Afterward, we went through some paperwork and I've been officially instated as a hunter. Hunters or any other guild ranks their personnel under S, A, B, C, D, E, F or G. G for Goblins. Anyone with a bit of skill can start at F while G rank is for people with no ability to fight.
Normally I would have to go through a series of tests to prove my ability, but everything is easier with Driel standing as my guarantor. He is the Guildmaster after all. And now to active duty for however short time it would be, I accepted the request that we talked about.
Since I'm in a rush I left immediately afterward. It is definitely not because some goblins are shivering and fainting from fright. Nope. Driel was not looking at me reproachfully.
The departure time is ASAP, so I made my way directly to the south gate. I took the chance to change out my robes for normal hunter's wear consisting of leather armour, a bow, a quiver, a dagger and some knives strapped around my body. I also have some handmade tools and consumables in my pockets. I'm more than ready to conquer a few dungeons!
"You are just going through a thin forest. Why do you look like you're going on an expedition?" Says Driel.
"Not your business, and why are you following me?"
"Do you know what your clients looks like?"
"…No comment. But I don't like how you talk back to me."
Driel is one of the few that is not afraid of me. He lived relatively long so he might be bored of life?
"Please don't go overboard and destroy the forest, okay? And it would be better to hide those horns, the situation would be bothersome if people learn that a Goblin Lord is up for hire."
"Tch, it's a sin to hide my hide my beautiful horns."
Though I said that, I still wore a little earing that puts an illusion on my horns. I'm one of the only few who has them as there are only four Goblin Lords in this city. It basically identifies me as a bigshot.
That's right, I'm important!
Hahahaha!
"Stop being creepy. We're here."
"What? Creepy? I'm professional." I said with a straight face as we head towards a group of people.
"This is Aruk, B-rank hunter who has accepted your request of escort to Terrune."
In front of me lies a peculiar trio, an elf, a dwarf and a halfling. Driel introduced them as the clients for the request before leaving, then the elf came up excitedly.
"I'm April, Bard, Wanderer, and something of a leader of the party. I never thought a B-rank would come to our request."
"Stop fangirling. I'm Drom, Blacksmith and also a Wanderer." Said the dwarf. "This here is Yenni."
"I'm Yenni, a Merchant. I was lucky that we hit a hidden settlement when running away in the forest. But we kinda got stuck and couldn't leave. Hahaha~."
Yeah, the halfling might have a screw loose somewhere, the elf too. The dwarf must be weird as well to stick with them.
All three are garbed in combat gear. April has a bow, quiver and leather armour, a typical hunter gear. Yenni too is garbed in leather armour but has a dagger on him like a thief class. Drom is the only one plated in metal, though only over his vitals. Normally dwarves would be equipped with large weapons like greatswords, sledgehammers, axes and tower shields. But perhaps mindful of the weight, he is holding onto a smaller mace.
Behind them is a Direwolf sporting a dark grey fur and sharp claws and fangs, sharp enough to tear through thick trees. Faintly, you can see some tattoos fading up its limbs.
While normally aggressive, this one has been tamed by the hunter's guild and specially trained. It is expected to be stronger than its average kin.
"You must be suicidal for three non-combat classes to enter the forest. D-rank minimum is required to survive you know."
"D-rank!? W-well, we knew it was dangerous, but…"
April stuttered and trailed off as Drom and Yenni picked up.
"She couldn't deny a child's request, and we got roped into hunting monsters in the forest."
"His village was close to the forest and got raided frequently, you see."
"Hoh, and what type of monsters were they."
The dwarf and elf gaged at my question.
"Goblins!"
"W-w-wait, Yenni!!"
"S-sorry, he misspoke!"
Both April and Drom tried to cover up what the halfling said, but I continued without listening to them.
"Hoh, you must have had a hard time. Why don't I help you on that."
I laughed as I look the elf and dwarf's faces, half covered in surprise, and half covered in fear.
"Let's go, I want to make it to Terrune before the sun is down."