Chapter 172: Burning (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: Burning (4)
Twinkle!
Once it registered its user, the Orb of Fire began to glow. However, after that, no matter what we did, there was no reaction whatsoever. Even Raven gave up after poking at it for a while. "I think... this will have to be appraised by a special appraiser back in the city."
"Are we taking this?"
"Sorry? What do you mean?"
No, I mean...
I decided to be honest. "I thought you might suggest taking the book instead. Saying it has great historical value or something."
"Well, it's not that I don't want it." Instead of getting angry, Raven readily agreed with my assumption. "But the writer of the diary said themself that we should take this and use it. It's clear that this orb is more valuable than the diary. Plus, I already memorized everything and made a video recording just in case."
"Uh... I see?"
"Yes. So don't worry about that."
Afterward, Raven cast distortion magic on the Orb of Fire. Now, even if the team discovered the bind on it before we left this place, Raven wouldn't be able to undo the spell.
I should only let them find out what this thing is once we're back in the city so it won't seem suspicious.
Yes, that was the best course of action. As far as they knew, I didn't know anything, so any binding that may or may not have happened was a complete accident. Although my conscience was pricked... It wasn't like I took this item for my own good. The Orb of Fire was an item for the entire team. Therefore, the benefits would be shared by all of us for as long as we were still members of the same team.
"...It doesn't seem like there's anything else."
We searched the house for about thirty more minutes but there wasn't anything notable inside, even though I figured there might be another feature that hadn't appeared in the game like the diary.
"So, what should we do?"
"Isn't it obvious? We should continue hunting."
"...I thought you'd say that."
Like the money-grubbing adventurers we were, we spent our remaining time frugally hunting monsters. And after a while...
[You have been transported to Rafdonia.]
It was time to return.
***
Sunshine for the first time in a month. As if to photosynthesize, I took some time to bask in the warmth before moving on to the checkpoint dedicated to mid-level adventurers ranked six or higher. As I waited there, everyone except Mr. Bear gathered.
"Where is Urakburak?"
I mean, do you really need to ask?
Since we had been hunting right up until the moment we left the labyrinth, I didn't have the energy to answer that. After a short wait, Mr. Bear finally arrived. Beside him was an unfamiliar adventurer.
"Here."
"Ah, thanks. Thanks to you I was able to find it."
"Haha, and thanks to you, I got to experience all sorts of things." After that questionable bit of praise, the adventurer casually headed off to their own team.
Mr. Bear smiled, embarrassed, and joined us. "Haha, the line is quite long now."
That's because we're late thanks to you.
The sighs kept coming but I didn't say anything. I was the team's leader. Everyone had their pros and cons. I had to try and embrace their flaws as well. I also had a somewhat higher tolerance for this stuff thanks to my Team Half-Wit days.
He does fight brilliantly, this guy.
Anyway, as we all got in line and waited, Missha and Mr. Bear started chatting. "Standing here all togetherrr like this, I feel like I've really made it."
"Haha, I guess I can see why you might feel that way. Parties are recognized from rank six on."
"Yes. I feel like I'm a full-fledged adventurrrer now. It feels really strange..."
Actually, I was feeling the same thing. In the past, we all had to gather after passing through different checkpoints for each of our individual ranks. The line dedicated to rank six cleared out quickly. The number of adventurers passing through this checkpoint was far fewer than the number at the rank-nine checkpoint, but there were double the staff. There were even individual rooms for privacy.
"Team Apple Narak... is that right?" The administrative staff member looked down at our team registration with an impressive poker face.
After going through some simple administrative procedures, we handed over the bags of mana stones we had collected—about seven of them, and all of them hefty.
When the staff member opened all the bags to confirm that they were full of mana stones, their eyes widened. Of course, before long, those same eyes narrowed significantly. That almost threw me back to the time I was dragged into the guild's prison, but Raven handled the matter, as she was pro-conversation.
"All of these mana stones were obtained fairly by killing monsters. There are video recordings to prove it. Of course, if you want to confirm that, you'll have to pay appropriate compensation for disclosing our achievements to others."
"I believe... that won't be necessary."
"Then can you hurry up and exchange those, please?"
Perhaps she was tired, or the staff member's look had pissed her off, but Raven was more irritable than usual. It seemed that the staff member might have picked up on the menace radiating from her because they worked quickly and finished the exchange in no time. "25.19 million stones."
This was an amount that only clans could achieve. Divided by five, that was five million stones each. If we continued earning like this every month, our annual salary would be a whopping sixty million stones!
God bless the Burning Zone.
Even if we took down dozens of monsters each battle, it would be impossible to earn this much without that x2 bonus.
"Ha..." Air left my lungs in a rush. That was how strange this felt. It felt like just yesterday that I exchanged my first mana stones for 180,000 stones and earned the respect of my barbarian peers.
"S-So, how many cotton candies is that?"
"Uh... You won't go bankrrrupt even if you eat ten every day for the rest of your life?"
And the fact that this amount had come not from the equipment of plunderers but purely from mana stones was inspiring. Well, it'd be hard to earn this much every time, though.
We found it very early this time.
I had discovered the black moss earlier than expected and hadn't had to wait long before a Mila Roden appeared. Not to mention, the distortion spell succeeded in one try. It would be unrealistic to expect our next expedition to run this smoothly.
The sighs kept coming but I didn't say anything. I was the team's leader. Everyone had their pros and cons. I had to try and embrace their flaws as well. I also had a somewhat higher tolerance for this stuff thanks to my Team Half-Wit days.
He does fight brilliantly, this guy.
Anyway, as we all got in line and waited, Missha and Mr. Bear started chatting. "Standing here all togetherrr like this, I feel like I've really made it."
"Haha, I guess I can see why you might feel that way. Parties are recognized from rank six on."
"Yes. I feel like I'm a full-fledged adventurrrer now. It feels really strange..."
Actually, I was feeling the same thing. In the past, we all had to gather after passing through different checkpoints for each of our individual ranks. The line dedicated to rank six cleared out quickly. The number of adventurers passing through this checkpoint was far fewer than the number at the rank-nine checkpoint, but there were double the staff. There were even individual rooms for privacy.
"Team Apple Narak... is that right?" The administrative staff member looked down at our team registration with an impressive poker face.
After going through some simple administrative procedures, we handed over the bags of mana stones we had collected—about seven of them, and all of them hefty.
When the staff member opened all the bags to confirm that they were full of mana stones, their eyes widened. Of course, before long, those same eyes narrowed significantly. That almost threw me back to the time I was dragged into the guild's prison, but Raven handled the matter, as she was pro-conversation.
"All of these mana stones were obtained fairly by killing monsters. There are video recordings to prove it. Of course, if you want to confirm that, you'll have to pay appropriate compensation for disclosing our achievements to others."
"I believe... that won't be necessary."
"Then can you hurry up and exchange those, please?"
Perhaps she was tired, or the staff member's look had pissed her off, but Raven was more irritable than usual. It seemed that the staff member might have picked up on the menace radiating from her because they worked quickly and finished the exchange in no time. "25.19 million stones."
This was an amount that only clans could achieve. Divided by five, that was five million stones each. If we continued earning like this every month, our annual salary would be a whopping sixty million stones!
God bless the Burning Zone.
Even if we took down dozens of monsters each battle, it would be impossible to earn this much without that x2 bonus.
"Ha..." Air left my lungs in a rush. That was how strange this felt. It felt like just yesterday that I exchanged my first mana stones for 180,000 stones and earned the respect of my barbarian peers.
"S-So, how many cotton candies is that?"
"Uh... You won't go bankrrrupt even if you eat ten every day for the rest of your life?"
And the fact that this amount had come not from the equipment of plunderers but purely from mana stones was inspiring. Well, it'd be hard to earn this much every time, though.
We found it very early this time.
I had discovered the black moss earlier than expected and hadn't had to wait long before a Mila Roden appeared. Not to mention, the distortion spell succeeded in one try. It would be unrealistic to expect our next expedition to run this smoothly.
"...We're doing the loot distribution tomorrow, right?" Raven asked as soon as we left the checkpoint. From the look in her eyes, the answer was already decided.
"Let's do it the day after tomorrow while we're at it." I had no intention of doing it today, either. Not only had we cut back on sleep to hunt, we stayed awake until midnight on the last day. Considering our usual routine was to set up camp at 9-10 p.m., it was way past our bedtime.
"The day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, because we have to sell the equipment and remains too."
"Oh, that... Could you sell those for us, Mr. Yandel? I really don't think I can wake up tomorrow."
"I thought we could leave the appraisal part to you since you're certified?"
Raven pursed her lips. It seemed she had never dreamed that her bragging would come back at her like a boomerang.
"It's not just equipment, but magical ingredients too. That's something only a wizard can handle."
"...Then you'll come with me. Even a barbarian can handle being a porter for a day, right?"
Porter, my ass. From someone who carried a subspace ring, the request was absurd, but I just said yes. I was curious about how a wizard navigated the marketplace, anyway.
"Then I'll see you then." After setting up a meeting time, we decided to split up to head to our respective lodgings. "Then I'll be going first." Raven yawned and left for her personal laboratory in the Magic Tower.
"Abman, can you find the way?" asked Missha.
"Don't worry. I know the way home from the checkpoint."
"Wow, so you can at least find your house."
Mr. Bear headed to the tavern, where his wife was waiting.
"All rrright, let's go too."
"Missha, can't we eat something before that? I-I'm so hungry..."
"Let's eat together after we wash up first."
"Ugh, I'll try to survive until then."
We went off to our nest.
***
At 1 p.m. the next day, while Missha and Ainar slept in at the inn, I prepared to go out. I had to go sell the loot with Raven.
"Ah, then drop my equipment off at the rrrepair shop for me."
"...Can you do mine too?"
I even brought their equipment with me. It was a bit disappointing that neither of them offered to come with but, well, I was the team's leader. I could suffer this much for the sake of the team.
"You're one minute late."
"Shall I pay the late fee?"
"Do I look like a beggar?"
Why was this one so prickly?
Ah, because she couldn't sleep longer.
I decided in my infinite generosity to let it slide. Raven was not the team's leader, yet she had been dragged here just for being a wizard, so of course she wasn't pleased.
I wonder if she likes sweets. I'll have to try feeding her some later.
As I recalled this bit of worldly wisdom I had learned from my ex-girlfriend, we got on the carriage headed to Kommelby. On the way, there wasn't a hint of friendly conversation. We both passed out.
"...We're doing the loot distribution tomorrow, right?" Raven asked as soon as we left the checkpoint. From the look in her eyes, the answer was already decided.
"Let's do it the day after tomorrow while we're at it." I had no intention of doing it today, either. Not only had we cut back on sleep to hunt, we stayed awake until midnight on the last day. Considering our usual routine was to set up camp at 9-10 p.m., it was way past our bedtime.
"The day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, because we have to sell the equipment and remains too."
"Oh, that... Could you sell those for us, Mr. Yandel? I really don't think I can wake up tomorrow."
"I thought we could leave the appraisal part to you since you're certified?"
Raven pursed her lips. It seemed she had never dreamed that her bragging would come back at her like a boomerang.
"It's not just equipment, but magical ingredients too. That's something only a wizard can handle."
"...Then you'll come with me. Even a barbarian can handle being a porter for a day, right?"
Porter, my ass. From someone who carried a subspace ring, the request was absurd, but I just said yes. I was curious about how a wizard navigated the marketplace, anyway.
"Then I'll see you then." After setting up a meeting time, we decided to split up to head to our respective lodgings. "Then I'll be going first." Raven yawned and left for her personal laboratory in the Magic Tower.
"Abman, can you find the way?" asked Missha.
"Don't worry. I know the way home from the checkpoint."
"Wow, so you can at least find your house."
Mr. Bear headed to the tavern, where his wife was waiting.
"All rrright, let's go too."
"Missha, can't we eat something before that? I-I'm so hungry..."
"Let's eat together after we wash up first."
"Ugh, I'll try to survive until then."
We went off to our nest.
***
At 1 p.m. the next day, while Missha and Ainar slept in at the inn, I prepared to go out. I had to go sell the loot with Raven.
"Ah, then drop my equipment off at the rrrepair shop for me."
"...Can you do mine too?"
I even brought their equipment with me. It was a bit disappointing that neither of them offered to come with but, well, I was the team's leader. I could suffer this much for the sake of the team.
"You're one minute late."
"Shall I pay the late fee?"
"Do I look like a beggar?"
Why was this one so prickly?
Ah, because she couldn't sleep longer.
I decided in my infinite generosity to let it slide. Raven was not the team's leader, yet she had been dragged here just for being a wizard, so of course she wasn't pleased.
I wonder if she likes sweets. I'll have to try feeding her some later.
As I recalled this bit of worldly wisdom I had learned from my ex-girlfriend, we got on the carriage headed to Kommelby. On the way, there wasn't a hint of friendly conversation. We both passed out.
"That was a good nap..." Raven yawned.
When I woke up, the carriage had arrived. Because we didn't meet early in the morning, we decided to move fast. Ah, but first, I put something sweet in her mouth.
"Mm, I 'on't like 'weet stuff..."
"Look me in the eye if you want to say something like that."
"Ugh, this hurts my pride."
Anyway, today's agenda was simple: sell the Mila Roden's remains to a magic shop, visit the forge in the center to drop off some equipment for repair, get rid of the masked assailant's equipment, put the expandable backpack and the Ifrit's essence up on the Exchange, and, while there, call for the special appraiser and get an appraisal of the Orb of Fire.
"This... is a very valuable item," the appraiser told us. "Only a few large clans have one in their possession."
"So what is it?"
"It is an Orb of Fire. When activated, it reduces fire damage within a fifteen-yard radius without consuming Soul Power."
"How do you activate it?"
"There is an activation word. I'll write it down here so you don't forget."
The cost of the special appraisal was a whopping three hundred thousand stones. As soon as I heard that, my stomach hurt. Seriously, these guys just sat back and raked in the cash. "So, what is the appraised value?"
"Oh, I didn't mention, but only the one who first acquired the orb can use it."
"Sorry? I beg your pardon?" Raven shifted her gaze to me. But what could you do? It was an accident, I tell you.
Sigh...
Her sigh seemed to contain many emotions.
We were about to leave after finishing our business when the appraiser made a request. "Oh, would it be possible to learn where you found this?"
"No. We have no intention of disclosing our achievements," said Raven.
"Well, if you change your mind, please come find me. It just so happens that the clans that acquired the orb are also keeping their mouths shut. I will pay a fair price."
"Okay, we will."
Once we left the auction house, our to-do list for the day was complete. Given how methodically we handled things, there was still a lot of time left until the last carriage, so we had a quick meal near the platform.
"Raven, I'm just letting you know, I didn't know about the orb."
"Did I say otherwise? What, you thought I was going to make you reimburse me?"
Uh... you're not? I most definitely thought that.
"It's fine. Even the appraiser said so himself that it's a magic item that's used more as a communal asset than a personal item."
"Yes, I will only use it for the team."
The issue I had been worried about had been easily resolved, so I settled in to eat comfortably and brought up something I was curious about. "But why did you decline that offer earlier?"
"You mean telling them where we found the orb?"
"Yeah, it sounded like they were going to pay a good price."
"Not really. If we tell them, they'll probably make several times more from the information. I refuse to let that happen."
Well, vendors everywhere always had the easiest jobs.
"Most importantly, if the place we acquired it becomes common knowledge, more people will learn about that book. That can't happen either. I'm going to do proper research into this in the future and turn the academic world upside down."
Now I saw there was another reason she had made the decision she had. What was so important about reputation? I couldn't relate to her motive, but I supposed everyone had their own goals.
"Anyway, I hope we continue to work together in the future."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"I think an ancient secret related to that witch is hidden in the labyrinth for some reason. I've decided to look for it."
"Hmm... so?"
"I'm going to continue working as an adventurer. By your side."
I didn't know why she was emphasizing the fact that she'd be working alongside me like that. When I stared at her, Raven grinned.
"I got this feeling in the Bloody Citadel, too, but you're blessed when it comes to these things, Mr. Yandel. I feel like things are about to get more interesting in the future."
She wants to experience interesting things by staying by my side, huh? I chuckled.
"You can count on me. A wizard's intuition is more accurate than you think," she said.
I suppose she was right. When it came to a wizard's intuition, you could count on it.
"That was a good nap..." Raven yawned.
When I woke up, the carriage had arrived. Because we didn't meet early in the morning, we decided to move fast. Ah, but first, I put something sweet in her mouth.
"Mm, I 'on't like 'weet stuff..."
"Look me in the eye if you want to say something like that."
"Ugh, this hurts my pride."
Anyway, today's agenda was simple: sell the Mila Roden's remains to a magic shop, visit the forge in the center to drop off some equipment for repair, get rid of the masked assailant's equipment, put the expandable backpack and the Ifrit's essence up on the Exchange, and, while there, call for the special appraiser and get an appraisal of the Orb of Fire.
"This... is a very valuable item," the appraiser told us. "Only a few large clans have one in their possession."
"So what is it?"
"It is an Orb of Fire. When activated, it reduces fire damage within a fifteen-yard radius without consuming Soul Power."
"How do you activate it?"
"There is an activation word. I'll write it down here so you don't forget."
The cost of the special appraisal was a whopping three hundred thousand stones. As soon as I heard that, my stomach hurt. Seriously, these guys just sat back and raked in the cash. "So, what is the appraised value?"
"Oh, I didn't mention, but only the one who first acquired the orb can use it."
"Sorry? I beg your pardon?" Raven shifted her gaze to me. But what could you do? It was an accident, I tell you.
Sigh...
Her sigh seemed to contain many emotions.
We were about to leave after finishing our business when the appraiser made a request. "Oh, would it be possible to learn where you found this?"
"No. We have no intention of disclosing our achievements," said Raven.
"Well, if you change your mind, please come find me. It just so happens that the clans that acquired the orb are also keeping their mouths shut. I will pay a fair price."
"Okay, we will."
Once we left the auction house, our to-do list for the day was complete. Given how methodically we handled things, there was still a lot of time left until the last carriage, so we had a quick meal near the platform.
"Raven, I'm just letting you know, I didn't know about the orb."
"Did I say otherwise? What, you thought I was going to make you reimburse me?"
Uh... you're not? I most definitely thought that.
"It's fine. Even the appraiser said so himself that it's a magic item that's used more as a communal asset than a personal item."
"Yes, I will only use it for the team."
The issue I had been worried about had been easily resolved, so I settled in to eat comfortably and brought up something I was curious about. "But why did you decline that offer earlier?"
"You mean telling them where we found the orb?"
"Yeah, it sounded like they were going to pay a good price."
"Not really. If we tell them, they'll probably make several times more from the information. I refuse to let that happen."
Well, vendors everywhere always had the easiest jobs.
"Most importantly, if the place we acquired it becomes common knowledge, more people will learn about that book. That can't happen either. I'm going to do proper research into this in the future and turn the academic world upside down."
Now I saw there was another reason she had made the decision she had. What was so important about reputation? I couldn't relate to her motive, but I supposed everyone had their own goals.
"Anyway, I hope we continue to work together in the future."
"What's this all of a sudden?"
"I think an ancient secret related to that witch is hidden in the labyrinth for some reason. I've decided to look for it."
"Hmm... so?"
"I'm going to continue working as an adventurer. By your side."
I didn't know why she was emphasizing the fact that she'd be working alongside me like that. When I stared at her, Raven grinned.
"I got this feeling in the Bloody Citadel, too, but you're blessed when it comes to these things, Mr. Yandel. I feel like things are about to get more interesting in the future."
She wants to experience interesting things by staying by my side, huh? I chuckled.
"You can count on me. A wizard's intuition is more accurate than you think," she said.
I suppose she was right. When it came to a wizard's intuition, you could count on it.