Chapter 82: Chuck, the Hunter with Perfect Aim [Bonus - ]
Liam and Lydia watched the man who had just stepped out of the black Impala.
There was something familiar about him.
Liam narrowed his eyes.
’Where have I seen him before?’
The man was wearing a leather jacket, a pair of fairly tight jeans, and he never stopped chewing gum.
Emily, on the other hand, looked happy to see him, as if they were close friends.
She approached with a huge smile and gave him a hard slap on the shoulder.
"Chuck!"
"Emily!"
The man responded with a strong hug.
"Sorry I’m late."
Chuck pulled away from her and looked at his Impala.
"These days, they give a driver’s license to just about anyone. I ran into a lot of idiots on the way here."
Emily burst out laughing.
"You talking about driving?"
Chuck looked at her.
"What?"
"You don’t drive very well either."
Emily crossed her arms.
"You always get distracted when you’re behind the wheel. Either because you see some luxury car... or a great ass."
Chuck’s expression became completely serious. He looked genuinely annoyed.
Liam and Lydia remained silent.
Then Chuck started laughing.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Emily started laughing too.
"You never change."
"Neither do you."
Chuck ran a hand through his hair before looking toward Liam and Lydia.
Emily pointed toward the group.
"I want to introduce you to the hunters we’ll be teaming up with today."
Chuck looked at Liam first, and his eyes widened slightly.
"Wait..."
He stepped a little closer.
"Aren’t you the guy who was carrying a photography bag that day at the guild headquarters?"
Liam smiled.
"Yeah."
Then he remembered.
"Now I know who you are."
Chuck raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, yeah?"
"You’re the guy with the Perfect Aim Gift."
Chuck burst out laughing.
"It’s not exactly like that."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"But I like the way that sounds."
Liam laughed as well.
Chuck slapped him on the shoulder.
"Anyway, I’m glad they accepted you into the guild."
"Thanks."
Liam studied him for a few seconds.
"Did they accept you too?"
Chuck froze completely.
Then he reached into one of the pockets of his jacket, pulled out his hunter ID, and held it in front of Liam’s face.
Emerald Rank.
The Ace of Spades seal was clearly visible.
Chuck put on an offended expression.
"Are you seriously asking me that?"
Liam burst out laughing.
"It was just a question."
"It’s pretty obvious they were going to accept me."
Chuck put his ID away again.
"I’m amazing."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"Don’t start."
Chuck looked at Liam again.
"But seriously, it’s good to see you."
"You too."
Chuck then looked toward Lydia.
"Now..."
He discreetly pointed toward her.
"Who’s the lady you haven’t introduced me to yet?"
Emily immediately smacked him on the arm.
"Watch yourself."
Chuck blinked.
"What?"
"She’s Liam’s wife."
"Oh."
Chuck raised both hands.
"My apologies."
Lydia smiled.
"It’s nice to meet you, Chuck."
"The pleasure’s mine."
Chuck slightly bowed his head.
"And sorry if I kept you waiting."
"No problem."
Emily looked at Chuck’s outfit, then at his jeans.
"Are you going into the Dungeon dressed like that?"
Chuck looked down at his clothes.
"What’s wrong with it?"
"Those jeans are way too tight. You won’t be able to run in those."
Chuck looked at her.
"That’s what you’re worried about?"
"I’m just asking."
"Of course I’m not going in like this."
Chuck pointed toward his Impala.
"Give me a second."
Emily sighed.
"Always the same."
◇◆◇
A few minutes later, Chuck stepped out of his Impala again.
This time, he looked like a completely different person.
He was wearing a hunter’s outfit covered with various belts and pockets.
Small weapons were strapped to his body.
Knives.
Small blades.
Everything seemed perfectly organized.
Liam looked him up and down.
"Now you actually look ready to enter a Dungeon."
Chuck smiled.
"See?"
He adjusted one of his belts.
"I bought all of this working for the guild."
He pointed toward his Impala.
"I even traded my little motorcycle for this beautiful ’67 Impala."
Emily looked at the vehicle.
"Yeah, yeah."
Chuck continued.
"It’s in perfect condition."
"Yeah, Chuck."
"The engine is incredible."
"Chuck."
"And you don’t even know how much it cost me to get it."
"Chuck."
The man finally fell silent.
Emily pointed toward the tower in the distance.
"It’s getting dark."
Chuck looked in the direction she was pointing.
"Oh."
"We need to get inside the Dungeon and finish before it gets any later."
Chuck raised both hands.
"Alright."
Then he paused.
"Sorry again."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package.
"Before we go..."
Liam watched as Chuck took out the piece of gum he had been chewing.
He held it between two fingers and simply flicked it away.
The piece of gum shot through the air.
Liam followed its movement with his eyes.
The small wad of gum flew several yards before disappearing into the open field.
Chuck took out another package and casually opened it.
"Want some?"
Liam and Lydia looked at each other.
"Thanks."
"But no."
Chuck shrugged.
"Better that way."
He popped another piece into his mouth.
"More for me."
He began chewing again.
Liam couldn’t help but smile.
’This guy is weird.’
Lydia moved a little closer to him.
[Lydia: Honey, are you sure this man is an Emerald-Rank hunter?]
Liam replied through [Call].
’According to his ID, yes.’
Lydia looked at Chuck again.
The man was talking to Emily while checking some of his knives.
[Lydia: He looks more like a car salesman.]
Liam let out a small laugh.
’Don’t be mean.’
[Lydia: I’m just telling the truth.]
Liam shook his head.
Emily finally finished making sure everyone was prepared.
"Alright."
The four of them stood in front of the enormous tower.
The D-Rank Dungeon.
Liam looked at the entrance.
It wasn’t the first D-Rank Dungeon he had seen.
But it was the first time he would enter one with people he barely knew.
Emily seemed completely calm.
Chuck chewed his gum as if he were out for a stroll.
Lydia stood beside Liam.
And him...
Liam adjusted his pistol inside the holster on his belt.
’This should be easy.’
At least, he hoped so.
His objective was clear.
Complete the Dungeon.
Gather materials.
And, above all, give Lydia enough opportunities to reach Level Sixty.
Liam glanced at his wife.
She smiled.
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
Chuck raised a hand.
"Shall we?"
Emily started walking.
"Let’s go."
The four Emerald-Rank hunters advanced toward the entrance.
Liam took one last look at the sky.
The sun was beginning to disappear.
Darkness would soon cover the open field.
And inside that D-Rank Dungeon awaited a great opportunity for Lydia to get one step closer to her next evolution.
Liam smiled.
’One last raid before the selection.’