Endri also saw the appearance of a Transcendent oddity, the 'Stone Monster's Heart,' for the first ti.
No, to be precise, there should be very few people in the world who have witnessed the appearance of a 'Stone Monster's Heart.'
After all, creatures like the digging stone monster haven't appeared in the imperial territory for many years.
The majority of 'Stone Monster's Hearts' co from outside the imperial territory, in places like prival forests and hills.
Therefore, almost every 'Stone Monster's Heart' can fetch a sky-high price at auctions, naturally much higher than a thousand imperial gold coins.
This isn't even at an auction in a place like ister County, but at the provincial-level auctions held by the major provinces.
The 'worth a fortune' he had previously ntioned was, of course, just a way to encourage everyone to fight.
Especially for those in need, its value is actually difficult to estimate.
Like the other Night Watchn, Rein was staring wide-eyed at the miraculous scene before him.
It was Hamilton who reacted first, laughing and saying to Rein, "It seems we're in luck!"
"Rein, as the 'pri contributor,' you go and collect the Stone Monster's Heart. We should retreat first!"
Now with heavy losses on our side, lingering in Elim Mine is definitely not a good idea.
Who knows if there's another digging stone monster lurking in this mine!
"Yes, Lord Hamilton!" Rein replied with a smile and a nod.
Facing such a rare treasure, Rein naturally wanted to feel it up close as well.
Imdiately, he stepped forward quickly and swung his fine steel greatsword at the chest of the digging stone monster.
Perhaps because the digging stone monster was already dead, when Rein's fine steel greatsword hacked down, the thick layer of hard rock at the monster's chest actually crumbled away like debris.
This made it easy for Rein to carve open the monster's chest.
Soon, a heart about the size of an infant's head, emitting a gentle yellow glow, appeared before Rein's eyes.
This was also Rein's first encounter with a so-called Transcendent oddity. He hesitantly set down his fine steel greatsword and took the 'Stone Monster's Heart' out with both hands.
A warm sensation with a special rhythm ca from his fingertips and palms.
It was a strange feeling, and Rein had never experienced anything quite like it before.
[Ding! Host has co into contact with the Transcendent oddity 'Stone Monster's Heart,' triggering the special advancent profession—Giant Stone Guardian (Transcendent)!]
[Prerequisites for advancing to Giant Stone Guardian are: ???....Current conditions not t, advancent to Giant Stone Guardian failed!]
Rein was imdiately taken aback!
"Eh! It's a special Transcendent combat profession!"
"But what the hell does the three question marks for prerequisites an?"
"Does it an the gap between and this special advancent profession is too great?"
"Or is it because there's so elent of uncertainty between and this profession?"
After being stunned for a few seconds, Rein ca to his senses, realizing that this Transcendent oddity seed to be of great use to him.
Without delay, Rein turned eagerly to Hamilton and said, "Lord Hamilton, may I directly purchase the 'Stone Monster's Heart'?"
Hamilton, supported by Weilun, approached and examined the 'Stone Monster's Heart' emitting a gentle yellow glow, laughing, "I, too, am seeing the legendary 'Stone Monster's Heart' for the first ti."
"Rein, what made you think of wanting this? The price isn't cheap, you know?"
"Even if valued at a thousand imperial gold coins, you need to pay three-tenths of the spoils to the empire, which ans you need to fork out 300 gold coins."
"Then, out of the remaining seven-tenths of the spoils, you still need to distribute at least 200 imperial gold coins to others, including myself."
Although Hamilton did not know why Rein suddenly took a liking to this, he did not object, rely stating that Rein needed to pay a considerable sum of money.
Rein had already anticipated this point.
Since the last ti he had robbed 'Hound King' Kol, he could imdiately co up with three hundred gold coins.
As for the remaining two hundred gold, scraping them together by hook or by crook was estimated to be not a big problem either.
"Of course! It's only fair." Seeing that Hamilton was not opposed, Rein couldn't help but express his elation.
Hamilton looked at Rein with surprise again. He had not expected Rein to want it so badly—five hundred imperial gold coins was no small amount.
At that mont, Endri whispered sothing to Schmidt at the side.
Then, the butler nad Schmidt suddenly interjected, "Wait a mont!"
"According to the Night Watchman's Empire spoils distribution regulations, this 'Stone Monster's Heart' should have three-tenths belonging to the empire, and only the remaining seven-tenths can be distributed as spoils. Lord Hamilton, is this correct?"
Upon hearing Schmidt speak, Rein's heart sank.
Rembering so of Endri's previous actions, he already had a vague idea of what they were up to.
"Damn shaless, both Endri and Schmidt, thinking of running away when the battle situation seed unfavorable, and then wanting a share when the tides turned."
"And now, do they want to ddle in the distribution of the spoils?"
Hamilton's face also darkened, well aware of the noble's sches. He quickly understood their intention.
However, their question was straightforward and fair, and though they hadn't been much help during the fight, they were representatives of the county town, the Earl, and the Viscount, so he obviously could not ignore them.
After so consideration, Hamilton had no choice but to nod and say, "Yes, Butler Schmidt, that's indeed the case."
As soon as Hamilton nodded in agreent, the butler nad Schmidt imdiately beca animated and said:
"As a representative of Count Habs and Viscount Hamadi of the county town, I have the right to take custody of and appraise this 'Stone Monster's Heart.'"
"Of course, the distribution of the seven-tenths of the spoils of war to the valiant warriors will not change!"
Schmidt seed to enter a realm he was familiar with when it ca to the distribution of spoils, a complete contrast from his previous state of utter panic caused by the mountain monster. It was like seeing two different faces!
This made Hamilton, Rein, and the rest of the Night Watchn feel as nauseated as if they had swallowed a fly.
Indeed, it was the typical noble countenance. With minor interests at stake, one could afford to be magnanimous and give Hamilton face, just like with the crystal lizard incident earlier.
But when the interests involved were substantial, Hamilton's face obviously didn't carry the sa weight.
Rein knew that all of this seed to be instigated by the so-called Wandering Bard, Endri.
"You'll be in charge of keeping and appraising?"
"After you return to County Town, whatever the appraised value, isn't it entirely up to you?"
Besides, Rein knew from the mont Endri had seen the mountain stone creature and exclaid "extinct" that even an auction house couldn't imdiately co up with an accurate price.
After all, it's hardest to appraise sothing that's out of print.
For a mont, the spacious minecart transfer station was silent.
The elite mbers of the Night Watchn, although injured, glared at this steward Schmidt with fury.
Rein felt he had to do sothing. After all, if he left it to the other party for safekeeping and valuation, he—the 'primary hero'—stood to lose the most!
Suddenly, a stroke of inspiration flashed across Rein's mind.
He suddenly thought of why those three Bounty Hunters had rushed to attack the mountain stone creature so frantically?
Would the steward Schmidt be able to get involved if they had succeeded in killing it then?
Of course not!
Bounty Hunters abide by the most primitive rules of spoils distribution: whoever makes the kill gets the right to distribute, everyone else who assisted can only claim a small share.
That's why, under these rules, Bounty Hunters are reckless and fearless!
Bounty Hunters, as the na implies, everything for the bounty!
Bounty is above all!
This is inscribed in the Empire's code of law.
"Don't forget, you yourself are a Bounty Hunter!"
With this in mind, a sly smile crept across Rein's lips.
Imdiately, Rein quickly fastened his Bounty Hunter badge to the front of his left chest and said, "That Schmidt... Lord Schmidt. I am actually a Bounty Hunter."
"Therefore, according to the Empire's laws, the Bounty Hunter who makes the final kill naturally obtains the right to distribute the spoils."
"So, I'm sorry, but this 'Heart of the Stone Creature' cannot be entrusted to you for safekeeping."
"Because, it is inherently my battle trophy!"
"How could that be!!!" Schmidt, red-faced and flustered like a duck whose neck had been squeezed, exclaid.
"How... how could you possibly be a Bounty Hunter? Aren't you a Night Watchman!!"
At this mont, even Endri was looking at Rein dumbfounded.
Rein's cunning move had virtually dazzled the two n.
Rein smiled slightly.
He took off his junior Bounty Hunter badge from his chest, showed it to the two n briefly, and said, "This is a genuine Bounty Hunter badge, applied for by Lord Hamilton himself, and I just received it a few days ago."
Rein's statent also caught Hamilton and the other Night Watchn nearby off guard.
Hamilton, however, had a sudden realization, with an air of 'you sly dog, you got monologuing,' as if he had just thought of such a sche himself.
Plus, seeing Rein making aningful eye contact, how could Hamilton not know what to do?
After all, it's better to have the spoils stew in one's own pot, where anyone can eat.
But if even the pot is taken away by soone else, then there's nothing left for anyone!
This logic was instantly clear to everyone.
"Right, I had completely forgotten, this mission, I invited Rein to help as a Bounty Hunter," Hamilton smacked his forehead, and decisively affird.
When even the leader of the Night Watchn in Flashgold Town acknowledged Rein as a Bounty Hunter for this investigation, what was there left to dispute!
This turn of events whitened Endri's face with fury, his body trembling.
So, in full view of everyone, Rein cheerfully stowed the softly glowing yellow 'Heart of the Stone Creature' into his waist pouch.
Worried about offending the representative of the County Town, aren't you?
Having the Transcendent treasure in hand, even if he couldn't use it imdiately, at worst he could trade it with Hamilton for a superior potion of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique, right?
Then, once he beca a formal Knight, would he need to fear a representative?
Don't forget, a representative is ultimately just that, a representative.
"As for the distribution of interests between myself, Hamilton, and the other Night Watchn, that can naturally be negotiated with Hamilton after returning."
"At least, the spoils cannot fall into the hands of outsiders."
"On this point, my interests align with Hamilton's!"
Having pocketed the 'Heart of the Stone Creature', it was only then that Rein rembered to check the system notifications.
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