Chapter 6: The Passionate Girl

The Guerrilla girl tried to pull Aolang along, but after a tug, she found she couldn't budge him; only then did she notice that he was half a head taller than herself.

Though his build wasn't as exaggerated as those Heavy Weapon Hunters who were like little giants, he was still much taller and more robust than an ordinary person.

"Sorry, I think you might have misunderstood something."

Aolang, not liking to take advantage of others' kindness, explained seriously: "I am a local of Luokelake, so I do have a place to stay; I simply don't want to go home for certain reasons, nor do I want to rent a room at the Assembly Hall Tavern."

"As for breakfast, as compensation for affecting your work and causing trouble, I will treat you."

Saying this, Aolang lifted his money pouch and shook it, indicating that his wallet was still quite full.

The Guerrilla girl let go, tilted her head, and scrutinized him again. "Don't want to go home for certain reasons? Had a falling out with your family? Ran away from home?"

"More or less," Aolang said, shifting his gaze guiltily.

"Hahaha, I get it, I get it, Little Brother! Not to hide it from you, I've been through such a period too!" The Guerrilla girl patted his shoulder hard.

"By the way, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Reisha. As you can see, I am a member of the Citadel Guerrillas. This child here is Shaji, a partner who patrols with me!"

Elu, following beside the girl, also waved her paw.

She had slightly long fur, with a sandy gray-yellow color as the main tone, and some discontinuous black patterns on her body (Sand Dune Cat); this was the unique fur color of Elu in desert areas.

Her size was a bit small; looking at her face, she should be an underage little one.

Aolang nodded separately to the girl and Elu, and also briefly introduced himself: "Aolang, One-Star Hunter, please treat me well."

"Oh ho, you're not an apprentice, but an Official Hunter who has successfully advanced?" The girl named Reisha glanced at the One-Handed Sword behind Aolang. "A Light Weapon Swordsman, just right. By the way, our Guerrilla team is always recruiting; are you interested in learning more?"

Aolang originally wanted to politely refuse, but then he thought, he did not mind joining the Citadel Guerrillas to hone himself; from another angle, perhaps this was also an opportunity to prove he could be independent?

"Can I work part-time?" Aolang asked tentatively.

Reisha smiled until her eyes narrowed; the fact that the other party asked this meant they were interested in the Citadel Guerrillas' work, but still had some reservations in their heart.

This was normal; if the other party hadn't even thought about it and immediately said "I want to join!", she would instead suspect they hadn't used their brain.

"Let's go! Talk while we eat; after eating, I'll take you to see Boss Qiaoda." Reisha tilted her head. "Our Citadel Guerrillas aren't just anyone can enter; whether long-term or otherwise, the Boss's nod is needed."

"Is this okay?" Aolang couldn't help but ask. "Aren't you two still on patrol?"

"It's fine! It was just a routine patrol anyway; in a moment, I'll say hello to a partner and ask them to help keep an eye on this area!" Reisha smiled happily.

"You just want to slack off, meow." That Elu named Shaji couldn't help but speak up.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Reisha flicked her ear, which was slightly larger than a normal Elu's. "My enthusiasm for absorbing fresh blood into the Guerrilla team is genuine!

Alright, expressionless Hunter Little Brother, let's go quickly! If we're late, the breakfast shop will have no seats left!"

"Alright." Aolang, who had nowhere else to go anyway, followed the bickering human and cat.

Since they were all locals, they naturally didn't go to those strange shops specifically opened for tourists, but found a lively stall in the residential area where locals gathered.

The food provided here was also very simple: pouring olive oil over hot bean paste, the fresh fragrance of freshly squeezed olive oil was instantly steamed up by the heat, making one's appetite open wide.

Paired with freshly baked flatbread and sweet tea boiled with dried dates, plant protein plus carbohydrates; this was the breakfast locals were most accustomed to.

It looked simple and unadorned, but for desert residents like them, it was the most reassuring taste; the price was affordable, and the portion was large enough; Aolang also silently noted the location of this stall in his heart.

He could come here again in the future.

After eating and drinking their fill, Reisha patted her belly contentedly. Just as she was about to pay, she found Aolang had already paid first; she couldn't help but smack her lips. "Tsk, you kid. Alright, next time I'll treat."

"Shall we go see Boss Qiaoda now? Or do you have something else to do?"

Aolang thought for a moment. "If possible, I'd like to go to the Workshop first. Yesterday I just finished a hunt and returned from the hunting ground; my weapons and armor need cleaning and maintenance."

"It shouldn't take too long, and besides, this might give a better impression?"

"Oh oh, sure! Smart kid! The Boss often says things like 'Equipment is a warrior's life!' He will definitely like you!"

"You're happy too, meow, able to slack off for even longer, meow." Shaji suddenly said.

"Nonsense! My Hunting Bow also needs maintenance, okay? And I also need to replenish some Arrows!"

"Shouldn't these be things done in personal time, meow?"

"Why are you cats so serious!"

"Actually, I also feel it's a bit too much of a waste of Young Lady Reisha's time." Aolang spoke up at this moment. "You two can continue your main duties; as for meeting the Guerrilla leader, I have no problem doing it myself."

"Ah ah! Why are you both like this! Damn it, so you two are actually partners, right?" Reisha said irritably.

"And! Little Brother Aolang, why have you always been using such a respectful yet distant tone? We Desert People don't speak like this! Who did you learn it from!"

"..." Aolang was silent for a few seconds before answering. "It might be because my teacher is from Jieyun Village over there."

"Western Continent people (Note), ah, then no wonder." Reisha pushed the table, stood up. "Let's not waste time here; let's go quickly! I'll take you to the Workshop I know! Everyone in the Guerrillas maintains their weapons there; no need to queue!"

Reisha ran off in a hurry; Aolang and Shaji exchanged a helpless look and quickly followed.

The Workshop Reisha spoke of was not large in scale, but judging by the number of weapons and armor stored here, business must be very good.

The boss was a big sister dressed coolly; the sun-style tattoo on her shoulder was the most common symbol in Luokelake.

"Boss! I brought a newbie to maintain weapons!"

After greeting, Reisha turned to Aolang. "Why are you just standing there stupidly? Take off your Armor and Weapons quickly and hand them over!"

After some contact, Aolang, who had gradually gotten used to the girl's personality, nodded to that female boss, and then took off the Armor on his body piece by piece, placing them on the counter.

The boss glanced at the Hunter Set he handed over, then tossed it to the helpers behind her to have them clean and maintain it; this kind of novice-level equipment didn't require her to spend much effort.

But when she took the Weapon Aolang handed over, the boss's expression became strange.

She flipped the Hunter Dagger and the matching Shield over and over to examine them several times, looked up at Aolang, then looked down to continue checking, repeating this back and forth several times.

"Boss, what are you looking at? Isn't it just the most basic Hunter Dagger?" The impatient Reisha couldn't help but ask.

The Workshop boss ignored her, instead staring at Aolang and asking without pause: "You kid, exactly how do you use a One-Handed Sword?

The edge of the Shield is severely worn; do you use it as an axe? And the sword part too; the blade is chipped off in such a large piece; did you use it to split monster skulls?

No? You don't look like the type with an exaggerated build of strength; how can you use a One-Handed Sword like this?"

Aolang turned his head slightly, somewhat embarrassed, and mumbled vaguely: "My way of using a One-Handed Sword is quite special..."

"You really should stop using a One-Handed Sword. Change to another Weapon; it's better for you, and better for it."

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PS. The Weapon the protagonist will mainly use in the future is not a one-handed blade, but since his foundations are unstable in all aspects for now, he is using it temporarily.