Big G, Coffee Machine and Goblin

Chapter 32 Couples are like tornadoes

“That would save us four adventurers. Even without me, we still need at least three, which would cost twenty-five silver shields in total. That’s a friendly price considering we’ve all lived in the same place,” Solo said.

"Wait, didn't you say that if we took out the goblin chieftain and that mutated goblin beforehand, the commission for this mission could be reduced by half? That should be three silver shields per person. Even if we double the reward paid to you, it would only be fifteen silver shields."

“That’s not how it’s calculated.” Solo pointed to the location on the quest with his index finger. “Whitewood Village, to be honest, I have no idea where this place is. But according to the guild’s assessment, it will take at least five days to get there from Eagle’s Beak City, and ten days to go there and back.”

"In addition to clearing out the goblins, this mission will take at least half a month. During this time, we will not be able to accept other commissions to earn money. We also need to take into account the cost of food and lodging on the way."

“Five silver coins per person is the minimum standard; any lower and we’ll lose money,” Solo said. “Moreover, we can barely break even with mission commissions alone. How much we earn in the end depends on how much loot we get from the goblin lairs.”

Ma Li then added, "What about the six days?"

"What six days?"

"What if the round trip only takes six days?"

The monster hunter stroked his stubble. "You're planning to hire a carriage to pick us up? But that would only increase the expenses. You might as well just pay us directly."

Solo looked like he didn't understand what they were thinking, but the monster hunters were clearly interested in the suggestion to return to Eagle Beak City, or more precisely, Squirrel Tail, as soon as possible.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Well, if you really insist on asking, I can give you a discount of 20 silver coins. It's a flat price of 20 silver coins. I'll assemble the team, and as usual, all the spoils will be ours in the end."

With this, plus the bag of money that Ma Li had just given him, Xia Er barely managed to scrape together the reward needed for this expedition.

She then went with Solo to Percy the Halfling, revised the commission, added a series of restrictive clauses, and adjusted the final offer.

Monster hunters also pressed their handprints on the quest.

"Do you have teammates? How do you plan to find the remaining three people?" the half-elf girl asked Solo.

"No, I prefer to work alone. I only team up when needed, and I don't plan to ask any of the guys I know."

"why?"

"Because they are all too amazing."

"Isn't being good enough?"

Solo sighed, "The other meaning of 'powerful' is that they all charge high prices. Your profit margin on this job isn't that big, so I can't afford to hire them at all. Besides, you don't need that many powerful adventurers to deal with goblins. With me and that old soldier from the village, that's enough. For the rest of the positions, just find some obedient and cheap newcomers."

As he spoke, he scanned the guild room, and soon his gaze fell on a pair of young adventurers. He beckoned to them, "You, yes, it's you two. Come here, I have a good job for you."

Upon hearing this, the two approached. They were a man and a woman, both quite young, appearing to be only seventeen or eighteen years old. They must have recently become adventurers, and their equipment was surprisingly good.

The young man was even wearing plate armor, though only half a set, which was rare among adventurers. The woman wore leather armor, her blonde hair styled into a wreath, and a row of small knives hung at her waist. Her eyes were wary.

"What kind of work?" the male adventurer asked.

Instead of answering his question, Solo countered with, "Are you... a couple?"

"Brother and sister."

"Oh, great. The last thing I want in my team is a couple. Their relationship is like a tornado—blind, fickle, and savage, capable of destroying everything in its path."

The female adventurer was clearly uninterested in Monster Hunter's tornado theory. "Sorry, you said you had work for us here."

“It’s a raiding mission, not very dangerous. The target is just a bunch of green-skinned thieves,” Solo said. “Green-skinned thieves?”

"Commonly known as goblin."

“Oh, I knew that already,” the male adventurer said hastily, giving his sister a wink at the same time. He then turned to Solo, “How much is the reward?”

"Four silver shields for each person."

"Four silver shields, every day?"

"In total, of course, there's also the treasure from the goblin's lair, if there is any."

"That's too little." The female adventurer was dissatisfied and pulled her brother away.

The monster hunter then spoke up, "I saw you guys with Kane, the rookie killer, just now. How much did he pay you?"

"A rookie killer?" The male adventurer stopped in his tracks.

"Don't you know? Kane's team loves recruiting newbies, especially those who are well-dressed and well-equipped. Most of those poor guys don't survive the adventures, and then before long, you can see their weapons and equipment at some small stall."

The brother and sister exchanged another glance, and then the younger sister spoke.

How do we know you're not that kind of person?

“If I were to get rich through such means, I wouldn’t be offering you such a small reward. I myself only receive eight silver shields. Besides, even if you don’t trust me, you should trust him.”

Solo pointed at Mali.

"Who is he?"

“An alchemist, do you see the brooch he is wearing on his chest?”

The monster hunter sighed. "Listen, of course I'd like to make more money, but in the end, they're just a bunch of damn goblins. If you're looking to make a fortune from this one job, then this isn't for you. Maybe I should look for someone else."

"We'll take it!" The male adventurer was also a little anxious when he heard him say that. He agreed without discussing it with his sister or even reading the request.

“Very good, welcome to the team.” Solo shook hands with the two. “We have one spot left on our team, and I’ve already found a suitable candidate for the last one.”

His gaze swept over the shoulders of the brother and sister and landed on a figure wearing a cloak.

As soon as the man stepped through the gates of the Adventurers' Guild, a burst of laughter erupted around him.

"Hey, isn't this a coprolite? Looking for work too?"

"Give up, no team wants you."

"Exactly, exactly! Go back to your old home in the south, you filthy, disgusting bastard!"

The figure didn't speak, but walked towards the mission wall with his head down. Wherever he passed, the crowd scattered and avoided him as if they couldn't be more careful.

It was as if there was something dirty on him.

(End of this chapter)