With the announcement gaining traction, adventurers began flooding the magical beast shop, exchanging carcasses for gold coins. The excitement quickly sparked a hunting frenzy, with throngs of adventurers rushing out to hunt magical beasts.
However, bringing back their prized catches proved to be a hassle. In this context, a new profession emerged: teams dedicated to transporting hunted prey. They didn't hunt themselves but aimed to get a share of the profits from those who did, albeit a small one.
August may not have realized it, but his initiative had triggered a widespread hunting craze. While some in this world did use magical beast meat in their cooking or sought specific types of meat—such as wild boar beasts—August's operation was unique in its scale and scope, especially considering it had just opened.
This led to an unprecedented surge in hunting activity, though it would likely taper off after some time. The income from hunting was significantly lower compared to completing quests, and given that August had already hunted many beasts in the area, the local population had been considerably depleted. This was not a game; beasts required time to reproduce.
Curiosity led Meidri to visit the shop that day.
"Welcome!" Bella greeted her with a bright smile as she stepped inside.
Taken aback by Bella's striking beauty and charm, Meidri paused. This was no ordinary woman.
"Excuse me, is August here?" Meidri inquired.
"Are you looking for the young master? I'm afraid he's out at the moment," Bella replied.
"The young master?" Meidri was surprised. The title suggested a level of significance that made her reconsider August's identity. With his wealth and strength, it hinted at deeper connections worth contemplating.
"If possible, may I have your name? I'll inform him you stopped by when he returns," Bella offered.
"Never mind; if he's not here, I'll just leave," Meidri said hastily, exiting before Bella could respond. The maid was left puzzled, wondering if she had said something wrong.
Back at the Ale and Eats Tavern, Meidri's emotions were tumultuous. Her curiosity about August only deepened, and she began to question whether a relationship with someone of his stature could even work.
A man like August would undoubtedly not consider marrying a mere winged woman of common descent. Yet, giving up seemed difficult. There was an innate resistance within her, and having already benefited so much from her connection to him, the idea of letting go felt like too much to bear.
Meanwhile, August was traveling with Stunk, Zel, Kanchal, and the orc Gyor toward the seaside. Stunk and Zel had accepted a delivery task to transport goods to a coastal location, while Kanchal and Gyor had their own assignments.
August followed along, not really having a specific purpose but simply going with the flow.
During the journey, August kept himself busy, dispatching several Shadow Claws to hunt magical beasts along the way. Every little bit counted, after all.
After nearly a day of travel, the group finally reached the coastal area. The other three went off to complete their tasks, agreeing to meet later at the largest tavern in the area before parting ways to attend to their business.
With little time to spare, August didn't wander aimlessly; he made his way to the tavern first.
As expected, the tavern was populated mostly by sea folk. The setup allowed aquatic beings, like mermaids, to enter directly from the water, and several tables were occupied by them. Although their beauty was undeniable, they didn't quite match the enchanting image of mermaids that August held in his mind.
August's enthusiasm waned considerably as he noticed several male merfolk in the tavern. It wasn't just the mermaids; various aquatic races filled the establishment, including multi-legged octopoid beings, crab-like humanoids, and even shark-headed and dolphin-like humanoids with legs.
This diversity made August realize something crucial: this world was genuinely real, with both beauty and ugliness coexisting. His attention was particularly caught by a large, rotund octopus with a rather unappealing face and physique, wobbling awkwardly as it walked, nearly causing him to lose his dinner from the previous night.
"Sir, you look unfamiliar. Are you a newcomer?" a bright, melodic voice broke through his thoughts.
August turned to see a stunning pink mermaid before him. Her lower half glistened like the finest coral, while her hair and even the slight fins she sported were all a vibrant pink. Her movements exuded an air of elegance that suggested she was of noble birth.
"This is my first visit here. I heard mermaids are beautiful, so I wanted to see for myself," he replied.
"And what do you think?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"I was somewhat disappointed at first, but now I'm thoroughly satisfied," he said, smiling.
"Flattery will get you everywhere! You certainly know how to charm a girl," she responded with a teasing laugh.
"Just doing my best," August said, feeling good-naturedly engaged. It's not every day that a beautiful woman strikes up a conversation, and her friendliness put him at ease. He sensed no malice from her, which made him feel comfortable; whatever her intentions might be, they seemed harmless.
The two chatted for a while, discussing the local area and the various sights. After about thirty to forty minutes, the mermaid seemed to recall something and appeared ready to leave.
"It was delightful talking with you. May I ask your name?" she inquired, glancing at him with interest.
"August. And you, lovely mermaid?"
"Melody. Be sure to remember it, August."
"I tend to have a good memory when it comes to beautiful women."
"Then I shall take my leave for now. I look forward to hearing more of your stories next time," she said, offering him a bright smile.
"Of course. Until we meet again," August replied.
With a graceful splash, Melody leaped into a nearby waterway and swam away into the depths of the ocean.
A satisfied smile crept onto August's face. Being approached by a mermaid, especially one as enchanting as Melody, was an experience he wouldn't soon forget.
"Lucky guy!"
"I know, right?"
"Such a beautiful mermaid sister!"
"Being handsome has its perks!"
At that moment, Stunk, Zel, Kanchal, and Gyor emerged, glancing at the spot where Melody had vanished, their voices filled with admiration.
August chuckled to himself, rolling his eyes at their antics. These four were quite the characters, and he appreciated their ability to recognize when to let him enjoy a conversation without interruption.
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