The aftermath of the fight with the Boneclaw saw the end of Zo's time in the party.
The bounty for the boss monster is roughly 3 gold pieces so split between the three of them then that is still a large sum of money.
Rokhan chose to stay seeing Matthew as a talented individual that is worth serving.
It has been 4 days since the battle with the Boneclaw.
"Yoh, Rokhan. I'm off to the puppet shop. I'll meet you back at the association in a bit."
"Noted."
They stayed at the same inn, so they often have breakfast with each other. They do this for an easier way to contact each other.
"Good morning!"
"Hello Shopkeep, how's my commission going?"
"About that I finished up just this morning come have a look"
He shoved the puppet onto his inventory.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you shopkeep."
While he did gain the puppet he wanted, it is still far too early to celebrate.
He had to gain some more members before he reaches the second circle. His new goal is to travel to the frontlines.
He needs experience against the forces of chaos if he wants to survive his old world after all.
He headed to the association where Rokhan was waiting for him.
"Hello Mr. Khan."
"Good morning, I'd like to inquire about the recruitment notice."
Once again he was back to recruitment. Due to his party's achievement in taking down a Boss-tier Boneclaw the number of applicants have increased.
Multiple of them were in D - Class and this time around there are some C - Class adventurers who are willing to join.
"Looking for party members: Departing for the frontlines in 5 weeks, Led by Matthew the Puppeteer.
Minimum requirements: D - Class or higher"
A short recruitment order but his name now held a lot of weight. C - Class is the peak for most people. He reached it at the age of 17.
That alone was a great achievement but beating a C - Class boss with a small group is on another level. Which is why there are 5 applicants in C -Class this time around.
"We have a Paladin, a swordsman, a spellsword and two Mages"
"I'd like to arrange a meet up with all of them, for the D - Class applicants I'd like it if you could filter them by profession. If any healers pop out then that would be the priority."
In around 2 hours the clerk managed to get most of the applicants that he was asking for. One of the C - Class mages is on a mission apparently, which is fine since a Mage was not in his list of priorities.
Briefing all of them on his plans to join the front lines took out half of the D - Class applicants. A lot of people never read the full recruitment order.
"With all of that said, my goal has always been to grow. In about a month, I will be unlocking the second mana circle."
The implications were huge, gaining his second mana circle would put him at the top of C - Class. Those who stayed among the participants were now more resolute about their decision.
He decided to test the remaining D-Class applicants using his puppets once again.
None of them passed.
"Miss Clerk, what is a spellsword? Ki and Mana, it's almost a taboo to specialize at both is it not?
"Ahh yes, they are something in the middle. As you may already know for spellcasters the 3rd circle is important, for spellswords the second mana circle is their limit.
It is a profession that specializes in the usage of the sword while also learning spells that can enhance their combat performance.
But as you may already know, specializing in one is the norm. This is so that the two energies will not clash with one another, spellswords run the risk of death through using these two forms of energy at once."
"Then who is stronger? The swordsman or the spellsword? Show me!"
The Sorcerer along with the Paladin were already taken in as honorary members since they reached C - Class.
While the two swordsmen were already considered hired, his excited expression when he asked the question simply lit a fire in the hearts of the two swordsmen.
The spellsword is a man in his early 30s, a man named Gollic.
The path to becoming a spellsword is one taken by those who are desperate for power. In the case of Gollic, he reached his peak in terms of being a swordsman. He peaked as someone who barely reached C-Class.
He was stuck for a long time, his reliance in his sword was no longer enough. Which is why he decided to look for something more.
Any class that uses a weapon can turn into a hybrid class similar to a spellsword. This means that they sacrifice further growth as a martial artist.
To become a mid-tier C-Class adventurer he sacrificed that growth.
Now at the age of 32, he looks to be hired by the talented puppeteer.
On the other hand there is Hawk, a talented young swordsman. 22 is a relatively young age for a swordsman to reach the C-Class.
He reached it within two short years of joining the association.
While the spellsword carried a rapier, the young man carried a great sword. One that matched his physique greatly due to his abnormal size.
He stands at a height taller than most, if one were to guess then the ball park estimate should start at a height of at least 6 foot 5.
Then this asks the question, who is more likely to win, The hardworking well-experienced man who reached his peak a while ago or a talented physically dominant titan?
The answer was decided in one single exchange.
The older man's sword now covered in multiple amounts of energy. From his own ki to the spell he imbued on it. The rapier sparked and burned.
His sword is unwavering.
He worked long and hard to reach such a level.
People often say that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.
But in a world where it is kill or be killed, those with talent are forced to work hard.
That singular exchange proved this, the rapier broke and the match ended just like that.
Hawk is simply far too strong.
"Welcome to the party you two!"