Bjorn took some time, coming back with three pouches bulking with money.
"Here, in addition to the raise that came with the rank increase, I personally threw in a bonus for the outstanding work. I never thought something that terrifying could lurk in there, putting us all to risk."
He handed Sophia and Mikael one, the third reserved for Bjorn.
Mikael peeked into the bag, the shining color of silver nearly shocking him.
"Isn't this too much?" he said, looking over to Sophia as she exclaimed:"Barely enough, but I'll take it."
Bjorn smiled wryly, looking at Mikael. "Stone rank missions are paid far more. I anticipated that I could be made into one, so I thought to cut costs by altering it to wood rank. It's not really enough for a standard stone rank, but should suffice. You earned it. I put a bit more into yours, for the potion you had to use."
He whispered the last part, only for him to hear.
"Now, whom should we report to?"
Mikael asked, not knowing how to proceed.
"The Caretaker, or Guild master. Smae thing. I already asked for a audience." Bjorn said, just as they were called.
"Guild Master Dom would like to see you. Sadly he is out the house tonight, but we informed him and he should arrive soon. You can go to the kitchen and get something to drink on the house."
'Kitchen? Where is here a kitchen.'
Sophia already stood up, walking towards the stairs.
"Do you have something on your ears? We get free stuff."
'I assume it's the ground floor.'
Mikael and Bjorn followed, already seeing how Sophia sat down on the bar. The bulky and tall man Mikael saw the first time when entering served them.
Sophia ordered a black tea with milk, Bjorn wanted a coffee, saying he can with this talk easier.
"I'd like a beer please." Mikael ordered, getting a glance from the other two in a sense of asking -for real-?
All having a drink, they were mostly silent. Together they spun together their information, about the monster, the migration of other creatures and the found adventurer from the cave.
"What do you after this? I for my part will buy some new equipment. If I had engaged in more close combat with this thing, I would've been a goner." Mikael saw down at himself, his as good as new clothes having taken quite the beating, but protected him well enough for the rough treatment.
"I escape in my own walls, connecting the gathered herbs and experiment with different compounds. Have to make back the money I spend on you."
"Can't take long, pharmacist makes good money. Even a apprentice one. Can I come along with you?" she asked at Mikael. Taking out her 2/3 of a sword, she looked at it quite nostalgic.
"I have to replace this one here, maybe grab some ointments for my next mission."
"Sure you can, but don't you want to take a break first. Letting sink in all this stuff that happened?"
"Why would I? Money is faster spend than earned, and wasting to much thought on a single difficult encounter isn't my style. Future quests can also have these types of surprises or uncertainties. I take a day, yes, but only to buy stuff and prepare for most things I learned today."
The door swung open, a man a light clothes, short gray hair and a messy beard and sharp eyes entered the building. He saw the three at the bar, the barman nodding towards the man.
With strong steps and confident attitude he came over, building himself up before Mikael who sat closest to him.
"Greetings, my name is Simon Crownfield, but most call me either Simon or Caretaker here. I'm the Guild Master appointed by the main building and man in charge."
The three introduced themselves, and when Mikael turn came Simon gave him a hard pat on the shoulder.
"So young but already here, sad but impressive. And I know you are here to report something urgent about Nodan? Then let's go straight to my office, but the drinks remain here."
He led them up to the third floor, a smaller area and a entire separate room, on which door -Simon Cornfield- was written. As they walked behind that charismatic old man, Mikael had a constant pressing feeling since he got into contact with him.
'Same as the monster back then, but not fear or weariness, more... respect?'
He saw no obvious changes around the man, but how could he perceive something knowing nothing about it.
They entered the room, a big desk in the back of it, a mostly clear window with many frames spending sunlight in the day behind. The walls had drawers and boxes stacked all over it, the floor covered by shining wooden boards. Many writing materials laid on one bureau, inkwells and pens, as well some paper made both from fibers and hide.
Simon took place in a big padded chair, leaning back and taking out a container from his drawer, pouring himself something in to drink.
"Take a seat, no need to remain standing there." he said, Sophia already in a motion to let herself sink into one of the chairs.
"So, tell me what happened in Nodan. I'm quite interested." he said, supporting his chin with intertwined hands.
One after another recounted the events, from the moment of their encounter with the Kobolds until the fight with the monster. Simon listened without interrupting them, and when finally Mikael finished his version, he leaned back onto his chair, giving him a deep look.
"So a evolved monster is at fault for the creatures wandering. It seemed to be somewhat intelligent and adapt at stealth, strength and speed. You're lucky it didn't have any magical property's other than masking its steps." he stopped talking, walking to a book shelf and browsing through some books. He took two of them, laying them before Sophia and Mikael.
"One of them fit the criteria?"
A quick look over these they shook their heads. "It resembled this one here, the -Boros-? But the thing we saw had tusks protruding from both lips, and the body was a bit smaller." Mikael said.
"Then a new species, not uncommon for evolved creatures, and Nodan is quite unexplored, too. No one before encountered this, so can one of you give me a sketch? To add it to our library."
He asked expecting, and Sophia grabbed a pen and ink, beginning to draw quite well the proportions and details it had.
"Thank you, you might as well give it a name, as due to your efforts we now can put together a team to hunt it."
"Tusk Stalker, making it easy to get vital information right away. How about that? Bjorn suggested, looking into the round.
"I don't have anything better, and it sums it up pretty good." Mikael approved. Sophia looked like she had something on the tip of her tongue, but didn't voice her suggestion.
"Alright, then we will make a entry for the Tusk Stalker and post a copper rank group quest on the board. My request would your participation, Mikael and Sophia. Your experience can make a big difference how to handle that beast and spot its behavior. Could you do us that favor?"
It coming from Simon's mouth made it sound more like an order, so Mikael agreed right away, albeit he had mixed feelings.
Sophia's first question instead was:" What would be our reward? Escaping that thing once was already hard enough, but going in to find it again is a bit much. He is just a child for mothers sake."
Mikael couldn't really believe she drew him in as a excuse, and when glancing at her he saw the corners of her mouth twitching ever so slightly.
"I admit that you deserve some kind of reward, and for my request I think 5 silvers are more then enough, as your task will require less fighting than guiding. In the case you have to act, we discuss further compensation."
He looked at Mikael who was also in Simon's focus the entire time.
"To get you on board is in fact more important. From your report you saw the attack coming and delivered the blow that made it flee. Even if you are young, you showed great potential, and I'd like to groom you here in our branch. And you as well Sophia. Your battle instincts seem to be outstanding. I couldn't talk with Leon yet, but other than just sending you to help finding the Tusk Stalker, I'd like to get a report on your behavior."
His eyes gave Mikael the chills, and coupled with his rising aura he twitched uncontrollably on his chair. Sophia didn't seem to be that effected, but still tapped with her finger repeatedly on the desk.
"Is it okay to tell us so openly your plan? We can pretend to behave to expectations, maybe fooling you."
Simon looked at her, smiling and laughing shortly.
"Haha, I'd like to see you try. I'll send one of my friends on the mission, and he got quite the eye for people. Try to deceive him, but it would be the last thing you'd do."
He noticed he had threatened them, quickly correcting himself.
"I mean in a sense you'd have a bad entry in your profile and maybe some rumors about you lurking. Sorry if that came out wrong."
He breathed out loudly, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Anyway, I have to compliment you guys. Not only did you finish a stone rank quest as wood ranks, but came back with important information, a report about a missing adventurer thus completing another unintentionally and fighting back a unevolved creature."
He clapped in his hands, a smile forming under his messy beard.
"That are indeed achievements worthy to elevate your ranks. At least yours and Leon's.
Mikael on the other hand hasn't that much experience yet. So after doing my request successfully, you also get promoted to stone rank, after passing a little test I'll prepare. Okay with that?"
Both nodded, Bjorn congratulating them.
"Then we got that straight. Follow me to the counter, Bobby should have the rewards for the listed achievements. Does anyone of you have a ID that needs to be updated?"
Only Mikael lifted his hand, getting another approving and interested look from Simon.
"I'd like to dig into your background, kid. But that can wait."
They went down a floor, and after Simon talked with the employee Bobby, they completed just like that another quest, and each one of them got another pouch full with Silver and Big Copper.
"We secure Leon's reward till he collects it himself. Until then come back in a weeks time the group for the tusk Stalker hunt should be assembled."
Simon saw them off after a quick arm contact. Before Mikael could leave for the stairs, he felt a big hand on his shoulder, and Caretaker bend down to his ear.