Upon confirming Zhu Pa's identity, Hayata smiled happily.
Then, she quickly realized that since this young Hunter named Gedde was Zhu Pa's owner, he must be the Hunter who saved her and the caravan back then?
Understanding this, the girl bowed excitedly to Gedde and said, "Hello, I am Hayata. The situation was urgent last time, and I didn't get a chance to thank you.
Thank you so much for helping the caravan back then! "
When the girl said that, Gedde also remembered; it had been less than two months since the mission to hunt the Blue Velocidrome.
Although it was just a fleeting glance at the time, he still had a deep impression of this young girl who, despite her age, dared to fight monsters with a weapon.
Fighting monsters and protecting humans is the inherent duty of Hunters.
But no matter what, facing the sincere gratitude of someone he had helped for the first time gave Gedde a unique sense of pride, as if he had "accomplished his mission."
His choice to risk danger, allow the Blue Velocidrome to summon its companions, and cover the caravan's retreat now seemed very meaningful!
Amos, who was standing by, looked at Gedde with a bit more warmth.
As a good friend of Paine, the caravan leader, he naturally understood the dangers of that time from him; if a Hunter hadn't appeared and stopped the monsters.
His childhood friend, his disciple Hayata, and even all the members of the caravan would probably have faced certain death.
"Thank you so much, Little Gedde. Let's formally introduce ourselves. I am Amos, a Seven-Star Hunter and Hayata's teacher. Paine and I must properly thank you.
Oh, by the way, Paine is Hayata's uncle and the leader of that caravan at the time. Although we are not big figures, we do have some connections in Minagarde.
If there's anything we can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask; you can come to us anytime."
Amos's attitude was very sincere.
"That Blue Velocidrome was also my mission target; I just happened to run into it. Protecting travelers is my responsibility, it's nothing," Gedde scratched his head and exchanged a few polite words with the master and disciple.
Although he didn't intend to use that favor to ask them for anything, being able to meet a powerful Hunter because of it was indeed an unexpected surprise.
This was the first time Gedde had seen a Seven-Star Hunter with his own eyes!
One must know that Instructor Ernest, who was already considered very formidable in his eyes, was only a Five-Star Hunter, and there was a watershed between Five-Star and Six-Star.
Missions from One-Star to Five-Star are collectively referred to as "Lower Rank Missions." Correspondingly, Hunters from One-Star to Five-Star are also Lower Rank Hunters, but the term "Lower Rank" isn't very pleasant to hear, so people don't usually call them that.
From Six-Star to the highest, Nine-Star, is what is called "Upper Rank." The number of Hunters in this group accounts for less than ten percent of the total Hunter population.
For the elites who have advanced to Upper Rank, hunting powerful Flying Wyverns like Rathalos is merely the most basic of basics.
Gedde truly couldn't imagine what these guys usually hunted; were there monsters more powerful than Flying Wyverns?
"Hmm? Gedde, are you also preparing to take on a mission?" As they chatted, Amos suddenly noticed the mission slip in Gedde's hand and casually asked.
"Yes."
Gedde showed him the mission slip he had just accepted.
"It's nothing troublesome. I've arrived in a new environment, so I'm preparing to get some practice first."
Amos took the slip and glanced at it. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. After pondering for a moment, stroking his chin, he looked up at Gedde.
"It might be a bit presumptuous to say this suddenly, Gedde, but would you be interested in teaming up for a hunt?"
At this, not only Gedde but also Tiki and Machi on the side were a bit surprised.
Although Amos had said earlier that he planned to take a One- or Two-Star subjugation mission to give his young apprentice, who had just started Hunter training, some experience.
But there was no need to grab Gedde to team up, right?
You should know that the client wouldn't provide double the reward just because two of you completed the mission together.
When hunting in a team, the reward must be split, so as long as they are confident, everyone generally chooses to go solo.
As if seeing Gedde's and their surprise and confusion, Amos chuckled and explained, "Hayata just started Hunter training two days ago; her combat power is almost zero, and she lacks the ability to protect herself.
I was thinking that if we could complete this mission as a team, we would have more support.
Of course, this is me unilaterally troubling you. All the mission rewards will go to you. I just want to take Hayata to familiarize herself with the Hunting Field environment."
"I see."
Tiki and the others looked enlightened, and Gedde also nodded. Although he still harbored a hint of doubt in his heart, there was no need to refuse.
Could the other party really tie him up and sell him?
Moreover, teaming up with an Upper Hunter!
Even if the opponents were just some Qimian Tribe, he would surely learn a lot, right? Just for that, even without a reward, Gedde was very willing to team up with Amos and them.
After completing the procedures for participating in the mission, Amos glanced at the time and said to Gedde, "It's still early. How about we depart after lunch?"
"No problem!" Gedde nodded readily.
Excluding the training he underwent with his Instructor during his Trainee Hunter period, this was his first time teaming up with someone for a hunt. To be honest, he was quite looking forward to it.
"You young people can chat and get to know each other first. I have something to discuss with the Guild Master. I'll come back to find you later."
After confirming the departure time, Amos greeted Gedde and the others and then went alone to the office area inside the Gathering Hall.
Gedde was a little disappointed. Rather than chatting with a little girl, he actually wanted to ask Amos some questions related to hunting.
Hayata was a very kind girl, at least in Zhu Pa's eyes, that was definitely true, because the former had rescued it from Tiki's clutches.
"Meow~"
Zhu Pa, with its fur disheveled, cowered behind Hayata, its back slightly arched, and its sharp little fangs exposed, staring warily at Tiki, who still seemed to be enjoying herself.
Master Gedde, you are no longer trustworthy, meow!
Gedde didn't pay too much attention. Anyway, this little crack in trust could be perfectly mended with just one cod sausage, two at most.
Seeing that there was still a long time until lunch, the two people and one cat sat at a long table in the bar area, ordered a few non-Alcoholic drinks, and chatted idly.
Hayata was very surprised to learn that Gedde was still underage.
She had thought he was already in his twenties.
Of course, this was also related to Gedde's physique, which far exceeded the standards for his age. In terms of weight alone, this guy was more than twice Hayata's.
Out of curiosity and certain special feelings, Hayata asked to see Gedde's weapon.
When she had exhausted all her strength and could only leave a few superficial, harmless scratches on the Blue Velocidrome, almost falling into despair, that giant steel blade that easily tore the Blue Velocidrome to pieces naturally left an extremely deep impression on her.
She even seriously considered becoming a Great Sword User.
But when she found that even using all her might, she could only lift the Burst Blade, which Gedde had placed flat on the long table, a tiny bit, she could only helplessly give up this unrealistic idea.
His forearm was thicker than her leg; it was better to obediently listen to her teacher and use a Dunjian (Shield Sword/Sword and Shield) first.
QAQ
P.S. In various games of the series, the star rating division for Upper and Lower Rank has always varied. Here, we're taking an average: Five-Star and below are Lower Rank, and Six-Star and above are Upper Rank.
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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!
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