"Ye?! Good afternoon! The boss' upstairs!"
The young Demon Hunter who could be considered a regular was a familiar face to the bartenders and bouncers there. Even though they did do a double-take when they saw the state Ye Qi was in, one of the bouncers still gave him the location of Old Walter. After nodding at the friendly bouncer, Ye Qi walked upstairs. Similar to the night before, two African American mountains of a man still stood guard over the landing. However, they did not even acknowledge the young Demon Hunter.
After pushing open the door, a cacophony of voices crashed at Ye Qi like a palpable wave. It was similar to how it was downstairs, with the exception of beauties in provocative attire and people pushing drugs.
Acting as the Demon Hunter Branch for the Tarlin State, the Old Timer's Bar was more than a place for demon hunters to receive quests, it often also acted as a base or pit stop. After all, there had to be communication among the demon hunters as well. Naturally, people like them could not congregate at a common location so the guild branch for each state was the best choice.
Due to the property of Erebus creatures to be active at night, demon hunters too had gotten into the same habit to stalk their prey, therefore, the branches were normally quiet during the night and rowdy during the day.
Therefore, most Demon Hunter Guild Branches were decorated as café or establishment like that. However, there is always an exception. For example, a certain money-face vampire modelled his branch into a bar so that he could make income both in the morning and at night…
"Ye, don't me you've been swallowed by those kitties downstairs? I know you have your needs but you have to consider your future!"
The old merchant spotted Ye Qi walking through the door even though the place was crowded. Of course, he would not give up the opportunity to throw in a verbal jab at the young Demon Hunter considering the state he was in. If this was any other occasion, Ye Qi would have retorted immediately, however, Old Walter was not going to rain on his parade that night, he just gained a new profession. Nothing was going to dampen his spirit. He pulled out the wrapped bat wing and tossed it on the table. The knot of the bag came loose, exposing the item within.
"Vampire wings!"
The room was silenced immediately. Everyone's gaze fell on the vampire wings that suddenly materialized on the bar counter. Their eyes burned greatly like they could melt glass, it was a mixture of envy, disbelief and greed.
In this unique group of people, Demon Hunters were delineated into levels. Other than the Apostles, Hallowed Artefact Users and Heaven's Scars, normal demon hunters were separated into three general levels as well, they were the Amateur Demon Hunter, Registered Demon Hunter and Expert Demon Hunter. Amateur Demon Hunters referred to rookies who had been in the business for less than two years, Registered Demon Hunters were experienced hunters over two years of works while Expert Demon Hunter were Registered Demon Hunters who had passed certain tests by the Guild—Tests like hunting a Noble Vampire or other such Erebus creatures.
Vampire Wings were the obvious symbol of a Noble Vampire! Ye Qi who returned with one to complete his quest obviously had escaped from the rank of Amateur and became quite possible an Expert Demon Hunter. Of course, it was more than just a change of title or else these people wouldn't have reacted so strangely—Expert Demon Hunters would be given 100,000 worth of paper money sponsored by the Guild annually and could enjoy 80 percent discount for service and information at any Demon Hunter Branches. Furthermore, the Expert Demon Hunter with the most contribution would be rewarded with a Hallowed Artefact at the celebration held every five years at the Demon Hunter Guild Headquarters!
Hallowed Artefact, that represented a giant leap in power! Those who had access to this power meant that he or she was a man above man! However, there were only so many Hallowed Artefacts that had been inherited through history, laying hands on one was harder than reaching for the skies. To get one from the Demon Hunter Guild Headquarters was the easiest method of all. This was why the title of Expert Demon Hunter was so important, even though it did not guarantee the path to a Hallowed Artefact but being an Expert Demon Hunter was the perquisite to starting that path!
Ye Qi of course understood the meaning behind the many gaze that fell on him. If this was earlier, Ye Qi would have privately handed the bat wings over to Old Walter. However, for the young Demon Hunter who had gained a new power, namely spellwork, Ye Qi wouldn't mind going for show.
This was because Ye Qi understood the most basic law of survival among the ranks of demon hunters—the survival of the fittest!
Indeed, underneath all the rules and laws created by the Demon Hunter Guild, the core was still survival of the fittest! Even though the guild had evolved over the years, the core wouldn't have changed, or else why would the people at the top be given so many perks and special treatment?
When he heard about this differentiation in ranks from John, Ye Qi understood instinctually this law which the demon hunters in general abided by. Therefore, before gaining a measureable amount of power, Ye Qi had kept a low profile because he knew his fellow hunters were not above snuffing his life out if it could help advance their own career. Even John would not have been able to help him if that happened!
However, after gaining some spells, the veritable symbol of power, he felt like he could extend his limbs about within the ranks of demon hunters without attracting the attention of those up there—If Ye Qi had somehow stumbled upon a level 9 spell though, he wouldn't mind taking issues with the upper echelon of the guild, or even overthrow them to create his own rules.
Of course, that would have to do after he gained more power. Currently, Ye Qi just wanted to use this bat wing to attract the attention of a few "Knife-sharpening Stones" to solidify his position as a rising demon hunter with Apostle-esque powers. Hopefully, that would deter others from planting target on his back. It was better than people hearing through the guild's grapevine that he had gained some new power and thus putting himself on the hit list. Ye Qi would rather attract the trouble himself rather than wait for the trouble to come to him. After all, a punch right to the face is easier to dodge than a shot in the dark.
There was no lack of individuals in the world who could not stand seeing others faring better than themselves. In other words, the world was never short of jerks. Before Old Walter could say anything, a figure appeared from the crowd to block the young Demon Hunter's way.