Chapter 74: Chapter 70: Squad Entry Assessment

Just as Ali had said, Lin Mo didn’t have to wait long. About half an hour later, she returned to the Association with a man of about fifty, clad in Iron Armor.

At that moment, Lin Mo was chatting with Lena, making the cat-girl giggle.

"So you’re the one who wants to join our squad?"

The man frowned slightly, walked straight up to Lin Mo, and looked him up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Ali, are you sure this kid is a Professional?"

It was no wonder he was skeptical. Alton had been an Adventurer for half his life and had only managed to become a Professional a few years ago. He knew from his long journey just how difficult it was and how much effort it required.

’And this kid before him, who looked to be eighteen or nineteen at most, still wet behind the ears... he could be a Professional?’

Lin Mo wasn’t offended. He simply gave a small smile and greeted him, "Hello..."

"Alton."

"Mr. Alton, you must be Ali’s squad leader, right? My name is Lin Mo, and I’d like to temporarily join your squad."

Alton didn’t shake his hand, still eyeing him with suspicion. "If you really are a Professional, then you’re more than welcome, of course. So, where’s your Professional Badge?"

’Professional Badge?’

Lin Mo was taken aback. ’There’s a thing like that?’

Seeing the look on Lin Mo’s face, Alton’s frown deepened. "Kid, you should know that an Adventurer’s time is precious. We don’t have time to fool around with you."

Lin Mo spread his hands. "I only recently started as an Adventurer, and I just promoted in the last couple of days, so I really didn’t know about the Professional Badge. But I haven’t wasted your time, and I’m not joking."

Alton almost laughed out of sheer anger. ’You just recently became an Adventurer, and now you’re saying you’ve promoted?’

"Since you put it that way, I guess we’ll just have to test you."

He pointed to the practice room beside the main hall, cracking his knuckles.

Adventurers were used to a life of blood and fire. While they could remain rational most of the time, it was inevitable they would sometimes let their impulses get the better of them.

This was especially true for the more hot-headed ones, who found it hard to keep their temper in check once it flared up.

In such situations, providing an outlet was better than suppression. That’s why the Association had built a dedicated practice room next to the main hall, specifically to provide a suitable venue for these occasions and prevent damage to its facilities.

"Alright."

Lin Mo nodded. A direct sparring match was the best way to prove his strength at the moment.

’Besides... although I know he probably doesn’t mean any harm, his tone is really rubbing me the wrong way.’

’To be honest, my own hands are getting a little itchy. I kind of want to land a punch or two on him.’

"What’s going on? Is there a show?"

The tense atmosphere drew the attention of the nearby Adventurers, and the Association hall suddenly grew lively.

"Um... Mr. Lin Mo, Mr. Alton, please don’t be rash..."

Lena, looking like she was about to cry from anxiety, tried to dissuade them in a small voice.

"Yeah, Captain, Lin Mo just promoted, after all..."

"Don’t worry, Ali. I’ll go easy on him. If he really is a Professional, even one who just recently promoted, he should at least be able to handle a few of my moves, right?"

But Alton had clearly made up his mind to teach this kid a lesson. "Let’s just call it a squad entrance test. If you can take five of my moves, I’ll acknowledge your strength and give you the same cut of the mission rewards as me!"

"OOH—It’s Mr. Alton?"

As a veteran Adventurer of over twenty years, and a Professional to boot, Alton was quite well-known in the Association. Someone recognized him right away.

"I remember the last time Mr. Alton got into a conflict with a Professional, he knocked the other guy’s teeth out."

"Haha, I remember that! The two Professionals fought for over ten minutes. It was an awesome sight!"

"Anyone who didn’t come to the Association today is gonna miss a great show..."

With the atmosphere hyped up like this, Ali couldn’t say anything more and just gave Lin Mo an apologetic look. As for Lena, her voice had long been drowned out by the crowd.

Lin Mo turned his head, smiled at Lena, and said, "Don’t worry."

His voice was drowned out by the rowdy Adventurers, but Lena could still read his lips.

But instead of feeling reassured, the cat-girl only grew more worried...

Becoming a Professional was the end goal for low-tier Adventurers, but it was also the true beginning of their careers. The difference in strength between Professionals could often be even greater than the gap between a Professional and a Non-Professional.

’And Mr. Alton became a Professional four or five years ago... With such a large gap in training and experience, will he really be okay?’

But no matter how worried she was, the duel was clearly unavoidable.

Amidst the shouts of the onlooking Adventurers, the two men walked into the practice arena, which measured about twenty meters on each side. The perimeter was packed with spectators.

Ali stood in the front row, also sizing up Lin Mo with a curious gaze.

’To be honest, I’m also a little curious just how strong this young man is—he’s about my age, yet he’s already promoted.’

Since it was just a sparring match, neither of them used their real weapons. Instead, they took up the Wooden Swords provided in the arena and put on Armor.

This way, even if a blow accidentally went astray, it wouldn’t cause serious injury. But it also meant both sides could be less reserved and feel free to unleash their full strength.

"Get ready, kid. Here I come!"

Alton loosened up his body. Instead of attacking immediately, he was kind enough to give Lin Mo a warning.

"I am ready."

Lin Mo took his stance, ready for a fight.

Although he was confident in his own strength, the man before him was a Professional who had achieved the rank several years ago.

Lin Mo had never seen another Professional in action before, so he had no clear idea of Alton’s strength. Naturally, he couldn’t afford to be careless.

"HAH!"

Alton stepped forward, attacking Lin Mo with his Wooden Sword.

Lin Mo countered in kind, slashing out with his sword.

Without the bonus from his Wolf Bone Sword and without using any Skills, this slash of his only contained 14 points of Strength.

The two Wooden Swords collided with a sharp CRACK. As Lin Mo felt the force travel up his arm, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

’He’d expected the impact to be stronger.’

’Judging from that one move, Alton isn’t very strong. He’s weaker than me, probably around 13 points of Strength or even less.’

’And...’

’So slow.’

To Lin Mo, Alton’s attack had seemed to unfold in slow motion. He could see every minute detail of the man’s movements with perfect clarity.

In contrast to Lin Mo’s casual ease, Alton’s face fell, his eyes filled with disbelief.

’This kid...’

"Mr. Alton?"

Before Alton could process his shock, Lin Mo spoke up, a puzzled look on his face. "There’s no need to hold back. You should come at me with your full strength."