"Kira, would you follow me out back." Early the next morning I lead Kira to the back of the house. There are no exits to the west side of the main farm house, which means that it is the least traversed part of the building. Summoning the crude but functional crossbow I built last night, I hand it to Kira. "This is just an early model, but I figured a crossbow would be a good weapon for you to learn to help increase your firepower. You are already very accurate with knives, which is a solid close quarter backup weapon, but you need a new main weapon."

Kira seems to understand where I am getting at. She doesn't seem to take offence at my qualified critique. That was my biggest fear. "In time I want to build a quick draw crossbow to speed up your firing rate, but for now you can practice accuracy. Also, see if you can learn how to reload by summoning the bolts from soul storage the way I do." Kira points the crossbow at a tree in the distance and fires. It hits it. "Great shot for a first attempt." I am eager to encourage Kira's use of the new weapon. Kira grudgingly admits; "I was aiming for the tree next to it."

As I teach Kira how to summon bolt straight onto the crossbow, a boy comes running up to us at full speed. When he catches his breath he tells me that the guild would like to see me as soon as possible for a potential job. The boy looks ready to run back to the guild, before he does I stop him. "I will race you." A typical boyish grin crosses his face. He obviously thinks that he can beat me.

At the guild I arrive slightly ahead of the exhausted messenger boy. I feel nicely warmed up. Marka sees what we have been doing. "Silly boys! Now you have worn out my messenger". The last bit was clearly directed at me. "Makes me wonder if you really deserve your new trust ranking." Seems after my latest activities I have been deemed reliable. My guild ranking should hopefully go up soon.

Marka indicates for me to follow her. As we walk she tells me that Alain was very happy with my work, and upped my pay grade. Who was Alain again? She continues by telling me that my file has been updated with beginner level 1 smithing and crafting skills. Oh, Alain is the blacksmith. Never was very good with names. Only beginner level 1. I picked up close to a dozen related smithing skills while working there, and my blacksmith skill is actually into intermediate level 2 according to the guild chart, level 3 according to the real level as shown by my menu.

"Where are we heading?" I finally ask as we go up the stair to the upper floor. "I am taking you to the guild library to introduce you to some people." "There is a library here?" "Yes, knowledge is important, though most young hunters seem to ignore it. Have you learned to read yet?" "I have." She actually seems a bit impressed, but I could be wrong.

Inside the library I meet three guys, Dain, Lak and Teckar. Teckar is the leader. He carries two short swords and a shield. He seems friendly enough. Lak on the other hand is very friendly and chatty. Seems like the two of them have been hunting together for a long time. Lak has a massive two-handed axe strapped to his back and a couple of short ones on his waist. Dain does not appear to carry any weapons. He looks up from his book. Not the friendliest guy. With first impressions out of the way, I look forward to finally making some male hunter friends.

As there are no one else in the little library, we sit down around the table in the middle of the room. The room is clearly meant for reading, as is the table, but it seems to work for this meeting. Marka starts off indicating to the three guys: "This party lead by Teckar has been looking for a fourth member for an urgent task in the wilderness south-west of here. While they were discussing what kind of fourth member they needed, I suggested I introduce yourself. As you have now earned a decent reputation, it is about time you take on work with other hunters."

It would have been nice if she could have prepped me before the meeting, but I guess this is a test in itself. Teckar addresses me: "We have been informed that you are more than competent with a spear and quite exceptional with a bow. Is it true that you learned all this by living in the wilderness alone?" Nice of him to phrase the question like that. I can wholeheartedly confirm that I did learn the skills on my own in the wilderness.

Addressing the guys I ask them: "What were the needs you guys wanted to cover with a fourth party member?" Lak interrupts; "We could do with a healing mage, since Dain here is an offensive mage, but our leader is keen on having someone who can scout for us, and be handy in a fight." Dain also speaks up; "Someone with a decent soul storage would be nice to help ferry the loot and prey. It is not like I can cram a dozen dead orcs into my storage."

Looks like the task is hunting orcs. I start with the needs I can cover only partially. "Though I do know some healing magic, it is only a little, and I am still learning. Marka can attest to my soul storage being abnormally big. However, my strongest contribution to your party would be as someone who has lived and survived in the wilderness. I have knack for spotting danger and dealing with it." "Do you cook too?" The final question from Lak is clearly meant as a joke. Teckar seems pleased; "We take a carriage south-west at noon. Please meet us at the east gate outside the transport house."