To have been amidst this situation ... it was a terrible mess ...
There was only fear that approached ...!
If it wasn't you ... maybe ... what would happen ...
No, it couldn't imagine how terrifying ... die in such a manner ...
'Quickly hide, you bitch!!' ...
'Since you're a fool, better hide ... Got it?!'
You only said several words. Even though it seemed rude ...
Your words ...
Your concerns ...
Gave a hope ... hope ... to survive ...
Even if you were a summoner, your words would melt every soul of a 'creature' that hadn't known what hope was for a long time ...
The "creature" that had been swallowed up and devoured by the 'cruel' of the world ...
Even after hiding behind it, those fears appeared in many forms amidst this event ...
Beast's roar ...
The clink of weapons ...
*Roar!* *Thud!* *Swoosh!*
...
But, those vanished when you spoke ...
'But you're just a brainless creature ...'
That voice was your last voice before the beast roared again ...
*Roar!*
That roar was enough to make anyone's guts shrank. However, after the beast's roar, those voices couldn't be heard again. Even your voice, too ...
Is he dead ...? Is only death left in this place ...?
Don't know ...! Thoughts that —out of nowhere— began to 'noisy' ...
*Fear!* *Horror!* *Death!*
When thoughts and fears were growing continuously ...
"Get out, you fool! It's all over!"
Out of nowhere, that 'hope' appeared amidst this situation. The body reflexively rose up. When turned at the source of voice ...
There was a man with blood, covering his body. With an abnormally long grin, that man stood before the desk.
Silent appeared at this moment. The body felt numb and didn't want to move.
Afterward, that man extended the right hand, which was covered in blood and wounds. With a sharp gaze, that man spoke,
"There's a price for all of this ...!"
***
A few minutes before the incident ...
Before calling the receptionist, I slashed the beast's body. When its blood came out profusely, I took off both of my light-sized iron gauntlets and washed several parts of my body with its blood. Both my palms and my face became the part which was covered by the beast's blood.
"I didn't expect much," I said quietly. "However, given the current state—" while looking around—"Looks like it'll work, hehe!"
After the preparations were done, I walked to the reception desk. Immediately, I said,
"Get out, you fool! It's all over!"
When I called her out, she appeared quickly. When she saw me, her face was ghastly pale. Sweat drenched her face. Her body was slightly shaking.
(I didn't even think she would be afraid like that ....) I laughed within.
According to what had been prepared, I spoke,
"There's a price for all of this. So, I'm asking for a fee!" I said while extending my hand.
***
Right now ...
Hearing my statement, the receptionist immediately gave me one gold coin. I didn't understand, so I provoked her,
"What meaning of this??! Are you serious right now after all I did before, huh?!!"
She was silent when I asked her. After looking at the coin for a while, I realized that she gave back my adventurer status check fee. Even so, with her unstable state, I tried to bully her,
"Only one gold coin?? That's the reward for saving you from that beast?! Are you fucking kidding me?! Did your brain get damaged by your acquisitive?!! Maybe you need little punishment from me...,"
(Honestly, this bluff also served as a way to vent my previous frustration with this bitch's treatment. Tweedledum and Tweedledee go well!) I thought within.
"A-ah! N-n-no, sir! I-I d-didn't mean l-like that to you, sir!" She replied with afraid.
Because of her words, a memory flashed that —out of nowhere— popped up in my head,
'I-i-i! B-B-b-believe! I-in-you!' Said a boy, even though his face was blurry. However, his words seemed to imprint on me. I felt a strong emotional attachment to that boy.
Hearing the receptionist's words, I immediately got angry and pounded the desk with my right hand ...
*Bam!*
"So, explain! Don't pretend to be a stutterer to gain my sympathy! The stutterer I know has a much better personality than yours!" while glaring at her. "Mark my words carefully, bitch! Or maybe you need several treatments where you can learn about apologies properly, hmm~!" I added in a tone of increasing annoyance.
"I-I'm sorry, sir! Please forgive me for my rude behavior!" she replied in a frightened tone while lowering her head repeatedly.
The receptionist repeated her apology for tricking me into the adventurer status check fee. She explained her statement in a frightened tone. Along with that, as a sign of apology, she offered the adventurer status check fee for free. Hearing that,
"Fine! But," while looking at the carcass of a beast. "I also asked for my fees for successfully killing this creature and took over its carcass. What's more, you're also safe and sound, right?" I said with a smile.
I didn't know what was going on in her mind, but her expression was getting afraid. She didn't even reply to my words. Noticing her passivity, I pounded the table ...
"Bam!"
"Hear me out, bitch!" I spoke firmly. "All of that comes at a price, including saving your pathetic life. So, answer quickly!"
Soon as I wanted to bully her again, I got some notifications ...
[Side mission "Embrace the aura of wisdom": Create wisdom in this place.] (70/100%)
[Side mission "Bring out an aura of selfishness": Create selfishness in this place.] (95/100%)
(As I expected! That was rapidly progressive!) I thought happily.
The receptionist shakily replied,
"T-that-!"
Abruptly, a voice came from behind,
"I can give your fees for killing the beast. Unfortunately, to took over that carcass, I can't guarantee it, young man!" Someone said firmly.
Both I and the receptionist suddenly looked behind us. The voice came from a middle-aged man. He was wearing a black suit tuxedo. Even so, his size was short enough and almost made me mistake him as a young boy.
He walked toward me. While walking, he reacted,
"From the beginning at fight, I noticed," while looking around. "You've got the ability, acceleration, until quick decision making. I'm impressed!"
After a few steps, he was already in front of me. With a smile, he continued to ask something,
"What's your name, young adventurer?"
(This person was … suspicious. I'd use my pseudonym here!) I thought warily.
"Gilbert, that's my name. Yours?"
"Americ, the leader of this guild!" while giving his hand as if to shake hands.
Seeing what he was doing, I reacted,
"My hands were dirty. It's very unethical if I return your greeting, guild master," I said while looking at him, giving him to take a look at my hands which it already covered in beast's blood.
He just laughed at my statement while giving up with his handshake before. He replied,
"You're a unique person!" he said while looking back at me.
(What a suspicious person!) I thought.
"Putting that aside," I said while looking at him. "What do you mean about 'I can't guarantee it'? Do you mind the way I treat her?"
"Considering her deceiving acts, I don't mind," he replied relaxedly, shaking his head. "Nonetheless, in the case of that beast's carcass, it's a king's property. As a result, I can't hand over its carcass to you. Thence, I can't guarantee it,"
"You aren't aware of your position, are you?"
"I'm aware of that. Thence, as a token of my gratitude, I'm offering you a bargain in exchange,"
(Huh! Typical of a sly-troublesome person. However, considering his position until the opportunity to get information about the political map here, it's a good thing. Then, let's follow his 'game'!) I thought.
"Bargain? With what?"
"Not much," he smiled then. "For the beast's death, I can make many excuses for that. Stepping that matter aside, since you saved the guild and my subordinate, I'll give you as much as you want for saving the guild's face. How about that? Amuse bargain, isn't it?"
"Mr. Americ, isn't that a bit much?!" the receptionist reacted surprisedly.
Hearing that statement, Mr. Americ looked at the receptionist and replied,
"Could you hold your screw mouth for a moment, Nina?" he spoke with a suppressed intonation even though he was smiling.
Hearing her boss's words, Nina suddenly panicked and became silent. I saw that moment ...
(I guess I understand this side's guy a bit.) I thought with certainty.
Then, Mr. Americ looked toward me,
"Sorry to make you uncomfortable, Mr. Gilbert. I'll give you as much as you want in return for that. How about that?"
I was thinking about this for several moments ...
(To be honest, this is a chance to earn money and connection with this person. Moreover, it's about money. However, looking at the way he spoke with his subordinate, it'll be a pain in the ass for me in the future if I accept his offer!) I thought as I considered many things.
After thinking for a while, I replied to him,
"Okay! I want to take that reward based on the request mission in general. Plus, I want both of its teeth and nails of that beast. That's my bargain!"
Mr. Americ was suddenly surprised, and it could see from his expression. His smile changed slightly. Even so, it didn't last long and returned to normal. Later, he started to speak,
"Why?"
"What do you mean, guild master? I don't understand at all," I replied confusedly.
"Why did you ask so little for your gift? And why did you want both of its teeth and nails of that beast?"
Hearing that question, I responded,
"Just think of this, it's my way of 'helping' you by giving optional explanations to the king. In that way, isn't your argument acceptable to him without much effort, right? As for gifts ... I'm afraid the guild's cash will run out just to pay me alone, hehehe! " I said while laughing.
(To be honest, I'm worrying about his next move. At least, for now, get away from that person first!) I thought.
Seeing this, Mr. Americ was silent awhile and thought about what I said. Moments later, he talked,
"Interesting!" while walking toward Nina. "For the wages and items, wait a few hours from now. While waiting, you can rest in one of the guild rooms. Nina, take him to the guild's guest room, and you should already know what you have to do next, don't you?" He then walked away from us.
In the same momentum, several notifications sounded ...
[Side mission "Embrace the aura of wisdom": Create wisdom in this place.] (100/100%)
[Side mission "Bring out an aura of selfishness": Create selfishness in this place.] (100/100%)
[You've gained +30 exp and +15 stat points.] (1/1)
[You've gained +15 exp and +30 stat points.] (1/1)
[Collect some exp points to level up your level.] (58/100)
After that, I was escorted to the guild guest room for rest. Nina, The Receptionist, intended to leave the room with a slightly frightened expression. Realizing that, I called out to her,
"Wait a minute!" I said firmly. "I've something to ask. I ORDER you!"
***
In a guild master's office, Mr. Americ was thinking about something. Then, from behind, an assassin appeared. The assassin said,
"What are your orders, sir?"
With a smile, Mr. Americ replied,
"Keep an eye on the man named Gilbert!" he deeply said.
"Isn't it now?"
"No need. He's having fun right now. Keep an eye on him after he leaves the guild!"
"Yes, sir!" The assassin replied and disappeared then.
Mr. Americ looked out the window after that. Subsequently, he spoke,
"What a careful man you are!" He smiled then.