When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 81 Special Promotion

Adventurer ranks are divided into five levels:

Copper

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Master

All adventurers start at the Copper level, and the majority end their careers without ever reaching the Gold rank. To advance to a higher rank, adventurers must complete numerous quests and pass the notoriously difficult promotion exams.

Therefore, the higher the rank, the fewer the number of adventurers, making the ranks progressively narrower. It’s said that the number of Master-level adventurers is so small that you could count them on the fingers of both hands.

The barrier to “promotion” in the adventurer world is that high.

However, occasionally, those who achieve remarkable feats may receive a “Special Promotion.”

Could it be that we are those who are receiving a special promotion?

Since Dia also looked surprised, it’s likely she wasn’t aware of this either.

“From the current Copper rank, you’re being promoted directly to Gold. Congratulations to both of you.”

““……“”

Dia and I were left speechless.

Not only was the special promotion astonishing, but being promoted directly to Gold was even more surprising.

Could this be a mistake?

“Why are we receiving a special promotion? And why are we being promoted two ranks at once…?”

The situation felt so dreamlike that I couldn’t help but ask the Guild Master.

Gibeon looked slightly puzzled and tilted his head a bit.

“Hm? Is something wrong?”

“N-no. It’s a wonderful surprise, but I’m just curious about why it’s happening…”

I was genuinely curious.

Advancing ranks in the adventurer world isn’t something that should be done lightly. Ranks are crucial indicators when the guild assigns quests. A wrong judgment here not only increases the risk of quest failure but also directly affects the guild’s credibility.

I’m not saying that the Guild Master’s judgment is wrong, but…

“Hmm, it seems you don’t quite understand the gravity of what you’ve done. Well, it’s not surprising. You’ve only been an adventurer for about a year, after all.”

That’s true.

I’ve only been an adventurer for about a month.

I’m still a novice.

My experience and knowledge as an adventurer are practically nonexistent.

So, despite feeling a bit out of place, I decided to confirm with the Guild Master.

“Was the adventurer abduction really such a serious incident?”

Hearing that, Gibeon shook his head.

“No, that’s not the point. Sure, saving thirty adventurers is a significant achievement. In a nutshell, that’s what got you promoted to Silver. But the major factor in promoting you both to Gold is…”

After a brief pause, Gibeon continued.

“…The destruction of the ‘Onyx Legion.’”

“Legion…?”

The image of that terrifying horde of demons came to my mind.

The numerous demons I encountered.

The ones who came to steal Citrine and those who waited at Obsidian Mountain.

All those demons together are called the ‘Onyx Legion,’ and destroying them must have been a major factor in this promotion.

“You, boy, let me ask you again. Is it true that you single-handedly defeated a demon with this artifact?”

“—!”

Suddenly, Gibeon pulled out a large sword from beneath the desk.

It was a pitch-black blade, as if it had been coated in ink.

That must be the Onyx artifact.

I had wondered what had happened to it, but I hadn’t expected it to be brought here.

Perhaps an adventurer had brought it back as evidence.

Artifacts disappear when their owner does.

There’s a slight delay before they vanish, so this artifact would likely dissolve into nothingness in a few days.

“So, what’s your answer, boy?”

“…”

Faced with Gibeon’s question, I felt a mix of emotions as I replied.

“Well, it wasn’t exactly just me. I had Citrine’s help to finally defeat Onyx.”

“Even so, it’s essentially as if you defeated Onyx alone. That demon only had healing abilities. That’s enough understanding for me.”

Gibeon took out a book from his pocket and continued, while examining it.

“The demon you defeated was named Onyx. Based on the characteristics of the artifact, it’s definitely one of the surviving high-ranking members of the Demon King’s army… one of the ‘Seven Great Demons.’”

“Wait, how can you be so sure?”

“Onyx himself said that, but only Citrine and I heard it.

Moreover, there’s also the possibility that those words were lies.

What’s Gibeon’s basis for claiming this so definitively?”

Gibeon then held up the book he was holding in a showy manner.

“The records from the great war with the Demon King’s army… The End of Days Eclipse. Some adventurers from that time left behind information, though not in abundance. They recorded things like the characteristics of the Seven Great Demons and the names of their artifacts. Of course, it’s not comprehensive, and there’s some false information mixed in.”

Records from the End of Days Eclipse.

I had no idea such records existed.

The stories from that time are generally only rumors in the public.

It seems that due to the risk of spreading false information, the guild keeps this information limited to certain members.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to learn more, but I’ll try to ask later.

“Among those records, there is a record of an identical artifact. It’s almost certain that the demon you fought, Onyx, is a surviving high-ranking member of the Demon King’s army. Even if not, defeating a demon with such a formidable artifact is still a significant achievement.”

Gibeon then turned his gaze towards Citrine.

“Additionally, the girl with the shield defeated a vicious demon who was the deputy commander of the Onyx Legion all by herself. And she did so while protecting thirty adventurers. It’s a universally acknowledged great accomplishment.”

“…”

Dia blushed slightly, looking down modestly.

While I’m surprised by my promotion, Dia has indeed achieved enough to warrant a promotion to Gold.

She has the skills and talents to match the rank.

…Though, I might be showing a bit of favoritism toward Dia recently.

“You two destroyed what would have been a vastly expanding faction, the Onyx Legion, with just the two of you. Keeping such talent at the lowest rank, Copper, would be a crime. That’s why the special promotion. Do you understand now?”

The Onyx Legion, which was supposed to expand into a massive force.

Was the Onyx Legion that dangerous?

Thinking back, the number of demons was not just ten or twenty, and they all had artifacts with considerable properties.

If the destruction of the Onyx Legion had been delayed even a little, it might have become uncontrollable.

Given this, the response seems appropriate.

“By the way, it’s customary to announce a special promotion if the person involved agrees. Announcing it could lead to greater future opportunities, but it might also create enemies. If you prefer to stay out of the spotlight, you can choose to keep it private. What will you do?”

Announcement of the special promotion.

I’ve heard about this a few times.

Specially promoted individuals have their achievements and names publicized within the adventurer community.

I learned about Ruby’s special promotion because it was publicly announced.

I suddenly recalled the piercing gazes I received when I entered the guild headquarters.

“Do some people already know about this?”

“Hmm? You mean the special promotion?”

I nodded in understanding.

The many gazes I felt when I entered the guild headquarters.

I wondered what was going on, but perhaps people were looking at Dia and me because they already knew about the special promotion.

When I asked Gibeon about it, he shrugged.

“We haven’t said anything on our side. It’s probably just adventurers who were saved or witnesses to the incident spreading the word. They might be saying something like a Copper adventurer with a demon might get a special promotion. Having brought a demon into town, you’re bound to stand out.”

That seems quite plausible.

I had assumed that the special promotion had already been announced and that the adventurers in the guild were aware of it.

Oh, and speaking of which…

“I’m sorry for the delay, but thank you for taking care of Citrine’s matter. It seems you also informed the townspeople in a short time, which was a huge help.”

“No problem. I just figured it was smarter to make good use of that demon girl’s abilities rather than get rid of her. Still, convincing the adventurers who weren’t happy about it was quite a challenge.”

Gibeon’s face showed a wry smile, with his beard accentuating the expression.

Seeing him like this, it must have been quite a struggle for him.

“I’m really sorry for the trouble.”

As I finished thanking him at an awkward moment, the conversation shifted back to the special promotion.

“So, what will you two decide about the announcement?”

“…”

Dia and I exchanged uneasy glances and eventually nodded awkwardly.

The decision was clear.

“Um, we would prefer it if you kept it private.”

“I-I would prefer that too…”

“Alright, I understand. I figured you two would lean that way considering your personalities.”

Announcing the special promotion would indeed boost future opportunities.

When receiving requests from the guild, the receptionist will tailor requests to match one’s abilities, so it’s advantageous to showcase one’s strength.

However, this can also directly lead to making enemies.

In simple terms, it could make us targets of jealousy.

We might attract envious gazes from perennial low-level adventurers and face some form of harassment.

I’d dislike that. If it were just me, it might be bearable, but I can’t overlook if Dia also falls into that trap.

Well, it seems some people already know, so it’s only a matter of whether the news spreads sooner or later.

“Alright, that concludes the discussion about the special promotion. I’ve already informed the receptionist, so later you can exchange your adventurer’s guild book for a Gold rank one. Now, on to the main topic…”

“Huh?”

The main topic?

Wasn’t the discussion about the special promotion the main topic?

I had assumed that’s why we were called to the guild leader’s office.

As Dia and I tilted our heads in confusion, Gibeon showed a serious expression and began to speak earnestly.

“Considering your skills, the guild has a direct request for you. Could you go and destroy the ‘Altar of the Evil God’ located in the danger zone area?”