Chapter 11
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Draft
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‘The test was just a pretext—the real issue was the meat? Did he figure it out from the traces...?’
He might even know about the secret restaurant or grilling meat outside with Bankers.
Dane smiled back as he thought.
The leader of the elves who ruled the town. Better to push forward than to clumsily deny or dodge. He had nothing to lose, so he saw it as an opportunity instead.
“I’m glad my tastes weren’t displeasing.”
Dane spoke in the most polite tone imaginable. It was an unexpected response, and Tebier’s brow furrowed slightly before relaxing.
“...What’s there to be displeased about? It’s just an old law made under the pretext of maintaining order. And everyone’s gotten used to it.”
“Then Mayor Tebier must be a very enlightened man.”
“Ah... is that how it comes across? Haha!”
The more they talked, the harder the old elf was to read. Their lifespans were unknowable, but by Dane’s common sense, it had to surpass imagination. Dane kept his relaxed smile while never letting his guard down.
The questions resumed.
“With such outstanding scores, you must have plenty of options. Have you decided on a hunting party to join?”
“I don’t yet know what parties are here. But... I’d like one that suits my tastes.”
He threw out his gambit. A glint of deep green light flashed in Tebier’s eyes.
“Haha, looking for folks who eat monster meat?”
“I imagine some exist.”
Their words flowed smoothly, but the atmosphere was heavy. Even the pauses between words carried profound weight.
Illein held her breath carefully.
“Bold and challenging thinking.”
“Of course, with meat distribution and consumption banned in the city, I won’t cause any trouble within the town.”
“Hmm... Once you join a party, you’ll be roaming outside anyway, so that’s how it’ll be. The root villages have been flooding us with requests for aid lately.”
“If there’s a place that needs my skills, I’ll go anywhere. I’ll hunt down the threatening monsters and carve them up. I think that’ll help you too, Director Tebier.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because elves are the race that protects the world. Aren’t they?”
A sharp question.
Their gazes clashed fiercely in the center of the office.
Through Tebier, Dane realized that appearances weren’t everything. He sensed a stronger presence than any race he’d encountered.
“Hearing that from a non-elf makes my face heat up.”
Tebier continued without flinching.
“How could protecting the world be solely the elves’ burden? Isn’t that why you’re lending your strength too?”
“I don’t have such grand intentions. I just want to do what I want.”
“Hunt and eat monsters?”
“That’s enough for me.”
“What if the elves find it uncomfortable?”
“Somehow, I don’t think you will, Director.”
A long silence deepened. Only when Illein felt the sweat in her palms did Tebier nod with a strange smile.
“Just fulfill your role as a hunter, and that’ll be plenty. I hope you find a hunting party to your liking.”
* * *
After Dane left, Tebier tapped his armrest with his fingertips, lost in thought. The time dragged on excessively.
“How did he seem when you met him?”
Illein, who had the next schedule to handle, couldn’t wait any longer and asked cautiously.
“Far crazier than I expected. Haha!”
Illein couldn’t tell if he was joking. She’d worked under him for a long time, but the old man’s thoughts remained inscrutable.
“I never imagined he’d bring that up in front of you, Director.”
“Oh, that... Setting up his own trap and charging ahead like that—it’s no small feat. I found myself thinking, ‘Go ahead, give it a try.’”
“So that’s why you ranked him so high...”
“Hahaha! When I came to, I’d done it.”
He said that, but he was never one to act on impulse. That made his true intentions even harder to grasp.
“The elders will push back hard if they find out. The capital’s reaction will be even worse, of course.”
“Half-measures would be disappointing instead. If they foam at the mouth and rage, that’d be fine in its own way.”
Illein cleared her throat with a shiver.
Tebier feared neither the town’s elders nor the king and ministers in the capital.
The capital dismissed him as the mayor of a remote outpost, but few knew their true feelings.
‘Northern cunning raccoon. Strongest influence among the four outpost leaders, so even the capital can’t touch him carelessly...’
Illein worried this incident might bring ill omens. Dane’s appearance was that alien.
* * *
Having finished his interview with Tebier, Dane headed to the administration hall’s main auditorium.
Hunting party reps and hunters gathered, eyes on the central stage. They were there to check out the new recruits and see which parties they’d join.
“Did you hear about that guy? Top of this batch?”
“Of course. How’s that even possible... They say he took down 60 Epups.”
“Solo!”
Dane was undoubtedly the hot topic. His exam performance had stunned many.
If he’d truly hunted 60 Epups alone, as he claimed, it was an achievement no one in Foldtown could match.
Sure, if he’d stolen them from other hunters, it’d be different—but even then, no grounds for demotion.
The man of the rumors ascended the stage alone, guided by elves. The other newbies’ interviews weren’t done yet, it seemed.
“That’s the guy!”
“What, he’s just a kid?”
“Good build, and handsome too...”
“Must be down on his luck. Look at those clothes, and what’s that at his waist? A butcher knife?”
Appraisals flowed naturally.
Dane had bought cheap clothes at the inn. The merchant garb he’d worn for the exam had torn and soaked in blood, losing all function early on.
Topped with a cleaver at his belt, he looked as shabby as they said.
“He’s obviously going to Kemora Party, right?”
“Friedhold already went to make an offer, they say.”
“Kemora’s gonna get even bigger. Won’t be long before they’re named Thick Root Party.”
Lately, rumors swirled that as the World Tree’s roots weakened and monsters stirred, each outpost city was forming a representative hunting party.
The so-called Thick Root Party was said to get unprecedented perks.
Namely, free hunting in other outposts’ zones, capital-managed areas, the delta, and more.
Unaware of such matters, Dane stood on stage, calmly surveying the room.
Then, Illein and Tebier entered from a side door onto the stage.
The five others who’d passed the exam with Dane followed.
Bankers waved big at Dane as he climbed up. Amid it, something changed about Bankers caught Dane’s eye.
The buzz died instantly. Dane instantly sensed the elves’ presence—especially Tebier’s weight.
As the room settled, Tebier spoke.
“Foldtown hunters guard the kingdom’s safety, protect those blessed by the roots, and supply monster parts for the kingdom’s prosperity.”
His small frame boomed with a grand voice that filled the hall. The words didn’t scatter but stuck firm, each one etching into listeners’ ears.
“Here are the new ones to take up that role. Six rookie hunters selected from this exam. As veterans, please cheer them on.”
Cheers and applause. Dane felt dizzy. He wasn’t used to such crowds.
“Now, we’ll announce ranks and begin the hunting party draft. The top scorer picks their party first. As you know, parties have no veto. Haha!”
Unclear what was funny, but Tebier laughed for a while. Composing himself, he continued.
“Afterward, rookies will be picked in reverse order of party captains’ ranks. Captains with pick rights, come forward in the called order.”
Eyes turned one way.
“Kemora Party, dazzling as ever. Come on up. Nail Party, back from Zone 2 right on time after three years. Rainer Party, heard you moved headquarters—good hauls? Gottlieb Party, love seeing your ranks grow. Lucas Party... Captain’s absent, so Vice Captain, if you please.”
With greetings, the calling ended, and captains took front seats on stage. Dane spotted a familiar face and was a bit surprised.
‘That woman’s the secret butcher shop cook...’
The last to sit was River, the woman who’d cooked meat in male disguise. She looked much the same.
In simple leather armor and pants, she’d pass for a pretty boy without the short hair.
A stark contrast to Kemora, first-called and front-row in her revealing red armor, head held high.
“Now, the top rookie’s party choice.”
Tebier drew eyes to the stage, paused, then thrust his short arm toward Dane.
“The hunter who earned 7th rank in this exam—Dane.”
Dead silence gripped the hall at those words. It lasted until Tebier approached with the yellow badge.
Only then did the hunters confirm it was real and murmur.
“7th rank?!!!”
“That possible?”
“How’s a rookie exam giving 7th rank straight off?”
“Even with tons of Epups...”
“Must be something we don’t know besides skill.”
It was that impossible.
Rookies all got 9th rank uniformly. Last season, year before, the one before. Ever since exams began.
Everyone took it as given. No one expected exceptions. Now it was happening right here.
All stared at Dane’s mouth in shock.
“So, 7th-rank hunter Dane—which party will you choose?”
Tebier asked, beaming and rubbing his hands.
‘Yeah... that won’t be bad.’
Dane’s deliberation was brief, decision swift.
“That one.”
Dane pointed straight at one side. All eyes converged.
The startled River blinked her big eyes rapidly and started hiccuping.