Everyone's become an adventurer, so who's going to put in the effort themselves?

"No, skill level is not required."

Mira shook her head, denying the claim, and explained:

"The skill levels on the Stigmata system only reflect the adventurer's own skill level."

"Therefore, theoretically speaking, it is possible for a level 1 adventurer to master a skill of level 30 or higher."

Hearing this reply, Lynn breathed a sigh of relief.

Since there are no restrictions on his skills, they will likely only be affected by the skill system.

Thinking of this, Lynn felt much more relaxed, and even felt like joking:

"Does the notarization service for Lion of Notary Public charge a fee?"

Mira, quite used to this, explained:

"According to the rules, notarization for formal adventurers is free of charge."

"In addition, there are contribution exemption clauses for first-time adventurers and novice adventurers purchasing skills."

Lynn's expression froze upon hearing this:

"What does this mean?"

Seeing Lynn's stiff expression, Mira immediately nodded:

"Yes, normally, the four skill stones you purchased would cost approximately 12,000 contribution points, but because you are a novice adventurer, the contribution points have been waived."

Hearing this, Lynn couldn't help but curse under his breath:

"Damn, we didn't borrow enough!!"

He should have applied for a larger loan quota when he was with the Red Dragon Chamber of Commerce!

If he were to borrow 150 million or even 200 million now, he could ignore the contribution point requirement and buy more skills!

"Huh? What's wrong?" Mira looked at Lynn with a puzzled expression.

At this moment, Lynn quickly said, "It's nothing."

"By the way, Ms. Consultant."

"Just call me Mira, or Miss Franger."

"Miss Frankie, I'd like to ask, can contribution points only be obtained by completing Adventurers' Guild quests?"

"Yes."

Can I give it to you as a gift?

"This is prohibited."

Is there a way to purchase skill stones using fiat currency at a higher price?

"Unfortunately, this is a perk for novice adventurers, and the maximum amount that can be purchased with skills cannot exceed 200 million. As things stand, you currently have a balance of nearly 90."

"Is it possible to buy skill stones from someone else privately?"

"If you don't mind the premium, you can buy it from the adventurer yourself."

"By the way, the Adventurers' Guild only adds 5% to the cost of skill stones, but it's hard to say for private individuals."

Lynn then asked a whole bunch of questions about buying skill stones, until his throat was dry, and he couldn't help but pick up the black tea in front of him and take a sip:

"This is really..."

Lynn didn't know how to describe his feelings. Luckily, he chose the Learned Brain, which could analyze skills. Otherwise, how to acquire skills would be a real problem.

"Do you have any other questions?" Mira asked with a smile.

Lynn's lips twitched slightly: "That's all for now..."

Upon hearing this, Mira immediately took out a small booklet, about the size of a palm, from the cabinet under the reception table and handed it to Lynn:

"This is the beginner adventurer's handbook."

"Adventurers' questions in general can be answered from above."

"Of course, if you have any questions beyond what's in the manual, you can come to the Adventurers' Guild to find me anytime."

"...Okay, I understand."

Before taking the manual, Lynn casually tossed an appraisal to the Adventurer's Handbook.

[Ding! Appraisal Skill +1]

Adventurer's Handbook

[An adventurer's encyclopedia meticulously crafted by the Mezalans family for adventurers.]

After confirming that Lynn was alright, Mira stood up and bowed slightly, saying:

"Well then, have a pleasant adventure."

"I'll take my leave for now."

Lynn nodded upon hearing this, and then watched Mira leave.

After Mira left, he looked around and gave a thumbs-up to the sofas, tables, tea cabinets, and even the cup in his hand.

[Ding! Appraisal +1]

[Standard mahogany table]

[Ding! Appraisal +1]

[Standard Ceramic Mug]

Soon, Lynn had collected the 10 experience points needed to level up to level 1.

[Appraisal Skill Lv1 (10/10) can be upgraded↑]

At this moment, Lynn, eager to verify the effects of the skill level system, immediately thought to himself:

"System, upgrade my skills."

[Ding! Appraisal skill upgraded! lv1→lv2.]

Lynn felt his vision blur for a moment, and after it ended, his vision seemed to clear up a bit, and the skill upgrade was over.

Then, Lynn activated his unique system:

Skill Level System

【鉴定术Lv2（0/20），剑术基础Lv1（0/10），潜行Lv1（0/10），博学之脑Lv1（0/10）】

Lynn glanced at the Appraisal skill, which required more experience, clicked his tongue, and then began operating the skill level system for the first time.

'System, downgrade the identification skill.'

【Ding! 】

[Identification Skill (LV2→LV1)]

【Ding! 】

[Gained 1/3 of Free Skill Points!]

[Gain 1/10 free attribute points.]

"What the hell?"

Lynn was completely dumbfounded. What did he get after being demoted?

One-third of free skill points? What the heck is one-tenth of attribute points?

Lynn quickly opened the skill level system and started doing reading comprehension exercises.

"Does this mean... if I downgrade by 3 levels, I'll get a skill point to freely upgrade any other skill?"

"Then, by downgrading 10 levels, I can gain an attribute point to add to my adventurer attributes?"

"This system works like this?"

Lynn was a little flustered.

He originally thought that lowering a skill level would raise another skill level by one, but now it seems that this is impossible.

Fortunately, skill downgrading can still accumulate attribute pools and be exchanged for free attribute points, which gave Lynn some comfort.

Although I feel like I'm losing out, I still have to use it.

It would be against human nature for a player with cheats not to use them!

Lynn raised her hand, pinched the bridge of her nose, and sighed:

"Then what I need to do next is find a place to hide, study the system properly, and level up my skills."

"As for the dungeons... it's not too late to explore them after we level up our skills."

They say sharpening your axe won't delay your work, but Lynn considers himself a novice and, for safety's sake, he'd better hone his skills first.

With that in mind, Lynn immediately got up, intending to find an inn to stay in, study the Adventurer's Handbook first, and then think about his upgrade plan.

However, just as Lynn stood up, his gaze fell upon a familiar figure.

Jacken Knightworth.

Lynn Knightworth's uncle walked into the Adventurers' Guild with a blank expression and went straight to the quest counter.

"Hello, I want to post a missing person task to find my nephew."

Although Lynn, who was sitting in the VIP room on the second floor, did not hear Jacken's voice, her heart skipped a beat when she saw Jacken return.

Something seems off!

Chapter 5 The Real Rival

Jacken Knightworth quickly took the Adventurers' Guild's quest receipt and calmly walked out of the guild.

The counter staff sat behind the bar, stamping documents and completing the final procedures.

At this moment, Lynn, wearing a bat mask, approached and asked the guild members:

"Excuse me, clerk."

"May I ask you some questions?"

The clerk at the counter looked up upon hearing this, and after seeing Lynn, confirmed her identity:

"Which family of eccentric adventurers did you just take on a quest from?"

"Yes, it's me."

Lynn nodded immediately, then asked:

"I just saw that family seem to have come again. What's wrong? Is there a problem with the mission?"

"It's not that there's a problem."

After confirming that Lynn was involved in the mission, the counter staff couldn't help but complain:

"That family was really bizarre."

"Did you know that the mother and daughter in that family, after they found out you accepted the mission, immediately started clamoring for a lower commission, saying that since someone had accepted the mission, they wouldn't need to hire more adventurers to find someone else?"

"That person was making a huge fuss at the counter, so I had no choice but to refund part of the commission to her according to the rules."

"The matter would have ended there, but not long after, the male head of the household came again."

"And this time, he actually spent a full 300,000 francs to search his nephew."

"To be honest, this price is already for a large-scale search and rescue mission that would allow 100 people to take on the task."

"Speaking of which, this is the attitude an uncle should have towards his missing nephew."

"I always felt that the male head of the household was somewhat dragged down by those two women."

Listening to the counter lady's complaints, Lynn's face turned extremely ugly.

He knew perfectly well what Jacken's purpose was, so of course he couldn't treat him as a good uncle.

Lynn Knightworth himself was killed by his uncle's family long ago. How could they be looking for their nephew out of kindness, spending money on a large-scale search mission?