Chapter 23: Quest 11: Gather the Medicinal Herbs [Part 2]
After taking a long meal break, Makoto and the others set off.
“At this rate weâll reach town by evening. Sigh, fifty A for a whole day⌔
“Canât you walk without complaining?”
Makoto jabbed at Yuuka as she let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Still, itâs fifty A a day.”
“Thatâs normal for our rank.”
If it were just Makoto and Yuuka, they wouldnât have even qualified for this request.
And without Fene, they likely would have failed.
“I know. But isnât there some flashy way to earn big?”
“Letâs go steady.”
“What kind of adventurer doesnât take risks?”
“You sound like you just want to gamble.”
He could already picture her hitting beginnerâs luck, winning big, and spiraling into obsession.
“Fene, any way to make big money?”
“Hunt strong monsters.”
“Obviously.”
“The Evil Grizzly would earn about two thousand A.”
“Wait. Is that thing that valuable?”
“Itâs the strongest nearby.”
“I meant the bounty.”
“The bountyâs about five hundred A.”
“Only five hundred?”
“With enough people and gear, itâs beatable.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Makoto wondered how rewards were calculated.
Five hundred for the strongest nearby, one thousand for a legendary monster felt cheap.
“Where does the other fifteen hundred come from?”
“Sell the pelt and magic stone.”
“Magic stone?”
“Stronger monsters have them. The peltâs for armor, the stone for magic items.”
Makoto froze.
“Undead have them too?”
“Of course. Some say there are giant ones.”
“What the hell⌔
Yuuka averted her eyes.
They had destroyed potential wealth.
“No point dwelling on it.”
“Whatâs wrong?”
“Nothing. By the way, where do we sell materials?”
“There are buyers.”
Makoto stopped and sighed.
Thenâ
“Again?” Yuuka asked.
“Donât call it that.”
“Which way?”
“There.”
He pointed deeper into the forest.
“It feels different. Enjoying it but also rushing.”
Liv flashed through his mind.
“We going?”
“Yeah. I donât want someone I know dying.”
“Fine.”
“Iâm coming too!” Fene said.
“You stay with her,” Makoto told Yuuka.
“I know.”
He launched forward like a rocket.
No fatigue. No breathlessness.
“Focus.”
The urgency grew stronger.
Soon he saw Liv fighting a massive bear.
It stood upright, swinging its arms.
She dodged and countered but dealt little damage.
The size difference was overwhelming.
Finally, the bear struck.
Liv wedged her weapon between them, preventing instant death.
She was blasted into a tree.
Yet she grinned savagely.
The bear advanced to finish her.
Makoto stepped between them.
“Youâve got time to grin but not to grab your weapon?”
“Yo, Makoto. Got me good.”
Her hammer was twisted.
Her arm bent unnaturally. Bone protruded.
“Zombies didnât prepare me for this⌔
“Makoto, look out!”
The bearâs arm swung down.
He braced and blocked.
The impact jolted him.
He leapt in and punched.
The bear flew back like a cannonball.
It rolled, stood again.
Clearly outmatched, yet it didnât flee.
Heat surged.
Red particles swirled around it.
Magic.
“Ah.”
It relied on that.
“Ignition.”
Black flames burst from his arm.
He stopped.
If he burned it, no pelt or stone.
“Convergence.”
The flames condensed into his hand.
The bear roared and unleashed a torrent of fire.
A flamethrower.
“Shit!”
He thrust his hand forward.
The flames split, but heat still scorched.
“Liv! Behind me!”
She obeyed.
His skin stung despite resistances.
The flames ceased.
The red light swirled again.
Before it could castâ
“Magic Bullet!”
Yuukaâs spell exploded the bearâs face.
Blood and brain matter sprayed.
Yet it charged headless.
“Stay down!”
Makoto slammed his fist.
The bear crashed headfirst and lay still.
“Hey! I wanted the last hit!” Yuuka complained, emerging with Fene on her back.
“Equal split.”
“I know!”
Fene slid down, pale.
“Forgot something.”
Makoto turned to Liv.
Her body was scorched.
Her arm grotesquely broken.
“You got a potion?”
“Of course.”
She bit down on cloth and shoved the bone back in.
Makoto nearly gagged.
She poured the potion over herself.
Light shimmered as wounds healed.
“You really okay?”
“Used to it.”
Her body bore countless scars.
“Brother! Help with butchering!”
“Hold on.”
He faced them.
“We need to talk. Liv?”
“Yeah?”
“Equal split okay?”
“What?!” Yuuka shouted.
“You beat it!” Fene insisted.
“Liv fought first.”
“I donât need a share,” Liv said.
“See?” Yuuka said.
“Instead, let me handle selling the pelt and stone.”
“Sheâll run off!” Fene cried.
“I wonât!”
“I can get two thousand A.”
“Impossible!”
“I have connections.”
“If it sells for two thousand, give me five hundred as a fee.”
“Thatâs fair,” Makoto said.
Yuuka shrugged.
“Youâre the leader.”
“Alright.”
They shook hands.
The next morning, Liv sat at the counter.
“Morning.”
“Hey.”
“Morning, sir,” Sherry greeted.
Makoto sat beside Liv.
“Hereâs the fifteen hundred.”
“Thanks.”
He pocketed it.
“Youâre not checking?”
“Youâre sitting here. Means itâs right.”
“Youâre too trusting.”
She pouted.
“Join the mercenaries.”
“I said no.”
“Youâd earn a fortune. Better inns. Women galore.”
“Tempting.”
“Iâll handle the messy parts.”
She was serious.
“Sorry. Still no.”
“Donât you want more?”
“I do. But not killing as a business.”
“Adventurers kill too.”
“Maybe. But not always.”
She reluctantly nodded.
“Iâve got Yuuka and Fene to think about.”
“Sounds like hypocrisy.”
“Itâs about how I feel.”
She sighed.
“Whatâs your desire?”
He hesitated.
“Slow life.”
“SlowâŚ?”
“Make money young. Retire early. Live quietly.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Iâll need about nine million A.”
She stared.
“…Let me join you.”
“Fine.”
“Really?”
“Youâd strengthen us.”
“Iâve hit my limit as a merc.”
“…Also, I kinda fell for you.”
“…I see.”
He reminded himself not to misinterpret it.
“Letâs talk to Yuuka and Fene.”
He muttered quietly.