The news that the training slot at the guild headquarters fell into Li Wei's hands, once announced, unsurprisingly caused an immediate stir in the "Wild Delicacy" tavern.
A cacophony of voices erupted inside the tavern, with everyone expressing their opinions. In summary, there were doubts and skepticism about Li Wei.
"We only have one slot in the entire branch, why give it to a newcomer?!"
"So many experienced hunters have been around for years without getting a chance. Why does he get it?"
"This is unfair! There must be some shady dealings!"
...
Seeing the chaos in the tavern, Irene's face was filled with impatience. Holding a wooden stick, she fiercely banged on the tables, creating loud sounds that finally drowned out the voices of others.
She said, "Stop the nonsense! Li Wei, bring that guy's head out!"
Li Wei pursed his lips and slowly untied the bag he had just secured.
Zhang Xi's head was displayed in public.
Now, the crowd became much quieter.
Irene continued to rant, "Look at all of you! The vampire Conradov's mission has been hanging here for half a year! Do you know how other branches mock us? Such a large branch, half a year's time, and you can't even solve a C-rank mission! No other branch is as worthless as ours!"
"You all still want training slots? You can't even handle a C-rank mission. Why should you get a training slot? Look at Li Wei, just joined and already took care of this big trouble. Why shouldn't he get the slot? Huh? If you're still not satisfied, what's there to be unsatisfied about?!"
After a chaotic scolding, no one said a word.
As Irene said, the mission to kill Conradov, the vampire, had indeed been hanging in the branch for a long time. Irene had also declared more than once that whoever solved the mission would get the training slot.
However, taking on a vampire, a formidable opponent, was not something many dared to do. Those who attempted it usually didn't return alive.
This made others even less willing to take on the mission. As tempting as the training slot was, it wasn't worth it if you didn't have the chance to enjoy it.
Going after a vampire, even with extreme training, was practically suicide. Even if someone completed the mission, it wasn't a guaranteed success. In the past six months, two formidable experts in the entire Sector 17 had died at the hands of Zhang Xi.
Under such circumstances, who would dare to pick a fight with that vampire?
Regardless of how Li Wei completed the mission, Zhang Xi's head was here now. No one could deny that.
Moreover, with Irene, the branch leader, backing him up, others couldn't say much.
From this perspective, Irene's reputation in Sector 17 was quite high. Li Wei felt more at ease. With Irene's statement, the pressure he would face next should be significantly reduced.
However, the world never lacked surprises.
"I disagree."
The door of the tavern was pushed open, and a man walked in.
His face had some signs of aging, and the sharply defined features gave off a mature aura. His semi-long hair was tied with a band, reminiscent of ancient Chinese style from Li Wei's previous life.
He wore simple clothes, with his legs bound in bandages for ease of movement. Behind him, a white cloth wrapped around something long. If Li Wei guessed correctly, it should be a long spear.
Li Wei, standing on the stairs, stared at the man from a distance. In his ears, he could hear the voices of other hunters in the tavern:
"Zhang Zongming?"
"Zhang Zongming is here?"
"This will be interesting."
"Zhang Zongming has been waiting for this slot for six years; he won't give up."
...
A soft laugh came from Irene beside Li Wei. She said, "This is Zhang Zongming, claiming to be the number one expert in Sector 17... hehe."
Li Wei turned to look at Irene and found her expression somewhat strange, as if there was a trace of disdain towards Zhang Zongming.
In fact, even without Irene's introduction, Li Wei knew this guy. Although he hadn't met him, he had heard the name for a long time.
A veteran hunter with ten years of fame, hailed as a genius at seventeen, completed extreme training at twenty, and now seven years later, he was still stuck at the same level, unable to break through the gene lock. What did that imply?
It wasn't just a lack of potential.
In the past seven years, there had been people who challenged his title as the "number one expert." The reason he hadn't stepped down from that throne was simple: those who challenged his title as the number one expert eventually left Sector 17.
This place was too small and dilapidated. Ambitious people wouldn't want to stay here forever.
So, he would be looked down upon, and it wasn't surprising at all.
But in any case, his title as the number one expert in Sector 17 was well-deserved.
"Irene, you decided on this too hastily." Zhang Zongming walked step by step, saying so.
Irene sneered, "The training slot is tied to the vampire hunting mission; this has been announced long ago. Zhang Zongming, we've talked several times. I advised you to handle this mission, get the slot, but you kept delaying. Now that Li Wei has brought back the vampire's head, you can't blame anyone else."
"A C-rank mission isn't something to be taken lightly!" Zhang Zongming said coldly, "I must be fully prepared. Everyone in the entire street knows I'm destined to get this slot. Why did you give the mission to someone else?"
Irene replied, "It's been half a year. If I don't give it to someone else, do you want to drag it out for another six months?"
"I said I could handle this mission within a month!" Zhang Zongming's face turned even colder. "Three months ago, I said the same."
"Three months ago, you said that too."
Zhang Zongming took a deep breath and said, "Alright, Irene, I won't argue with you about this."
His gaze turned to Li Wei, and he said, "Li Wei, since this slot is in your hands now, let's talk. I'm ready to buy this slot. Name your price."
Li Wei was momentarily stunned, then a smile appeared on his face, and he uttered two words, "Not for sale."