Chapter 20: Registered Explorer
Morning descended upon Ormolio slowly.
Golden sunlight spread across the enormous city walls, and the streets below filled with movement again. Merchants opened shops one after another. Explorers walked through crowded roads with weapons over their shoulders. Carriages rolled across the stone pathways that connected the markets, guild districts, and noble roads.
Amid all of that movement, Atlas remained unnoticed.
Exactly as he wanted.
The black attire he had purchased yesterday fit better than his old clothes ever had. It was not luxurious, but the dark fabric made his figure look sharper and calmer in the crowd. The hooded cloak covered most of his face, hiding his features beneath shadow whenever sunlight shifted across the street.
His scar remained partially hidden.
Only parts of his face appeared from time to time.
A few passing women glanced at him briefly. One even slowed her steps for a moment before continuing. Atlas did not notice them properly. Or if he did, he ignored it. The increase in Spirit had refined his appearance more than he understood. His features looked sharper than before, his skin cleaner, and his eyes carried a calmness that did not fit an ordinary commoner.
His movements had changed too.
Silent.
Controlled.
Careful.
Like someone constantly restraining himself.
Atlas cared about none of that right now.
His attention remained fixed on the large building ahead.
The Ruin Explorer Guild.
The massive golden insignia above the entrance reflected the morning sunlight, and Explorers moved in and out through the enormous double doors. Some looked prepared for missions. Others looked like they had just returned from one. The Guild did not sleep fully, but morning made it more organized than the night before.
Atlas stepped inside quietly.
Noise filled his ears at once.
Conversations.
Arguments.
Mission negotiations.
Laughter.
The Guild hall was already crowded despite the early hour. Large tables filled the center, and Explorers wearing different armor, cloaks, and insignias occupied most of the space. Some carried monster materials. Others carried relic fragments. A few drank alcohol as if the hour did not matter.
Atlas observed everything while walking deeper inside.
Carefully.
Calmly.
This place contained information.
And information mattered more than strength right now.
The receptionist from yesterday noticed him approaching.
The same bright smile appeared on her face.
"You returned, sir."
Atlas stopped before the counter and nodded once beneath the hood.
"I want to register."
The receptionist blinked slightly, then quickly pulled several papers from beneath the desk.
"Of course, Registration for new Explorers is simple as long as you are not affiliated with any criminal organizations or under noble restrictions."
Atlas accepted the papers.
Most of the questions were basic.
Name - Atlas "Crosswood"
Origin.
Combat specialization.
His gaze lingered on the origin section.
Then he wrote calmly.
Ormolio Outer Slums.
No hesitation.
Hiding everything would only create suspicion. Sometimes the best lie was not a lie at all, but a piece of truth mixed with the lie. He was from the outer slums, so that could be checked. That part was safe.
The dangerous part was what happened after the Eternal Ruin.
That would remain buried.
Several minutes later, the receptionist handed him a small black metallic plate engraved with faint silver markings.
"Congratulations."
Her smile brightened slightly.
"You are officially a registered Explorer now."
Atlas took the plate quietly.
Explorer identification.
Simple.
Compact.
Useful.
And dangerous.
A record of his existence now existed within the Guild. His name, origin, and registration were written somewhere. Atlas disliked that. Records created trails. Trails could be followed. But without a Guild record, deeper ruin information would remain closed to him.
This was a necessary risk.
The receptionist continued.
"Currently, you qualify for entry into Veil-Class Ruins only."
Atlas’s eyes narrowed slightly beneath the hood.
"...Veil-Class?"
She nodded.
"Ruins are classified according to danger level, Spirit density, monster presence, relic potential, and instability."
She pointed toward a large board hanging across the hall.
"Veil-Class Ruins are the lowest category. They are usually abandoned structures with weak creatures or low-level relic remnants. Most beginner Explorers start there."
Her finger moved upward.
"After that comes Hollow-Class."
Then higher.
"Then Abyss-Class."
Then higher again.
"Then Cataclysm-Class."
Her expression shifted slightly before she continued.
"Then Divine-class and finally..."
She hesitated briefly.
"...Eternal-Class."
The atmosphere around the nearby Explorers changed subtly.
Atlas noticed it immediately.
The word carried weight.
Fear.
Respect.
Discomfort.
Even experienced Explorers did not treat Eternal-Class Ruins like normal danger. The reaction told Atlas more than the classification itself.
The receptionist quickly smiled awkwardly.
"Though almost no Explorers ever see an Eternal-Class Ruin in their entire lifetime."
Atlas remained silent.
His thoughts deepened.
Eternal-Class.
So the ruin he survived stood at the very peak of the public classification.
No wonder the Royal Family had used bait.
No wonder the black monster had been impossible for him.
The receptionist continued.
"If you wish to gather experience safely, I recommend entering small Veil-Class Ruins first. Most new Explorers form temporary parties for those."
Atlas nodded faintly and stepped away from the counter.
Almost immediately, a voice called toward him.
"Hey, rookie."
Atlas glanced sideways.
A group of Explorers sat near one of the nearby tables, observing him with casual interest. Their armor carried signs of field experience, and their Spirit fluctuations were present but not strong compared to the pressure he had felt from true elites.
One of them grinned.
"You joining a Veil-Class today?"
Another leaned back lazily.
"We’re missing one member for a small exploration run. Interested?"
Atlas paused briefly.
Then shook his head.
"...No."
The Explorers blinked.
One laughed.
"Scared or something?"
Atlas lowered his hood slightly further.
"...I’m weak."
His tone remained calm.
Completely casual.
"I won’t be entering ruins anytime soon."
A few nearby Explorers laughed quietly. Another clicked his tongue dismissively.
"Then why even join the Guild?"
Atlas answered without hesitation.
"For information."
That response visibly confused them.
Atlas did not explain.
He walked away before more questions could follow.
Weak.
Cowardly.
Average.
Those were safer identities than talented, mysterious, or ambitious.
Especially now.
Several minutes later, Atlas stood before another counter deeper inside the Guild hall where ruin entry permissions were handled. An older Guild employee glanced toward him lazily.
"Ruin entry request?"
Atlas nodded once.
"Lowest available Veil-Class."
The man raised a brow.
"...Didn’t you just say you were scared of monsters?"
Atlas answered without hesitation.
"I need money."
The employee stared at him for a moment.
Then snorted.
"Well...Fair enough."
He stamped several papers quickly, then handed one to Atlas.
"Temporary exploration permit."
Atlas accepted it calmly.
The paper contained the basic information for the assigned ruin.
Location.
Entry authorization.
Danger estimate.
Allowed duration.
Atlas folded the permit and stored it beneath his attire carefully.
Then he left the Guild without wasting another second.
Bright sunlight greeted him outside, and Ormolio’s streets continued overflowing with life. Merchants shouted prices. Explorers negotiated near material shops. Children ran recklessly through the crowd. Carriages moved between districts. Ordinary life continued around him, busy and loud.
Atlas’s thoughts remained elsewhere.
Information.
Continents.
Relics.
Spirit.
Power.
Every answer he gained only revealed how little he knew. That realization made him cautious. Very cautious. He had survived the Eternal Ruin, but survival did not mean understanding. He had gained Spirit, but he did not know how Spirit truly worked. He carried the Codex, but he still did not understand what kind of existence it was.
His fingers brushed against his chest faintly.
Warmth remained there.
Silent.
Watching.
The Bloodbound Codex.
Even now, Atlas could not fully understand what was resting inside him.
And that uncertainty frightened him more than monsters.
Eventually, Ormolio’s massive city walls appeared ahead again.
Atlas stepped beyond them quietly and continued walking.
The forest path stretched under the afternoon sunlight. Cold wind brushed against his black hood, and the temporary permit remained hidden safely inside his attire. His footsteps moved calmly along the dirt road leading away from the city.
His thoughts surfaced again.
’After I gather enough information properly...’
His eyes narrowed beneath the hood.
’...I’ll leave this continent completely.’
The decision had already settled inside him.
The kingdom was dangerous.
The nobles were dangerous.
The Royal Family was far too dangerous.
Remaining here for too long would eventually expose him. Atlas understood that more clearly after hearing terms like Eternal-Class, Revenants, and Ex-Rank. If beings like Velmira Ashenworth truly existed in this world, then his current strength was still not enough.
Not even close.
His gaze lifted toward the distant forest ahead.
’Once I leave this continent...’
His fingers tightened faintly.
’...I’ll quit the Guild as well.’
No records.
No attachments.
No connections.
Only survival.
That was enough for Atlas.
For now.
