Chapter 45: Joining A Team
"So, do you have a team?" Ben asked Cush.
"Aye, we' one of the best." Cush replied with a smile beaming with pride. "We are small but one of the bravest."
"How so?"
"We are the only B rank Hunters who have cleared the most A rank missions ever. We are even aiming to clear one S rank mission soon."
As Ben listened he took a glance at one A rank mission and saw a whopping amount of 500 gold coins, he couldn't help but let his eyes gleam. Ben shook his head because he knew such prize doesn't come easy. Taking a look at the mission, his heart feel to his stomach.
No. 73: Bring the talons of a late Warrior-level Eagle from Nether Mountains.
One thing was in Ben's mind right now. Fuck! The Nether Mountains is a mountain of snow and ice, humans can hardly live there for day because of its extremely harsh weather, much less fight a demon creature who have the highest advantage in terrain.
"I'd like to join your team." Ben nearly shouted out.
"Hmm, I do need an ice elemental swordsman but I don't know what the others would think..." Cush mutters, while thinking am is struck, "Ben, I can't guarantee success even though I'm captain, how about you come with me to see the rest of the team?" Cush asked.
"Of course, lead the way."
Ben and Cush left the main building heading towards the cafeteria at the left wing side of the Hunter Guild HQ. Ben could tell roughly where Cush was taking him.
In front of them, about thirty metres ahead, on a round table three people were already sitting there, two men and a woman. The man at the left most side had brown short hair, he had average looks with two short swords by his side. Getting closer.
The next person was a man with red neck length hair wearing red wizard robe, he, one could say was indeed handsome. However, his arrogance was written all over his face in thick letters! The man was practically releasing his aura with arrogance mixed in it.
She had her side facing Ben so her facial features weren't clear. The bow leaning on the table by her side was a long bow, it was made with rare metal, Ben was sure he has seen only in books Mr Grant gave him to widen his horizon in the aspects of blacksmith knowledge. Coming closer Ben was able to have a clearer view of the woman seated.
"Beautiful." Ben mumbled when he saw her face, After saying that he realized it was an understatement to her beauty.
"Trust me Ben, try not to get beaten because of her, okay?" Cush's voice came from the side with a smile.
As they made their way towards the table Ben could feel the aura which she releases like nature, not natural but Nature. Almost like one is in the forest and yet not, that's the feeling when around this woman. Not only is this woman very beautiful but the air around her makes her very unapproachable, yet not.
When the duo reached the table those at the table all turned to see the incomers. The woman smiled seeing it was a member from their team then raised a brow seeing someone following from behind. The red haired man frowned seeing Cush swaggering leisurously towards them, his frown deepened seeing the youth following behind him. The average looking man... had no expression.
Even though Ben was staring at the woman he was able to bring himself back to reality, besides he has a rather strong mind.
"I think you look a little familiar. Cush why are you coming just now? I hope you're not thinking of adding him to our team. We don't need a child to join our team, he is clearly going to be a burden to all of us," Trick says then turns to Ben saying "you can run along now." Ben smiled but said nothing.
"Okay then, what if I am to bring in a Second-level Ice elemental swordsman that we really need?" Cush said.
"That would certainly be better." Trick answers.
"If that's the case, guys I've found what we've Ben looking for, I think?" Cush says but later frowned at the last part of his sentence. He then turns to Ben and said "Ben, I'm sorry for my rudeness but I'll let you decide, will you join our team for a mission we've chosen?" Cush asked looking at Ben.
"Well, since you've invited me, may I ask, what's the mission?" Ben said also with a little frown.
"We are going into the Badlands." Trick says with a smug look on his face. He seems really proud to to be one of those journeying towards a dangerous place.
"Really? heard its a very dangerous place to go," after hearing their location he was a bit happy inside him. it was a place filled with danger but also a very high number of treasures will be waiting for the grab, and there's still the danger!
"What? chickening out just from the name kid?" Trick says in a very arrogant manner.
"Trick! stop it, he didn't even do anything to you, why the arrogance?" Zoe who had been silent all along suddenly spoke up.
"Just trying to show this country pumpkin that just advancing to become a First-level elemental swordsman doesn't make him qualified to be spoken to by the likes of us." arrogance can be seen all over his air.
"What's your profession?" Ben suddenly asks, although he was calm he couldn't hide the irritation in his voice.
Seeing someone looking down on him in such manner, he of all people will not take it. Immediately standing from his seat he walks towards Ben in an intimidating manner. While Ben just stands there like an immovable mountain.
Trick fully released his aura of being a First-level spellcaster on Ben. Normally this amount of aura would be enough to suffocate a First-level elemental swordsman to the point of fainting, heck even a Second-level elemental swordsman would feel pressured, but Ben just stands as both their clothes were fluttering from the aura. Zoe frowned and stood up to stop Trick with her own aura.
"I think I've had enough." Ben's voice came from the turbulence, his voice was little but can still be clearly heard. Ben then gave a cold snort sending Trick landing on the floor, his hair, face and robe were all drenched in cold sweat.
Since they weren't the only ones there, everyone present saw what had happened. Trick who was still on the floor no longer had his air of arrogance but that of utter fear. When Trick tried pressing Ben with his aura, Ben just gave a light snort yet, it felt like an entire mountain... no, an entire world came crashing down on him. He knew that if Ben didn't stop releasing his own aura, if he doesn't become an idiot, he might probably die.
"H... how?" Trick was terror stricken.
"You should know your own capabilities before showing such arrogance, it could get you killed." Ben said then sat beside Cush by his right.
Every person in the cafeteria were all gaping at the sight that just unfolded before their eyes in shock, even Sye have his first reaction since Ben came. Cush on the other hand had an expression as though he's found a treasure. Zoe was stumped and happy at the same time at least someone put Trick in his place.
Trick stood up and patted the dust off his butt. He radiated heat to dry up his clothes and hair then sat down back on his empty chair, bending his head in shame and embarrassment. His hands we clenched together in anger too.
"Ahem, Uhm, so Ben, what do you say about the offer?" after a minute of silence Cush finally spoke up.
"Well, I don't think the other mission can help me with what I need, so I guess I will be joining your team." Ben replied with a smile.
"Other missions can't help you, what do you need that other missions can't help you with?" Zoe asked in confusion, people should know that the Badlands is among the top ten most dangerous places in the continent.
"I need the money, I don't have enough time to accumulate them slowly." Ben shrugs his shoulder.
"Why's that if I may ask?" Cush asked in interest.
"I need it to buy an Intermediate-level blacksmith furnace to continue my training." Ben replied.
""""WHAT?!"""" all four of them exclaimed after what Ben said. Four pairs of eyes were looking at Ben dumbfounded.
"You're an Advanced blacksmith?" Sye asked for the first time, "You must be the student under Grant that suddenly became popular. Other blacksmiths are fighting on how to get you out of his hands. Never thought you were the one." now he has four pairs of eyes all on him with surprises faces, "What?"
"You spoke." Zoe said.
"Of course I spoke. I'm human you know? I should be able to talk too."
"Yeah, but not so much words." Cush added.
"I didn't know I was well known." Ben said scratching the back of his head with shy smile. "But my teacher says, just because I have an intermediate furnace it doesn't make me An Advanced blacksmith yet. I still need practice." Ben said trying not to bring eyes on him but it eventually didn't work.
"You need practice? Ben, you're the youngest inter... no, Advanced blacksmith maybe in the whole Kingdom, and you're here saying you need practice. Nict's beard take me!" Cush also couldn't hold himself no more.
"I don't think it's a big deal. Besides who is to sit there?" Ben said trying to stir the conversation away from him.
"It belongs to Evelyn, she too is a First-level spellcaster but much stronger than I am." Trick looks like he has found a backer.
"Really?" Ben asked at Trick.
"Why do you need a furnace so badly, can't you wait and accumulate the money slowly. There isn't a need to do such dangerous things." Zoe said as she glared at Trick but worriedly at Ben.
"Well I can't say for now but this is the only way I can get what I want on time." Ben replied.
"Haha! Then welcome to the team Ben!" Cush was delighted when he read between Ben's lines.
They chatted for a while, having a few drinks and discussing their experiences. The only ones hardly spoke were Ben and Sye, they weren't surprised by this. Ben just listened to their stories as he sat there. Two hours later Cush went to some other table for a chat while Trick gave the excuse of going back to meditate, leaving only Sye, Ben and Zoe.
"You surprised me actually." Zoe says taking a sip of her drink.
"Why's that?" Ben was confused by the sudden statement.
"Other men wouldn't stop looking at me even after a whole minute but you were able to do well within a few seconds. That is why you surprise me."
"Well asides from your exceptional beauty, there seems to be something different about you but don't know what." Ben answered with a shrug.
"That's because she's not human." Sye finally spilled the beans.
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