There was a special teleportation formation that challengers of the special quest could use to arrive at an area close to the lord dungeon instantly.


    Shockingly, as Shye materialized at the said teleportation formation, four seemingly stern and aloof guards formally greeted him.


    It was as if they were instructed to show respect to everyone who entered the sacred area through the teleportation formation, regardless of whether the person was famous or just some random delusional individual.


    Well, it was somewhat understandable, though, as one would already be worthy of respect just for daring to ept it.


    After all, it was a quest that would spell one''s doom as an adventurer should one fail toplete it.


    If they chose to stay alive and escape, their adventurer licenses would be revoked for the reason of damaging a perfect hero candidate trial quest.


    The World Adventurer Association, ruthless as it may seem, aimed to maintain the quality of Valenzia''s heroes on par with those from other regions.


    The courage to dare and take on such a difficult quest with severe repercussions of failing was also a part of the hero candidate''s test.


    After all, if a so-called "hero" didn''t even have the guts to ept a potentially life- or career-ending quest, then how could they be the pirs needed to protect an entire region?


    The special quest appeared to be just one of three requirements to be a hero candidate.


    However, it was actually the sole requirement, as only those who could win the Valenzia Rookie Adventurer Competition and earn the highest number of guild contribution points as a first-year rookie would be skilled enough to have a chance toplete the special quest IF they have the guts to even take on the quest, that is.


    This is why, despite being posted in all guild headquarters in Valenzia, the quest had very few challengers.


    And since Shye was one of the few madmen who dared try, his courage alone was worthy of respect.


    …After a rather formal greeting, the guards led Shye towards the dungeon''s entrance where two more guards waited for him.


    "Shye Crowley, correct? We have been informed of your arrival in advance."


    "Correct, I''m Shye Crowley, and I want to attempt to clear this dungeon."


    "Hahaha! I like your courage,d! I can see your potential as a hero. Well then, I shall not dy you any further and exin thepletion requirements."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Completion requirements? I thought that all I needed to do was kill the lord monster and clear the dungeon?"


    "Ahh, yes, that''s what was written on the surface to scare off the wusses. The region doesn''t need an unreliable hero, after all. However, worry not as there are actually three levels ofpletion."


    "You can consider yourself to have cleared the dungeon if you achieve any of the three levels."


    "ying two of the lord monster''s generals would earn a one-starpletion. Killing all four generals would achieve a two-starpletion while defeating all four generals and the lord monster was necessary for a three-starpletion."


    The chief of the guards stationed at the entrance of the dungeon patiently exined, slightly easing the serious expression on Shye''s face.


    ''Hoh, so the risk wasn''t as huge as everyone thought…''


    "I see, thanks for exining, chief. However, may I know the difference between the three levels ofpletion?"


    "Hmm…since you''re serious about being our region''s hero, I exin. After bing a hero candidate, you will still need toplete a series of quests that would be given to you by the World Adventurer Association."


    "To be exact, if youplete this special quest with a one-starpletion, you will be given three more quests toplete. If you somehow manage to achieve a two-starpletion, then you only need to do two more quests to be officially appointed as one of the region''s seven heroes. Though, you would be the first of the seven should you be sessful in your endeavors."


    Since the guard chief seemed to have been sidetracked by his own exnation, Shye had to confirm thest level ofpletion.


    "I see. What about achieving a three-starpletion? I will only be assigned one more quest after that, I assume?"


    "Oh, right, I apologize for not finishing my exnation. No, you won''t be assigned any more quests. Achieving a three-starpletion, despite the quest''s age restrictions, would already prove your worth as an individual."


    "Then does that me–"


    "HOWEVER! You will also not be directly appointed as a hero since a hero must be aged twenty-four and above."


    Hearing the chief''s exnation, Shye was confused.


    He appreciated the fact that there was no need for him toplete supplementary quests should he somehow achieve a three-starpletion.


    However, he simply couldn''t understand why a hero had to be twenty-four years old and above.


    "You''re confused, aren''t you? The reason is that one can''t be called a true hero without a hero crest. However, the crest cannot be engraved on anyone under twenty-four years old because its power is overwhelming and could be fatal for anyone aged twenty-three or younger."


    "Oh, I see, then what would happen should I manage to achieve a three-starpletion?"


    "..."


    For a while, silence ensued as the chief of guards couldn''t help but gaze at Shye''s eyes.


    "HAHAHAHA! It seems that I was right about you, Shye Crowley! Your eyes…You''re truly gunning for a three-starpletion, aren''t you?"


    "W-Well, yes. It would be far more efficient for me to do it that way as I wouldn''t have toplete supplementary quests from the WAA…"


    "HAHAHAHA! Fine, I shall be cheering for your sess, Crowley. Also, to answer your question, you will be temporarily appointed as a ''champion.'' As for what a champion is, someone from the WAA will exin it to you if youplete the special quest with flying colors."


    "I see, thank you for your patient exnation, chief."


    "So, will you be going in now?"


    "Yes."


    "Great! Well then, Shye Crowley, best of luck to you!"