Chapter Fifty-One: The Bounty Classification

"Miss, I don't recognize those letters. Would you mind introducing and translating them for me?"
"When I get back, I'll buy you a few drinks."
Harvey glanced at the bounty board to his left, where various portraits and texts flashed intermittently. He turned back and asked politely.
"Every encounter is fate. My name is Lacey, pleased to meet you."
The golden-haired bunny girl who called herself Lacey blinked her beautiful eyes, thought for a moment, and extended her slender, fair right hand.
"Hello, Miss Lacey."
Harvey reached out his hand, clad in golden gauntlets, and shook hers.
"Mr. Kassadin, remember your promise. When you return, make sure to treat me to a few good drinks."
Lacey was not surprised by the name; as she released his hand, her fingers brushed lightly across Harvey's gauntlet.
"Certainly."
Lacey's flirtatious gestures left Harvey unmoved, though he gently clasped her hand with his armored grip and nodded slightly.
Harvey understood well the kind of life women like Lacey, who worked in bounty bars, led; their private affairs were chaotic beyond imagining.
He did not shun desire, but was never ruled by it, nor would he succumb to anyone he met.
"No need to hurry now. When you return triumphant, we'll share a drink together."
Lacey withdrew her hand, her smile growing more enchanting.
"Then I must trouble you, Miss Lacey, to explain things for me."
After Lacey withdrew her hand, Harvey stiffened slightly, then spoke.
The other patrons in the bounty bar, witnessing Lacey's skilled routine and the newcomer Kassadin's reaction, shook their heads.
Lacey was a bar attendant, responsible for announcing new bounties and guiding fresh hunters on how to take jobs.
Many newcomers had shared drinks with her, but inviting Lacey out came at a steep price.
Some regretted it after gaining more experience, though at the time they handed over their money willingly.
Moreover, Lacey had powerful backing; to retaliate against her required considerable ability.
Now another bait had taken the hook, reminding them of their own past.
No one warned him; life demands certain experiences for one to awaken.
"Before I introduce anything, let me ask, Mr. Kassadin, what is your strength? Which level of bounty are you aiming for?"
Lacey saw Harvey’s reaction and knew he was hooked, so she ceased her teasing and smiled as she asked.
"I don't understand the bounty grading system. Would you please explain it, Miss Lacey?"
Harvey grew curious and asked.
"Bounty missions are divided into three levels, except for some extremely special tasks."
"Level one ranges from a hundred thousand to a million. Usually, these involve capturing someone, guarding, or clearing certain disasters. The tasks aren't very far from here."
"You don’t necessarily need your own spaceship."
"Just take one of Xandar's interstellar routes, and you can get there."
"This is best suited for newcomers."
"If you have some exceptional skills, you can succeed."
"Usually, you'll work alongside others, including veteran hunters, allowing you to learn from their experience."
"Of course, there are pitfalls, so be cautious."
Lacey explained and warned with a smile.
A hundred thousand credits were no small sum; with a thousand, one could spend a night with several women.
Two thousand covered a month's meals, leaving one well-fed every day.
Harvey nodded, remaining silent as he listened.
"One to five million is level two. The scope expands greatly, and the targets become far more dangerous."
"Tasks include interstellar pursuit and elimination of fugitives, or protecting particularly hazardous merchant ships from space raiders, and clearing dangerous creatures."
"You’ll likely encounter other hunters; first come, first served."
"For interstellar pursuits, a good ship is essential."
"Taking such missions requires meeting certain thresholds."
Lacey clearly understood Kassadin’s intent and continued.
Such missions were called 'three years without a job, but one job feeds you for three.'
The risk soared, with the chance of returning empty-handed or even dying at the hands of fellow hunters.
"Above that, five to ten million. These are often posted by planetary kings or crowds pooling resources for a joint bounty."
"The targets are infamous, terrifying monsters, or stealing special items from fierce raider armies."
"Sometimes, it’s about clearing extremely hazardous zones for safe mining, or hunting ancient beasts."
"The reward is not limited to five million—if you succeed, you gain friendship, extra rewards, and future designated missions."
Lacey continued, though this was usually a primer for new bounty hunters.
In truth, level three missions were not for individuals; only well-equipped teams could take them on.
Higher rewards appeared only for special commissions.
Bounty posters were no fools; they sought convenience and minimal loss.
Beyond a certain price, it was wiser to arm oneself and one's men, solving problems directly.
"I understand. Then, Miss Lacey, please tell me about level two missions."
Harvey, having grasped the basics, spoke.
On Earth, tasks worth over five million dollars were rare, so he could relate.
He was not lacking confidence for level three jobs, but he needed his own universal translator first.
He also needed to purchase items for understanding bounty missions.
"Mr. Kassadin, I know you want to make big money—everyone does."
"But you're new; isn't starting with level two too hasty?"
Lacey’s words carried a hint of caution.
Level one bounties, with skill and courage and some weapons, were not hard to complete.
She could then use her charm and rhetoric to earn a tidy sum.
But if Kassadin jumped straight to level two—the mortality rate soared, and completion would take longer.
She didn’t want her catch to die before finishing even a single mission.
"Just let me see, as your reward for explaining things."
"When I return, I’ll make sure to treat you to a few good drinks."
Harvey saw through Lacey’s intentions and replied.
Lacey didn’t press further, tapped her transparent screen, and slid her finger across it.
Harvey noticed the previously unreadable script transformed into letters he recognized.
Available missions were all above three million; anything lower had already been taken, with the names of the finishers displayed.
With a tap, he could even see their faces.
Clearly, cosmic bounty hunters were more open than mercenaries who had to operate in the shadows on Earth.
Once he gained renown, designated missions would surely follow.