Help the Security Bureau purge the remnants of the Justice Party? Interesting... Loren let out a light chuckle.
"Help me apply for the Level 9 Assessment."
"Understood, your application has been submitted. Please proceed to the top floor of the castle, Room 001. The Chief will personally oversee your assessment. We wish you the best of luck with your assessment, Mr. Loren."
A formulaic blessing came from inside the window.
Along with this blessing, Loren's Interstellar Hunter license was also handed out from the window.
After collecting his Interstellar Hunter license, Loren gave a slight tip of his hat, indicating his departure.
He took the little girl, who was looking around everywhere, by the hand and headed towards the staircase.
Yes, something Loren couldn't help but complain about was that after taking a look inside the castle, he discovered this war castle had no elevator.
After climbing with Ayla Morningstar up to the castle's sixth floor via the stairs, Loren felt for the first time the urge to blow this castle up.
"Wait for me at the stairwell, little one."
"Although you probably won't encounter any danger here, let me remind you anyway: if you encounter danger, open your mouth and scream. I'll hear you."
Having said that, Loren reached out and gently ruffled the little girl's head.
"Okay, big brother, I'll wait for you obediently. Good luck with your assessment. And, remember to come get me. And, remember our promise..."
Ayla Morningstar shook her little head, escaping Loren's large hand.
"I'll come get you very soon, be good." Loren withdrew his large hand, appearing completely unconcerned about whether he would pass his assessment, and confidently turned to walk towards Room 001.
Ayla Morningstar stared blankly at Loren's retreating back, tilting her head as she thought:
This big brother I picked up seems really strong?
After Loren's figure disappeared into the room with the placard reading '001', Ayla Morningstar turned around and sat down on the highest step of the staircase.
Propping her little head up with both hands, she waited quietly and peacefully.
Dear father, you're really in for it now. I've found a ruthless man with a 3 billion bounty to come catch you!
Thinking this, a trace of an innocent, guileless smile appeared on the little face of Ayla Morningstar, sitting alone at the stairwell.
On the castle's top floor, inside Room 001 on the sixth floor.
After knocking once, Loren opened the door and entered upon hearing a "Come in" from inside the room.
It was an office, or perhaps a study, decorated in a classical style.
The bookshelf behind the desk covered almost the entire wall.
The other walls were also hung with classical paintings of a pessimistic nature.
Upon entering, Loren swept his gaze over the largest painting hanging on the left wall, and then found it hard to look away.
The painting depicted a knight in tattered armor, raising a bloodstained broken sword as he charged towards a vast, dark mass of enemies, behind whom was a blood-red, setting sun.
Behind this knight, destined for failure, there was nothing, only a solitary, meaningful silhouette.
"It seems you painting. It's called 'The Knight of Symbolic Hope', a rather ironic name. It's one of the famous paintings from the old era, a gift from a friend of mine."
"When you leave later, I can give it to you as a gift for your arrival in the Radiant Flow Star Domain."
The figure behind the desk spoke quietly to Loren, who had been staring at the painting on the wall since entering.
Interrupted, Loren's brow furrowed involuntarily. He turned his gaze towards the figure behind the desk.
It was a somewhat balding, also somewhat portly middle-aged man, unexpectedly clashing heavily with the somber, weighty style of this war castle.
If not for the unmistakable energy fluctuations emanating from the man, Loren would have had a hard time believing this bald, portly man was a Chief of the Interstellar Hunter Association.
"No need. Such an excellent painting shouldn't have to wander around with me."
Loren calmly refused.
"What a pity. Someone like me wouldn't appreciate such pessimistic paintings."
"Let me introduce myself. I am the Chief here, Retab Collin."
"I have received your assessment application."
Having said that, Retab Collin once again examined in detail the extremely unique Interstellar Hunter standing before him, who hailed from the slums.
He had already received intelligence on Loren earlier. He found it hard to believe that someone of this caliber could emerge from such a place.
That kind of bone-chilling, oppressive aura tinged with the scent of blood made even him feel somewhat short of breath, like some evil god crawled out from the Abyss.
"Mr. Las Loren, before the assessment begins, may I ask you a question?"
A trace of caution unconsciously colored Retab Collin's eyes.
Looking at this bald Chief, Loren nodded calmly. "Please ask."
"Sir, having emerged from the slums, what is your stance?"
Hearing this, Loren chuckled lightly, his smile gradually widening.
What a boring question...
Then, Loren reined in his smile. He suddenly felt a bit listless and said with an expressionless face:
"Excellent! Assessment passed! Congratulations, Mr. Loren!"
Retab Collin broke into a smile.
Hearing this, Loren's eyes narrowed dangerously. Were they going to play this boring test routine again?
His mind flashed back to that old man Sebastian Benjamin's test...
"Wait! Mr. Loren, I think you've misunderstood something."
"You have genuinely passed."
"I have no interest in playing games like combat tests with a powerhouse who forced a Titan-class Mecha to self-destruct."
"The 3 billion Federation coin bounty is the best testament to your combat prowess."
Retab Collin wiped non-existent sweat from his brow.
These rule-based psychics with unclear intelligence were the most troublesome. No one wanted to fight someone like that...
Not even those at the Legendary tier wanted to engage with such bizarre powerhouses. A moment of carelessness could lead to an unexpected defeat...
Loren tilted his head, observing the other man's expression, and felt the bald, portly man didn't seem to be lying.
To be safe, Loren silently took out the Federation coin from his pocket and tossed it into the air.
"Have I truly passed the Level 9 clearance assessment? If yes, heads."
The coin landed, heads!
Loren revealed a smile. Good.
Smiling, he put the coin away and casually asked:
"For the Interstellar Hunter Association, is the stance of a Level 9 clearance holder that important?"
Seeing Loren had set aside his combat intentions, a smile also appeared on Retab Collin's face.
"Of course. Level 9 clearance allows one to do many things."
"What if I had answered with a different stance?"
"As long as it's not some overly niche stance, the Association would grant passage to a powerhouse like you."
Retab Collin stated the standard for the Level 9 assessment to Loren, and then he revealed the deeper meaning of this assessment.
"Your past deeds indicate you are a rather dangerous individual."
"The Interstellar Hunter Association needs to clarify your attitude to prevent you from dragging us down with you in the future."
"In fact, knowing your stance is far more important than anything else."