After what seemed like a strenuous process, the orc’s healing was finished as Redrum was left slumped in his seat, and Astrid sitting herself at the table finally with a sigh.
"Not to mention...an orc in your party," Billy glanced over. "Definitely an interesting lot."
"What about you?" Noah asked curiously, looking at the peculiar man. "You’re awfully friendly."
"Well, forgive me if I’m overstepping, hah," Billy laughed lightheartedly, tilting in his seat before leaning forward. "Y’see, I’m not the kind of adventurer that slays monsters or tracks down lost treasures."
"Err..." Otto suddenly looked on edge.
Noah raised an eyebrow, "Isn’t that what adventuring is all about? What do you do, then?"
"I hunt people," Billy admitted.
The words were spoken without any room for play, immediately bringing his fingers to tighten around the axe he held close.
As seamlessly as a shadow washing away with light, the salt-and-pepper adventurer’s expression eased, holding his hands up, "Woah there, I’m not here to hunt any of you. Let me finish–I’m a bounty hunter; specifically, I track down real troublemakers."
"I’m guessing you’re from out of town then?" Noah asked. "Must be here looking for somebody."
Billy had a pleased expression, "Perceptive, ain’t you? Yeah, I am looking for somebody last seen in Tiras, in fact–an adventurer."
"An adventurer? Seriously?" Otto questioned.
The pale-skinned bounty hunter nodded, "A real bad one. Name is Cassius, Behemoth rank. As the story goes, he joined a party of five others when they discovered the entrance into a lost dungeon south of Yarshire. When they reached the treasure, let’s just say–he made sure he didn’t split with anyone."
"That’s horrible...Somebody like that shouldn’t be free to roam," Astrid lamented with a shake of her head.
"Very true, little missy," Billy agreed. "Not the first time my guy has walked the path of criminals."
"That’s not it?" Noah asked.
"Believe it or not, no," Billy entertained the question. "According to some adventurers, they’ve been beaten down by him and had their quests stolen. He’s a real troublemaker."
"Yeah, sounds like he crossed a line that there’s no going back from now though," Noah remarked.
Billy tapped his fingers against the wooden surface, looking right at the newcomer, "Say, you don’t have a quest under your belt yet, do you, Mister Noah?"
"Well, we–" Otto tried to say.
The entirety of Billy’s attention was placed on Noah, not so much as glancing over at the archer as he continued speaking, "I’ve got some intel that Cassius is taking base in some mines east of Tiras. Apparently it’s been abandoned for some time, but has been occupied by kobolds–until recently, I’d say."
"You want us in on this? Why? You’re a Titan rank, right? Should be light work for you," Noah asked, though finding himself somewhat intrigued.
"Problem is, our guy has some friends, as it would seem. A real band of no-good thieves and killers, I’d reckon," Billy said, sliding his boots off the table. "Cassius is my only target, I’d like to keep it that way. Get what I’m saying?"
"Sure, but what’s in it for us?" Noah asked.
Billy smirked, his ethereal eyes seeming to sparkle under the faintest light, "This is a job straight from the World Guild. So, I’m authorized to pay out any partners that may help me out, out of their pockets, of course. A win for both of us."
"Yeah, sounds pretty appealing," he considered, rubbing his chin.
The eccentric bounty hunter stood up from his seat, tipping his hat, "Think it over. I don’t need an answer right away. But, if you do decide to make a name for yourself, meet me east of Tiras, between the giant bones
Noah didn’t say anything, only considering it in silence with the others as the man took his leave from the Guild Hall. There was some hesitancy in the danger of the mission, though he knew it wasn’t just his choice.
Astrid twiddled with her thumbs, sitting right beside him, "I think it’s a good opportunity."
"It’s dangerous–" Otto immediately responded, across the table.
While the point was made, their conversation was intercepted by screams echoing down the hall, followed by rumbling, then multiple figures flying into the main room.
Noah looked over, finding several familiar rookies he saw by the Trial Hall grimacing on the ground, either being checked on by other adventurers, or laughed at.
"...Well, being an adventurer kind of entails danger, doesn’t it?" Noah remarked, reminded of the fresh memories of his trial.
"That’s true, it’s just...This is different from fighting goblins, or kobolds," Otto reasoned, holding his hands together. "All I’m saying is, let’s think this over."
"That’s what we’re doing right now, alright? Nothing’s decided," Noah assured, looking over at the orc, who hardly fit on his chair. "What about you, Redrum? Think you can handle something like this?"
Redrum quietly pondered, finding his words, "The truth is, I can’t see myself taking another life. It’s not just my refusal...Since that night, I physically grow ill at the thought of violence."
"Well, that’s certainly one way to change," Otto said sarcastically, folding his arms over his chest. "So, the big guy is useless in a fight."
"That’s not true," Redrum protested.
"Yeah? I don’t think hurling at the thought of throwing a punch is going to be much help when we’ve got killers on our asses," Otto waved his hands.
The four-armed giant explained himself, "If I absolutely must, I can fight, however–I will be a shield."
"A shield?" Astrid questioned.
"I will make sure harm reaches me first," Redrum promised. "They will have to go through me."
"I hope you’re not making that kind of claim on the assumption my sister will just heal whatever wound you suffer," Otto sternly called out.
"Of course not," Redrum rejected. "All I require is meat to bring along the journey."
"Meat...?" Otto repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"Meat," Redrum confirmed.