Chapter 50 – Their First Wealth
Chapter 50
Their First Wealth
Date: Day 30 of Harvestmoon. 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
They spent the rest of the day idling. Resting on the bed, chatting, gazing out the window at the quiet street below. The chit-chat never died. They talked about many things.
About Ina.
"Yes. That Ina. For Sylvana's sake."
Elise threw her hands up in exasperation.
"I keep warning her, but she never changes. I won't be surprised if one day she faces retribution from the men she toys with."
Hyoren laughed.
"But you'll still help her, right, Elise?"
He knew her. Despite all the complaints, she considered Ina a friend.
"Well. Maybe..." Elise's lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"But at least I'll let her get a few slaps first before I actually help. Fufufu."
Both of them laughed at the imagined scenario.
Then the conversation shifted to Martha and Reon.
"Martha's husband is a Bronze Rank adventurer."
Elise settled more comfortably into her chair.
"I think he's away on a quest right now."
Hyoren nodded, listening.
"Reon actually wants to follow in her father's footsteps. But Martha still won't give permission..." Elise's voice softened.
"She's that protective."
Hyoren understood Martha's feeling.
"Maybe she wants Reon to stay safe in town. Maybe continue the inn business... away from harm..."
Elise nodded in agreement.
The day went on. They simply relaxed. Their immediate goal of reaching civilization and settling in had already been achieved. Now their bodies and minds needed the rest.
As the dual suns began their descent, their orange and silver hues penetrated the window and cast long shadows across the floor. Elise rose from her chair and turned to Hyoren, who sat on the bed.
"Let's go, Hyoren. How about we head out now?"
Hyoren stood and stretched his arms above his head, feeling his joints pop pleasantly.
"Okay, Elise. My body is starting to ask for some light exercise. It seems cooping up in a room all day isn't good for me."
Elise chuckled. Both of them made their way to the door. Elise locked it behind them and slipped the brass key into her dress pocket.
They descended the stairs and arrived at the communal room.
Martha stood behind the counter and looked up as they approached. She greeted them with her usual motherly smile.
"You two going out? Safe travels!"
Elise and Hyoren waved at her, then stepped out of the inn.
They stood together on the street in front of the building. Hyoren turned to Elise.
"Where are we going first, Elise? Merchants' Guild HQ or selling the Alpha materials?"
Elise began walking toward the side street, one hand pressed thoughtfully to her chin. Hyoren followed beside her.
"Maybe creating a bank account first is a good idea."
She dropped her hand.
"Alpha materials will fetch a high price. Over a million Kres, I'm sure. If you already have a bank account, the transaction can be made using your card instead of carrying around bulky coins."
Hyoren nodded.
"That's a good idea. Okay then, Elise. Lead the way."
Elise's steps quickened. Her stride was light, not hurried, but now purposeful. Hyoren kept pace beside her.
They moved through the side street, then emerged back onto the busy main road of the Adventurer's District. Elise walked confidently through the crowd, heading toward the north side.
After walking for a while, they arrived at a small slope. The district between the Adventurer's area and the Merchants' area wasn't divided by a wall, but by a natural rise in the ground.
The difference was almost unnoticeable. Only a small archway on the main street with a sign reading "Merchant's District" hinted that they had crossed into a different part of the city.
They climbed the gentle slope while a carriage passed them. An Earth-Hoof Horse pulled the vehicle effortlessly up the incline, then turned at the next intersection.
"Elise..." Hyoren glanced around as they walked.
"It seems there's not much difference between these two districts, huh. Well, only that the buildings look more decorated and bigger. The shops look fancier. And there are no street vendors."
Elise's ears twitched.
"That's right. To be honest, all four districts of Akela are similar. The division doesn't really matter."
She gestured vaguely at their surroundings.
"There are fancy shops in the Adventurer's District too. And not all shops in the Merchants' District are good. The divisions only help with navigating the city."
Hyoren nodded.
"I see. That's true. Good city planning, either way."
Elise smiled and continued walking. After a few more minutes, she stopped in front of a building in the middle of the district.
***
They stood in front of a white building made from marble. It stood out distinctly among the surrounding structures of grey stone and wood. In front of the building stretched a plaza where many stalls and shops were scattered, their awnings creating patches of shade against the afternoon light.
The building bore a sign with the image of a quill and parchment ledger. Below it, words spelled out "Merchants' Guild Akela's HQ."
"Okay, here we are, Hyoren. This is Akela's Grand Market. And this building is our destination."
Both of them climbed the stairs and entered through the heavy wooden doors.
The air inside was cool and still. It smelled of paper and ink. The noise of the bustling city faded to distant sounds, replaced by the quiet scratching of pens and the murmured conversations of merchants and clerks going about their business.
Elise led Hyoren toward a long, polished counter. They selected one of the available stations, where a stern-looking fox Beastkin woman with spectacles perched on her nose was meticulously recording figures in a ledger. Her yellow hair was trimmed in a neat bob cut, giving her a professional appearance. She looked up as they approached, her expression professionally neutral.
Hyoren glanced at the nameplate on the counter. "Yelan."
"Welcome to the Merchant Guild," she said, her voice crisp and efficient.
"I'm Yelan. How may I assist you?"
Elise stepped forward.
"We want to create a new account."
Yelan's ears perked up slightly.
"Okay, follow me."
She led Elise and Hyoren toward one of the empty rooms, clearly designed for handling more private matters. Unlike the Adventurer's Guild registration room, the arrangement here was cozier. Instead of a desk and chair, there were two long sofas facing each other. Refreshments sat on a table near the wall.
As she walked, her bushy fox tails rested unmoving, only swaying slightly with every step. Her ears stood still. Her professional demeanor was a stark contrast to someone like Ina.
Yelan gestured for both of them to sit on one of the sofas before settling across from them.
"Okay. May I know your names first, esteemed guests?"
Elise smiled politely.
"I'm Elise. This is Hyoren. I already have a private account. And we want to create two accounts. His private account, and our Party account."
Hyoren felt a moment of surprise. This was his first time hearing about something called a party account. But he stayed silent, letting the more experienced Elise handle things.
Yelan nodded. She retrieved magic tools and paper from a nearby drawer. The magic tools were similar to the ones used during Adventurer's Guild registration, a scanner-like white box. She placed it on the low table between them.
"Okay, Ms. Elise. You already understand how it works, right? Let's proceed straight away."
Elise nodded. Yelan turned her attention to Hyoren.
"First. Mr. Hyoren's private account. May I see your ID card? And please, the starter funds."
Hyoren quickly took out his Guild card and his wallet. He produced a single silver coin, leaving the other coins as emergency funds, and placed it on the table.
Yelan proceeded efficiently. She took the card and coins, confirmed the coins' authenticity, placed them in a box nearby, and inserted the card into the magic tools. The device glowed softly. She then handed the card back to Hyoren.
"Mr. Hyoren. The account has been created, and the money deposited. Please check it."
Hyoren looked at his Guild card. At the bottom, new lines had appeared:
Balance : 1,000,000 Kres.
Hyoren nodded.
"That's correct."
Yelan turned back to Elise.
"Okay, for the Party Account. Please fill out this form."
She held out a paper.
"Also, please decide who will manage the money, the treasurer. And whether you want to allow members to withdraw money freely or not. Or you will go with salary system for the members. And if you permit withdrawals, whether there will be limitations on how much they can take. "
Elise nodded. She turned to face Hyoren.
"Hyoren. This system lets a party have a shared account. It makes it easier to manage party funds. We should differentiate between party funds and personal funds."
She settled back into the sofa.
"Most parties do this to avoid friction between members. Because some members might need more money for their gear or supplies. Tank metal armor costs more to buy and maintain. Mages burn through their magic potions quickly. If we just divide our earnings equally, the ones who need more money to maintain their gear and supplies will feel it's unfair."
Hyoren nodded, understanding the concept.
"I see. And some things are used by the whole party, like food, lodging, camp gear."
Elise smiled.
"That's right. Our party only consists of the two of us right now. But we might add more members in the future. And having a party account established from the start will help us get used to the system."
Elise placed her fingers on her chin, thinking.
"How should we set the rules, Hyoren?"
Hyoren smiled.
"I'll leave it to you, Elise. You're the veteran here."
Elise smiled, then leaned forward to fill out the form. When she finished, she handed it to Yelan. The fox Beastkin reviewed it carefully.
"Okay, Ms. Elise, Mr. Hyoren. Let me confirm."
She adjusted her spectacles.
"Party Leader is Hyoren Enjo. Party Treasurer is Elise of the Silentwood. Only the treasurer can manage the money freely. Each member gains 5% of the party funds transferred to their private account as salary every month."
She paused, looking up at them.
"Is that correct?"
Hyoren felt a strange sensation at being named Leader. But as he understood that Elise needed to be the Treasurer, he simply accepted it. He also didn’t find the distribution of salary is unfair. Most of his gears and supplies needs would be covered by party funds. So he only needed a small amount of money for saving and maybe splurging for self reward.
Both he and Elise nodded.
Yelan asked, "Will you put a starting amount in the account?"
Elise nodded. Her silver hair swayed slightly with the motion.
"Yes. Upon creation, please transfer 2.5 million Kres from my private account."
Yelan looked at Hyoren. He answered.
"Take 800,000 Kres from mine."
Yelan nodded, confirming the numbers.
"Okay. Please present both of your cards."
Elise and Hyoren held out their cards. Yelan processed them through the magic tools again. After the device glowed, she retrieved their cards and handed them back.
Elise received hers and nodded after confirming the amount.
Hyoren took his and saw that new lines had been added:
Balance : 200,000 Kres.
Freedom Party Balance : 3,300,000 Kres.
Hyoren nodded in satisfaction.
Elise stood. Their business was concluded.
"Okay then, Yelan. Thanks for the process."
She looked at Hyoren.
"Let's go."
Hyoren bowed to Yelan.
Yelan smiled warmly.
"I'm delighted to be of service, Ms. Elise, Mr. Hyoren."
She bowed as the two of them made their exit.
Hyoren followed Elise out of the room, then out of the busy Merchants' Guild HQ, back into the lively streets of the Merchants' District.
***
They stood in front of the white marble building. Elise turned to Hyoren.
"Now that our account is already settled, time to turn our Alpha material into money."
Hyoren smiled.
"Do you have any shops in mind, Elise?"
Elise nodded.
"I already have a place in mind. There's a shop that deals in luxury goods in the Merchants' District here called 'The Exotic'. It's run by a Beastkin, a Lion-Clan merchant named Roric."
She adjusted the strap of her bag.
"He's shrewd, drives a hard bargain, but he pays top coin for rare and high-quality goods or magic tools. He doesn't care about Guild ranks or reputations, only about the quality of the goods you bring him."
Elise started walking. Her loose silver hair swayed in the gentle wind as she moved.
"Follow me."
Hyoren fell into step beside her, catching up easily.
"Another Beastkin?"
He asked, intrigued.
"This is a human Kingdom, but there's a lot of Beastkin here, huh..."
His thoughts wandered to Ina, then Yelan, and now Roric.
"Beastkin are truly a race that loves freedom. They love wandering around and aren't tied down. A lot of them become warriors, adventurers, or merchants."
Elise tucked a strand of hair away from her eyes.
"Their patron god is Zalkier. For them, there is no difference battling through coins or through sword."
They walked past numerous stalls in Akela's Grand Market. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the chatter of haggling customers.
"Roric is one of the many who've integrated well in this city."
Elise weaved through the crowd with practiced ease.
"He's respected, if not exactly liked. His shop is the best place for what we have. Just... let me do the talking."
They walked a few blocks before stopping in front of a shop that was larger and more ostentatious than its neighbors. The sign, carved from a massive plank of ironwood, depicted a stylized lion's head with a magnificent, flowing mane.
Through the glass window, Hyoren could see luxurious goods on display. A rug made from the hide of a massive tiger-like monster. Glass-domed magic tools whose purposes he couldn't guess. Ornate magic lamps suited for noble estates.
This was The Exotic.
They pushed through the door and entered. The inside of the shop was a cavernous space, dimly lit and rich with the scent of polished wood and rare materials. The sleek, black hide of some kind of Black Panther taxidermy dominated one corner. Glass counters displayed small gemstone accessories, while another held pouches and wallets made from exotic leathers.
On another wall hung ornate swords, their designs more decorative than functional.
Behind a polished counter made from a single slab of dark wood stood a man who could only be Roric.
He was tall and powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a thick mane of tawny hair that fell past his shoulders. His face was human-like, but his golden yellow eyes were piercing. A pair of lion furry ears poked through his hair, and Hyoren could see the tip of a long tail swishing slowly back and forth behind him.
Roric looked up as they entered.
Elise greeted him with a polite nod.
"Roric... It's been a while."
His golden eyes appraised them instantly.
"Elise of the Silentwood," the Beastkin's voice rumbled.
"I heard you went missing in the Forest of No Return. The Guild was about to post a bounty."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Looks like the rumors of your demise were exaggerated."
Elise gestured toward Hyoren.
"I had help. This is Hyoren. He's my new partner."
Roric's golden eyes settled on Hyoren. Assessing him. Weighing him.
"Partner. A human."
He leaned forward and scoffed.
"So, you survived the forest and came back with human partner. I assume you didn't come here just to exchange pleasantries. You have something for me."
Elise nodded. She reached into her bag and carefully unrolled the deep green pelt of the Alpha Green Wolf across the counter.
Roric's eyes widened. Just a fraction, but it was enough. His professional mask slipped for a split second, replaced by awe. He reached out a hand, then stopped himself, looking at Elise.
"May I?"
Elise gave a curt nod.
Roric gently lifted the edge of the pelt. His thick fingers stroked the fur with surprising delicacy. He let out a low whistle.
"By Zalkier... this is no ordinary Green Wolf. This is an Apex."
He looked between them.
"You killed this? The two of you?"
Roric turned his eyes to Elise, then to Hyoren.
Hyoren nodded.
"We did."
A grin spread across Roric's face, revealing slightly pointed canines.
"Well now... This just got very interesting. Now do tell me how two of you actually killed an Apex."
Elise smiled at Hyoren, urging him to tell their story.
He cleared his throat, trying to manage the narrative without revealing any details about his Unique Skill, Berserker.
"I met Elise when she was scouting in the forest. I saved her from a Goblin Warband when she had been captured."
Roric's yellow eyes widened. They quickly glanced at Elise, seeking confirmation.
Elise simply nodded, urging him to continue listening to Hyoren's explanation.
"We then traveled together to reach this city. But when we arrived at the Green Grassland, there was an eerie feeling."
Hyoren stopped. The memory of that unnatural silence still sent a chill down his spine.
"The eeriness was because an Apex of the Green Wolves had appeared and started consolidating its power."
He took a deep breath. Roric also took a deep breath. The story had taken a serious turn.
"And a few days ago, we met them. The Apex. Alpha Green Wolf. With twelve normal wolf escorts."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping.
"A direct fight was suicide. The Alpha was too fast, too strong. We couldn't outrun them, and we couldn't win a straight battle. So we used strategy."
Roric leaned forward as well, his tufted tail twitching with anticipation.
"Elise's role was important..."
Hyoren gestured toward Elise.
"She used her magic arrows to pick off the pack members from a distance, creating a diversion. I drew the Alpha's attention. It was a gamble."
He looked Roric dead in the eye.
"I let it think it had me. It came in for the kill, got overconfident. That's when I made my move."
He didn't elaborate on how. He didn't mention the unique skill, the explosive power of Berserker.
To Roric, the 'how' didn't matter as much as the 'what'.
"It was a single, decisive strike after Elise destroyed one of the Alpha's legs with her arrow. That gave me my chance. I aimed for the neck."
He leaned forward on the table. And pushing his hand in spear-like motions.
" And I didn't miss."
Hyoren concluded, then fell silent. Letting the Beastkin absorb the story. Roric stared at him for a long moment. The grin was gone, replaced by a look of professional respect.
"Strategy..."
Roric rumbled, slowly stroking his beard.
"Not brute force. I like that."
He picked up the Alpha's massive magic stone, which Elise had set beside the pelt on the counter.
"And this... this magic stone is big. The Alpha's level must have been quite high."
He finally looked at Elise, his expression softening.
"You found yourself a good partner, elf. He has brains, not only brawn. Most men would have panicked."
He nodded slowly.
"Your partner used its arrogance against it."
Roric's voice was now laced with respect. As a Zalkier worshipper, he respected someone who was not only strong, but had the intelligence to strategize as well.
Then, his golden eyes shifted from Hyoren to Elise.
"Alright. Let's talk numbers."
He gestured to the magnificent pelt spread across his counter.
"An Alpha Green Wolf pelt of this quality... it's been years since I've seen one. The fur is pristine, the color is deep, and there are no blemishes from a clumsy kill. For the pelt alone, I can offer you... two million, five hundred thousand Kres."
Hyoren's mind halted. 2.5 million Kres? He stood there, stunned. It was an astronomical sum, more than the 1 million Kres they had earned from all those magic stones combined.
But before he could even open his mouth, Elise spoke.
"Two million, five hundred thousand..."
She repeated, her tone thoughtful. She tilted her head slightly.
"Roric, that's a very generous starting point. But we both know this isn't just a pelt. It's a statement piece. The centerpiece of a noble's study."
She rested her fingers lightly on the counter.
"I know Baron Akela would like a piece of this after it gets treated. You'll sell it for at least five times that."
Roric let out a low chuckle.
"Always the sharp mind, Elise. But you forget my costs. The tanning, the curing, the framing... it's an expensive process. And the market for such high-end goods is small."
"The market for unique goods is small!"
Elise countered smoothly, undeterred.
"And this is unique. Most wolf Apexes are killed by forming multi-person teams. So there's almost no chance the pelt can be as intact as this."
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Singed with fire magic. Riddled with multiple holes."
Elise gestured at herself and Hyoren.
"The Apex of the Green Wolf… which if left alone would have become another Shadowden Collective warlock… killed by a two-person team. The story alone adds value."
Hyoren stood silently, watching the exchange unfold. He had no frame of reference for these numbers, no idea what the 'market' was. He saw Roric offer an astronomical sum and thought it was a victory.
Elise saw the same offer and dismissed it as an opening gambit.
Roric stroked his thick beard, his golden eyes calculating.
"Three million for the pelt, and one hundred thousand for the stone. Three million, one hundred thousand Kres. Final offer."
Elise didn't even blink.
"We'll throw in the Alpha's claws and fangs... there are twenty in total, all in perfect condition... as a bonus. Six million Kres for both pelt and magic stone."
She crossed her arms.
"Take it, or we walk it over to 'The Gilded Scale' and see what the dwarves think it's worth."
Roric's tail twitched. He stared at Elise, then at the pelt, then at Hyoren, who was doing his best impression of a silent bodyguard.
The Beastkin let out a long, heavy sigh.
"By Zalkier, you drive a hard bargain…" he grumbled, but the respect in his eyes was genuine.
"Fine. Last offer. Please. Five million Kres in total. And I'm still going to take the claws and fangs."
He held up his hands in surrender.
"That's my absolute ceiling. I can't go any higher."
Elise held his gaze for a long moment. A satisfied smile finally touched her lips.
"Done."
Roric grumbled under his breath as he reached beneath the counter. He retrieved a small white box with a slot on the side. It looked almost like the guild registration tools, but without the scanner part, and much smaller. A guild card would fit perfectly in the slot.
"Your card."
Elise took out her guild card and handed it to Roric.
"Please put it on our party account. Not my private account."
Roric took the card, slotted it into the magic tool, and began operating it. His thick fingers moved across the surface. After a moment, the glow from the box ceased. He returned Elise's card.
Elise took it and checked the balance. She nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Good. Payment received, Roric!"
Roric heaved a sigh.
"A pleasure doing business with you..."
His tone suggested it had been anything but a pleasure. He looked at Hyoren.
"Human. If you ever get your hands on another prize like this, you come see me first. I pay well for quality."
Hyoren nodded.
"We'll keep that in mind."
Elise gave Hyoren a sideways glance. It was time to go. They turned and exited The Exotic, stepping back out into the busy streets of the Merchants' District.