Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Monster Hunt #2
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300 million—what could you even do with that kind of money?
How many chickens could you buy?
A massive fortune big enough to snag the sports car I'd always wanted.
And that exact amount was the bounty slapped on Nimble.
"Yor, have you ever heard anything about the wolf prowling around this Great Wall? Word is, it's pitch black and pretty damn huge."
Should I play dumb or act like I know?
Nimble.
300 million.
All kinds of inner turmoil churning inside me—but...
My heart was starting to tip one way.
'Nimble's a pretty girl, after all.'
Why was I grinding away at Harvesting and Rice Farming in the first place?
Time to remind myself why I was desperately scraping together Ether.
'To land a hot girlfriend and fool around with her.'
When I thought about it that way, siding with Nimble here made perfect sense.
"Wolf...? No clue. Guys around the Great Wall turn a rat bite into an elephant story all the time. Probably just rumors."
"Of course we don't buy every rumor hook, line, and sinker. But this 'Monster Hunt' gig? Sometimes a tiny whisper turns into the key clue."
That's when Germain sis piped up, clearly interested in something else.
"300 million Ether? That's a shit-ton of cash. Your patron just coughs up sums like that no sweat?"
"Can't disclose the patron's identity for reasons, but when it comes to Ether deals, I can vouch they're more reliable than anyone."
"Hmph, everyone says that."
"That's why I'm saying—Guild Leader, wanna team up with us?"
"Team up?"
"Opportunities like this don't drop in your lap every day."
A fearsome Monster Hunter proposing a partnership to Germain sis.
Thump-thump-thump.
My heart felt like it was gonna explode.
A thief as skilled as Germain sis joining a Monster Hunter party? Nimble wouldn't stand a chance—she'd be dog meat on a hot summer day!
So I'm watching this tense scene unfold, and Germain sis just shrugs.
"Sorry, but hunting's not my style. And I don't take jobs from mystery patrons."
"Too bad. A chance to work with a thief as captivating as you doesn't come around often for us either—!"
The Monster Hunters let out a hearty kahahaha.
Evening before I knew it.
I filled Hermit in on everything over dinner at the tavern.
"These are the sketches the Monster Hunters gave me."
"Gave you sketches?"
"Nah, I stole 'em."
Sloppy pockets on those guys.
Ended up with four posters in my hands.
「Troll – Foal of the Fallen Idol」
「Mermaid – Song of Temptation」
「Vampire – Fangs that Pierce the Darkness」
「Werewolf – Cursed Half-Man Half-Beast」
"The werewolf's got a 300 million bounty."
"Nimble's worth 300 million—!?"
Hermit jumped at the sight of the sketches.
"That damn Nimble girl was already a headache, biting people left and right and vanishing whenever she felt like it! Why not just cash her in to the Monster Hunters for 300 million?"
Hermit was itching to sell Nimble out.
300 million was a king's ransom—anyone might think the same.
'Especially since Nimble overlaps with Hermit's party role?'
Might be thinking of it like eliminating the competition.
I was second-guessing spilling the beans to Hermit when she let out a hehehe.
"But 'Monster Hunters'? Been a while since I heard that."
"You know 'em?"
"Mage Tower wizards often commission hunters for materials. Troll eyeballs and such."
"No kidding?"
"Truth is, not many mages like me run the field. Most strut around their towers or tinker in workshops."
Sure enough, Hermit was an oddball among mages.
As that thought crossed my mind, Hermit said:
"More importantly, partner, looks like that Night Flower you gave me worked! My magic power feels way more stable now, right? I can handle daily life no problem!"
Sure enough, Hermit was slurping soup with a spoon like it was nothing.
Just days ago, static made even using tools a nightmare.
"Wanna touch my fingertips?"
Swish.
Hermit reached out to me.
Just in case, I gingerly brushed my finger against hers.
ZZZAP!
A brutal shock shot from my fingertip straight to my scalp.
"Argh!"
It hurt like hell.
But Hermit was thrilled.
"It worked!"
"This?"
Felt like a wasp or jellyfish sting.
I winced, rubbing my finger, and Hermit explained.
"Before, that was with me suppressing it max!"
"For real?"
"This time I wasn't holding back as much? I bet in this state, I could last like three seconds—"
"Last?"
"Now! Touch me now!"
Touch her?
Where? How?
"Hurry! I can't hold it long!"
Hermit's urging made my head spin.
So with an eh, whatever vibe, I yanked her into a shoulder hug.
And then the craziest thing happened.
"Ooh! Doesn't hurt at all!"
I'd hugged Hermit, who was sparking like a pissed-off Pikachu everywhere.
No pain. No shock.
Just a faint, flowery scent.
"It works! It works!"
Hermit was pumped too.
But only for a moment—
Crackle!
A massive spark popped off my chest.
"Argh!"
I jolted away from Hermit.
Stung so bad my eyes watered, but Hermit was still grinning.
"It works! It does! There's hope! Feed me more pricey stuff, tweak my constitution, and maybe it'll hold from now on?"
Like I'd know.
Hermit wasn't really asking anyway—she eyed the monster sketches.
Then zeroed in on the 'Mermaid' and 'Vampire' ones.
"Mermaid blood's been a rare treasure since forever, and vampires can yield premium materials depending... Wanna give it a shot?"
"Give what a shot?"
"Monster hunting!"
"Hmm..."
"Their bounties are huge. Troll eyeballs alone go for 10 million Ether!"
"...From now on, call me Yor the Troll Hunter!"
Eyeballs worth 10 million?
Capture one alive?
That'd be at least 100 million per head!
'Hitting level 15 would be a breeze!'
I needed a mountain of Ether.
Hammer settled the 'Night Flower' expedition payout—about 20 million Ether.
My cut alone: 20 million.
Insane haul for a two-day trip, but—
[Level up?]
[14 → 15]
[Ether Cost: 81,920,000]
—level 15 was pushing 100 million, so I was still short a ton.
Monster hunting on top?
What side gig could beat this rush?
"So Hermit, where do I find vampires or trolls?"
"No idea! I figured you knew?"
We were both hyped way ahead of our brains.
Still, ways to dig up info aplenty.
"Those hunters seem loaded with leads."
"Yeah, but you think they'll hand over their cash cows?"
Hermit had a point.
In this world, info was money, and money was life.
'Lucky for me, I've got fingers.'
Sneak a peek in their pockets, something's bound to turn up.
"Then Hermit, check out this crown for me."
I handed her the 'Crescent Crown' from the tomb idol.
Looked like a princess's headband, a C-shaped gem in crescent form.
"Hoh."
Hermit's eyes flashed greedy for a split second as she took it.
"This is one hell of a curious item."
Anyway, wrapped up with Hermit and headed to the Great Wall tavern.
Monster Hunters were burly black-clad dudes—come evening, what else but boozing with girls?
"Kahaha! This here's a ghoul fang."
"Ew, sharp as hell."
"Not vampire-grade, but fetches a nice price."
Sure enough, dark-suited guys like rock stars were wasted, yapping away in the tavern.
'Perfect.'
My hunch nailed it.
I ghosted behind them, scanning their gear.
[Success!]
[13 Gold Coins]
[Silver Stake]
[5 Silver Arrows]
[Worn Map]
One worry nagging me.
Tavern's packed, eyes everywhere—can I pull this off?
Whew.
Deep breath first.
Rowdy tavern chaos.
In spots this hectic, you time it right.
Opportunity's gotta come.
"Ahem, gotta hit the john—"
Clunk, splash—
Roll-roll.
"Whoa, this guy's hammered."
"Hehe, pants soaked!"
"Ditch the trousers!"
One hunter rising spilled his beer mug.
Eyes locked on wet pants.
'Now!'
I slipped through the gap lightning-fast.
[13 Gold Coins – Success!]
[Silver Stake – Success!]
[5 Silver Arrows – Success!]
[Worn Map – Success!]
Damn, flawless even by my standards.
"Huh, where's my wallet?"
"Gerilt, what ghoul grass you chewing now?"
I bolted from the tavern.
Perfect crime.
Narakje-recommended pickpocketing skill 'Subtle Hand' was gold.
Now to the quiet training grounds.
Checked my haul from the hunters.
"Heavy."
Loved the 'Silver Stake'.
Pure silver?
Should fetch a bundle.
Rest: low-silver arrows.
And the map.
Flap.
Unfolded it eagerly—some unfamiliar city overview.
Town hall, guard post, all marked in detail.
'This Cunning Town map?'
Nailed every nook and cranny.
For some reason, a red X over the 'Orphanage'.
X on maps usually meant treasure, right?
Rustle.
Staring at the hunter sketches and map, pondering next moves.
Then—WOOF!—someone barked loud.
"Mom!?"
"What, scared like a thief caught red-handed?"
Nimble.
My reflexes kicked in stupid-fast, stuffing map and posters in my pocket.
Then Hermit popped out of nowhere, hurling a net at Nimble.
"300 million Ether!"