How the Team Got Its Name

For this month, the Old Hunters is in the lead, with Victims of Ms Camilla's Gaslighting right behind them, and Our Aim is to Become Naturally Invincible Super Phoxhunters is ranked third...

The older teams have proper names, but the new ones... *sigh* We're running out of space on this bulletin board.

Hello, what are you doing...?

Huh? Oh, I'm updating the Phoxhunter Team Rankings for the month. It was Ms Camilla's idea to keep track and showcase how the Phoxhunters are doing.

This includes how many commissions they've knocked out this month, their average earnings per job, whether they've had any dust-ups with clients, that sort of thing.

So, if you're thinking of starting a new team with Outsider, do take the time to discuss your team's name and get back to me once you're ready to register.

That makes sense. Snow's heard quite a few complaints about the bad-tempered Phoxhunters here. They do have a reputation for being a bit grumpy and intimidating.

But, imagine teams named "Paw Buddies" or "Kitten Pals" they'd seem so friendly! Everyone knows animal lovers are good people.

Well, I don't think so. My solo team was named after a small critter but that didn't help me get more commissions.

Whoa? Mutt Ears! You just popped up from nowhere!

I was just passing by and saw our new friend. So I came to check on you guys and see if you need any help.

What's the name of your team?

Edible Insects Researcher Squad...

Well, for starters, when people talk about small animals, they don't usually think of insects. Besides, you probably know why your team's name hasn't exactly been drumming up more commissions...

Exactly! I knew there was no way for Outsider to name his team after cutesy furballs!

What do you know? I'm trying to stand out from the crowd and leave an impression. What do you think, Vita? The name of my team left its mark on you, right?

Exactly!

Exactly!

NO WAY! Keep messing around like this and our team will hit the rock bottom of the list!

Being at the rock bottom might get people interested as well...

NOPE! Not on my watch!

Now that we've teamed up, it's time to scrap the old team name of yours and come up with a new one!

Umm, okay. But what if the three of us can't agree on the name?

Hah! This Demon King is way ahead of you. Let's hold a little contest, and the winner chooses the name. Come on, follow me for some challenges!

Ah, isn't this our resident loud chatterbox, Snow!? And behind you is... Mr Siteolder from the Edible Insects Researcher Squad！

Oh, it's you, Lunoxplorer. Flattered you remember my team's name, but you've botched my name again. It's only been a few days!

That's because I'm always too focused on your performance data. I promise I'll get your name right next time, Mr Siteolder.

So, Snow the Loud Chatterbox, tell me about this one.

She is my newly recruited little minion. I'm showing her the ropes of being a qualified Phoxhunter.

That being said, time for me to introduce Lunoxplorer! She's the most adventurous Luno I've ever met, and she loves to collect all sorts of information about adventurers.

To prove that, she actually remembers that horrible name of Outsider's team!

While Mr Oldsiter may not excel at naming, he's certainly a seasoned Phoxhunter. An ordinary Phoxhunter stuck with a team name like that would have quit or starved to death by now.

Starved to death...? Um, fine. Let's change that name. So, Button Mushroom, tell us more about the little trials.

Hmph, you've finally come around! Let me fill in Lunoxplorer on the situation.

Got it, we're deciding it through that challenge. Well, I won't be losing!

Yes. You've made some of the most attempts so far. But Vita might not be familiar with my challenge, so here's a quick overview.

Simply put, I've gotten to know the Phoxhunters by observing and documenting their skills and performance.

The thing is, with so many Phoxhunters, observing them during live missions is too risky. That's why I enlisted the help of a respected elder, a smith who looks a bit like you.

Are you talking about Lunosmith? We know her!

Great, that makes things easier, you must have seen her handiwork.

I asked her to make a magical gadget, a location marker that can be placed anywhere. Interacting with the marker displays a brief message and records nearby activities.

You complete the challenge by fulfilling the task specified in the message. And if the results are good, I might even have a prize for you. That's how I keep tabs on Phoxhunters' performance.

I'm all too familiar with these challenges. You bet on the wrong horse, Button Mushroom. I don't even know how to lose.

Easy now. Let's see the results speak for themselves. Come find me here if you're up for it, young lady.

Okay. Let's go over the rules before we start. Once I say "GO", you need to navigate through the glowing circles I've marked along the path.

Don't worry. That Outsayer may look confident, but my money's on you. Go get 'em!

Easy peasy. I've got this in the bag.

Huh? Who spilt oil on the ground?

What? A dog on the rooftop?

Woof, woof...

It's okay, try again. I believe in you!

Well done, Vita. Now, follow me to the second challenge.

Keep up, Oldtryer. Don't lose sight of us.

The rules for this challenge are also quite simple. Once I say "GO", balloons crafted by Lunosmith at my request will rise.

Shoot and pop them. That's it!

Easy peasy. I've got this in the bag.

Huh? Who spilt oil on the ground?

What? A dog on the rooftop?

Woof, woof...

It's okay, try again. I believe in you!

Hey, where are my bullets?

...Dammit. I got oil on my hands. I can hardly reload.

Don't bother reloading. Vita has already completed the challenge.

Congratulations, Vita. I was right. You've proven yourself a Phoxhunter with real promise.

Hmm-hmph. So, according to our agreement, you get to decide the team's name! Outsider, any problem with that?

Hell yeah! You must have set some traps for me!

Nonsense. As a professional at tracking Phoxhunter performance, I don't take sides or target individuals.

Unless...

Unless what?

Unless someone takes these challenges as a job and tries to bleed me dry like Outsider! Can you believe this man? Every time I set up a new batch of challenge markers, he's the first to finish, then hounds me for rewards, the cheek!

And because no one could ever beat his records, nobody else wanted to take on my challenges anymore! That's why somebody needs to be taught a lesson!

Is that why you've been sabotaging me!? And you finally got my name right. Have you been messing it up on purpose all this time?

Well... I didn't realise you were collecting data. I thought you were just burning through your coin stash out of boredom.

Well, now you know. So don't come to bust my challenges next time.

Ah, sorry to drag you into this. But you did really well in the challenges, and I'm not lying about that.

Indeed. Almost beat my records. Almost!

I think you need another lesson!

Yeah. Slowcoach!

You... I'm not going to dignify that with a response.

Let's get back to the main topic. Since Vita won, she gets to decide the team's name.

Okay, fine. Go ahead. Whatever.

But are you sure you don't want an impressive name like "Edible Insects Researcher Squad"? Just hearing it will jolt you awake at night, you know!

No, thanks! I'd say something like "Squires of the Demon King of Light" has more allure.

Then... how about "Intern Researchers on Edible Insects of the Demon King of Light"?

Hmph... we should make the word "insect" less conspicuous. What about "Intern Researchers on Yummy Bugs of the Demon King of Ultralight from the Pure White Infernal"?

We're focusing too much on the Demon King of Light part! I think we should go for "Intern Researchers on the 99 Innovative Culinary Styles of Delicious Winged Hexapods of the Demon King of Ultralight from the Pure White Infernal". What do you say?

While these two knuckleheads are bickering, take your time to think. Many agonize over naming their teams, but my advice? Follow your heart.

Follow my heart...?

"Life is like a lonely cruise through the boundless darkness of the night."

"The river weeps, overflowing its banks, while the thorny thickets on either side stand as a testament to its sorrow."

Cruise through the night... Nocturnal voyagers...

Let's call ourselves "The Noctoyagers."

Nocto ... yagers?

Hmm... The name's a little short, but it doesn't sound bad.

Now that you have the name, head back to The Asphodel and tell the waiter there when you have the time.

Right, take this.

"The Noctoyagers"... Hmm, sounds pretty good! If other teams were like you, there would be plenty of space on the board.

Keep it up. Try to best those long, tongue-twisting names and get to the top.

I know the continent too well to need them now.

If you find any on your journeys, do return them to me. Consider each one proof of your skill as a Phoxhunter. Your reward will reflect your success.

I have high hopes for you. Looking forward to seeing "Noctoyagers" carved at the very top of the board!

Thank you. See you around.

What's this?

Looks familiar? If it does, it means you're no stranger to adventure. If not, don't concern yourself. These are my old trail markers.