Chapter 57

The Hunter’s Guild was located in a large expanse of its own, further past where the Farmer’s Guild had been situated. Even without the map, the moment we saw the actual building, it was immediately evident what the structure was home to.

A large courtyard spread out in front of the building, around which a waist high stone wall was crafted. Within this courtyard, more than two dozen different figures loomed. They were monsters, one and all, dead and stuffed. There were wolves and leopards, and gorillas, and a few others I’d never yet seen. Creatures covered in thick fur, standing on two legs, with vicious claws and mouths full of teeth. Additionally, there were a few bodies that dwarfed even those, with large trunks protruding from their faces, and white, bone-like spikes curving outwards from their mouths. I shivered as I looked at them, wondering at just how much force such massive creatures could exert with a single step.

All about the various bodies, trophies of sorts if I had to guess, the members of the guild milled about. They all wore the same basic style of outfit. Light leather pants, leather vests, and coats pulled over the vests made of tanned hide. On their backs they had bows, with quivers at their sides, along with a few sets of knives, and other such items. Each additionally had a bag attached to their legs, which seemed to hold who knew what else. All of this was available to them at an instant, though I had no doubt they carried additional gear within their Tower granted Inventory.

“Why I’ll be damned,” a figure, sitting lazily atop the wall, said loudly as we approached. “Day two and we’ve already got Coals at our doorstep?”

I bristled at the use of the term, given its derogatory meaning. He lazily set his feet on the ground and headed towards us, a smile on his face. It looked genuine, and I found my previous anger quickly extinguished.

“And by the looks of it, not just ordinary Coals eh?” He scanned us appraisingly, his eyes going from Lyn’s fur lined cloak and boots, to the daggers around my waist.

“Already found yerself on the wrong side of the Den Mother too, eh?” He chuckled, “but made out like bandits. Admirable, and foolish.” His smile returned, “we can work with that.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could his hand was held outwards, practically in my face, and he was speaking once more.

“Names Quill. Quill Burr.” I took his hand, noting immediately the callouses on his fingers. Calloused that told immediately he was no stranger to the bow. “Journeyman Hunter, at your services.”

“Ash Slate,” I said as I released his hand. He proceeded to shake my companions’ hands eagerly, one at a time, as the introductions continued.

“Nyle Minn.”

“Lyn Hart.”

With that out of the way, Quill finally stepped backwards and looked at us. It gave me the chance to look him over as well. He looked relatively young, likely only a few years older than we were. His mousy brown hair was disheveled, hanging down a little past his ears. A leather headband kept the hair from his eyes, which were a muddy green. His build was lean, definitely agile, but likely not overly strong. Most notably of all, was the jagged scar that ran across his right eye.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Jaguar.” Quill said, catching my gaze. “Nasty creatures. I was careless. Lucky to even be alive if I’m being honest. Owe my life to Climbers.”

“I’m familiar with them.” I said with a knowing nod. “Ran into one during the Reaping.”

“That what got you?” His tone was genuine. He may have been calling us coals, but it was evident he didn’t view us in a negative light at all. “I know a lot of Climbers fall to em during the Reaping.”

“Actually,” I thought back to that fight. “It ran away before I could finish my fight with it.”

“Goblins or gorilla then yeah?” He asked, his head nodding slightly as he spoke. “Only things the jags run from on the second floor.”

“Goblins.” I confirmed, my hand rising unconsciously towards my chest as I remembered the trio of arrows that had ended my life during the Reaping.

“Mean bastards. Those goblin warriors are no joke. And they always travel in packs. Seeing one means you’ll be seeing at least a few more.” He shook his head. “Nothing scarier on the second floor than hearing one of their war horns either. Give me a jag any day over a goblin warrior.”

From the way he spoke, I had no doubt Quill spent a lot of time on the second floor. Meaning, he was the perfect person to speak with regarding our current job.

“Any chance you’re going to be hunting today?” I asked. It was common practice that many of the non-climbers rotated their shifts within the Tower. There were so many of them that it didn’t make sense to flood the floor with all of their members every day.

“Sure am,” he patted his bag at his side, and I heard what sounded like wood and metal clanking about. “Another day of Gorilla hunting actually. If it goes good today,” he puffed his chest out, smiling broadly, “I’ll be able to complete my Journeyman quota, giving me the chance to pursue my master title.”

“No pressure on us.” Nyle said quietly with a small snort at my side. I elbowed him as Lyn snickered.

“Did the three of you accept one of the Hunter’s Guild jobs?” Quill asked expectantly.

“Why else would we be here?” Lyn responded with a dry tone. From the corner of my eye, I could see a bemused glint in her eyes. “To sightsee?”

Quill relaxed a bit more at her comment and motioned towards the guildhall. “Humor to boot.” He said past his own chuckle, “I think the three of you will fit right in with us. Which job did you accept?” He asked.

“Gorilla hunting.” I said with a knowing smile. “Which I guess means we’ll be working alongside you.”

A quick set of emotions crossed Quill’s face, too fast to really process, before a smile settled on his lips. He turned and started guiding us towards the entry gate, and the path towards the Guild Hall proper.

“Let’s get you signed in with the Guild Overseer,” he said as he walked, “and then, I’ll answer all the questions you have about the exhilarating world of Gorilla hunting.”

“Sounds good to us.” I said as we followed Quill into the courtyard. I didn’t see any other climbers, just hunters. Still, we were early, so I had no doubt others would be joining us. After all, of all the low ranked jobs available, I had a feeling joining in hunts alongside the Hunters guild had to be a prime choice for Climbers. Hunting down creatures was much more aligned with our training than assisting in gathering plants or ore or standing around as guards.

“One thing, before we get in there,” Quill said, slowing as we neared the massive double doors that led into the Hunter’s Guild. The wooden doors themselves were ornately carved, showcasing a motif of hunters fighting a massive creature that consisted of claws and fangs and scales and teeth. “If you don’t mind my asking, what level are the three of you?”

“Seven.” We all responded. “Looking to hit level 10 today though.”

“Seven, right,” Quill shook his head and let out a small chuckle as he pushed the doors open. “Freaking level seven.”