Chapter 57

The moment the curtain was pulled back, a wave of noise surged in, mingled with the complex scent of food, wheat beer, and a hint of sweat.

The smell wasn't pleasant—Shaji even sneezed right on the spot—but Aolang found it deeply familiar.

The Assembly Hall Tavern in Luokelake smelled exactly the same.

Even the hunters' enthusiasm was identical; several revelers, already drunk, raised their cups in greeting toward his unfamiliar face.

If his personality were more outgoing and lively, he could have joined their drinking circle immediately, and no one would have refused this new face as a little brother.

Unfortunately, he was still the reserved type; after nodding to express thanks, Aolang led Shaji straight toward the counter.

Noticing his arrival, the golden-haired receptionist behind the counter, dressed in an elegant suit, bowed slightly with a smile, "Hello, welcome to the Barubare Guild. I'm Hanna. Hunter Mr., how may I assist you?"

Aolang and Shaji exchanged a glance, both feeling slightly uncomfortable.

Shouldn't the receptionist be like that red-haired elder sister from Luokelake Guild, booming out, "You're here! What do you need?!"

Then again, that red-haired woman was the only guild receptionist Aolang had ever met—so who was the odd one out? Hard to say.

The receptionist's polite demeanor made Aolang a bit tense; Shaji, meanwhile, had curled up beside the counter, staring endlessly at the woman's golden hair.

In desert regions, hair color is mostly black or brown—deep tones—and some nomadic tribes have gray-white hair, like Aolang's.

Among foreign tourists visiting Luokelake, many had golden hair, but mostly pale gold or golden-brown; he had never seen hair as brilliantly pure gold as this receptionist's.

The receptionist noticed Shaji's gaze and smiled, ruffling the little creature's head, "Pretty, isn't it? It's dyed, you know—we Barubare people love bright, vivid colors.

Elu's fur can be dyed too—want me to recommend a shop? You could turn completely golden and glittering~."

Imagining himself as a golden Elu, Shaji shuddered, "Thank you, but no, meow!"

Shaji's interruption loosened Aolang's tension; he handed over his Hunter's Notes, "Two-Star Hunter Aolang, and my Hunting Partner Shaji. We're from Luokelake. Here's my credentials.

We plan to operate in Barubare for a while and wish to register here."

"Luokelake? The jewel of the Great Desert—a fine place," the receptionist smiled as she took the notes, checking them while chatting.

"Aren't you guys holding the Gourmet Festival over there? Don't you feel a bit sorry to miss it and come here?"

Aolang and Shaji looked at each other.

For outsiders visiting, the Harvest Festival and Gourmet Festival were indeed dazzling, major celebrations.

But for locals like them, who endured one every year, the appeal was minimal.

Besides, they'd both been members of the Citadel Guerrillas—what did large festivals mean? Endless overtime...

"Not... really sorry," Aolang offered an awkward but polite smile.

The receptionist tilted her head, "True~—I think the Brave Festival (the Barubare version of the Harvest Festival) is kind of boring too."

As Hanna spoke, her hands never stopped—registration was completed swiftly.

She closed the Hunter's Notes and returned them to Aolang with both hands; her tone, no longer the formal politeness of before, had grown noticeably warmer.

"Registration complete~! You're officially a member of the Barubare Guild now—welcome, Ahlun's Little Brother!"

"Thank you very much," Aolang said, taking back the notes.

Hanna stared at Aolang's still slightly youthful face for two seconds, "Ahlun's Little Brother hasn't even turned eighteen yet—just barely passed seventeen—and you've already advanced to Two-Star.

With a talent like you joining, the Guild Master will be overjoyed!

By the way, do you have lodging? I can arrange affordable Hunter's Huts for you."

"Not yet—if there's an empty Hunter's Hut in the Gathering Hall, that would be perfect," Aolang said, glancing at his memo pad.

On the page labeled "Tasks to Complete After Arriving in Barubare," guild registration and securing lodging were the top two items.

"I'll take them," came a gentle, intellectual female voice. A woman wearing glasses and draped in a dark green shawl approached.

She appeared to be in her thirties or forties, radiating unmistakable scholarly air.

"Guild Master Sophia," the receptionist straightened instantly, clasping her hands before her abdomen and bowing deeply.

Only now did Aolang and Shaji realize this woman was the Guild Master of Barubare Guild.

So young? He'd assumed all guild masters everywhere were like that bearded old man.

Seeing the widened eyes of the human and the cat, the woman named Sophia guessed their thoughts and smiled faintly, "The Old Guild Master is elderly—I only took office last year and am still quite inexperienced."

"Hello, Guild Master Lady," Aolang snapped back to attention, bowing slightly and briefly introducing himself.

"I know you," Sophia's smile deepened. "The Guild Master of Luokelake wrote me a letter specifically.

He said Luokelake finally produced a genius, only for him to vanish mysteriously to my doorstep—and that he'd raise commercial taxes by one percent because of it."

"..." Aolang had no reply.

"Come now, don't take it seriously—that tax business was just a joke. He meant for me to look after you."

Aolang fell silent. Over the years, he'd received too much care—he felt a heavy, unrepayable shame rising in his chest.

"Don't overthink it. Looking after juniors is natural—you young ones just need to grow well," Sophia smiled, then turned, "Come with me—I remember there's an empty room on the third floor."

Aolang and Shaji followed, led by Guild Master Sophia to a room on the third floor, near the Dragon Ship's deck.

The room was small—less than twenty square meters—clean and simple, yet furnished with a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair, storage chest—all necessary items.

The lighting was excellent; sunlight streamed through the round porthole, bathing the room in a warm golden-orange glow.

"Rent is 1000z per month—pay the receptionist monthly. Any problem?"

"Of course not," Aolang hurried to thank her; this was the local guild's Guild Master personally showing him the room—he was genuinely flattered.

"I'm glad you like it." With that, Guild Master Sophia turned to leave—but at the doorway, she paused, remembering something, and turned back.

"By the way, Barubare relocates periodically. It's December now; the next move should be in February. Since you've just arrived, many things may feel unfamiliar.

When you have free time, talk more with locals—you'll get plenty of useful advice. Be more open, make a few friends—you'll grow to love this city."