Chapter 43

7/18 This is the sixth post of the day.

What on earth is going on here?

I usually come to the counter, which is always empty, known as the Amanda Counter, but today Leader Adent is leaning on it, and the other two party members, whose names I don't know but whose faces I recognize, are standing behind him.

Amanda... I can't really tell what she's thinking.

She seems to be doing some other work with a calm expression.

Sigh...

Since I can't figure it out, I'll just pass by for now.

"Hey, give Amanda the wooden board quickly!"

I pass by without a word and head to the food lady.

"Auntie, I'm thirsty. Give me some ice water!"

"Sure thing! You seem to be working hard every day."

"Hey, you!"

I only carry one water bottle to avoid carrying too much stuff.

I use it to clean my sword and for drinking, so by the afternoon, I always run out of water.

I also sweat a lot more than others because I run more.

"Phew~! I feel alive!! Another one!! Just fill the cup with water, and I'll be fine."

"Sure thing!"

"Hey! Don't ignore me!"

There's someone making a fuss behind me, but right now, I need to hydrate.

Ah... the ice water is so good...

But what should I do?

Should I postpone the discussion and just go home today?

It would be incredibly troublesome to deal with this in my current state of exhaustion.

Moreover, he's always been rude, and it seems to be getting worse.

Why is that?

Is it because I was too nice?

If that's the case, if I ignore him and go home, he might think he "won" and cause even more trouble.

Hmm... I guess I have no choice.

I return the cup to the lady and turn to face Adent.

"So, what is it?"

"Don't 'what is it' me! I said give me the wooden board!"

"I don't understand why I have to take orders from you. Are you my party leader?"

"Yeah! That's why I'm telling you to give it to me!"

"......Huh?"

This guy might be off the charts.

I didn't expect him to take my joke seriously.

"Since we're a party, we should share the rewards equally, right?"

"Exactly. If you run off with all the rewards, you could be expelled from the Hunter's Guild, you know?"

The other two party members chime in with their own mysterious comments.

"Wait... I don't understand what you mean."

Amanda, who heard my words, sighs and speaks.

"I'll verify the facts, so please be quiet for a moment... Loki."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Adent and the others said they formed a party with you in the Locker Plains today... is that true?"

"It's a complete lie. I already declined the party yesterday, and today, they've been following me since morning, trying to take my rewards. I managed to get rid of them, though."

"Huh? Don't lie! You told everyone to work hard, didn't you? That means you're working hard with us as a party member!"

"Exactly! When you said, 'I'm going hunting, and you should work hard too,' we thought you were forming a party with us!"

"Stop making up excuses! We didn't touch your basket at all!"

...Wow.

They twisted my last words that much.

I can't even insult them... I'll have to be more careful in the future.

"...Amanda, how should we resolve this?"

"That's a tough one. Normally, the majority rules, but Loki is alone, and Adent and the others are a party of three. The majority rule doesn't apply here."

"Hey, Amanda. You don't trust us? We've been hunters for years, while this kid is just a beginner. Who do you think is more trustworthy?"

"Exactly. We're just looking out for the kid, and we should be praised for that."

"Right? We'll make sure he doesn't die easily, so just recognize us already."

Ah... This is bad...

If I don't do something, it'll get out of hand...

Patience, patience, patience...

"I have a few questions."

"Huh? What is it?"

"First, what's your Hunter Rank?"

"Huh? 'F.' What about you?"

"I see. How much did you earn today?"

"...Why?"

"If we were to form a party, it's only natural to know how much you earn, right?"

"..."

"They earned about 42,000 Bikes today."

"Hey, Amanda! You shouldn't say that!"

"Confidentiality? Are you going to keep that? You'll be kicked out of the Guild!"

"You'll be disqualified from the reception desk!"

"Why? You said Loki would be a party member, and you need to share the rewards equally, or you'll be expelled from the Guild."

"Tch..."

"...Right. Good for you, kid. We'll share our rewards with you."

"How much? I think 5,000 Bikes should be enough for a kid, right?"

"See? We talked about the rewards and shares, so give us the wooden board and share the rewards, okay?"

"Right. Kid, meet us here first thing tomorrow. Since you like carrying baskets, we'll have you carry them on the way."

"I'll bring my own basket, so if yours get full, you can use mine."

"..."

I thought I could stay quiet if the Guild could handle it... but this is hopeless.

I glanced at Amanda, but she just looked troubled, with no solution in sight.

Of course...

Hunter disputes are resolved between the parties involved.

That's the rule.

It's not Amanda's fault, and she can only offer a bit of support.

There's nothing to expect from waiting.

So... I have no choice.

I'm not a hero.

I'm not a saint.

I don't need to be considerate and find a smart solution.

The worst-case scenario is leaving this town—just that.

"Hey, I'm hungry, and this is a waste of time. Can I go home?"

"Huh? You don't want your share? Fine, go ahead. Just give us the wooden board first."

"Are you talking about the 42,000 Bikes? I don't need such a small amount. Besides, I've already deposited all my rewards, so I don't have the wooden board. Unlike you, I don't live day-to-day."

"...What?"

"Are you mocking me?"

"Yeah, I'm completely mocking you. You've been a hunter for years and are still F rank. Today, you almost died just by following me. What's there not to mock?"

"I'll kill you, you hear?!"

Leader Adent throws a nearby chair in a random direction, but I don't care.

I've seen branch managers throw tantrums over bad numbers during my sales days.

At least they're not throwing ashtrays.

"This is my final warning. There's no benefit in forming a party with you. Who would form a party with someone who can only earn 120,000 Bikes with three people when they can earn 400,000 Bikes alone? Unless there's a special reason, there's nothing for me with you. In fact, you've just irritated me, so I won't form a party with you three under any circumstances."

"Huh, are you kidding...?"

"Even if you still try to bother me, I won't hold back. If it's meaningless, I'll consider you three my enemies."

"Ah? What will you do if we're enemies?"

"Enemies are like monsters. You can't have a proper conversation with them; they just cause trouble and damage. So, I'll eliminate you like goblins. If anyone sides with you, I'll take them all down."

"...What? Are you joking?"

"Hey, Loki! This isn't peaceful at all!?"

"But what can I do? I tried to be peaceful, but you're getting more and more arrogant. Normally, you can judge someone's strength by watching them hunt or use magic. But you can't, so you think you're stronger and start talking down to me... If that's the case, I have to show you directly."

"I understand what you're saying, but if you do that, you'll become a criminal! Hey! Someone, get the Guild Master!"

"I don't want to do that, but if there's no other solution, I have no choice. I don't want to be used by these three idiots... If it comes to that, I'll retreat to the depths of Palmera."

Honestly, I don't want to do that.

This is the only town I know.

I want to visit other towns and countries, enjoy delicious food, and even get married, which I couldn't do in my previous life.

So, 90% of this is a bluff.

I think my individual stats are probably higher, but I don't know what would happen if they all attack me at once.

If they hire someone stronger with money, I might die.

So, I'm creating this situation to force the Guild to find another solution.

I might be looked at with white eyes by other hunters, but that's fine.

I never wanted to form a party in the first place.

As long as I can take on quests and cash them in in Bezart, that's enough.

By making this ultimatum, the Guild is at a loss.

If these three idiots don't back down... I'll have to go straight to the Demon King route.

I'll retreat to the depths of Palmera and find another way to enjoy life.

While I was thinking this, the Guild Master of Bezart, Yagov, appeared with a troubled expression.

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