Chapter 52: First Order A-Rank Awakener The next day, Moon was summoned to the Awakeners Association to give his statement about what had happened during the rift incident. He sat across from Isabelle in her office, the same room where they’d processed his registration the day before. She asked him the usual questions. When he’d arrived at the scene, what level monsters he’d encountered, how he’d cleared the rift, and whether he’d sustained injuries. Moon explained what had happened, but carefully omitted details that couldn’t be investigated or verified. His account of what occurred inside the rift was strategically vague—lots of bears, coordinated attacks, standard combat procedures. Nothing about the habitat, the alpha’s relation to the grizzly, or the precise tactics he’d used. His lies were believable enough that Isabelle didn’t push further, or perhaps more accurately, she knew she couldn’t. What happened inside a rift was ultimately only known to those who entered it. Without contradicting evidence, she had to accept his statement. Before releasing him, Isabelle leaned back in her chair, studying him with an expression that mixed professional assessment with personal curiosity. "Given your performance yesterday, I’m upgrading your awakener classification to A-Rank, effective immediately." Moon’s eyebrows rose slightly. That was faster than expected. In the sanctuary system, awakeners were assigned power tier rankings that operated separately from their level. The tier list evaluated multiple factors: the awakener’s level, their class rarity, demonstrated combat power, and achievements. It determined priority access to resources, mission assignments, and social standing within the awakener community. After clearing a B-Rank rift alone, Moon easily deserved the A-Rank classification. "Thank you for cooperating," Isabelle said, finalising the paperwork with a few keystrokes. "You can head to reception. Rebecca will provide your updated badge." Moon nodded, standing to leave. Then he paused, "What about the allowance?" Isabelle sighed, a wry smile crossing her face. "You can discuss that with Rebecca as well." With his question answered, Moon left the office. ♢♢♢♢ At the reception desk, Rebecca looked up as Moon approached, her smile firmly in place despite the slight wariness in her eyes. News of yesterday’s incident had spread through the Association quickly. "Mr Outlaw," she greeted, pulling up his file. "I have your updated badge ready." She retrieved a card from a secure drawer, this one noticeably higher quality than his previous badge. The Association’s emblem was etched with finer detail, and a bold "A" was displayed prominently in the corner. "Your monthly allowance has been adjusted to sixty thousand dollars," Rebecca explained, sliding the badge across the counter. "Since you’ve already received ten thousand for this month under your previous classification, you’ll receive fifty thousand as the differential. It will be deposited into your account within the next few hours." Moon took the badge, examining it briefly before pocketing it. Sixty thousand per month was a substantial increase—six times what he’d been receiving. Combined with his material sales, he’d be more than financially stable for the foreseeable future. "Understood. Thank you." Rebecca nodded. "Is there anything else you need?" "No. That’s all." With everything settled at the Association, Moon made his way out of the building and headed to his next destination. The Trading Centre. He had dozens of bear corpses in his spatial ring, the spoils from yesterday’s rift clear. More importantly, the Association had returned the level twenty grizzly’s body to him this morning, having preserved it properly overnight. It was his kill. His spoils of war. Not even the Awakeners Association could legally claim it, though they did want their cut through taxation. The tax on rift materials sold on Earth was five percent of market value, calculated after the sale and reported through official channels. Moon was required to provide documentation proving he’d paid it. Fortunately, the Trading Centre handled all that bureaucratic hassle automatically. Their system generated the necessary tax documents and submitted them directly to the Association. This was one of the perks of being a VIP member. The convenience alone was worth it. Moon entered the familiar building, flashed his golden card at security, and was escorted by a staff member to the premium trading floors. The same attendant from yesterday greeted him at the elevator, his professional smile widening with genuine recognition. "Mr Outlaw! Welcome back. Please, follow me." He led Moon down a corridor, but instead of the modest private room from their previous transaction, they entered a significantly larger space. The room featured a proper conference table, expanded evaluation equipment, and what looked like a dedicated storage assessment station for bulk materials. The difference was immediately noticeable. "New room?" Moon asked. The attendant’s smile turned somewhat sheepish but proud. "Thanks to you, actually. The transaction we completed yesterday. The s-rank core and materials were enough for the management to promote me to a higher trade specialist. This is my new office." He gestured around the upgraded space. "I handle high-value clients now exclusively. So when I saw you’d requested another appointment, I made sure to claim it personally." Moon nodded. A one-point-five million dollar sale in a single transaction would definitely catch management’s attention. "I appreciate the efficiency," Moon said. "Of course. Now, what can I help you with today? More first sanctuary materials?" "Quite a few, actually." The attendant gestured to the assessment station with an excited look on his face. "Please, whenever you’re ready." Moon reached into his spatial ring and began withdrawing corpses. The level twenty grizzly materialised first, its massive charred body taking up a significant portion of the available floor space. Then the level nineteen alpha, still impressively sized despite being smaller than the grizzly. Finally, twenty additional bear corpses ranging from level thirteen to fifteen. The attendant’s eyes widened progressively with each body that appeared. By the time Moon finished, the man was staring at the collection with undisguised shock. The attendant took a moment to compose himself before extending his hand formally, as he realised they’d never actually exchanged names during his rushed excitement of their first meeting "I don’t believe we properly introduced ourselves last time. I’m Lucas." "Moon," he replied, shaking the offered hand. "Well, Mr Moon, let’s see what we have here," Lucas said, pulling out his evaluation equipment with a focused expression. The assessment took nearly five minutes. Lucas worked efficiently, scanning each corpse, examining cores, and cross-referencing his findings with the Trading Centre’s database. Finally, he compiled his results and turned to Moon with a mixture of respect and calculation. "Alright. Based on condition, level, and core quality, here’s what we’re looking at." He pulled up a holographic display showing the breakdown. "The level twenty grizzly. Given the extensive fire damage to the body, but with an intact core, it still qualifies as a B-rank beast with a B-rank core. The core alone is worth seventy thousand dollars. This bear’s body, especially, is worth the same or slightly more than the core. Even when slightly damaged, it carries significant value for armour crafting and alchemical materials. Things like the pelt fragments, claws, teeth, and bone marrow. Total for the grizzly: one hundred and twenty thousand dollars." Moon nodded. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 "The level nineteen alpha," Lucas continued, consulting his display. "It’s less damaged, better preservation, higher quality pelt. C-rank beast, C-rank core. For the total value, we’re looking at sixty thousand dollars." "And the others?" Moon asked. "The twenty level thirteen to fifteen bears—standard Forest Bears, mostly E-rank classification with a few D-ranks based on size and core quality. Individually, they range from three to six thousand each. Collectively, they’re worth approximately eighty thousand dollars." Lucas pulled up the final calculation. "Total value before fees: two hundred and sixty thousand dollars. After the Association’s five percent tax is deducted, it will be two hundred and forty-seven thousand, which we’ll handle automatically. So your net proceeds will be two hundred and forty-seven thousand." "That works," Moon said. Lucas began processing the transaction immediately, his fingers flying across the terminal. "I have to say, clearing a b-rank rift solo and walking out with this kind of haul? That’s... I’ve been doing this job for a few years, and I’ve never seen anything quite like it." "Just doing my job," Moon replied neutrally. Lucas flashed a soft smile and did not comment on Moon’s words. The transaction completed with a soft chime. Lucas confirmed the transfer on his screen. "Payment has been initiated. Should arrive in your account within the hour. Tax documentation will be filed automatically with the Association by the end of business today." "Appreciated." Lucas asked with an expression of respect on his face. "May I ask, do you plan on making this a regular thing? Solo rift clears?" Moon considered the question. "Depends on the rift. Yesterday’s was convenient. Right place, right time." "Well, if you do," Lucas said, pulling out a business card with his direct contact information, "I’d appreciate it if you’d continue working with me. I can guarantee priority processing and the best rates available. You can phone me in advance, too." Moon took the card, pocketing it. Having a dedicated contact at the Trading Centre could be useful. "I’ll keep that in mind." With both transactions pending, Moon did a quick calculation of how much money he would have once they were settled. The cash turned out to be a few thousand dollars above a million, which was sufficient for him. The money would be useful in the first sanctuary, as he was planning on returning later tonight, he had already taken the rest he needed, dealt with the bureaucracy matters, and bought himself some good equipment. The notifications arrived on his phone a few hours later.