Free Lancer

**Free Lancers** (自営業(フリーランサー), *Jieigyō*?) are individuals who are affiliated with and undertake missions and jobs posted by the Continental Association. The term "adventurer" is used as a catch-all term to encompass these individuals who are willing to take on challenges, explore dangerous territories, and complete jobs for personal gain, monetary rewards, or for the sake of adventure itself. They are often depicted as freelancers or mercenaries, taking on jobs as they see fit and operating outside of traditional structures like armies or kingdoms.

Free Lancers can come from different backgrounds and possess different skill sets. They can be warriors, mages, rogues, archers, or any other type of character class or profession commonly found in fantasy settings. The diversity among Free Lancers allows for a broad range of quests and missions to be undertaken, as different tasks may require different skills or approaches. People typically register as a Free Lancer to gain access to a pool of available jobs. They may receive information about the tasks, their difficulty levels, the expected rewards, and any specific requirements or credentials needed. Adventurers then choose which quests to undertake based on their personal preferences, skills, and the potential rewards involved. By enrolling as a Free Lancer in the Continental, they gain a certain level of legitimacy and access to a network that connects them to individuals in need of assistance. This allows them to find work, build their reputation, and potentially advance in rank or gain access to higher-paying jobs over time.

### Registration Test

The Free Lancer organization has devised a series of distinct and rigorous tests to assess the readiness and capabilities of its members for rank progression. The journey begins with the Registration Test, where aspiring Free Lancers undergo evaluations encompassing physical fitness assessments, knowledge examinations, and skill demonstrations. These tests gauge their combat readiness, understanding of fundamental concepts, and proficiency in key skills relevant to their chosen division.

The registration test for aspiring Free Lancers can be taken at any time. For that purpose, a proctor from every division is always present. But since proctors are sometimes relied upon in times of need, they are mostly hired from among Silver rank Lancers retired from service. The proctors have the discretion to allow lancers to skip however many increments and challenge the Bronze-rank test if they feel the individual is capable enough. Branch leaders can use their privileges to automatically assign Silver-rank privileges to anyone in special cases without going through the rank tests. Should the individual pass, they are issued a Mission Pass and become Wood-rank and from there, are allowed to challenge higher ranks, usually in increments.

A Mission Pass is a special card that serves as their identification and vital information display. This card prominently features the Free Lancer's name, enabling quick recognition and establishing credibility when engaging with clients, fellow adventurers, and authorities. Additionally, the Mission Pass prominently showcases the Free Lancer's rank, providing a visual representation of their experience and expertise, influencing the types of quests and jobs they are offered. Furthermore, the card includes an indication of the Free Lancer's division, allowing prospective clients or employers to identify adventurers with specific skill sets or preferences. Alongside serving as verification and access to restricted areas, special events, or exclusive services, the Mission Pass card also maintains a record of the Free Lancer's completed quests, achievements, and noteworthy accomplishments, creating a tangible record of their past successes and enhancing their reputation.

### Divisions

The division separation within the Free Lancer system serves multiple purposes, promoting expertise and efficiency by allowing individuals to specialize in their chosen field. This specialization enables them to become highly skilled and effective in their respective roles, ensuring tasks related to harvesting, exploration, and subjugation are handled by experts who understand the specific challenges and best practices within their division.

Furthermore, the divisions work in synergy, fostering collaboration and ensuring the necessary resources are allocated effectively to achieve common goals. This collaborative approach encourages Free Lancers from different divisions to work together, leveraging their specialized knowledge and skills to tackle complex missions. Additionally, the division separation facilitates the effective allocation of resources, tailoring support and resources to meet the specific needs of each division, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Free Lancer system.

#### Harvesting Division

The Harvesting Division focuses on the extraction and acquisition of valuable resources. It is divided into specialized branches to ensure efficiency and expertise in different areas. This division recognizes the importance of sustainably managing resources to prevent depletion or environmental harm. By having specialists dedicated to agriculture, forestry, and alchemy, the Harvesting Division ensures that each sector receives the necessary attention and expertise for optimal resource utilization.

#### Exploration Division

The Exploration Division acknowledges the need for pioneers who can venture into uncharted territories and uncover new knowledge. It encompasses various subcategories to cater to the unique challenges of different exploration environments. By specializing in land, maritime, and aerial exploration, the division can cover a wide range of environments and obstacles, ensuring thorough exploration and understanding of the world.

#### Subjugation Division

The Subjugation Division recognizes the existence of threats to society that require skilled combatants to address. Dividing this division into specialized roles allows for focused training and expertise. Different types of threats, such as dangerous creatures, organized criminal groups, and rogue mages, require distinct skill sets and approaches. By organizing the division into specialized branches, the Free Lancer system can effectively address a variety of threats that endanger the well-being of the people.

## Rankings

Free Lancers are divided into seven Ranks, ordered from lowest to highest: Wood, Stone, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Orichalcum. Aside from these six major ranks, there are also minor ranks, as in the ranks within the ranks commonly referred to as Grades symbolized by stars. Wood, Stone, and Bronze has three grades, Silver has four, and Gold and Platinum has five. Orichalcum doesn't have grades as there have only been one person to have reached this rank. Free Lancers are identified by the rank officially assigned to them by the Continental.

All new Free Lancers recently registered into the Continental are given the lowest rank. When their rank increases, they are given more missions made available to take on with a higher difficulty rate. The rank of a Free Lancer increases by achieving a certain conditions and completing a certain amount of requests. Basically, the rank increases step by step regardless of accomplishments, this system was created so that people don't lose their lives recklessly attempting to do dangerous missions beyond their ability. Becoming a high-ranking Free Lancer assures better income, reward and social position and the highest ranked, the Platinum-Grade 5 Rank Free Lancers, are treated as heroes, regardless of their nationality.

The jobs that Free Lancers are able to accept are categorized in seven ranks, based on the request's possible danger or level of importance and only Free Lancers are allowed to take on requests of their matching rank or below.

* **Wood Rank**: This is the starting rank for new members, posing minimal risk to their lives. Wood-rank jobs consist of simple tasks, both within and outside the city, such as odd jobs and minor errands. Free Lancers at this rank have basic weapon handling skills and can handle low-level monsters like slimes. Wood-rank Free Lancers are often comprised of aspiring heroes, adventurous dreamers, or individuals struggling to make ends meet. Free Lancers at the Wood Rank are generally not widely recognized or renowned. They are seen as newcomers and often blend into the larger pool of aspiring adventurers. However, within local communities, they may gain some recognition as helpful individuals performing basic tasks and errands.
* **Stone Rank**: More experienced adventurers attain the Stone Rank, which grants them access to requests that involve little, but possible, combat with monsters. These quests often require travel to nearby towns and villages. Attaining Stone Rank is a notable achievement, as their reputation begins to spread within the regions they frequent. People in nearby towns and villages start recognizing them as capable adventurers, and their names become known among the locals. Their growing reputation as reliable individuals who handle tasks efficiently can lead to more job offers from the communities they've assisted.
* **Bronze Rank**: Seasoned adventurers reach the Bronze Rank, allowing them to undertake requests that anticipate combat encounters with low-level monsters and rogue mages. These quests present a moderate level of danger and require a higher level of skill and experience. At this rank, Free Lancers have established themselves as seasoned adventurers. Their reputation expands beyond local areas, reaching neighboring towns and regions. They become recognized for their combat prowess and their names start to circulate among adventurers and guilds as reliable individuals who can handle challenging situations.
* **Silver Rank**: Skillful adventurers at the Silver Rank handle quests involving city or kingdom-level matters and trends. These requests may involve complex political situations, investigations, or tasks with high stakes. The reward for completing a Silver-rank request is substantial, numbering at tens of thousands of belko per commission, reflecting the significance and difficulty of such missions. Free Lancers at the Silver Rank gain a reputation that extends beyond regional boundaries. Their insights into significant events or trends earn them recognition among influential figures. Their names become known among the higher echelons of society, including nobles, politicians, and high-ranking guild officials.
* **Gold Rank**: Experienced adventurers operating at the Gold Rank undertake nation-level confidential matters. These quests deal with critical and sensitive issues, often related to national security, powerful phantasmals, or major events that could impact the entire nation. The reward for completing a Gold-rank request is substantial, numbering at hundreds of thousands of belko, acknowledging the gravity and risks involved. The fame of Free Lancers at the Gold Rank spreads throughout nations. Their involvement in confidential matters and their ability to tackle national-level challenges earn them respect and admiration among both the general population and the ruling elite. Their reputation precedes them, and their names become synonymous with legendary exploits and successful outcomes.
* **Platinum Rank**: The most skilled and powerful adventurers achieve the Platinum Rank, granting them access to extremely dangerous quests. These requests involve facing off against Asuran Lords and high-ranking Naraka bosses, posing significant threats to the world. The rewards for Platinum-rank jobs are substantial, often reaching millions of belko coins due to the high risk and difficulty involved. Platinum-rank Free Lancers are revered for their unparalleled skills and accomplishments. Their ability to confront Disaster Class opponents, which pose threats on a global scale, cements their reputation as some of the most formidable adventurers. Their names echo across nations, and they are considered among the most elite and respected figures in the adventurer community.
* **Orichalcum Rank**: The pinnacle of adventurer ranks, Orichalcum Rank is assigned to legendary adventurers who have reached the utmost level of skill and power. These Free Lancers should be capable of taking on Arch Dragons, Daemon Lords and Catastrophe Class monsters that pose threats beyond the capabilities of a single nation. Free Lancers who achieve the Orichalcum Rank would become the stuff of legends, literally. Seen in the sole Free Lancer who had reached Orichalcum Rank, their fame spans far and wide, transcending borders and cultures. Tales of their extraordinary abilities spread like wildfire as rumors of dubious accuracy starts popping up. They are celebrated as the pinnacle of what a human can be, and their exploits become immortalized in epic sagas and folklore.