After undergoing the Hunter Qualification Test, Gabriel heads to the receptionist to relay his passing.
"Hello, Mr. Gabriel, how was your test?" the receptionist asks.
"Passed," Gabriel says. "I was told to come here to receive my Hunter ID."
"It's already in process," the receptionist replies. "While you wait, please take your personalized Hunter Phone."
The receptionist opens a drawer and retrieves a slick phone with a black case featuring the UHO logo.
"That right there is a UHO-issued phone for all hunters in Celestria," she explains. "It's connected to a network exclusively for hunters. You can get acquainted with other hunters, trade information, or call for reinforcement or rescue in dangerous hunting situations. But its most important functions are the LAN, SAN, and GAN."
"LAN stands for Local Alert Necessity. It's a city-wide alert system. If a LAN is sent out, it usually means the danger level is at least F-Rank up to D-Rank."
"SAN stands for State Alert Necessity, a region-wide alert system. If a SAN is sent out, it usually means the danger level is at least C-Rank up to A-Rank."
"GAN stands for Global Alert Necessity, a global alert system. I tell this to a lot of C-Rank hunters and above: you do not want to see a GAN notification on your phone. It means the danger level is at least Peak A-Rank up to SSS-Rank. In fact, only some C-Rank hunters and above can receive a GAN because they can at least fight without dying instantly."
"Only five GANs have been announced by the UHO, and those five GANs were calamitous to Celestria, destroying tens of cities and millions of lives."
"Luckily, thanks to the collective effort of our strongest hunters and the sacrifice of thousands, we were able to survive annihilation."
The receptionist hands the Hunter Phone along with the Hunter ID to Gabriel, then gives him instructions. "First of all, do not try engaging in illegal activities on the hunter network, as the UHO can easily track you down."
"Second, don't do any stupid stuff on the network, such as spreading profanity or fake information. Not only might it get you banned or suspended, but depending on how severe or stupid it is, there might be punishments directly from the UHO themselves."
"Thirdly, try not to lose the phone, as it will cost you about 100,000 Points."
"Fourth... do you understand?"
Gabriel quickly jots down the instructions in his mind before nodding at the receptionist. "I understand."
"Good," the receptionist says with a warm expression. "I hope you enjoy your future endeavors as a Hunter."
"If you need anything, you can either ask on the Hunter Network or come here and inquire with me."
"Very well," Gabriel says, nodding before leaving the building.
Outside....
Gabriel opens the phone and registers his Hunter ID, creating an account on the Hunter Network.
"Huh... I have 150,000 Points in my account," Gabriel says in confusion. "Maybe it's a reward for becoming a C-Rank hunter..."
Celestria has two currencies: Celeste and Points.
Celeste, similar to Earth's dollars, is mainly used by common people, or rather, those who aren't awakened as Hunters.
Points are a digital-based currency used by hunters, gained from hunting.
Between the two forms of currency, Points are the higher form, used for special items or materials from the 'Gates,' while Celeste is used for ordinary materials.
Therefore, for an ordinary person to use Points, they must undergo a currency exchange, where 50 Celeste equals 1 Point.
By having 150,000 Points from the get-go, Gabriel has effectively become a millionaire... in Celeste, of course.
"With this kind of money, I need to focus on buying supplies, equipment, and lodging before heading out to hunt," Gabriel says.
["There's a General Store inside the UHO branch building."]
["You can buy your supplies and equipment there."]
"....And how did you know that, Guide?" Gabriel asks in curiosity.
["I connected myself to the Hunter Network."]
["Now I know most of what this world has to offer."]
"Isn't the Hunter Network protected by the AI we met a few minutes ago, Aura?" Gabriel asks.
["This....Aura...is merely an AI with considerable sentience and computing power."]
["I am the Guide. There is no AI or any entity in the vast Omniverse that can match my knowledge."]
"But apparently you don't know Earth?" Gabriel says with an ironic tone.
["...."]
"Nothing to say?" Gabriel says with a mischievous smile on his face.
["....When I finally obtain the knowledge of this.....'Earth'.....I will rub it in your face so hard that the fire the friction creates will be as strong as the flame that you wield."]
Gabriel laughs and jokes with Guide a few more times before re-entering the UHO building, heading to the General Store.
General Store
"Ooooh, there are a lot of weapons and armor here," Gabriel says. "I better control myself from spending too much than what I need."
Gabriel checks out the weapons and armors one by one.
"What about this one, Guide?" Gabriel asks as he holds a halberd with a red handle.
["Did you forget that you're on a Mage-type build?"]
"I know I'm doing the Mage route... but you know... maybe if I get caught up in close-quarters combat, I might need a physical weapon to defend myself," Gabriel says with a persuading tone.
["From the spells you've currently mastered, if an enemy gets in close distance with you, it's either because the enemy is significantly stronger, or it's because you're stupid."]
"Then what do you want me to get?" Gabriel asks.
["The black fingerless gloves on the third shelf of the weapon aisle."]
["The black trench coat on the seventh shelf of the armor aisle."]
["Finally, the white mask on the fifth shelf of the miscellaneous aisle."]
"What are those three for?" Gabriel asks.
["The gloves are made from the skin of a 'Fey,' a legendary creature that has a terrifying innate affinity with magic."]
["I don't know how such an item appeared here, as a 'Fey' doesn't even exist in the Myriad Web of Worlds, but lo and behold."]
["When casting a spell, it will increase its effectiveness by at least 25% up to 50%."]
["It will also speed up your casting by 20%."]
"Don't I have silent casting?" Gabriel asks in confusion.
["You really are stupid.....albeit for now."]
"Hey!.....Well, at least you said 'for now,'" Gabriel says. "Just spit it out."
["Silent Casting is done based on conscious thought."]
["Due to the 'Fey's terrifying affinity with magic, their casting is higher than conscious thought, reaching the level of instinct."]
"Ahhhh... I get it," Gabriel says. "Instinct is generally faster than conscious thought, and with the gloves made from the skin of a 'Fey,' which can cast at the same speed as instinct, I can cast faster with both Silent Casting and the gloves."
[".....Well, at least you're not as stupid as I expected."]
"I'll take that as a compliment," Gabriel says with a cheerful smile.
"What about the black trench coat?" Gabriel asks.
["It's made from the hide of a Harikkon, a creature that has great resistance against both physical and magical attacks."]
".....Compared to the gloves.....not bad," Gabriel says. "What about the mask?"
["It's just a mask."]
"What do you mean it's just a mask?" Gabriel asks. "Does it have any special effects or something?"
["No, it's just a mask in case you want to go low-profile."]
"You think they can't cast a spell to reveal my face?" Gabriel asks.
["No, it's just that there's no mask here with a concealing effect."]
"...just forget it." Gabriel says. "I don't plan on using a mask."
["I thought you were a cautious person?"]
"I am, but I like to be known when I do something significant or memorable,"
Gabriel says. "Though i don't plan to be low-key, it doesn't prevent me from being cautious."
["....Very well."]
"Is there anything else you want me to buy?" Gabriel asks.
["That is all."]
"Okay then, let's head over to the cashier to check out then," Gabriel says.
Gabriel heads over to the counter and sees that there's a long line. He joins the line and waits for a few minutes until it's his turn.
"Hello, what can I do for you today?" the cashier asks.
Gabriel shows her the items he plans on buying. "I'm here to buy thes—"
"Hey you!!! Get out the line!!"
End of Chapter