After a brief five-minute wait, it was finally Alex's turn to approach the counter. The woman behind it immediately caught his attention.
She was dressed in a form-fitting outfit that accentuated her figure, clearly intended to showcase her assets.
While she may not have been considered exceptionally beautiful, her confident and alluring demeanor had a captivating quality that could easily draw people in. Alex couldn't help but notice the way she presented herself.
Her choice of attire and the way she carried herself exuded an air of self-assuredness that could make anyone take notice. In this post-apocalyptic world where appearances and allure held their own kind of power, this woman knew how to leverage her charms.
As Alex approached the counter, he was met with a charming smile from the woman. Her voice was equally enticing as she greeted him, "Hello there, handsome. Congratulations on becoming a hunter. How can I assist you today?"
It was clear that she had mastered the art of making newcomers feel welcome and appreciated, all while maintaining an aura of intrigue. Alex couldn't help but be intrigued by her in return as he began to explain his purpose at the counter.
"Hello, I'd like to deposit the money for the next upcoming training session. My name is Alex Thron, and here's my ID - xxx99xxx," Alex provided his details while retrieving five thousand dollars in cash from his side pants pocket. He reluctantly handed over the money, understanding its necessity.
"Additionally, I'd like to obtain my temporary hunter license, and I'm interested in inquiring about a loan," Alex calmly stated, maintaining a polite demeanor and wearing a forced smile.
"Of course, sir. Please give me a moment," the young woman replied, her friendly smile never wavering as she proceeded to assist him with his requests.
The lady took a moment to process Alex's information, and upon seeing his F rank and lack of elemental affinity, her expression soured. She couldn't conceal her disdain, muttering under her breath, 'Tsk, poor bastard.'
Alex's low rank and lack of mana affinity meant that he could never become a mage, a path that required a strong affinity with elemental magic.
Additionally, his low rank and absence of elemental affinity hindered his progress within the hunter rankings. This combination of factors made it challenging for Alex to advance in his career as a hunter and limited the opportunities available to him within the hunter profession.
Her tone became notably less polite as she curtly asked, "What do you need?"
Alex found himself taken aback by the sudden shift in her demeanor. It was clear that she had noticed his low rank, which seemed to tell her all she needed to know. While he understood the inherent unfairness of society, the encounter still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He quietly resolved, 'I need to become stronger, and quickly.' The encounter only fueled his determination to prove his worth as a hunter and defy the low expectations society had of him.
"Ma'am, I need my temporary hunter license card and I also require a loan," Alex calmly stated.
"Wait a minute, there's no issue with the hunter license, but for a loan, I'll need to check with my senior," the lady responded in a cold tone.
Alex felt a surge of frustration because he knew that a loan typically only required the hunter license, and the additional delay was both unnecessary and inconvenient.
"Mam, I think you don't know that for a loan in the Hunter Association, one only needs their hunter license," Alex retorted with a cold voice, his patience wearing thin. Everyone had their limits when it came to anger, and the lady in front of him had just crossed that line.
"What do you mean I don't know? Do you even have a thousand dollars in your life?" she responded angrily.
The tension in the air escalated as Alex clenched his fists, his voice firm, "I may not have a thousand dollars now, but I'll have much more in the future. You should treat every hunter with respect, regardless of their rank."
The lady's face turned red with anger as she slammed her hand on the counter. "You insolent brat! You think you can lecture me?"
Their argument drew the attention of others in the room as they watched the heated exchange unfold. The hunters and staff members gathered around the counter started to take notice of the escalating scene, and whispers of gossip spread among them.
"I think you need to learn how to treat people. I may be an F-rank, but that doesn't mean you can treat me however you wish!" Alex retorted his anger now clearly visible.
"You... Do you even know? You can't even get a loan!" the lady shot back, her tone dripping with condescension.
Just as the argument reached its peak, a portly man in his mid-thirties, with a noticeable belly, entered through one of the back doors. When he saw the commotion, he inquired, "Leena, what's going on here? What's all this commotion about?"
Startled by the man's presence, Leena quickly put on a facade of fake tears and rushed towards him. "Manager Albert, this man was trying to start a fight with me! He even cursed our Hunter Association!" she exclaimed, her acting skills worthy of an award.
Alex was taken aback by Leena's performance and couldn't help but think, 'She could win an Oscar for this.'
"Hey, boy, it seems you need a lesson in manners. How dare you curse inside the association's HQ?" Manager Albert said angrily, his face red with irritation.
"Sir, I think there's a misunderstanding here. I never cursed the Hunter Association. I was simply asking her about what's required of me. If you have any doubts, you can ask anyone around here, and they can confirm who's in the wrong and who's in the right," Alex calmly stated. He realized that prolonging the argument would only lead to trouble.
Manager Albert, looked around with a playful smile, clearly warning the people present that supporting Alex could have consequences. Most of the new hunters were hesitant to take a stand, not wanting their hunter licenses to be banned.
As Alex looked around and received no support, he understood the power dynamics at play in society. People often talked about equality, but when it came to real-life situations, few were willing to speak up.
Seeing the lack of response, Albert grew more agitated. "No one's saying anything? If not, then get lost. Security, ban this person's hunter license and never allow them inside the Hunter Building again," he declared coldly.
Just as Alex felt defeated and angry, a sweet voice from the back broke the silence. "I will vouch for the fact that this person is telling the truth."
The shock that rippled through the crowd was palpable. Everyone was stunned, including those who had previously kept quiet. Albert and Leena were no exception. The person who had spoken up was none other than Amelia Cromwell herself.