The hunters were panicking.
Every hunter who came to Mir knew the terrifying tale of the beast tide that once ravaged this place. But that event, which happened nearly a century ago, had become nothing more than a distant legend. None believed it was something they'd ever have to face in their lifetime.
Thus, when hearing that a second beast tide was around the corner, chaos erupted.
The hall was filled with noise as hunters debated their next steps. Some wanted to flee with their families. Others discussed how to evacuate the city's population. There were even talks of seeking aid from other regions.
Yet, not a single soul suggested standing up and fighting against the beast tide.
Master Luo felt a sense of déjà vu watching the scene unfold. Back when he and the old guild master were still carefree children, the Hunter's Guild had been in the same state of panic the day the disaster struck.
The heroes who made their legendary last stand all those years ago hadn't intended to be heroes. Heroes are simply those who, when left with no other choice, stand up to face the storm.
But if given a choice—one that didn't violate their core principles—no one would willingly sacrifice themselves.
That was, if there was a choice.
Master Luo let out a long sigh before speaking up again, his voice cutting through the noise, "We have no choice but to fight."The entire hall fell eerily silent once again after Master Luo said this.
The hunters turned their gazes to the old man, awaiting his next words. They were all aware he was the only one in the room who had lived through the last beast tide.
"Perhaps some of you are thinking of fleeing, of arranging an evacuation, of setting up defensive choke points and retreating gradually," the old man said slowly. "But this isn't an army we're facing; it's a beast tide. None of those strategies will work.
"Beasts won't follow roads. The wilderness is their domain. When the tide descends, they will be everywhere.
"These beasts aren't coming for us specifically; they're simply fleeing in panic. Any lone stragglers will just become their snacks along the way.
"Beasts may need to rest, but they can go for days, even weeks, without resting. We aren't the same. We need sleep and can't see well at night. And sure, some of these creatures are like us and struggle in the dark, but in a beast tide, the question isn't which beasts won't show up but how many will.
"And many beasts are nocturnal, after all.
"As for reinforcements… Don't think for a second that we'll be the only ones affected by the tide. The cities closest us will be hit as well, and they'll be looking for help too. Sure, other places might send aid to them, but…"
Master Luo sighed heavily again.
"We are on our own. Some of you might think our role is to be the wall that holds back the tide," he continued. "But the beast tide is like a storm on the ocean. It's not targeting us specifically; we just happen to be in its path.
"They won't relentlessly attack us, but there will always be starving creatures that will try to breach our defenses. Our job is to hurt them enough to make them retreat. But even just doing that… costs the lives of every hunter in the last beast tide.
"Yes, in the beast tide, this city is nothing more than a lone boat out on the ocean.
"And we, the hunters, are the cannons defending that boat.
"You must be prepared because behind us are countless ordinary people in this city; your friends, your families. Stepping off this boat in the middle of the storm means that death awaits them.
"We have no retreat."
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The staff was pristine, as smooth as white jade. A gorgeous blue gem hung at the tip, and barely visible intricate carvings were etched along its long, sleek body, though it felt perfectly smooth to the touch.
"Mm, this staff is not bad," Yaine remarked, examining Calidora's new staff. "Top-quality materials and craftsmanship, and the price is reasonable. It's odd that no one has bought it until now…"
"Well, it is Mir, after all," the old craftsman chirped from his rocking chair. "This place is a battlefield for hunters, and healers aren't exactly in high demand here."
"That's true. Mages are rare among hunters, and healers even rarer." Yaine nodded. "No wonder water-attribute staffs aren't selling well."
"Exactly. I was planning to sell it to the merchant guild, but this young lady had her eye on it, so I held on to it for her." The old craftsman chuckled. "There aren't enough healers around here. We need to take care of the ones we have, or who will patch up these reckless kids when they get hurt?"
Hearing this, Calidora opened her mouth but hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "Actually… we're just passing through."
"Hah. Don't worry about it." The old craftsman shook his hand dismissively. "I never said I'd only help those who stay. We just like to take care of our healers. After all, if we treat healers well, more will come."
"Uh… I guess that makes sense." Calidora eked out a weak smile.
Seeing her this way, Mervant quickly changed the topic. "By the way, Yaine, didn't you also want to buy a staff for Brother Liu Ji? Have you found one?"
"Oh? Someone else needs a staff?" The old craftsman caught out and glanced at Liu Ji, who had just been called "brother."
He scrutinized Liu Ji for a bit before asking curiously, "Hey, what's this kid's race? I've never seen anyone with such green hair before…"
"He's, uh… maybe a potato who gained sentience after a thousand years," Mervant jested. "See those little ones following him? Maybe they're his juvenile form."
"Haha! Don't take me for a fool, boy. I've seen my share of mages, and I know a familiar when I see one." The old man chuckled. "No way these little things turn into a human. But speaking of which, this little brother doesn't seem like much of a mage either…"
"He's only just started a while back. I'm looking to buy him a practice staff," Yaine explained.
"Oh, is that so?" The old craftsman nodded. "Then, what does he usually fight with?"
"Uh…" Yaine eyed Liu Ji, then answered uncertainly, "His fists, most of the time, I think…"
"Hmm, then a staff might not be the most practical. How about this?" The old man got up, walked to the shelf, and drew out a gemstone-studded bracer which he tossed to Yaine.
"An alternate-form staff?" Yaine was surprised. "You don't see many of these."
"They are rare in most other places but are quite common here." The old craftsman grinned. "Hunters need both hands for their weapons to fight against giant beasts, so the traditional staff-and-weapon combo isn't very practical. Most magic-wielding hunters need something like this."
"It's a good idea, but this one isn't quite right." Yaine handed the bracer back. "Do you have anything better? This one is a little too basic."
"Too basic, huh?" The old craftsman raised an eyebrow. He was surprised, but he didn't make an objection. After all, if the customer wanted something better, who was he to complain?
He scanned Liu Ji's hands, mulled for a bit, then disappeared into the back room. A few moments later, he returned with a dark brown bracer, simple in design but embedded with four differently colored gemstones.
"How about this one? It's made from the shell of a juvenile Earthsoul Armored Dragon and has gems for all four elemental attributes," he explained. "It should be perfect for someone who's just started dabbling in magic and wanting to practice different styles."
"Mm, this is not bad." Yaine examined the bracer. "How much?"
"Three hundred gold Kaga," the craftsman replied.
Calidora looked him in the eye.
"Of course, we could haggle it down to 180… Ah, what the hell is wrong with me today." The old man winced, realizing his slip-up.
"180 it is. Thanks." Yaine smiled, handing the bracer to Liu Ji. "Here, wear this. It's your new staff."
"Huh? There are staffs in this form? That's convenient!" Liu Ji's left hand morphed into sand, slipping through the bracer without even needing to undo the straps.
"Well… Now that's interesting," the old man said, clearly intrigued.
"Alternate-form staffs are great because they let you wield other weapons at the same time," Yaine explained. "But the downside is that the magic residue will touch your body directly, which can be tricky when using offensive spells. Try this out for now, and if it becomes a problem, we can get you a traditional staff later."
"Make sure you come back and see me when that time comes," the old craftsman chipped in with a grin.
"Oh? You know incantation, too?" Liu Ji asked in pleasant surprise.
"Of course. A craftsman that can't use magic is just a blacksmith." The old man chuckled. "Will you all need anything else?"
"I'm good," Yaine said, turning to Calidora and Mervant.
"We've got everything we need," Calidora replied with a shake of her head.
"What about you?" Yaine looked at Liu Ji. "Anything else you want?"
"Well… That, uh…" Liu Ji scratched his head awkwardly. "But I don't really have money…"
"Don't worry. Just put it on Yaine's tab." Calidora chuckled. "Might as well spend the cash while we're here and lighten our load for the road."
"Are you sure that's okay?" Liu Ji glanced nervously at Yaine.
"Don't worry about it." Yaine knocked him lightly on the head. "I've got plenty of ways to earn money."
"Well, in that case…" Liu Ji rubbed his nose, glanced at the potatoes beside him and swallowed nervously. "These little fellas said… they each want a weapon…"