But they are not as strong as they used to be in the past. Or the legend about them was hyped up from the start.

Of course, these rankers are very tight-lipped about everything they do. So they won't tell you about themselves even if you meet them. In addition, kingdoms like to keep certain details about their origins a secret. Information about the founding members and their previous history is becoming more difficult to get. The majority of which are hoaxes.

Still, if you want to learn more, I'm sure you can find the general information about them stored in the guild's library. It shouldn't cost you much either."

Mia concluded and gave Eren a direction to follow when looking for answers related to the coin. Eren thanked Mia for the same before continuing to eat his roasted rabbit. Mia smiled at him and nodded before keeping her night watch while having her dinner as well.

The trio got up early the next morning and started systematically hunting mammoths. They targeted lone mammoths that were away from their hordes and isolated them before initiating their hunt.

Reece was finally able to perform the way she was supposed to. She surprised Eren with her battle awareness and performance. Then he remembered that she had been a ranker for a longer time than him. The temporary slump didn't define her as a ranker.

***

"How was your first mission, Eren?"

Miranda asked after she saw him with Reece at the guild's counter. They had just deposited the mission-related drop at the guild's facilities and had been paid 10 Rank 1 Mana Quartz each for their mission.

Miranda was busy reading a scroll when they met. She was leaving for another mission, and her regular team was waiting for her not far away.

"I had some difficulties. But I managed."

Eren said while greeting Miranda with a nod and smile. He thought for a moment and looked around before asking her about voice communication.

'Captain, do you know any place where I can sell off the stuff not related to the mission?'

Miranda was shocked a bit before nodding at him.

'I do. Black markets. I'll give you the location.'

Every ranker had their secrets to keep. They couldn't allow themselves to be exploited by the system all the time. Every ranker had to deal with black markets in one way or another. So she wasn't taken aback by the question itself. It was just that she wasn't expecting Eren to deal with black markets within just two days of entering Gilaahan.

Eren had asked the same question to Reece as well. However, she didn't know anything about it. He figured Miranda was his next safe bet to ask this question

Eren got the location of the guy Miranda trusted and decided to visit him later on. He needed to sell off some of the stuff he had on him from the underground space. However, at this point, he had more significant things to learn.

"Cap, where can I get access to the guild's library?"

Miranda chuckled a bit before replying to him.

"The library is the third building to the left from here. You can visit that place to either read the book there or you can ask them to give you screen access.

Just get library access from the counter and they'll add a necessary rune to your Identity tattoo. Then select the topic or books from the counter's menu you want to read about. Pay the appropriate price for the material. And et voila. You can access the book anytime, anywhere"

Miranda said while reading through some information in the scroll she had stretched in front of her with both her hands. She then closed the scroll and kept it in her storage before adding up.

"Eren, I'll wait another week for you to get used to Gilaahaan. I'm talking about a week on Earth. By then you'd have plenty of experience under your belt.

I'll then have to ask you to complete your mandatory team missions with us as per the contract. Don't worry. They won't be anything dangerous. However, I'd like you to prepare in advance."

Eren replied simply, "I understand," before bidding her goodbye. He then followed her directions and found the library.

"Hello. I'd like to use the library facility on my spectral screen."

Eren addressed a lady ranker in her 40s sitting by the library's desk. The latter just nodded and asked him to place his hand with an Identity tattoo on a portable stone platform with runic signs on it. As a result, another rune was added to the intricate design of the Identity tattoo.

"Access your spectral screen and select the topic of your choice."

Eren soon found a general-purpose book that had the information he was looking for. It cost him 40 RANK 1 Mana Quartz, which was expensive even by his newly defined standards.

Eren sighed and paid the price. It was better to obtain some information from kingdom-sanctioned channels. This was one of them.

Eren decided to use the guild's lodging facility. Of course, he'd have to pay for that too. However, it was relatively cheaper than staying at an inn– 1 Mana Quartz per day. Meaning he could live for 10 days straight with his first mission completion award alone.

Eren could use the same room he had woken up into after he paid the price. Gilaahan did not experience accommodation problems like back on Earth. The room he was assigned would remain his room until his arrangement with the guild changed. He just had to pay the price for using it.

Reece accompanied Miranda since she had all the experience she needed to take on the missions. Plus, she was eager to get back on track. Eren had already reached the fourth stage of the Meta ranking.

Reece needed to step up her game.