Chapter 24: The hunters guild.
There are many guilds in the Clan which are designed with the Clan's prosperity in mind. The world was filled with demons and as such, the Clan needed to do everything in its power to not fall for the demon's pressure.
It was uncommon, but not unheard of for entire clans falling prey to the demons. Which was why all clans existing over all the continents had agreed upon one organization which would be authorized to work between all the clans regardless of any hostility in between them, the Guilds.
Dian walked towards the Hunters guild as he used his Demon system something a kin to a smartphone to read all the things he didn't know about.
There are many Guilds, such as the Trading Guild, Protection Guild, Crafting Guild, Alchemist Guild, and more. The Hunters Guild's job is to gather materials from demons and spread it to those who need it such as Local Blacksmiths, Alchemists, Inventors and more.
Dian closed the System's window and stepped into the Hunter's Guild, his eyes immediately drawn to the grandeur of the building. Its impressive size and architectural design of wood and marble resembled that of a lavish mansion, standing as a prominent structure in the bustling cityscape. The fading sun cast a warm glow over the surroundings, accentuating the constant flow of people entering and exiting the guild.
As he ventured further inside, Dian was met with a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. The hall stretched out before him, revealing a row of six counters, each attended by guild staff. The counters served as focal points for interaction, where individuals approached to seek information, submit reports, or perhaps receive assignments. Numerous notice boards adorned the walls, displaying an array of announcements, job postings, and mission details.
Groups of people congregated throughout the guild, engaged in animated discussions. Some gathered around the notice boards, perusing the available quests and sharing insights or strategies. Others clustered in conversation, their expressions reflecting a myriad of emotions. Joy, sorrow, determination, and weariness seemed to coexist within the guild's walls, each person carrying their own unique experiences and stories.
Feeling a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, Dian found a quiet corner away from the bustling activity. He positioned himself there, giving himself space to observe and absorb the dynamics of the guild. With a focused gaze, he carefully studied the interactions, the movements, and the various rooms that lay beyond the bustling hall, trying to decipher the intricate workings of this renowned establishment.
As Dian observed the bustling activity within the Hunter's Guild, he contemplated the two main objectives he had set for himself. The first was to sell the demon corpses he had collected, not only to recover some funds but also to free up space in his inventory that was currently filled with lifeless remnants. The second goal was to gain a better understanding of what it meant to be a hunter and whether he would be permitted to venture into the forest for leveling purposes.
Eyes scanning the scene before him, Dian noted the various interactions taking place. Some individuals engaged in conversations while glancing at the notice boards, likely discussing potential missions or seeking like-minded companions. Others would carefully tear a paper from the board, forming a line as they awaited their turn to speak with the cleric positioned behind one of the counters. Certain groups would gather, forming parties and disappearing into separate numbered rooms located on the sides, presumably for mission briefings or preparations.
However, one detail caught Dian's attention—the solitary counter on the far right, unoccupied yet adorned with a small sign that he had overlooked before. It piqued his curiosity, and he wondered if it held any significance or if it was merely an indication of an available station.
Intrigued by the sign at the unoccupied counter, Dian moved closer for a better look. The words "Counseling for new guild members" were clearly inscribed on the sign, aligning perfectly with his current objective. A sense of serendipity washed over him as he realized that this was exactly what he had been seeking—an opportunity to gain guidance and information about the guild and his future endeavors.
With a slight smile, Dian approached the counter, fully aware that there was no one currently stationed there. However, his intuition told him that this counter held the key to his next steps.
Is it closed? Dian thought. Is this why there's no one lining up here?
Just in case, Dian called out, "Excuse me, anyone here?"
Dian's eyes widened in surprise as he heard a voice emanating from behind the counter. He cautiously leaned forward, trying to locate the source of the unexpected sound. To his astonishment, he found himself face-to-face with a small green frog perched comfortably on a chair, adorned with tiny glasses. The revelation of a talking frog left Dian momentarily taken aback.
Before he could fully process the situation, the frog responded with a hint of annoyance in its voice. "What? Never seen someone polymorphed before? Oh wait, who am I kidding, you're a newbie if you come here, of course you haven't seen anyone polymorphed," the frog retorted, its irritation palpable.
Dian, keeping his composure, replied with a quick and improvised response. "Not exactly. I've seen Miss Sura turn into a gorilla before," he said, recalling a memory from his time in the forest. "But she reverted back to her original form almost instantly. Why don't you?"
The frog emitted a frustrated ribbit, causing its tiny glasses to bob up and down. "I just lost a bet, okay? Regardless, what do you want to know? Make it quick so I can have some peace," it grumbled.
Dian found himself undeterred by the frog's brusque demeanor. In fact, he found it rather amusing and intriguing. "Can I sell demon corpses here?" he inquired without hesitation. "And if so, where should I go?"
"Room 6," the frog replied, its irritation still evident. "You can sell any type of demon corpses there, as long as they weren't obtained for quests. Just keep in mind that the more damaged the corpse, the less value you'll receive for it."
Dian nodded, "What are quests and can I just head out into the forests to level up?"
The frog continued its explanation, providing further details in its exasperated tone. "Quests are the basic jobs you'll find on the notice boards," it croaked. "And remember, the Hunter Guild holds no responsibility for your demise. So, if you're eager to meet an early demise, feel free to venture into the forest alone. Alternatively, you can visit Room 3, where various portal altars are available for a head start. Of course, you'll need to pay the travel fees."
Dian's curiosity was piqued by the mention of portals. Having arrived in this world through a teleportation accident, he had developed a keen interest in all forms of teleportation devices. He hoped that learning more about these portals might offer some insight into the possibility of returning to Earth, should he choose to do so.
"Thanks." Dian said, "I'll ask you anything else if I have more questions."
Dian's original plan was to proceed directly to Room 6 and sell the demon corpses he had collected. However, the newfound information about the portals had ignited a spark of curiosity within him, prompting him to change his course and head towards Room 3 instead. Eager to explore the possibilities offered by the portal altars, he quickened his pace.
But before he could reach his destination, a sudden outburst from the frog behind the counter caught his attention. "OI! Stop!" The amphibian creature screamed as it hopped onto the counter, its small glasses bouncing along with each leap. "You got a death wish!?" The frog's alarmed cry echoed through the hall, drawing the attention of the surrounding hunters who paused to observe the unfolding scene.
Startled, Dian halted in his tracks, turning his attention towards the animated frog. Confusion painted his face as he questioned the frog's sudden outcry. The atmosphere in the guild hall seemed to hold its breath, as if waiting for an explanation to unravel this unexpected drama.
"What's wrong?" Dian asked confused.
The frog finally appeared before Dian, its tiny form brimming with indignation. It wasted no time in launching into a scolding tirade, its voice filled with reproach. "You're not even registered with the hunter's guild, are you? I don't care what kind of debt you're burdened with, but if you think you can simply venture into a high-level area to slay a powerful demon for quick money, you're sorely mistaken! Your life should hold more value than that!" The frog's spectacles bobbed up and down with each passionate word, its anger palpable. Among the onlookers, a few nodded knowingly, as if this type of admonishment was a regular occurrence.
Perplexed, Dian tilted his head, genuinely unable to grasp the frog's meaning. "I don't understand what you're talking about," he admitted, his confusion evident.
The frog's voice took on an incredulous tone. "What do you mean you don't understand? What were you planning to do in Room 3!?"
"I was going to check out the portals since I've never seen one before? Is there a problem with me doing that?"
"Wha-?" The frog's anger turned to confusion, "You weren't going to use the portal to teleport to any of dangerous places to kill demons for some quick money?"
Dian's explanation hung in the air, leaving the frog utterly perplexed. It glanced around, noticing the prying eyes of the onlookers fixated on its embarrassed state. Frustration welled up within the frog, struggling to find the right words to convey its thoughts. "I... I thought... that... you..." it stuttered, its attempt at a response falling short.
The snickers and chuckles from the crowd only intensified the frog's embarrassment. It could feel their amused gazes bearing down on it, causing its frustration to mount. "UGH! Damn it all!" the frog exclaimed, unable to bear the humiliation any longer. In a swift motion, it retreated back into its counter, seeking refuge from the mocking crowd.
There were small laughs coming from the crowd but Dian felt his heart feel warm for witnessing a stranger genuinely trying to care for him, it was not often that Dian would experience this kind of thing so he decided to not go into the portal room and head to room 6 to sell his loot first.
Dian didn't realize at the time but he had already made a small name for himself amongst the hunter for tricking the frog.
As Dian made his way towards room 6 to sell his loot, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the frog, despite the comical misunderstanding. The warmth in his heart lingered, appreciating the stranger's genuine concern for his well-being. Such acts of kindness were a rarity in Dian's life, and this encounter left a lasting impression.
Little did Dian know, word of his interaction with the frog quickly spread among the hunters, a small ripple of curiosity and intrigue had begun to form around his name.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone