Chapter 31: Young Hunter

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Young Hunter

Vili followed the young clerk’s directions and walked toward the stairwell.

As soon as he reached the second floor, he saw several men in coarse linen clothes loitering outside a room.

Most of them had rough skin and weathered faces. Some even had ugly scars. Each one was equipped with specialized weapons and tools, looking every bit the professional Hunter.

Helai was an old Hunter with over a decade of experience. He had captured countless beasts, ambushed tigers, and fought starving wolves. His body was covered in all kinds of scars.

His hair was rather long, tied back in a braid. When he saw Vili approach, a disdainful smile appeared on his face. "Look at this arrogant little brat."

He could tell from Vili’s attire that he was a Hunter.

It wasn’t just Helai; the other Hunters also looked at Vili with contempt. It was no wonder. The Hunter profession was one built on experience, requiring long years to master. These men were all veteran Hunters, at least by appearance. They once had partners who worked alongside them, but many had been weeded out—either by suffering severe injuries or becoming food for wild beasts.

Vili naturally noticed their hostility, but he paid it no mind.

He walked to the door and glanced at it. It wasn’t open yet. A sign hung on it, but Vili couldn’t read the words. Judging by the reactions of the others, it probably meant something like "Waiting" or "Registration."

So, Vili found a spot beside them and waited as well.

Over the next half hour, a few more Hunters arrived, bringing the total number of people waiting to around ten.

Most of these Hunters were from the vicinity of Diamond Town. They hunted in either Morse Forest or Bole Forest, so many of them found acquaintances in the group. But Vili was different. He hadn’t been a Hunter for long and didn’t know a single person there.

"Gentlemen, thank you for waiting."

Finally, a young man in armor with a Cross Sword at his waist came around the corner of the stairwell.

He had a resolute face and a sharp glint in his eyes, exuding an inexplicable sense of pressure even from a distance. Beside him was a well-dressed man of about thirty, holding a notebook, a quill, and ink. He was clearly the registration’s Record Officer.

"My name is Bamos. I am a Senior Knight’s Squire in Lord Kels’ Personal Guard Team."

The moment Bamos finished speaking, the dozen or so Hunters all became a little reserved.

Experienced old Hunters often dealt with various merchants and held a relatively high status among commoners, so they knew what a Senior Knight’s Squire represented. For Bamos to be a Senior Knight’s Squire at Baron Kels’ side at such a young age meant his future was boundless.

"Hm?"

The Record Officer had already opened the door, and Bamos had one foot inside when he suddenly glanced over and saw the young Vili in the crowd.

Bamos was quite surprised. "To think there’s a Hunter this young."

There was no mockery in his tone, only simple curiosity.

But the other Hunters around him all let out soft chuckles.

Helai, in particular, said directly, "Perhaps some people think they can call themselves a Hunter after accidentally catching a wild rabbit."

"Sir Bamos."

Vili ignored the other voices, giving a slight nod as a sign of respect.

He knew very well that under a system of nobility, it was best to show proper respect to Upper-Rankers. If he acted aloof and arrogant, he would be the one to suffer sooner or later.

"Very brave. Being a Hunter is a dangerous profession."

Bamos smiled.

The dozen or so Hunters followed Bamos into the room one after another.

The room was very large; even fifty or sixty people wouldn’t have made it feel crowded. This was an advantage of having plenty of land and a sparse population. When putting up a building, one didn’t need to worry about the amount of land, only whether there were enough construction materials.

"Alright, everyone. Registration will now begin."

Bamos stood to the side while the Record Officer dipped his quill in ink, ready to write.

"Line up and come forward one by one. State your name. If I have heard of you, you will pass registration directly. If I have not, you will need to prove your strength to me."

He wasn’t worried that someone might fake a reputation. With so many veteran Hunters present, any lie would be easily exposed.

Bamos’s words made everyone understand that one could not simply join Baron Kels’ hunting trip to Bole Forest at will.

"I’ll go first."

The braided Helai stood at the very front, with Vili right behind him.

"Your name."

Bamos asked.

"Helai."

As he said this, a faint look of pride appeared on Helai’s face.

Bamos furrowed his brow, seemingly in thought, then smiled in realization. "I’ve heard your name. You once accepted a commission from a major apothecary in Blue Whale Town to hunt a tiger in Bole Forest for its gallbladder. You succeeded."

"That was me."

Helai tried his best to remain humble, but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his thoughts.

"Very good. You pass. Record it."

Bamos made the decision and gestured for Helai to take a seat in the distance.

Next up was Vili.

"Your name?"

Bamos’s eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly very interested in this excessively young Hunter. He had suspected that some people would try to slip through the cracks to get the five-Gold Rum reward, but after seeing Vili, he didn’t think he was that type of person.

Because this young man was too calm. If he were trying to bluff his way through, he should at least look a little nervous.

"Vili."

Vili replied.

Bamos pondered for a moment, then shook his head regretfully. "Sorry, I haven’t heard your name. You’ll need to demonstrate your Ability to me."

"Just kick him out. How could a little brat like that be a proper Hunter?"

Helai, from his seat, still couldn’t control his foul mouth, speaking up with a laugh.

The other Hunters also laughed. They all thought the same thing.

"How do I prove my strength? Can I use force?"

Vili remained perfectly calm, his expression unruffled.

Bamos nodded. "Of course. Combat prowess can prove a lot."

Upon hearing this, Vili suddenly pointed at Helai. "I want him to be my target."

Bamos was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. He hadn’t expected this humble young man to have such an aggressive side. "Fine by me. I agree!"

"Brat! You..."

Helai flew into a rage. This was a blatant trampling of his dignity.

He shot up angrily and started walking toward Vili.

But in that exact instant, Helai suddenly saw Vili make his move.

With one hand, he pulled the Crossbow from his back; with the other, he pinched a Crossbow Arrow.

He loaded the arrow and fired.

It all happened in a flash. Vili didn’t even seem to take aim.

WHOOSH!

The Crossbow Arrow shot out.

A chill ran down Helai’s spine. He had never seen such a fluid motion!

’It’s too fast!’

He had no time to think, no time to dodge. Death felt imminent.