Outside of the bar, hunters are all gathered and talking amongst themselves, as the Givers stand in front of them.
Hunde stretches as he walks over to where Liv and Carl are sitting
Hunde:
Good morning…
Liv:
What do you mean by morning?
It's already noon!
You spent half your day sleeping!
Hunde:
I had a long night…
Carl:
C'mon, go a little easier on the kid, he's still growing–
Liv:
He's 16.
Carl:
No, no, what are you talking about?
No matter how you slice it, he's still just a little kid!
Hunde:
It's true, I'm 16–oh, something smells good over there!
Hunde dashes off towards a table of food and begins fighting with other hunters to eat it.
Carl:
…
Are you trying to tell me that thing is almost the same age as us?
Liv:
Yup.
Carl:
Well, I guess it's just his skills that matter…
He really should go get his licence as soon as possible, or else this will be his first and last hunt.
Liv:
I'm sure he'll pass the test, back when I did it, it was pretty straightforward.
We just had to show we knew how to use a weapon, and were able to kill some Infected.
Carl:
How long ago did you take the test?
Liv:
Hm, it was a few years ago, since I got it as soon as I turned 16, that would mean it's been 5 years.
Carl:
Already?
Liv:
What, why are you looking at me like that?
It's not a big deal, anyways, I'm more excited to see the reward I'll get for participating in an Alpha hunt!
Giver:
Hello, would you like to collect your rewards?
Carl:
Yes please.
Giver:
Very well then, may I please see your Licences?
Carl and Liv hand them over, however as she examines Liv's licence, the Giver begins to frown
Liv:
Is something the matter?
Giver:
Ah, no, it's nothing serious, it's just…
This licence is expired.
Liv is completely shocked and stands frozen in place
Liv:
B-but, how can that be?
I didn't get it too long ago…
Giver:
I'm not sure what to tell you ma'am, but this licence expired yesterday.
Liv:
What do you mean it did?!
Last night when I went on the Hunt, you said it was perfectly fine!
Giver:
Ah, that was my mistake.
I couldn't see very well in the dark, so I missed the expiry date.
My deepest apologies, but seeing as this licence is expired, we're unable to compensate you for your participation on this last hunt because you weren't technically hunting with the Imperial agency–!?
Liv tries to lunge at the Giver, but Carl holds her back
Carl:
Calm down, Liv!
Liv:
Let me go, Carl!
I need to give her a piece of my mind!
Carl:
Don't say that!
If anything, it's your fault for not noticing sooner!
Just let it go!
You even said that the licence test was easy!
Just go get it renewed!
Liv:
Tsk, fine.
You got lucky this time…
Hunde:
Hey guys!
Did you know they have these really delicious pastries?
Apparently, they came from the west of the Empire!
I've never had anything this tasty before!
Carl:
Oh, a croissant, yeah, they're pretty good, they were only recently imported after a small border dispute out west.
Hunde:
Hey, why does Liv look so…scary?
Carl:
Oh, she just found out she let her licence expire, so she needs to go get a new one.
Hunde:
Oh!
We should go together!
Liv finally snaps out of her rage at Hunde's suggestion
Liv:
Huh?
Why?
Hunde:
I mean, you're going to get your licence renewed, and I'm going to get my first one!
We both need to go to an Imperial outpost, so why not go together!
Liv:
Wait, wait, wait, there's no need to travel together, right?
Hunde:
Oh, sorry, I shouldn't have pushed that on you…
It was just my selfish wish to travel with a friend for the first time….
Liv looks at Hunde with pity as Carl nudges her
Carl:
C'mon Liv, don't leave the poor kid alone.
You'll just be travelling together for a day or so.
And besides, the only Imperial outpost nearby is in Beutestadt, so why not go together?
Liv:
Ugh, fine!
We can go together, but only this one time!
Hunde:
Hooray!
When should we leave!?
Liv:
As soon as possible.
I want my licence back, and don't want to wait for it.
Hunde:
I should go stock up on pastries then!
Hunde rushes back to the table, leaving Liv and Carl alone
Liv:
Sigh, I guess I should pack my stuff from the inn as well…
Carl:
I'm sure it's for the better, you've never liked staying in one place for long anyways.
Liv:
That's not true!
It's just, there's something I need to do…
Carl:
Uh huh, sure.
Liv:
Whatever, stop distracting me already!
A few minutes later, Hunde and Liv set off on their short journey towards the town of Beutestadt
Hunde:
So, what's this town like anyways?
Liv:
It's a pretty small town, the only important thing there is the Imperial outpost and the train.
Hunde:
What's a train?
Liv:
It's something developed in the capital, Hundepublik. It rides on rails and connects important parts of the Empire.
There are generally three types of railines, one is for connecting important economic cities, one for connecting the largest cities, and one for connecting the Imperial outposts.
If we pass the inspection at the outpost, we'll be taking the train towards wherever they're holding the licensing test.
Hunde:
How often do they do the tests?
Liv:
Pretty often, considering how many no-stars die quickly to Infected, the turn around rate is pretty high.
They tend to have different examiners for the different parts of the Empire.
Hunde:
So we're not all taking the same test?
Liv:
No, it depends on who you have.
I'm taking us to the town I got licensed in!
That test was a complete pushover!
I barely had to do anything.
Hunde:
Doesn't that seem like they're expecting us to die if they just give anyone a licence?
Liv:
No, most people say the real test starts when you have your licence, and it goes until you've earned your first star.
Once you become a single-star, you generally get better treatment, and you can even use it as proof of your skills and reputation when dealing with merchants or going to foreign countries.
Hunde:
Other countries accept the licence?
How come?
Liv:
It has to do with some history nonsense I don't understand, all you need to know is that you know you've made it once you become a single-star!
Hunde:
Wow!
Let's aim to become great single-stars then!
Liv:
That's the spirit!
Keep up that attitude throughout the whole test and you'll be good as gold!
Hunde and Liv continue talking long into the next day, as their destination finally comes into sight.
Hunde:
Wow!
Liv!
It's got a drawbridge!
Liv:
It doesn't take much to impress you, does it?
Hunde:
It's just so cool!
Guard
Halt!
What business have you in Breutestadt?
Liv:
I'm here to renew my hunting licence, and he's here to get his first licence issued.
We'd like to take the train over to Stadt der Prufungen.
Guard:
Hm, this seems to be real.
Very well, welcome to Breutestadt.
Please enjoy your stay in this town.
Liv:
Hunde, don't go too far.
Remember, we're only passing through here!
Hunde:
Tsk, I want to go explore…
Liv:
You can do that on your own later, for now, we're going to the train station so I can get my licence back.
If all goes to plan, we should be done in a day or two!
After that, you can explore any town you like.
Hunde:
Alright…
As Liv and Hunde step aboard the train, Liv notices the odd people scattered throughout
Liv:
(Hm, they all seem like tough customers…)
Hunde, it's best if we lie low and just observe for now…
Hunde?
Hunde:
Hi!
You have a funny looking jacket.
???
What did you say to me?!
Liv:
Hunde!
Liv grabs Hunde and pulls him back by his cloak
Liv:
I'm so sorry for my idiot of a companion!
Hunde!
Apologize to the nice man!
The man has dark, slicked back hair as well as a leather jacket on. The man is around twice the size of Hunde
Liv:
(Of course Hunde has to go bother the scariest looking of the bunch right off the bat…)
Leather man
Tsk, it's fine.
Hunde
Are you going to get your licence too?
Leatherman
Yeah, I'm going to get my licence.
So is everyone on this train, they changed the rules recently to make the test a monthly test instead of the normal schedule of just holding it whenever they had enough participants.
Liv:
Hm?
Everyone is going?
Leather man:
That's right.
Liv:
Does that mean…
Hunde:
Everyone on this train is our rival!
Liv:
Ugh…w-well, at the least the test itself should still be easy…
I remember the examiner was such a nice guy, all he did was sit back in his chair and if we peaked his interest, he would pass us!
Leather man:
So you haven't heard?
Liv:
Heard what?
Leather man:
The old examiner retired, there's a new head examiner.
Liv:
Huh?
Leather man:
I've heard rumours that since the number and strength of Infected has risen over the last few years, they decided to make the tests harder as well.
Apparently, the new examiner for this county is an infamous triple-star hunter by the name of Gou Raubtier!
Hunde tenses up at the mention of Gou's name, hiding his face under his hood
Liv:
Who's that?
Leather man:
What do you mean "who's that"?
He's one of the few hunters to be recognized as a triple-star!
They say his pressure is off the charts, and that it dwarfs even the other triple-stars!
I can only imagine what getting his approval in this test could do for my career…
Liv:
Wow, I never imagined such a big shot would be coming to such a small town…
Hunde:
You normally know a lot of this stuff though
Liv:
Ah, I don't really like thinking about my home, so I tend to avoid the news about it…
Leather man:
Sorry to hear that, but don't worry, once you get your licence you'll never need to come back!
Liv:
No, I'll need to get it renewed, I learned that the hard way…
Who even are you?
Leather man:
Oops, sorry, I never introduced myself.
My name is Frucht, Frank Frucht!
Hunde:
Nice to meet you Frank!
I'm Hunde, and this is Liv!
Do you know what's gonna be on the test?
Frank:
Well, from what I've heard, Gou tends to change the exam every time he's in charge, he says it's because in the wild hunters never know what to expect, but I'm pretty sure it's just because he only comes up with it at the last minute!
Anyways, speculating won't get us anywhere, we're already arriving, so just be prepared for anything and you should be fine!
Hunde:
You're fun Frank, let's be friends!
Frank:
Heh, you're interesting too, sure!
The two shake hands as Liv watches from the side.
Liv:
(...Oh no, another idiot joined us…)
As the three get off the train, they're met by a man with a prosthetic arm
Hunter:
Welcome, any passengers participating in the licensing test, please, form an orderly line and meet in the town square!
Hunde:
Oh, this is so exciting!
I can't wait to find out what's gonna be on the test, what about you Liv?
Liv:
Ugh, I think the nervousness is gonna make me sick…
(I was so confident this would be over in a few hours, how was I supposed to know a triple-star would take over from that laid back old man!)
Hunde:
Oh, nerves from excitement!
I totally get that!
I got butterflies in my stomach too–
Hunde accidentally bumps into someone
Hunde:
Oops, sorry!
The boy Hunde bumped into looks to be in his late teens, he has messy unkempt brown hair. He's wearing a series of messy rags stained with dirt and blood. The boy glares at Hunde with pure malevolence in his eyes
Boy:
You…you're like me…
Hunde:
What…?
Liv:
Hunde!
Come get signed up or I'm gonna leave you behind!
Hunde:
Oh, coming!
Sorry mister, I-I gotta go!
Hunde runs towards Liv, leaving the boy on his own among the crowd.
Liv:
Everything alright?
Hunde:
Huh?
Liv:
You're shaking.
Hunde looks down at his hands to find his palms drenched in sweat as his whole body was involuntarily trembling
Hunde:
It's probably just from the excitement…
Liv:
You're a strange one alright.
Let's get signed up.
The sooner we're done with this test, the better.
I want to spend as little time in this place as possible…
Giver:
Welcome, are you signing up for the test?
Liv:
He is, I already had my licence, I just want to renew it.
Giver:
Very well, may I see your licence?
Liv:
Well, I guess this is where we'll part ways, Hunde.
It sure was fun, but good luck with your test, I'll be on my way shortly–
Giver
Oh…
Liv:
What's wrong?
Giver:
Well, it's just, this licence was issued before the new Hunter reforms…
Liv:
Reforms?
Giver:
Well, I'm sure you realise that as Infected have become stronger, there's a need for hunters to do so as well.
In accordance with the will of the Emperor and his high council, we've created an updated exam to thoroughly test an examinee's quality to see if they have what it takes to be a hunter.
If you wish to renew your hunter's licence, then you will need to take the new test.
Liv:
…
Are you kidding me?
Liv looks completely defeated as she's standing next to Hunde and Frank
Hunde:
I can hardly wait for this test to start!
Some of the people here look really strong!
Frank:
I know what you mean!
Has anyone in particular caught your eye?
Hunde:
Well…
Hunde thinks about his encounter with the boy in rags from before
Hunde:
Well, me and Liv of course!
We're super strong!
There's no way this test will pose a threat to us!
???:
Ha, that's what they all say.
Frank:
Who said that?
???:
Sorry to have listened in on your conversation, I just couldn't help myself.
Name's Elliot.
Every test, there are tons of promising examinees, and every time most of them fail!
Hunde:
Every time?
How many times have you taken this test?
Elliot:
I'm on my third year of trying.
Hunde:
Wow, you must be really bad at this…
Elliot:
Excuse you!?
I'll have you know I've always made it to the final phase!
Hunde:
Liv, how many tries did it take you to get your licence?
Liv:
I think I got it the first time I tried…
Elliot:
…
W-well I guess you're just special then!
Only a fool makes a rule from an exception, you know!
Hunde:
Wow, that sounds really smart!
Elliot:
Doesn't it?
Hunde:
Yeah, but how do we know you're not the one doing that?
Maybe the test is really easy like Liv says, and you're the one who's being dumb.
Elliot:
Tsk, don't say I didn't try to warn you!
Just wait for the real thing to start!
???:
Hello?
Can you all hear me?
The examinees begin to mutter amongst themselves, ignoring the voice
???:
Hey!
Pay attention!
The examinees continue on, ignoring the voice
???:
Tsk, I said listen!
Without warning, a suffocating amount of pressure washes over the audience, causing them all to freeze and look towards the source
???:
Finally, this is why I hate running this test…
Welcome to the hunting licence test.
My name is Gou Raubtier, a triple-star hunter.
I'll be the head examiner for this test.