The Laughing Swordsman

Apollo's body had made significant reparations. His organs were restored, while the layers of bone returned. As for the cracks in his bones, they mended seamlessly, like they were never there in the first place. His skin regrew on top of his body, without losing the toughness it had before.

And the craziest part was that a healthy layer of muscle and fat remained on his body. Despite performing an action that would seemingly use up so much energy, he was still fine.

Essentially as good as new.

At this moment, his iron coin that was still miraculously in his pocket began heating up tremendously, almost like a fire had started.

Apollo sat up with a little bit of difficulty, letting out an exasperated groan. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the iron coin that was shining brightly with the pattern of a smiling devil on one side and the association's symbol on the other.

Layla had puffed up her cheeks while looking to the side. However, once she saw the iron coin, she couldn't help but stare curiously.

"Wah! What's happening?"

Apollo gave a long look towards Layla.

Part of him wanted to yell at her.

To vent out his frustration.

After all, Layla really didn't hold back with her attack earlier on. For a second, Apollo even thought he was going to die.

But... something told him berating Layla wasn't going to be worth the effort.

So when Layla asked Apollo about the coin...

He let out a sigh and shrugged his shoulders.

"There's only one way to find out."

Apollo stepped into the shadow world. He could make out a slightly-parted eye in the distance and walked towards it.

Upon reaching the symbol, Apollo touched it, sending him into the request room.

Layla appeared moments later, curiously looking around.

There was a familiar grey desk along with the grey league board. Nothing seemed different.

Layla tilted her head to the side and pouted.

"It looks the same..."

Apollo pulled out his iron coin and looked at it. It was no longer hot, but had the same familiar patterns.

"Well, they must've called me here for something."

He walked towards the desk made out of grey mist and prepared to flick his iron coin. Yet, before he could...

White mist began gathering on the corner of the table.

The closer that Apollo got, the more white mist appeared. Then, when he finally reached the grey desk, the white mist parted.

To reveal a wax sealed envelope.

The envelope itself was a standard size. As for the wax, it was red and had the pattern of a smiling devil.

Next to the envelope was a fairly large slip of paper with neat cursive writing on it, like the time he was given the basic elixir of flexibility.

Apollo picked it up and began reading it. At the same time, Layla hopped over and curiously stared over Apollo's shoulders, reading the paper with him.

'Congratulations, you have received a personal reputation request.

Whenever members of The Shadows accept a request, the person that issues the request is notified. This is similarly so when the request is completed.

The person that issues the request is told both your alibi and the current league you are in. This is the main method your reputation is spread within this association.

The reason why this reputation is important is that a person can directly request either a person or a league to complete their request. This is the origin of personal reputation requests and league reputation requests.

People that directly request must pay an extra price, especially if it is a personal reputation request.

These missions are exclusive to the person or league that it is issued to and provide extra rewards relative to the corresponding difficulty. Unlike normal missions, they do not consume any of your chances to view the requests.

One of the requirements for promotion includes completing a certain amount of personal reputation requests.

Although completion of this request is optional, the association heavily recommends you do so.'

Layla hummed with dissatisfaction.

"Hmm? I don't understand what it means."

Apollo rolled his eyes.

"Basically, someone liked how I completed one of their missions and gave one only to me because of it."

Layla blinked a few times. Then, as though she came to a realization, she lifted both arms up high.

"Wah, friend is popular!"

Apollo nodded absentmindedly. He looked towards the envelope on the corner of the desk and began to wonder.

...Reputation.

Since the person that gave the request would be notified of both when it was accepted and completed, that meant how fast the request was done mattered.

After all, people would probably favor those that finished what they wanted sooner rather than later. Though that meant the expectation to complete it was higher.

Apollo sighed.

Regardless, this was a good thing. He hadn't completed that many missions, yet his reputation was still good enough to receive a request.

With a bit of curiosity, Apollo picked up the wax-sealed envelope.

He placed his thumb and forefinger on the wax seal, then pulled.

...But it didn't come off.

Apollo put in more force into it this time, feeling his fingers strain and shake. Yet, other than shaking with Apollo, it did not budge.

He furrowed his brows.

"Seriously?... Isn't this supposed to be for me?"

Layla tilted her head to the side.

"Just open it!"

The corner of Apollo's lip twitched.

"I... can't"

Layla puffed her cheeks.

"Let me try!"

She picked up the envelope and put her thumb and index finger on the wax seal.

Layla pulled, but nothing happened.

Then, she pouted, and pulled harder.

The seal immediately began to brighten dangerously, prompting Apollo to instinctively pull the envelope back.

"Wait, wait, stop!"

Layla let go, then looked at Apollo curiously.

"Eh? What's wrong?"

Apollo's lip twitched.

"Just... let me."

He looked at the seal once more.

Suddenly, Apollo realized his coin was exactly the same size. He raised his iron coin and put it on the seal.

And the envelope opened.