The members of the caravan who had finally reacted looked at one another, but for a moment, no one could say a word.
No one had expected that this half-grown boy, who looked like he was heading for a big city to seek refuge with wealthy relatives, would actually be a mage.
And judging by the spell Gao De had just cast, he was clearly not one of those "green apprentices" who could only use Mage Hand to pour water.
"Check Kailuo and Kuli's injuries," the caravan leader finally said, dismissing the others.
He then walked over to Gao De himself and thanked him first. "Mage, thank you for stepping in."
"Since we are traveling together, looking out for each other is only proper," Gao De said with measured restraint.
Traveling companions were supposed to help one another. That was an unspoken rule, and it did not change just because he was a mage.
"Mage, by custom, the Tunneling Grub's corpse is your spoil of war." The caravan leader's attitude was exceptionally respectful.
"I can't take it with me, and I can't be bothered to deal with it. How about I sell it to you cheaply? The difference in price can count as the reward you deserve," Gao De said after glancing at the Tunneling Grub's massive corpse.
"Mage, just call me Jose," the leader, Jose, said with a nod. "I could not ask for more."
"A zero-ring Leyline Creature's corpse is generally worth between twenty and twenty-five gold coins. Its exact value depends on which valuable parts it possesses."
"If it is an edible Leyline Creature, its value goes up another notch."
"But Tunneling Grub flesh is sour and rotten, not edible. Its only valuable parts are its shell and the acid gland inside its body."
At this point,