My Slime Wife: Training and Pampering Her Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 21: Becoming Hunters [2]

Chapter 21: Becoming Hunters [2]

The waiting room was much quieter than Liam had expected.

About twenty people sat in rows of metal chairs, all staring at the same door at the end of the hallway.

Some nervously bounced a leg.

Others scrolled through their phones.

A few had their eyes closed, as though they were focusing before an important exam.

Liam sat down in an empty chair.

He rested his camera bag on his lap.

Almost immediately, a message window appeared before his eyes.

[Lydia: Thank goodness that receptionist was there.]

[Lydia: Because if it had been up to the guy with the glasses...]

[Lydia: We’d be out on the street right now.]

Liam chuckled softly.

’I can’t argue with that.’

[Lydia: That man is unbearable.]

’It’s not really his fault either.’

[Lydia: Yes, it is.]

[Lydia: He’s an idiot.]

Liam smiled again.

’I can’t wait to become a Hunter.’

’Just so I can see the look on his face when he has to hand me my ID card.’

The reply came almost instantly.

[Lydia: Hahaha.]

Liam discreetly looked at the other applicants.

There was an eighteen-year-old boy taking deep breaths.

A red-haired woman reviewing a notebook full of notes.

A muscular man flexing his arms with excessive confidence.

And another small group quietly discussing their Gifts.

’Everyone looks like they know what they’re doing...’

◇◆◇

Several minutes passed before...

The door at the end of the hallway opened.

Two young men walked out, chatting excitedly.

"I can’t believe they gave me Gold Rank!"

"Congratulations."

"You didn’t do too badly yourself."

"Silver isn’t so bad."

The young man sighed.

"Yeah... but I was hoping for something better."

His friend patted him on the shoulder.

"Don’t get discouraged. You can always climb higher. Everyone starts somewhere."

The two of them walked away down the hall.

At that moment...

The man sitting beside Liam let out a laugh.

"Mediocre."

Liam turned his head.

The man looked to be around thirty, with short hair, a leather jacket, and a piece of chewing gum constantly moving in his mouth.

The stranger smiled arrogantly.

"I’m certain I’ll get at least Emerald. That’s the minimum rank the Ace of Spades Guild takes seriously."

A message appeared before Liam’s eyes.

[Lydia: What are they talking about?]

[Lydia: What are these ranks?]

Liam answered mentally.

’No idea.’

[Lydia: ...]

’I’ll ask.’

He turned toward the man.

"Excuse me. May I ask you something?"

The stranger raised an eyebrow.

"Depends."

"How exactly do the ranks work?"

The man stopped chewing for a moment.

"...You’re serious?"

"Yes."

The stranger let out a small laugh.

"Well... At least you’re asking before embarrassing yourself."

He settled back into his chair.

"The rankings start at Bronze. Then come Silver, Gold, Emerald, Platinum, and finally Diamond."

Liam listened carefully.

"And can you move up?"

"Of course. Anyone can get promoted. But... the lower you start, the harder it is to climb."

He paused briefly.

"That’s why this guild usually only accepts Hunters who are Emerald Rank or higher."

Liam’s eyes widened slightly.

"I see..."

The man looked him over again.

"Though... Anyone trying to become a Hunter should already know that."

Liam smiled awkwardly.

"You’re right. I’m pretty new to all of this."

The man laughed.

"I’d already figured that out."

Then he crossed his arms.

"So... what’s your Gift?"

Liam hesitated.

"My... Gift?"

"Yeah. You don’t exactly look very strong."

Another message appeared from inside the bag.

[Lydia: He’s pretty blunt.]

[Lydia: I like him a little more than the receptionist.]

Liam almost laughed.

The stranger noticed his hesitation.

"You don’t have to be nervous. To break the ice... I’ll tell you mine."

Liam looked at him curiously.

"My Gift lets any projectile I throw land exactly where I want it. It never misses."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"How does that work?"

The man grinned proudly and slowly removed the chewing gum from his mouth.

He rolled it into a little ball.

Then he pointed toward a trash can several meters away.

"Watch closely."

With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the gum.

The little ball flew through the air.

At first it looked too high.

Then too far to the right.

Liam was certain it was about to splatter against the wall.

But...

At the last instant...

The gum slowed down.

Its trajectory shifted ever so slightly.

And it dropped cleanly into the trash can.

Plop.

The man smiled proudly.

"What do you think?"

Liam’s eyes widened.

"That’s incredible. If it works on bullets too... that must be an incredibly useful ability."

The man nodded.

"Exactly. I don’t need to aim. I just have to fire."

Another message appeared.

[Lydia: I’d like to see him fight a dragon by throwing chewing gum.]

Liam had to press his lips together to keep from laughing.

He took a deep breath.

The man asked again,

"And you? What’s your Gift?"

Liam rested a hand on his bag.

"I..."

He was just about to open it when...

A metallic voice echoed throughout the hallway.

"Mr. Liam Davis, please report for your evaluation."

Everyone in the hallway immediately turned toward him.

Liam stood up and picked up his bag.

He smiled at the man with the chewing gum.

"I’m a Tamer. My ability is connected to a companion beast."

The man’s eyes widened slightly.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"It was nice meeting you. I hope you get the rank you’re aiming for."

The stranger smiled.

"Same to you."

"Good luck."

Liam gave him a small wave and started walking.

As he made his way down the hallway...

He could feel everyone’s eyes fixed on him.

Some of the applicants looked nervous.

Others simply curious.

When he reached the door...

He took a deep breath.

’It’s time.’

[Lydia: I’m with you.]

’I know.’

He opened the door.

◇◆◇

The room was enormous.

Far bigger than he had expected.

The floor was covered in a black rubber-like material.

Training equipment was scattered throughout the room.

Combat dummies.

Practice weapons.

And a large window overlooking an even bigger training gym.

Liam had barely taken two steps...

When he heard a familiar voice.

"Liam!"

He turned immediately.

A tall woman with white hair and light armor was walking toward him with a smile.

Millie.

The towering shield-wielding Hunter.

The same woman who had protected the group during the battle against the dragon.

Liam smiled automatically.

"Millie."

She stopped in front of him and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"I knew you’d come."

A message appeared from inside the bag.

[Lydia: I like her.]

[Lydia: She’s huge, but she’s kind.]

Millie glanced at the bag.

"Did your wife come too?"

Liam unzipped it slightly.

The little slime peeked her head out.

Millie smiled immediately.

"Hello, little heroine."

Lydia gave a tiny bounce.

Plof.

Millie laughed.

"You’re adorable."

[Lydia: Another person with excellent taste.]

Liam shook his head, amused.

Millie pointed toward the center of the enormous room.

"Come on. Everyone’s been looking forward to meeting you."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Everyone?"

Millie smiled with a hint of mystery.

"It’s not every day that an applicant shows up after helping defeat a monster powerful enough to push the Ace of Spades Guild to its limits."

Liam felt a knot form in his stomach.

This no longer felt like a simple evaluation.