Chapter 171: Members Of The Hunter Guild

POV Eliza

Before returning to our inn, however, we went to the nearest branch of the Hunters' Guild. We planned to pick up a job there. But first we needed a license from the guild.

Unlike the Mercenaries' Guild, the building in front of us was much less pompous and less massive. It was located near the city wall and was part of a row of houses. We almost walked right past it. However, there was a large sign above the door, which was open. Inside, it was loud, much louder than the other buildings nearby. In addition, several people who were clearly recognizable as adventurers were entering and leaving the building. Except that in this case, they were called hunters.

The interior was set up like a pub. Opposite the door was a long counter, behind which a total of three receptionists waited for their customers. Behind them, two doors led deeper into the building. The room contained several tables with chairs, where a few people sat and chatted over a drink. On the left wall was a long bulletin board with the current quests. On the right-hand side, there was a bar with a bartender and a staircase leading upstairs.

We went to the counter and Duke, as our leader, spoke to the receptionist.

“Hello. We would like to become members of the Hunters so that we can take on quests for you. Duke

“Very well. Are you already members of another guild?” Receptionist

“Yes, we are. With the Mercenaries.” Duke

“Then we will have to charge you an additional fee. " Receptionist

“Why is that? We weren't told about this when we registered with the Mercenaries.” Duke

"I understand, but I apologize. I can't do anything about the rule. For your information, the three guilds have agreed to increase the registration fee for each additional license. This is to prevent the same people from taking on all the small jobs. The small jobs are important for the lower ranks to earn a living. This applies less to us than to the other two guilds, but we are one unit and we all pull together." Receptionist

"This system sounds logical and understandable. Increasing the fee will not prevent other guild members from registering here, but it will make it more difficult. All right, we'll pay the increased fee for four people." Duke

"Very well. May I ask you to come to the end of the counter, please? There we will briefly check what rank we can assign you. Normally, all newcomers start in bronze, but particularly strong newcomers start in silver. To do this, we hold a short test fight against one of our members, who then assesses your strength. There is also a short written test to check whether you have the basic knowledge you need to complete the higher quests." Receptionist

“This is your chance, Leo. You're strong enough, stronger than us, to get the better rank.” Betty

“That may be true, Betty. But I'll pass, thank you.” Eliza

“Why is that? You're level 50 and have an improved class. Are you afraid of being too weak?” Betty

"It's not that. You know, Betty, I've realized something. When I woke up in that dark room in the labyrinth, I was covered in blood and in pain. It was hell. I can do without that. I'm not a big fan of pain at all. You probably can't imagine it, but I was scared, really scared. The big dark hall, hardly any light, no sounds, just the rushing of my own blood in my ears. It was eerily quiet. I was close to dying, Betty. Not a nice feeling.

On top of that, I'm more of a pacifist and don't really like fighting. I don't know exactly what I was like when you rescued me, but if I was different back then, that wasn't the real me. A higher rank certainly involves quests where more dangerous enemies have to be defeated. I can do without that too. Forgive me, Betty, for not being able to live up to your expectations." Eliza

“No problem, Eliza. I didn't know how you felt back then. But we didn't talk about it either. Until now. You don't have to fight if you don't want to or if you're afraid of it. Duke, we'll find a solution for that too, right?” Betty

"Of course, although it will be more difficult to get and complete well-paid quests. If necessary, the three of us will fight for you." Duke

“But I have another problem that will probably make it impossible for me to move up in rank.” Eliza

“What do you mean, Leo?” Betty

“The written test. At the moment, I can't draw on my previous knowledge. I can't pass a test based on knowledge.” Eliza

“I hadn't thought of that. It's a shame, but at least it means all four of us will stay in the same rank. That's something, at least.” Betty

“But I can help you in other ways. Earlier, you showed me the assessment the mercenary guild made of me. Among other things, it said that I have some skills that I can still use to earn money.” Eliza

“Which ones do you mean, Leo?” Betty

“I'm talking about crafting skills. Tailoring, butchery, and cooking. If we encounter monsters at some point, I'll be better able to get the usable parts. And with cooking and tailoring, I can help maintain our equipment.” Eliza

I turned to the receptionist.

“Are there any quests where you can earn money with crafting skills?” Eliza

“Of course. Monsters are always encountered in the labyrinth and taken outside to be cut up. There are many shops that deal with monsters and their parts. Cooking and tailoring, for example, are always sought-after skills on expeditions like the ones we offer. It would be advantageous to be able to fight if necessary. That increases your value and thus also the pay you receive.” Receptionist

“So there are specialists and all-rounders, and fighters are always needed?” Eliza

"That's right. Even if you might not believe it at first, all-rounders with certain skills are even more sought after than pure fighters. Almost anyone who is willing to go on an expedition can fight. Hunters who can defend themselves and have the other necessary skills, on the other hand, are much rarer. Of course, it also depends on the type of expedition. They are less sought after for transport and guarding assignments than for quests that lead into the wilderness and involve monsters or beasts of all kinds." Receptionist

“So does that mean that the more skills I have that are needed for a particular quest, the better I'll be paid?” Eliza

"To a certain extent. At the beginning, the client specifies which skills the hunters should have. Additional skills are not paid for, and it does not automatically mean that you will be hired. Unlike some other guilds, we allow the client to have the final say and reject interested parties. Payment is usually a fixed amount based on experience and, above all, rank. There may also be a bonus. The amount of the bonus depends on the skills requested. Additional skills are always welcome, but that's all. Nice to have. Nevertheless, there is the advantage of being chosen over others." Receptionist

“Then it's actually enough for me not to get a higher rank. I want the same as the others.” Eliza

“As you wish. So, each of you agrees to receive the bronze rank?” Receptionist

Everyone nodded. Over the next few minutes, the lady across from us recorded our personal details and issued our membership cards. While the mercenaries' licenses consisted of rectangular metal plates, we received a small round medallion to hang around our necks. The leather cord was included. Once we had our licenses, Duke turned back to the receptionist.

"Now that we're members, we want to take on a job. We're looking for an expedition going east. It can be a longer trip. A few weeks is no problem. I can offer diplomacy, Bishop here is a priest. Betty has various skills related to living animals, and Eliza has all kinds of scouting skills. Is that right?" Duke

“Correct.” Bishop

“Yes.” Betty

“I also have a few crafting skills. There's bound to be something that means I don't have to fight if it's not necessary.” Eliza

"That's a wide range of skills, and I already know the right quest for you. Here it is. It's a combined delivery with the possibility of a follow-up assignment. One of the horsemen tribes of the east has approached our guild. They are currently having problems with a neighboring tribe. The latter has apparently grown significantly in terms of population recently and therefore needs to expand. Unfortunately, this means that they are increasingly encroaching on our clients' old pasture lands and displacing them. However, they are too weak to resist. In addition, they have few options for fleeing to other grazing lands. Therefore, they are seeking support, either for a diplomatic solution or for finding new pasture lands." Receptionist

"That means we will first travel to this horsemen tribe. There, we will either negotiate with the other tribe or help them find land. Which solution is preferred?" Duke

“The client would prefer a diplomatic solution. Only if that cannot be achieved to their advantage should an escape route be sought. However, in both cases, the possibility of combat cannot be ruled out.” Receptionist

"First diplomacy, then searching, and possibly fighting. Sounds like a job we can do. If the pay is right, we'll gladly accept it. Any objections?" Duke

The three of us shook our heads. We then learned the remaining conditions of the job, such as payment and contact person. When we agreed to the job, we were introduced to a member of the horsemen tribe. He was assigned to act as our contact person and guide. We were to leave as soon as possible, and since we wanted to leave the city soon anyway, we agreed to depart the very next day. The weather was nice and warm, and I wrapped myself up well in clothing so that I didn't have to expose a single inch of my skin to the sun.