Hunt Race

Kael slipped the bronze badge into the pouch at his belt before following Darius out of the registration hall.

The morning crowd had only grown larger.

Hunters crossed the courtyard carrying weapons, packs, and freshly accepted commissions. Messengers hurried between buildings with sealed documents, while merchants called out to anyone interested in supplies before their next expedition.

Darius didn't slow down.

"Stay close."

Kael quickened his pace.

"Where are we going?"

"The Commission Hall."

They crossed the courtyard and entered another large stone building. Unlike the registration hall, this one buzzed with conversation.

One entire wall was covered with parchment.

Dozens of them.

Some were old and weathered, others had clearly been posted only moments ago. Hunters stood in front of the board, reading through the notices before pulling one free and heading toward the counters.

Kael stared.

"So these are commissions..."

Darius nodded.

"The Guild receives requests from villages, merchants, nobles, and travelers. Missing people. Dangerous beasts. Escort jobs. Investigations."

"Does anyone just take whatever they want?"

"If they're qualified."

Kael frowned.

"Qualified?"

Before Darius could answer, a loud voice interrupted them.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

A broad-shouldered hunter held up a parchment in frustration.

"They gave the Dire Boar commission to Owen again!"

His companion shrugged.

"You were late."

"I was two minutes late!"

"That's still late."

The hunter groaned dramatically, crumpled the edge of his sleeve in frustration, and stomped away, drawing laughter from everyone nearby.

Kael blinked.

"They compete for them?"

"Good commissions pay well."

Darius folded his arms.

"The better the reward, the faster it disappears."

Kael looked back at the board.

There were more commissions than he could count.

Some looked simple.

Others carried bright red seals.

His eyes settled on one in particular.

Subjugation Request.

Reward: 18 Silver.

Before he could read further, Darius spoke.

"Don't."

Kael looked at him.

"You don't even know what it is."

"I don't need to."

Darius's expression remained calm.

"You're not ready."

For a moment, they stood in silence as hunters came and went around them.

Then Darius reached toward a smaller board fixed to the side of the hall.

Unlike the larger board, it held only a handful of notices.

He pulled one loose and handed it to Kael.

Kael looked down.

Herb Collection - Green Moss Valley

Reward: 5 Silver.

He raised an eyebrow.

"...Herbs?"

Darius nodded.

"Yes."

"I just survived a monster."

"And I'd like you to survive tomorrow too."

Kael sighed.

"So this is my first commission?"

"If you choose to accept it."

Kael looked between the notice in his hand and the massive board filled with dangerous requests.

Then he smiled.

"I'll take it."

For the first time that morning...

He wasn't just a registered hunter.

He had accepted his very first commission.

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