Unsafe Working Conditions : A He Who Fights With Monsters 6+ Companion Story

Chapter 14 - Swimming Up a Waterfall

 The station was constructed of concentric rings of buildings, from the outside toward the center there was storage where they had spent the night, followed by industrial, commercial, housing. In the center was a structure that looked like a cross between a bus depot and a castle, it was round and had massive tall openings with doors that presumably slid into the ceiling.

Through one of the open gates they saw a stream of people moving in and out, each of them armed and appeared to be on their way to receive orders. Another gate farther to the left had transports that were laden with monster corpses going in and mostly empty ones exiting. The size of the openings were enough that the Oppotomoose they had commandeered could fit three across with room for a person to comfortably pass between.

"This is the Station House, where most of the commerce for the area is done. On the first level we have our trade hall for the normal rankers and inductees. You can get ancillary assignments here as well," Carlos was acting as a tour guide while they traversed to the center of the Station.

Liam noticed something as they started to be surrounded by more Essence users. Many of them had metal bracelets with matching rings connected by the same material of chains. Pointing them out he asked, "Carlos, I notice that you have a metal bracelet with three rings chained to it. What are they?"

Carlos lifted his hand to show the bronze wristband and rings on his fingers; middle, index, and thumb. The rings and chains connecting them to the wristband were also bronze unlike the Ursanthrope though they were unadorned compared to the many different charms hanging from his silver chains. "This is our proof of rank and membership in the Explorers Union. The metal will match your current rank, I am at bronze rank, for example, and the rings and chains represent your rank within the Union."

"Once your rank is confirmed, you will be supplied with a manacle which will bond to you and serve as your proof of membership. The rings are awarded as your rank increases, excluding the thumb which is reserved to special functionaries and officials."

"Starting with the index finger and ending with the pinkie. It is proof that you are capable and responsible. The more rings that you have the more difficult assignments and charters you can take part in, a single ringer is the beginning and will be able to participate in only small group contracts or solo ones of minimal difficulty. This increases as the rings increase. A double ringer has proven the ability to lead team contracts of increased difficulty that require a team of 5. A triple ringer has priority of sensitive assignments that require interfacing with other teams or other organizations in order to be accomplished as a representative of the union."

Pausing to hold up his pinkie finger as if to emphasize the point, "Quad ringers are members who are authorized to take command during defense or raids without question. I have only ever seen one quad ringer, and they were silver rank. Even small outposts only have a triple ringer for their defense leadership." Carlos continued explaining the nuances of the bangle. While it could not be removed, unless under extreme circumstances such as expulsion, due to its soul bound nature it can be inscribed with runes that allow for it to be subsumed into the skin. Taking a look around more carefully he saw that there were a few that had what looked like metallic paint, or a tattoo that shimmered like metal.

Liam meticulously questioned Carlos about the charms hanging from some of the chains. They had arrived inside the building. The inside of the building seemed larger than the exterior portrayed. The exterior projected at five stories tall, the footprint not much bigger than a grocery store. Passing through the short hallway the space they entered was more like ten times as big as the exterior made it seem. The interior was organized like a stadium arena where monster trucks would compete, with room to spare.