My performance at the Glacier Hole had shattered the Guild's preconceptions. The Guild Master, bound by the Guild Code to recognize efficiency and contribution, had no choice but to process my documentation. I was formally promoted to Rank C immediately, bypassing Rank D entirely. This promotion granted me access to higher-tier mission boards, the full Hunter Library, and, most crucially, the Rank C Market—a specialized exchange where powerful, uncommonRare and even discarded Epic cards sometimes surfaced.
I wasn't looking for power; I was looking for refinement and utility. My Rare Gauntlet was already a powerhouse of kinetic force and defense, but it needed subtle, non-combat cards to maximize tactical efficiency.
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I spent hours studying the market data, ignoring the flashy fire and lightning spells favored by aggressive hunters. I prioritized cards that provided control, evasion, and misdirection, leveraging the speed I gained from my Monkey Paradise clear.
My first choice was Shadow Step (Rare, Shadow/Movement). This card grants a momentary burst of high-speed movement, allowing the user to bypass line-of-sight obstacles or close large distances instantly. It is excellent for surprise attacks or rapid retreat. This perfectly complements my kinetic speed, turning me from a fast runner into an unpredictable blur. It is essential for escaping encounters with higher-rank hunters or infiltrating secure locations.
Next was Silent Form (Rare, Void/Utility). This card temporarily dampens all noise created by the user's movements and gear, making the user effectively silent. It also slightly muffles the resonance of artifacts. This is crucial for Infiltration and Espionage. My movements will be completely undetectable, allowing me to approach targets or eavesdrop in places like the Guild Workshop or the smuggling routes without detection.
Finally, I selected Echo Rune (Common, Wind/Utility). This card creates a focused auditory illusion—a quick bang, a shout, or a falling object sound—up to 20 meters away from the user. This is a cheap, simple way to manipulate low-level guards or distract a powerful monster for a critical second, a necessary replacement for the consumed Sewer Rat Card.
These cards were not for killing. They were for control. I immediately absorbed the Silent Form and Shadow Step essences into my gauntlet, stabilizing their complex properties with the pure, dominant energy of the Polaris Ursus and Plated Gorgon essences. The Echo Rune was simply added to my utility slot.
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Juts, still firmly at Rank E, needed skills that offered immediate survival and reliable support, compensating for his lower artifact grade. I didn't want him to be a liability, nor did I want him to develop skills that would make him suspicious.
I guided him toward low-cost, common cards that would make him a competent support hunter in the eyes of the Guild, ensuring his development fit the predictable Rank E profile.
First, the Thorn Whip (Common, Plant/Combat). This creates a short-range, flexible thorny vine capable of binding or dealing minor piercing damage. It gives Juts a ranged capability and a simple way to immobilize minor pests without relying on direct engagement. It's a classic, non-threatening low-rank ability.
Second, the Hardened Scale (Common, Earth/Defense). This creates a small, localized shield on the user's forearm, capable of stopping one low-caliber projectile or basic physical attack. This is a survival card, a simple, necessary defense that maximizes his resilience in the inevitable close-calls of a Rank E hunter.
Finally, Lesser Heal (Common, Light/Utility). A basic application of Light essence that can quickly close minor cuts and stop superficial bleeding. This makes Juts valuable to any team he joins (and to me, in an emergency). It solidifies his image as a reliable, useful support hunter who focuses on team viability, not individual glory.
I purchased the cards for Juts with the remnants of my Guild Scrip, presenting it as a 'gift' to help him climb the ranks. He accepted them with quiet gratitude, the lingering suspicion in his eyes momentarily softened by the gesture.
My arsenal was now complete: Kinetic Force for offense, Ice Plating for defense, Shadow Step/Silent Form for tactical maneuvering, and Juts as my reliable, controlled support.
The next step: exploiting my new Rank C status to access the Guild's most critical information assets. I had confirmed the enemy (Commander Salazar), the structure (the 48-hour farm), and the weakness (the Guild Master's smuggling). Now, I would prepare to strike at the heart of Vigan.