My Last Hunt

Back to Middletown (7)

Taking permission and saying goodbye

Qiao entered in the first reception and a receptionist was sitting there writing on a worn-out register. As he felt someone reaching near the desk; he looked up. He immediately remembered the young man and how the senior hunter of this Guild recommended him for the winter level up. "Greetings senior" Qiao greeted the senior receptionist ignoring his profound expressions. "Where is your team?" he asked casually. He already knew about the circumstances at the Snow Island. "They are staying in the Snow Island for some time." Qiao answered. 

"Your level up is pretty stable compared to the time you left for the Snow Island. I guess you will be the first hunter of this season to travel toward the Hightown." Saying this, the receptionist pulled over few pages from the register to find the record of the young man. "Indeed; I am here to get permission for this journey." Qiao responded. He looked around' the first reception was empty and silence prevailed. It seemed most of the lower level hunters returned back to the human population to pass the harsh winter. They were not immune to the weather and cannot either spend generously on the meat meals every day. 

"Are you planning to join the Guild campus or one from the Three Schools of Hunting in the Hightown?" the receptionist asked the first question. He was going to fill a form for the hunter so that once he reached in the Hightown he could easily get a slot in the campus of the guild. As for the concern of Three Schools of Hunting; it was entirely depending on his fate and capability whether he could fight for the slot or failed. Hundreds of hunters every year desperately battle to get admission in the Three Schools of hunting. 

"I would prefer the best one or the most steadfast to be able to groom up I as a most powerful hunter; this senior could suggest which one to choose." Qiao spoke without hesitating. His aim was to defy the weaknesses in every way and if a place cannot provide him enough resources then it would definitely hinder his strength. Until now; Qiao came to know that even the most powerful hunter also bear weakness this way or that way which was not favorable in his terms. He was perfectly integrated balance of power in him as well as in his hunting. 

"If you want a sincere suggestion then you should choose to enroll in the one of the Three Schools of Hunting; this suggestion is only because I can discern your enthusiasm and grit to learn hunting and become better. For those who wanted a smooth journey of hunting without worry of passing years; they preferable chose a Guild to enroll. The decision is yours." The receptionist gave his suggestion broadly. Normally he would not ask such question and give such suggestion but for this hunter, things were different. "Sure; I will decide after reaching Hightown." Qiao gave a plain answer. 

"Here take this permission letter; if you decide to enroll in the Guild campus then you will be enrolled immediately however if you chose otherwise then this letter won't be helpful much. Just that they will let you enter in the any of the School of Hunting and enroll for test trial." The receptionist stamped a letter and folded with a seal. After that he stood up and straightened his posture. He was going to open the back room to get the authorized map for Hightown. The receptionist searched a stone from his fleece and placed it on the wall. 

The stone emitted several colors and spread on the wall. The wall stone cracked open the seal and a small shelve appeared; there were many folded pieces of papers on the shelves' portions. "This is the map for the Hightown journey; it is mandatory for me to tell you that these maps were created long time ago and any changes in the landscape or marked position can differ with the time and is expected. Only the big path to the Hightown might still be there and probably forever if everything remained peaceful." The receptionist picked a folded map and spoke all these words he always repeated whenever dispensing map to anyone. 

Qiao brought his brows up when he heard those words but he had no choice rather than to follow up and witness what was coming up for him. He picked the permission letter and the map; prudently keeping the permission letter in the inner sleeve and keeping the map around his waist. "You might have found few of the hunters from this Guild however you already know the situation." The receptionist knew that it take lot of courage to journey alone toward the Hightown. 

Qiao nodded; he was not supposed to tell that he was not alone. 

"Good luck with your journey and one last thing…" the receptionist spoke in hurry before Qiao leave. Qiao turned back to listen what it was. "If any of the Starglow Guild hunter happened to frame against you no matter whether you choose the Guild campus or the School of Hunting; you can take any serious measure against him and the rest is up to us. The elders of the Starglow Guild searched the whereabouts of recent events in the Snow Island and they came to know that the grudge was started by a team of their guild and they seriously harmed the other teams of the other Guild and to vent out the grudge the Midnight Guild choose this method for revenge. 

For the explanation the Midnight Guild sent evidences to the Hightown so that they don't take harsh steps against them. Every hunter was an asset of its Guild and they cannot forgive for bloodshed of their hunters. Starglow Guild came to know and decided to not further flare up the incident. It was the only choice else the Hightown would come to solve the matter according to the set strict rules and it might bring tough restrictions for the Guild. 

The consequences would be terrible then. 

"Wait; you can exchange for this shapeless weapon of level four with the guild providing level six shapeless weapon." The receptionist has much authority to decide according to the situation so he thought to give a level better weapon though he could see the level five sword on his back but it was a temporary gift and he was aware. Until now Qiao thought that shapeless weapons were only a coincidence to get hands on but to see this shapeless weapon; he has some vibes that perhaps someone designed them purposefully.

Qiao nodded; picked the weapon and left for the journey. It means his Guild was trying to save face and also the first hunter who was going toward the Hightown. 

…

He found the both standing under the dense storm of snowflakes and shook his head. They were sometimes too much obedient that he felt strange. "You both should have searched a shelter to stand under." He spoke as soon as reached near them. "Brother; you came back." Wuza spoke first. There were many thoughts storming his head when much time passed and Qiao did not return. 

"I am supposed to; isn't it?" Qiao chuckled to see both looking at him as if looking at some unexpected event. "Lowa are you also wanted to travel toward Hightown?" then he seriously asked from the Huntress. "Indeed; if I reached the Hightown; I will be able to meet my uncle, he is an appointed elder in a Guild campus in the Hightown." From her expressions she seemed pleading to take her in his team for this journey. 

"I remember about the storage bag." Qiao walked toward the market to get one. After walking through many shops finally he was able to buy a perfect storage bag which could safely keep the blood meal. He alone ventured in the market to avoid the curious gazes of the sharp shopkeepers. Lowa was normal huntress but Wuza was different. Qiao returned with the bag a little late. 

"Alright; we will move now." Qiao handed the storage bag to the blood hunter and picked the map unfolding it to study which exit he needed to go for leaving the Middletown. The team was ready for long journey and it was increasing the inner tension of the blood hunter. He was worried whether he would be accepted in the Hightown or scolded. How the elders would react and what would be outcome. 

The sixth exit was marked on the map so he led them toward the sixth exit which was approximate hundred miles away from the Guild. More than two days would require them to reach there. It also defines the broad and extended boundaries of Middletown and area spanning and covering this continent. Normally a level five hunter needed fifteen days of travel to reach the Hightown excluding the unexpected confrontations with the monsters.