The worker's eyes widened in shock as he realized the magnitude of what Caelum claimed. "You took care of both of them?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "The Witch, despite her low level, was a cunning adversary, and the Bandit Leader... he had an entire gang at his beck and call. We've had that bounty up for months."
Caelum nodded, his face impassive. "Proof," he said simply, and placed two severed heads on the counter. The worker recoiled slightly at the sight, but a closer inspection confirmed their identities.
The heads were unmistakable. The Witch, with her pale, lifeless eyes and a look of surprise forever etched on her face, and the Bandit Leader, his features frozen in a grimace of fear and pain. The worker looked up at Caelum with newfound respect and a hint of fear.
The grim display of the severed heads on the counter caused an immediate stir in the Adventurers' Guild. Adventurers and guild workers alike paused in their activities, their gazes fixated on Caelum's macabre proof. Among them, a seasoned adventurer recognized the witch and couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "Fuck!" This outburst only served to heighten the curiosity about Caelum, with murmurs and whispers rapidly spreading through the room.
The guild worker, recovering from his initial shock, swiftly processed the bounty. He counted out the gold, his hands slightly trembling. "Here's your reward," he said, pushing a pile of 40 Goldens (EG) towards Caelum. "You've done a great service."
Caelum collected the gold with a nod, his expression stoic. He then turned to Lily, signaling that they had more business to attend to. "Let's head to the Loot Section. I have more to sell."
Lily, still somewhat taken aback by the turn of events, followed Caelum to another part of the guild, where adventurers sold various items and spoils from their quests. Caelum, checking his system's inventory, noted the items he had to offer: a Chameleonmorph's body, thirty Venomous Thicket Wasps, a Slumbering Moss Bear, and five Shadow Lynxes. "Not bad," he mused to himself.
As they entered the Loot Section, Caelum's presence commanded attention. The items he carried were rare and valuable, although unseen, his disposition drawing the interest of many around him.
The Chameleonmorph's body, in particular, was a rare find. Known for its adaptive camouflage and agility, it was a prized catch for any hunter. Venomous Thicket Wasps, though dangerous, yielded venom that was highly sought after by alchemists. The Slumbering Moss Bear's fur was renowned for its resilience and warmth, making it valuable to tailors and armorers. Lastly, the Shadow Lynxes, elusive predators of the Whispering Forest, were prized for their sleek fur and sharp claws, coveted by various artisans.
Caelum laid out his items for appraisal, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the various reactions. Lily stayed close, observing the process with interest.
In the Loot Section of the Adventurers' Guild, the appraiser, an elderly man with keen eyes that had seen countless trophies, was visibly elated as he inspected the Chameleonmorph's body laid out by Caelum. He tried to maintain a professional demeanor, but his excitement was palpable. He couldn't help but be elated by what he had discovered. Although he attempted to contain his joy, not wanting to alert Caelum to the rarity of the object, his enthusiasm got the better of him.
The Chameleonmorph, a creature famed for its ability to shapeshift into any creature of the forest, was notoriously difficult to kill. Many adventurers had fallen prey to its cunning traps. The appraiser's hands trembled slightly as he touched the body, his mind racing with the possibilities. "The whole body... intact. We could craft so many items with this," he muttered, his voice a mix of awe and professional greed.
He began a meticulous examination, checking for damage. The body was remarkably well-preserved, but he noted several puncture wounds. "Curious," he mused, his brow furrowing. "These punctures... they're small, almost like they were made by a needle or a hairpin. But the force behind them... it's extraordinary."
Caelum watched the appraiser work, his face betraying nothing. He knew the value of what he had brought, and he was prepared to negotiate.
The appraiser turned to Caelum, trying to mask his eagerness. "This is a remarkable find. I must say, I'm impressed. How did you manage to kill such a creature?"
Caelum's reply was nonchalant. "With precision and a bit of luck," he said, his gaze steady.
The appraiser nodded, then moved on to the Venomous Thicket Wasps. "Ah, these are dangerous, but their venom is highly valuable." He examined the wasps, noting the quality of the venom sacs. "These are in good condition. Alchemists will pay a high price for these."
He then inspected the Slumbering Moss Bear's fur, his hands running over the thick, resilient hide. "Excellent. This fur is prized for its warmth and durability. Armorers and tailors will be interested."
Finally, he examined the Shadow Lynxes. "Sleek fur, sharp claws... These are fine specimens. They're sought after for their beauty and rarity."
Lily, standing beside Caelum, was fascinated by the process. "You've really outdone yourself, Caelum," she whispered, her eyes wide with admiration.
The appraiser completed his examination and turned to Caelum. "For the Chameleonmorph's body, considering its rarity and the condition, I can offer you 100 Goldens. The wasps, bear fur, and lynxes together... another 75 Goldens. That's a total of 175 Goldens. What do you say?"
Caelum snorted dismissively at the appraiser's offer. With swift movements, he collected all the bodies into his inventory. "Let's go, Lily," he said curtly, turning away from the disappointed appraiser.
Lily, still processing the scene, nodded and hurriedly followed Caelum. The appraiser, desperate to salvage the deal, shouted after them, "Stop! I am sorry. I am sorry. I will give you 400! Please, wait." But Caelum continued walking, unfazed. "You lost your chance," he called back without turning.
The appraiser, visibly devastated, pleaded, "Please, at least the Chameleonmorph! It is so rare. I will pay 200! No, 300!" But Caelum didn't stop. His figure, moving with a purposeful stride, soon reached the entrance of the Guild.
As Caelum and Lily were about to leave the Guild, they were approached by four people – two men and two women. The party, a mix of weapon users and mages, was a sight to behold. Their attires ranged from intricate armor to flowing robes, each signifying their distinct paths in the Sword System or the Magic System.
The one in the lead, a beautiful woman with striking features, stopped Caelum. Her voice carried a hint of authority mixed with curiosity. "You there, we would like to offer you to join our party. We saw that you dealt with the bandit leader and the witch, but you are new here, right?"
Caelum's eyes surveyed the group. Each member carried themselves with a certain air of confidence and skill. The woman, adorned in a blend of armor and fabric, exuded a balance of strength and grace. A man beside her, donning full plate armor, held a broadsword with an ease that spoke of years of training. The other two, one in robes with arcane symbols was clearly were practitioners of Myst. and the other in lighter, more agile gear, probably a ranger.
Caelum's gaze lingered on the badges each member of the group wore, emitting a Silver Light. "Silver Rank," he noted internally. It was a respectable level in Lighthaven, where he surmised the highest might be Gold Rank.