“Good choice,” said the registrar.

  “By the way, there are some common benefits as well… You can inform an Appraiser Center if you need to join a Rifter party for experience farming. You can ride their bus, while they carry you. We will make the arrangements on your behalf for a ‘small’ fee. Understood?” said the registrar as he emphasized on the ‘small’ part with his fingers.

  Jimin gave a polite nod. “Yes, I understand. Now, are there any more things that I should know of or any more formalities?”

  “Of course, there are.” The registrar leaned back in his chair.

  “Don’t be impatient now. You seem like a good kid. So, I’ll throw in some tips as well.”

  Jimin straightened slightly.

  The registrar folded his hands together. “First, an appraiser usually operates within an Appraiser Center or their own private establishment. Commission hunting near rifts is discouraged.”

  “Discouraged?” Jimin asked.

  “It gives the impression that the appraiser isn’t established,” the registrar replied calmly. “If you run around asking random Rifters for items to appraise near Rifts, it lowers perceived credibility. Reputation matters in this line of work.”

  That makes sense.

  “Second,” the registrar continued, “the maximum rank of an Appraiser Center depends on the nearby Rift’s rank. For example, if the surrounding Rifts are F-rank and E-rank, the center won’t handle C-rank or above items.”

  Jimin nodded slowly.

  The registrar looked at him more closely. “Since you can already appraise D-rank items, that gives you an edge. Especially in areas where D-rank Rifts exist. Centers will value you.”

  Jimin felt a little satisfaction at that.

  “Also,” the registrar added, lowering his voice slightly, “be careful about long-term contracts with guilds or families.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Jimin whispered.

  The registrar gave a short nod. “Now that the rules have been explained, it’s time for you to adopt a new identity. Visit the last room in this corridor. I’ve updated your novice license. Press it there… The official inside will explain the next steps.”

  “Okay. Thanks,” Jimin said.

  He stood up, bowed lightly out of habit, and left the room.

  The corridor was quieter than the rest of the department. He walked toward the last door.

  There it was. It had ‘Authorized Personnel Only - Permission Required for Entry’ written beside it.

  Jimin stared at it for a moment.

  It feels like entering a top-secret lab in a spy film.

  He took out his updated license and pressed it against the scanner panel beside the door without hesitation.

  With a beep sound, the door slid open smoothly.

  Jimin stepped inside.

  The room was dimmer than the corridor.

  Warm lighting illuminated rows of shelves lining the walls. Behind glass panels, there were dozens of masks.

  A man sat behind the counter near the center. He looked to be in his early fifties. His hair was slicked back neatly.

  He wore tailored attire that resembled something between a formal suit and a noble merchant’s outfit from a medieval fantasy setting.

  He looked up. “I suppose you are here for a mask?” the official asked.

  “Yes, I am,” Jimin replied with a small smile.

  Why else would I be here? I can only see masks here.

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  “In that case,” the man said, “I’ll show you around. Choose any mask you like from these shelves.”

  “Then, I’ll look around,” Jimin said.

  Jimin started looking through the shelves as the official followed behind him. The official said, ““Every mask here,” the official explained, “Is reinforced with magic and has a ‘voice change’ function in it. They are lightweight and can adjust to external temperatures. And they won’t easily fall off from external forces. So, choose any design you like… But it’s advised not to change your mask too frequently. So, choose carefully."

  Jimin slowed down slightly. He glanced back at him.

  “Huh… Why? Wouldn’t it be safer if I change frequently?”

  “Of course,” the official replied in a dry manner. “Unless you want to lose your client base.”

  Jimin gave him a confused look. The official raised one eyebrow.

  “How would your clients recognize you if you keep changing faces? And if you leak your identity to them, what’s the point of changing masks in the first place?” the official said. “Masked Appraisers build brand identity through their appearance. The mask becomes the brand. If you change it every few months, your reputation will take a hit.”

  Jimin paused for a bit and said, “Oh! I get it now.”

  “Congratulations,” the official said flatly.

  Huh… Another dumb kid.

  Jimin’s face didn’t show any change in expression.

  Cocky boomer.

  He resumed browsing for masks.

  There were masks shaped like beasts, masks with glowing patterns, masks with metallic plating, masks that looked ceremonial, even a few that resembled ancient ritual pieces.

  Suddenly, one mask caught his eye.

  It was pitch black with subtle silver patterns over it, minimalistic yet majestic.

  Jimin pointed at it and said, “Can I try that one?”

  “Of course,” said the official as he took the mask out of the shelf.

  “Here,” said the official as he handed over the mask to Jimin.

  Jimin felt that the mask was actually very light, almost no weight.

  Jimin immediately appraised it. And a window popped up.

  —--------------------------------------------------

  Name: Night Monarch

  Category: Accessory

  Type: Mask

  Rank: D

  Description: A sleek, black mask etched with fine silver patterns.

  Effects:

  ? Automatically adjusts size to the wearer and resists being forcibly removed.

  ? Modifies the user’s vocal output.

  ? Regulates internal temperature against external heat or cold.

  Durability: 100 / 100

  —--------------------------------------------------

  Damn…

  “Try it on,” said the official.

  Jimin put the mask on his face without any hesitation.

  The mask adjusted its size and fit perfectly on his face.

  “There’s a mirror ahead,” the official said. “Go ahead and take a look there.”

  Jimin walked toward the mirror at the far wall.

  But as soon as he looked in the mirror, he was baffled.

  The mask looked fantastic but his eyes were fully white.

  “This…” said Jimin as he pointed at his eyes and looked toward the official.

  “There’s nothing to be surprised about,” the official replied calmly.

  “It’s a function to protect and hide the eyes. Eye color is an identifier. It masks them completely. But you should still be able to see perfectly.”

  He could see everything clearly.

  In fact, it feels… natural. It doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing a mask.

  “I like this one,” Jimin said.

  “Good choice,” the official replied. “But are you sure you don’t want to look around more?”

  Jimin paused for a bit and said, “Maybe I will.”

  He removed the mask and continued browsing while holding it in his hand.

  In the end, he didn’t find anything better.

  “I’m sure now. I choose this mask.”

  “Very well. Then, I will get the formalities done with. ”

  The official returned behind the counter and began processing something on his tablet.

  “Do you have a professional title in mind?” he asked casually.

  Jimin paused. A title…

  He thought for a moment and remembered the name of the mask.

  Night Monarch… It sounds cool.

  “I choose ‘Night Monarch’.”

  “Okay. ‘Night Monarch’ it is.”

  The official continued working on his tablet.

  After several minutes, the official was finally done.

  “You’re good to go. Now go and wait in the lobby or cafeteria for about an hour. As soon as you are contacted, visit the Licensing Department. You’ll receive your official license… And the mask.”

  “Okay. Thanks,” Jimin replied.

  He didn’t bother hiding the excitement in his voice.

  He stepped out of the room.

  The door slid shut behind him.

  As he walked down the corridor, he felt a strange sensation.

  This excitement and anticipation is killing me.

  He sat in the lobby waiting.

  An hour passed slower than it should have.

  Finally-

  His phone vibrated.

  “Please visit the License Officer’s Desk - 2 to receive your Appraiser License.”

  Jimin stood up immediately and stormed toward the licensing department.

  He reached the licensing department and located License Officer’s Desk - 2.

  A young officer looked up.

  “Hi,” Jimin said, trying to keep his voice steady. “I’m Sam Jimin. I’m here for my Appraiser License.”

  “Oh, yes.” The officer reached beneath the desk and pulled out a box. “I have it right here.”

  Jimin’s heartbeat quickened.

  The officer handed him the box along with a tablet.

  “Sign here, please.”

  Jimin signed without hesitation.

  The officer slid the box toward him, “There you go... Congratulations.”

  Jimin nodded faintly, “Thank you.”

  He unboxed it on the spot, Here goes nothing.

  Inside was a sleek license card and the mask.

  He picked up the license first. Night Monarch… D-rank Appraiser...

  But the image displayed wasn’t his face.

  It was the mask.

  Figures…

  He felt something tighten in his chest.

  He slid the card into his wallet carefully. Then, he placed the mask back inside the box.

  “Anything else?” the officer asked.

  “No. That’s all.”

  Jimin turned and walked away.

  He went to the washroom, entered a stall and locked it.

  He took out the mask and the license.

  He held one in each hand.

  For a moment, he just stared at them.

  He had done it.

  He instinctively shouted, “Hell yeah…”

  “What the…” a panicked voice came from the nearby stall.

  Jimin froze.

  “Oops.”

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