"This is hilarious, XXXXX! Couldn't you endure a little more? Don't worry, I'll never stop," he said, laughing.
"Wh...what? What did I ev...en do to you?" came the pained reply.
The first person shouted, "Why?! Does there need to be a reason? You could say you're just incredibly unlucky to have met me right from the start. And also, you seemed like steel when I met you."
"But... I di...dn't do anything to you."
"You don't understand the situation. I love killing and torture, and I don't care whether you've done anything to me or not."
"Then I'll... (cough) I'll kill you. I swear... I'll kill you and make you taste... the bitterness of death, you bastard!"
"Good luck with that."
Present Time
Mohin conversed with the team members, and time passed with little left before they reached the City of Hunters. Zain spoke up, "We're almost there. If you can stick your head out of the carriage, you'll be able to see the city wall."
Mohin replied, "But the carriage is open-top, and the only place light comes in is from the back. How am I supposed to see the city from behind?"
"I said if you can manage to stick it out."
"Sorry."
While the other members talked amongst themselves, Mohin asked Zain a private question, "Zain, what's the deal with Brom? I have a feeling he doesn't like me being here."
"To be honest, even I'm puzzled by that. You could say he's the cheerful one in our team, but I don't know what happened to him when you showed up."
"You mean he changed when he saw me?"
"I think so. Because he always laughs at Zak when he talks about history."
"Should I be worried?"
"What do you mean, 'worried'? Trust me, I've been a hunter for over seven years, from age 19 to 25, and I can say Brom is the kindest hunter I've ever met. He hasn't even received an offensive skill, only a skill specialized in Seeking."
"But believe me, it's one of the strongest seeking skills. I can't tell you the details of his skills, though; they're team secrets, sorry."
Mohin shifted his conversation to The Outsider, asking, "Do you think he might have been able to see my skills and talent using one of his skills?"
The Outsider answered, "I don't know. But I doubt it because it took me a long time myself to see that skill you copied at the beginning (Beast Strength B). As for your talent, that's another story. I've been with you for over two days, and I still can't figure it out. Even you don't know it."
Mohin said, "Of course I don't know my talent. Lord Rail told me a hunter only discovers their talent during the hunters' test. So, what's your take on Brom? Do you think he couldn't see my talent?"
"I don't think so. He would need a detection skill stronger than mine, and that's impossible since he's human. But you need to be extremely cautious of him."
"Why?"
"Because I couldn't see his talent or skills."
"What?"
"Not just him, but all the people here. There's an energy emanating from Brom that interferes with my detection skill. To see their skills, I'd need to spend a few days with them. But Brom is a special case because I don't think I can see his skills, just like with yours."
"It seems this team wasn't an ordinary one after all," said The Outsider, laughing.
---
A few hours later, they reached their destination. Although the sun had set long ago, the light projected upwards from the city was incredibly powerful. The City of Hunters was surrounded by a wall 20 meters high, with two massive gates at the front designated for entry only, and two equally massive gates at the rear for exit only.
The carriage driver stopped at a checkpoint near the huge gate and said, "This is your stop. Continue on foot from here."
Mohin was awestruck by the wall's enormity. Zain said, "Looks like luck is on our side. The checkpoint is empty of people."
"Are you stupid, Zain, or what? Of course the place will be empty. Can't you see the time? Who comes at this hour except hunters?" Benny retorted irritably.
Zak turned to Mohin, "Go ahead of us, Mohin. It seems Zain is about to get a long lecture about time management. Also, there's a fee to enter. Do you have money?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. Wait for us inside."
Mohin approached the two guards stationed at the gate.
One guard spoke, "Identification, please."
"Here you go."
Mohin handed over the ID. "So, Mohin. What brings you here?"
"I want to become a hunter."
The second guard came over, saw the ID, leaned close to the first guard's ear, and whispered mockingly, "Another country bumpkin who thinks he has a talent and will become a famous hunter."
The Outsider said to Mohin, "He's mocking you."
"I don't care."
The first guard ignored his companion and completed the procedures. He searched Mohin's bag, which was just an ordinary travel bag.
"Everything's fine. The entry fee is one silver coin."
"Here you go."
"You may enter."
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"When do you close these huge gates?"
"They are only closed in case of an attack on the city."
"Alright. Thank you."
The guard said, "Have a good night."
"You too," Mohin replied.