After settling down in Scorched Stone City, Talia took Sylutia to visit her older sister Winnie's home.
"Grandpa said my sister should help me find a job in Scorched Stone City. If I keep playing with the village idiots every day, I'll turn into one too," Talia grumbled quietly as they walked. That was why she had come to the city with Sylutia.
Hearing this, Sylutia couldn't help covering her mouth and giggling.
"What kind of work is your sister Winnie doing in the city right now?"
"Her? I'm not sure, but I know what my brother-in-law does. He works for the Oak Barrel trading company. I think he handles the accounts."
"People in the village are lucky to earn three silver coins a month, but my brother-in-law gets six from the trading company. It's a pretty good deal."
"Her jobs change often. Sometimes she tutors little kids, and other times she works as a waitress at the front desk."
"A waitress at the front desk probably earns about three and a half silver coins a month. An elementary tutor gets quite a bit more—up to five silver coins a month."
Talia explained how things worked in Scorched Stone City. Ordinary laborers earned about three silver coins a month, but the work was hard, and life in the village was more relaxing. Slightly better jobs, like waiter, receptionist, or shop assistant, paid three and a half to four silver coins, but usually required someone young, literate, and presentable.
The two walked along the main road in the East District. The streets here were relatively clean, with plenty of shops lining the way. There were clothing and tailor shops, utensil shops, furniture stores, and oil mills—things rarely seen in villages and small towns—as well as a place selling weapons and armor, right beside the Adventurers Guild.
Compared to the other shops, the Adventurer Guild clearly saw much more foot traffic. Many people went in and out, and plenty carried weapons and gear. A few were especially muscular, and Sylutia could sense Aspect Power emanating from them.
Name: Unknown
Race: Human (mortal body)
Status: Healthy (a few old injuries)
Talents:
Sturdy [Good]: You can easily build solid muscle, provided you get enough nutrition. This talent will increase your appetite.
Fate Card: [Brute Force Person] (First Order—Blood Law); within its pale-red border, a powerfully built man stood tall and straight, showing off his sharply defined muscles.
"Through training in the Breathing Technique and the awakening of your Blood Law Aspect Power, your physique has grown increasingly sturdy. The brute strength these muscles provide is the real deal."
Effects:
[Brute Force Lv.2]: Increases your basic strength. Even without using any abilities or secret techniques, you have more than twice the strength of an ordinary person, allowing you to use heavier weapons and thicker armor.
Ability Cards:
[Breathing Technique Lv.2] (Blood Law): Regulates the flow of blood through breathing, while building and enhancing the strength and reflexes of your entire body. This ability puts a strain on the heart and body and cannot be used for long periods. (Recommended: no more than 3 minutes per day.)
[Blood Muscle Lv.1] (Blood Law): Activates the traits of the "Blood Law" Aspect Power, making your muscles swell rapidly and temporarily increasing your strength. (Recommended: no more than twice per day.)
A burly man passed by, laughing and chatting with his companions as they entered the adventurer hall. The Blood Law Aspect Power emanating from him was so conspicuous that Sylutia couldn't help noticing it.
Noticing Sylutia's gaze turn toward the burly man in the distance, Talia looked over as well.
"He's a badge adventurer." She spotted the Crossed Swords Bronze Badge pinned to his armor.
"In other words, an adventurer whose strength has been recognized by the Adventurers Guild. Only they can take certain jobs."
The girl nodded, and the two continued on their way.
After they left, the sturdy adventurer and his companions entered the Adventurers Guild hall. A young man behind him spoke excitedly.
"Jero, how much bounty do you think we'll get this time?"
"Hahaha, at least sixty silver. Don't worry, you'll get your share." He patted the young man with his broad palm.
"Mick, you did great this time. Keep learning, and you'll be just like me someday. Hahaha!" He laughed heartily as he encouraged him. The other companions laughed too. Some teased the young man, who was new to the trade, while others offered quiet words of encouragement.
"Of course! I'm going to make a fortune." Young Mick rubbed his nose, full of ambition.
"I'm the greatest talent our village has seen in a hundred years. I learned the Breathing Technique at sixteen, and no one can beat my swordsmanship." His skills really were impressive, so it was no wonder he was so confident.
"I was in my twenties when I suddenly grasped the Breathing Technique." Jero sounded wistful as he recalled the past.
"Never mind. Let's not dwell on that. Today, we're drinking well and getting ourselves some meat." They walked up to the Adventurers Guild counter, took the cloth sack off their backs, and opened it. Inside were several wolf heads, including a huge one with crimson fur and a broken jaw.
Their actions immediately drew the attention of the other people in the Adventurers Guild.
"Wow, a Red Wolf's head! That's a First Order Blazing Sun Red Wolf!"
"The other heads are all from fine-looking Ti Wolves too. They should fetch quite a few silver coins."
"Red Wolf pelts are worth even more. Plenty of nobles buy them. I wonder where they left it. Looks like they didn't bring it along."
"They're veteran adventurers. They wouldn't show it off without good reason."
"Who's the leader? He looks strong, and there's a lot of bloodlust coming off him."
"That's Jero. You don't know him? He's a famous adventurer in Scorched Stone City. They say there aren't many who can beat him."
"He's that strong? How does he compare to Lord Solang?"
"No comparison. Lord Solang was appointed by Viscount Xuefeng as the captain of the Scorched Stone City guard. His strength has even reached Second Order in the Castle Aspect." The man answering shook his head.
"If he hadn't been appointed, Lord Solang's strength would have dropped to First Order, and Jero might have had a chance."
"Nobles have resources ordinary people can't compete with."
As the people talked, Jero's companions smiled proudly and struck poses for a few girls in the hall.
"Hey, we'll have plenty of fun tonight." One of them draped an arm over his companion's shoulder and grinned.
"Of course. We worked this hard to complete the bounty so we could enjoy ourselves for a few days. Hahaha!"
Ten minutes later, after the count and paperwork were complete, the receptionist had someone bring out sixty-four silver coins and set them on the counter.
"The bounty for a First Order Red Wolf's head is fifty silver. The other thirty-one Ti Wolf heads are worth fourteen silver, depending on their quality. If you also got the Red Wolf's pelt, the guild would be willing to buy it at a high price."
"How high?" Jero rubbed his chin.
"About sixty silver," the receptionist replied after a moment's thought.
He blew on his fingertips and nodded. "That's not bad. But you asked too late. Someone's already reserved the pelt and offered eighty silver."
"I won't say who it is. I don't think you need to ask, either."
"That's a shame. Please consider the guild next time you hunt a Red Wolf." The receptionist didn't press him and replied politely.
Jero only gave her a teasing nod, winking at the pretty receptionist. "How about having a drink with us tonight?"
The receptionist, dressed in a brown-and-white uniform, gave him a professional smile and waved her hand.
"Sorry, sorry. I don't go out at night."
"How dull." The man imitated a Bard's melancholy tone.
Then he picked up the money pouch, turned, and called to his companions, who had been waiting for him. "All right, boys, we're going to the Blood Pig Tavern tonight! We'll drink our fill and raise a little hell. Hahaha!"
"Ohhh!"
"Jero, you're the best captain I've ever had!"
"Jero!"
"I'll stick with you from now on."
"Good brothers."
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
As the group left the Adventurers Guild beneath the envious gazes of those around them, several people gathered at the counter to examine the wolf heads they had turned in as bounty proof.
"It's a Red Wolf. One eye's been ruined, and the jaw's injured too, but it doesn't look fatal..."
The crowd continued to analyze it, and the Adventurers Guild stayed lively until late into the night.
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