Solo Work Arc: Chapter 37.
Winter blankly stared at the executed men with uncaring eyes. Felt Mae Puppy was now cleaning the iron tip of her spear, slowly rubbing it clean with a piece of cloth. Winter watched as the blood gushed out of a man's neck, its red flow shimmering against the moonlight.
Winter's thoughts were flooded, but he remained still, watching with morbid curiousity. He understood the logic that Felt explained. These men were after him, and even if they were incapacitated, it's only a matter of time until they strike back.
However, even with that sound logic. Winter remained apprehensive. It didn't settle the slow rumble in his stomach and the creeping sensation of disgust.
He felt a surge of power, signaling that although he didn't deal the final blow, he still received some experience compensation.
(So long as I've dealt some damage, I get some assist experience... )
◆ [ You've reached level 26. ] ◆
Felt was finished with her cleaning, and now she turned her gaze towards Winter.
Winter exhaled. (In here, life doesn't produce much value. The people here are civilized enough, but the weight of a life is vastly different compared to the world that I came from.) He thought, walking away from the corpses, continuing on his path, remaining silent.
Felt expected a pushback, a complaint, but instead received the eerie silence of a man who just accepted what had happened. She followed, trailing behind, then asked.
"I mean no offense but you have a coddled life or upbringing, don't you?" Felt asked.
Winter remained silent for a moment before answering. "You could say that for the most part of my life, I have never experienced such violence. My whole life was mainly boring and quiet." He honestly answered.
The modern world had mostly no need for violence especially when you can sue or discredit your opponents instead.
"I still don't like nor agree with the idea of taking a life, a human life." Winter added while rubbing his chin. "I may hate a lot of people but my wishes for them are mainly their massive failures or humiliation."
Winter paused before continuing. "Never the end of their life... to an extent."
"Is your life, rough?" Winter added, raising a brow.
"A few days ago. I was a goblin hostage." Felt answered, chuckling.
◆ [ Felt Mae Puppy doesn't know what to make of you. Her micro-expressions signal disbelief and surprise, and to sum it up. She doesn't know why you're that strong, yet you don't have the proper fighter's mindset. ] ◆
(Oh right...)
"Let's not talk about this anymore. We have pressing matters to prioritize." Winter excused, still thinking of the executed men.
"If you say so."
The two then continued on their slow march towards Oakerhaven. They didn't mutter any words, just the quiet acceptance of what had transpired. Winter glanced at the sky, wondering if, in the future, he might have to kill a human too.
The world was beautiful yet ruthless. If he wants to stay on top, then he has to adapt too, not just be reactive. (I wonder how it feels to kill.)
...
...
...
Winter then submitted the filled forms, stating that the manifestations were culled and that the task was done. There were several ways to confirm a completed culling. The first one is provide proof via spells that record events or pictures. The second one is sending a bronze team to confirm the culling.
If the bronze team doesn't come back, then that mainly means that the job wasn't finished, and the adventurers who submitted the completion forms were committing fraud.
The third one is a general measurement or survey of the persisting magical essence by independent or adventurer's league-affiliated magic casters. This can be done remotely, depending on the expertise of said caster.
"So, when are we going to receive our payment?" Winter said with barely concealed annoyance since he wanted to splurge.
The desk receptionist adjusted her glasses, then glaring at Winter with barely hidden suspicion. "Within a week, we can guarantee that much."
"A silver tier adventurer with only two members have managed to complete two manifestation orders with relative ease." The female receptionist slowly said, sending hints that this should be unattainable for the two.
She raised a brow, scanning Winter from head to toe before scoffing. "This will require extra confirmation and a proper report." The receptionist said, continuing to write something on a piece of paper.
Winter turned around and walked away with a miffed expression. (Stupid red tape. I killed their monsters, and they're worried about procedures!?) He then darted his eyes towards Felt as he exited the building.
"Felt, go take some more job posts inside. We're going to make them understand that we're a good enough team." Winter added and collapsed on a bench, sighing heavily while staring at the cloudy sky.
Felt nodded and turned away, entering the building. (You mean, YOU'RE going to make them understand. I am just an observer at this point, but I am not complaining.)
She revealed a thin and opportunistic smile. (With him by my side. I won't be captured or taken again. This guy is strong. I sure made the right bet by joining him.)
She approached a board with several posts. She then took three job posts, barely skimming over them. She smiled again.
So long as the words said cull or extermination, it was a good enough job. (This guy is strong, but he's very green for some reason. Are all people with heroic bloodlines like this?)
(Not only that this guy can heal too...)
An idea popped into Felt's head. A way to make some quick cash. "Hey, Winter. I have an idea of what to do." Winter lazily agreed to hear her out.
...
...
...
"Are you sure this won't bite us back in the future or paint a huge target? I am not acquainted with the customs in this part of the country." Winter added, scratching his head, somewhat unsure.
Winter sat on a bench while Felt explained the whole plan with enthusiastic gusto. The plan was to earn money in a quick and guaranteed way, and Winter has that ability.
She explained to Winter that most bronze or silver-tiered adventurers can't afford to buy effective potions or extensive medical care. The most that they'll get is some token medical care or minor healing potions from the priestesses and the adventurer's league.
Winter would heal some adventurers for an affordable sum; this would inevitably attract willing future party members or at least some nobles with a considerable amount of influence who would want to covet Winter's healing abilities.
"Either way, we earn some money or allies. A win-win situation."
Felt explained, grinning widely.