"Gulp."
Kashima and his companions felt their throats go dry and instinctively swallowed.
The pressure of being watched by someone so important made him unconsciously tighten his grip on his backpack straps.
But.
As captain of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], Kashima could only steel himself and try to keep his expression from looking so stiff.
"H-hello! Lord H-Haimo!"
"I'm the captain of the [Takemikazuchi Familia], the Lv.2 adventurer Ouka Kashima!"
"These are my familia members..."
"These bundles contain all your spoils!"
"We've watched over them carefully the entire time. Absolutely nothing is missing!"
"Mm."
Haimo smiled gently and nodded, merely sweeping his gaze over the heavy bundles.
He showed no intention of opening them to check.
After that glance, Haimo looked at Kashima, Mikoto, and the others. He put on no superior airs; instead, his tone was reassuring.
"Thank you all for your hard work."
"Since they took the initiative to hire you,"
"we should follow the rules."
"Miss Tsubaki."
Haimo turned toward Tsubaki, who had been smiling silently beside him.
"Use the Guild's standard rate for that sort of underground hauling commission."
"And add..."
Haimo paused, glancing at Kashima and the others' obvious exhaustion, as well as the dust and blood staining their clothes.
"A thirty-percent bonus for their hard work."
"Deduct it from the proceeds of these drops and pay it directly to the [Takemikazuchi Familia]."
"What do you think, Miss Tsubaki?"
"Sounds good to me."
Tsubaki did not hesitate either, giving Haimo a thumbs-up.
"After all, these youngsters from Takemikazuchi's familia really did work hard."
"..."
"Th-thirty percent?!"
Before their conversation had even ended,
Kashima, Mikoto, and the others had already been stunned wide-eyed by that casually delivered remark.
If they received the Guild's standard commission fee, plus another thirty percent...
Kashima quickly did the math in his