As Xavier stood nervously in front of the mercenary guild, his heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He had come a long way from being a scrawny handyman to a determined young man, and he was about to take the next step in his journey. The massive, weathered doors of the guild loomed before him, and he took a deep breath before pushing them open.
Inside, the guild was bustling with activity. Mercenaries, hunters, and handymen were scattered about, discussing their recent missions, sharpening their weapons, and sharing stories of their adventures. The atmosphere was charged with the scent of ambition, sweat, and camaraderie.
Xavier's eyes darted around the room, searching for the guild master, a seasoned man with a long, white beard who was known for his gruff demeanor. There was a slight twist of anxiety in his gut as he approached the front desk, where the guild master was hunched over some paperwork.
"Excuse me, sir," Xavier said tentatively, "I'd like to request joining the guild as a hunter."
The guild master looked up from his work, his bushy white eyebrows raising as he inspected the young man before him. He remembered Xavier from his days as a handyman, and the transformation he had undergone was quite remarkable. The once scrawny boy had grown into a fit and determined young adult.
"You're Xavier, right?" the guild master asked, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Yes, that's me," Xavier replied, trying to hide his anxiety with a confident smile.
The guild master leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he considered Xavier's request. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice gruff but not unkind. "You've been practicing for this day, haven't you?"
Xavier nodded eagerly, "Yes, sir. I've been training hard and I'm ready for this."
The guild master scratched his beard, contemplating the situation. He had been keeping an eye on Xavier's progress over the past three months, and it was evident that the young man had put in the effort.
It would be unfair to deny him the opportunity he had worked so diligently for but that didn't mean he's just going to give it to him without a few jabs.
"Scrawny little brat. You have been pushing weights for a few months and you think you are ready to take on the beasts? Even a pig can hurt you!" The guild master said while his eyes scanned Xavier as if he was evaluating his physique.
"Very well," the guild master said with a nod, surprising Xavier with his agreement. "We are running low on hunters, and it seems you've earned your chance. Here, take this." He handed Xavier a gleaming hunter's badge, signifying his new status.
Xavier's eyes widened with delight as he accepted the badge. He couldn't believe his good fortune and the fact that he was now officially a hunter.
"Thank you, sir!" Xavier exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. "I promise I won't let you down."
The guild master grunted in response, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Don't get too ahead of yourself, kid. You've got a long way to go."
Xavier nodded vigorously, understanding that the real challenges were just beginning. But he was determined to face them head-on.
"Assistant!" the guild master bellowed, beckoning over a young woman who was organizing some scrolls at a nearby desk.
The assistant hurried over, her eyes wide as she took in the scene.
"Take our new recruit here to meet his future teammates," the guild master ordered with a smirk. "He's officially a hunter now."
The assistant's face broke into a mischievous grin, and she playfully saluted Xavier. "Congratulations! Let's get you acquainted with your new comrades."
With that, she gestured for Xavier to follow her as they navigated the bustling guild.
As Xavier followed the assistant through the bustling mercenary guild, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity about the team he would be joining. He had already gone through the application process and met the guild master, and now it was time to meet his new teammates.
The assistant led him to a corner of the guild where three individuals were waiting. Xavier noticed that they were all in their mid-twenties, making him the youngest member of the team.
The first member of his team was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rugged appearance. He had a scruffy beard and short, dark hair that seemed to defy any attempts to tame it. His eyes were a deep shade of brown, and there was a certain intensity in his gaze that made it clear he was no stranger to battles. He was dressed in a leather jacket and pants, and his boots were scuffed from countless journeys. A pair of well-worn gloves and a bandolier of throwing knives completed his ensemble. He exuded an air of quiet confidence.
The second member was a woman with fiery red hair that cascaded down to her shoulders. Her striking emerald eyes sparkled with a fierce determination, and she had an athletic build that hinted at her agility and strength. She wore a green cloak that seemed to blend seamlessly with the forest surroundings, and her boots were silent as she moved. Strapped to her belt was a sheathed dagger, and a recurve bow was slung over her shoulder. She had a quiver filled with arrows on her back, ready for action.
The final member of the team was a lanky man with a shock of unruly blond hair. He had an easygoing grin and a carefree air about him, as if he didn't take life too seriously. His bright blue eyes were constantly in motion, observing everything around him. He was dressed in a loose-fitting tunic and trousers, and he wore a pair of worn-in boots. A satchel hung from his shoulder, filled with various trinkets and tools that hinted at a penchant for exploration and discovery.
Xavier couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement as he took in his new team. Each member seemed to have their unique strengths and personalities, and he knew that he had a lot to learn from them. With a deep breath and a smile, he extended his hand to the first member of his team, the rugged man.
"Hey, I'm Xavier," he said with an eager tone, "Nice to meet you all."
The man gave Xavier's hand a firm shake and a nod. "Name's Garret. I'm the muscle of the team, and I've been around these parts for a while."
The woman with fiery red hair stepped forward next, her eyes assessing Xavier carefully. "I'm Aria. Archery's my thing, and I've got a keen eye for the hunt. You'll learn a lot from me."
Xavier's gaze turned to the lanky man, who seemed perpetually amused. "And I'm Felix. I'm here for the thrill of adventure and exploration. We're going to have some fun."
With introductions out of the way, Xavier felt a sense of camaraderie building among his new team. He was ready to embrace the challenges and experiences that lay ahead as a hunter, knowing that he had a reliable and diverse team by his side.