The breaks in the lineup of the counters are passageways that lead to other parts of the ground floor.
He doesn't know what is in the other parts of the ground floor, but he had some guesses when he saw workers carry large carcasses from some counters to the area beyond the counter.
Some counters were small, and some were large. The small ones were only able to accoeone person while the large counters were able to accommodate more than one person.
After observing for a while, he could tell their functions by looking at what the people lining up at the two types of counters were doing.
The people lining up in front of the large counters were with one or more carcasses. These carcasses were the same ones that brought in earlier.
The people at the front of the line would place their carcass on the counter table where it is examined. Then the hunters would be paid, and they would leave.
The carcasses would then be dragged to the area behind the counter and disappear into another part of the building. So rarely does it happen that a carcass that enters the beast hunting center leaves.
As for the people lining up in front of the small counters, they were mostly chatting with the attendants behind the counters.
His observation, combined with the information he had acquired about how the Ten Thousand Beast Hunting Center operates, helped him determine where he should go.
He took Ruff to line up at one of the small counters. He selected the counter with the shortest line so that he wouldn't waste time standing.
His decision was correct. The type counter he chose was for registration. And because the line was short, he was attended to in 5 minutes. 15 minutes later, he had registered as a hunter.
There was no test or any need for a means of identification. He simply provided his name, paid the registration fee of 10 bronze coins, and got a white nameplate.
They didn't care about his identity or background. It didn't matter if he was a criminal on the run. All are welcomed in the Ten Thousand Beast Hunting Center.
He officially became a hunter. As a new hunter, his rank is the lowest. If he wants to increase it, he has to earn hunting points.
Hunting points can only be earned by delivering carcasses to the hunting center and exchanging them for money.
The money he will exchange the carcass for will be smaller than what is normally offered, but the beast hunting center will make this up to him with hunting points.
With hunting points, he will gain access to the other floors and restricted resources that the beast hunting center offers.
He looked around and spotted the exchange list on the wall. It was a list of things that every first-grade hunter as access to.
The things on it are inconsequential to him. It is until he reaches the second grade and gains access to the second floor that he will be able to exchange for anything meaningful to him.
One of the things he can get on the second floor is the basic mana technique needed to speed up the breakthrough from the third transformation of the first mortal coil to the fourth transformation.
He has done his research, so he knows that there will be many types of the basic mana breathing technique on the list on the second floor. They also came in the three versions of breathing, movement, and fighting techniques.
These basic techniques were the most expensive things on the list available to second grade hunters. As for the most expensive thing on the list in the first floor, it is the minor blood pill.
There were other things like weapons and armor, but most of the things on the list were useless to him. At least, he would be able to use the basic breathing techniques on the second floor for his dojo, so he couldn't wait to upgrade his grade.
He said to Ruff, "Let's get to work."
Ruff barked in understanding. This bark drew more attention to him.
A lady came up to him and said, "What a fine dog. Are you selling?"
He shook his head in rejection and continued on his journey.
His rejection made her disappointed. She said, "Pity. But don't leave yet. I still have another matter to speak to you about."
She had stepped forward to block his way. It made him frown.
He was still frowning as he asked, "What else do you want?"
She didn't mind his rude tone. Instead, she smiled and said, "Don't be in a rush. I have an offer that will help you."
He didn't speak. He remained silent as he waited for her to say her offer.
She too didn't speak. She was waiting for him to ask her what her offer is.
So the two of them began a staring contest. None of them said anything to each other.
Arthur wasn't in the mood for games, so he began to walk around her. She had to speak up then.
She asked, "Aren't you curious?"
He said no, "No."
"I said I want to help you, but you're still not curious. At this rate, you won't last long as a hunter."
He was beginning to be exasperated. He finally asked, "Are you going to say what your offer is or not?"
She shook her head and sighed as she said, "Look at the way you're acting. You make it seem as if I am the one asking you for help."
Arthur tried again to walk around her. She had to speak to up again.
She said, "Fine. I'll tell you what the offer is."
"I see that you're a new hunter. Your nameplate is white so you're undoubtedly a white lamb. The green forest is very dangerous for new hunters like you. In fact, it is dangerous for experienced hunters too. Many hunters die every day within it. White lambs like you die by the droves."
Arthur was getting impatient as she droned on.