章節 47: Departure

Early the next morning Ben was on his way to the Hunter's Guild. There is a lot things Ben would need, like his own personal tent. However, the problem was he couldn't put those things in his spatial ring.

What are the others going to say if they find him with nothing but a strapped bag over his shoulder at day, then brings out a tent, bed and other things? He wasn't a fan of bringing unnecessary trouble to himself.

"Ben, over here!" on his horse, Ben heard a sweet feminine, natural voice call to him in a distance. Stirring his horse Ben arrived at the location.

"Haha, look at him," Trick said then gestures to the things Ben carried. "and is this how you intend going into the Badlands, with all these stuff dangling about?" he sneer.

"Well, I did try to minimize them." Ben answered with a shrug. When Ben didn't fall for his taunt he gave a cold harrumph.

"Ben, you can't bring these things like this with you." said Cush.

"Didn't know where else to put them."

"What do you mean? Didn't you go buy a few things from the Hunter's Guild market that day?" asked Cush in curiosity.

"Uh no, why?" Ben asked getting down his horse so elegantly.

"They have certain things you would need for sure. Like where you'll be putting these stuff of yours." Zoe said.

"That's if he could afford it." Trick murmured but everyone still heard him.

"Trick!!" both Zoe and Cush glared at him.

"Anyway, you mean like a storage pouch or ring, right?" questioned Ben.

"Pouch, yes, but rings, those are for wizard's and higher profession, not us dude." Sye who hadn't spoken for a long time said.

"So, where do I get one of those?"

"""The Hunter's Guild Market""" Zoe, Cush and Sye all said at once. Ben scratched his head because of his dumb question.

"*sigh*"

"Hmm?" Ben looked at where the sign had come from and saw a lady in purple robe, she had brown curly hair a bit longer than her shoulder, clear brown eyes, and pink lips. Ben was so intrigued that he didn't know he had started staring at her. She was just beautiful.

"You?" she says then turns to Cush, "Is this the powerful Second-level elemental swordsman you spoke of?"

"Yeah?" Cush answered, it was more like a question than a confirmation.

"He's just an amateur. How could you allow a good-for-nothing into our team? We don't want burdens Cush, and we certainly don't baby sit."

"Have you guys meet before?" Zoe whispers to Ben.

"When I first came here we saw each other, that's all." Ben whispers back.

"That's all?" Zoe's eyes widened.

Seeing Cush in a bad spot like this because of him, he didn't like it so he saw this as an opportunity to show her how to tune down her arrogance.

"Excuse me, but I'm not a good-for-nothing person, at least he knows about that," he said pointed towards Trick. "and I only came for the reward not to cause trouble. Besides I don't see how much better you are?" Ben said calmly and steadily not forgetting to keep his smile up.

Hearing Ben downgrading her, the lady in purple robe didn't say anything. The air was filled with tension as they waited for the next action, but what happen next took them off guard.

"Then welcome to the team." was all she said.

"Huh?" everyone but Ben was confused by her decision. Anyone bold enough to stand against a wizard should also be respected, Ben thought.

"let's go there then, shall we?" Ben's words snapped the others out of it.

"there won't be a need for that. I have an extra, you can have it." said Zoe as the reached out for the little pouch tied around her waist with a pink bear sewn on it, she even brought out another storage pouch that looks just the same. "Sorry, I didn't think I would be borrowing it to a guy." she said as she handed Ben the pouch.

"What do you mean? I love animals." Ben took the the pouch then walked to his horse.

"Do...?" Zoe's words for stuck in her throat after seeing all what Ben brought disappearing into the storage pouch in a string of light. "...guess that settles it." she says.

They all submitted their names and the mission they were taking, and surprisingly it was through the receptionist Ben registered with. Finding out this was the mission Ben choose for his first mission, she felt really disappointed. Looks of pity could be seen on the faces of the Hunters they passed. Needless to say, there was a lot of people who also wished their downfall.

...

Ben's group had left Versal for three days and are currently in the wilderness, apart from a few demon creatures and fierce beasts there was nothing for the group to worry about... yet.

Ben stayed at the rear due to Zoe insisting the group to protect him since this would be his first mission. Although Trick wasn't to happy about this he couldn't challenge Cush's words as captain of the team.

Zoe who specializes in archery stood behind Cush who was at the forefront. Ben and Sye were walking behind the two, while Evelyn and Trick stood far back since the don't have any close-body defend and attack moves, this made them the most vulnerable amongst the group. But, with enough time they could be called the most dangerous. Well, Ben hadn't seen their attack powers yet to know.

The suns were already setting low as the group found a wide enough space for everyone to set up their tent on. Sye and Zoe were sent to fetch wood for fire, while Ben and Evelyn were sent to fetch water from upstream.

"Why did you accept me into the group after the way I spoke to you?" asking the way the two hadn't spoke at all. Ben broke the silence when they were at the lake.

"Don't you already know?" she said not even glancing at him for once.

"Just wanted to confirm, that's all." shrugging his shoulder he continues. "So what's your primary element? I mean, Trick's obviously fire but I don't know yours, haven't even seen yours." he said looking at her with expectation.

Hearing the request Evelyn smiled then stood up straight, with a stretch of her hands a bright purple streak of lightning wiggled between her fingers even her eyes turned purple. Flicking her arm she shot the streak of lightning into the lake. Crackling sounds can be heard on the surface of the lake as fishes began twitching, more than a hundred dead dishes floated to the surface. The whole fish in the area has been electrocuted to death.

"Are we going to leave that there?" asked Ben.

"I guess so." Evelyn replied.

"I definitely think so too, wouldn't want them to see a high and mighty lightning wizard turn into a world-class fishermen, now would we?" Ben grinned looking at her however she didn't smile, she had a frown that came from within herself.

"We better start heading back." Evelyn took her keg to return. Ben took his and followed behind her.

"Urgh! I'm tired of cooking, don't any of you guys know how to cook? I've been doing this for three days now." Zoe's grumbling can be heard on their way back.

This reminded Ben of his friends back at Carolin city. Ben laughed at the memory as they made their way to the camp. Surprisingly Evelyn chuckled at the scene too.

"You know? you could just ask instead of whining all the time." Ben's voice came from behind just as they made their entrance.

"Since you've said this," in less than two seconds her countenance changed "oh my dear friend Ben, can you be so kind as to take my place in cooking for the team. I'd be delighted if you do this little favor of mine." Zoe stood smiling bashfully as she spoke, she even came close to Ben to execute her acting.

"Since when did you know how to act? You could have been an actress at the theatre than become a Hunter." Ben said setting the keg of water besides the fire together with Evelyn's. Zoe happily handed Ben the game and knife to continue with, she left the space for him.

"Nonsense! Are you seeing what they're doing Cush?" Trick was about to explode seeing this. Ben looked over at the red head with one thought in mind 'Is that jealousy?'

"What, you want to take his place?" Cush asked without a care.

"Just let him do his thing." Sye's raspy voice rang out.

Without a second thought Ben took the knife and sat down to clean the game. It was a Two Tailed Wild Cat, fortunately Ben had had a lot of experience with preparing this meat.

Ben spread the fire so not to make it concentrated, he made a hanger with wood to hold the meat a feet and few inches above the heat of the flame. This would allow it not to burn and not to take time to get ready.

Everyone sat round the fire watching Ben work. He brought out a few special spices he had made for himself and sprinkled them on the meat over the low flame. Sizzling sounds can be heard as oil began dripping onto the fire below.

Ben was fully focused that he hadn't noticed every other person was practically drooling at the fire. They just couldn't wait to wolf down their portion. Even Sye and Evelyn who has the highest composure couldn't help but swallow a few silver in the process of waiting.

"Ben...?" Zoe called.

"Yeah, one second." he said still focused.

"Can you be anymore faster?" Ben was surprised to have heard Trick's mosquito like voice from the side. He wanted to give him a snide comment but what he saw stumped him.

"What did you... whoa!" Ben almost fell off the log he sat on, because what he was seeing right now was a pack of hungry wolves waiting to devour the meat that probably looks like sheep in their eyes.

"You're done. You're done, right?" Cush stuttered.

"Isn't this torture?" Sye asked.

"Just a little longer, okay?" Ben had an awkward expression seeing their faces.

After a while more sizzling sounds rang into the ears of five people. More oil dripped rising steam from beneath the meat on sticks. The game had completely changed into a golden-brown divine object in the eyes of the rest. Once he was done, he proceeded to dish out a piece for everyone on their plate.

"This is so good Ben! Where did you learn to cook like this? although the elves hardly take meat, I can bet this is on a whole new level." after a few bites Zoe couldn't take it any more and asked.

"I didn't know a high and mighty Second-level elemental swordsman could turn into a world-class cook." Evelyn said throwing Ben's words back at him.

"Hahaha! how do you train and still be such a good cook? Did you even consider taking it as a profession?" Cush bellowed taking one mouthful after another.

Hearing his last question Ben's mood immediately turned soured. "a friend of mine suggested it to me." he replied in a low voice then a necklace materialized on his hand having a half heart pendant. With a flip it was gone. Those around weren't blind to have not have seen Ben's mood sour, they immediately understood his situation. However Ben's little action didn't escape Zoe's sharp eyes.