James stepped through the towering doors of Westmere's Mission Hall, the scent of parchment, ink, and heated debates filling the air. This place was nothing like the quiet town he had left behind. Here, everything ran with precision and hierarchy—missions were assigned, ranks were recorded, and every hunter had to be acknowledged before taking serious contracts.
Approaching the registration counter, he met the sharp gaze of a seasoned clerk, an administrator well-versed in the rituals of the hall.
"New arrival?" the man asked, scanning James briefly.
James nodded, sliding his crystal card forward. "Need an official ID. The town didn't issue one."
The clerk studied the card before reaching into a locked cabinet, retrieving a sleek, metallic card marked with the Westmere Mission Hall insignia.
"This is your official Hunter ID," he said, sliding it across the counter. "It tracks your rank, mission history, and eligibility for contracts. You'll need it for higher-tier assignments."
James picked up the card, turning it in his hands. Unlike his currency card, which glowed faintly with stored credits, this one bore etched runic markings—a security feature preventing forgery.
- Name: James Smith
- Rank: Intermediate Hunter
- Mission Access: Standard & Intermediate Contracts _(Elite-Level Pending)_
- Verification: Bound to the Westmere Mission Hall Registry
The clerk leaned back. "Keep it separate from your crystal card. Hunters use credits for deals, but ID determines what work you're qualified for."
James tucked the ID into his pocket, a sense of satisfaction settling in.
With registration behind him, James set off toward the institute, anticipation driving his steps. The prestigious training center was known for shaping elite hunters, and joining it would solidify his place in Westmere. He navigated the bustling streets, weaving through merchants and fellow hunters, until the towering gates of the institute came into view.
Approaching the front desk, he made his intentions clear—he was ready to enroll. But the receptionist, an older woman with a measured gaze, shook her head.
"You're a little late," she said. "The recruitment drive just ended last week. Next one won't open for another six months."
James exhaled slowly, disappointment settling in. He had expected obstacles, but not this. Six months was a long time to wait, but as he looked at the institute's grand halls, he made a silent vow: he would be back, ready for the next recruitment.
Turning away, he now had a new priority—finding a place to stay. He stopped a passerby, a young trader hauling crates of supplies.
"Looking for accommodations?" the trader asked, wiping sweat from his brow. "If you've got the credits, The Silver Crest is your best bet—Westmere's most prestigious hotel. Good food, security, and amenities fit for high-ranking hunters."
James decided to check it out, making his way toward the towering structure. The Silver Crest Hotel loomed above the surrounding buildings, its polished stone walls and glowing sigils hinting at wealth and status. At the reception desk, a sleekly dressed attendant welcomed him and presented a pricing list.
His eyes widened. 500 credits per month—and that was for the most basic rooms. But what truly caught his attention was the premium section, priced at 1,000 credits or more. These rooms, according to the attendant, came with an embedded rune array—a feature that allowed occupants to absorb arcane energy, accelerating their growth and helping them raise their levels at a faster rate.
The initial shock of the cost gave way to careful consideration. An ordinary room would suffice, but the rune array offered a rare advantage—one that could mean the difference between stagnation and rapid progression.
After a brief moment of weighing his options, James reached for his crystal currency card pressing it against the payment terminal. The faint glow of the card flickered as its stored credits adjusted, deducting the required amount.
- Previous Balance: 3,110 Credits
- Deducted Amount: 1,000 Credits
- Remaining Balance: 2,110 Credits
The receptionist nodded, sliding a sleek, silver-etched key across the counter.
"Your room is on the fifth floor," she said. "Enjoy your stay, and make good use of the rune array."
James picked up the key, feeling its cool weight in his palm.
James took the silver-etched key and turned toward the grand staircase. The polished floors gleamed beneath the soft glow of enchanted lanterns lining the halls, their light shifting subtly with each passing guest.
The fifth floor was quieter, designed for hunters who valued privacy and focus. As he walked down the corridor, the air hummed faintly—an unmistakable sign of arcane energy flowing through the embedded rune arrays.
He reached his room, inserting the key into the sigil-marked lock. The door clicked open, revealing a well-furnished space—a spacious bed, a sturdy desk for planning missions, and a meditation corner positioned directly over the rune array.
After settling into his room, James felt his stomach tighten with hunger—a reminder that he hadn't eaten since arriving in Westmere.
He left his quarters, making his way down the grand staircase toward the Silver Crest's dining hall. The scent of roasted meats, seasoned vegetables, and freshly baked bread filled the air as he stepped inside. A long, elegantly set table stretched across the hall, where hunters and traders alike gathered for their meals, exchanging stories of missions, bounties, and near misses with danger.
James approached the counter, scanning the menu crystal hovering above the bar. The options ranged from simple rations to extravagant meals infused with energy-rich ingredients, specifically tailored for hunters seeking recovery and strength.
He placed an order—seared venison with spiced root vegetables, a hearty dish known for restoring stamina. As he handed over his crystal currency card, the attendant processed the transaction with a swift tap, deducting the cost.
- Previous Balance: 2,110 Credits
- Deducted Amount: 50 Credits
- Remaining Balance: 2,060 Credits
Taking his meal, James found a quiet corner and settled in, listening to the conversations around him. Hunters spoke of recent missions, dangerous beasts lurking beyond the city, and whispers of undocumented ruins hidden deep within the Western expanse.
As he ate, he absorbed every detail—every rumor, every challenge. This city held more than just formal training. If he wanted to grow, he needed to be ready to take on opportunities as they came.
---
Satisfied with his meal, James pushed his plate aside and leaned back in his chair. The hum of conversation in the Silver Crest's dining hall had begun to quiet as the night stretched on. He could still hear a few hunters exchanging stories, but the energy in the room had shifted—dinner was over, and now, most were preparing for the next day's challenges.
He stood, making his way toward the staircase. The enchantments lining the halls flickered softly, adjusting their glow to a more subdued tone as the hotel eased into its nightly rhythm.
Back in his room, James shut the door behind him, taking a final glance at his surroundings. The air was thick with arcane energy from the embedded rune array beneath the floor—its presence a reminder of the opportunity he'd chosen to invest in.
Without hesitation, he stripped off his jacket, setting it aside before lowering himself onto the bed. The exhaustion from traveling, registering, and settling in was finally catching up to him.
Tomorrow, the real work would begin.
Letting out a steady breath, James closed his eyes. For now, sleep came first.