-Joining the Government-

Inside a high-end room covered in luxurious decorations; Kenshin and Suguro sat facing each other. After explaining to Kenshin the pros and cons of ‘Will’, he invited him to his office so that they could have a chat without anyone eavesdropping on them.

His intention was simple, to make Kenshin represent the DCB of Mito branch. Despite being a small town, Mito had three dungeons including a level 3 dungeon. On the contrary, Mito didn’t have enough Hunters. All the talented ones were already taken by bigger organizations.

In this present day and age, the government was no longer the only controlling force. Many private forces had grown to prominence and were now controlling their own territories. One such example would be ‘The Trihexa’ guild that controlled a huge part of North America. In that place, the government had no control over anything.

Guilds are a type of organization formed by a group of Hunters. Many years ago, guilds were formed to take down strong monsters and clearing dungeons. Later it transformed into a huge organization that could rival the government.

The government also couldn’t do anything to them because they are in need of guilds. Even though they have a huge supply of weaponry, it’s useless on monsters.

Only Hunters could slay them.

Many talented Hunters were enticed by the guilds and joined them as a result. The allure of a high salary, access to various equipment and freedom was too much for them to say no. In this hidden cold war, the government was slowly losing to these guilds. Realizing its status, the government started various programs and developments for Hunters, but alas it was already too late. Nobody was willing to work under the government.

Currently, the government didn’t have many Hunters solely loyal to it on Mito. While the guilds were just waiting for something bad to happen, so that they could claim Mito under their banner.

Today’s event was a real close call for the government.

After listening to Suguro’s long-winded explanation, Kenshin had a rough idea of what he(Suguro) wanted from him.

“In short, you want to recruit me as an official that works for the government!” Kenshin came out bluntly. There was no need to beat around the bush.

“Yes”

“What will I get if I join the government?” Kenshin was worried about benefits. If it’s not satisfactory then he would simply decline.

“For starters, you will be exempted from all taxes as long as you work for the government. Your monthly salary will be around 2000~5000 Golds. If you actively raid the dungeons and clear them, you will get extra money depending on the dungeon itself. For level 1 and 2, you will be getting 1000G per clear, for 3 to 5 you will be getting 4000G per clear, and finally for 6 to 10, you will be getting 8000G per clear. The government will also deal with all of your problems as long as you don’t kill anyone without proper reasons”

“Wow!! The government has truly outdone itself for the Hunters!” Kenshin exclaimed in surprise. The lengths to which the government was going for Hunters was a real eye-opener.

“Haha!! This policy is only applicable to those with a magic skill” Suguro answered Kenshin’s question with a chuckle.

“I see! Of course, the government won't be that desperate for normal Hunters”

“So, what do you say? Will you work for the government?” Suguro asked with anticipation.

Kenshin also began thinking it through. Earlier he followed Suguro because he had thought that he was only doing it for personal gain, but the situation was more serious than what he had thought. If he agrees to Suguro’s offer, then he would be unintentionally dragged into a cold war between guilds and governments. But, he doesn’t want to leave such a good opportunity.

What should he do?

“Before I agree, I want to ask something” Kenshin started.

“That is!?”

“My sister is a scholarship student at Hunters' Academy. She needs a new set of equipment as her old ones broke, but the market price of a set is no less than a million gold. Right now I don’t have enough money to buy one. Can you help me with this?”

“This...I think you are having a misunderstanding here!” Suguro said with an odd face.

“Misunderstanding! What kind?” Kenshin asked in puzzlement.

“Since your sister has gone through a scholarship, throughout her career, in that academy, all the expenses will be paid by the government. You don’t have to buy anything for her. Who told you that she needs equipment? If she needs one then the school will issue her one!”

“What?? It was her class teacher who called me and asked me to send her a set of equipment!!? I am getting confused here. What’s happening?”

“Ahh! I see! So that’s how it is!” Suguro exclaimed seeing Kenshin’s clueless face.

“What is? Can you tell me what’s happening?” Kenshin asked unable to understand the situation.

“Kenshin. I will be blunt. Someone is trying to dupe you real big!”

“What? Dupe me!..... So that’s how it is? Shit!!” Kenshin felt like he was the biggest fool of the century. Six years of all that hardships and just when he had thought that he had seen everything that this world has to offer, he was slapped in the face by the world itself.

“Do you still have the number from which he called you?” Suguro asked

“Yes I have it” Kenshin sounded soulless.

“Give me the number and leave everything to us”

“Then I will thank you in advance. So, where do I sign?” a smile formed on Suguro’s face when he heard Kenshin’s question.

Several hours later, Kenshin left the DCB holding a golden card in his hand. This card is the new Hunter’s license issued by the DCB. It mentioned his name, level, and magic skill. This golden card is an indicator of his status as a government official.

Right now he was feeling depressed. After the revelation of a certain truth, he realized that earlier he was playing with his life for someone else’s benefit. This thought made him feel both anger and sadness.

With a depressed sigh, he went home with a woebegone look plastered on his face.

At the same time, inside the second floor, Hashimoto and his cronies were fighting tooth to nail with a large number of skeletons that had spawned suddenly. Their luck was truly bad. This particular dungeon was infamous for its irregular monster spawning rate. When they arrived here, there were not many skeletons. They were able to slay them all with ease, but suddenly the spawning rate increased at an explosive rate multiplying the number of skeletons inside.

As a result, Hashimoto was cursing up a storm at Kenshin right now. He had blamed all this on Kenshin.

“Shield Bash!!” he screamed as he bashed his silver shield at a group of skeletons, sending them flying.

“Consecutive Stabs!!” another Hunter by his side holding a long rapier screamed as he stabbed it continuously to a skeleton brawler.

Katkatkat!!! Sounds echoed out as all the bones broke from its body.

“Heavy Fist!”

“Mountain Cleaver!!”

“Sting!!”

The Hunters shouted one after another, killing a skeleton each. This didn’t last long as they are getting tired at a very fast pace. Hashimoto had already lost two of his members.

“Retreat!!” he shouted as he ran back towards the teleportation gate. Hearing him, other Hunters also ran back towards the teleportation gate.

As all of them entered the protective circle of the gate, they released a sigh of relief. The death of two individuals created a heavy atmosphere around them. Everyone was staring at Hashimoto, urging him to say something.

An ugly look surfaced on his face when he assessed the situation. Today was really not his day.

On the contrary, Kenshin had a bellyful of food and went to sleep like a log.

At midnight he suddenly woke up with a loud shout.

“Wait!? What are the perks of that title again!?”

Looks like the incredibleness of that title had hit Kenshin a little too late.

--END OF VOL 1--