Belialthorn wandered around until he reached he reached the big hall he passed when he entered the Hunter's Association. The hall was big with Hunters moving from one end of the hall to the other.
The place they frequented most was the large black wooden board where papers were pinned. They were bounty requests from different people, the majority coming from the Holy Church.
Belialthorn could see different monsters drawn out for bounty, some were requested to be taken alive while some didn't mind if the Hunters came with dead monsters.
"I wish I could read human language," Belialthorn muttered as he stared at a particular image of a Demon drawn so badly he wanted to tear it off the board. The image was probably of him.
Belialthorn couldn't read human language unless it was written in spell language but what he saw written on the boards was normal human language.
He looked around, he was looking for someone. Who? He didn't know but whoever it was must have a low level and know nothing about levels and spells. And a lot about human language.
With his Demon class, he could easily power up his new Caster class but that would draw attention to him and Belialthorn didn't want attention, at least not now. So he wanted someone to help cover up, a human Hunter who knew nothing about Caster and could help in picking bounties.
He needed someone with him so he would appear as a "normal" Hunter.
Belialthorn did a brief scan and the majority of the people here were not below level 20 and he was sure they wouldn't want a "newbie" like him to join them. He didn't want a high-level Hunter anyway.
He did another scan and that was when he saw her, a thin frail girl who was looking hurriedly at the board. Her grey eyes followed the words written there, and then her eyes fell as she finished reading.
She had brown hair which was packed behind her, and she wore a white tunic that had turned brown with a trouser filled with holes.
Belialthorn smiled. "Perfect."
Not because of the way she was dressed but because of her level. She was level one and if Belialthorn was to guess, she would be a warrior too.
He approached her. "Hello, I am Thorn. Are you a level one?"
She flinched as he heard his voice, her grey eyes widened as if she sensed danger, and she moved away from him. "I...are you talking to me?"
It's been a long time since someone spoke to her and certainly not in the Hunter's Association where a low level like her would not warrant more than a passing glance.
She looked at the man before her, he was taller than her with short black hair and blue eyes. His skin is smooth and robust, and he dresses well. He shouldn't be someone who talks with people like her.
"Of course, I'm talking to you," Belialthorn said, making his voice low and soft as if he were talking to a wild beast.
She couldn't help but feel a ray of hope, maybe today would not go as usual. "Yes, I'm a level one warrior."
Belialthorn nodded, it was just as he predicted. "Well, what is your name level one warrior?"
She flushed, the bones around her neck showing as she looked down. "My name is Rota."
Belialthorn nodded. "Good. Do you want to partner with me, Rota?"
Rota looked at him as if he had two heads, partner with him? Was he pulling some kind of joke? Didn't he see that she was a level one? "I don't like jokes."
Belialthorn frowned at the tone of her voice, why was her voice suddenly cold and flat? He didn't say anything to cause that. "Why would I joke? I need a partner to help with my bounty."
Rota gasped. Could it be true? Could it be that he needed someone? After she had been coming here for weeks? Then her hope deemed, she was just a level one with no equipment or weapons. How would she qualify as a partner?
"I don't know, I have no weapon and I don't think I can serve well as a warrior." She said.
That's exactly who Belialthorn was looking for! Somebody new to this whole Hunter thing. "That's not a problem. I can take care of it, you just have to do as I say."
"Of course, I'll do as you say," just then her stomach growled and she flushed more deeply. "Em...sorry about that I haven't eaten breakfast today."
She looked like she hadn't had breakfast in weeks but Belialthorn said nothing to that. "We can have breakfast after we are done here. First, let's get something straight, this is not a partnership, I am the leader here and you listen to me."
It felt good, to talk to someone in the position of a leader even if she was almost nothing more than bone. Belialthorn made a mental note to feed her until she got fat.
She nodded so fast and hard Belialthorn thought her head might fly off. "Of course. I'll listen to all you say."
"OK then," Belialthorn said and rubbed his chin. "Go to that bounty board and get us a bounty. A low-level one, probably in the surrounding area of Havenbrook. Maybe in the surrounding areas? Don't get a crypt mission though."
Immediately she went to the board, skimming through the list of posted papers, pausing to examine each one very well until she carefully removed one.
She returned with the paper and gave it to him. Belialthorn pretended to read what was written on it. "Good, good."
Rota flashed a small smile.
She must be the most obeying human Belialthorn had ever met and to make sure his cover was perfect with the new warrior he just added he needed to make her a real warrior and he knew just what she needed. A weapon, and food.
"Come on, let's go," Belialthorn said.