"No, no, but of course. Kind sir, there definitely was a valid reason for us acting the way we did! As you are surely aware of, today a kill or capture quest was posted in Aventurine city's Adventurer's guild. A quest about those criminals behind you, sir."
"!!!!"
The elf shook his head and explained, unintentionally causing the young outlaws to be thrown deeper into despair.
Many of them at least visited Aventurine, and at least two of them were from Aventurine.
But the quest was issued regardless.
And not just capture one.
Kill or capture.
Guaranteeing a reward even if the young bandits were ripped apart and mauled.
It... it was truly over for them, wasn't it...?
"We believed you to be a bandit who decided to sell out his comrades out of greed. Or at least in an attempt to save his own skin. Nothing unusual when you think about it. I'm sure you understand our approach now."
The elf finished his explanation with a polite smile that had less warmth than a glacier in a blizzard.
"Kill record on the guild card is more efficient than transporting the bandits alive and risking them making a break for it."
"...!"
"I couldn't explain it better even if I tried to, sir. Also, apologies for your familiar."
Ace let out a sigh that terrified the youths behind him even more and prompted the elf to nod vigorously, seeing a chance for an opening.
"If we're clear on that, would it be possible for you to unlock my companion's skill? Archery is very important to her on an emotional level. As you can see, she gets quite distressed without it."
The elf rouge added, meaningfully glancing back at his trembling bow-wielding companion, still frantically trying to make the bow work and failing to put the arrow on the string while simultaneously managing to somehow untie the wrappings on the main body of the weapon...
"I will consider that under the condition that you will make the effort of taking them back alive. In the case of Kill or capture quests, the reward for capture is significantly higher than for the kill. I'm surprised that you didn't think about it first. Those are just some kids."
"No problem, sir. If that is what you wish for, so be it!"
Ace took a deep breath, took a quick glance at the distraught young captives, and agreed to the great joy of the sleazy-acting elf.
"So be it."
"AH~!"
The green-haired youth breathed out and waved his hand dismissively, which was followed by the joyful gasp of the huntress, who had managed to properly load the arrow…
"Idiot~"
*twack*
"Ghhh…!?"
…which she shot at Ace, striking him in the dead center of his chest and forcing air out of his lungs.
"...ghhh… hhhh….?"
The green-haired young man fell to his knees, letting out pained wheezes without being able to properly open his mouth while some unknown substance seemed to enter his bloodstream, burning him from the inside.
"Nice one, isn't it? I'm not an archer or hunter. What you are experiencing is a special damage-paralyze concoction of a beautiful girl with the ability Poison brewer~"
The woman winked at the incapacitated Ace and even struck a pose as she boasted.
"Fuck yeah~! We went out only to some fresh hearts for the crazy geezer, but we ended up getting a fucker with royal-type ability as a bonus~! Boss will have to give us a fuck-ton of a bonus pay this time~!"
The elf cheered out, pumping his fist, dropping his previous act completely.
"That moron really believed that we were adventurers, and there was some quest!"
"Boss was right, making you the leader of our group, Valin."
The short muscular woman chuckled so much that her massive hammer trembled, and the snake-like man hissed hushedly with a rather nasty smile.
"I'll crush some heads now, alright?"
"Let me shoot them first. My paralyzing concoction makes the hearts still beat even after removing them from the bodies. The old man likes and pays better for them like that."
The muscular woman declared with a bloodthirsty smile, but she was stopped by the one with the bow, who grabbed another arrow and took aim.
"That one feels like she will try to escape, so… Good night~"
"...!"
Anrie giggled, aiming at the freckled girl and letting go of the arrow…
"GHHH!"
"WHOA~!"
The projectile pierced through the flesh, and the wounded person let out a stifled groan, resulting in a sight that made the elf rouge lean back and cheer out.
Because the one struck wasn't the girl whom the Poison brewer aimed at, but Ace, who managed to raise his hand and intercept the arrow, getting it stuck halfway through his open palm.
"Oh, shit. I'm not even mad. I just wish to know whether my brew was too weak on the paralyzing side or if he managed to activate his ability and block the effect!"
"It might also just be that your poison needs more time to activate fully. We have time. Feel free to experiment. If it's the ability, then he should be able to keep moving without much problem regardless."
The bow-wielding woman let out an intrigued voice and gasped, to which the snake-like man pointed out with an even creepier smile.
"Is that okay, Valin?"
"Go, the fuck, ahead~!"
Anrie glanced over at the elf rouge while he gave her a thumbs-up with an amused smirk.
"Hey, Your Majesty, I will be aiming at the smallest one next~! Do your best with your hero act~"
"Ohhh! Good idea~! The higher pressure will spread the poison better!"
Anrie announced, to which her hammer-wielding comrade cheered out in enthusiasm.
"Huh…?"
All of a sudden, as Anrie was taking aim, the snake-like man flinched and turned around seemingly without a reason - and ended up letting out a surprised voice at the sight of a blue-haired stranger he had never seen before.
"What's the ma…?"
*PA-WHOOOOOOOSH*
Valin was the first and only one to pay attention to his companion's behavior. The next moment, their whole quartet disappeared in a flash of bluish light, followed by snowflake-like particles of bluish mana falling down from the sky and dispersing into nothingness when they touched the ground.