Soul of a Human

As promised the next day, the Ice-kin guards were calling every new hunter to the central plaza, a central fortified space without a stronghouse. However, instead of the grand chief giving a speech or sending a representative, there were a few wooden bulletin boards with writing on them. After Elly, Jorgen, and Mor went to read and compare to others, they were relieved to find that they at least said the same thing.

The boards instructed the young hunters to form teams of four and then proceed to the main castle, which the guards would allow entry to. Mor looked around at the other young hunters and noticed a few groups already leaving, Thor's group being one of them.

Elly and Jorgen quickly got to work, Mor staying in the background. It was questionable if someone would even consider joining a team with a non-Ice-kin. However, the two of them also didn't have much luck because as soon as they revealed their village of origin, the prospective team members took a pointed look toward Mor and then declined.

"I don't understand this," Elly complained. "They are not even giving us a chance."

"It's Thor's fault." Jorgen sighed.

"How so?" Mor asked.

"While everyone looked at the boards, he went around and told everyone we had a weak Soul-kin in our team because we ourselves were not up to snuff." The Ice-kin revealed.

"That ass," Elly growled.

"He's petty, alright, but we knew that. But if it doesn't make a difference, I will help recruit someone. However, forget getting the one we would like. Now we need to take anyone who will join," Mor said with a sigh.

"At least you know where you stand." A new voice joined in.

°Holy muscle mommy.° The human exclaimed, leading Mor to turn around.

The one speaking to the trio was probably a female Ice-kin. Probably because she was as tall as Jorgen and just as muscular. However, her trained physique was much to the detriment of her chest, as her body had a seeming fat percentage of nothing. The woman was not the only muscular Ice-kin female. Mor and the human had noticed quite a few, which got the two of them thinking because there was not a single one in the Snow village.

"Aren't you a cutie." The Ice-kin woman stated while looking in Jorgen's direction.

"Keep your hands off him." Elly, standing right next to Jorgen, growled.

"Oh, I was not talking about him." The new one said, giving Elly a wink. "How about we get something to drink?"

There was a second where everyone processed this revelation until Mor cleared his throat and returned to the original goal.

"So why did you come to us?" He asked. "Do you want to steal our scout?"

"Yes, but also join your group." The woman said.

"Why?" Jorgen asked.

"Because you have a cute girl." She answered.

"That's it?" Elly asked.

"Well, no, but it's a part of it." The Ice-kin stated.

"Then what's the other part?" Elly wanted to know.

"My father said I need to get a husband, but I have no interest in men. However, if I join some weak party and prove I can pull through, then he has to accept my wishes. At least we made a bet like that. So what do you want to hunt?"

"A howler," Jorgen stated.

"That's cute, " the woman said, then, after it sunk in for a second, she looked at the trio in surprise. Did you say howler? Are you mental? Those things are dangerous and nothing for a weak group!"

"We are not weak?" Mor stated and finally was recognized as there.

"Shouldn't you find yourself a group? Or do you want to challenge me for my spot?" She hissed.

"I'm already with that group," Mor said flatly.

°She thinks Soul-kin are weak and scrawny. Which tracks, except for you.° The human sighed.

"Then there is no Soul-kin within this group?" The woman asked.

"There is," Jorgen said.

"So you are already four?"

"No, we're three," Elly said.

"That is the Soul?" The woman asked, pointing a thumb at Mor.

"First, rude, but yes, I'm a Soul-kin," Mor answered.

"But you're not scrawny at all!" She stated, then got thoughtful. "I shouldn't judge you by your looks. So how much can you push?"

"Push?" Mor asked.

"She wants to know how strong you are, but we have never tried the push test." Jorgen came to Mor's help.

"So what did you try?" The woman asked.

"Throwing rocks." Mor and Jorgen answered together.

"So how far, and what weight?" The woman asked.

"If I get serious, I'm getting around 16, with about a 10 kg?" Mor said, and Jorgen nodded.

"My record is at 21." He added while Elly pouted.

"You two are not fair."

"Don't be down. Five is still good." Jorgen stated.

"Well, it seems you're still on the lower end, " the woman said, instantly igniting the ire of the other three.

"Then what about you?" Jorgen challenged.

"At that weight, I did 45 meters." She said proudly.

"Meters?" Mor asked.

°Ah, there's the confusion.° The human commented.

"We're not using that anymore," Jorgen stated. "We're using our own measurement, in which a unit comes to ten meters. It was just simpler, and no one cared about the single digits anymore."

"I did." Elly pouted. "52 sounds better than five."

"Wait, what do you mean 52? You are smaller than me! Trying to lie will not be helpful in any future cooperation. You need to be honest." The woman stated.

"We are?" Jorgen stated.

The woman stared disbelieving at the trio, then chuckled.

"That village mate you yours said you were incredibly weak." The Ice-kin said.

"We know. He's just petty because he got beaten by every one of ours." Elly said with a sigh, which made the woman laugh.

"Ok, I will believe you for now. How about it? Will you let me join?" She asked.

Elly took a quick look at the two boys, who both shrugged. "If you're fine with it," Jorgen said.

"What is your preferred fighting style?" Elly asked.

"I'm a guardian." The woman answered.

"Could be worse," Jorgen said. "Mor, keep your magic in check and be our second striker."

"It can't be helped. It's the best chance we have, " Mor said with a shrug. However, looking around proved him right, as not many people were left. Of those, most were discussing disbanding groups and joining other teams to even participate.

"Then, we're glad to have you," Elly said. "I'm Elly. This is my boyfriend Jorgen and our resident Soul-kin Mor." She emphasized boyfriend and added Mor as more of an afterthought.

"I'm Titania, but please call me Ani." Titania introduced herself.

°That name fits.° The human commented, and Mor agreed.

"Then let's get going," Jorgen said, leading the group to the exit. However, Mor still had something that he needed to get off his chest.

"Jorgen?" He asked. "Next time, warn me if I walk into a village of perverts."

"What do you mean?" Jorgen asked, and the two women also looked confused.

"Every woman of your Snow village has a big chest! It's like that is the only thing you guys care about." Mor exclaimed, and there was a short moment of shocked silence before the two women broke out in laughter.

"We don't, but you have to agree that it's a very enticing addition," Jorgen grumbled.

°He got you there. Still nice.° The human chuckled.

"Well, yeah," Mor responded.

"I'll tell your little girlfriend," Elly teased, but she couldn't get the reaction she hoped for. Or maybe your mother?"

The second one got a shocked expression from Mor and an exclamation of "Don't you dare!"

The human and everyone else laughed at that, Titania joining in on principle.

°Just imagine Sophie force-feeding Tiara to give her a bigger chest.° The human teased.

°No, I won't! Also, Tiara and I are not in a relationship. Stop implying that.° Mor protested.

With this lighthearted atmosphere, they went through the gate, where the other four-man teams had already vanished.