Gordon was shocked that the legendary Kokoto Hero was actually the Old Village Chief, but it was just that: shock.
What else could he do?
He couldn't just turn around and go back to Kokoto Village, grab the old Village Chief by the collar, and grill him about his glorious past, could he?
"Um, Madam President."
Deciding to be pragmatic and focus on the present, Gordon carefully asked, "May I register at the Minagarde Gathering Hall?"
The Madam President smiled and nodded at him. As she handed his Hunter's Notebook back to him, she leisurely said, "Of course. Even without a personal recommendation from the Kokoto Hero, given your strength to advance to Two-Star at such a young age, we have no reason to refuse."
With that, she extended her hand to Gordon, "On behalf of the Minagarde Hunter's Gathering Hall, I welcome your joining."
Gordon lightly shook her hand, a sense of relief washing over him.
From this point, his 'affiliation' shifted from Kokoto Village to Minagarde City. While he could enjoy the same benefits as local Hunters, he also had to fulfill corresponding obligations.
The rest of the matters didn't require the Madam President's personal attention. After whispering something to Tiki, she nodded to everyone as a farewell and then turned to leave.
Amos, who had other matters to attend to, didn't linger either. In a flash, only the three of them remained at the counter.
Oshura and Tiki stared at each other, but it seemed they wouldn't argue. Tiki stuck out her tongue and made a face at Oshura, then quickly turned to Gordon before Oshura could get angry.
"Mr. Gordon, could I trouble you to provide your Hunter's Notebook again?"
Gordon, not understanding why, handed over his Hunter's Notebook while waving his hand, "Please stop with the honorifics. Just call me Gordon."
Tiki took the notebook and retrieved a metal seal from a locked counter drawer. She heated it with charcoal fire and firmly pressed a hollow star-shaped brand onto the notebook's cover.
Gordon and Oshura watched this scene curiously, seeing the "★★" symbolizing his Hunter rank on the beast hide cover turn into "★★☆."
"What does this mean? Did I just get promoted to Three-Star? Or is it two and a half stars?" Oshura, being straightforward, blurted out her question.
Tiki ignored her and instead explained to Gordon with a smile, "You are still a Two-Star Hunter, but with this mark, you can participate in Three-Star level quests under special conditions."
Gordon's interest was immediately piqued. This was clearly a "special privilege" the Madam President was granting him because of the Village Chief's letter of introduction.
This privilege was too tempting!
"Could you explain in detail what these 'special conditions' refer to?" Gordon pressed.
"Of course!"
Tiki puffed out her small chest and said, "First, the quest must be taken by a Three-Star Hunter or higher, and you can only participate as a team member.
Second, participation in a Three-Star quest must be approved by the Madam President!"
Gordon was stunned by her words. There were only two conditions, which didn't seem like much, but in reality, they were quite strict. The second condition alone blocked all possibilities of "clever maneuvers."
However, on second thought, the establishment of these thresholds was quite reasonable and necessary. Otherwise, this mark would not be a privilege, but a "special permit to seek death."
"Awesome, bro!"
Oshura punched Gordon's shoulder, "You have the chance to participate in Three-Star quests before you're even an adult. Oh my god, I feel like I've been living in my mother's womb all these years."
Gordon smiled shyly at her words. He took back his Hunter's Notebook, carefully touched the hollow star-shaped mark, and then put it away meticulously.
Afterward, with the help of Tiki and Oshura, he rented a small room for himself on the second floor of the Gathering Hall.
These rentable rooms were originally prepared for young, single Hunters who did not own property in Minagarde.
The room wasn't large, only about twenty to thirty square meters, and the interior was relatively simple, but essential furniture like a bed, table and chairs, storage chest, armor stand, and weapon rack were all present.
Most importantly, the rent was quite cheap. This was also a benefit provided by the Gathering Hall to young Hunters, and Gordon was very satisfied with it.
In a great mood, he had planned to treat Oshura and Tiki to a big meal as a token of gratitude, but he didn't expect Tiki to flat-out refuse.
"It's my job, it's my job~! If the Madam President found out I accepted your treat for such small matters, she'd dock my pay!"
Oshura, on the other hand, was more straightforward. She didn't refuse, but she also had no intention of taking advantage of a junior. She simply ordered the most ordinary set meal, which was only about 30z.
The Minagarde Hunter's Gathering Hall served as both a tavern and a restaurant, and the prices on the menu surprised Gordon somewhat.
Not because they were too expensive, but because they were too affordable.
He had long prepared himself for higher prices in Minagarde, but he didn't expect similar food to be even cheaper than in Kokoto Village restaurants.
After listening to Oshura's explanation, he understood that while the cost of living in Minagarde was indeed high, the reason the food and drinks at the Gathering Hall were cheap was simply another benefit provided by the Gathering Hall to its affiliated Hunters.
The effect of this approach was almost immediate.
Living in the Gathering Hall's affordable housing and eating the low-priced food and drink supplied by the Gathering Hall, Gordon almost immediately developed a basic sense of belonging to the Minagarde Hunter's Gathering Hall.
Madam President is a great person!
After eating and drinking his fill, and bidding farewell to the straightforward female Hunter Oshura, Gordon and Zhu Pa went to the public bathhouse within the Gathering Hall for half an hour of sauna. Only then did they return to their room, feeling completely relaxed.
Lying on the soft bed, Gordon comfortably yawned.
"The Minagarde Hunter's Gathering Hall is quite nice!"
On his second day in Minagarde, Gordon still woke up very early.
Rather, early morning exercise had become a habit for him, similar to brushing his teeth and washing his face. Even missing one day would feel incredibly awkward.
The Minagarde Hunter's Gathering Hall's facilities were very complete; even with a sauna, it naturally wouldn't lack a training ground.
After sweating for over an hour in the training facilities and then taking a cold shower, Gordon felt completely refreshed.
The tavern within the Gathering Hall was open all day, with chefs on duty almost twenty-four hours, so even in the early morning, he could buy a hearty breakfast.
Gordon didn't choose greasy meat. Instead, he bought a large bowl of stewed vegetable soup and filled his stomach with dry bread.
The soup was stewed perfectly, and seemed to have a lot of onions and pepper added. After eating it, he felt warm all over, and he could order it often in the future.
Zhu Pa ordered its favorite dried bonito. It sat cross-legged on a round stool, gnawing on the dried fish with its small paws, making a crunching sound that made Gordon's teeth ache.
According to his original plan, Gordon wanted to spend a few days exploring Minagarde City thoroughly.
He didn't know why, perhaps because of the special atmosphere within the Hunter's Gathering Hall, but he changed his mind.
He wanted to start his new life in this city with a vigorous hunt.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.