Chapter 97: Reward

Sara and the others safely finished their first labyrinth and were finally able to emerge from it.

“Yuta, it’s getting dark. Are we going back to the inn?”

“Yeah, but after I accompany everyone to the inn, I’m going to the Adventurer’s Guild. Will you come with me?”

“Oh, since you’ve just accomplished your first request, why not bring Sara and the others along? Considering the state of the Adventurer’s Guild this morning, I don’t think it’ll be a hassle. Besides, if you show them that the monsters you defeated turned into money as a reward, I think they’ll be delighted.”

Hmm, the other adventurers only gossip from afar, but Eltina might say something. What should I do? But if it turns into money… it might be important to confirm with my own eyes that I’ll receive the reward. It’s my first completed request, so should I take them with me? It’s a dilemma, but let’s confirm it just in case.

“Sara, Marco, Kika, I’m going to the Adventurer’s Guild to report our first completed request. Will you come with me? However, as you probably know from our previous visit to the Adventurer’s Guild, I’m not liked there, so there might be some behind-the-back comments.”

The three of them discussed for a moment and then turned their attention to me.

“We’ll go. We’ve heard plenty of nasty things said about us in the slums, so a few gossip won’t bother us.”

“Sensei, I’m fine too. I’m used to hearing bad things.” “Me too.”

They said it with a bright smile, but I wish they wouldn’t talk about such painful things. Well, Sara and the others were planning to distance themselves from the Adventurer’s Guild, but considering showing them the scene of receiving the first reward, maybe I should take them along as a test.

“Oh, I see. If you’re sure, then let’s go.”

I couldn’t come up with the right words to respond to their painful remarks, so I just let it slide. I guess that’s what a cool adult would say in such situations.

As I walked while pondering, we suddenly arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild without realizing it. I still couldn’t figure out what to say. I had a few candidates in mind, but something felt off about each one.

‘You don’t need to get used to hearing bad things. I’ll protect you.’

Generally, it’s me who gets badmouthed. It’s fundamentally wrong.

‘I’ll knock out anyone who badmouths you, so don’t worry.’

It would just end up with me losing my temper and causing a ruckus.

‘Sara and the others have become stronger. If someone badmouths them, just knock them out.’

Let’s be happy from now on.

For a moment, it seemed like a good idea. But I’ve put them through so much, making them fight undead in the land of death to prove themselves as Spirit Magicians, and fighting in the labyrinth… I’m the one causing them a lot of hardship. And it sounds like a proposal.

I feel like I’ve come so close, but I can’t reach the right answer. It’s frustrating. Also, while I was lost in thought, Bell was in my arms, and Tamamo was sitting on my shoulder. I didn’t notice.

“Sensei, aren’t you going in?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, let’s go.”

For now, it’s just a report on completing the request. I’ll think of some cool words before going to bed. As I entered the Adventurer’s Guild, it was crowded with people returning before dinner. Not the best time for us.

Ignoring the surroundings, I lined up at Eltina’s counter. The adventurer who was in front of me looked at me with a displeased expression, but I didn’t mind.

I thought about lining up at another reception counter, but there’s no need to increase the number of beautiful women who give me an emotionless response. It would be a blow to my confidence.

No one lined up behind me after I got in line. Everyone went to the other lines, so this line was getting shorter and shorter. I always thought adventurers were more independent, but they all obediently followed the guild’s intentions. Oh well, it’s my turn now.

“Eltina-san, hello.”

“What can I help you with?”

No emotions at all.

“We completed a request, so I’d like to go through the procedures. We have ten Rough Birds, 210 herbs, and the rest are magic stones. Should I put them here even though I haven’t dismantled them?”

“For delivery requests, please deliver the items to the delivery area over there and then come back here to line up.”

I see… so that’s the system. They didn’t mention that during the beginner’s training. Is it common knowledge?

“Understood. Everyone, let’s go to the delivery area. Eltina-san, see you later.”

I led everyone to the back delivery area. Even here, we were met with disdain as we lined up.

“What do you have?”

…A gruff man asked. This person’s attitude doesn’t change. He’s just as blunt with the adventurers in line before me. In a way, I find it somewhat likeable.

“I have ten undismantled Rough Birds and 210 herbs.”

“Undismantled? Oh, you have a magic bag. Come this way.”

I was led further inside to a place where various materials were placed.

“Put them here.”

I placed the ten Rough Birds in the designated spot. The man muttered that it’s quite a bag. I wonder if this information will circulate within the guild? Well, the one I’m using now came out of a treasure chest, so there shouldn’t be any problems. I have to handle the Infinite Capacity and Time Stop bags with care, though.

“The herbs and magic stones go here.”

I lined up the herbs collected diligently by Bell and the magic stones collected by Sara and the others on the specified table. The herbs were for completing seven delivery requests.

“Alright. Wait over there while I check the items.”

As I waited in a corner of the delivery area, chatting with Sara and the others, the man called me over and handed me a wooden tag. Apparently, it’s a redemption ticket. I went back to Eltina’s counter, lined up again, and handed her the ticket.

“…The completion of five delivery requests for Rough Birds and seven delivery requests for herbs has been confirmed. For the Rough Birds, including parts that are not usually taken back and dismantling fees, it comes to 220,000 Eltos. For the herbs, it’s a total of 35,000 Eltos. As for the magic stones, since they’re mostly F-rank, it’s 18,000 Eltos. The grand total is 273,000 Eltos.”

It’s quite a price. Well, considering the potential danger to life, is it fair? Ah, but I managed to bring back all the valuable meat from the Rough Birds thanks to the magic bag. I wonder if those without a magic bag have a tougher time.

Sara and the others, who were listening nearby, cheered. They seemed really happy. They must have struggled with money, so being able to earn it themselves is quite a joy for them.

As Silphy said, it was a good decision to bring Sara and the others to the Adventurer’s Guild. It will be a great motivation for their future training.

“Understood. By the way, how many more requests do I need to complete to rank up?”

“To advance to E-rank, you need to successfully complete 20 F-rank and E-rank requests. Your rank will increase then.”

I see, so eight more requests. I’ll rank up after the next one.

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude and left the Adventurer’s Guild. The annoying gazes disappear once I leave the guild.

“Yuta, the guild master was there. It seems like he couldn’t get his hands on the Magic Grass and god herb Herb you wholesaled. He’s being pushed by nobles and merchants. It seems they think the Adventurer’s Guild wants to hide who obtained the materials. They’re urging him to quickly find the wholesalers.”

The guild master was there. I wholesaled a considerable amount of herbs, but it seems some people couldn’t get their hands on them. It’s fine for me since I’m inconveniencing the guild master as planned, but I hope they can find their way during my stay here. Alright, let’s go back to the inn.

“Welcome back. Here’s the key. What are we doing for dinner? Should we have it delivered to the room like yesterday?”

As soon as I entered the inn, Martha-san asked me. Usually, we start with small talk, but she seemed busy today.

“Yes, please add four more portions like yesterday.”

“Alright.”

I parted ways with Martha-san and gathered in Sara and the others’ room. I feel relieved for some reason. Even though I know it’s safe as long as Sylphy and the others are with us, I was a bit nervous about exploring the labyrinth with Sara and the others.

I calmed Bell and the others who came frolicking around by petting them. They seem eager for dinner. They’ve really become food enthusiasts.

“Sara, Marco, Kikka, how was your first labyrinth experience?”

While petting Bell and the others, I asked Sara and the others about their impressions of their first labyrinth.

“I was nervous, but I had some new discoveries, and it was a valuable learning experience. As long as Fukuchan supports me, I think I’ll be fine if I stay calm. However, I’m worried about encountering monsters that Fukuchan’s power doesn’t work on.”

Sara seemed tense. I didn’t notice because she was looking around as usual and taking good care of Marco and Kikka.

“According to Sylphy, it seems difficult to defeat tough enemies as easily as before. I think we need to come up with various strategies. How about you, Marco?”

“Master, I was fine this time, but should I learn how to use weapons? Is it better?”

…That’s a difficult question.

“I can’t teach you how to handle weapons. And even if Marco can use weapons, I don’t think you can deliver stronger attacks than Uri. It’s best to be thorough in scouting and avoid getting close to unbeatable monsters. How about you, Kikka?”

If they’re thorough in scouting, they can escape faster than the monsters can notice them. There might be magic-resistant monsters, so they should think of something, but for now, they should be fine.

“I’m okay because Mame-chan is with me. But it was tough because we had to walk a lot.”

It seems walking was tough for Kikka. They took breaks, but maybe I should increase the frequency of breaks a little more next time.

“As your level increases, your stamina will improve, so it won’t be a problem after a while.”

Hmm. It was quite easy, so I thought they might get carried away, but all three of them are serious.

“Well, for a while, we’ll continue exploring the labyrinth the same way as today, so feel free to try different things.”

“Understood.” “Got it.” “Okay.”

For now, it seems there’s no problem with them entering the labyrinth. I’m relieved.

“Now, let’s talk about the rewards next.”

It’s 273,000 elts. I divided it into three equal parts of 91,000 elts each and handed them to Sara, Marco, and Kikka.

“Since this is your first reward as adventurers, be careful not to waste it.”

They’ve struggled with money, so I don’t think they’ll waste or be reckless with it, but it’s better to give a warning just in case. But is it dangerous to give such a large amount of money to children? Isn’t 91,000 elts too much for elementary school students? I guess it should be fine since Fukuchan and the others are with them, and they can protect themselves.

“Master, is it okay for us to accept it? And with this distribution, you don’t have any of today’s reward, do you?”

“You can accept it since it’s the reward for your hard work. Besides, I don’t need my share. I was just behind Sara and the others, and there’s plenty of money from the payment for the Fire Dragon and such.”

It would pain me to turn down the reward for the children’s hard work, even though I have enough money to be called a billionaire. I could have taken all of it, lecturing them about the harshness of society, but I can’t become so materialistic. It hurts me to reject their share of the reward for their hard work. I’ll just decline the portion that exceeds what they need

“But Master, we don’t need the money because you provide us with food. Can we use this money for meals?”

“No, I’ll provide you with meals, so there’s no need for that. If you don’t have any use for it, you can save it. You might need money when you grow up.”

Marco twisted his neck, not understanding, and Kika looked puzzled too. When I was a child, I would have been overjoyed and danced around if I received pocket money. Maybe they’re not

used to having money they can spend freely.

“Master, as Marco said, we don’t have any immediate need for money at the moment. Can you use it for food and living expenses?”

After discussing various things, it was decided that I would keep the money for now. It would be heartbreaking to reject their hard-earned rewards just to teach them about the harshness of society. I can’t become so greedy as to take everything and lecture them. It’s just a small portion of the reward. But if they don’t have any use for it, I’ll keep it for them. They might need it when they grow up.