When He Xi and Flora returned to the familiar Magic Staff Shop, Fivik was sitting behind the counter with an annoyed look on her face. In front of her were a steaming cup of black tea and a plate with nothing left but crumbs.
"You're back?" The halfling mage lifted her eyelids slightly, her tone carrying a hint of resentment. "I thought you were going to spend the night out there."
Flora poured herself a cup of tea with practiced ease. "What happened? Why are you so depressed?"
"I went to Lingang City yesterday. I went to the Adventurer Guild before visiting even my favorite shop. But someone else had already reported that Dungeon."
"Someone else reported it? Then we can't take part in that exploration commission you mentioned?"
"The 'New Dungeon Exploration' commission isn't exclusive. We can still accept it, but I lost the reward for being the first to report it."
He Xi asked curiously, "How much was it?"
"One Gold Shield!" Fivik slammed her hand on the table and said angrily.
He Xi:
You're an Archmage, and you're this upset over one Gold Shield? Is that really necessary?
"What's with that look?" Fivik glared at him. "A Gold Shield is still a Gold Shield!"
He Xi held back his mockery of his impoverished teacher and speculated silently.
The people who had reported it were almost certainly the Gold-rank adventurers hired by the Tidal Trade Union.
Although the Tidal Trade Union had hired other adventurers afterward, those few had at least kept their heads clear enough to obtain a Gold Shield.
"Teacher, what exactly does this 'New Dungeon Exploration' commission involve?" He Xi asked, steering the conversation back on track.
Fivik took out a densely written sheet of parchment and slapped it down in front of He Xi.