Eldris considered lying but decided against it. "I don't have one."
"I'm sorry, sir, but we can't conduct business without Hunter identification," she replied.
"Isn't there any alternative?" Eldris pressed.
"Unfortunately not," she said. "This is Association policy - I have no discretion in the matter."
"Alright then, how do I join the Hunters Association?"
"We require proper identification first," she explained. "Then you must complete some tests. If you pass, you'll be recognized as a Hunter. If you fail... well, that's another matter entirely."
"Can I use a temporary ID?" Eldris asked.
"No, we need permanent, verifiable documentation. Without it, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for you."
Just then, an angry voice boomed behind Eldris: "Hey! Get out of the way! How long are you going to stand there? Finish up and move! I'm in a hurry!"
Eldris turned to see a rough-faced man with an enormous sword strapped to his back.
"Excuse me, are you speaking to me?" Eldris asked calmly.
"Yeah, you!" the man sneered. "Who else would I be talking to, pipsqueak?"
Eldris rolled his eyes, nearly facepalming. He thought, "God, what did I do to deserve this streak of bad luck?"
Before the brute could continue, Eldris retorted: "Can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation here? Do you think I came here to waste time? Think before you speak - if you're capable of thinking, that is. They say some people have brawn but no brain - you must be the living embodiment of that saying."
However, where there are bones, there are always scavengers.
The crowd had been drawn to their argument like moths to a flame. When they saw the dramatic size difference between the two combatants - the hulking warrior and the lean newcomer - most spectators pitied Eldris. The mismatch reminded them of David and Goliath, though few believed this story would have the same biblical outcome.
"Another scapegoat," chuckled a man with corpse-pale skin and completely black eyes that made him resemble a walking corpse. His mutation, not undeath, caused this disturbing appearance. "Well, this should be entertaining."
"Has this been the fifth or sixth victim this week?" another bystander muttered. "Ursula's been particularly active lately. When will someone intervene?"
A woman nearby snorted. "Like hell anyone will step in. Have you forgotten about the third victim?"
The man paled. "Oh. Right." He immediately fell silent.
Eldris caught fragments of these whispered conversations. So this brute had a history of bullying newcomers? Why did I have to be today's target? My luck truly seems cursed lately, he thought with an internal sigh.
"Hey, deadhead!" Ursula bellowed, her face flushing crimson. "Are you ignoring me? Do you have a death wish?"
Eldris' temper finally snapped. "Hey pig-headed nigga!" The entire hall gasped at his choice of words. "Are you blind? Even if you were, those cauliflower ears of yours should've heard my conversation with the receptionist! Did your parents neglect to teach basic manners? Or are you simply too stupid to comprehend common decency?"
A stunned silence fell across the hall before erupting into scattered laughter. Even the receptionists paused their work, more interested in the unfolding drama than their duties.
"You..." Ursula trembled with rage as she drew her massive sword. "Did you just call me nigga?!"
From her reaction, Eldris realized he might have misstepped - but he refused to back down. "Yes, I called you nigga. Should I add 'bitch-ass' to it? Would that help, dickhead?"
The volcano of Ursula's temper finally erupted. "YOU BASTARD!" she roared, charging with sword raised. "I'M A GODDAMN WOMAN! CAN'T YOU TELL?!"
This revelation triggered fresh waves of laughter. Some spectators even gave Eldris approving thumbs-up.
"What?" Eldris dodged the clumsy sword swing with ease, the blade striking the magically reinforced floor without leaving a mark. "Did a dog shit on your face? Or did you fall face-first into a forge? Even if that happened, what excuse explains that voice?"
Steam might as well have been pouring from Ursula's ears as her rage doubled. Now nearly the entire audience was laughing openly.
"Ursula, that's enough!" the receptionist called out. "It was an honest mistake!"
"SHUT IT!" Ursula screamed. "I saw you laughing too! I don't care how long it takes - he's leaving here in a body bag! Mind your damn business!"
Tired of being a spectacle, Eldris focused on his enraged attacker. When Ursula charged again, he sidestepped and delivered a precise punch to her jaw. The impact sent her sprawling, several teeth clattering across the floor.
"I firmly believe in gender equality," Eldris declared as she groaned on the ground. "Don't expect special treatment just because you're a woman - not after attacking me twice with lethal intent. And let's be honest - nobody would guess your gender at first glance."
"Someone give this man an award!" a chubby spectator wheezed through laughter. "He's murdering her without even trying!"
The crowd's sympathy had completely flipped. Where they'd once pitied Eldris, now their mocking gazes fell upon the humiliated Ursula. She wished the floor would swallow her whole.
"Now get out of here," Eldris said dismissively, "you pathetic excuse for a woman."
Ursula staggered to her feet, spitting blood. "This isn't over," she snarled. "When I return, you'll regret ever crossing me!" With that final threat, she stormed out.
As normal activity resumed, Eldris approached the receptionist. "I hope defending myself wasn't against any rules."
"Technically no," she admitted, "but I fear for you nonetheless."
"Why?"
"It's not Ursula you should worry about. Her sisters... they're something else entirely."
Eldris raised an eyebrow. "Sisters?"
"They call themselves the Blood Flame - just the three sisters in their little gang. While Ursula's relatively weak, her sisters... let's just say they're borderline psychopaths who dote on their baby sister."
"And where are these delightful siblings?"
"On a month-long hunt," the receptionist said with visible relief. "They left two days ago. Thank your lucky stars."
Eldris frowned. "If I should be grateful, how strong are they?"
"Both have reached the first level of Saint Stage." She gave him an appraising look. "Though curiously, you seem to be emitting an aura at the fourth level of Sage Stage yourself..."
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