Chapter 23: Selling loots

Stepping through the gates, she stretched her arms and took a deep breath. The sky is as blue as it is.

“Ahh… the smell of civilization,” she murmured, exhaling with satisfaction. The smell of dust and smoke, though nothing compared to the modern world as they are organic. There are also some faint traces of grilled meat. Yes, that was the scent of progress.

Her eyes drifted to the familiar stall up ahead. It was the large boar barbeque stand she’d stared at longingly yesterday that Slade almost left her by herself. It was open now, smoke curling from the grill as a man worked the skewers with practiced ease.

The sizzling sound reached her first, followed by that warm, smoky aroma that clawed directly at her self-control. She stopped walking, staring at the stand like it had personally wronged her in a past life.

The vendor noticed. “Would you like some, miss?” he asked kindly.

She just smiled faintly, though her eyes stayed fixed on the meat trying her best to resist herself from drooling like a kid.

“I would love to,” she replied, “but do you happen to accept rabbit horns as payment?”

The man raised a brow. “Sorry, I don’t.”

She let out a soft, defeated sigh. “That's very unfortunate. Though, mark my words, mister! I shall be back right away with the money,” she promised, walking off quickly before temptation could win.

The streets were easy to remember this time. Sha had been there before, and the streets aren't that complicated to remember. Only straight steps and a turn. She did not need any guide like Slade. She reached the Adventurers’ Guild without getting lost once, which she considered an impressive personal achievement. As she stepped toward the open doorway, the familiar noise of chatter, laughter, and clanking armor greeted her.

And the familiar sight of intimidating adventurers.

Without Slade by her side, every glance felt ten times heavier. She straightened her posture, keeping her expression neutral. “Just act natural,” she told herself quietly. “Normal. Yeah. Totally normal.”

She made her way toward the counter and spotted the same receptionist from before. Thankfully, there was no line again.

“Welcome back,” the receptionist greeted, smiling politely.

“Hello miss~,” Lylia replied, her tone light. “Is there still no test today? Look, I'm all ready to prove my brilliance.”

The receptionist’s smile didn’t falter. “Noted. What can I help you with today?"

“Defeated before the battle even began,” Lylia said dramatically, though she reached into her robe pockets anyway. From the deep folds, she began pulling out horns and small, glossy orbs like a magician producing endless props. Her pockets were deeper than it seemed from the outside.

She lined them up neatly on the counter. “Rabbit horns and slime… cores, right? I just kinda made up the name.”

The receptionist nodded, checking each one. “Yes, that’s correct. You’ve brought quite a few.” Her eyes flicked up, mildly curious. “What about the bodies?”

Lylia froze for half a second. Then smiled awkwardly. “Ah, that… I, uh, planned to eat them.”

“All of them?”

“Well, I shared some with that guy Slade,” she lied without missing a beat.

The receptionist gave her a brief look that said she wasn’t buying it, but decided to let it go. “I see. Still, it’s a shame you didn’t bring any pelts. They fetch a decent price. Next time, it might be worth preserving them.”

Lylia leaned forward slightly, playful grin forming. “How about this, miss, make me an adventurer now, and I’ll bring you all the rabbit bodies you want. A whole pile, just for you. A great deal, right?”

The receptionist chuckled softly, professional but amused. “It is quite a tempting offer. Unfortunately, rules are rules.”

“Aw, I tried. Well, your loss, not mine." she acted smug, but deep down she wants to lay down and just cry.

The receptionist began counting the loot one by one. “Let’s see… you have collected twenty-four rabbit horns and six slime cores. That makes a total of fifteen copper coins.”

Lylia blinked. “...Fifteen?” It sounds small if she's going to stay at that inn that's ten copper coins per night, plus some shopping. You know, to have more supplies, it is better to shopping. As well as to know more about the world by gathering information from shop to shop as vendors and merchants knows the most relevant news the best. Also, she's a girl and girls love shopping. She has a feeling her extra five wont go that far.

“Yes,” the receptionist said calmly. “Normally, each one of them, both the rabbit horn and slime cores, would go for one copper coin, but since you’re not yet a registered adventurer, I have no choice to sadly only give you half its value. Should I also show you its computation?"

“Half,” Lylia repeated flatly.

“That’s correct.”

"Half, huh..." She repeated again, smiling bitterly.

The urge to complain, or to theatrically demand to see the 'guild master' burned briefly inside her, but she swallowed it down with visible effort. The receptionist was right, after all. She did inform her she'll only receive half. But still...

Instead, she leaned forward again, giving her best pitiful expression. “If I take the test now, can we pretend this never happened?”

The receptionist’s professionalism didn’t waver. “I’m afraid not.”

“Worth a try,” Lylia sighed. She accepted the small pouch of coins, the weight underwhelmingly light.

As she turned to leave, the receptionist called out, “Still, well done. Not many beginners bring this much on their first solo hunt.”

That made her pause. Then, with a small grin, she said, “Thanks. I’ll make sure next time I bring something... less exploded.”

The receptionist smiled. “That would be appreciated.”

And with that, Lylia stepped out of the guild, clutching her hard-earned fifteen copper coins like they were both a treasure and a personal insult. She can't wait for the next day to come for her debut as an adventurer.

“Fifteen coppers. Fifteen, minus ten, is five.” she muttered, sighing. “At least it’s enough for bread, I think.”

Her eyes wandered back toward the direction of the barbeque stand.
“…Maybe.”