Due to the academy claiming all the low-level nests around the East Dawn City, there was nothing left for the novice hunters to grind for experience.
It was very dangerous if they rushed straight into the nests filled with high-rank monsters. They definitely couldn't handle the difficulty of the monsters in those areas.
This was also the reason why the number of novice hunters dying was increasing. And as the death rate increases, the reputation of the association deteriorates. And because of that, the number of Awakened Humans applying as 'Hunter' had decreased as well.
If this continues, it won't be long before the Hunter Association collapses completely. This was what Chairman Logan was very concerned about.
At this moment, Tim was looking for a mission that suited his rank.
According to the receptionist, a hunter was not obligated to take a mission. If he wanted to, he could directly go to the area where there were monsters and kill them and collect the materials that could be obtained from them.
However, practically, it was still better to take a mission because of the big extra reward they could get.
But it was strange. He couldn't find any G-rank or even F-rank missions on the board. All the missions listed were D rank and above. It was many folds higher than his rank.
While he was pondering what to do, he heard some whispers from around him.
"He's the newbie."
"He will not last long."
"Surely, he will be similar to others who came before him."
"Death rate will increase again for sure."
"Damn. Why did the association allow this to happen in this kind of situation? Are they self-destructing the association?"
"Who knows?"
The content of their whispers was disturbing and Tim wondered who they were directing these whispers to. He curiously turned around and he caught them suspiciously turning their gazes away from him at the same time.
'Are they referring to me?'
Tim blinked his eyes in wonder and eventually decided to ignore them. He snapped randomly one of the missions on the lists, then he brought it to the reception desk.
"This is a D-rank mission. Are you sure you will do this?" The receptionist asked him doubtfully.
Tim nodded.
"Yes, sure, sure."
The receptionist stared at him probably sizing him. Then a second later, she opened her mouth. "Do you have any experience in fighting this kind of monster?"
Tim shook his head. He wasn't even familiar with that kind of monster. If she asked him whether he had any experience of fighting any kind of monsters, he would say yes. And they weren't just your typical mosters. Most of them were Demonic Beasts. Well, that was back in his original world and when he was in his prime.
"Eh? Then, do you have any companions on this mission?"
Tim frowned.
"Nothing. Just me."
"You— Are you planning to commit suicide?"
The receptionist couldn't believe what she heard. He had just become a hunter and he immediately wanted to handle a mission that was several ranks higher than his rank. And he has no experience in fighting this monster according to him.
So in short, this mission was indeed a suicide.
"Eh?" Tim gawked at her words. "Of course not." He sighed. "Uhm, if I wait until tomorrow will I get a mission suitable for my rank?" He asked.
"I'm not sure about that. The chance of that happening is low."
"Low?" He didn't know why she seemed so certain of her answer.
"Yes, low. The association lost possession of any low-level nests nearby because all of them were now in the custody of the Academy. That means it is impossible to have a low-level mission because all the remaining nests available to Hunters are high-level only. But even if there is a low-level mission to be posted there, there is still little chance that it will go to you."
"Why?"
The receptionist gestured around. When Tim turned around he saw the anxious people. There was no doubt that these people were all hunters like him. And it looked like…
"Don't tell me they are all waiting for a low-level mission?"
"That's right."
"Eh?! Are they all beginners like me?" He couldn't believe it.
After Tim asked this, someone suddenly interjected, and seemed to answer his question.
"Most of them are Rank D and C."
Tim turned to the owner of the voice. He saw a tall female who was a little taller than him. She was approaching the reception desk where Tim was.
He noticed her nice curve and he thought her age was not far from his. She has long black hair in a ponytail. And her eyes were a pair of blue. She wore a costume that seemed combat-oriented and easy to move. It was a blue long coat over a fitting black suit. And it was paired with a blue skirt.
He also noticed her weapon hanging on her waist. He guessed it was a rapier sword based on the thinness of the scabbard.
"Hunter Eile!" The receptionist shouted.
Tim thought that this person must be a well-known hunter because even the receptionist looked excited when she saw her. He also noticed the other hunters around them talking about her. And it seemed like they all looked lively when they saw her.
"Uhm, what do you mean it's not because of the rank?" Tim asked curiously.
"The reason why everyone is looking forward to the Lower Rank Mission is because of the better reward."
"Better reward?" Tim repeated, then he frowned. "If they want a reward, aren't the rewards of high-level missions better?"
"Normally yes. However... with the decrease in the number of low-level missions coming, the materials obtained from low-level monsters also decreased."
"And with the decrease in the amount of materials gathered from those monsters, its demand naturally increased."
"And with the increase in demand, the reward also increased," Hunter Eile added.
"I see. So that's how the low-level missions come to have a higher reward than the high-level missions?" Finally, Tim came to a realization of the matter.
"That's right. But that is only applied to G and F-rank missions. D rank and above have normal reward values. That means the reward of D rank is lower than B and so on."
"I see."
Tim mused that doing the G and F-rank mission was more practical and efficient because of low risk.
"Alright. Now you know. By the way, Hunter Eile, you are planning to help our novice hunters today, right?"
"Yes, Lyn. Why?"
"Perfect. This person is about to go on a D-rank mission alone. He has no experience according to him and he's a Rank G Hunter only. Do you think you can allow him in your party?" The receptionist pointed at Tim.
"….."
Tim was quite surprised at the receptionist's consideration. He was slightly moved by her.