One of the hard requirements for becoming one of the twenty-six seats was having Gym-level trainer strength, meaning at least three Gym-level Pokémon.
That condition alone blocked countless ordinary hunters.
With that kind of strength, most people preferred taking positions within the League. As for League wanted criminals, they were more inclined to join evil organizations like Team Rocket rather than the Hunters Guild.
'If we could recruit a trainer with Elite-level strength...'
Farlen was not sure whether the other man had any intention of joining the Hunters Guild. Although the guild's system was loose and did not care about a hunter's true identity, normal trainers generally looked down on hunters.
Pokémon Hunter was an awkward gray profession that wandered along the edge of League law. It was not considered an evil organization either, so it was often looked down upon.
Uncertain about Shiro's thoughts, Farlen added, "The twenty-six seats have the authority to mobilize hunters from any branch as long as they provide suitable payment... It's even possible to attack League Headquarters."
"Joining the Hunters Guild..." Shiro did not think there was anything wrong with it. In fact, he was quite interested. No one knew his identity anyway.
As long as a hunter hid their identity properly, even a League Champion could become one.
If nobody knew he was a hunter, then he was not one.
But there was one issue.
If he had to start from the lowest rank after joining, it would be far too troublesome and a waste of time. Shiro had no intention of wasting energy climbing hunter ranks.
Seeing signs that Shiro might agree, Farlen hurriedly explained the guild's simple promotion rules.
It was the rule established by the founder. Anyone who seized a highest seat's token after defeating them could directly apply for that seat.
After passing the required strength verification, they could immediately become one of the twenty-six seats.
"Actually, since the Hunters Guild's twenty-six seats have never been full for years, as long as a Gym-level trainer is willing to join, they'll definitely obtain one of the seats..."
The moment the old man finished speaking, Shiro immediately agreed.
"Good. If there are any procedures, take me there directly."
Originally, he had planned to use psychic powers to force information out of Farlen. But now that he could infiltrate the guild directly, there was no need for such trouble.
Besides, with Mesprit around, even if something unexpected happened and things turned hostile, he would not be in danger.
He could also use this opportunity to see whether he could meet the Hunters Guild's leader…
"Please wait a moment. I need to report this to Lord A."
Farlen bowed slightly and exited the room.
* * *
The old man covered his bald head excitedly and hurried toward the end of the hallway. After entering a secret room nearby, he took out a communication device.
Bzzzt!
The ringing quickly stopped, and a hoarse middle-aged man's voice came from the other side.
"F, what is it this time?"
"Lord A." Farlen's voice turned flattering. "Do you remember the person I mentioned before... the one holding W's old token and the one who stole a Team Rocket executive's Pokémon before selling it to—"
Before he could continue, Hunter A suddenly raised his voice and interrupted him in obvious surprise.
"He's back at the Hunters Guild again?"
"It's more than that, Lord A." Farlen hurriedly added. "He already agreed to join the guild. He only needs to go through the procedu—"
Not giving him a chance to finish, Hunter A rudely interrupted again.
"Where is he right now?"
"Uh..." Farlen quickly reacted. "At the Jubilife City branch, my station."
"Good. Bring him directly to headquarters." Hunter A's voice became low and heavy.
"Directly to headquarters?" Farlen paused, then said hesitantly, "According to the rules, shouldn't he first complete a missi—"
Hunter A interrupted him once more, sounding extremely impatient.
"Stop wasting words! I want to see him within half an hour!"
"Yes, Lord A."
Even through the phone, Farlen still bent over respectfully.
Beep!
After the call ended, the old man's flattering smile quickly turned serious before shifting back into a respectful expression.
Keeping his head slightly lowered, he walked out of the secret room and returned to the guest room where Shiro was waiting.
"Sir, please follow me..." Farlen extended his hand in invitation.
"Let's go."
Shiro stood up.
* * *
The hallway outside was dimly lit, and the ceiling ahead seemed covered by a thin layer of shadow. Red carpet lined the walls and extended seamlessly across the floor.
Following the old man, Shiro soon arrived at the end of the corridor.
After turning two corners, they reached an inconspicuous corner.
As Farlen pressed a hidden button on the wall, the nearby wall instantly blurred, and a flash of psychic light flickered past.
A sealed platform appeared before them.
At the center stood a huge black machine. The hemispherical surface split open, revealing an entrance large enough for two people to walk through.
"Please enter." Farlen bowed respectfully.
Shiro did not move and silently looked at the old man with his head lowered.
This machine was most likely related to psychic powers, but its exact function was unclear. He was not foolish enough to walk inside recklessly.
"This is a psychic teleportation device developed by our guild... There is absolutely no danger."
After speaking, Farlen stepped inside first and explained apologetically, "I forgot to explain earlier. Since the twenty-six seat hunters are part of the guild core, we need to head to Hunters Guild headquarters. I'll use it first to show you..."
As he spoke, he pressed a glowing green button inside.
In an instant, pink light flashed brightly and the machine's door suddenly shut.
Farlen disappeared from inside.
"So he really teleported away..." Shiro muttered softly.
His psychic power had remained attached to the old man the entire time, so he could clearly sense the surrounding spatial fluctuations. It truly resembled teleportation.
Yet the Hunters Guild actually possessed this kind of technology.
The League had only just begun researching advanced combinations of psychic powers and technology.
The Pokémon transfer device Shiro previously revealed had already shocked the League research community… yet the Hunters Guild already possessed human teleportation technology.
Were there Pokémon professors among these hunters too?
While he was thinking, the machine in front of him flashed again.
Farlen walked out, and even the wrinkles on his face carried traces of smug satisfaction. Raising his head slightly, he proudly asked, "You should be quite confused, right? If you've paid attention to the League Research Association... then you should know that the League's newest technology is merely a Pokémon transfer device invented by some bratty young researcher."
Shiro expressionlessly nodded slowly.
"Our technology is far superior to what that newly promoted professor created."
Farlen proudly patted his chest before walking back into the machine.
Shiro followed him inside and carefully examined the interior.
The inner shell was silver-white and extremely smooth. It seemed to be made from some kind of material capable of amplifying psychic powers.
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