"...hey, have you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"They said that the Big 3 was taking on an S-rank mission today."
"No way! Are you kidding me? How come I've never heard of this before?"
"I mean, how can you when you literally spend all of your free time in the Gravity Chambers?"
"...you know what, I can't even deny that."
"I know. But I don't know, so far this is just a rumor. Though if you ask me, I think it's very likely that it'll be true."
"Well...the Big 3 wouldn't be called as such if they didn't have a reputation to hold. I think they're strong enough to apply for an S-rank mission. The question is, which one are they picking?"
"Yeah, I'm wondering about that too. The S-rank missions aren't kept a secret. They are posted in the Mission Board for everyone to see and from what I've seen, each of them was crazy difficult."
"All of them required going outside of Fantasia. Dude, exploring the world outside. Geez, the sheer idea gives me the creeps."
"...but the rewards are phenomenal though. From what I can remember, there's this one mission where, should it be completed, the rewards were a chance to enter the 'Law Enlightenment Hall' for a whole month, there's also money and free coaching from the Guild Master himself. I'd say that the rewards are worth it, no?"
"Oh it is, but that's not something we newbies should bother ourselves with. I'd say that we should focus on upgrading our Badge Rankings so that we can apply for higher-ranked missions."
"...I get that but still, this is a huge event. If the rumors were true, then this will be the first S-Rank Mission attempt! Aren't you at least excited?"
"More like envious, actually. Come on, let's not crowd the Main Hall."
Within the Grotto Heaven where the Mystic Guild's base was located, all sorts of conversations like this were happening.
Rumors of the Big 3 applying for an S-Rank Mission proliferated among the members and were discussed heatedly.
With 200 members active and working hard to upgrade their Badge Rankings, it's obvious that something like this will definitely garner some attention.
As stated above, if the rumors were true, this will be the first S-Rank Mission application ever in the Mystic Guild's history.
Ashton made the missions public for everyone to see. He never had any intentions of hiding them since he thought that the harder missions could serve as some kind of motivation for the Guild Members.
Because past the obvious increase in difficulty for each mission was a clear elevation of rewards. And that always becomes the focal point of the Guild Member's efforts.
Clearing missions will reward them with resources.
Resources that they were lacking to become even stronger. Just this alone was enough to increase their enthusiasm.
In the Mission Board, there are at least 15 S-rank missions, 7 SS-Rank Missions, and 3 SSS-rank Missions.
Each mission was difficult, serving as a deterrent for the majority of the Guild Members, the rewards they give, however...is another topic on its own.
Out of 200 members, half were just starting to upgrade their badges. The previous recruitment wasn't too long ago so they're still new to the Guild. As for the older members, they are divided into several groups and individual ranks.
So far, there were a total of 5 established teams that reached B-Rank, and there are 3 teams of A-rank.
There is no S-rank team at all...
For the individual rankings, 30 people reached B-rank, and 15 people reached A-Rank.
Again, no S-ranks.
The Big 3 that everybody was talking about was none other than Alice, Blake, and Mary. They are the senior members of the Guild who had joined since its foundation. They also have the highest records of missions cleared due to their diligence as well.
Many of the Guild Members idolized these three because of how hardworking they were. Every day, most of the Guild Members could literally feel the commotion they were causing because of their daily spars.
To some, it even seem like they were legitimately killing each other due to how explosive each of their attacks was but after their spars, they'd always hang out together before going on missions on their own or as a team.
The Guild Members are aware of the sheer disparity of strength between them and the Big 3. Even if they were to band together as a single entity, they wouldn't be able to block a single all-out attack from any of them, that's how strong they were.
But the Big 3 never flaunted their strength at all. In fact, they remained humble and they freely socialized with the rest of the Guild Members. They were friendly and willing to help out those in need, earning them a higher and better reputation amongst the rest of the Guild Members.
This is why any rumors that have something to do with them were being followed and monitored by the guild members.
"Really? This one?"
"Yes. Why, is there something wrong with our pick?"
"No, no. I'm...flattered actually, that you picked this one out of everything there. This is going to be extremely challenging too."
"Well, the rewards are tempting enough so it got our attention."
"Alright, this will be it then? Remember, once I register this, there's no turning back so make up your mind."
"We've decided, this is it. Go ahead and register it for us."
"Very well."
Ashton nodded and updated the mission board.
***
[Mission: Capture Demonic Beasts!]
• Rank: S
• Requirements: Minimum of 3 A-rank Guild Members. Go out to the Forgotten Ancestral Lands and capture at least 10 kinds of Beast Demons. Bring them back to the Guild to use for the 'DBD Project'.
• Time Limit: 1 month - 6 months.
• Rewards: Law Enlightenment Hall 1-month Seclusion Ticket, Residential Upgrade, 1 mil. Federation Dollars for each team member.
Attempts Record: Big 3 -- ongoing.
***
As soon as Ashton updated the Mission Board, everyone who happens to be browsing it will be notified of the changes in there. It wouldn't be long before everyone in the Guild is informed about this.
The Big 3 also received the notification but they ignored it for the most part since they already knew what it was.
"Alright, let's do this! I'm hyped." Blake psyched himself out and stretched his neck.
The gloominess and exhaustion that plagued him before were now completely gone. He had returned to his cheerful and optimistic side, which has been a welcomed change for his friends.
Beside him, Alice and Mary were also showing subtle signs of excitement. For some reason, the dangerous mission was giving them a unique thrill, making them unable to sit still.
"Did you all pack up your stuff? Tents, formations, and so on?"
"Yes, Dad." Alice rolled her eyes and chuckled. "We already triple-checked everything. We're ready to go anytime soon."
"Okay, if that's the case then stand on the Transportation Platform. I'll send you outside. Do be careful and return safely, you hear me?"
"Yes, Boss." The three of them replied before Ashton activated the Transportation Platform.
The trio then disappeared from his sight. Ashton stood there for a bit before sighing and returning to his office.
It's weird to send people away just like that. He knew that this was bound to eventually happen and that he'll eventually get used to it but for now, he felt rather nervous.
'They'll be fine. I trained them well the moment I received them as my Beneficiary. They are strong enough to survive outside and complete this mission. If they encountered something they can't deal with, they should be able to escape without being hurt. I shouldn't feel too worried.'
Ashton glanced that the stream of messages flooding the Party Chats with the members reacting to the news.
This particular mission that the Big 3 took was for an experimental project called the DBD Project.
More specifically, the 'Demon Beast Domestication Project'. This is to potentially secure a new food source for Humanity that's not only filling but also nutritious.
With Spirit Cuisine being revived through him and Doug, the possibility of turning both Beast Demons and Beast Angels edible just increased. If Humanity could raise them well, then this could potentially increase their quality of life.
Moreover, the invaders had been treating Humanity as a special delicacy, who's to say that the role can't be reversed?
This is how the project came to Ashton's mind, and from the theories, he's been testing so far, the idea has some merit into it that it's worth exploring.
Seeing as how the Guild Members were raising a ruckus in the Party Chatroom, Ashton decided to step in and quell the commotion.
Guild Master: @all. Stop flooding the chat and behave. The Big 3 muted the chat because it'll be dangerous outside.
Guild Master: @all. Yes, the rumors you all heard were indeed true. The Big 3 did register for an S-Rank Mission. Stop disturbing them, if they complained that you were all distracting them when they return I swear I will punish all of you.
Guild Master: If you all want to register for an S-rank mission as well, then work hard to upgrade your badges.
