William sighed and looked around at the six bodies scattered across the snow.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's get to work."
Osric nodded.
They started dragging the corpses one by one toward the logging path where they had left the cart.
The Feral Dogs were smaller than wolves, but they were still heavy enough to make the task unpleasant.
William grabbed the hind legs of the first one and pulled it through the snow.
The body left a dark streak behind it.
Osric dragged another beside him, moving efficiently without wasting energy.
By the time they had reached the path with the third corpse, both of them were breathing a little heavier.
William dropped the body beside the cart and stretched his arms.
"Six of these things…" he muttered. "Maybe sixty copper is fair after all."
Osric said nothing as he lifted one of the corpses onto the cart.
They continued bringing the bodies from the clearing, returning several times between the trees and the path.
One by one the Feral Dogs were stacked onto the wooden bed of the cart.
When the last corpse was loaded, Osric pulled the thick leather tarp over the pile.
William tightened several ropes across the cart, securing everything in place.
"Should hold," he said.
Osric checked the knots briefly before nodding.
"Good."
William lifted the cart handles.
The weight immediately pulled his arms downward.
"…Damn."
Osric took the other handle beside him.
Together they started pulling the cart along the logging path toward Ashbrook.
The wheels creaked heavily as they rolled across the frozen ground.
Even on the path, the cart was far heavier than expected.
After a few minutes William exhaled loudly.
"Six bodies… this thing weighs way more than I thought."
Osric felt the strain in his shoulders as well.
But they kept moving.
Slowly.
Step by step.
As the walls of Ashbrook finally appeared through the trees in the distance, a thought crossed Osric's mind.
'This isn't sustainable.'
The cart dragged heavily behind them.
'We need help.'
He tightened his grip on the handle.
'A porter would make things easier.'
Another thought followed immediately.
'And a horse.'
The idea lingered for a moment.
'But that won't be cheap.'
'And the porter would need to know how to ride.'
Osric exhaled quietly.
'Finding someone capable, trustworthy, and affordable… that won't happen quickly.'
As they continued toward the town, another thought surfaced.
'It's been a while.'
His expression didn't change.
'Since the last System challenge.'
No notifications had appeared for several missions now.
No reward.
No trial.
It was frustrating.
But Osric already understood the reason.
'They only trigger when the danger is high enough.'
He glanced briefly at the cart behind them.
'Feral Dogs aren't enough anymore.'
They eventually passed through the eastern gate of Ashbrook and continued dragging the cart through the streets.
People glanced at them as they walked past.
Some stared when they noticed the blood slowly seeping through the tarp.
William chuckled.
"Looks like we're attracting attention again."
Osric ignored the stares.
The familiar street leading to the monster materials dealer soon appeared ahead.
They pulled the cart closer.
And stopped just before the entrance.
Osric pushed the door open and they dragged the cart inside.
The familiar smell of leather, blood, and preserved materials filled the shop.
The grumpy dealer looked up from behind the counter.
When he saw the cart, his eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Feral Dogs?"
Osric nodded.
"Six."
The dealer stepped around the counter and pulled back the leather tarp.
The corpses were revealed one by one as he inspected them.
He grabbed one of the heads and turned it slightly, examining the skull.
"Clean kills."
He checked another, running his hand along the fur.
"No major damage to the pelts either."
The dealer stood up again.
"Feral Dogs usually go for thirty to seventy copper each depending on condition."
He glanced over the cart one more time.
"These are decent."
He paused for a moment before speaking again.
"I'll give you three hundred seventy-five copper."
Osric nodded.
"Deal."
The dealer returned behind the counter and counted out the coins.
Osric took them and immediately handed William his share.
William weighed the coins in his hand and grinned.
"Not bad."
They left the shop soon after.
A short while later they reached the stable yard where they had rented space.
Together they rolled the cart into its spot and secured it.
Once that was done, they headed back to the Adventurers' Guild.
The guild hall was busier now than it had been in the morning.
Osric walked up to the reception desk and placed the mission notice on the counter.
"Feral Dog mission completed."
The receptionist looked up.
"All of them?"
"Yes."
She nodded and recorded the completion.
A moment later she handed Osric a small pouch.
"Sixty copper."
Osric thanked her and stepped away from the counter.
William stretched his arms again.
"Not a bad day."
Osric nodded.
"No."
They walked toward the exit together.
Just before stepping outside, William glanced over at him.
"Same time tomorrow?"
Osric adjusted the strap of his bag.
"Yes."
"Tomorrow."
The two of them left the guild and headed in separate directions toward their homes.