Translator: CinderTL The whispers and glances gradually focused on Zellier, making him feel uneasy.
He also found some of the murmurs puzzling.
Is it really that strange for a mage to accept a quest?
“Can the Association help us recover this mist demon core?” Marcus asked.
For valuable loot with guaranteed buyers, adventurers could sell directly to the Association, usually at market price, saving them the trouble of finding buyers themselves.
“Of course!
Please wait a moment!” Ella carried the mist demon core into a room behind the counter, returning moments later with quick, light steps.
“After evaluation by our appraiser, the Association is willing to purchase the mist demon core for sixteen gold coins.
Do you accept?” Marcus glanced back at his companions.
Receiving unanimous nods of approval, he nodded.
“Deal.” “Here is your payment.
Please accept it.” Ella pushed a cloth pouch filled with coins across the counter toward Marcus, her voice respectful.
“Additionally, the Adventurer’s Association would like to thank you again for providing this intelligence.
We will issue a risk warning to all adventurer teams heading to Graywood Forest in the near future.” “Phew…
finally free.” After leaving the Adventurer’s Association, Zellier stretched luxuriously, relief washing over him.
Marcus handed Zellier the cloth pouch containing four gold coins and eleven silver coins.
“Here’s your reward.
Take good care of it.” Zellier carefully tucked the pouch into his pocket, glancing around cautiously.
This was his entire fortune.
“Well, that concludes this mission.
It was a pleasure working with you all,” Marcus said.
“Also…
Zellier, have you considered joining my permanent team?” Marcus’s Team wasn’t a permanent group; it was just a temporary arrangement.
This was Zellier’s first mission with them, though Gray and Vales had worked with Marcus a few times before, but they hadn’t formed a permanent team either.
“Me?” Zellier pointed at himself, surprised.
“Already trying to recruit Zellier?” Gray chuckled.
“He’s a mage, you know.” “Hmm…
I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not planning to join a permanent team just yet,” Zellier said after a moment’s thought, shaking his head.
“But if you need a team for another mission in the future, feel free to ask me.” “Alright…” Marcus looked genuinely disappointed.
To be honest, Zellier had a very positive impression of Marcus.
He was fair in his distribution of rewards, his skills were top-notch, and even when unexpected events like the mist demon encounter occurred, he remained calm and decisive.
But Zellier didn’t want to be tied down by a permanent team.
It would only slow down his personal growth.
Zellier’s ambitions extended far beyond merely surviving in Blackstone Town.
He harbored grander aspirations, and leaving the team later would only complicate matters.
“Alright, I need to get to the clinic…
I hope there won’t be any lasting effects,” Gray said, grimacing as he waved goodbye.
“See you all later.” “Farewell,” the others replied.
Marcus and Vales also departed.
As dusk settled, the night’s curtain began to fall.
Zellier lingered on the main street for a while before finally choosing his lodging: the Night Blossom Inn.
While not luxurious, it was far superior to the crude common houses.
Moreover, the inn’s central location in Blackstone Town suggested decent security.
After all, in this unfamiliar otherworld, safety was paramount.
The ground floor lobby was sparsely occupied by diners, several of whom appeared to be adventurers based on their attire.
“Welcome,” greeted a charming girl behind the reception desk, her tiger teeth peeking out when she smiled.
“Are you here to stay or dine?” “I’d like a room.” “Certainly.
We have two options,” she explained.
“The dormitory upstairs costs thirty copper coins per night, while a private room is two silver coins per night.” Zellier narrowed his eyes slightly.
A dormitory…
A large room crammed with people, severely restricting movement.
Who knows if I’ll even be able to sleep surrounded by snoring all night?
Just thinking about it gives me a headache.
After roughing it outdoors on missions, I need proper rest.
A quiet, comfortable environment is essential.
But a private room costs two silver coins per day…
That’s a bit steep.
If I hadn’t just made a fortune, I’d be looking for a cheaper inn right now.
“If I stay for a month, do you offer any discounts?” Zellier asked tentatively.
The girl’s eyes lit up, and her voice became even sweeter.
“Of course!
If you choose a private room and pay for a month upfront, we can reduce the price to fifty silver coins.” “Alright, I’ll take a private room for a month,” Zellier said.
He chose a room at the end of the third-floor corridor.
After paying, he had three gold coins and sixty-one silver coins left.
“Welcome to the Night Blossom Inn.
I’m Ouro.
If you need anything, feel free to come to the front desk,” Ouro said with a smile.
Grumble…
Zellier’s stomach chose the worst possible moment to rumble.
He’d only had a piece of black bread dipped in hot broth earlier and some dried rations on the road.
After the intense battle with the mist demon, he was starving.
Ouro’s smile didn’t falter.
“Before you settle into your room, would you like to grab a bite to eat?
It’s currently our dinner service time.” Zellier took the menu and began to browse.
From simple stewed beans with black bread and pickled vegetables to high-end meat dishes, everything was available.
Having worked hard all day, Master Ze naturally didn’t want to deny himself a treat.
He steeled his resolve and chose the dish he craved most.
“I’ll have the red wine-braised beef shank set, please.” It sounded delicious, and the price was equally appealing: three silver coins.
The meal arrived quickly.
The intense aroma of the food assaulted Zellier’s senses, and his mouth began to water profusely.
The main course was, of course, a large, tender, and juicy beef shank, perfectly roasted and glazed with a rich, tempting sauce.
Zellier eagerly cut off a piece and savored it.
The texture of the beef, the subtle fruity tang of the concentrated red wine sauce, and the blend of black pepper and various spices combined to create a culinary experience of the highest caliber.
The richness of the meat was perfectly balanced by the grilled asparagus and soft bread included in the set, creating a harmonious meal.
After a long day of labor, being able to sit down and enjoy such a meal felt like a happiness that could bring tears to his eyes.
After dinner, Zellier went to his room.
It contained a single bed, a table, and a chair.
The bed was reasonably soft, justifying the two silver coin price.
Exhaustion washed over him, and Zellier, weary from his day’s work, quickly drifted off to sleep.
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