Cain headed to a row of computers in the guild's lobby.
This is where the Hunters Guild posts its missions. Each hunter can accept missions corresponding to their level using their ID card. In front of each computer, a person was seated.
Cain was lucky that, just as he approached, someone finished using one of the computers and left with their card without looking back.
Cain sat in the chair in front of the computer, slid his new ID card through the reader, and the screen began to display his information.
Hunter: JOKER
Points: 0
Star Ranking: Zero stars
Mission Completion Rate: None
Comment: You're a rookie, what are you waiting for? Go hunt Pokémon already!
"..."
Cain couldn't help but feel speechless upon seeing that final comment. The Hunters Guild always had a habit of adding strange things.
Handling the mouse, he opened the mission list, and an avalanche of more than ten thousand zero-star missions appeared on the screen.
In the guild, only missions matching the hunter's star level can be accepted.
Cain had just registered and was only a zero-star hunter, so he could only accept missions of that level.
Zero-star missions are typically simple and offer limited rewards.
If Cain wanted to accept higher-ranked missions, he would have to level up as a hunter.
The guild controls hunters' star rankings through hunter points, which are based on the value of the Pokémon captured.
For example, if he captured a Pokémon worth 100,000 Pokédollars, Cain would earn 100,000 hunter points, allowing him to reach a one-star rating. From there, the sky was the limit: two stars required 500,000 points, three stars 1,500,000 points, and four stars a staggering 5,000,000 points.
As one advances, it becomes increasingly difficult to raise star levels, but the rewards for higher-ranking missions are also greater.
Hunter points in the guild function like Pokédollars, meaning that by completing missions, one not only earns Pokédollars but also points that can be used to exchange for Pokémon or items in the guild.
This was the main reason Cain registered as a hunter with the guild.
However, this doesn't mean the guild loses money. The massive profits generated annually from capturing Pokémon far exceed what is invested. In fact, aside from the Pokémon League and Team Rocket, the Hunters Guild is one of the most profitable organizations.
The hunter ranking structure implies that a hunter's level is not entirely related to their strength; with some luck, one could level up quickly.
Cain carefully reviewed the mission list. There were many zero-star missions, but he hadn't forgotten that he still had the mission from Umbra, so he chose a mission that could be completed along the way.
Finally, Cain selected a zero-star mission that, while simple, presented a greater challenge.
Zero-Star Mission: Capture a medium-quality or higher Nidoran. The higher the quality, the greater the reward!
If Cain remembered correctly, there were several groups of Nidoran in the outskirts of Goldenrod City. If he searched carefully, he might find a good-quality Nidoran.
This way, while completing the mission from Umbra, he could also earn some extra money.
After all, as Pokémon level up, the resources they need increase as well. Although Cain had over a million Pokédollars, that money was a drop in the ocean for training his Pokémon.
He accepted the mission, and the mission list updated, removing the chosen task. Under his profile information, a new entry appeared.
Mission: Capture Nidoran (In progress...).
Cain left the computer smoothly and retrieved his card.
Right after Cain walked away from the computer, the person waiting behind him quickly sat down and started searching for the missions they needed.
Cain adjusted his hood and straightened his clothes before heading to the teleportation circle in the lobby.
As Cain walked away, he felt a gaze fixed on him.
Logan, who had been sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, opened them when he saw Cain preparing to leave. He glanced sideways to see which teleportation circle Cain was heading toward.
Cain approached one of the three circles that zero-star hunters could use. With a slight smile, he slid his card into the reader next to the circle, and with a soft glow, the teleporter activated.
Just as Cain activated the teleporter, Logan stood up. After confirming the circle Cain had chosen, a cold smile appeared on his face.
Cain was not Logan's initial target, but lately, there had been too many "flies" buzzing around Rose. As her protector, Logan decided it was time to send a message, and Cain had the misfortune of becoming his "target."
The veteran hunters in the guild, familiar with Logan's character, looked at Cain with sympathetic eyes.
Even though Cain hadn't revealed his identity or power level, seeing his Murkrow on his shoulder made it clear he had no chance against someone like Logan, a quasi-elite-level trainer.
Furthermore, hunters have their own tracking methods, so Cain's black cloak meant little to Logan. He didn't need Cain's appearance to track him.
After a flash of white light, Cain disappeared from the guild lobby.
Logan smiled and slowly walked to the same teleportation circle, then slid his golden card into the reader.
Cain appeared inside a hollow tree, the guild's teleporter destination.
Typically, guild teleporters are scattered across various forests. The higher the hunter's level, the greater the distance they can teleport.
As a zero-star hunter, Cain had been transported to a small forest on the outskirts of Saffron City.
The guild periodically changes teleporter locations to prevent the League from tracking them.
In such a short period, those who teleport usually appear in the same spot, so Logan had waited for Cain to leave before using the same circle.
"Come out, Slowpoke," Cain said as he stepped out of the hollow tree, releasing Slowpoke.
At that moment, once again, a white light shone inside the tree, and a tall figure slowly emerged.
"Hey, I told you that as a hunter, the outside can be very dangerous," Logan said with a smile when he saw Cain hadn't left.
"Slowpoke, use Teleport," Cain said with a smile.
Slowpoke immediately activated its psychic power, and a distorted aura began to surround Cain.
"Come out, Houndoom, use Flamethrower," Logan shouted as he threw a Pokéball.
"Logan..." Cain's raspy voice held a tone of coldness.
It seemed that the "target" hadn't been sacrificed, Logan thought, but he didn't pay much attention. To him, Cain was just a rookie, and if this "target" didn't work, he would simply find another.
I have you in my sights.
Those words were etched in Cain's mind.
(End of chapter)