Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Early this morning, the hunters swarmed into the Hunter Association by the side of the Donau River, wanting to see if there were any suitable missions today. They soon shook their heads in disappointment.
There were many missions in the association, but they were either for hunting mid to high-level Magical Beasts that could only be taken up by a team of three-star hunters or higher; Or they would be trash missions like searching for a missing pet in town that had extremely low rewards. For some reason, mid to low-level missions like entering the Terras Forest alone to act as guides for merchant teams or searching for resources had vanished without a trace.
“Sigh, it’s been two days. I can’t take up high-level missions, but there are no mid to low-level missions. I can’t even afford my alcohol anymore!”
“That’s right, there were many mid to low-level missions in the past, why are there so few of them in these two days?”
…
The group crowded together in discussion within the information hall, sighing from time to time. Even though there would be hunters that would meet with misfortune over the past few days, the association had handled them in a timely matter, and the information did not incite widespread fear within the hunters. For survival, in order to earn a few extra crystal coins, not only did the people not back off, they instead were worrying over not being able to take up missions that allowed them to enter the forest.
The hunters were sighing in the information hall, completely oblivious to the fact that the high-level operatives of the Hunter Association were gathered together in an elegant hall on the second level.
“Sir Goode, are we going to suppress the mid to low-level missions for another two days today?” Viola knit his brows as he pinched on a thick stack of missions.
Over these days, under the order of the managing elder Goode, he had no choice but to postpone a large amount of mid to low-level missions that allowed the hunters to enter the forest. He only left behind various high-level missions that required high-level hunters to form groups, or trash missions that had extremely low rewards.
The Hunter Association did not have many sources of income. Other than resources like the Magical Beast Eggs and Magical Beast hides that the Beast Taming Ground produced, the bulk of their income came from the cut they got from the hunters’ rewards.
Even though the cut they got from high-level missions was high, the missions were limited in number. Ever since the association was set up, most of their profit had come from the various mid to low level missions. Even though the crystal coins they obtained from the mid to low-level missions was not much, the number of missions that they could obtain crystal coins from was a lot.
Continuing to postpone a large number of mid to low-level missions would have disastrous effects!
On one hand, the employers would want the association to complete their missions as soon as possible. The longer they dragged the missions on, the worse the impression employers would have of the association. On the other hand, many low-level one and two-star hunters were full of frustration as they were unable to obtain missions suitable for them, and they were grumbling about the efficiency of the association.
This way, as time dragged on, withholding the missions would affect the confidence of the employers and hunters had on the association, directly impacting the development of the association. Even though a dozen hunters had met with misfortune over the past few days, they did not have to be this fearful and cautious. Viola did not understand why the managing elder Goode who issue such a strange order.
“Continue pushing back the mid to low-level missions. Other than the high-level missions and the low-level missions that can be completed in town, you are to only issue this mission today!” Goode left quickly after taking out a piece of vellum from his robes and giving a few instructions.
In order to successfully lure out the killer hiding in the shadows, he had spared no efforts and made a large amount of preparations.
First, he gradually postponed the missions that required going into the forest that the low-level hunters could undertake, preventing the sudden cancellation of all mid to low-level missions that would cause their schemes to be exposed to the other party; This would also stop the killers hiding in the shadows from continuing to do as they pleased, slowly thinning their patience and whetting their appetites.
Second, he instructed his men to plant a large number of trees at critical areas of the territory, and had mixed in Withered Tree Warriors that had disguised themselves as trees so that Yang Ling’s senses covered the entire Wissen Town.
Coupled with the many bats he had nestled on the trees, he set up a preliminary web of surveillance, creating a foundation for exposing the enemies within the town and cutting off their sources of intelligence.
His final step was to issue the mission used to lure out the killers. He believed that without having an opportunity to take action in the past few days, the killers hiding in the shadows would not easily miss out on the low-level hunters that entered the forest, unknowing of what was going on. As long as the killers took the bait, there was no concern that they would escape!
“Act as a guide for a few merchants and search for steel mines at the Spider Valley!”
Viola was confused as he flipped through the piece of vellum Goode had handed him, not knowing why Goode would personally issue such an ordinary request. After shaking his head, he handed the vellum to a young lady at the side and got her to immediately issue the only mid to low-level mission they had today.
“Oh, there’s a new mission, quick, quick, quick!”
“Act as a guide for a few merchants and search for steel mines at the Spider Valley?”
…
The mission had just been issued when it attracted a large group of people. The crowd swarmed toward the counter where they received missions after knowing what was going on. No one was willing to miss a rare mission suitable for them.
“Aiyo, who stepped on my foot!”
“Luke, your wife’s going to go into labor soon, why are you still here fighting for missions!”
“Hehe, the association has no rules saying that a hunter whose wife is about to go into labor cannot accept missions!”
…
The crowd fought for the mission, turning the area where missions were accepted extremely crowded. The person who had the last laugh was none other than Arkas who used to be a thief. He disregarded the furious stares he got after receiving the mission, leaving quickly after finishing his discussions with the point of contact of the merchant team. They agreed that they would begin their journey early in the morning the next day.
At the same time, after obtaining the news that their bait would set off the next day, Yang Ling led Goode, Orlando and the rest sneakily out of the back door of the castle, secretly entering the Terras Forest to set up the necessary preparations.
Snow fell early the next day, and just as the average person was still in bed, Arkas had brought along a few of his partners and met the merchants at the entrance of the Hunter Association. After the necessary arrangements were made, they quickly set off toward the Terras Forest.
When they were approaching the vast Terras Forest, a shifty looking man moved toward Arkas who was leading the group, nervously asking, “Arkas, I heard that there have been low-level hunters meeting with misfortune within the forest, should we get a few more people to come along with us?”
“Hmph, one more person means a few dozen Purple Crystal Coins lesser for us. It’s alright if you don’t want this group, it is not too late to back out!”
Triangle-eyes was very worried, but Arkas did not seem to acre. Even though he had heard that there were people meeting with misfortune in the forest in this period of time, he did not think that he would be that unlucky!
He had felt that life was exciting ever since joining the Hunter Association.
He would walk around in the day to find suitable missions, then eat and drink his fill at night. His life was free. The beautiful Katherine next door would not disregard him when she saw him like in the past, but instead initiate conversations. She even promised to go see the beautiful Black Water Lake with him at Black Water City. Perhaps, he would be able to marry a beauty if he put in a little more effort!
He needed money to drink, he needed money to eat meat, he needed a large amount of money to marry Katherine. He naturally was unwilling to get the help of a few more people now that he had found a suitable mission with much difficulty.
Filled with hope for a beautiful future, Arkas led the group into the vast forest, getting further and further from Wissen Town. He was completely oblivious to the black robed man coldly staring at his group from the top of a tree on a tall mountain not far away.
After entering the forest, Arkas ordered triangle-eyes to scout up ahead and another partner to cover their backs; He led two of his partners, holding the formation in the center as they travelled together with the two merchants. They cautiously observed the surroundings as they travelled.
Even though he had lived a sneaky life in the past, he had quickly learnt about the important lessons when it came to being a hunter after entering the Hunter Association and receiving Viola’s pointers and training. It was still a little difficult for him to set up traps and capture Magical Beasts, but he had no problems being a guide. He could earn quite a large sum of money from time to time.
Arkas was agile, cautiously taking note of the movement around him. Unfortunately, his abilities were far too weak when compared to the black robed man behind him! He did not notice the person tailing them even after walking for several hours.
Other than issuing the mission, the Hunter Association could also supply them with a map of the Terras Forest. Even though it was not very accurate and costs money each time, it was indeed much more convenient for them. The hunters were usually able to complete their missions within the shortest amount of time possible, boosting their efficiency.
After spending twenty Purple Crystal Coins at the Hunter Association and obtaining the relative position and relevant information on the Spider Valley, Arkas led the group straight toward the destination, avoiding any roundabouts. With a map and the hunting dogs that followed them, they successfully avoided the ferocious wild beasts in the area.
“Brothers, faster, we have to reach the Spider Valley before the sky gets dark. Don’t blame me for feeding whoever drags us behind to the spiders in the valley!”
After resting for a moment within the forest and eating a simple meal, Arkas instructed the group to move quickly, hoping that they could reach the Spider Valley and set up camp there before it got dark. There were many Magical Beasts and dangers within the Terras Forest, and the forest was even more dangerous at night. He did not want to encounter a hungry Magical Beast out hunting for food when he was about to reach his destination.
The group continued on their journey after eating their fill, completely oblivious to the fact that the number of black robed men behind them had increased from one to five.
After taking a deep breath, a veiled black-robed man took out a sharp dagger and whispered, “Draxas, should we…”
“No, now’s not the right time. They would be the most tired, and have the most relaxed defenses when they are setting up camp!” Looking at Arkas cautiously pulling on his hunting dog, the black robed man Draxas spoke as he shook his head.
After having a simple rest, the black robed men followed Arkas and his group, gliding past the snowy ground without leaving behind a trace. However, they did not notice that there were now a few more speedy Horned Bee Beasts around them.
