MTL: uniquegasuki

Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

The expression in his eyes changed.

Kurando makes his way into the inner part of the building. Behind a part.i.tion 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 『white spear (白槍)』 brought, the hunter a.s.sociation staff member’s 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 person’s 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 person’s 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 apt.i.tude for light are held in high regard.

Then, what about for hunters?

At first 『the darkness』 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 one’s life.

And more so, darkness has no offensive capabilities.

As for 『ice』, it’s effect can’t 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 cla.s.s hunter is impossible. The hunters are not aware of affinity with spirit magic. From his narrow perspective as a person from modern day j.a.pan, Kurando doesn’t understand his predicament. Perhaps it is from being young, but Kurando could only think of methods to advance his cla.s.s. 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 couldn’t understand the concept. As a modern day j.a.panese person the idea of apt.i.tude might not have gotten through to him.

「Well, it isn’t 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.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

The staff member shown a wry smile as he listens to Makus.h.i.+mu 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.

「Makus.h.i.+mu-san, may I have a word with you?」 (staff member)

The staff member withdrawn their bitter smile; Makus.h.i.+mu nods in response.

「Umm, Kurando why not look over the requests while you wait. Well, I shouldn’t be gone long.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

After saying so, Makus.h.i.+mu goes with the staff member to a room in the back. He had to bend down to enter the room.

Pest Extermination・Magical Beast Capture・Gather Special Medicinal Herbs・ 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.

「At first I thought, “what exceptional talent has the commanding officer 『white spear』 brought”, but didn’t he bring an out of place failure?」 (hooligan A)

「Pfft, he’s better off being a porter!」 (hooligan B)

「He came here to be a

a hunter, but he’s going to spend the rest of his life as a porter.」 (hooligan C)

A bald muscular daruma and two hooligans talk provocatively behind Kurando’s back.

Kurando doesn’t respond to them; he leave the bulletin board.

But, the muscular daruma forcibly seizes Kurando by the shoulders.

「Hey, hey, ain’t you a hunter, where’s your manners.」 (muscular daruma)

「Oh, this guy thinks he can use 3 curved (三剣角鹿), Aromeri (アロメリ) blades.」 (hooligan A)

「What era are those hunter tools from? I thought as much this guy is broke.」 (hooligan B)

「Well, he isn’t a hunter just yet. He doesn’t have permission to have a weapon. We’ll be looking after this.」 (muscular daruma)

The hooligan, three-horn, reaches towards Kurando’s lower waist to take his weapon.

Naturally Kurando didn’t permit this, he reflexively dodged the hooligan’s advance. And, by no means was the hooligan’s movements fast.

However, Kurando slightly stepped on the muscular durama’s foot.

「b.a.s.t.a.r.d!」 (muscular durama)

Seconds later.

The muscular duruma’s fist approaches Kurando’s 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.

「Haha, he really is a failure.」 (muscular daruma)

The hooligan crouches down and faces Kurando who is laying down against the wall.

The thin chain holding Kurando’s dog tag falls to the floor.

「There shouldn’t be any problems, I’m in the right, you see. 」 (muscular daruma)

When the three noticed Makus.h.i.+mu appear from behind them, they clicked their tongue and left.

「……stand up. You should be able to.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

Kurando picks up the dog tag and slowly stands up.

「I’m having more trouble getting up than I thought.」 (Kurando)

「Umm, what happen for there to be signs of lifeforce strengthening magic being used?」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「They were sizing up the new compet.i.tion.」 (Kurando)

Makus.h.i.+mu made a blank expression before momentarily understanding what Kurando meant.

「Well, we aren’t in the mountain. You should get use to brawls.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「Isn’t that your strong point.」 (Kurando)

「It is no exaggeration to say that you have brawled with half of the population of hunters in this kingdom.」 (staff member)

The voice

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The voice of the staff member who had registered Kurando came from behind Makus.h.i.+mu.

「Anyhow, personal vendettas among fellow hunters is prohibited. Please be careful, it is prohibited to draw one’s weapon or use magic inside the building.」 (staff member)

「……but, what if I’m the victim?」 (Kurando)

The staff member’s expression remains unchanged.

「No matter the reason, unless one has permission they may not use magic.」 (staff member)

「What if they started the fight?」 (Kurando)

「You are in the wrong; you possess a weapon without permission.」 (staff member)

「Then, was it alright from them to a.s.sault me?」 (Kurando)

「It happened because you resisted.」 (staff member)

「But, I was about to be hit.」 (Kurando)

「Then, handle the situation without using magic or a weapon. Because, you are a hunter.」 (staff member)

It is a rather straightforward answer.

「They wanted to hit you ever since you walked through the door.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「That is because, the members at this branch office only recognize magic affinity.」 (staff member)

It really is a quite straightforward.

Kurando frowns at the fact that this world isn’t any different from j.a.pan.

「Well, since this is the first time I will overlook the incident, but there won’t be a next time. This tag, the 10th star of Ruterera (ルテレラ), it is proof of being a hunter. It is a all-in-one pa.s.s that serves as one’s identification doc.u.ment, it gives one permission to possess arms, and it gives one authorization to use 3rd rank magic. Please, always carry it with you. If you lose it, you will be penalized.」 (staff member)

After telling this to Kurando, the staff member returns to the reception desk.

「Well, settle down. Remember, it also affects Akari, and this applies to the both of us. It doesn’t matter which branch office we are in the rules are all the same.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

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.

「I have to leave the village tomorrow; so, for the time being, why not try a normal extermination request?」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「You’re in a hurry.」 (Kurando)

「I’ve been summoned, you see.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

They go to the reception desk and

reception desk and face the dislikable staff member.

「Is there something else?」 (staff member)

「Is the extermination request for torabokku(s) available?」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「Ah, yes it is. I will need his signature here.」 (staff member)

「Only the name?」 (Kurando)

「Yes.」 (staff member)

「Can you show us the application paper from before so Kurando can copy his name.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

Kurando merely needs to copy how his name is written on the application.

「Makus.h.i.+mu, are we finished?」 (Kurando)

「Hmm, oh okay, it’s legible.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「……your proof of hunter.」 (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.

「Now 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.」 (staff member)

Makus.h.i.+mu tries to leave but Kurando doesn’t move.

「――is there a copy of the request?」 (Kurando)

「Ahahaha, how did you know they gave out copies? Even in big cities no one bothers to ask.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「Is it not normal to ask?」 (Kurando)

「Hunters don’t normally think about the small details.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

Makus.h.i.+mu paid for 3 nights at the inn he is boarding. Kurando ends up receiving the room that was suppose to be for Akari.

It’s already too late, the Dorugan (ドルガン) authorities have already repossess Akari’s luggage. It is inevitable, Kurando has to go earn money.

「Huh, how considerate of you, Makus.h.i.+mu, to give me some spending money.」 (Kurando)

「……how do you plan to pay me back?」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

Makus.h.i.+mu has a serious expression.

「Ahah, so that’s how it is.」 (Kurando)

Kurando twirls around the proof of hunter status that he had received.

「That reminds me, I don’t have a single coin on me.」 (Kurando)

「Hmm, well, it is not like you were aware of the hunter a.s.sociation.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

「Exactly, what is your position in all of this?」 (Kurando)

「Ah, I do mercenary work and a.s.sist the explorers guild. Well, I’m currently employed by the country. Although, there isn’t any mercenary work for me right now. Okay, I’ll explain more about hunters.」 (Makus.h.i.+mu)

Afterwards, Makus.h.i.+mu gave Kurando a rough explanation.

As expected, the hunter a.s.sociation is a part of the country.