Chapter 47: Handling Spoils (Two-in-One)

The lodging conditions at the inn, though far from the star-rated hotels of my previous life, were undoubtedly much better than camping in the wild.

At least I didn’t have to worry about being woken halfway through the night by a teammate on watch, disheveled and bleary-eyed, to fight off a sudden monster attack.

I slept soundly for the first time in a while.

But I didn’t oversleep.

The next morning, as dawn barely broke, I forced myself out of bed with sheer willpower.

As an adventurer, the first day after a mission was often the busiest.

Submitting tasks, disposing of spoils, repairing equipment…

Countless urgent matters piled up in my mind like a checklist.

Even if it took a whole day to handle these affairs, I was willing.

Because only then, after a grueling day, could I pocket a bulging purse, bask in a sense of accomplishment, and enjoy a well-earned “vacation” without burdens.

After a quick wash, I left the tavern.

Carrying a somewhat heavy backpack, I arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild in River Valley Town.

It was still the same treehouse-style building, quintessentially “Mist Forest,” and as busy as ever.

Despite getting up as early as possible, when I stepped onto the dark brown oak floor at the guild’s entrance, the hall was already filled with all sorts of adventurers.

Some, like me, carried bulging sacks, clearly here early to turn in tasks; others gathered in small groups under the task board, whispering to each other.

I even spotted a towering, over-two-meter-tall beastman, holding a gruesome monster head, leisurely strolling down the street.

His body, caked in dirt, bore clear signs of combat, and blood still dripped from the severed neck of the head in his hand.

He’d obviously just come from a fierce battle.

The pungent stench of blood and days without a bath made passing adventurers grimace and steer clear.

But from what I observed, the beastman showed no trace of anger at their reactions.

Instead, he looked relaxed and content.

His calm, carefree demeanor was like a fisherman who’d caught a big fish, taking the long way home to show it off to the whole town.

I even suspected that if someone approached to ask about the monster’s name or the battle details, he’d grin so wide his protruding tusks might disappear into his mouth.

In the end, the beastman didn’t enter the guild.

As soon as he reached the entrance, staff members rushed out and “politely” asked him to clean up before coming back.

Yet he still wore a smug expression, clearly having achieved his goal.

I looked away.

Having spent so long in the oppressive Mist Forest, my mood, slightly heavy, was eased by this comical scene.

“Ding-a-ling.”

A crisp bell brought me back to reality, as the adventurer ahead of me left the counter with a coin pouch.

I composed myself and stepped up to the desk.

It was the same listless, short-haired girl, head drooping as if she’d fall asleep any second.

“Task number?” Her weak voice drifted out.

“387H, the Fire Garlic Vine collection task.”

Silence.

The girl didn’t respond, her hands moving under the counter.

Then she spoke slowly:

“Number: 387H, task overdue. The issuer didn’t extend the bounty, so it’s been withdrawn.”

As expected…

Though I was mentally prepared, I still felt a pang of disappointment.

Normally, three days was more than enough to make a round trip from River Valley Town to the Mist Forest outskirts, with plenty of time to spare.

But who could’ve predicted I’d encounter the half-elf’s team mid-mission and accept their commission to venture deeper into the forest?

Though I earned 100 gold and plenty of spoils from it, the original Fire Garlic Vine task had timed out.

I’d rushed back to town last night partly to submit the task, but the guild was already closed, so I had to come now.

“Understood, thanks.”

I nodded slightly to the girl, preparing to leave.

Unexpectedly, she glanced at me and added:

“Ms. Edwina’s new antidote potion is said to work well. She’s preparing a second batch.”

“You could check her shop. You might still have a chance.”

I froze, then mulled it over.

From what I knew, Fire Garlic Vine wasn’t a common plant. Even if the issuer no longer urgently needed it and wouldn’t pay the high bounty price, selling it at market value could still fetch a decent sum.

The girl’s tip gave me a second option.

I thanked her:

“Thanks for the heads-up!”

After a moment’s thought, I pulled a gleaming silver coin from my pocket, discreetly sliding it across the counter with my fingertip.

Whoosh—

In an instant, the coin vanished from sight.

The previously listless girl sat up straight, her drooping eyelids lifting, adopting the demeanor of a diligent employee, muttering to herself:

“Ms. Edwina likes her liquor, the strong stuff. If I bring a couple bottles next time, maybe she’ll give me a discount.”

I raised an eyebrow.

Nodding silently, I turned and left the counter.

…

“Tap.”

My thick leather boots hit the stone-brick streets of River Valley Town, making a muted sound.

I carried two bottles of “Lava Sigh,” the potent liquor I’d bought for two silver coins from the White Sparrow Tavern.

Standing on the bustling street, I looked at the herbal shop ahead.

The shop wasn’t large, about half the size of “Rockhammer.”

But its design was exquisite.

Mimicking the Adventurer’s Guild’s Mist Forest aesthetic, the shop was built from dark oak, adorned with abundant vines and greenery.

If the guild was a giant treehouse, this shop was like a massive bush you’d find in the forest.

A sign stood out front, depicting a slightly tilted iron pot with a spoon stirring green liquid, beside which was written in Common:

Green Grass Crucible.

Mentally preparing my words, I cleared my throat.

Pushing the door open.

“Ding-dong.”

A light, pleasant bell rang in my ears.

A rich, faintly fragrant herbal scent wafted in with the warm indoor air.

The interior was equally delicate and compact.

A brown wooden counter split the space in two, with shelves on either side holding various bottles and jars.

The items sold seemed similar to those in the guild’s alchemist shop, but at much lower prices.

No healing potions, but plenty of unfamiliar tonics and patches.

Behind the counter, a slightly plump woman with curly hair was intently stirring a crucible.

She occasionally scooped up some liquid with an iron spoon, checking its consistency.

Hearing the door, she said softly, unhurried:

“Sorry, please wait a moment. I’ll be right with you.”

I wasn’t in a rush, so I gently placed the “Lava Sigh” on the counter and waited patiently.

About two minutes later,

as the white steam rising from the crucible grew thicker, the woman stopped stirring, carefully covering the pot with a lid.

She took a handkerchief from her waist to wipe her hands.

Edwina turned, about to greet her customer,

when she spotted the bottle of liquor marked with the White Sparrow Tavern’s logo.

Her eyes lit up.

Her gaze shifted to me, her tone softening further as she asked:

“Welcome to Green Grass Crucible. What can I help you with?”

Having prepared my pitch, I replied:

“Here’s the thing—I took the guild’s Fire Garlic Vine collection bounty a few days ago, but by the time I got back to River Valley Town, the task had expired.”

“I heard from guild staff that you might still need some, so I thought I’d try my luck.”

My gaze flicked to the “Lava Sigh” on the counter.

“I had a nice drink at the tavern last night and thought to bring a bottle today, hoping it suits your taste.”

“Of course,” Edwina smiled warmly, picking up the bottle. “That’s thoughtful of you.”

“I do need an extra batch of Fire Garlic Vine. I was planning to bother you adventurers at the guild in a couple of days… If you have some to spare, I can buy them at the bounty price.”

Hearing this, I quietly sighed in relief.

I slid off my backpack containing the Fire Garlic Vine and handed it to her.

“Hm… thirty-two clusters of Fire Garlic Vine, totaling thirty-two gold coins. Please take this.”

Edwina handed me a pouch stamped with the Green Grass Crucible logo.

Feeling the hefty weight in my palm, my lips curved slightly in satisfaction.

Suddenly remembering something, I pulled a small cloth bag with faint green water stains from my waist.

“This is…”

The frameless glasses on Edwina’s nose glinted under the sunlight streaming through the window.

A hint of surprise crossed her plump face.

“Rust monster? You went to the Underdark?”

She delicately pinched the deep purple venom gland, examining it under the light.

I didn’t respond to her question, just gave her a subtle wink.

“Oh, sorry,” realizing her slip, Edwina smiled apologetically, returning the confirmed intact gland to the bag. “These are pretty dangerous for most adventurers and not common here.”

“I’ll pay market price—6 gold each, four glands for twenty-four gold. How’s that?”

“Fine.”

Unsure of the exact market rate but trusting her offer, I agreed readily.

My savings swelled significantly again.

…

With the task submitted, it was already morning.

The sun blazed.

Walking the streets with my backpack, I mused:

“Next, I’ll deal with the miscellaneous stuff like compasses.”

Before meeting the half-elf’s team, I’d fought two unlucky adventurers at the Fire Garlic Vine clearing.

Besides their pouch holding their entire savings—53 gold and 6 silver—I didn’t take their heavy weapons or armor.

But I grabbed some small items that vanished into my backpack.

They should fetch enough for a few meals.

Unlike last time, when I had an unpriced malachite needing appraisal, none of my spoils from this mission had uncertain values.

So, instead of the meticulous but stingy “Fairy’s Breeze,” I chose the more cost-effective “Kukunur’s General Store.”

The shop’s owner, Kukunur, a cheerful dwarf, eagerly introduced his services as I entered.

As the [Adventurer’s Handbook] noted, his prices were fair.

Just some miscellaneous trinkets, yet they sold for 3 gold and 7 silver—originally 6 silver and 5 copper, but Kukunur rounded it up, wiping the copper.

“No wonder his business thrives despite average skills. He’s honest.”

I noted inwardly.

By now, most of my spoils for sale had been handled.

My savings, depleted after buying equipment and weapons from my first mission, had skyrocketed to an unprecedented level.

From the adventurer duo—57 gold, 3 silver

Fire Garlic Vine and rust monster venom glands—56 gold

Half-elf mission reward—100 gold

Plus my original twenty-some gold, my savings now reached an astonishing—

236 gold, 2 silver, 7 copper.

Though still only enough for half a bottle of [Radiance Resistance Potion] or a seventh of a heavy plate armor,

I was more than satisfied.

After all, this was just from two missions.

I even considered buying another full bottle of healing potion for emergencies.

“Right!”

Recalling the information from Wood and Hai’an during the mission,

I didn’t leave the shop after the transaction.

With a strong sense of purpose, I scanned the shelves.

“Need anything else, customer?”

Noticing this, Kukunur asked enthusiastically.

I hesitated, glancing at the empty doorway.

Leaning in, I asked tentatively:

“Do you sell ‘combat skills’ here?”

“Of course!”

Before I finished, the dwarf, barely reaching my thigh, slapped his chest and declared loudly.

He ducked under the counter, a sound of heavy objects shifting followed.

Then…

“Bang!”

A dusty, massive cardboard box was hefted onto the counter by Kukunur, standing on tiptoes.

“Cough… cough…”

Choking on the swirling dust, he said between coughs:

“Combat skills, cough… they’re all in here.”

“1 pound, 3 copper. Buy 10 pounds, I’ll give you a 30% discount.”

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