Chapter 28: Bounty
The Hunter Guild was as bustling as ever. Compared to other seasons, it was even more crowded during winter.
Aside from a few hunters who were either powerful or daring, very few dared to leave the base to venture into the wilderness during this season.
Most hunters spent their time resting peacefully or drinking and bragging at the bar inside the Hunter Guild.
In front of the Hunter Guild’s entrance, a taxi stopped at the door.
This time, Zhou Ming had brought back a backpack full of valuable spoils, so instead of being stingy and waiting for the tram, he called a taxi straight to the Hunter Guild.
“Eh, isn’t that the young guy who came to the Hunter Guild last time?”
“Seems like it.”
When they saw Zhou Ming entering the Hunter Guild, some hunters with good memories immediately recalled the young man who had come here a little over two months ago.
“Didn’t think that lone wolf hunter could bring back such a haul.”
“Look at those backpacks.”
“His luck’s a bit black, huh!”
Only two or three hunters who had seen Zhou Ming two months ago and were still frequenting the guild recognized him. Most others were simply gossiping about how a lone hunter could possibly bring in so much loot—wondering if he had done something shady behind the scenes.
Zhou Ming ignored the noisy chatter completely and headed straight toward the Hunter Guild’s task submission area.
“I need a private chamber.”
“Understood, we’ll arrange one for you immediately.”
Upon hearing his request, the guild staff quickly began making arrangements, and someone came specifically to receive him.
For hunters who had completed their missions but didn’t wish to display their materials in public, the Hunter Guild allowed them to rent private chambers to submit their items discreetly.
However, this required a fee of ten thousand Alliance Coins. Yes, ten thousand.
Although this might arouse others’ curiosity, it was still far better than letting everyone see exactly what he was submitting.
“Three low-tier serpent-type Ferocious Beast gallbladders, respectively from…”
“Three stalks of Serpent-scale Grass over a hundred years old, seventeen around fifty years, and one hundred and thirty-seven around ten years.”
“One heart from a Berserked low-tier Ferocious Beast—Violent Lion.”
……
Inside the private chamber, an elderly man with snow-white hair but a rosy complexion was continuously taking the materials handed to him by his assistant, examining their quality and grading.
Aside from Zhou Ming’s own harvested resources, there were also materials obtained from the three “Wealth Boys.”
Moreover, after Inkband evolved into a Ferocious Beast, Zhou Ming had returned once more to the territory of the Viperhorn Venom Python, where he found one remaining undamaged package—and from it, retrieved a Berserked Violent Lion’s heart.
It was thanks to this that Zhou Ming had such an abundant harvest this time.
“Young hunter, all your materials have been appraised. Which missions do you wish to submit them for?”
After sorting all the materials, the white-haired elder looked up and asked Zhou Ming.
The Hunter Guild regularly posted bounty missions seeking precious herbs and Ferocious Beast materials, issued by various factions. The rewards included not only Alliance Coins but also other items.
“The herbs go to the bounty posted by Dawn Pharmaceuticals. The Ferocious Beast materials to the one posted by Blackblood Industries.”
Zhou Ming had already decided beforehand to whom he would submit the materials.
“Please wait a moment, we’ll calculate your rewards.”
The staff in the chamber immediately began calculating the total bounty Zhou Ming would receive based on the missions’ listed rewards.
Moments later, the total was out—thirteen and a half million Alliance Coins.
For a lone wolf hunter, this was an astonishing fortune. For a team, it would simply be considered a plentiful harvest.
Zhou Ming was quite satisfied with the outcome and readily accepted it.
The two companies he chose didn’t offer any extra items, but their bounties were among the highest available.
Moreover, while the quantity he brought back was considerable, the quality of the materials could only be considered “qualified.”
“This is a Gold Card jointly issued by the Guild and the Alliance. It can be used freely at any medium or higher-level base across the Alliance. You can set your own password when you first access an ATM.”
“Also, your internal guild rank has now reached Black Iron Hunter, and you’ve earned 1,350 contribution points.”
Once Zhou Ming confirmed, a staff member promptly handed him a Gold Card and a badge, briefly explaining their uses.
“Thank you. I’d like to exchange for Beast Tamer knowledge.”
After expressing his gratitude, Zhou Ming made his request.
“This way, please.”
The staff smiled politely at the young Black Iron Hunter who also held the title of Beast Tamer and led him toward the exchange area for Beast Tamer knowledge.
On the second floor of the Hunter Guild, Zhou Ming saw only a few people moving around. Yet, the oppressive aura here was far stronger than on the first floor—he estimated there must be Official Rank Beast Tamers stationed here.
They entered a room made entirely of reinforced steel. A staff member handed Zhou Ming a booklet.
“Hunter, this booklet contains all the Beast Tamer knowledge stored by the Qinshan Hunter Guild. You may choose freely according to your contribution points and rank.”
“Once you’ve confirmed the knowledge you wish to exchange, someone will deliver it to you. You can only read it inside this room, and you must return the book before leaving.”
“If you require food or water, you may request it. However, if your stay exceeds one day, a fee of ten thousand Alliance Coins per day will be charged.”
“Oh, and do not damage any of the books containing Beast Tamer knowledge—or bear the consequences yourself.”
The uniformed staff member spoke expressionlessly as he handed over the booklet and delivered the standard briefing.
“Understood. Thank you for the explanation.”
Even when the other’s attitude was cold, Zhou Ming remained polite. After all, being courteous always worked in one’s favor.
Once the staff left and the door closed, Zhou Ming focused his attention on the booklet in his hands.
Knowing his contribution points weren’t abundant, he only flipped through the first few pages.
“‘Beast Space Opening Ritual’—100 points.”
Soon, Zhou Ming found exactly what he needed. Seeing the listed cost, he couldn’t help but sigh.
A hundred points didn’t directly equal a million Alliance Coins, but for an ordinary person, earning that amount was extremely difficult.
Without attending a Beast Tamer University or having a privileged background, one could only risk their life completing missions for the Hunter Guild.
Shaking his head, Zhou Ming didn’t dwell on it. He simply pressed the call button on the side.
When the guild staff returned, Zhou Ming clearly stated that he wished to exchange for the “Beast Space Opening Ritual” knowledge and its corresponding materials.
After confirming his request, it didn’t take long before someone arrived, delivering a pile of materials and a scroll made of beast hide.