Depthless Hunger

Kai's first instinct was to draw a weapon, but he remembered what Gunjin had said about not causing trouble and restrained himself. Instead he carefully raised his empty hands and swept his gaze across both groups.

"Can someone explain what's going on here?" he asked.

"I believe we have made an error of protocol." Tusquo carefully wiped off his sword and lowered it. "We had intended to meet with you to make a request."

"Liar!" Fhazi jabbed a gauntlet in his direction. "You know the laws of Goralia! We treat you like honored guests, and you start collaborating to undermine the Hunters Guild?"

"That was never our intention. We only-"

"Kai put you up to this, didn't he?" Fhazi whirled back on him with a glower. "You're pissed that you didn't get anything, so you mislead the Irunians. That's just the kind of dirty trick you'd pull."

Tusquo sheathed his sword further, and at his gesture the other Irunians lowered their weapons as well. When their attention wavered, Fhazi lunged out to kick the woman on the ground. All the social confusion had thrown Kai at first, but the violence made him snap into action: he stepped forward and caught Fhazi's leg.

He'd planned several follow-up defenses, only to find them unnecessary. Fhazi's blow felt surprisingly weak, especially after so many bouts getting bludgeoned by Inafay's wind. To avoid antagonizing Fhazi, Kai pretended to fall back a step and put some distance between them.

"Let me see if I understand," Kai said, loud enough to talk over both sides as well as the mutterings from the growing audience. "Our guests from Irun came here to request work, believing it was a private matter when it should have gone through the Hunters Guild. Just a simple mistake, right?"

Fhazi glowered but didn't contradict him, while Tusquo bowed politely before responding. "I believe that is accurate."

"Then this all makes sense... except for one thing. Fhazi Lantrian, what were you doing at the Granfian complex?"

"That's..." Fhazi started to take a step forward, but one of his goons put a hand on his shoulder. He squirmed out of it, then realized just how outnumbered they were. "We saw something inappropriate and took action, like any citizen should! If you're going to make this right with the Guild, then we'll be moving along."

Gesturing to his entourage, Fhazi departed with as much dignity as possible. As they departed, Kai swept his spiritual senses over the group.

Name: Fhazi Lantrian

Total Power: 12

Grandfist Novice Class: 5 (5)

Physique Level: G-2 (6)

Soul Level: 1 (1)

>

They'd all improved since the Hunter Trials, but it was Fhazi that drew his attention. Even being fed everything the Lantrian family could afford, he hadn't advanced very far. At the moment he might be a threat, if he could land a hit with his Class abilities, but Kai felt sure he could resist those at F rank. With a little more work, he would be beyond such bullies.

He wanted to check Tusquo next, but the Irunians had finished taking care of their injured member and now faced him as a single somber group. Probably not the best of times to be comparing strength. Before Kai could come up with anything, Tusquo spoke.

"I apologize if our behavior has inadvertently complicated your life."

"No, he was obviously looking for a way to cause trouble." Kai folded his arms as he looked over the group. "What were you coming to ask?"

"We hoped that the Granfian family, and you in particular, would be willing to provide support when we venture into the wilderness. Our route will be leaving the common paths, so the quantity of monsters we are likely to encounter will be beyond our ability to resist."

"That's definitely the domain of the Hunters Guild, and I think you know that. Why come to me first?"

"Let me ask you a different question, Kai Granfian." Tusquo took a step closer, eyes flinty. "Would you be willing to risk your life for power, if that power was necessary to defend yourself and those you care about?"

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The question was asked so seriously that Kai hesitated, but he knew that he only had one answer: "Of course."

"The same is true for us, and the nation of Irun. Please escort us to the Hunters Guild and I will make everything clear."

In the usual Irunian fashion, Tusquo talked around the issue instead of being direct. As far as Kai could tell, they had a very specific reason to want to explore the wilderness. One that they didn't want others to know about, or perhaps even a secret kept from Goralia in general. If it had been any nation other than Irun, Kai might have been suspicious, but he assumed they had legitimate reasons.

The conversation on the way was partially focused on convincing him not to hint any of their intentions for the trip. Other than potentially being a risk, Kai had no problem with that. The Hunters Guild took a cut of every assignment through them, so he didn't mind a tighter operation that didn't rely on the guild so much.

Along the way, he took the opportunity to examine Tusquo's strength again:

Name: Tusquo Agyama of Irun

Total Power: 29

Manablade Novice Class: 7 (7)

Physique Level: G-3 (8)

Soul Level: 2 (4)

Path of Steel: Iron 2 (10)

>

His Manablade Class had clearly improved, faster than anyone Kai had seen except Inafay. By far the largest surprise was observing the "Path of Steel" with his improved sight: each stage of it seemed to be valued more highly than any other system of power Kai had observed. Then again, he hadn't seen very many Krysali warriors recently and no one from the Elemental Nations at all.

"Our journey should begin in a fortnight," Tusquo was saying. "There are, again, important reasons that it must occur at that time, but we would prefer not to state those so clearly."

"Because someone else might learn something from it?" Kai asked. The timing meant nothing to him, but others knew a lot more about foreign powers.

"They might." Tusquo stared back at him, clearly unwilling to give any more information.

"Alright, then... you want me to suggest the timing? I'm not sure that's actually logical timing for me, but I can try to come up with an excuse."

"Your cooperation is much appreciated."

"I have a question for you." Kai paused, sorting through his words, and eventually decided to just plunge forward with it. "Why did you take until now to contact me? Is that part of the timing too?"

"No, not at all." Tusquo blinked at him in surprise. "We have taken until now to consider your initial letter to us. We agreed that your behavior during the Hunter Trials was honorable, but working together more closely is a delicate matter."

Kai shouldn't have been surprised. He chuckled over it as they reached the Hunters Guild, but his good humor died as they entered.

Hannagan Lantrian stood in front of the main desk, his arms folded over his broad chest. The head of the Hunters Guild looked none too happy, and the reason was obvious: Fhazi stood not far behind him with a smirk on his face. He hadn't been running away, he had gone to try to sabotage them.

"Honored Irunian guests." Hannagan gave them a perfect Irunian bow and ignored Kai entirely. "If you require the services of the Hunters Guild, we would be more than happy to offer assistance. Indeed, it is unnecessary to pay individual clans, considering the longstanding alliance between our nations."

"That is exceedingly generous," Tusquo said, bowing in return. "However, this is a trivial matter, nothing but a training excursion. We did not want to trouble you."

"It is no trouble at all. Would you like to be escorted by my grandson and his friends? The boy could use a little danger to shake up his life."

Fhazi jumped as if he hadn't expected that and started to say something, but Hannagan elbowed him in the ribs. The old man moved so fast that Kai barely saw the movement, just the results.

Of course, Tusquo refused the offer. The two of them sparred back and forth with polite language until Hannagan eventually gave in. He gave them all a polite smile, then gestured for Kai to approach.

"You have every right to choose your own companions," Hannagan said, "but I care for each and every hunter in Monskon City. Allow me to give him a few suggestions while you finish the paperwork, will you?"

There was no way to refuse that from the head of the Hunters Guild, so Kai followed him into a side chamber. As soon as the door closed, the old man wrapped a hand around his neck and slammed him into the wall. Kai struggled to move his arm, but it might as well have been made of steel. Even his spiritual sight slid off the old man's power.

"I cannot stop this idiocy, but I do not approve." Each of Hannagan's words was crisp and precise. "You're not remotely capable of surviving in the wilderness on your own. You think this will be like the tame monsters in the reserve? Without a proper Class, the real thing will tear you apart. All of this work, this effort... it's taking resources away from those who deserve them. If you had any decency, you would reject this offer and retire."

"I'm... a hunter..." Kai could barely choke out the words, but he glared back at Hannagan without blinking.

"For now. Maybe if you survive, this journey will show you your place. Just know that if you do anything to jeopardize the Guild, Monskon City, or Goralia... you will be exterminated. I will allow nothing to undermine our defenses, not even fools."

Hannagan threw him to the ground and Kai barely caught himself. Once he would have been choking, but his improving Physique left him less vulnerable. Since he doubted that Hannagan wanted to see any defiance, he let himself gasp for breath and recover from the choke.

"Know your place, trash!" Fhazi stepped forward and tried to kick him in the side. Kai wasn't going to let himself be humiliated that much: he raised a forearm and deflected the blows.

Before the third kick, Hannagan slapped his grandson in the face. Fhazi staggered back, less injured than shocked, staring at the old man.

"Don't humiliate the Lantrians any further." Hannagan spared Fhazi only a moment of scorn before he turned his attention back to Kai. "We won't treat you unfairly, boy. But if you fail in this assignment, it will be your last. If you do anything to alienate Irun, you're done. All I need is one good reason."

With that he spun away and left the room, Fhazi on his heels. Kai remained on his hands and knees, struggling to swallow his rage.

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