Standing before the entrance to the tower, Leonard was in awe of its intricate details. The difference between viewing it from afar and seeing it up close was staggering, as its obsidian surface and texture were touched with artistry. It was clear that this wasn't merely man-made. Towering high enough to pierce the sky, it stood as a testament to both ethereal beauty and ominous presence.
Leonard decided to visit the tower before the Hunter licensure examination. Within the three days, he could prepare for the test and possibly earn some money for his expenses. Living in the city wouldn't be easy for someone unremarkable like him. He wouldn't be able to take a job as a laborer or anything that required lifting heavy loads. The only work he could do involved using his mind.
He left the tower's entrance. There were better things to do in the meantime than watching Hunters enter the tower. Leonard could see people going back and forth, carrying materials or the spoils of their visit to the tower.
'Just like in Korean manhwas; this tower must be both a haven and a hell for Hunters. For sure, there would be a different environment inside, like a dimensional travel to another space.'
Back at the Hunter's Guild, Leonard needed to gather information about the norms and challenges Hunters faced. He was sure he could find something useful.
As he returned, he saw people going back and forth to the receptionist hub with pieces of paper—probably the quests they had taken. Going to the bulletin board, Leonard looked around at the posted quests.
'Porter Job.'
'Find my cat, please!'
'Herb Specialist.'
'Hunter for Hire.'
There were various quests for different specialized Hunters. This made Leonard wonder how Players were viewed in this world. For sure, they would be revered since they held rare power. But, witnessing how the receptionist from Teller One reacted, he must hold great importance as a Player.
Leonard returned to Teller One, catching the receptionist's attention. "You have returned so quickly. What's the matter?"
"I am impatient. Can I take the examination now?" Leonard asked, making the receptionist dazed.
"Ah… normally, the guild director would be here, but since he will be returning three days from now, I must hold your examination before his return."
"I see… There's no helping it."
The receptionist, though reluctant to leave Leonard unattended, sensed a certain maturity in him despite thinking of him as a mere kid who might be lying about being a Hunter. The guild director's presence was typically needed for the examination, but in reality, his role was just to approve the results. Hence, the receptionist was trying to avoid being bothered by someone he deemed a child.
However, there must be a reason for Leonard's impatience. Could it be related to money?
"May I ask why you want to be a Hunter?"
Leonard paused, searching for a reasonable answer. He couldn't just say that he wanted to become a Hunter because it was the only interesting path in this world.
If an average person were asked that question, how would they respond?
'This is like those interview questions. Could it be that this is a preliminary step before the examination? How frustrating it must be for this receptionist to give me false hope of becoming a Hunter. Well, it's my fault for not being an adult but just a fourteen-year-old teenager.'
Resolving his chaotic thoughts, Leonard met the receptionist's gaze.
"For my dream. It's for my dream. And I believe I can contribute to the guild."
The receptionist nodded. 'That's a touching answer. So, he really does want to work for the guild!'
"Please, follow me." The receptionist said, leaving his desk and heading towards the door behind the receptionist hub.
Leonard, realizing the situation, understood what had happened earlier. 'He was just playing along! He didn't believe that I am a Player. Could it be that there's no way to verify it? Or perhaps a tool is needed for verification?'
It became clear to Leonard that he had almost wasted three days before becoming a Hunter. Observing the guild's operations, there didn't seem to be a specific reason for him to be held up for an examination, unless there was a scheduled time for it.
Not understanding the nature of the Hunter licensure procedure, Leonard assumed that they might have pre-prepared tests. Needing a scheduled time for Hunter licensure seemed unproductive for this kind of establishment.
'Practical skills must be what Hunters needed. But I could be wrong in thinking that the guild had no established system for the Hunter licensure examination.'
They entered the lobby behind the door.
"Why did you lie to me earlier?" Leonard asked, testing if his assumption was correct.
The receptionist's shoulders fell, confirming Leonard's suspicion that he had been misled.
"Truth be told, you look like a kid. I just played along with your act of being a Player so that you wouldn't bother me further."
"Is that how the guild works?"
"Not really. The guild doesn't concern itself with the lives of Hunters, which is why we don't have a set examination schedule. Walking in and taking the test would be enough. So, I did you a favor. And… hey! You also lied to me, which is why I didn't want to entertain you. You're not the first one to try this, you know."
They stopped as they reached the end of the lobby. Another door stood before them, and Leonard could sense the importance of the room behind it. This must be where the examination took place.
"But I'm not lying," Leonard stated with confidence. "I am a Player, which is why I was confident I'd become a Hunter."
The receptionist suddenly halted before opening the door. He turned back to Leonard with surprised eyes. This time, Leonard could sense sincerity, or perhaps he was just being played again. He needed to sharpen his instincts and ability to read people.
"You're not lying? You're one of those rare people? Really?" The shock was evident in his voice.
Leonard sighed and chuckled briefly. "I wasn't lying. I assumed that being a Player has its perks."
"And you're not wrong. With that information, all you need is to take the verification to register yourself as a Player, and you'll automatically become a Hunter."
Leonard couldn't help but feel skeptical about the receptionist's statement.
'How unpolished the guild's system must be for it to be this lacking? No further steps required? Or is it just that Players are revered as talented individuals? If so, why did the bandit leader who attacked the village become a bandit if he was a Player?'
PassingNote: Let's have a trade.
For every 50 power stones, I will provide a bonus chapter. After chapter 15, the novel will be updated twice a day.