A bulky bald head was looking down at me with a swarthy look in his eyes. Even with the presence of the soothing Kaina next to him, the atmosphere could not be neutralized.
Even though I knew that it was a facade to avoid being licked by treasure hunters, and even though I knew that the expression on his face was not meant to be a glare, I, a coward at heart, felt deflated when I sat in front of him.

For the first time in a long time, I had been kidnapped by the Explorers Society.
I think it's strange that Mr. Gark, who is supposed to be extremely busy as the head of the Imperial City Branch, would come all the way to the Clan House to capture me. I also want to say a few words to Eva, who lets my natural enemy, the head of the branch, through without any hesitation.

A few minutes passed before I was seated in the reception room of the Search Council, and I received a look that could kill a phantom by itself.
I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

'No, I didn't ...... cause it.

'Branch Chief, it sounds like you called me here to reprimand Mr. Cry.

I didn't wake him up, but I was getting ready to get down on my knees when I heard Kaina's chiding voice.
I'm used to being scolded. I was too used to being scolded, and Mr. Gark was too used to being scolded.

Mr. Gark looked a little unhappy and gave a small cough.

'I didn't mean it like that. There's a letter of thanks from Gladys. It's for you and Ark.

I don't know why the letter of thanks is coming to me, but if it's coming to me and Ark, then you should get Ark instead of me.
Unfortunately, I'm busy. I'm not lying, it's true.
The creation of illusions is really profound. I should go home and resume my practice of creating miniature imperial cities.

'And in addition to the letter of thanks, I have a request for you. The hunter-hating Count Gladys, you know. It looks like a bad deal, but the reward is good enough, it's a thank you and a test of strength. Take it.

A nomination request is a request that names a specific hunter or party, with the hunter's personal name listed in the order conditions.

A nomination request is a sign that the hunter is well known, trusted, and recognized for his or her abilities.
The requests tend to be more difficult, but the rewards are often higher, and depending on the client's rank, further glory is promised, making it a very profitable job.
When I received my first nomination request, we all celebrated together (I did not accept the request itself, by the way).

It was a formal request through the Explorers Society. When you're dealing with a nobleman, you have to be very careful. I confirmed the most important thing with a serious expression.

'Does it really matter who accepts?

'Are you out of your mind?

It was a request from a nobleman who hated hunters. It may be a great chance for the Searchers to show Sir Gladys the usefulness of hunters, but I definitely don't want to accept it.
Even without asking what it is, I can tell that it's out of my range of tolerance, and for a hunter who wants to retire, a request from a nobleman is nothing but trouble.

I pretend to be seriously worried and use my usual trick.

It's not that I don't want to take the job or anything ......, but I think it's better to leave it to Ark.

Mr. Gark sighed deeply at the words he said while looking at his face. Behind him, Ms. Chyna was smiling bitterly.
Mr. Gark, contrary to my expectations, said in a calm voice.

'You'd better take the ............. Cry, you haven't received any requests this term, have you?'

'Oh, the ...... quota. Is it that time already?

'It's no laughing matter, is it?

Hunters who belong to the Explorers Society have quotas to fulfill according to their certification level. If you fail to meet them for a certain period of time, you will be branded a disqualified hunter and receive a serious punishment of expulsion from the Explorers Association.

However, these quotas are a measure to prevent "hunters in name only" who register only their names but do not work, and expulsion from the Explorers' Association rarely happens.
The quota is an amount that you do not need to be aware of if you are a normal hunter. The quotas are relaxed when there is a reason such as a serious injury that prevents you from working, and even if you fail to meet the quota once, it is no problem if you meet it in the next period, so many hunters forget about its existence.

However, this system was an obstacle for me, who does not usually accept requests.
Thanks to the activities of the members of Footprints of the Beginning and Ghosts of Sorrows , my achievement points as the leader of the team were accumulating semi-automatically, but that alone was not enough to reach my quota.

I don't remember my quota, but basically, the quota is proportional to the level, the quality of the requests and the time limit for achieving them.
I frowned and thought about it, but no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't remember my quota. Yeah, ...... maybe you don't remember them in the first place.

'...... How many terms have I served?

'Three terms, you idiot! You'll be expelled, you crybaby!

The classification of terms is one term for half a year, so if this is my third term, it means I haven't done anything for about a year and a half.
Come to think of it, I remember being complained about in the same way half a year ago and last year.

Ms. Kaina smiled as if she was troubled.

'I know that Krai-kun didn't do anything, but ostensibly the only people who received the request were the other hunters. ......'

'No need to apologize, Chyna. It's up to Krai to say no when we offer to add you to the group.

Because I didn't do anything.

For example, it was Tino and the others who picked up the bones at the White Wolf's Lair, and it was Sven and the others who investigated the anomaly. How can I claim it as my achievement when I just threw away the request and did not do any hard work?
Besides, most of the hunter's requests have quantifiable rewards. If I were to pretend that I participated, the rewards for the other hunters would be reduced. In addition, since I am a certified level 8, the rewards and achievement points allocated to me will be large, and the other hunters will lose by that amount.

I'm willing to add my name to the list as long as it doesn't reduce the rewards for other hunters, but I can't afford to cause any trouble.
I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

'It would be unheard of if a Level 8 was expelled for not meeting quota. Wouldn't that be a good opportunity? If you don't go call them, they won't come for a long time.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.
...... I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused you.

But still, I was not motivated at all.

In the first place, my own feelings are not afraid of being expelled, and even if I were to accept a request, I would prefer a simpler request rather than a nomination request.
In addition to that, I also have a naive idea that even if I don't meet the quota, Mr. Gark will somehow cover it up. That's right, ......, you're a deadbeat.

Please send me a request to make a miniature of the Imperial City in a vision.

'Hmm, I'm actually a little mixed up right now. ......'

'Cly, you're always in a hurry, aren't you ......'

'Hmm? What are you messing with this time?'

Mr. Gark's cheeks tightened and his lips twisted in a smile that seemed almost intimidating.
This smile ...... completely exposes my lie.

I glanced at the calendar on the wall. There were still about three months left in the current term.
Anyway, even if I did decide to accept the request, I couldn't afford to make any mistakes with a request from a nobleman. I can't do it alone. I'll have to get a reprieve until Luke and the others return.

Just when I was in a happy mood with my new treasure, a headache arose.
I gulped down a cup of tea that I hadn't touched before, and clearly made my point.

'Well, there's still time, and I have my own schedule. I'll consider it positively while making adjustments.



'If you don't show up anytime soon, I'll call you back. Oh yeah, I'll just give you the request form that the Gladys family gave me.'

'You don't need it right now. I'll come back for it when I'm ready.

I have an ally I can count on. I don't have any pride, but if it comes down to it, I can get down on my knees and accept the request jointly with Ark.
There is also a loophole in the system of the Explorers Society. The quotas are manageable. The only question is how to pass on Sir Gladys's gracious request.

I'm tired of doing nothing. I'll go back to my room and play "Dancing in the Shadows" and see if I can't come up with a better idea.