Chapter 69 69 D Ranking

Chapter 69 Chapter 69 D Ranking

He shifted his right leg ever so slightly behind him. Then, leaning his weight on it, he dropped to a slightly lower altitude, and struck out his arms, redirecting the flames north of him- to the target.

It was like pure white lightning- only in the form of fire.

Red, hot, angry pillars of fire, five times the circumference of his head, shot out from the hollow of his palm in horizontal streams. And for a moment, it seemed like Nexus' shoulders became one with the flames. His coat flapped behind him. His long hair draped from his hat, also swaying behind him.

The bright red color cast a looming shadow over the entire cave. The dreadful pillars raged out in long streams, covering the staggering distance of twenty feet.

The stone slab did not stand a chance. Like flesh dissolving before a burst of volcanic lava, the rock began to melt away as if it was butter.

Nexus brought back his right foot to level with his left. Casually, he turned back in the direction of the old man.

The white haired instructor stared at Nexus. Not in that succinctly bored way. But with a flicker of interest in his eyes. He did not speak a single word. Instead, he picked up the book beside him and bowed his head over it.

In long painful streaks, his feathered quill streaked all over page the words;

Assement: Applicant Ni Yang is quick on the draw.

Observation: He is even quicker on the release.

Style: Straight action. No enchantments.

Recommendation: Can be deployed to the field immediately.

Grade: D.

Nexus was curious to find out how he had done. But he knew enough not to ask- not until he had been willingly offered the information. So, he waited patiently.

"Mister Ni Yang is it?"

There was a note in his voice this time.

"Yes sir."

"You did well."

It was respect. The tone was respect.

"So, I've decided to give you a D. Your style needs a little refining, but you'll be fine."

Nexus bowed respectfully.

"Take this paper, and go back the way you came. Hand it to the receptionist. She'll take it from there."

Nexus mouthed a "Thank you sir," and spun around for the exit.

As he strutted away, he felt the intense gaze of the old man burning into his back. Just as Nexus was about to twist the door handle, he called out to him from behind;

"Oh and mister Ni Yang- please lose that ridiculous hat and coat. . ."

Nexus smiled as he pulled the door open. He shut it firmly behind him.

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"So, I hear you didn't do too badly in the lair. . ."

He was standing at the receptionist's table now. He had handed her the slip of paper, and she was all but gawking at him;

". . .not bad newbie, not bad at all. . ."

Nexus chuckled;

"I told you I was a hunter."

"No you're not. . ."

She picked out an envelope from a drawer under the table- and handed it him;

"Now you are. Congratulations mister Ni Yang. You're now officially a D-rank hunter. The monthly due for everyone is three pieces of silver. It must be paid at the second day of every new month. Of course, you may decide to. . ."

Her words drowned out at the back of Nexus' mind. He tore open the package and took out the wooden badge in it. An ax was inscribed on it- the universal symbol of the hunters. Nexus mulled over it with a look of amusement. He was now part of the gang- the ax gang.

". . .so how will you be paying sir?"

Shit. He hadn't been listening. Payment huh? He quickly dove into his pocket and fished out a single gold coin.

"Here," he tossed it at her; "Keep the change."

And so, Nexus pulled away from the waiting area and headed off into the small crowd- as a hunter, leaving the receptionist stunned behind him.

Nexus' gait took on a more confident stride as e went straight to the quest hall. Maybe it was the coat, or the hat, or the wooden badge now in his pockets, but he felt really good about himself.

Pasted on the walls were the available quests, along with the corresponding levels. Above each quest was a stack of ribbons that denoted the nature of the quest. As Nexus scrolled through, he saw that unfortunately, his current level did not permit him to go higher than basic quests.

He was only cleared for C-rank quests.

And on that level, he could either go hunt for cattle that had been declared missing by the owners, or find escaped goats that had wandered away from the pen. The most adventurous quest in his category was hunting a pack of wind wolves that had been reported to be a problem to locals,

Nexus was numbstruck.

Of course, he had options. He could join a team of higher ranked hunters and go on higher level quests. Of course, they would take the lead. And he would just be like an intern. All this meant his pay would take an absolute beating!

Nexus howled as he stood at the wall gazing upon the sheets of paper.

So much for looking for a well paying gig. Quietly seething with rage, he glared at the quests available, and decided to settle for the most honorable one. His hand stretched out to pick up the grey ribbon for the mission with for the wolves, but out of nowhere, another hunter snatched it up.

Nexus' blood boiled dangerously. He was not in the mood, so he immediately took the confrontational path;

"Give that back!" he snarled; "I was just about to tak-"

The hooded invader slowly turned around, revealing the outline of a girl. Nexus stopped short of words. A girl?

But he was about to be shocked even further. The girl's voice, haughty and strong, escaped her throat;

"Why do vermin always feel the need to speak in my presence?"

Nexus was taken aback by the voice. He could not believe it. No way. No fuckin' way.

The tall girl pulled back her crimson colored hoodie, and stepped into the light. Her bright flashy red hair screamed against the burning torches- as did her eyes. Nexus did not know when he stammered aloud;

"Monica?"

"Ah, so you know my name? Then I guess this is going to be easy. . ."

She folded her ribbon tightly around her fingers;

". . .you're obviously new, that's why you're making the colossal mistake of even breathing near me, talk less of speaking directly to me. . ."

She stepped forward brazenly, not minding the fact that he was almost a foot taller than her;

". . .so, for posterity sakes, let me make this clear; don't ever attempt to take my quest again. I promise you, it will not end well for you. Got it?"

Nexus instinctively nodded affirmatively- especially when he remembered how she had effortlessly burnt three grown men like crisp turkey.

She raised her hoodie back up;

"Besides, take it from me, this quest would be too dangerous for you. As a newbie you should probably stick to catching royal chickens or goats. The wind wolves aren't a group to be trifled with."