Episode 08

In the heart of Gumboldt, the gathering of hunters stood in rapt attention as Elder Gartan prepared to unveil the mysteries shrouding their world. Josh and Brilliant, among the sea of expectant faces, exchanged glances, their curiosity mirrored in each other's eyes.

"As everyone may well know already," Gartan's voice resonated, "the world has been strange recently. Many monsters are displaying erratic behavior in the wilds—some even going so far as to suddenly attack settlements."

A murmur rippled through the assembly, a collective acknowledgment of the growing unease that had cast its shadow across their hunting grounds.

Gartan, his gaze unwavering, continued, "The Researcher's Union is hard at work, trying to figure out exactly what is happening and the root cause of these oddities."

The audience of hunters listened, their expressions a mix of concern and anticipation. The bustling square had transformed into a theater of hushed whispers and furrowed brows.

"Now," Gartan gestured toward the researchers, "I'll let one of our esteemed researchers elaborate. Tibo, from Karelin village, is the chief researcher leading this crucial project."

Tibo stepped forward, his demeanor exuding a mix of determination and weariness. "Greetings, hunters of Gumboldt. I am Tibo," he began, acknowledging the assembly.

Mr. Brilliant, unable to contain his need for grandeur, muttered to Josh, "Why have one title when you can have two? I should be Chief Performer Brilliant, don't you think?"

Josh shot him a wry smile, silently acknowledging the eccentricity of his newfound companion.

"As you can see," Tibo continued, "we have five researchers here, including myself. We've been working tirelessly for the past six months, sifting through hunt reports and conducting field research to figure out what is going on."

Mr. Brilliant, with a theatrical flair, leaned toward Josh and quipped, "Six months, huh? I could've written a whole play in that time!"

Josh, maintaining a stoic expression, replied, "Focus, Mr. Brilliant. This seems serious."

Ignoring the subtle warning, Mr. Brilliant raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Serious or not, they could use a bit of entertainment in their lives."

Josh, shooting him a disapproving glance, whispered, "This is not the time for your theatrics."

"Well, a bit of humor might lighten the mood." Mr. Brilliant smirked. "They're taking this whole ecological imbalance thing too seriously."

As the misfit duo engaged in their banter, Tibo, sensing the gravity of the moment, continued, "Now is the time where we feel we should disclose what we found."

The hunters, their expressions growing more serious, listened intently. Some audibly gulped as worry crept into their collective consciousness.

"In short," Tibo continued, "we have been unable to find the root cause just yet. However, we believe there is a change in the ecological food chain that triggers these oddities in the world."

A murmur spread through the audience, speculation and concern etched on the faces of the gathered hunters.

A bold voice rose from the crowd, "Is it caused by a monster?"

Tibo nodded solemnly. "That is very much possible. If it is, then it is one that we have not yet discovered."

The revelation hung in the air, a puzzle piece yet to find its place. Another hunter, voicing the collective worry, asked, "Is there a possibility of rampages happening?"

Tibo's response weighed heavy on the gathering. "Unfortunately, yes."

The square erupted into a cacophony of voices, hunters expressing their fears and sharing tales of past rampages. Mr. Brilliant, sensing the rising tension, couldn't resist a theatrical sigh.

A hunter nearby, with a furrowed brow, muttered, "Rampages again? We can't catch a break."

Gartan, commanding attention, raised his hand and called out, "Calm down, everyone!"

The hunters gradually quieted, their apprehension simmering beneath the surface.

"Now is the time for us to be proactive," Gartan declared, his voice carrying authority. "This is why the hunters have all been asked to gather."

As the square buzzed with the weight of Gartan's words, Tibo stepped forward, his eyes scanning the hunter audience. "Both Gartan and the Researcher's Union urge all of you hunters to help us gather more data to get to the bottom of these ecological oddities."

Gartan interjected, "Gumboldt's Hunter's Guild will be assisting the Researcher's Union in this project. Every hunter belonging to Gumboldt needs to report to the Hunter's Guild immediately to be given research quests. You will be under the supervision of Captain Evon."

A ripple of movement surged through the crowd as hunters from Gumboldt prepared to heed Gartan's directive. Mr. Brilliant, however, couldn't resist injecting his usual flair into the situation. With a sly grin, he made a flirty remark about Lieutenant Ziri, eliciting a mix of eye rolls and amused chuckles from nearby hunters.

Gartan continued, his tone unwavering, "For those who belong to other Guilds, you too can report to the Hunter's Guild. Your research quests will be supervised by Lieutenant Ziri."

Brilliant, unable to resist the opportunity for a quip, muttered to Josh, "Ah, Lieutenant Ziri, the one who can command my heart into submission."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Focus, Mr. Brilliant. This is serious."

Gartan pressed on, addressing the gathering of hunters. "You will be given quests to aid our research efforts. However, you will not be able to choose your missions. The Researcher's Union and the Hunter's Guild will allocate quests based on the needs of the investigation."

Tibo, sensing the urgency of the situation, stepped forward. "Time is of the essence, and it is best that we begin immediately."

Gartan nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping across the assembled hunters. "Go, hunters. The fate of our world rests in your hands. Evon, Ziri, please take charge."

Evon, a seasoned figure with a sturdy presence, addressed the hunters from Gumboldt. "Follow me, Gumboldt hunters. We have work to do."

The crowd shifted as hunters from Gumboldt fell into formation behind Captain Evon. He led the way towards the Hunter's Guild's office, a determined stride in his step.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Ziri turned her attention to the hunters not affiliated with Gumboldt. "Those who hail from other Guilds, come with me. We've got a mission to fulfill."

As Ziri walked away, a sizable group of hunters from various regions followed in her wake. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the hunters dispersed, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Josh turned to Mr. Brilliant, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Seems like they're going to need our strength."

"Naturally!" Mr. Brilliant, ever the showman, responded with theatrical flair. "The magnificent Mr. Brilliant is always ready for a grand performance, especially if it involves saving the world."

Josh shook his head at the comment and began making his way towards the Hunter's Guild's office. "Let's get going. Time's ticking."

Mr. Brilliant, ever the one for dramatic entrances, declared, "Wait for me!" With that, he dashed to catch up with Josh, leaving behind a trail of muttered remarks from nearby hunters who had witnessed his flamboyant display.

Josh and Brilliant, accompanied by Gizmo and Shiro, headed to the Hunter's Guild. The gathering of hunters formed a bustling crowd, and the exterior of the guild echoed with the hum of anticipation. Two lines snaked through the guild entrance, hunters patiently waiting for their turn to receive their quests.

As Josh and Brilliant joined the queue, the line slowly progressed. The duo found themselves inching closer to the administrator's desk at the front of the line. The administrator, a focused and efficient woman, greeted them with a professional smile. "Good afternoon."

Josh returned the greeting with a nod and a polite "Good afternoon." On the other hand, Brilliant, never one to miss an opportunity, leaned in with a charming grin. "Afternoon, my dear. A vision as radiant as the moonlit night."

The administrator, taken aback for a moment, quickly cleared her throat and regained her composure. Ignoring Brilliant's antics, she proceeded with her duties. "Where are you both from?"

Josh answered, "I'm from Rima."

Brilliant, with a flourish, declared, "Ah, I am the pride of Jovia, the one and only Mr. Brilliant."

The administrator, maintaining a professional demeanor, nodded. "Thank you. Let me check the available quests for you."

As she sifted through the quest listings, Brilliant couldn't resist muttering to Josh, "No appreciation for true charm, I see. Some people just don't understand greatness."

Josh rolled his eyes at Brilliant's remark, choosing not to engage in the banter. The administrator soon returned to the duo, her focus back on the task at hand. "Are you a group?" she inquired.

Josh was about to answer truthfully, stating that they were not a group, but before he could speak, Brilliant interjected with theatrical flair, "Indeed, we are a pair of the greatest hunters the land has ever seen."

The administrator raised an eyebrow at Brilliant's self-proclaimed greatness. "Quests for pairs are all assigned, but I do have a quest for three people teams. You might want to find someone else to add to your party."

Brilliant, undeterred, flashed a confident grin. "Fear not, my dear administrator. With Mr. Brilliant in the team, two is more than enough."

The administrator sighed, "Sorry, but Lieutenant Ziri's orders are clear. Hunters must satisfy quest prerequisites before being approved for a specific quest."

Brilliant let out a dramatic moan, prompting a few hunters nearby to cast curious glances in his direction. Meanwhile, Josh surveyed the guild, searching for a potential third member for their team. His eyes fell on the person queuing behind them, a female hunter with a ponytail, wearing a turquoise hakama with a blossom pattern, carrying a large ornate bow.

Turning to her, Josh asked, "Would you like to join our team for a quest? We need a third member."

The archer, caught off guard by the sudden proposition, responded with a perplexed expression, "What?"

Brilliant, hearing a female voice, immediately turned around with an exaggerated flourish. His eyes landed on the archer, and without missing a beat, he began to flirt theatrically. "Ah, the fairest of the huntresses gracing us with her presence. Join our team, and together, we shall conquer the unknown!"

The archer, slightly taken aback by Brilliant's over-the-top approach, glanced at Josh, seeking an explanation for the eccentric hunter's behavior.

Josh, offering an apologetic smile, said, "I'm sorry, I just met him today. He's... quite the character."

Brilliant, undeterred by Winter's apparent skepticism, continued his persuasive charm offensive. "Ah, my dear lovely huntress, fate has brought us together for this grand adventure. Join us, and you'll witness the magnificence that is Mr. Brilliant in action!"

"Quests for pairs have all been assigned today," Josh explained, attempting to bring the situation back to reality. "We have a three-person team quest, but we lack one party member. Would you be interested in joining us?"

Winter, with a wry smirk, replied, "Fine, this saves me time. Name's Winter."

Josh nodded, relieved. "Great, I'm Josh."

Brilliant, as if announcing his grand entrance to a theater, cheered elatedly, "And I am the great Mr. Brilliant!" He turned to the administrator with a flourish, declaring, "Fear not, fair administrator, for this trio shall conquer any quests given to us!"

The administrator, unfazed by Brilliant's theatrics, turned to Winter and inquired, "And where are you from?"

Winter, with a deadpan expression, answered, "Taruno."

Brilliant, with an exaggerated gasp, exclaimed, "Ah, the mystique of Taruno! A perfect addition to our ensemble. Let the adventure begin!", which drew a sigh from Winter.

The administrator, undisturbed by Brilliant's theatrics, calmly filled out a form before handing a scroll to the newly formed trio. She explained, "Your quest is to go to Silverpine Grove and capture a large Great Jagras there."

A moment of silence hung in the air as the trio processed the information. The administrator, sensing an unspoken question, inquired, "Is there a problem?"

Brilliant, his anger issues flaring up, burst out, "That's too damn easy! I expected a challenge, not some walk in the park!"

Winter, with a sarcastic smirk, quipped, "Well, Mr. Brilliant, I'm sure the Great Jagras will be quivering in fear at the sight of your magnificence."

Ignoring the subtle sarcasm, Brilliant continued to protest, "This is an insult to Mr. Brilliant's incredible skills! We're supposed to face peril, not babysit a Jagras!"

As Brilliant made a ruckus, drawing the attention of all the other hunters in the guild, the administrator maintained her composure. The episode closed with the trio, now faced with a seemingly simple quest, contemplating the twists and turns that awaited them in the unfolding adventure.