Orion felt more at ease after the meal, though his curiosity about this new world still lingered. Chloe, calm as ever, tilted her head for him to follow. It was time for the next step.
They walked through the busy streets until they reached a modern building—a sharp contrast to the older architecture around it. The guild resembled a massive convention center, with wide glass windows and a bold façade marked by the glowing symbol of a sword and shield.
The activity outside alone spoke of its importance. Adventurers of every kind were coming and going: some covered in blood and grime, others laughing loudly as they retold the tales of their hunts.
"That goblin almost got me! If it weren't for Pierre, I'd be dead!" a man in leather armor laughed.
"You really need more training, idiot! How do you almost die to a goblin?" his companion jeered.
Chloe and Orion stepped through the sliding doors and were met by a storm of voices, glowing mission boards, and the faint scent of metal and sweat—the mark of a place frequented by warriors.
"This is it," Chloe said, guiding him inside. "Here, you can register as a hunter and begin your journey."
The interior was far more advanced than any place Orion had ever visited. Bright, spacious, alive with holographic screens and digital kiosks—technology woven seamlessly into every corner. A massive screen dominated one wall, rotating through missions with details about rewards, difficulty, and requirements. Adventurers moved quickly between terminals, checking their status or picking contracts with practiced ease.
"This is where you'll register," Chloe explained, pointing toward a self-service kiosk. "Just enter your details, and the system handles the rest. Simple."
Orion scanned the hall, surprised at the sophistication. They approached a kiosk, and Chloe began typing quickly, following the prompts on the touchscreen. When it came time to register him, she entered a false name and marked him as a basic-level hunter. It was enough to grant him travel rights without suspicion and access to low-risk jobs.
While Chloe finalized the process, Orion's golden eyes lingered on the screen nearby, where dozens of missions scrolled by, each with monster sketches and warnings about dangerous areas.
"These missions… they're for hunting monsters?" he asked.
"Yes, but monsters can only be hunted inside dungeons," Chloe replied.
Orion frowned. "And what exactly is a dungeon?"
Chloe folded her arms, her tone patient. "Centuries ago, a powerful mage—working alongside his companions and the church of that era—created the dungeons as prisons for monsters that terrorized travelers and towns. Over time, guilds were formed to manage these places and regulate the monster population. Since then, the death rate from monster attacks has dropped drastically."
Orion absorbed the explanation, slowly piecing together how this era functioned.
Just then, the kiosk beeped, printing a sleek card—similar to a modern travel pass—bearing Orion's new name and identification code. He now had his hunter registration.
"All set," Chloe said, handing him the card. "With this, you can move freely between countries without official documents. And if you ever decide to take hunting seriously, you can attempt rank-up exams."
Before Orion could respond, a towering figure approached. The man was larger than Orion—a rarity. His grin was smug as he sized him up.
"Well, well. What do we have here? Pretty boy thinks he's an adventurer?"
Orion chuckled lightly, unimpressed. He met the man's gaze with a faint smirk.
"A giant who thinks he's strong."
The man's grin twisted into a scowl as he stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"Trying to act tough just 'cause you're standing next to a woman? Step aside, girl, before I hurt you."
Chloe said nothing, only watching with a faint smile. Orion, amused, stepped forward.
"She doesn't have to worry. After all… you're weak."
The insult struck deep. The adventurer's patience snapped. He moved to strike, but before he could even twitch, Orion was already there—his hand clamped around the man's throat like a vice. The man struggled, clawing at Orion's grip, but the strength crushing down on him was absolute. Within seconds, his body went limp, collapsing unconscious to the floor.
The guild hall fell silent. Every eye turned to Orion.
"What the hell was that?!" someone whispered.
"He… he didn't even see him move!" another gasped.
Orion released the man without a word and walked toward the exit as if nothing had happened. Chloe followed, still smiling faintly.
Outside, leaning against the wall, Ellie was waiting. Her sharp eyes tracked Orion with interest as she straightened up and remarked casually:
"Looks like you're already making a name for yourself."
Orion smirked, while Chloe let out a sigh. There was still much he had to learn about this world, but one thing was certain—he would never go unnoticed.