Cheers to our victory!
The ale mugs that each of us held clinked together above the table.
Having successfully cleansed the Abyss safely and without taking any damage, we had just returned via stagecoach from the site of the Abyss. Before dismissing our party, it was our custom to celebrate at our regular bar the Orcs Club.
In addition to well-chilled ale, there were many dishes laid out on the table. Most of them were at dishes. There were thick beef steaks, pork spare ribs and sausages, roast pigeons and stewed offal. They were all greasy dishes but we earned our living using our bodies so we polished off plate after plate without hesitation.
Seekers were all gluttons. Taking the tall, well-built Walter as a matter of course, even the only girl, Tania, who was slim, ate much more than ordinary people did.
The rate of alcohol consumption increased proportionately to the food eaten. At first, we mostly discussed serious topics, such as reviewing the battle, but as usual, we were tipsy and talking loudly before we realized. Especially since we had made a killing this ti, the alcohol flowed easily.
All things considered, we did great work! After all, we earned 5 million Fil! Its 5 million Fil! Its the most weve raked in so far!
It was the fifth ti Walter had repeated that line since we sat down at the table. The alcohol must be slowing his thoughts. It was common for drunks to keep repeating the sa things loudly.
With that said, I could sympathize with him. If I got drunk, I might beco just like Walter, but as I took after Grandfather, who was a heavyweight, I wont get drunk unless I drank an incredible amount of drinks with pretty high alcohol content.
Peeking out from the leather pouch placed grandly in the middle of the table, was our reward for subjugating the Lesser Vampire 50 gold coins, or 5 million Fil.
The usually graceful Tania was entranced by the unclouded glint of the coins, and even Lloyd, our typically gallant leader, couldnt help having a slovenly look on his face.
I was happy too. Happy, but also dissatisfied.
By rights, we should have earned more than this. But we only got 5 million Fil. That fact left in a bad mood.
Weve co so far
When Tania muttered emotionally, Lloyd nodded while pushing back his burning red hair.
Even though it hasnt even been a year, we've had a smooth start. At this rate that we're going, we can probably aim higher. We should all be close to reaching B Rank as well
There was no trace of doubt in his confident voice. I held the sa belief. The mbers here would surely all rank up.
Each Job had its own rank up requirents. However, almost everything about the B Ranks has already been revealed. According to that information, we were very close to eting the requirents.
There were 3 known Jobs that I could rank up into. Of course, my intention was to rank up to a Job that would strengthen my current role. The other three also had the sa plan.
It had been a year since I beca a Seeker. As Lloyd said, it was going smoothly.
However, when newcors like us did so well, there would also be a lot of jealousy.
There were several Seeker-exclusive bars in the imperial capital. They werent just places for eating and drinking, but places where you could fulfill various purposes like gathering new mbers or sharing information. Because of that, even though there was no formal arrangent, there were Rank and achievent requirents for each bar.
Those with C Rank Jobs couldnt enter bars frequented by B Ranks, and even in bars for C Ranks, they could get chased out based on their achievents. Violence that occurred because of this was partly officially recognized, and it was common for newcors who didnt know anything to receive a severe baptism.
In other words, this Ogres Club that we ate and drank in was a bar that matched our Rank and achievents. But more importantly, we were 16 to 18 year old youths who hadnt even been active for a full year. Even with the sa Rank and achievents, age and the length of career could change the value of the achievents.
Looking around the bar, parties in similar situations to ours were eating and drinking rrily, but tables with older Seekers had a dark and gloomy atmosphere. Those were the Seekers who had stagnated and were unable to rank up.
With their long track record, they at least had the qualification to sit in this bar, but conversely, only their pride that didnt match their abilities grew inflated because of that, and promising newcors only exacerbated their jealousy.
Even now, there was a guy who was looking at us with a hateful look. When I grew annoyed and stared back at him, he awkwardly averted his eyes and drank his alcohol.
Having to go out of my way to deal with him was a pain, but if I left him alone and let him look down on us, he might try sothing sneaky in future. That was why I needed to keep him in check like this.
Hey, what happened? Putting on such a scary expression
Its nothing
The red faced Walter peered at as he drank from his mug. It was really not a topic worth sharing. I tried to dodge the issue by biting into a sausage, but Walter didnt let it go.
What is it, what is it~ Ill listen to your troubles~
You're annoying. Its a pain, so don't pester
Could it be that youre still holding a grudge about the reward?
Youre wrong. Dont worry about it and drink silently
Its not good to be obsessed with money. Seekers have to be n of high caliber. Your favorite Grandpa must have said the sa thing as well
Huhh?
I though that I would just let his comnts slide but I snapped when he used my respected Grandfather to conveniently make his point.
Just what do you know about Grandpa and ? I did say that Im the grandson of Over Death, but I dont rember ever talking about what Grandpa taught . Dont say stuff arbitrarily.
If anything, what Grandfather had taught was the complete opposite. I was told, ti and ti again, that a Seeker must be obsessed with money.
Money, money, money, a Seekers activities always required money.
Nothing could be done without money, be it buying or repairing equipnt, or stocking up on the items needed for exploration.
However, contrary to Grandfathers teachings and the reality of the situation, the trend among Seekers was that not worrying about money waschic, which gave so much grief.
For this tis request as well, if we had negotiated when we received the request, a further 500,000 Fil should have been added to our reward. This was due to the recent surge in the prices of the materials obtained from Lesser Vampires.
And yet, when I proposed negotiating, the three of them had argued thatEven though they're giving us as much as 5 million Fil, doing sothing like getting greedy and fixating on a re 500,000 Fil is disgraceful. As I wasnt the leader of the party, I had no choice but to give up on the negotiations.
But 500,000 Fil wasnt a small amount. Rather, it was a lot of money. We could have done any number of things with that money. Nevertheless, the reason why they thought that the amount was not worth negotiating for, was because these three peoples sense of money had been warped when they were faced with the 5 million.
In short, they werent particular when dealing with things. That was why they werent mindful of the market for Beasts materials and the thought of negotiating for a bigger reward never crossed their mind.
It was such a frustrating story. However, while I did think that, I also knew that there was no point in being excessively frustrated over it.
...Im not holding a grudge or anything. That matter has already been settled, right?
I sighed after swallowing my anger together with my ale. It was annoying to be looked down on but he was drunk. It would only be a waste of effort to argue with him.
Thats right, the one who keeps bringing that up is Walter. Sure, Noel was obsessed with the reward, but he went along with us in the end. Right?
Tania, who was trying to diate between us, looked to for agreent but it was hard for to agree with what she said. I didnt go along because I agreed with them. I had simply given up because I knew that it was aningless for to insist by myself. It was troubling that they still misunderstood on that point.
That was why I could only smile vaguely in reply, but that seed to have gotten on Walters nerves. He slamd his mug onto the table and started yelling.
Wipe that foolish smile off your face! Im angry with you!
Huh?
If you're stingy, itll affect the reputation of everyone in Blue Beyond! Properly reflect on your actions!
Dont spout nonsense! Aren't you also getting carried away, shouting 5 million, 5 million? What are you saying while playing the innocent?
Isnt it natural to be happy about our just rewards!? Unlike you, I didnt greedily try to jack up the reward!
Hes quibbling like a kid despite his huge figure. With that said, theres no point in trying to reason with a drunk. There are appropriate thods of dealing with drunks. Lets handle this in a well-mannered and gentlemanly way.
Yeah, thats right. Everything is all my fault. Mister Walter is the one who is always right. There is absolutely no room for objection. How impressive
Whats with that attitude!? Im two years older than you!
I gave Walter an icy stare as he got more and more agitated.
What has age got to do with anything here? Are you going to be obedient to anyone, just because theyre older than you? Dont make laugh, ability is everything for a Seeker. Using your age as a shield to try and force others to agree with you, arent you pretty naive, young Walter?
Y Yo Yoo YOU
Walter was so angry at my words that several blood vessels on his forehead popped out and looked like they were going to spurt blood. Kicking his chair aside, he stood up and fixed with a ferocious glare.
Dont ss with , Noel! Even though the only thing you can do is issue instructions from the back! Soone taking it easy in a safe place shouldnt get carried away!
Yes, yes, its all thanks to Mister Walter that I always have such an easy ti. Wow, I really appreciate it. The way you fight, youre just like a fierce god! You're so different from an incompetent person like , who cant do anything other than issuing instructions! Yo, Seeker among Seekers! Hyuu~ Youre so cool!
As I egged him on with my whistling, Walter, angry and mortified, ground his teeth so hard that I thought they would break. He was trembling like a newborn fawn.
Noel, youve prepared yourself right?
Hey, hey, whats this? Is your caliber so small that you cant accept my praise? Isnt it bad if Seekers arent n of high caliber? Or do you want to pat you on the head? Do you want to sing you a lullaby or sothing? Only your body grew big but you stayed a pampered child, didn't you, little Walter? Oh~you toddling baby, behave yourself alrighchu~
I..Ill Ill kill you!
Walter, who had reached the limit of his patience, reached out to grab . I smirked at the fact that everything had gone exactly as I planned.
Bring it on, I'll accept your challenge. Just because youre a vanguard, dont think that you can win a fist-fight while drunk. Its just right, I had been peeved off by this guys insensitivity for a while now. Ill make a good sandbag out of him.
As I stood up and was about to throw Walter, who was naively charging straight at , Lloyd who had been observing silently, stepped between us.
Thats enough! Both of you ought to be ashad of yourselves!
We got yelled at. Even though I so close to being able to beat up on Walter as much as I wanted. It was a pity, but so long as the leader had stopped us, that was it for this fun fight.
With a click of his tongue, Walter went back to his seat and threw up his arms as he sat down.
Both of you are really such idiots...
Tania sighed as Lloyd put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. The two of them were lovers. I didnt really think there should be romance within the party, but it was not my place to say anything.
By the way, Walter had also fallen for Tania. But the one Tania chose wasnt the stern and burly Walter, but the suave ladys man, Lloyd.
There was nothing more awkward than a love triangle.
Its about ti to call it a night. Lets split the reward
Lloyd gave a refreshing smile as he took command of the situation. Comparing Lloyds pretty boy smile to Walters dissatisfied face, I thought that I would have chosen Lloyd too if I was Tania
Has there ever been a ti when soone says theyre going to be well-behaved and gentlemanly and it doesnt end up in a childish squabble? But I like that MC has a childish side to remind us that hes still really young.
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