The Porter's Golden Trap
Having finished their journey across the Lake of Ice Chains, Vints returned to the inn where they were staying. After settling accounts and reflecting on the adventure with his companions, he took some time alone. Right now, he had a lot on his mind.
Should I really go with Johann after all? If I team up with him, we might even be able to take down the Demon King.
The adventure here had been fantastical, but he had a place to return to. He wanted to wrap things up here as quickly as possible and head back to his original world. To do that, joining forces with Johann was the best option. He knew the man's skills better than anyone.
But abandoning his comrades so callously felt wrong—they'd grown too close. Even during this reflection session, they'd been grinning ear to ear, debating which dungeon to tackle next.
The perilous dungeon crawls had forged unbreakable bonds in the party. Vints owed his comrades a great debt. They'd shown kindness to a stranger from another world without expecting anything in return. Leaving them behind would go against everything he stood for.
Johann had his own circumstances too, making it hard to push from this side. Their views were running parallel, never meeting.
"This is complicated."
He shook his head. The tangled thoughts in his mind refused to resolve.
"Hero!"
The Priest interrupted his brooding with her cheerful voice.
"The mage and I are heading to the guild. Gotta get info on the next dungeon. You cool guarding the inn?"
"Yeah. I've got some thinking to do right now."
"Okay! We'll be back before you know it!"
The Priest shot him a cheesy wink that didn't match her sturdy build at all. That lightness was part of her charm—though it was the kind of charm that might overwhelm a guy.
"Right. For now, I'll focus on the party. If fate wills it, we'll meet again even if we part ways."
That was Vints' conclusion. He had no idea how fate's wheel would turn.
The Priest and Sharon arrived at the Adventurer's Guild. Their steps were swift as the wind, light as feathers.
"I heard about that wanted criminal at the tavern. Merchant Guild's offering 20 gold as bounty. And they still haven't caught him or found any leads."
"Priest, you went straight to the bar the moment we got back to town?"
"It was for intel gathering! Not a drop of selfishness, so cut me some slack."
The two bantered as usual while walking.
They arrived at the guild faster than normal, thanks to their quick pace.
"We too early or what?"
"If we've got time, we can dig up dungeon info. Though after conquering Lake of Ice Chains, there aren't many left around here for us."
"Whoa! Does that mean we're heading to the Demon King's Castle soon!? My heart's pounding already."
"You two are early."
A familiar voice cut into their conversation. Someone who'd been waiting.
"Whoa! Porter! You beat us here? Hope we didn't keep you waiting—sorry about that."
"No, I just arrived myself. I poked around for more on that wanted criminal, just in case. Nothing substantial, as expected. Good thing—no other flies buzzing around."
"Heh heh. The fewer who know a secret, the better. Thanks for sharing such valuable info so generously! What a hero's friend!"
Johann shrugged at the Priest's praise.
"Just give and take. I've received from you, so this is only fair."
"Too many folks these days forget basic manners. If you've got adventurer questions, ask away. We'll answer with all we've got."
"Perfect. I've got a bunch coming up. Especially about dungeons."
"Fire away. We'll spill everything we know."
The Priest thumped her chest confidently. Sharon cleared her throat, steering back to the point.
"Alright, let's get to the bounty details. You know the guy's face?"
At Sharon's question, Johann smiled brightly, glancing slyly around like he was about to reveal a huge secret. Every gesture hooked their interest perfectly.
"Yes. I witnessed his crime. And through the info guild, I confirmed where he's holed up. Drew a sketch of his face, and they pinpointed the spot right away."
"Oho! Impressive! Better than those useless guards. Info guild's great at spy work but clueless on the culprit? They brag about guessing the goddess's underwear color, but their skills suck. Lucky for us, though."
"Before that—what do you two know about the case?"
"Just tavern gossip for me. Sharon knows zilch. Bounty of 20 gold on his neck, capture alive only. Probably for truth serum."
"You know most of it. Key point: 20 gold bounty. Before the story, let's settle the split ratio."
Johann eyed them alternately with a smile. Prime negotiation time.
"Leave the muscle to me. I'm a priest, but I pack a punch. This mage looks soft but she's a solid fire specialist. Together, we deserve half."
"Half's too much. Paid a fortune to the info guild."
"C'mon, be generous. Sharing's caring."
"Clean 3-7."
"4-6. We're two people."
The Priest haggled like a pro.
For Johann, the split didn't matter—he had no intention of sharing. But to avoid suspicion, he pretended to compromise reasonably.
"Fine. 4-6 it is. Follow me. First, to the inn where he's staying."
Johann flashed a grin and led the way.
Easy chances at big money don't come often. Only a fool would pass one up.
For adventurers always scraping by no matter their wealth, such thoughts were natural. That's why the Priest and Sharon followed Johann without suspicion. His good looks undeniably swayed them.
The power of a person's face exceeds imagination—it influences the subconscious.
A clean-cut, handsome, silver-tongued guy like Johann couldn't be a con man. And he was the hero's friend, right?
Surely an upright hero like Vints wouldn't hang with bad company. Childish logic, but they bought it.
In truth, Johann's type was the one to watch out for most. Unfortunately, they lacked worldly experience.
Prepped more bait, but they're biting easier than expected.
Things were going smoothly—Johann hid his smile, leading ahead. Destination: the inn where the hero was staying.
His goal was clear: remove these two obstacles to seducing Vints.
Doing it himself was crude. If party members died mysteriously, Vints might investigate. He doubted it, but if Vints linked it back to him, trouble.
Besides, this wasn't just eliminating Vints' allies—it was a shot at the hero too. Vints was a thorn in Johann's side.
They turned left into an alley off the main carriage road. Narrower street, busier foot traffic. Ten minutes to the target.
"Oh, right. Had a few questions for you next time we met."
The Priest, tailing close, spoke up suddenly. Johann tilted his head. What could she want from a mere acquaintance?
"Tons of questions about the hero. Guy's super quiet, doesn't talk about himself. Thought all outworlders were like that, but you're chatty."
"Vints has always been that way. Words aren't his thing—I don't know much about him either."
"Figures. Born a stoic type, huh? What was his old job?"
"Student. Same academy as me."
The topic naturally shifted to Vints. Common ground disarms suspicion.
"Model student, stuck to rules. Second in grades."
"Second? Some monster beat him for first?"
"That'd be me."
The Priest and Sharon burst out laughing.
"Haha! Great sense of humor. Hero could use some of that. He's as far from funny as Wanderer's Village from Starter's."
"Too much for him. Almost there."
Johann brushed off their reaction. They were dead men soon anyway.
At the hero's inn, they scoped the exterior first.
"Murderer's crashing here? Looks pretty upscale. Pictured some rundown shack."
"Perfect to dodge guards. He's in room 201, I think."
"Sweet! Nab him, hand to Merchant Guild, collect gold. Easy as pie."
The Priest rolled up her sleeves, eyes gleaming like she'd already cashed in.
"Priest, careful. He's a killer."
Sharon stressed caution. The Priest scoffed.
"I could be a killer anytime if not for the Lord. Just sayin'."
"I know. Don't kill him. Guild wants him alive. Suicide means no payout."
"Control my strength? Not my strong suit."
They giggled through trivial chatter, zero tension.
Johann took point.
"From here, you action girls handle it. Cool?"
"You bet! Frontal assault?"
"Cornered rat might off itself—headache. Elegant ambush, take him down quick."
"Elegant ambush. Sounds tactical."
Johann nodded at the Priest.
"Nothing complex. I'll lure him out. You two wait outside, nab him on sight."
"Oho. Set a trap, flush him our way. Smart—gives him an out, no suicide. Simple but solid. How to lure?"
"Pretend guard, inspection. Guilty prick'll bolt if I give an opening. One at front door, one back."
"We grab him when he runs."
"Exactly. Simple means flawless. Catch him, we rake in gold."
"What if he threatens you? You okay solo?"
Sharon worried kindly.
"I've got legs to run if needed. Don't worry."
"Fair. Porter in dungeons needs stamina."
Sharon said confidently.
Johann's plan felt a bit sloppy despite his assurances. But executing seemed easy—just snag the rat fleeing the inn. No issues.
Johann left them outside and entered. Found room 201, knocked.
"Hero!"