When the first rays of sunlight appeared, Gabriel was already ready to leave, while the mage had just awakened beside her companions, who were still unconscious.
- You're leaving… huh? But what is all this?
That was when the girl noticed what Gabriel was carrying, tied with ropes, on his back.
- Ah, that's the hobb shells I killed. If I count the mission pay, plus the sale of these shells as well as the compensation the guild owes me for not mentioning a super hobb on the mission, I should be able to make myself a nice fortune. As for the ones you killed, I left them there, so if you want to recover them, feel free. But since I'm the one who completed the mission...
- Ah, don't worry about it! It's your right, and you're the only one who completed the mission, so... it's normal.
- Cool! See you…
Gabriel picked up the huge pile of tied hobb shells and put it on his back before setting off. The mage watched him leave until he disappeared over the horizon.
- Hmm, I should also hurry and take them to a hospital, otherwise... Hey, you, wait for me. I'll never be able to carry them all by myself.
She shouted to Gabriel, who was already far away but had still heard her and turned around to reply:
- Huh? Are you serious? Well, manage on your own.
- You can clearly see that I'm injured and...
A few minutes later, Gabriel and the mage were returning from the mission together. Gabriel was carrying his shells, and the mage was carrying the injured bodies of her companions on her back. She was utterly exhausted and looked like she might collapse at any moment, while Gabriel walked far ahead without even turning around to check if she was holding up.
It was then that the sun began its long journey across the sky. It was already past noon, and while the daily life of the inhabitants was in full swing, something caught everyone's attention. Wherever he passed, people wondered:
"What is that?"
As Gabriel, carrying a mountain of shells beneath which he was barely visible, walked along the main street toward the adventurers' headquarters.
Even the adventurers were astonished when the exhausted man came to deposit his load at the guild's entrance. Worn out, he leaned his back against his cargo to catch his breath for a moment.
That was when an old man and his son came out of the guild and found themselves face to face with the monster shells. It nearly gave them a heart attack. The old man, who wore a monocle, did not utter a single word. He immediately began inspecting the shells while his son observed. After his inspection, he showed two pieces to his son, and after a brief discussion between them, the son came to see Gabriel, who understood nothing of their ramblings.
- We are ready to buy the entire stock for 200,000 bals. Let me introduce myself: I am Arthur Dorvals, eighth of the name, and this is my father Rover Dorvals, seventh of the name. We are artisans, and we would like to acquire your stock of hobb shells. So, what do you say?
- 200,000 bals for everything, 100,000 more for the toughest one. I know that you knew that I know that you know that not all these shells have the same value. So let's get straight to the point.
- I see! Then what would you say to 25,000 for the toughest one? The son proposed.
- I think that in the end, I'll put this on the guild's account. Good evening!
Gabriel immediately turned around and began carrying his merchandise elsewhere.
- Now, sir, you know very well that you will never obtain such a sum with the guild, and here we are ready to pay in cash. Think about it for a moment: 225,000 bals here and now.
The son pressed, with an unyielding gaze.
Gabriel stopped and turned toward him, trying to see through him, but the son had clearly absorbed his father's teachings and showed no weakness. However, Gabriel was not ready to give in so easily either, even though the offer was tempting.
- 250,000 bals, and that's our final price. The old man intervened. Take it or leave it. We clearly understand that this is a super hobb, and if we are so eager to acquire it, it is because the shell will lose half of its value if it is not treated quickly within three days after the beast's death. This one is already almost a day old. Super hobbs are rare, but we won't spend more.
- I assume you are magical weapon artisans? The man supposed.
- From generation to generation! The father replied proudly.
- Very well, then I'll give you the super hobb as a bonus, but in return you will give me a 50% discount on my order in your workshop if I provide the raw material. Deal?
Gabriel extended his hand, and it was accepted joyfully by the son.
- Deal! The Dorvals Forge, the best in enchanted item creation in the entire kingdom. I'll give you a special business card, and here are the 200,000 bals for the rest.
The deal concluded, the two artisans quickly called in several carts to transport the shells. As for Gabriel, he went back into the guild to receive his pay of 125,000 bals, as well as compensation of 20,000 bals for the absence of any mention of a super hobb, which should have placed the quest at two-star rank on the request sheet.
But while Gabriel entered the guild without a worry, the mage was also arriving in town with her friends' bodies. She saw Gabriel enter the guild smiling and felt a bit frustrated and disappointed, but she simply took another path, ignoring him.
At the same time, Gabriel was at the counter, counting his money coin by coin.
- 145,000 bals, it's all there.
- Good! We are still sorry about the information.
- You know you don't have to apologize, Nina. You're perfect. It's the other idiots who made the mistake. By the way, would you like to…
- No, not even in your dreams. The young woman cut him off. I'm on duty, and I'm married. But I'm really surprised that you managed to complete the mission alone.
She said with a smile!
- Haa, what a cruel world! But you know, I've really become very powerful. But was I really alone?
He then thought of the other group with a questioning look.
- Well, in a sense, I handled it all by myself. But this power I have—it's thanks to you. That's why I want to show my gratitude with a date—
- Thank you for your service. We look forward to seeing you again.
Nina said with a lovely little smile.
Gabriel sighed and gave up. But at the same time, the mage was at the hospital, where she learned that her friends' condition was more serious than expected. She herself was injured, but she didn't have enough money to pay for all the treatments.
She sat on a bench with bandages on her body, thinking of a solution she could find nowhere.
- Maybe I should go back to retrieve the monster shells he left us, but... I'm afraid to go back there alone. So... what should I do?!
She bit her lips helplessly and trembled with anger when a pretty nurse came to inform her:
- Someone has paid for all your treatments and medicines, including the magical potions. He left a message for you.
The nurse handed her the message, and the girl took the piece of paper and read it.
"Thank you for creating a diversion."
She immediately understood who it was from. She rushed outside, looking both ways down the road. She didn't see him anywhere, so she ran from one end to the other, searching everywhere without success. She saw him nowhere, then finally gave up, out of breath.
- Thank you! She whispered, her eyes flooded with tears.