Shine!
Once the user was registered, the Fire Orb emitted light. However, after that, no matter what we did, there was no reaction. Even Raven gave up after playing it here and there. «I guess... this will have to be evaluated by a special appraiser in town.»
«Shall we take it?»
«Excuse me? What do you mean?»
I do not mean...
I told him honestly: «I thought you would suggest taking the book. Saying it has great historical value or something».
«Well, it's not that I don't covet it». Instead of getting angry, Raven willingly agreed. «But the newspaper writer said that they should take it and use it themselves. It is clear that this is more valuable than the diary. Besides, I've already memorized everything. I also left a video recording just in case».
«Eh... ¿of veo?»
«Yeah. So don't worry about that part».
Afterwards, Raven cast distortion magic on the Orb. That meant that even if the bondage of this was discovered, it couldn't be undone.
I should use this once we're back in town to make it look natural.
Yes, that was a better plan. I didn't know anything, so this was completely an accident. Even if my conscience bothered me... It's not that I took this object for my own good. The Fire Orb was an item for the entire team. Therefore, the benefits would be shared by everyone. Yes, as long as we were on the same team.
«...There doesn't seem to be anything else.»
We searched the house for about thirty more minutes but there was nothing significant, although I assumed there might be another item that didn't appear in the game like the diary.
«So what do we do?».
«Isn't it obvious? We must continue hunting».
«...I thought you'd say that».
As money-crazy explorers, we spend the remaining time frugally hunting monsters. How much time passed?
[You are transported to Rafdonia.]
It was time to return.
***
Sun for the first time in a month. As if wanting to do photosynthesis, I took some time to enjoy the heat before heading to the checkpoint dedicated to mid-level, rank 6, or higher scouts. While waiting for a while, everyone gathered except Mr. Bear.
«¿Dónde está Urakburak?».
Do you really need to ask?
Since we had been hunting until now, I didn't have the energy to respond to that. After waiting a while, Mr. Bear arrived. Next to him was an unknown explorer.
«Here.»
«Oh, thanks. I found it easily thanks to you».
«Huhu, thanks to you, I can experience all kinds of things». After that questionable praise, the scout coldly addressed his own team.
Mr. Bear smiled, embarrassed, and joined us. «Haha, the tail is quite long».
That's because we're late thanks to you.
The sighs continued, but I didn't say anything. To begin with, I was the leader of the team. Each one had its pros and cons. I also had to try to accept the flaws. My immunity also strengthened to some extent during the days of the Half Wit Team.
He fights brilliantly, that man.
Anyway, while we were all queuing and waiting, Missha and Mr. Bear started chatting. «Being here all together, I feel like I have triumphed».
«Haha, I guess you could feel that way. Teams are recognized from rank 6».
«Yeah. I feel like I have now become a full-fledged explorer. It feels really strange...»
Actually, I felt the same. In the past, we had to meet up after going through different checkpoints for each of our ranks. The row dedicated to rank 6 was quickly cleared. The number of scouts passing through this point was much smaller than at the rank 9 checkpoint, but there were twice as many personnel. They were even in a room so they could maintain privacy.
«Team Apple Narak... is that right?» The administrative staff member looked at our team registration certificate and put on a poker face.
After going through some simple administrative procedures, we gave him the bags of mana stones that we had collected, about seven and all of them heavy.
When the official opened all the bags and confirmed that they were filled with mana stones, his eyes widened. Of course, before long, his eyes narrowed significantly. That almost triggered my post-traumatic stress disorder from when I was dragged to the guild prison, but Raven took care of it, as she was a pro talker.
«All of these mana stones were obtained precisely by killing monsters. There are video recordings that prove it. Well, if you want to confirm it, you will have to pay adequate compensation for revealing our achievements.»
«I think... that it will not be necessary.»
«So can you change it quickly please?»
Maybe she was tired or the employee's look made her angry, but Raven was more irritable than usual. Did you perceive something sinister? The administrator moved quickly and ended the exchange in a flash. «25.19 million stones».
It was an amount that could only come from the scale of a clan. Divided into five, there were 5 million stones each. If we continued earning like this every month, our annual salary would be a whopping 60 million stones!
God bless the Burning Zone.
Even if we captured dozens of monsters in each battle, it would be impossible to win that much without the 2x event.
«Ha...» The air escaped from my mouth. That's how strange I felt. It seemed like yesterday that I exchanged my first mana stones for 180,000 stones and received the respect of my companions.
«I-so how many cotton candy is that?»
«Hey... Won't you go bankrupt, even if you eat ten every day for the rest of your life?».
The fact that this amount did not come from the looters' equipment, but purely from the income from the mana stones, was inspiring. Although it would be difficult to earn that much each time.
This time we found it very soon.
I discovered the black moss earlier than expected and, without having to wait long, a Mila Roden appeared. Not to mention that the distortion magic was successful in a single attempt. It would be difficult to expect the exploration to go so smoothly next time.
«...We'll do the math tomorrow, right?» Raven asked as soon as we left the checkpoint. From his look, the answer was already decided.
«Let's do it the day after tomorrow while we're at it». I didn't intend to do it today either. Not only did we not sleep to hunt, but we were awake until midnight on the last day. Considering the routine was to set up camp at 9-10 PM, we were well above our sleep time.
«The day after tomorrow?»
«Yes, because we also have to sell the equipment and by-products».
«Ah, that... Could you sell them for us, Mr. Yandel? I really don't think I can get up tomorrow».
«I thought we could leave the appraisal part to you since it is certified».
Raven pursed her lips. It seemed like she had never dreamed that those words she said while bragging would come back to her like a boomerang.
«It's not just about equipment, but also about magical ingredients. That's something only the magician can do».
«...Then come with me. Even a barbarian can carry luggage, right?»
Porter, shit. From someone wearing a subspace ring it was an absurd question, but I just said yes. I was curious about a magician's sales route, anyway.
«Then see you». After setting a simple meeting time, we all headed to our accommodations. She yawned. «I'll go in first». Raven went to her personal laboratory in the magic tower.
«Abman, can you find the way?» missha asked.
«Don't worry. I know the way home from the checkpoint».
«Wow, at least you can find your house».
Mr. Bear went to the tavern where his wife was waiting for him.
«Okay, let's go too».
«Missha, can't we eat something first? I'm so hungry...»
«Let's eat together after washing first.»
«Ugh, I'll try to put up with it.»
We went to our nest.
***
At 1 PM the next day, while Missha and Ainar were sleeping at the inn, I was getting ready to leave. I had to go sell the loot with Raven.
«Oh, then leave my equipment in the repair shop for me.»
«...Can you make mine too?»
I even brought both of their equipment with me. It was a little disappointing that no one offered to join me, but, well, I was the leader of the team. I could suffer this for the team.
«You're a minute late.»
«Do I pay the fine for withdrawal?»
«Do I look like a beggar?»
Why was she so quarrelsome?
Ah, because I couldn't sleep anymore.
I decided to let it go with my extensive generosity. Raven wasn't the leader of the team and was still dragged here just for being a mage, so of course she was unhappy.
I wonder if he likes sweets. I'll have to try to give him something to eat later.
While remembering the worldly wisdom learned from my ex-girlfriend, we got into the carriage heading to Kommelby. Along the way, there was no harmonious conversation. We both fainted.
«It was a good dream...» Raven yawned.
When I woke up, the carriage had arrived. Since we hadn't met early in the morning, we moved in a hurry. Oh, first, I put something sweet in his mouth.
«Mm, I don't like sweet things...»
«Focus your eyes before saying that.»
«Ugh, this hurts my pride.»
Anyway, today's program was simple: sell Mila Roden's byproducts to a magic shop, visit the center forge to leave equipment for repair, get rid of the masked assailant's equipment, search the expandable backpack and the essence of Ifrit in the exchange and, incidentally, call the special appraiser and complete the appraisal of the fire orb.
«It is a very valuable object», the appraiser told us. «Even a few large clans have one in their possession».
"¿What are you?"
«It is an Orb of Fire. When activated, instead of consuming soul energy, it reduces fire damage within a fifteen meter radius».
«What are the activation conditions?»
«There is an initial word. I'll write it here so you don't forget».
The cost of the special appraisal was a whopping 300,000 stones. As soon as I heard that, my stomach hurt. Seriously, these guys were just sitting around and taking out money. «So what is the appraisal value?»
«Oh, I haven't told you that. Only the one who first acquired the orb can use it».
«Excuse me? How do you say?» Raven's gaze was directed towards me. But what is going to be done? It was an accident, I tell you.
Sigh ...
His sigh seemed to contain many emotions.
We were about to leave after finishing our business when the appraiser made a suggestion. «Would it be possible to know where they found this?».
«No. We have no intention of revealing our achievements».
«If you change your mind, please come find me. It happens that the clans that acquired the orb also keep their mouths shut. I will pay a fair price».
«Okay, we will».
Once we left the exchange, the day's program was over. Having moved systematically, there was still plenty of time until the last train. We ate something quick near the platform.
«Raven, I'm telling you in advance, but I didn't know any of this».
«Did I say otherwise? What, you thought I was going to get it refunded?»
No? Definitely thought eso.
«Alright. Even the appraiser said before that it is a magical tool that is used more as a public good than as a personal object.»
«Yes, I will only use it for the team».
The part I was worried about was easily resolved, so I ate comfortably and brought up something I was curious about. «But why did you reject that offer before?».
«Do you mean tell them where we found the orb?».
«Yes, it seemed like they were going to pay a good price».
«The truth is, no. If we tell him, they will probably do several more times for him. I can't let that happen.»
Well, dealers everywhere always had the easiest jobs.
«The most important thing is that if the place of acquisition is revealed, more people will know about the book. That can't happen. I'm going to research it well in the future and turn academia upside down».
Now I saw that there was another reason. What was important about reputation? It was a reason I couldn't identify with, but everyone pursued different things.
«Anyway, so I hope we continue working together in the future».
«¿Suddenly?»
«For some reason, I think an ancient secret related to the witch is hidden in the maze. I decided to look for it».
«¿Y?»
«What do you mean by 'then'? It means I'm going to continue as an explorer. Next to you». I didn't know why he emphasized working alongside me like that. When I stared at her, Raven smiled. «I also felt it in the Bloody Citadel, but you have talent in this role, Mr. Yandel. I feel like I'm going to experience more unusual things like this in the future».
Experiencing unusual things next to me, huh? Without realizing it, I chuckled.
«You can trust me. A magician's intuition is more precise than you think».
Acting was guaranteed, I guess, that magician's intuition.