The Hunter’s Guild is located in the central plaza, where many weapon and item shops also line the streets. Being a source of magic silver, there are many first-class blacksmiths here.
We are making our way through the city of Feel, guided by Meena.
“Oh, that’s wonderful to know.”
“It is. Let’s go take a look later.”
“In that case, I have acquaintances who run shops, so I’ll introduce you later.”
Hmm, a blacksmith Meena knows?
They say there are many first-class blacksmiths, so I’m interested too.
“Thank you. More importantly, Meena, since we’re the same age, you don’t have to be so formal with me!”
“I agree with that.”
“However, this is my duty as an Order member.”
I feel uneasy being spoken to so formally by a girl my age.
Surely other Order members are more casual than this.
Well, it’s our first meeting, so I guess I can sort that out later.
“Alright, let’s head to the Guild. By the way, are there any conditions for registration?”
While Meena guided me, I asked about the necessary requirements for registration.
It’s obvious that strength is needed, but there might be other conditions too.
“As long as you have the strength, there shouldn’t be any particular problems. Since you two have defeated Black Fenrir and Green Fang, you don’t need to worry about that aspect.”
I’m not worried about that, considering our levels.
But still!
This is another world.
If we’re going to register with the Guild, there’s a possibility that some kind of event awaits us.
The most likely scenario is a trial by senior hunters.
I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble, so I have to be extremely careful!
“The main point to be aware of is probably that many people are short-tempered, isn’t it?”
“It means there might be some fools who will pick a fight with us after seeing us.”
Prim looks annoyed. I can understand how she feels.
“Ah, please stop here. We’ve arrived. This is the Hunter’s Guild.”
Oh, we’re here.
We were led to a large building adorned with motifs of swords and bows.
It’s a considerably large facility, apparently the largest building in Feel.
I was told that a spacious area is essential for hunter training grounds and for monster appraisal and evaluation, so it makes sense.
“You’ll get a more detailed explanation from the Guild staff. Shall we go in?”
Led by Meena, we stepped into the Hunter’s Guild.
“Oh, Meena. What brings you here today?”
Wow, the receptionist receptionist has cat ears.
So, she’s a cat beastkin, Loxy.
“Hello, Kamina. I’ve brought these two here today because they are here to register as hunters.”
“Understood. Please fill this out first. After you finish, we’ll proceed with registration and explanation.”
“Understood.”
“Kamina, you should have received the communication, but actually, these individuals are…”
“!? I-I’ll inform the Sub-Hunter’s Master immediately!”
“Please wait. I’ll explain as well. Lady Apricot, is that alright with you?”
“Of course.”
With that, Meena, Lady Apricot, and the receptionist named Kamina went up the stairs at the back.
“Well then, let’s fill this out quickly.”
“Indeed. By the way, names and ages are fine, but what about a Raid Name?”
“Right. We can’t register if it’s the same as another one, can we?”
When hunters form a raid, they must also decide on a raid name.
This is how they keep track of who is in which raid, and they are required to report any departures or additions to the Guild immediately.
This is also to prevent confusion with people of the same name.
In this world, where photos are uncommon, it’s not rare to be mistaken based on name alone, so confirming identity with a personal name and a unique raid name makes it easier to distinguish people.
Therefore, raid names are strictly prohibited from being registered with the same name.
“I understand the reason, but we haven’t thought about it, have we?”
“Yeah. And the procedure is troublesome, so let’s think of something.”
“Let me see… How about ‘Wing Crest’?”
Wing Crest, the emblem of wings.
Since Engraving Magic is also called Crest Magic abroad, and I have acquaintances who are Crest Knights and Crest Hunters, it might be a good choice.
“That’s good, let’s go with that.”
Now that the raid name is decided, the next is the weapon, and naturally, it’s a sword.
I’ve been drilled on it by Father and my uncles.
“Alright, let’s register. Although, the person from before is gone, and Meena hasn’t returned yet. Should we wait a bit?”
“That might be for the best. Oh, it looks like she’s back.”
After finishing filling out the papers, just as we were wondering what to do, Kamina returned.
Meena and Lady Apricot were still not back, but they were probably reporting to the Sub-Hunter’s Master.
“We’ve finished filling it out, please proceed.”
“Y-Yes! Yamato Mikami and Primrose Hydrangea. Your raid name is Wing Crest. There are no issues with that. Now, we will check the Library.”
The fact that we registered with the Hunter’s Guild and our raid names are also registered in the Library means that a confirmation from the Guild is natural.
Both Prim and I had our records checked in the Library immediately. Of course, Kamina’s eyes widened.
“…It was just as Meena said. Please excuse me. We will now begin the registration. Following that, we will proceed with the Guild explanation.”
“Please do.”
The Hunter’s Guild makes a living by hunting monsters, but if they commit criminal acts, their registration will be revoked, and they will be handed over to the security forces, or to the Order’s Guild if they are an Amister.
If they become thieves, they will become wanted criminals and will be targeted by hunters worldwide, which is only natural.
Furthermore, the Guild does not intervene in the safety of hunters and does not guarantee their lives.
They also do not intervene in disputes between hunters, but in recent years, the bad behavior of hunters has become a problem, and the Guild has been intervening more frequently.
The purchase of monster materials can lead to price drops if the supply is high, and conversely, prices may rise if the demand is high.
At the reception, in addition to monster subjugation requests, you can also accept material gathering requests and guard requests.
The request forms are posted on the request bulletin board, and you can take them to the reception. However, you cannot accept requests depending on your rank, so you were warned not to be overconfident in your level and rank.
The ranks are T, I, C, B, S, G, P, M, A, and O. We will start at the G-T rank.
This is because regardless of how high your level or how experienced you are, you always start at T-rank upon registration.
Promotion is largely dependent on level, so it means you have G-rank equivalent level but are newly registered.
Since level is the primary criterion, if you hunt monsters, you can reach around B-rank without even taking on requests. However, for S-rank and above, you must always succeed in requests, and factors such as character and personality are beginning to be considered. The receptionist muttered that this was to prevent thugs from reaching high ranks, indicating that there are quite a few such fools.
Incidentally, the G-rank we were registered at is a rank held by only a few dozen people in the world. The higher P-rank is held by a few, and the M-rank by only one person.
A-rank and O-rank are currently empty, but it seems they existed in the past.
“That is a general overview. Please see here for details.”
With that, Kamina handed us two pieces of parchment.
It seems like hunter regulations.
“That concludes the explanation. Normally, we would collect the registration fee here, but as Meena mentioned earlier, you two have items to be appraised for purchase. Therefore, the registration fee will be deducted from the purchase price. Do you have any questions?”
The first parchment is about the regulations, and the second is about the Hunter Magic that only hunters can use.
I’m curious about what kind of magic it is, so I’ll take a good look at it later.
“No, we’re fine.”
“I don’t have any questions either.”
“Understood. Then, we will begin the registration process. Also, once the registration is complete, we will guide you to the Sub-Hunter’s Master’s room, so please wait a moment.”
“Understood.”
It was easier than I expected.
Now, all we have to do is report to the Sub-Hunter’s Master with Meena and Lady Apricot.
“I heard the story. You guys have earned quite a bit for newcomers, haven’t you?”
However, the moment we stood up, a group of people with mohawks and shaved heads surrounded us.
This was precisely the situation I had feared.
“Wait, wait. Since you’re newcomers, we’ll teach you properly about the hunter’s code of conduct.”
“As for you, missy, we’ll take good care of you ourselves, of course. And at night too. Heh heh heh.”
There are eight of them in total.
All of them have incredibly vulgar smiles on their faces.
So, the plan is to extort money from the newcomers and then try to get Prim to be their night-time companion.
Judging by this, they must be causing a lot of trouble for the townspeople too.
Besides, I doubt these fools have any “hunter’s code of conduct.”
“So, you’re the vulgar fools who cause problems for the townspeople, aren’t you?”
Prim’s voice dropped a notch.
I’m scared, Prim!
“Hey, Prim, even if it’s the truth, it’s rude to say it to their faces, don’t you think?”
Even as I thought that, I felt extremely disgusted.
“Huh? You dare to pick a fight with us, Snake Bite, you amateurs!?”
“Do you know us?”
“Of course not, you’re just some lowlifes you can find anywhere. You probably aren’t even a decent rank.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t talk down to us! We’re B-rank! We’re one of the top raids in Feel!”
B-rank, huh?
It’s considered a veteran rank, but honestly, they’re just average hunters, no better than Helios Orb.
There are more of them than C-rank, but that’s partly because C-rank has the highest mortality rate.
Recently, the mortality rate of C-rank has been decreasing, so some say the numbers might be reversing.
“Yeah, yeah. We don’t care if you call yourselves ‘top.’ And Kamina, in this situation, would self-defense be justified?”
“There will be no problem. However, please take it outside if you’re going to fight.”
Prim asked Kamina, who had returned after finishing the registration procedures, but even Kamina looked quite annoyed.
These guys must have really caused a lot of trouble.
“Since you said so. If you’re going to fight, I’m up for it, but?”
“Don’t get cocky, kid! Bring it on, let’s take this outside!”
Oh, look at him, veins popping out.
At this point, it’s clear they’re not much of a threat.
“Prim, shall I take care of them?”
“Do you think I can stand by and do nothing when they told me to be their night-time companion?”
“You’re right. Well then, how about we each take half?”
“That sounds good.”
Once we went outside, the number of people had increased further.
A total of 18 people. They all look like they have low intelligence.
“Hey, it looks like the Snake Bite guys are angry, did something happen?”
“They were looked down upon by some newcomers.”
“Ah, man. That newcomer is finished.”
“W-What?! Did those guys pick a fight with Snake Bite?!”
“They are truly finished…”
“Yeah. The guy will be crippled or sold into slavery, and the girl will be their plaything. How pitiful…”
The bystanders are saying whatever they want, but judging from the conversation, the “top raid” might not have been a self-proclaimed title after all.
It doesn’t really matter to me, though.
“It’s too late to apologize now! We’ll strip you bare and sell you to a slave trader!”
“Well, that’s obviously robbery. Saying such a thing in front of everyone, it seems you’re not very bright either.”
“Maybe they really are thieves.”
“Sh-Shut up! Get them!”
They’re visibly flustered.
I just said that because their words sounded like those of a thief, but they might actually be connected to thieves.
Well, I’ll leave the rest to Rex, but for now, let’s get rid of these guys.
“W-What the!?!”
“I-Ice!?”
I activated my specialty skill, Cold Prison, and trapped them in a cage of ice.
It’s strong, and they won’t escape with half-hearted efforts.
It’s also excellent as a defensive formation.
“Not bad, Yamato. I need to become more efficient with my magic too!”
Prim, using her enhanced physical abilities amplified by Physicalizing, delivered a graceful kick.
Naturally, they couldn’t keep up with Prim’s movements. She gathered them into a single spot, and they were sent flying by a tornado she created, falling and losing consciousness simultaneously. I also increased the intensity of Cold Prison, freezing them solid and simultaneously dispelling the spell.
“You couldn’t live up to your boasts. Calling yourselves ‘top,’ I suppose this is it.”
“Yeah. Well, they panicked when I called them thieves, so they probably have a lot of other crimes too. It’s probably better for Feel, isn’t it?”
“Probably. More importantly, let’s go inside. Meena and Mother might be back by now.”
“Let’s do that.”
We returned to the Guild without so much as a glance at the Snake Bite members.
“W-What was that…?”
“No way…”
“That Snake Bite… defeated so easily…”
The bystanders are astonished, and I guess no more fools will try to pick a fight with us now.
