Chapter 12: Yearly Exam Starts! (1)

Chapter 12: Yearly Exam Starts! (1)

Chapter 12: Yearly Exam Starts! (1)

"It's been like... what? Five minutes? How come I am already missing them?! Do I think I will never ever have a chance to meet them again? Idiot! You'll be at the top! Let's go, Hunter! Time to fight!" Hunter loudly cheered for himself as he felt quite lonely now that the trio of goddesses weren't around him.

He never felt this way before.

Even when Anna left him after their hunts, Hunter accepted it and returned home to exercise.

It was probably because he now understood his potential and that he could yearn for them!

Which made his optimistic heart brim with lots of warmth and excitement.

The boss had dropped him on a narrow and safe route toward the Hunter First Union, which was located at the feet of the tall mountain Yhwart, surrounded by dense forest. Even as the tall trees rose above him, dipping him in their shadows, Hunter still could see that mountain and its peak.

'Not as tall as what I saw in the gray world.'

An hour later, Hunter stepped on a wide road that couldn't be shadowed by the forest. He could also see a few groups of women making their way to the union, meaning that he must be close to it already.

Those groups hailed from the same origin as him, donning armor of the same quality. They were villagers who had risked their lives to come here or had been invited by the union.

If that was the former, Hunter could only feel commendable toward them, for going across the world with those demons having their domains in the skies sounded like throwing oneself into the jaws of monsters.

He was glad he hadn't left his village early due to frustration before.

And was even more relieved that the boss had ended up stumbling upon him.

'I don't know how different other villagers are... but I guess the quality between theirs and mine must be different. I lived far away from the union, and villagers could contact them only through the capital, too... their quality of equipment doesn't stand out, though! Means that the chances of me passing the exam are higher. Still, I'm sure the boss would love to see me hunting down a big monster or two... so I must grow strong in the first trials.'

Since contracting the red wolf within him was impossible, Hunter focused on things around him. He was used to receiving lots of odd and belittling glances from women... for there were only women. In their eyes, Hunter was trying to latch onto some woman's leg to become her sidekick and change his life for the better.

Some already deemed him a dead man... what an irony!

As Hunter ignored all those stares, a sudden howl of horses slammed him from behind. He stopped and looked behind, only to find an old man in a black tuxedo sitting in a seemingly royal carriage's driver seat.

They exchanged glances, then the carriage's window opened, revealing a little gloved hand.

"Get in, a brave man."

"Oh, a lift? Thank you very much, miss!"

Replying with a wide smile and his white teeth flashing like usual, Hunter came closer to the carriage's door, opened them gently, and hopped into a lavish carriage, only to see a beautiful golden-haired woman sitting with legs crossed, sipping a tea from a porcelain cup.

She was clad in a golden armor dress, with a short black skirt rolling down her thighs, still leaving a lot of room for any passenger to look at her long and ample legs. Fortunately, only Hunter was inside!

Her top differed from the boss' style, for her torso and chest were entirely encased in golden steel. However, the golden armor had two alluring bulging-out cups, meaning her entire armor must have been tailored only for her.

'A long hair, picturesque face, pretty hazel eyes, and voluptuous figure! I've been so lucky recently! Does my innate skill have a luck charm, or... can women tell that I am different? No, that's not it. All those villager women looked at me as though I was marching toward death! Either luck or she pitied me.'

Hunter finished his inward monologue before starting a conversation with the woman, "Thank you for your help once again! May I know your name? I'm Hunter. Just Hunter, as I hail from the village."

"Aimee Schwarz Schnee von Beifreiung. As a fellow hunter and royalty from the far east, it's my duty to lend a hand to those in need. You're welcome. Would you like tea?" The golden-haired smiled with a lofty but lovely air, pouring tea for Hunter as he eagerly nodded to her words.

'I hope there's a digital signing in this world. Her name is so long and complicated,' Hunter inwardly thought as he savored the tea.

It was... really good! Hunter felt warm and energized. His senses seemingly heightened!

"Wow, so good! Does this tea improve our abilities?" Hunter didn't hide his amazement as he spoke about the drink while looking into the cup.

Aimee softly smiled, "You've passed, Mr. Hunter. Only those skilled can feel the effects of this tea. All my previous passengers finished the tea in one go, relishing only the exquisite taste... on the other hand, you seem to understand the importance of it and drink it slowly."

"What have I passed, if I may ask?"

"A chance to join my team for the yearly exam at the Hunter First Union. All that's left for you is to answer this question — what is hunting to you?" Aimee put down her cup on the plate, seriously asking the man before her.

However, Hunter didn't feel like answering her question yet.

"I'd like to ask you something first... why do you think I want to join your team? Is it because I'm a lone man?" Hunter flatly asked, his voice empty.

Aimee didn't even ponder over this question, "Yes... a lone man from a village stepping into this hunter world is like a little lost lamb praying for its shepherd to save it. You aren't such a lone man... since you can see through my tea. Nonetheless, this alone doesn't make you enough to pass the exam alone. You need a team. A team that will not abandon you."

"You may be right... I might need a team... so I'll create one. You see, I'm not a man looking to hug a woman's leg. And I want you on my team," Hunter assertively looked into Aimee's hazel eyes.

However, she just smiled, "Looks like this is where our paths part."

"I don't think so. Wouldn't you like to fight me?"

"I'm not fond of bullying weaker people."

"It's not bullying if I ask for it. Let's fight without armor. The first to fall to the ground will be a victor. If I win, you will join my team and be subservient to me. If I lose, I'll join you and listen to all your orders. Fair deal, right?"

"Sounds like a hassle-"

"But you will do it. You're a noble woman challenged by a commoner... and I'm the first to pass your test. You won't be that lucky twice to find a lone man such as me, Miss Aimee."

"You've convinced me."

Aimee told Hunter to wait for her outside as she had to take off her armor.

Hunter licked his lips as he left, 'Now, I must polish my plan... and make her fall, preferably with me on top of her!'

But Hunter knew that his desires had to be cast aside in order to win... so if he were to fall on her... it would only be a consequence of his bravery.

Nothing more!

The question was whether he would be able to make that happen...