The guild buildings are not far from the western entrance as if to state that it is the most visited location for travelers coming from the west. It probably is. All hunters in the area will regularly gravitate towards this branch. It is actually a series of buildings. Kira takes over explaining as this is her arena. Coming down the western road, there is a huge set of buildings to the north that make up the main guild buildings. This included a large common area, an indoor arena, the task distribution offices, the dismantling team's workshop and even larger storage areas.

Beyond these buildings, out of site, are outdoor training grounds used by hunters. On the south side of the town are the hunter dormitories and private inns heavily used by better off hunters. The rest of the town stretches out beyond. It is a decent sized town. Sounds from markets and workshops can be heard in the distance. As we entered the main guild building, a large room opened up in every direction. The notice boards to my right only partially succeed in hiding the large common area to my right, but straight ahead is the main interest of hunters.

Behind several counters several guild workers diligently addressed queries, provided consultations or provided remuneration for completed tasks. One counter is specifically designated for sale of materials. As most of our work here will involve selling the large stores of materials I have in my storage, we approach this counter first. There is only one person ahead of us in the queue.

I have previously consulted Lawra on the best way of raising funds using the content of my storage. Though we might get a bit more if we sold direct to traders for some materials, the profit was barely worth it when handling larger amounts. The guild works as a middleman, and due to being the largest recipient of many key materials, they maintained a monopoly of sorts. However, if they excessively boosted their profits, hunters might start selling direct to traders, rather than via the guild. Though they have a monopoly as middle man, they do not have excessive monopolistic power.

Lawra explained that the power of the guild did not rest on their monetary power, but rather on the strength of their members, the hunters. Thinking about all the facilities they have built in the town, it make sense that they value their members. They spend a lot of efforts investing in them, this in turn breeds loyalty to the guild. Using my analyze skill I notice the large number of high level people in the hall. Interspersed in between these level hunters are a lot of low level female hunters. There is also a long queue of low level people going to one of the counters.

Lawra explains that the that counter is for commercial jobs, which mostly low level members take, as they are unfit for combat. She is probably also referring to herself and Lynne. Before I get a chance to ask more it is our turn at the counter.

"Good afternoon, how can I help you?" I explain that I want to register as a hunter with the guild. Remembering that this is the material sales queue, I hurriedly explain that I chose this queue because I got a lot of stuff to sell as well. The friendly receptionist explains; "Don't worry too much about the sign." She is pointing to a board above the reception. Crap, that is supposed to be writing! I thought it was supposed to be decoration. I need to ask the girls to teach me to read and write.

The girl a the counter continue her explanation. "The signs are more of a guideline. All counters can deal with all requests, but since sales of materials tend to take longer, we ask people who have a lot to sell to use this counter." "If I may say so myself, you already look like a hunter to me, but you are saying that you have not become a member yet?" The receptionist is clearly prodding for my origins. What do I say? Will they be suspicious of me, since I don't have a background.

Lawra comes to the rescue. She explains how I grew up in the wilderness, but originate for from elsewhere. She also adds on plenty of juicy details about how I saved them all from a goblin horde all by myself. Before she starts to make up too much I interject; "There were only about 60 goblins and 1 hobgoblin, and as I remember, the killing blow to the hobgoblin was delivered by Kira." I pull out the goblin ears from my storage.

The look on the face of the receptionist goes from amused by Lawra's lively story to amazed when she sees the stacks of ears spilling out on her counter. "And here I thought your girlfriend was bragging about you." "The bounty on goblins is 1 large copper per kill and 1 small silver for every hobgoblin. We only use royal minted coins at this branch."

Looks like they will pay you for goblin kills even if you aren't a member, but most people would probably struggle making a living out of killing goblins. From what Lawra has explained to me previously, the currency used is either copper, silver or gold. Each comes at a small size and a large size. The large is equal to the weight of 10 small coins. The exchange between the three metal currencies fluctuate, but a general measure is that 100 small copper coins should equal 1 small silver coin, and 100 small silver coins should equal 1 small gold coin.

Most people seem to live off copper and silver. Copper gets you food, and some cheap shelter. Most other things in life seems to cost more. I am still not sure what the implications of royal minted coins means, but Lawra seems happy with the declaration by the receptionist. The receptionist measures out the 60 large copper coins and the small silver. "Are there bounties on any other creatures?" "There is a bounty on kobolts as well, as they have been causing some deaths among hunters and civilians at the frontier."

"I killed 6 of them on my way here. We ran into them just as we passed through a mountain pass from the west side of the mountain range. What do you want as proof for their death." "We usually ask for their head, as it is the easiest way to identify, but we are willing to look at what evidence you bring." She clearly does not think I will bring out all 6 bodies from my storage. Bringing out one from my storage with my right hand clasping its neck I reply: "It is just that I got all six in my soul storage, and I didn't want to cause a mess on your desk."

I seem to have drawn some stares with my latest attempt at humor, but at least I can hear a bit of laughter. The receptionist looks at me asking very seriously; "Do you really have six bodies in your soul storage? Are you a mage?" As she says it I remember the girls reaction when I showed them how much I can store. Is this going to be a problem? Probably not, but I would rather not attract more attention.

"Is there a place I can offload?" I ask the girl at the counter. She points to my left and tells me to meet her in the adjacent room. As soon as we come through the door the wafts the familiar odors of dismantling hits us. Odd how it does not leak into the main guild building. The receptionist emerges from another door. "This is our dismantling shop. We can provide you with affordable dismantling if you should so wish." "No thanks, there is a skilled dismantler in my group."

"Oh, Lynne, I didn't notice you at the back." The receptionist seems to survey my team for the first time. Looks like she knows Lynne. After noticing Lynne, she seems to remember that Lynne was in another party not so long ago. She asks her about it. Lynne explains what happened to the girls last party and how I come into the picture. She adds all the useful details that Lawra left out.

"Oh dear, when we are done I will need to write a report on the event. Will you be able to assist me with the details?" Her question is directed at Lynne who agree. I guess I will be mentioned in that report as well. "So let us proceed with the verification." The professional receptionist is back and fully focused on me. I dump the six kobolt bodies on the floor.

"That will be another 6 small silvers for the kobolt subjugation." "We would very much like to acquire the pelts of these kobolts and any mana stones. Is there anything else you would like to sell?" I wonder where to offload the rest of the stuff in my storage. "Do you have a large table and some storage containers?" She directs me further into the workshop to a large empty table with boxes stacked against the wall. I start bringing out stuff from my storage that I don't have any use for that is likely to be of value. My stone collection stays in my storage. So does all the raw materials I want to use for further crafting.

When I am done offloading, I know I will get a question about my soul storage capacity from the receptionist, so I head it off with a simple answer. "I got room for an awful lot in my soul storage, but I only know a little bit of magic." It seems to satisfy her. "It will take me some time to get this all priced up for you. Since it is your first time working with us, I will offer free dismantling of the kobolts. If you could settle in the common area or come back later I will have a price for you before the end of the day. We can proceed with your registration then. As we head back to the main guild building she quickly offers me the 6 silvers for the kobolts and see us off.