Chapter 652: Stranger

"No."

"L...let go of my hand!"

Handlers. As their name suggests, they handle everything regarding the dungeons and hunters—they are like managers, in a sense, but they work for the public. As just being beside a dungeon portal was already dangerous, Handlers are almost usually also hunters.

They were, of course, weaker than the average hunter as they deal more with the logistics of things—but even then, they should be stronger than normal people—in this case, a Porter.

Some Porters are of course, also hunters. Just some, however, as the reason they were Porters in the first place was that they couldn't become Hunters.

And so, following that logic, the handler should be stronger than Riley. So, why...?

Why couldn't he even pull his hand away as Riley grabbed his wrist?

"I said, let go of—"

"Okay."

And before the handler could finish his words, Riley let go of his hand.

"But please don't put anything on your book about me, Mr. Handler," Riley said as a small smile crawled on his face, "I'll go to the nearest guild branch as you advised me to."

"F...fine," the handler could really only clear his throat as he closed his book, "Go away before I change my mind. I swear, you newbies think you're actually entitled to something. You shouldn't even be paid for your first job! This is training, training!"

"Hm," Riley only nodded, before stepping back and walking away. And as soon as he did so, the other hunters watching the commotion once again snickered; shaking their heads as they looked at the handler.

"Why are you bullying newbies again, Astor? You know we're in short supply of porters already."

"Tch, porters are a waste of money," the handler shook his head, "They should just give their payments to us for handling all this shit."

"Yeah, yeah. So... where are you going to spend the money that was supposed to be for him?"

The handler and the others tried to whisper, but their voices could still clearly reach Riley's ears. He does nothing, however; just staring at the handler's face, as well as the other hunters one by one...memorizing their faces.

"You should have a commission," Lilly, who was previously talking to the handler, walked beside Riley.

"That fucker's probably gonna spend it on mead," Roan also joined in, clicking his tongue several times, "If you need money, I can let you borrow some."

"It's fine. I truly appreciate the offer, everyone," Riley just nodded, however, as he made his way to a giant bird that was tied to a nearby log, "Let us see each other again if you book me, Leville party."

The giant bird was similar to the one in the mouth of the elderdeer that they hunted. It looked similar to an ostrich, except its muscles and bones were obviously much thicker. And as Riley climbed on it, its fluffiness was also made obvious as his legs almost disappeared into its tuft.

"Wait, don't you want to join us!?" Roan raised his voice, "We usually have a drink after a successful hunt!"

"Then, I suppose you won't be drinking, Mr. Roan," Riley calmly said as he pulled the reins and turned the bird around; the bird's legs, trembling for some reason,

"I also do not drink, thank you for the offer."

"Wh—"

And before Roan could even say another word, the bird almost leaped into the air as it rushed to get away; which was definitely weird, as those birds couldn't really fly.

"Did... that guy just diss me?" Roan could really only watch as Riley very slowly disappeared into the horizon; the dust left by the bird's feet as it ran as fast as it could, leaving a trail.

"Just let it go," Bert chuckled as he patted Roan's shoulder, "I like him, we should get him again next time. What do you think, boss?"

"I guess," Lilly just shrugged, "I think the guy's probably also a hunter, though. Did you see how effortless he made it look when he carried the elderdeer?"

"Yeah.." Bert nodded as he scratched his beard, "...it was as if he was just carrying Roan."

"True, lighter than a sack of hay."

"...What the fuck, guys?"

***

The World of Arlusia.

The only way that Riley could describe it was that it was... empty. Not in a way that makes its fields desolate, no. In fact, its fields were very much alive—but that was it. Arlusia was filled with fields.

Fields of grass, fields of sand, fields of snow—vast. The trees were sparse, the rocks were sparse, making the world relatively... flat.

And as he rode his mount; feeling the wind hitting his face, it felt somewhat freeing. If he gets rid of everyone, then wouldn't he feel like this all the time?

Riley just allowed the large bird between his legs to take him to his destination. He even let go of the reins as he stretched his arms to the side—his cloak, flailing along with the wind along with his long white hair; some parts of it, braided.

And a few hours later, he reached a city. The entire city was surrounded by a thick defensive wall; perfectly circling around it to protect it from all sides—and of course, a gate to match it.

The gate, however, was completely open for everyone to enter and leave as they wished.

"..." Riley quickly got off his mount as soon as he reached the gate. Pulling it by its reins as he walked through the gates, casually nodding to the guards that were stationed there.

And as Riley walked through the streets of the city of Arunafelt, the world's culture quickly reflected in his eyes. There were stalls everywhere, selling all sorts of trinkets and monster parts on the side.

There were also people walking around, blatantly showing their large weapons as they casually traverse the busy street; no one cared, however, as everyone just went on about their days.

Riley also just casually walked—but most of the eyes, however, were on him as they saw his exaggeratedly white complexion and hair. Riley continued to make his way deeper into the city, only stopping as he reached a certain building.

"..." He then turned to look at his mount. And as soon as it did so, the giant bird flinched... before quickly moving to the stables at the side of the building and locking itself in it.

"Hm..." Riley nodded to himself, before finally entering the building; pushing its doors open as he stepped inside. And as soon as he did so, the men and women that were minding their own business at their tables all turned their heads at him.

"..." Riley, on the other hand, didn't even bother looking at any of them as he just turned to look at a specific table that was on the corner of the tavern—and there, he saw several men surrounding a certain table—bringing their own chair as they seemed to be talking to the woman that was sitting alone by herself there.

And finally, Riley's eyes that have been calm since earlier started to squint.

"Excuse me, everyone," Riley then calmly said as he approached the table,

"Do any of you have business with Aerith?"