Cain and Rugo went around the meadow, they went for south entrance of the town.

As Ogen had expected, the people of small housing complex before the town entrance were aghast when they saw Rugo. Some were amazed, but most of them were cautious. As Cain and Rugo walked casually on the street to the town entrance, they became the center of attention.

The town itself was protected by a tall stone wall, with taller towers for a better view for the guards. There were a lot of people using this entrance, carts, Hunters, and even heavily armed wagons passed through this huge gate. All of them were inspected before they could enter the town.

The guards on the entrance gate pointed their spears immediately when they saw Rugo and Cain, mostly they stared at Rugo. But after Cain and Rugo briefly explained who they were and showed them the letter of safe passage from Ogen, the guards instantly changed their attitude, they even bowed to Rugo and apologized to him, then they warmly welcomed Cain and Rugo to Ulstena.

The guards offered a carriage to ride around the town, but Cain and Rugo refused, they wanted to enjoy the town slowly. And Rugo especially wanted to see the reaction of the people which would be hard if he was inside the carriage.

They walked in the colorful town. The town was dominated by two stories buildings, the street was quite wide, and it was easy to walk as the street was well laid out with well worked ashlar stones.

Rugo walked proudly, the passersby were surprised to see the jagupard. Some frowned, some were amazed. Rugo was excited because this was his first visit to human’s settlement, he tried to contain his excitement.

“You’re not disturbed by those eyes?” asked Cain, he was also excited for the town.

“A bit, but it’s an important task for my people’s future, so just being stared at is not a problem,” responded Rugo with a calm tone, but contrast to his calm words, he was grinning. “So, where are we going? Surely we won’t spend the time just roaming the town, right?” he continued.

“First, I’d like to eat something good for lunch, then I’ll go to Hunter Guild in this town, how ‘bout you? You want to go somewhere?”

“Hmm… I don’t know, your society is still alien to me, I’ll go with you.”

“Alright, let’s eat there,” Cain pointed an outdoor restaurant with plenty round tables.

People’s reaction in the restaurant were no different from when Cain and Rugo walked down the street. They sat casually on one table, then one waitress came to them with two mugs of fresh water she put on their table. She was in her twenties, quite tall with the brown boots she wore.

“Err, hi! What do you want to order?” said the waitress to Cain. She was tense, she glanced a couple of times at Rugo.

“Please relax, human, I won’t bite you,” said Rugo.

The waitress covered her lips with the tip of her fingers. “Oh my Goddess! It spoke!?” said the waitress with voice only she could hear, except Rugo, he just ignored that remark.

Cain laughed lightly. “Don’t worry, he’s friendly, a bit,” said he, “and I’ll have your recommendation for lunch, also for him,” Cain pointed at Beil who sat on his lap.

“Oi, Cain,” called Rugo, “what can I buy with these?” Rugo shook two small coin pouches hanging on his fingers, the coins inside were jingling. Those were the coins he won from the arm wrestling.

“Hmm… I don't know the exact amount, but if I have to guess... normally, it could feed you for half a month or less, normal food that is, nothing fancy,” responded Cain.

“I counted last night, 85 coins,” said Rugo.

“Yep, it’ll be around that, but… I don’t know about Ezilai’s average price for food,” said Cain.

Then they looked at the waitress.

“Uhm… if it’s 85 Fuls, it’ll last for nine or ten days with three simple meals a day, though it depends on where you’ll eat. In fancier place 85 Fuls could give you just with two or three days worth of food,” said the waitress.

“There you have it, 8 to 9 Fuls per day with simple meals, it’s a little higher than Krevias I think,” said Cain.

“I see… then, because this is my first time in human town, I want something fancy,” said Rugo, “give me some good meat!” he exclaimed.

“Don’t forget about lodging, don’t just blow your money on food,” said Cain.

“Memeip!” Beil seemed to agree.

“I can sleep anywhere, no problem,” responded Rugo.

“Are you sure? This is your first time in human town, do you really want to sleep in the street or some dark alley? Or even on a tree?” said Cain.

“Hrrh… you’re right, how much for lodging?” Rugo asked Cain.

Cain shrugged. Then they looked again at the waitress.

“Err… well, if it’s a cheap inn you can stay for two nights with 20 to 30 Fuls,” she answered.

“That’s reasonable,” said Cain.

“Alright! I want meat! 30 Fuls worth!” said Rugo.

Cain wanted to warn Rugo about money management, but then, he remembered how much Rugo ate last night. He just sighed.

“Okay, your food will come in ten minutes,” said the waitress. Then she leaned a bit towards Cain and Rugo. “If you want, I can tell you later where the cheap inns with a nice view and clean rooms in the town are,” whispered the waitress.

Cain and Rugo looked at each other, then to the waitress.

“Are you sure? Why?” asked Rugo.

“You said this is your first time in human town, let’s just say this is Ulstena town’s courtesy,” said the waitress, “and no offense, I thought you’re savage with how you look! But you’re actually nice!”

“Oh, he is actually savage,” Cain smirked.

Rugo laughed. “I see! That’s a good reaction! Well, another evaluation for my task.” Rugo stood up and held out his hand towards the waitress. “I am a moasrahn, my name is Rugo, this is how humans introduce themselves, right?” he asked.

“Ah, I’m Shenie, a human,” she giggled as she shook her hand with Rugo’s.

Cain also introduced himself and Beil to Shenie before she went to tell the cook their orders.

Stolen novel; please report.

Before they realized, a small crowd was formed in front of the restaurant. Shenie realized the crowd was curious about Rugo.

She came to the crowd with her arms on her waist and imposing a tough look. “Guys, if you don’t want to order some food, don’t stand here, you’re blocking the way!” she exclaimed. Then someone asked about what Rugo was. “He’s a moasrahn, now please, don’t bother our customers,”

Some people left after they were satisfied with the answer, few chose to still look at Rugo but from a bit farther.

Rugo nodded in gratitude at Shenie who walked by their table. She replied with a smile. Although Rugo wasn't really bothered about the crowd, but he had to appreciate Shenie’s effort.

A few minutes later, their food came. Cain had a plate of yellow sweet fried rice with fried calamari, also with an extra portion for Beil. And Rugo, he got two bowls of buffalo ribs, one grilled and one drenched with red sauce.

“This smells good!” said Cain, Rugo on the other hand was already eating them. Cain just shrugged and ate his food with Beil.

In just a few minutes, Rugo’s two bowls were already empty. “Not bad, better than what we had at the camp,” he licked his fingers, “but the quantity, that’s what lacking, the portion is just what moasrahn kids would have.”

“Seriously!?” Cain was surprised, “ah, nevermind, moasrahn is amazing in so many ways.”

Rugo chuckled. “We are,” he drank from the mug. “By the way, I think I know what I should do first.”

“What’s that?”

“Income, I need to make money,” said Rugo, he crossed his arms while leaning on the chair. His tail hung above the floor. “Do you have any recommendation?”

“Merchant? Nah, it won’t suit you,” said Cain, “bodyguard? Like Bogram and Dearg? Mercenary?”

“Bodyguard and mercenary mean I’ll have to take order from who employs me? Out of the question, I’ll lose my face if the elders know I become someone’s lackey, worse, human’s lackey, no offense, Cain,” Rugo smirked.

“None taken,” responded Cain, “well, there’s Hunter.”

“Oh, yeah, that, I read about Hunter Guild. You yourself is a Hunter, right? Wait, you have those high quality diamonds, from your Hunter’s job?”

“I am a Hunter, but those diamonds weren't from Hunter’s job, but a prize from my adventure!” Cain answered, a smug look on his face.

“Oho? Sounds interesting, do tell,” said Rugo.

“Perhaps another time, I want to go to Hunter Guild first.”

“Alright, let’s go,” said Rugo, “let’s see if they’ll accept a moasrahn as their member.”

“Huh? You want to join?”

“You’re the one who suggested it!”

“Ah well… yeah, right, let’s see if they’ll accept you, I want to know too,” Cain rubbed his chin.

“Come on, finish your food, you eat like a sloth,” said Rugo.

“You’re the one who ate too fast!”

…

Cain asked Shenie where the Hunter Guild in the town was. She told him the Guild was a bit far, it was in the beach direction, but they had no problem with it. She also told them where the cheap inns were, fortunately, one of them was near the Guild area. After they paid the food, they went to the Guild.

They strolled the town, admiring the view and the liveness of the town. As they walked closer to the Guild direction, the breeze from the sea found its way to them.

“This wind, just like when we were in Grock Bay! Freshness!” said Cain.

“Meip!” Beil seemed to agree.

Rugo was grinning widely, Cain could tell he was excited about the sea.

“Hmm? I think that’s the Guild,” said Cain. He looked over a building with many armed people hanging near the wide door. The building had a wooden plank, ‘Hunter’s Picnic’ was written there.

Cain and Rugo walked there. The people there were inspecting them with suspicious and alerted eyes.

Rugo stared at one of the Hunters as he and Cain entered the building, with sharp eyes, Rugo grinned. But the Hunter wasn’t fazed, he kept his composure, not intimidated, he stared back.

“Some of them are truly experienced, I can tell by their glances,” said Rugo as he and Cain passed the door.

“Hunter Guild has been here for hundreds of years, of course there will be veterans,” responded Cain.

Inside the building, the eyes of the Hunters were on them. They just walked to the administration desk. Beil followed next to them.

“Oh, wow! Look at that!” said a woman behind the desk, she was in her mid fifties, “a moasrahn, I see,” she continued.

“Hoo? You know what I am? Interesting,” said Rugo.

Hearing the remarks between the woman and Rugo, the Hunters became curious.

The woman smiled. “So, your race isn't extinct, huh?” said the woman calmly.

“We’re rebuilding, don’t worry,” Rugo grinned.

“I see… good to hear that,” said the woman. “So? What do you need of Hunter Guild? You need us to help your race? Though if I remember correctly from the history books your race is kinda closed to other races.”

“Oh yeah, help, I need money, he said Hunter Guild is a good place to get income,” Rugo pointed at Cain.

“He wants to join,” said Cain to the woman.

“Is that so? A moasrahn wants to join Hunter Guild? You need money?” said the woman.

“Yeah, I need human’s currency,” responded Rugo.

“This is interesting,” the woman rested her right hand on her chin, “wait here, I’ll talk to my superior first.”

“Is there a problem?” asked Cain.

“Not really a problem, but if the Guild says you can join,” the woman looked at Rugo, “you’re going to be the first non-human to join Hunter Guild. This is going to be written in Hunter Guild’s history.”

“Ah, I see… this is indeed will be a history for Hunter Guild,” said Cain.

“By the way, the name’s Telia,” said the woman.

Cain and Rugo introduced themselves to Telia, after that, Telia went to the back to tell her superior.

Five minutes had passed when Telia came out, followed by a man, as old as her.

“Holy Goddess, a moasrahn!” said the man in surprise, “ah, forgive me, my name is Nelcauf, I am in charge of all Hunters in Ulstena.”

Cain and Rugo shook hands with him and introduced themselves.

“This is surprising, moasrahn, huh?” said Nelcauf.

“So, can he join?” asked Cain.

Nelcauf sighed when the question came out. “Truth is, this is too big for me to decide,” he said.

“What do you mean? You said you’re in charge?” responded Rugo.

“I am, but this, I can’t take the decision,” said Nelcauf, “but worry not, two high ranking Hunters who have higher authorities are in Gleth, I’ll inform them today, and I expect they’ll come here tomorrow, they’ll decide about your appliance.”

“Tomorrow, huh? No problem,” said Rugo.

“Yes, you can come here after lunch, I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Rive will be here by then,” said Nelcauf.

When Nelcauf said the name, the Hunters there were surprised.

“Rive? The famous duo? The Slayers of Mercury Titanoboa!?”

“Whoaa!? They’ll come here!?”

“Damn, I have to see them!”

Voices in the background.

“Looks like they’re famous,” responded Rugo.

“They are,” said Nelcauf with a smile.

“Okay then, we’ll be back here tomorrow,” said Cain.

“Oh, you’re going to join, too? You can join right away,” said Nelcauf to Cain.

“I’m already a Hunter.”

“Oh? I’ve never seen you before, are you a Hunter from other country?” asked Nelcauf.

Telia also expressed her curiousness.

“Yeah, I’m a wandering Hunter from north,” replied Cain.

“North?” responded Nelcauf.

“Arozora,” said Cain, “and don’t bother asking about rank, I’m an Aquamarine Hunter,” Cain laughed lightly.

Nelcauf just smiled and nodded, then he excused himself to continue his works.

Cain proceed to the quest board, he was looking to the quest he might do. After all, he had to do quests to increase his rank for higher rewards from harder quests.

Rugo on the other hand was talking with Telia about Hunter Guild. He asked all about the Guild and the registration process.

Cain looked over the board, but he sighed, all the quests his rank could do were too simple, like help fixing the roof, clean the sewers and so on. He even shook his head when he saw the rewards the quest giver offered for such a simple quest, couldn't even buy a nice set of meal.

Cain just shrugged. “Oh well, maybe later,” he said.

“I’ll go to the beach, are you coming?” said Cain as he walked over Rugo and Telia.

“Oh yeah, of course!” responded Rugo. “See you tomorrow, madam!” he said to Telia.

Telia bowed and smiled at them.