The Mech Touch novel Chapter 1383

\"Mr. Larkinson! I am Benedict Vinzler, senior relations manager of the Kemila Hunting Hall. Welcome to our fine establishment!\"

Ves offered the middle-aged manager a polite smile while they shook hands. \"I hope my unscheduled arrival hasn’t brought any inconvenience, Mr. Vinzler.\"

\"Greeting an esteemed guest such as you is no inconvenience to us at all!\" The hunting hall representative gushed. \"Journeyman Mech Designers such as you are highly prized in Kemila. A lot of doors will open up for you as long as you offer up your expertise!\"

As they started to enter the austere and way too clean hunting hall, Ves decided to burst the hunting hall’s bubble before their misunderstanding stretched any further.

\"Mr. Vinzler, please don’t assume I am offering up my services. I am only paying a visit here. I don’t intend to stay longer than a couple of months.\"

That caused the manager to stop short. \"You are not here to help the hunting teams improve their mechs?\"

Ves smiled. \"Not for the long-term, no. However, I may be amenable to offer up my expertise for a limited duration in lieu of other payment.\"

That caused the manager to regain some of his cheer. \"I see! I know some hunting outfits who value their mechs very highly and would appreciate such a favor. It isn’t every day a Journeyman such as you graces Kemila.\"

Kemila wasn’t the largest or the most popular of settlements on Asco. Other cities had access to many more Crown Cats or were close to lots of hunting zones.

The city that Ves decided to visit only ranked in the middle in terms of hunting team density. Hardly any top-tier hunting outfits based themselves in Kemila as only a single Crown Cat resided within range of the city.

Still, Ves decided to visit Kemila over other cities because the nearby hunting zones hosted many huge cats that sparked his interest. He judged that he had the highest chance of encountering a huge cat with spirituality if he started his search in this tropic city!

\"Meow.\"

Ves reached out to scratch Lucky’s ear as the cat comfortably observed the surroundings on his shoulder. \"Don’t wander off, Lucky.\"

\"That’s a very impressive mechanical cat you have.\" The manager complimented. \"I don’t recognize this exquisite model.\"

\"It’s a present.\" Ves curtly replied. \"Don’t ask me where you can find him. I also upgraded him numerous times, hence his unusual appearance.\"

\"You have quite a taste for cats! If you put your mechanical cat up for auction in Felixia, I’m sure you can earn a fortune from his sale!\"

\"Lucky is not for sale.\"

\"Well, if you change your mind, know that Felixia is by far the best destination for you to sell your exquisite cat.\"

The group entered the interior of the hunting hall. The huge lobby partially served as a showcase for successful hunts. Enormous preserved cat heads hung on the walls as trophies. They were so huge that even Ves felt threatened by their snarling appearances!

\"Impressive, is it not?\" Vinzler grinned. \"Sadly, these honored trophies have only been taken from the younger and smaller prey in the hunting zones. The larger trophies would have taken too much space in our halls.\"

If the younger and weaker huge cats were already this intimidating, then Ves wouldn’t want to see a massive Crown Cat up close!

After the manager spent some time to show off the trophies, they moved to an open meeting room decorated as the interior of a hunting lodge. Smaller cat trophies along with fur pelts lined the floor and walls. The comfortable seats were made of leather skinned and treated from notable huge cats.

Fortunately, despite seeing all of the treated remains of dead cats, Lucky exhibited no fear or displeasure at all. It was as if belonging to a superior cat species made him immune to the same fate that befell the lesser cat species!

Nitaa and Gavin remained standing while Ves enjoyed the luxurious seat.

\"Alright, Mr. Larkinson, how can our hunting hall be of assistance?\"

After a brief moment of contemplation, Ves decided to be open about his motives. It wasn’t as if he needed to keep them secret anyway.

\"I’m considering designing a bestial mech. A tiger mech to be exact.\"

The hunting hall manager nodded in understanding. \"So you are looking to gain inspiration from studying the carcass of one of our huge cats?\"

\"It depends.\" Ves said in an uncertain tone. \"It’s difficult to describe what I need. I may have to get my inspiration from observing a living huge cat. Killing one might not be what I need.\"

\"That.. is a rather unusual but not unheard-of request, Mr. Larkinson. Kemila has played host to a number of clients like you who seek to base their next mech designs on our huge cats.\"

The manager began to explain the basic procedures and options to Ves. There was a substantial difference between hiring and sponsoring a hunting team.

\"For your purposes, it is best for you to hire a hunting team rather than sponsor them. Sponsoring is a long-term commitment that isn’t suitable for your needs.\"

\"That’s true. Do you have any hunting teams in mind?\"

\"Many hunting teams can do what you ask, but I know of half-a-dozen of them who are more than willing to trade favors with notable mech designers. As long as you make yourself available as a mech consultant who can assist in modifying and improving their mechs, you can secure a significant discount on hiring these teams.\"

\"Can you give my assistant a list of suggestions?\"

\"Certainly.\"

Once Vinzler sent a brief message containing a list of names to Gavin’s comm, he began to explain some of the basic traits that Ves had to take into account.