Scene – Yatrans’ Room (Guild)

Yatrans was sitting on his bed, while Zil slept comfortably beside him. His eyes were fixed on his tablet, observing Tusu secretly through his nano-spiders.

Scene – Secret Room (Tusu’s side)
Inside a quiet room, Tusu stood with four companions. A large map was spread across the table, with the five of them standing around it.

Tusu (serious tone):
"Let’s go through the plan one last time. Just two more days, then we’ll execute. This is the island where the Cosolor Pin Ball is located. How’s the preparation coming along?"

Jiji:
"We have 30 members ready—ranging from C, B, and A-rank adventurers—and the five of us as AA-rank."

Miya:
"Healing potions and other necessary antidotes have been secured."

Mura:
"All weapons are prepared, and every member has been thoroughly briefed."

Sogi:
"Food supplies, flight magic for travel, and the Magic Suppression Ball to contain the Cosolor Pin Ball are also ready."

Tusu:
"So in short… we’re ready?"

Everyone (seriously):
"Yes, sir!"

Tusu (satisfied):
"Good. Then before departure, get as much training and rest as possible."

Scene – Back in Yatrans’ Room
Yatrans (thinking to himself, a sharp grin on his face):
"Good thing I never removed my nano-spiders from there. Just two more days… hehehe. Oh, speaking of training, if I’m heading to that island, Zil will obviously come with me. But… how powerful is she, really? She’s a rare beast, sure, but what about her actual strength? Tomorrow, I’ll test her in the jungle. The best thing though—she actually understands my language. Earth’s animals couldn’t do that. Tomorrow it’s training for both her and me. After all, this time I’ll be facing 30 enemies of C, B, A rank… and four AA ranks."

Scene – Next Morning (Yatrans’ Room)
Yatrans felt something soft brushing against his face. It was Zil’s fluffy tail, nudging him awake.

Zil: “Ku ku ku!”

Yatrans (suddenly sitting up, shouting):
"Ahhh! That tickles!"

He rubbed his eyes, smiling.
"Good morning, Zil."

Zil: “Ku…”

Scene – Guild Lobby
Yatrans descended into the guild hall.

Yatrans:
"Good morning, guys!"

Everyone:
"Good morning, Yatrans!"

Yatrans (thinking):
"I know everyone here. They’re my friends, my comrades."

Suddenly, Suzu’s sharp voice rang out.

Suzu (yelling):
"Yatrans…!"

Yatrans (half-asleep expression):
"What? Why are you shouting this early…?"

Suzu (sternly):
"It seems you’re about to get kicked out of the guild!"

Yatrans (confused):
"Huh? What do you mean?"

Suzu (showing a report):
"You haven’t completed a mission in four days. Every rank has its quota. Even if you’re C-rank, you’re no exception. F-rank must do one mission every day. E-rank every two days. D-rank every three days. C-rank at least once a week. B-rank twice every two weeks. A-rank once every two weeks. AA-rank twice a month. AAA once a month. S-rank once every two months. SS every five months. And SSS at least three times a year. You can do more if you like, but you must meet the minimum."

Yatrans:
"Ah… I see. But I still have some time—"

Suzu:
"And what, you’ll wait until the last second?"

Yatrans (sighs):
"Okay, okay… I’ll take one now."

Scene – Mission Board
Yatrans browsed through the posted quests and picked one.

Yatrans:
"I’ll take this mission."

He handed the request slip to Suzu. She checked it.

Suzu:
"D-rank mission. A swarm of string monsters in the jungle has been destroying grass and leaves, disrupting the food chain. It’s a simple solo mission. You can handle it alone."

Yatrans (thinking):
"Exactly why I chose it—perfect for testing Zil."

Yatrans:
"Okay then, I’m off."

Zil followed closely behind.

Scene – Jungle
Yatrans and Zil walked into the dense forest.

Yatrans:
"If only you could shrink down, I’d carry you on my shoulder."

Zil (tilts head right):
"Ku."

Yatrans:
"Alright, alright."

Ahead, a swarm of string monsters came into view. They resembled oversized brown caterpillars—thin and long. Dozens of them were crawling over grass and tree leaves.

Hiding behind trees, Yatrans gave Zil a nod.

Yatrans:
"Okay, Zil, show me what you’ve got."

Zil (seriously):
"Ku."

She darted out, raising her tails into the air. From them, tiny black orbs—like marbles—shot forth, exploding upon impact. Trees shattered, grass withered, and monsters fell instantly.

Yatrans (wide-eyed):
"Whoa…"

Zil (grinning):
"Kukuku!"

Then she formed a wind ball in her mouth and unleashed it. A massive blast ripped through the swarm, scattering trees and shredding monsters into pieces.

A few survivors attempted to counterattack with web strings, but Zil sliced them apart effortlessly with her fangs. Her fur bristled sharply, and with a shake, she launched needle-like hairs in all directions, killing the rest instantly.

Some stray hairs flew toward Yatrans, but he quickly raised his shield.

Yatrans (trembling):
"T-that was too close!"

When the last monster fell, Zil turned proudly toward Yatrans.

Zil (happily):
"Ku! Ku!" (How did I do?)

Yatrans (smiling):
"You’re incredibly strong, Zil. That was just a D-rank mission, but you handled it like nothing. Very good… I think tomorrow you’ll be a huge help."

Scene – City Gates
On their way back, Yatrans checked in at the city gate.

Yatrans:
"Yo, guys!"

Futu & Jie:
"Yo, Yatrans!"

Futu:
"Mission complete?"

Yatrans:
"Yep. Thanks to Zil, it was over in no time."

Zil (smirking):
"Ku!"

Jie:
"By the way, starting tomorrow, the entry system changes."

Yatrans (confused):
"Huh? What do you mean?"

Jie:
"Before, showing your ID card or birth card was enough. Now you must pay one bronze coin for entry. No other currency is allowed."

Yatrans:
"Why the change? And I can’t use other countries’ currency?"

Jie:
"Nope. Only bronze coins. As for why—the kings and queens from all nations decided it in the last meeting. It applies everywhere, not just this country."

Yatrans:
"I see… I’ll remember that. But right now, I don’t have a single coin on me."

Futu:
"For today, you can still use your card. The rule starts tomorrow."

Yatrans:
"Got it. Thanks for the heads up."

He showed his card and entered the city with Zil at his side.