Chapter 19
My name is Dilias, an ordinary Mithril-rank Demon Hunter.
I am currently selecting a commission task inside the so-called Demon Hunter branch guild in the city of Oroville.
Being a Demon Hunter is truly arduous work. If you don’t accumulate enough activity points, your Demon Hunter rank will drop steadily like a frog being boiled in warm water. By the time those lazy Demon Hunters realize it, they’ve already been expelled from the guild—such scandalous occurrences happen all the time.
However, this high-risk job with no life insurance comes with handsome rewards. Even many young nobles are willing to enter this industry to strive for success. Sigh, the competitive pressure is immense. Others have both wealth and connections, while I am just a mere commoner. Relying on my petty cleverness and talent, I secretly learned a bit of magic and swordsmanship just to get by. But fortunately, through unremitting efforts, I am finally about to become an Orichalcum-rank Demon Hunter. Dealing with a few dozen Goblins is no problem at all.
Speaking of which, it’s really lively here. Even though it’s just a place to accept tasks, it feels like a tavern. Tables have chips missing, and stools are missing legs; it seems quite a few scuffles have happened here. It’s a pity I don’t have time to squander here, so I can’t watch those exciting fights.
I still have to earn more money to pursue the girl I love. As for requirements… it’s best if she’s younger and shorter than me. The type that looks like a little bird relying on a person is my primary target.
What? What did you say? I am not a lolicon. I can swear on my Mithril Demon Hunter badge.
All around are rough men holding long blades and great axes, and some female Demon Hunters who look like coquettish sluts out to sell themselves. This industry is really getting worse and worse. Once I earn enough money, I’m going to retire!
Ah, the person in charge of the counter, the petite catgirl named Sasha, is still the cutest. Just watching her hurriedly organizing documents makes my heart pound. I wonder if she’s married. If I could marry her, smoke would rise from my ancestors’ graves in celebration.
“This Demon Hunter Big Brother, why are you staring at me all the time-nya? Are you not here to accept a task-nya?”
Ah, crap, crap, I fantasized too much. The prudent thing to do now is to walk up honestly and unhurriedly.
“Ahem, excuse me… are there any tasks for Mithril-rank Demon Hunters?”
I took out my badge and ID and handed them to the little catgirl.
“Sorry-nya, there are no Mithril-rank tasks left for today. However, a new task notice just arrived here. As long as the conditions are met, Demon Hunters of all ranks can participate. Is Big Brother interested-nya?”
Her voice is so sweet, so moe! I feel something burning in my chest!
“No problem, I’ll take this one. May I ask what the remuneration is?”
“Hmm… let me see-nya… 3,000 gold coins.”
What! That’s enough for a hundred days of feasting plus accommodation fees!
“Such a high bounty? It must be a very dangerous mission.”
“Um, it says to explore the Misty Forest near Colin Village… Collect a Mandrake from the Misty Forest and hand it to the guild.”
“Misty Forest… I heard that people who walk in there never come out again. What are the conditions?”
“Explore in a team of four. After completing the task, the reward will be divided among the number of people still alive-nya.”
In other words, if only one person survives in the end, they can get all the rewards… Money really is a hotbed for nurturing Fallen Demon Hunters…
Fallen Demon Hunters are criminals who kill their teammates. They are all wanted criminals with high bounties.
But the reward this time is really high. Anyway, everyone lives a life licking blood off the edge of a blade. If you don’t take a gamble, how will you know if you can rise to prominence?
Need four people, huh…
“Yo, this young brother, I’m still missing a vanguard here, just enough to make four. Are you interested?”
A muscular man holding a poleaxe leaned against the counter, asking if I was willing to join his team.
Orichalcum badge? Good luck.
Joining a stronger team makes it easier to survive. I just need to be sharp at the end.
“Sure, let’s team up then. As long as you don’t mind that I’m just a Mithril Demon Hunter.”
“We’re short of hands and couldn’t find anyone anyway, won’t mind you. I’m Dyne. What about you, brother?”
“Dilias.”
He waved his hand, beckoning two companions sitting in a secluded corner.
A woman leaning on a staff inlaid with a ruby, draped in a mage’s robe.
A male with blonde bangs, holding a spear, with a longbow and quiver hanging on his back.
All of them are Orichalcum rank. That’s really reassuring.
“Alright, acceptance successful-nya. Wishing everyone a safe journey.”
The little catgirl waved her hand, seeing the four off.
