Free Web NovelChapter 22: Filthy Rat In A Costume
The tension was like the calm before a storm. Team Blue Crow and their summons fanned out in a semicircle, but nobody moved. It looked like something was stopping them from jumping on Luke. Maybe it was the way he looked. The Molten Triceratops Mask covered his face, and he was standing still as a statue, not acting like a thief.
Was he a hunter or was he a humanoid monster? Maybe he was an independent summon left behind by a high-tier hunter. The aura Luke emitted made it hard to tell.
"Identify yourself," the leader of the party said. "Human or beast?"
Before Luke could reply, a little green head popped out of his jacket and looked at the group.
"Is this the party, Master?" Amigo yawned. "They look pretty weak to me. Can we get this over with?"
"Uh... Boss?" Billy murmured, lowering his sword. "The monster has a turtle."
If Luke had a beast, then Luke was not a summon himself. The leader pointed a scanning device at him to be sure.
Hunter Level: 8
"A hunter. Level 8?" the leader mused. "This is just a kid."
Immediately the first woman heard Luke was just a beginner, she became even angrier. She wanted to attack, but the leader held her back for the moment, pointing at Luke.
"You passed our barrier. By Confederacy law, this gate is registered to Team Blue Crow," he said. "You’re poaching. That’s a big crime, kid."
"I got here first," Luke said, refusing to back down. "First come, first served. Ever heard of it?"
"It doesn’t matter who jumped in first! We legally locked the perimeter! Anything killed in here belongs to our paycheck!"
"We demand to know what you did with all the loot! Where did everything go? Did you burn them? You just stole up to 15,000 from us!" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
When he heard the party complain about the money, Luke almost laughed. So, that’s the real reason they were upset.
Looking at them, he could see their desperate pursuit of wealth. 15 grand was a big deal for Bronze-rank hunters, but it wasn’t for Luke anymore. He was going to make more than that in an afternoon just by forging armor back at his shop. Luke was only here for the Flame points because he couldn’t get those anywhere else. frёewebnoѵēl.com
An idea struck him. He could make a deal that satisfies their respective needs.
"If you guys are going to cry about the money, I can just wire you the cash," Luke said freewheelingly. "Fifteen thousand? Twenty? Twenty-five? I can pay you for full clearance. Just let me finish the boss. You guys can leave and report that you cleared it, and you get paid without doing any work. Sounds like a good deal, right?"
The leader clenched his jaw, considering the offer. Luke was right: it was a good deal. After all, it wasn’t like they wanted to fight the monsters and risk their lives.
Come to think of it. A solo hunter had just offered to drop 25,000 like it was pocket change. Did that mean he was coming from a wealthy family? A noble? If that were the case, it would be wise to cooperate with him, wouldn’t it?
But the blonde woman with the intense makeup wasn’t going to agree. How could a masked Lv. 8 hunter offer her money like she was some beggar on the street?! According to her, Luke had humiliated her, wounding her pride.
"We aren’t taking hush money from a filthy rat in a costume!" the woman screamed. "He thinks he can insult Blue Crow? He thinks he can buy us off? Mochi!"
Suddenly, the Shadow Panther beside her roared angrily at Luke, ready to pounce at the next command. By agitating her beast, the woman made it clear she wanted Luke dead right there, regardless of the money.
But what if the woman was right? Her words hit home, and the party’s attitude shifted as they realized taking a bribe made them look like second-rate mercenaries. However, if they subdued Luke, that was smarter business. Since he is legally an intruder, the law allows the legitimate team to use force to detain poachers.
Also, if he has 25 grand to toss around casually, his wealthy family will easily pay 50,000 or 100,000 ransom to drop the charges and keep his record clean. Holding Luke hostage was a much bigger payday.
"Secure the intruder," the leader said. "Don’t kill him—he’s worth more alive."
But the blonde woman didn’t look like she wanted to collect a ransom. She wanted to break Luke.
FWOOOSH!
In a matter of seconds, the party unleashed their summons at Luke. The leader’s Flame-Wing Hawk in particular, soared into the air, circling the ballroom’s ceiling, ready to dive-bomb Luke’s blind spots.
Meanwhile, Luke was confused about their decision-making. He wondered if he had lowballed them. Should he have offered 50,000? No way. The entire loot from a Beta-grade wasn’t even worth half of that.
If their IQ was low, then their survival instincts were rock bottom. How foolish could a group be to attack a figure that had just cleared a dungeon halfway without breaking a sweat? These guys were panting and sweating from just cleaning up his leftovers!
"Sigh. Greed really does make people blind," Luke muttered as he realized a peaceful compromise wasn’t possible. With the boar summons charging at him and the hawk having aerial advantage, he needed an edge to protect himself. Fortunately, he had one now.
FLASH!
Over his clothes, something in liquid form weaved together across his ribs, up his chest, and around his shoulders, hardening until it became thick and indestructible.
〖System Notification: You have equipped the Bluespine Centaur Chestplate!〗
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A/N: Thanks for reading!
