Ethan raised an eyebrow at Lia's last comment. "Special amulet? What's that for?"
Lia glanced at him, her expression serious. "It's called the Beastward Amulet. Wolves, especially forest wolves, are very territorial. If you enter their hunting grounds without the amulet, they'll treat you as a major threat and attack in larger packs. But the amulet masks your presence enough to make you seem like less of a danger. It reduces the chance of drawing the whole pack."
"That sounds… important," Ethan said, frowning slightly. "And I'm guessing it's not something you can just find lying around?"
Lia shook her head. "No, Master. You can buy one at the adventurer's guild, but it costs a bit of money—around ten silver coins. If you're registered with the guild, they might even rent one to you."
Ethan sighed, glancing at the glowing cores scattered around the clearing. "So, step one is selling these cores to get enough money for the amulet, right?"
Lia nodded. "Yes, Master. The cores from slimes don't sell for much—just a few copper coins each—but with how many you've collected, it should add up."
Ethan scratched his head. "Alright. Sounds like a plan. We head back to the guild, sell what we've got, and pick up this amulet. Then it's wolf-hunting time."
Lia smiled hesitantly. "If you think it's the best plan, Master. But forest wolves are much faster and stronger than slimes… we'll have to be very careful."
Ethan gave her a reassuring grin. "We've got this." Well, technically Snarl and Grug got this but he would throw that curve ball at her when they start fighting an actual wolf. That reminded him. He also needed to get something for healing his goblins when they visited the guild.
Lia nodded, standing up and brushing grass off her clothes. Together, they began collecting the crystal cores scattered across the clearing, preparing for their next step in the adventure.
By the time they finished collecting the cores, Ethan's bag was bulging with the small crystals. Lia carried a smaller pouch of cores herself. Together, they made their way back toward the town, the forest gradually giving way to well-trodden paths and distant chatter.
As they entered the bustling market square, Ethan's attention shifted to the adventurer's guild—a sturdy, weathered building that stood at the heart of the town. Its wooden doors were slightly ajar, revealing a lively interior filled with adventurers of all shapes and sizes.
"Alright," Ethan said, adjusting the strap of his overstuffed bag. "Let's get these cores sold and see how much we've got to work with. Ready?"
Lia nodded, her nervousness overshadowed by a flicker of excitement. "Ready, Master."
They stepped into the guild, the lively atmosphere washing over them as they approached the counter.
The adventurer's guild was alive with energy. Adventurers clustered around tables, swapping stories of their latest exploits while others examined posted quests on a large, worn noticeboard. The scent of leather, steel, and faintly of ale lingered in the air. Ethan and Lia weaved through the throng of adventurers, their haul of slime cores attracting a few curious glances.
As they approached the counter, a cheerful clerk greeted them. She was a petite woman with short auburn hair and a bright smile, though her sharp eyes scanned Ethan and Lia with the practiced efficiency of someone accustomed to adventurer antics.
"Welcome to the adventurer's guild," the clerk said. "Are you here to sell monster parts or register as adventurers?"
"Selling, for now," Ethan replied, setting his bulging bag onto the counter with a small thud. "We've got slime cores."
The clerk's eyebrows rose slightly. "That's quite a haul. Slime cores don't fetch much individually, but in bulk… well, let's see." She reached for a set of scales and began counting and weighing the cores with swift precision.
As she worked, Lia stood close to Ethan, her hands fidgeting with the pouch she held. She glanced around nervously, clearly overwhelmed by the bustling activity in the guild.
"First time in a guild?" Ethan asked softly, leaning toward her.
Lia nodded. "It's… so busy. And everyone here looks so strong."
"You'll fit in just fine," Ethan said, giving her a reassuring smile.
The clerk interrupted them, tapping a ledger as she finished counting. "You've brought in 123 slime cores. That comes to… let's see… 12 silver and 30 copper coins." She looked impressed. "Not bad for slimes. Are you working as a team?"
"Something like that," Ethan said. "We're planning to take on forest wolves next, so we'll need a Beastward Amulet. Do you have one in stock?"
The clerk nodded. "We do. Ten silver coins. If you're registered with the guild, you could rent one for just two silver."
"About that," Ethan said, scratching his chin. "How does registering work?"
The clerk brightened. "Simple! It costs one silver to register, and you'll get an adventurer's ID, access to guild resources, and reduced prices on rentals. Plus, you can take on official quests and earn additional rewards."
Ethan glanced at Lia, who nodded slightly. "Let's do it," he said.
The clerk's smile widened. "Excellent choice. Give me a moment to process the paperwork."
"Only her. Not me." Ethan added with a smile.