Chapter 9: Explorer Chen

Words : 1624 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 9 - Explorer Chen "I'm going now, I will try to come back early." Alex waved at his mother who was standing at the door of their house while he walked away, on his back was a small old backpack. "Alright son, take care of yourself!" His mother waved back, she stood there until Alex was out of sight before going back inside the house. Alex, dressed in a simple old but neat sweatshirt and brown pants, walked along the road with old buildings on both sides as he headed for the commercial district of Balon city. That was the district where most organizations and shops were located, one could trade and look for jobs there. The previous day after their dinner, Alex had left the house and came to the commercial district. The next day (present day) was a weekend and he would not be going to the academy, Alex had decided to make preparations for today. He had gone to the commercial district under the disguise of the all-knowing mask and indestructible robe to register as an explorer under the Union. The Union was like the government in his previous life and anyone who wanted to go out of the city had to be an explorer or have a valid reason to go out, explorers were people who hunted magic beasts and went into cracks to investigate and kill demons. Cracks are spatial rifts that appear randomly and lead to other realms where powerful demons come out from, these demons are way stronger than average magic beasts. Alex had decided to become an explorer because he wanted to hunt magic beats for both the system's missions and also for money; he was as broke as a church rat and could barely afford anything that could help him on his mage journey, luckily, registration was free. Alex would have been unable to even register if that wasn't the case. But he was planning to earn money just because he was poor, that wasn't all. Alex recalled from his new memories that his parents were in debt and would soon lose their house if they didn't pay on time. His parents had tried their best to keep this away from their kids so as not to affect them but the old Alex had stumbled on his mother sobbing over the matter one day, his mom was unaware of this. Plus, he was bored of reading and wanted something more exciting! He had successfully registered an explorer identity under an alias and was told to come receive his identity card today. Back to the present. As Alex got closer to the commercial district, he went into a deserted corner and took out his disguise from the system. Now in his white mask and black robe, Alex looked very mysterious and odd at the same time because of the old backpack he was holding. "Ready!" Alex breathed before coming out. He entered the commercial district and immediately went to the building of the Union which was a tall skyscraper with several floors. He entered and found a lot of people inside the lowest floor, it was the same yesterday. Alex didn't stand around and immediately approached one of the workers behind the counter, the receptionist immediately noticed him and put on a professional smile. "Good day, sir. How may I be of help to you?" The young man asked in a very professional tone as his eyes ran through Alex's costume. He wasn't present yesterday so he didn't see Alex when he came previously. "I'm here to get my explorer ID." Alex responded curtly, trying to put on the air of an expert. "Alright, please wait a moment," The receptionist replied politely before grabbing the communicator in front of him and calling someone. He said a few words before putting the communicator down. "Someone will be here shortly." The young man turned toward Alex and said with a smile. Alex nodded and moved out of the line to avoid delaying others, he went to sit on one of the benches on the side. Shortly after, someone came to get him. "Good day Mr Chen, you're early today. Please come with me," A polite voice sounded from the side. This person who just came was the one who had carried out Alex's registration yesterday, Mr Chen was Alex's alias. As for why he chose such a name, Alex felt that it was cool; like those protagonists from Eastern novels in his past life. Alex recognized the man at first glance. Although he could not remember the latter's name, he didn't want to give himself out so he only nodded in response to the man's greeting. The man chuckled softly and didn't mind Alex's form of response, he was used to it since Mr Chen had been like this since yesterday. "This way please," The man gestured, he took a second to observe the backpack that Mr Chen was carrying. 'This person had said that his status was a mage, but why was he carrying such an old looking backpack?' The man thought to himself while leading the way. They both left the large reception hall and went to another room where Alex was given his explorer card and permit to leave the city at will and explore outside. "Will Mr Chen be going out to explore today?" The man who had been dealing with Alex's registration asked. "Hmm," Alex nodded in response, again not saying a word. The man waved his hands in an expectant manner. "Then I have a few offers for you, Mr Chen! Since you registered in this branch of the Union, the Union can give special services to you. We'll buy whatever you bring back to trade with us for only 10% service cost deduction instead of the usual 20%. In addition to that, whatever you buy will be sold to you with a 5% discount!" The man paused and looked at the backpack again before speaking again. "We can also provide you with better storage equipment but ownership is temporary and will be returned to the Union after use." The man proposed, he would have tried to know what Mr Chen was thinking through his expression but the latter was wearing a mask. Alex thought about what the man said for a few seconds, the offers were not bad and the offer of a storage equipment was even more tempting to him but he had to maintain his calm and temperament of an expert. "Hmm, I'll keep that in mind." Alex replied shortly, he didn't forget to alter his voice and sound like someone with a throat injury. The eyes of the man immediately lit up when he heard this, he quickly searched through a drawer and brought out an item; it was a bracelet. "Here it is, Mr Chen. This is a magic storage bracelet with a space of one room. Sorry but this is the only one available at the moment." The man said while presenting the bracelet to Alex. "I'll manage," Alex said and took the bracelet before going out. After Alex left, the man's face turned serious and he fell into thought. "His temperament and movements seem forced but I am unable to sense anything from him. Is he really an expert or a fake? How strange." The man thought to himself, he concluded that he would find out after "Mr Chen" returned from his exploration. Meanwhile, Alex had left the Union building and was already moving out of the commercial district. He looked at his explorer card as he walked. Name: Mr Chen, Explorer. Occupational: Mage. Rank: Not disclosed. Element: Lightning. Date reg: 10-02-00. Center: Union, Balon city. A portrait of him wearing the all-knowing mask was added to the corner of the card. "The card doesn't have a lot of information but has lots of uses." Alex muttered to himself. Sёarch* The NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex returned to the deserted corner and took off his disguise, he came out and took a cab; his destination was the left border of Balon city. After arriving there, Alex looked for a place to put on his costume before approaching the Union officers who were guarding the border. "Halt! State your reason for coming or return immediately!" One of the officers shouted. He was a middle aged man with a scar running from the side of his face to his neck. He wore a black vest while carrying a black device that resembled a gun to Alex, he assumed it was a magic device used against magic beasts. Keeping his calm, Alex folded both arms behind his waist and approached the officers with slow steps. He had kept his backpack inside his bracelet to avoid looking awkward. "I said stop!" The officers shouted again and all of them pointed their devices at Alex, ready to shoot. "Do not make any foolish moves," Alex said calmly and continued to approach them. He reached the first officer and showed him his explorer card, the latter immediately changed his attitude. "He's an explorer!" He voiced out to his colleagues and they similarly changed their attitude and lowered their weapons. "Good day, Mr Chen. Please pardon our actions just now, we are under strict command to not let anyone approach the border without authorized permit." the officer in charge explained. Alex nodded in understanding, they were ordinary humans so he did not bother conversing with them; magic beasts were waiting for him!

Chapter 9: Explorer Chen

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