Kurando makes his way into the inner part of the building. Behind a partition screen there are rings for each of the major spirits; the rings seem to drain maryoku.
After seeing the results of the unknown newcomer that the ăwhite spear (çœæ§)ă brought, the hunter association staff memberâs opinion of Kurando changed from being a newcomer to being simply leftovers.
The staff member explains to Kurando without any pity or remorse. It was a very simple explanation.
Kurando has the most compatibility with dark spirits.
Second is ice, then in the following order of earth, water, wind, lightning, fire and lastly his worst affinity is light. He has a very high compatibility with darkness. And, he has the absolute worst affinity with light.
Affinity has nothing to do with a personâs general daily life. In actuality Kurando has no problems with handling both fire and light.
Then what exactly is the problem? In specialized occupations such as blacksmith, sailor, firefighter, farmer, engineer, and soldier; a personâs affinity is very important. In the case of a blacksmith they need to be able to handle the heat from fire. As for a sailor they need either wind or water to safely navigate. Water is used to extinguish fire. With agriculture either earth or water is needed to manage crops. An engineers need earth. A soldier needs the killing strength of fire or lightning. People with the aptitude for light are held in high regard.
Then, what about for hunters?
At first ăthe darknessă seems like it would be good for covert ops; however, to make use of the ability they must go hunting at night; no one does that. The magical beast and monsters are not hindered by the night or the darkness. To go hunting in the night is simply hazardous to oneâs life.
And more so, darkness has no offensive capabilities.
As for ăiceă, itâs effect canât be used in lands with few ice spirits. Although, it can be used to preserve game that is more like a job of a courier; or, being a porter for a hunter.
The staff member made light of Kurando.
However, Kurando is unconcerned, he found it fortunate to know his affinity.
In the end to become a first class hunter is impossible. The hunters are not aware of affinity with spirit magic. From his narrow perspective as a person from modern day Japan, Kurando doesnât understand his predicament. Perhaps it is from being young, but Kurando could only think of methods to advance his class. It is still too soon for Kurando to understand his position and that is mostly likely why he views it as fortunate.
Maybe he himself couldnât understand the concept. As a modern day Japanese person the idea of aptitude might not have gotten through to him.
ăWell, it isnât like people in general have a high affinity with the giant race traits or spirit magic. And, it is not like autonomous magic users and lifeforce magic users are weapon specialist either.ă (Makushiimu)
The staff member shown a wry smile as he listens to Makushiimu tell Kurando to disregard affinity.
It is truth that there is a low affinity with giant race traits and spirit magic. Body strengthening is the specialty of lifeforce magic; and there is nothing else that can compare to it.
ăMakushiimu-san, may I have a word with you?ă (staff member)
The staff member withdrawn their bitter smile; Makushiimu nods in response.
ăUmm, Kurando why not look over the requests while you wait. Well, I shouldnât be gone long.ă (Makushiimu)
After saying so, Makushiimu goes with the staff member to a room in the back. He had to bend down to enter the room.
Pest Exterminationă»Magical Beast Captureă»Gather Special Medicinal Herbsă» Mountain Escort/ Guard. There are many written request on the bulletin board directly horizontal from the counter.
There is one particular request that has no time limit; the request was posted half a year ago. Kurando consented that it was best to leave that particular request alone.
âââ
ăAt first I thought, âwhat exceptional talent has the commanding officer ăwhite speară broughtâ, but didnât he bring an out of place failure?ă (hooligan A)
ăPfft, heâs better off being a porter!ă (hooligan B)
ăHe came here to be a hunter, but heâs going to spend the rest of his life as a porter.ă (hooligan C)
A bald muscular daruma and two hooligans talk provocatively behind Kurandoâs back.
Kurando doesnât respond to them; he leave the bulletin board.
But, the muscular daruma forcibly seizes Kurando by the shoulders.
ăHey, hey, ainât you a hunter, whereâs your manners.ă (muscular daruma)
ăOh, this guy thinks he can use 3 curved (äžćŁè§éčż), Aromeri (ăąăăĄăȘ) blades.ă (hooligan A)
ăWhat era are those hunter tools from? I thought as much this guy is broke.ă (hooligan B)
ăWell, he isnât a hunter just yet. He doesnât have permission to have a weapon. Weâll be looking after this.ă (muscular daruma)
The hooligan, three-horn, reaches towards Kurandoâs lower waist to take his weapon.
Naturally Kurando didnât permit this, he reflexively dodged the hooliganâs advance. And, by no means was the hooliganâs movements fast.
However, Kurando slightly stepped on the muscular duramaâs foot.
ăBastard!ă (muscular durama)
Seconds later.
The muscular durumaâs fist approaches Kurandoâs abdominal. For his own sake, Kurando had a feeling that it was best to not resist.
Kurando is knocked to the stone wall.
He felt his abdominal muscles contract, and blood rushes to his head.
ăHaha, he really is a failure.ă (muscular daruma)
The hooligan crouches down and faces Kurando who is laying down against the wall.
The thin chain holding Kurandoâs dog tag falls to the floor.
ăThere shouldnât be any problems, Iâm in the right, you see. ă (muscular daruma)
When the three noticed Makushiimu appear from behind them, they clicked their tongue and left.
ăâŠâŠstand up. You should be able to.ă (Makushiimu)
Kurando picks up the dog tag and slowly stands up.
ăIâm having more trouble getting up than I thought.ă (Kurando)
ăUmm, what happen for there to be signs of lifeforce strengthening magic being used?ă (Makushiimu)
ăThey were sizing up the new competition.ă (Kurando)
Makushiimu made a blank expression before momentarily understanding what Kurando meant.
ăWell, we arenât in the mountain. You should get use to brawls.ă (Makushiimu)
ăIsnât that your strong point.ă (Kurando)
ăIt is no exaggeration to say that you have brawled with half of the population of hunters in this kingdom.ă (staff member)
The voice of the staff member who had registered Kurando came from behind Makushiimu.
ăAnyhow, personal vendettas among fellow hunters is prohibited. Please be careful, it is prohibited to draw oneâs weapon or use magic inside the building.ă (staff member)
ăâŠâŠbut, what if Iâm the victim?ă (Kurando)
The staff memberâs expression remains unchanged.
ăNo matter the reason, unless one has permission they may not use magic.ă (staff member)
ăWhat if they started the fight?ă (Kurando)
ăYou are in the wrong; you possess a weapon without permission.ă (staff member)
ăThen, was it alright from them to assault me?ă (Kurando)
ăIt happened because you resisted.ă (staff member)
ăBut, I was about to be hit.ă (Kurando)
ăThen, handle the situation without using magic or a weapon. Because, you are a hunter.ă (staff member)
It is a rather straightforward answer.
ăThey wanted to hit you ever since you walked through the door.ă (Makushiimu)
ăThat is because, the members at this branch office only recognize magic affinity.ă (staff member)
It really is a quite straightforward.
Kurando frowns at the fact that this world isnât any different from Japan.
After telling this to Kurando, the staff member returns to the reception desk.
ăWell, settle down. Remember, it also affects Akari, and this applies to the both of us. It doesnât matter which branch office we are in the rules are all the same.ă (Makushiimu)
Kurando snorts like a child, he is in a bad mood.
He has a blank expression, and their is no telling what he is thinking.
ăI have to leave the village tomorrow; so, for the time being, why not try a normal extermination request?ă (Makushiimu)
ăYouâre in a hurry.ă (Kurando)
ăIâve been summoned, you see.ă (Makushiimu)
They go to the reception desk and face the dislikable staff member.
ăIs there something else?ă (staff member)
ăIs the extermination request for torabokku(s) available?ă (Makushiimu)
ăAh, yes it is. I will need his signature here.ă (staff member)
ăOnly the name?ă (Kurando)
ăYes.ă (staff member)
ăCan you show us the application paper from before so Kurando can copy his name.ă (Makushiimu)
Kurando merely needs to copy how his name is written on the application.
ăMakushiimu, are we finished?ă (Kurando)
ăHmm, oh okay, itâs legible.ă (Makushiimu)
ăâŠâŠyour proof of hunter.ă (staff member)
Kurando hands over his proof of hunter status to the staff member. The staff member goes to work on the opposite side of the counter.
ăNow then, I have process your order to exterminate torabokku(s). As proof of subjugation bring back the green stone and beware not to damage it.ă (staff member)
Makushiimu tries to leave but Kurando doesnât move.
ăââis there a copy of the request?ă (Kurando)
âââ
ăAhahaha, how did you know they gave out copies? Even in big cities no one bothers to ask.ă (Makushiimu)
ăIs it not normal to ask?ă (Kurando)
ăHunters donât normally think about the small details.ă (Makushiimu)
Makushiimu paid for 3 nights at the inn he is boarding. Kurando ends up receiving the room that was suppose to be for Akari.
Itâs already too late, the Dorugan (ăă«ăŹăł) authorities have already repossess Akariâs luggage. It is inevitable, Kurando has to go earn money.
ăHuh, how considerate of you, Makushiimu, to give me some spending money.ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠhow do you plan to pay me back?ă (Makushiimu)
Makushiimu has a serious expression.
ăAhah, so thatâs how it is.ă (Kurando)
Kurando twirls around the proof of hunter status that he had received.
ăThat reminds me, I donât have a single coin on me.ă (Kurando)
ăHmm, well, it is not like you were aware of the hunter association.ă (Makushiimu)
ăExactly, what is your position in all of this?ă (Kurando)
ăAh, I do mercenary work and assist the explorers guild. Well, Iâm currently employed by the country. Although, there isnât any mercenary work for me right now. Okay, Iâll explain more about hunters.ă (Makushiimu)
Afterwards, Makushiimu gave Kurando a rough explanation.
As expected, the hunter association is a part of the country.