The burly men, who were still scrutinizing the item, instantly changed their expressions when they heard the figure of "over 600 kilograms."
On this island, everyone knows what this number means.
That was the true King of the Island.
It is at the very top of the food chain in this wilderness.
The burly men exchanged glances, then simultaneously removed their camouflage hats and gave the approaching Raptor a hunter's salute.
This is a sign of respect for the strong.
It is also a reverence for life and death.
Seeing this, Aruk became even more excited, his face flushed red, and he turned around and shouted at Su Wei.
"Did you see that, Su Wei? Did you see the expressions on those guys' faces? That's Old George. He's one of the best guides in town; even he took his hat off."
Su Wei remained silent.
He simply adjusted his posture slightly, straightening his back even more.
The knuckles of the fingers gripping the steering wheel turned white from the force.
He was enjoying himself.
Enjoy this atmosphere of being recognized and respected.
There was no notification in the system panel indicating an increase in reputation points.
But Su Wei knew in his heart that this intangible asset would one day have more purchasing power than the US dollars in his account.
"Turn left."
A deep voice suddenly came from the back row; it was Old Kash.
Su Wei instinctively turned the steering wheel, and the car veered to the left.
That's the way to the Hunters' Guild.
The red brick building was already faintly visible on the horizon, and the sign at the entrance stood out prominently in the night.
"No."
Black's voice rang out again, firm and resonant.
"No what?"
Su Wei stepped on the brake and looked at the back seat through the rearview mirror with some confusion.
The old hunter leaned back in his chair, a nearly burnt-out cigar between his fingers.
The streetlights outside the car window cast dappled shadows on his face, making his rock-hard features appear even more unfathomable.
"I'm not going to the guild."
Black exhaled a puff of smoke, raised the hand holding the cigar, and pointed to a side street at the end of the main street.
"Go there."
Su Wei looked in the direction he was pointing.
It was a relatively narrow alley with a bumpy, uneven surface, and the streetlights on both sides were a mix of broken and working lights.
But deep in the alley, there hangs a neon sign that shines brightly even in the wind and snow.
It was an abstract image of a wine barrel with a hunting knife stuck in it.
Broken Blade Tavern.
"But..."
Aruk grew anxious and turned around, gripping the back of his seat.
"The guild isn't closed yet. We need to collect the hunted items and register the points. This time, I might be able to level up directly to Class Hunter lv2. Besides, it's a large sum of US dollars."
For Aruk, he had already enjoyed the pleasure of being paraded through the streets.
The more important thing now is to convert these spoils into money and points.
Black didn't look at Aruk; his gaze fell on the neon sign through the car window.
Meat can be sold anytime.
The old hunter flicked his cigarette ash, and sparks traced an arc in the dark carriage.
"But fame must be earned while it's still fresh."
"Driving the car to the guild now will only register your points. Next, you have to go to the slaughterhouse. No matter how big that bear is, tomorrow morning it will just be a pile of frozen meat with a price tag."
"Only the data analysts and the butchers know how it died."
Black turned his head, his grey-blue eyes fixed on the back of Su Wei's head.
"But if you park it in front of the tavern."
"Make sure those drunkards, even if they have to crawl, crawl out and take one last look at this big guy."
"Let them touch those claws that aren't completely stiff yet, and smell the gunpowder-tinged blood."
"Before sunrise tomorrow."
"The entire Kodiak Island, and even the wealthy circles of Anchorage, will know that a new apex predator has emerged here."
" Su Wei."
Black called his name.
"The price the guild pays for meat is fixed. That's the price for ordinary hunters."
"But what if the hunter who killed the King of the Island goes to sell his meat, or takes on a quest?"
The old hunter sneered, a deep nasolabial fold twitching at the corner of his mouth.
"Those rich people will add an extra zero to the check just to hear you brag a few times, or to get a piece of Bear King's steak."
"More importantly, I want those hunters drinking in the tavern to know that you are my apprentice, Black's."
"Let them all know! A new hunter has arrived here!!"
Su Wei's heart skipped a beat.
Black's meaning is simple.
He was not only telling himself how to make a name for himself as a hunter and sell himself for a high price.
It also helps me integrate into the local hunter community!
He wanted everyone to know that he, Su Wei, was Black's apprentice!
He's also a newly arrived professional hunter capable of hunting brown bears!
"Understood."
Su Wei took a deep breath, and the cold air in his lungs was instantly heated by the hot blood in his body.
He jerked the steering wheel sharply.
The massive Raptor pickup truck drew a sharp arc in the middle of the road, crossing the double yellow lines, and then, to the astonishment of the onlookers, turned around and sped into the narrow alley.
"Buzz"
The engine roared in the cramped space, its sound echoing between the walls on both sides, making the windowpanes tremble.
Aruk was taken aback at first, but then he understood what Black meant.
The tenderness in the boy's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by an even more fervent excitement.
"To the tavern. Yes, to the tavern."
"I'll show that snob Old Tom what's what, and I'll shut that bodyguard who always brags about hunting black bears up his sleeve."
Aruk pounded on the dashboard, making a loud banging sound.
" Su Wei, make sure to park the car right in front of the gate. Block the gate."
Even if the bartender tries to kick us out, he'll make sure everyone squeezes past that bear head, sideways.
Su Wei did not answer.
But he pressed the accelerator even harder.
The pickup truck drove over a frozen puddle, splashing dirty water everywhere, but that didn't diminish its domineering presence.
A distance of tens of meters can be covered in the blink of an eye.
The doors to the Broken Blade Tavern are just a stone's throw away.
The entrance was already filled with all kinds of pickup trucks and off-road vehicles, most of them covered in mud and scratches.
This is the most chaotic and mixed place in town.
It is also the intelligence center with the fastest information exchange.
It is the largest gathering place for local hunters.
At that moment, loud music and men's laughter filled the tavern.
Su Wei glanced at the parking spaces by the entrance.