As I ventured further into the bustling market, I couldn't help but ponder to myself. "Could I use that status bar that always appears in battle for other purposes too?" I muttered out loud as I walked. Lost in thought, I began swiping my hands in front of me in a frenzy. Confused looks from passersby were directed my way as I continued to swipe and mutter. Finally stopping, I proclaimed loudly, "Status bar, appear!" and swiped once more. People started to give me strange glances and avoid me, thinking I was crazy.

A harsh voice echoed in my head, mocking and taunting me. "You really are an idiot," it said, the words dripping with disdain.

I spun around, searching for the source of the voice, but there was no one nearby. "Who...who are you?" I stuttered, my heart racing.

"Are you that dense? I'm speaking to you from your consciousness," the voice sneered.

Feeling a bit foolish, I walked away from the bustling market and into a quiet hallway. "Okay, so who are you?" I muttered to myself, feeling slightly insane.

"For now, you can call me Ryujin Kurokage," the voice replied smugly.

"Ryujin Kurokage? And how did we become bonded that you can talk to me?" I asked, confusion clouding my mind.

"As if I would know. When you woke up, I woke up too. I saw you struggling in battle and helped you so that neither of us would die," the voice explained.

"But do you have any memories? Do you know anything about this world?" I pressed, hoping for some answers.

"My memory is intact. The only problem is that I shouldn't even be able to communicate with anyone for another 6000 years. So yes, I am just as clueless as you are about what's going on here," the voice replied with frustration laced in its tone.

My mind pulsed with a throbbing headache as I processed this new information. "Well, thanks for helping me out in the battle," I murmured, a strange feeling of gratitude towards this Ryujin.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't mention it," it replied dismissively.

I decided to ignore its sarcastic tone and instead focus on my situation. With no money and some sort of consciousness from another world residing in my head, I felt I needed all the help I could get.

"Can you assist me in making some money?" I asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it nonetheless.

"Hmm," the voice paused before answering. "I suppose I can lend a hand."

With my newfound ally, or rather our forced alliance, I set on my mission hoping to survive in this strange world.

I continued down the alleyway, heading back towards the bustling market. "Hey Ryujin, how can I make some money in this world? Right now, my status bar shows that my funds are at zero," I said, glancing at the display. "The most lucrative option is to become a hunter. If my memory serves me right, this village is called Thornshade and it lies on the northern border of Artina. Your best bet is to locate the guild hall and apply for a position as a hunter there," Ryujin explained.

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"Right. So, I need to find this guild hall," I muttered under my breath, weaving through the throng of people. The streets were a maze of stone structures and market stalls, all blending into a chaotic mosaic of colors and scents. The aroma of roasting meat mingled with the sweet smell of freshly baked goods, creating an alluring scent that made my stomach growl.

The people around me seemed unfazed by my presence, each absorbed in their own world. There were children running around barefoot, screaming with joy as they chased after a ball. Women haggled over prices, their voices clashing in a symphony of disagreements and laughter. I felt a strange sense of comfort amidst this commotion.

"There it is," Ryujin's voice echoed in my mind, pulling me out of my reverie. Ahead was a grand building marked with the symbol of a roaring beast, its oppression evident amidst the modest cottages surrounding it.

As I approached the guild hall, my heart pounded in my chest. This was it – the start of my journey as a hunter in Thornshade. Unbeknownst to me, the trials awaiting me within those hollowed halls would challenge not only my skill but also my resolve.

"Remember Takeshi," Ryujin's voice resonated within me once again, "A hunter does not merely slay beasts. A hunter is one who triumphs over adversity, who fights for justice even when it seems unattainable."

With those words echoing in my ears, I pushed open the grand doors to the guild hall.

The doors swung open with a resonant creak, revealing a vast hall teeming with warriors of every description. The air was thick with the musk of sweat and steel, intermingled with the smoky aroma of a roaring fire from the central hearth. Boisterous laughter echoed off the stone walls, punctuated by the occasional clash of tankards and the steady thumping of boots against worn wooden floors.

Heads turned as I stepped into the room, crimson eyes unwavering beneath the scrutiny of curious gazes.

"Fresh meat, huh?" A gruff voice called out from amongst the crowd. A burly man with scars crisscrossing his face lumbered forward, a wolfish grin plastered on his face.

"You've got guts, stepping into Thornshade's Guild Hall without an ounce of fear. Got a name, kid?”

I straightened my back and met his gaze head-on. “Takeshi,” I answered.

A chorus of whispers fluttered through the guild hall, followed by a few appreciative nods and impressed murmurs. My unknown reputation seemed to precede me.

"Nice to meet you, Takeshi," the man greeted with a large hand outstretched for a handshake. "I'm Balgor, known as The Beast Breaker. You've entered the Hunters Guild." He watched me closely, expecting a reaction. I simply nodded and headed towards the central desk in the room.

Behind the desk sat a woman of indescribable beauty, her raven hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of silk. Her eyes, as radiant as emerald fireflies, locked onto mine and a knowing smile played upon her lips. "You must be Takeshi," she said, her voice laced with a touch of amusement. "Balgor has quite an eye for talent. You're here to apply?"

"Yes, I am." My words were curt, my gaze unwavering. "I heard the Hunters Guild can help me survive in this world."

Her smile widened. “Indeed, we can. But it comes at a price. Are you prepared to pay it?”

"I have nothing to offer but my sword," I responded, reaching over and unsheathing my katana slightly, just enough to let the menacing dark blade catch the flickering light from the hearth.

A murmur rose among the crowd as my intention became clear. Unfazed, she extended a parchment towards me. "Sign here," she directed, pointing at a specific spot on the paper filled with various formalities and guild rules.

As I reached for the feathered quill, Ryujin's voice echoed within my mind. "Be cautious, Takeshi. Joining this guild will bind your fate in ways unpredictable."

"I know," I replied in thought, "But I need this opportunity." I felt his rumbling sigh of resignation.

With precise movements, I signed the document before turning to face Balgor once more. The grin hadn’t left his rugged face.

"Good luck kid," he said with an approving nod, clapping me on the shoulder.

With that simple act, my new life as a hunter had begun.