Echoes of the Past

I was completely enchanted by the city, but quickly regained my focus. I needed to gather some information about how to hunt and sell goods, so I approached someone who looked like a hunter, carrying a sword and dressed in thick leather clothing.

"Hello, how do I go about hunting and selling the goods?"

"A rookie? Just head over to the guild, you'll find everything you need there."

"And where is this guild?"

"Just go straight that way, there's a huge sign with the name Sky Watchers." He pointed toward the city center.

Hmm... That was easier than I expected. I thought I'd have to pay for the information, considering everyone here probably operated on a money-first basis.

"Thanks."

We continued in the direction he indicated and, as we neared the city center, the number of hunters visibly increased. The streets had no merchants—only armed individuals carrying leather and various creature-derived items, many of which were completely unfamiliar to me.

When we arrived at what appeared to be the heart of the city, a grand square opened up before us, with carefully arranged benches around it, full of people. At the center stood a majestic statue of a warrior I didn't recognize; his determined expression and intricately sculpted armor suggested someone of great importance and bravery.

On his shoulder, a bird with outstretched wings seemed to watch over the square, as if symbolizing freedom or a bond with nature.

Just beyond the square stood the guild—a grand structure with robust and imposing architecture. Its stone walls were adorned with impressive symbols and emblems. At the main entrance, a massive sign displayed the name Sky Watchers, written in ornate, golden letters.

The number of people entering and leaving the place was impressive. I made my way to a spot near the guild, carefully tied up the donkey, and asked Clarice to wait there to make sure no one stole it. She was curious to go in and explore as well, but we couldn't leave the animal unattended.

Upon entering the guild, I found myself in a vast hall, lit by grand chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. Long, solid wooden tables stretched across the space, packed with hunters chatting animatedly, laughing, and exchanging stories about their adventures.

I looked around and noticed a counter where some guild staff were working, all dressed in elegant, uniform attire. I approached a woman behind the counter, who carried herself with a professional demeanor and alert gaze.

Her long brown hair was perfectly styled, and her green eyes conveyed a mix of warmth and firmness. Her dark blue uniform with silver details was impeccably neat, and a shiny badge gleamed on her chest, highlighting her position in the guild.

"Welcome! How can I help you?"

"How do I become a hunter?"

"If this is your first time at the guild, all you need to do is sign a contract to get authorization to sell the items you collect directly to us."

"I see. How do I find the hunting areas?"

"Over there in the corner is a large map with detailed explanations. The areas are divided according to the species of creatures found in each one, along with the items that can be sold and their respective prices." She pointed to the right side of the hall, where several hunters were gathered.

"Alright, I want to become a hunter."

"Here's the contract. Just sign it to receive your guild badge."

After a quick read, I saw the rules were simple and straightforward. By signing the contract, I'd be tied to the guild, able to sell only to them, with no side trading allowed in the city. On the other hand, I'd have complete freedom to hunt in practically any region, with no restrictions based on skill or experience.

However, all risk would fall entirely on me—the guild offered no protection or compensation for hunters in the event of accidents or losses.

I signed the contract and handed it to her. The rules were advantageous to me, as they guaranteed full freedom to hunt what and where I pleased.

"Sorry, but you need to provide your real name."

"What do you mean? That is my name."

"I advise you not to joke about this sort of thing. It can cause problems."

"I don't understand. That's my real name!" I raised my voice slightly, feeling irritation rise.

"Emy, is everything okay?" asked a firm voice behind me.

Turning around, I saw a man with a strong, well-built physique that clearly showed years of intense training. His slightly disheveled black hair reached his shoulders, and his gray eyes held a sharp, seasoned look.

He wore a dark tunic reinforced with leather and metal plates on the shoulders, along with sturdy boots—clearly used to rough terrain. On his back rested an imposing sword, making it clear he was a veteran hunter.

"Ulrich, it's nothing, just a misunderstanding. This young man seems to have written his name wrong."

"I didn't write it wrong!" I declared, slapping the counter firmly.

"Let me see."

Emy handed the contract to Ulrich. As soon as he read it, his eyes narrowed and he stared at me seriously.

"What is it?" I asked, frowning, not understanding his reaction.

"Guys, this kid wrote down that he's a Falconer!" he said, turning toward a nearby table full of people.

Everyone immediately burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the hall. Eldric couldn't help himself and joined in, his deep laugh standing out among the voices.

"What the hell is this?"

"Saito, if you want to be a hunter, you need to use your real name." He turned to me, speaking more seriously.

What is wrong with these people? I looked around and realized everyone was now staring at us—some with curious expressions, while others, like idiots, still laughed and enjoyed the scene.

"That is my name!"

"Hmm… if you keep lying, I'll have to remove you by force."

"You've got to be kidding me! My name is Saito Falconer, and my father's name is Elion Falconer."

When I said that, Ulrich's eyes widened in shock, as if he'd heard something impossible.

"Now I get it… Emy, you can accept the contract."

"If you say so, alright. Here's your badge. Be careful not to lose it, as you'll only be able to sell items with it." She handed me the badge, and I took it, still a bit annoyed.

"Saito, would you mind coming with me somewhere?"

"I don't have time for that. I'm busy with other things."

"I think this might interest you."

"Even so, I'll pass."

"I promise it won't be a waste of time."

I hesitated for a moment, but curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to follow him. If the receptionist knew him, he probably wasn't just some random stranger. If it turned out to be something truly relevant to me, it'd be worth finding out. Otherwise, I could just walk away.

We left the guild together, and I went to get Clarice, calling her to come with the donkey and the cart. With Ulrich's help, we found a suitable place to leave it, where other carts were also parked. Since the owner of the place was an acquaintance of his, I didn't have to pay for the stay.

We followed quieter streets, moving away from the bustling central square, until we reached a small, modest-looking house. The aged stones of the walls and the reinforced door suggested the place had stood the test of time. Ulrich stepped up without hesitation and began to open the door.

"What exactly are we doing here?" I asked, suspicious, as I kept a close eye on the place.

"I want you to meet someone."

As soon as we entered the house, a strong smell of alcohol hit my nose, forcing me to raise my hand instinctively to block the stench. The space was small and simple, consisting of a single dimly lit room.

In the center, an old wooden table surrounded by worn-out chairs showed clear signs of years of use. On the floor, crumpled clothes were scattered carelessly, adding to the feeling of disorder.

In the poorly lit back of the room, a worn-out bed stood out in the shadows. A small window allowed a faint light to enter, reflecting off shiny stones embedded in the walls, casting a weak and uneven glow throughout the space.

As we got closer, I realized someone was lying in the bed—and he wasn't alone. Two young women, completely naked, got up in a rush, their eyes wide in shock.

Clarice quickly covered her face with her hands and turned away, clearly embarrassed. Without a word, the two women grabbed their clothes from the floor, got dressed in a hurry, and rushed out of the house, avoiding all eye contact.

"What the hell, Ulrich! I told you not to come here anymore," the man grumbled, sitting up on the bed and taking a long swig straight from the bottle.

"Clearly, you haven't changed a bit. Get dressed—you have a visitor," said Ulrich, tossing some clothes at the man with a stern look.

"What damn visitor. You interrupted me for this? Get lost."

No way I came all the way here just to meet a drunk. What a joke… what a waste of time.

"I'm leaving," I said, starting to turn around, but Ulrich grabbed my shoulder firmly, stopping me.

"Wait. Saito, this is Eldrin Falconer—your father Elion's brother."

His brother? Are you telling me that this womanizing, booze-soaked man is my uncle?