Michael watched the driver leave before turning his gaze toward the outer city.
With thoughts flashing through his mind, he observed his surroundings as he made his way toward the inn where he had slept the previous night—the same place where he had told the two youths who submitted to him to meet him.
'I wonder if they're there,' Michael thought.
Whatever the case, it wouldn't hurt to check.
As long as he stayed at the inn for a while, he should be able to see them—unless, of course, they had truly run away.
That was what Michael thought—until he suddenly came to a pause.
A moment later, he changed direction.
Michael recalled the quest he had submitted.
Though the reward money no longer mattered much—thanks to the wealth he had seized from the bandits—his hunter level was a different story.
Ensuring that his completed task was properly recorded was important.
Michael pushed open the doors of the Hunter's Guild, stepping inside.
His gaze swept across the hall until it landed on a familiar face—the receptionist he had attended to him and had given his bandit subjugation quest.
The young woman looked up from her work, her expression momentarily blank before recognition dawned in her eyes.
"You're back," she noted, her tone neutral but mildly surprised. "Here to report the task completion?"
Michael gave a small nod.
"I've actually come to officially report my quest completion this time. I stopped by yesterday, but the person who attended to me asked me to return later so the guild could confirm I had completed the task. Please check from your side."
The receptionist nodded, flipping through the documents in front of her before searching her desk.
After a brief moment, she finally turned back to Michael.
"Everything checks out. The bounty reward is still 200 silver coins and 20 credits. Would you like to use your credits now and also withdraw your reward?"
Michael leaned against the counter slightly. "I'll take the coins. I have no use for the credits now. Also can the reward be given in gold?"
The receptionist nodded, making a few quick notes on a ledger before signaling to a staff member.
"Your hunter level will be updated accordingly. With a few more tasks , you should be able to.become a bronze level hunter soon."
Michael couldn't help but smile lightly at this.
"You handled this job pretty quickly. Most hunters avoid subjugation quests against organized groups. You must be confident in your strength."
Michael met her gaze but didn't answer directly. Instead, he pocketed the coin pouch as soon as it was handed to him.
"Anything else?" he asked.
The receptionist shook her head. "No, that's all. If you're looking for more work, you can check out the ones on the task board. New tasks will be posted in the morning."
"Thank you." Michael gave a brief nod before turning to leave.
He still had a task he hadn't started yet so there was no use burdening himself with more.
Outside the guild building, Michael didn't even look at the coin pouch in his hand before tossing it into his storage space.
Michael made his way back to the inn where he had stayed the previous night.
As he stepped inside, his gaze swept across the common area, searching for any sign of Lia and Ace. However, neither of them was present.
'Not here yet, huh?' Michael thought.
Rather than waste time waiting idly, he approached the counter and ordered a meal.
The innkeeper respectfully responded in acknowledgment and called out to the kitchen.
A short while later, a steaming plate was set in front of him.
A hearty stew filled with chunks of meat and root vegetables, accompanied by a side of freshly baked bread. The aroma was rich, carrying a savory blend of spices that hinted at a slow-cooked broth.
Michael took a bite of the bread first—crisp on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. Dipping it into the stew, he let the flavors soak in before taking another bite.
The meat was tender, breaking apart easily, and the warmth of the dish spread through him, taking off the slight chill of the evening.
For a place as simple as this, the food was surprisingly good.
Michael didn't need to eat the way he had before awakening.
For a while, he had lived that way—ignoring meals entirely. But after coming into contact with civilization in the Land of Origin, he found himself returning to old habits.
Food wasn't just about nutrients.
It was a way of life.
It was a sin to ignore eating....
As Michael ate, he heard a voice behind him.
Turning his head, he spotted Lia and Ace approaching.
The two youths looked slightly hesitant at first, but upon catching his attention, they greeted him.
Michael swallowed his bite before asking, "Have you eaten?"
Lia and Ace exchanged a quick glance before shaking their heads.
Without waiting for them to say more, Michael turned to the inn owner. "Two more plates."
The man responded respectfully again in acknowledgment and disappeared into the back.
"You didn't have to do that my Lord," Ace murmured, though his gaze flickered toward Michael's food with clear interest.
Lia on the other side had a heavy look of conflict on his face though he turned to hide it.
Michael didn't bother with the two.
He simply gestured at the empty table on the floor they were in.
"Eat first. After that I'll rent a room for us to discuss."
"Yes my lord," the two responded with a slight bow and headed to the empty table to sit.
The food arrived shortly after, placed in front of Lia and Ace by the innkeeper.
The scent of the warm stew filled the air, causing Ace's fingers to twitch slightly before he picked up his spoon.
Lia, on the other hand, remained motionless for a few moments before finally lifting his utensil and beginning to eat.