My inventory is full of monster materials.

Chapter 29 The New Guild Steward

Mark felt that the assertive woman in front of him seemed more like someone looking for trouble than someone handling a request.

"Did you need something from me?"

Madeline didn't answer immediately. Instead, she casually picked up Vanessa's tea, took a sip, and then put it back without making a sound.

"To be precise, I need to inform your 'White Eagle' squad."

"Due to Eugene's failure to take responsibility last time, I have taken over the leadership of the 'White Eagle' team. Of course, that is, on the condition that your team can see me again in the future."

Mark felt a chill run down his spine.

The argument between Felix and Eugene that night is still vivid in their minds.

The end result was that Felix obtained the job change badge, but was forced to leave Pinewood Town.

This is further compounded by the fact that the guild has now changed the upper management of the squads.

Could this be a follow-up counterattack by Felix?

Mark regained his composure and steered the conversation back on track.

"I'm issuing a new commission. Collect the upper body corpses of ten Frost Goblin Shamans. As long as the heads remain intact, all other restrictions can be lowered."

Madeline, however, went straight to the point.

"What is it for?"

"This is the client's privacy; does the guild have to interfere?"

Mark responded with neither arrogance nor servility.

But Madeline was clearly not so easy to deal with.

The dashing blonde woman lowered her long legs, leaning her body against the table, her pectoral muscles pressing down on her as she looked at her, and said with a playful smile.

"Of course. The Adventurers' Guild only accepts legitimate commissions, unlike places like 'ShadowNet' which take on all sorts of dirty work from dubious sources."

MovieNet! MovieNet again!

The name sent a jolt through Mark's heart.

Why did she suddenly bring up the movie website?

Uh, wait a minute, I can't let this woman lead me by the nose.

Mark quickly regained his composure and steered the conversation back to the commission itself.

"I am very interested in biology, so I need some fresh humanoid monster materials for medical dissection and research."

As soon as he finished speaking, a glint of purple flashed in Madeline's eyes.

[A fluctuation of "divination spell" has been detected. Your "Intelligence" is being tested (criteria: Intelligence ≥ 15)]

[Judgment failed! Superficial intentions have been exposed.]

Mark's heart was pounding; he felt as if his naked body was being spied on.

Unexpectedly, this woman was so decisive, using magic on him without saying a word.

Fortunately, what Mark said was true; what was gleaned was at most his surface thoughts.

Sure enough, Madeline nodded slightly, seemingly accepting the explanation, but then made even more demanding demands regarding the commission.

"Your commission application has been approved. However, the adventurer's reward and guild fee will be doubled per item."

Upon hearing this, Mark immediately felt a little annoyed.

The original price was 3 gold coins for five heads; if the price remained the same, ten half-bodied corpses would cost 6 gold coins.

Mark knew that a head and a half-body corpse were not comparable and the price would definitely rise, but he didn't expect it to rise to 12 gold coins!

This woman is really good at raising prices.

Mark decided to give it a shot.

He came to the wooden box, picked up a head, and pointed it out.

"Your Excellency, please take a look at the materials delivered this time. I specifically requested completeness, but all of them had their left ears deliberately cut off and were delivered as a second reward."

"Furthermore, your guild's appraisers' standards for completeness are seriously inconsistent with my requirements. For example, this skull labeled 76% is, in my opinion, only 60%."

Mark then clearly pointed out several obvious flaws in the authentication.

But then a hint of impatience flashed across Madeline's face as she raised her hand to call over the receptionist beside her.

"Vanessa, go and invite Scholar Dylan over."

"Yes."

Vanessa quietly withdrew, and soon returned with a young man dressed in a well-fitting platinum bachelor's gown and wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

The young man approached Madeline and bowed.

"Deacon Gwennaville, did you need something from me?"

Madeline tapped the goblin-headed shaman head on the table with her chin and said in a slightly teasing tone.

"Dylan, these are the monster materials you're in charge of. Our client seems quite interested in discussing some academic issues with you."

Dylan's expression immediately turned serious, his glasses flashing as he looked at Mark, revealing a unique scholarly sharpness about him.

He first performed a standard scholar's salute, followed by his "pre-battle" self-introduction.

"I am Dylan Harrington, the third son of the Harrington family of Whitestone City, Loran Territory. I studied under Professor Morris of St. Lorenzo Academy, specializing in the mechanisms of biological properties. May I ask who you are?"

"...Mark, the wandering scholar."

Mark responded casually, but he already knew one thing in his heart—he had to "convince with reason" now.

Sure enough, the two then engaged in a high-intensity academic debate in the conference room.

From assessing the degree of cranial suture healing and age, to the impact of damage to muscle attachment points, and the interference of biological tissue cell expression under low-temperature conditions...

The content they were discussing was no longer about the assessment of completeness, but rather a comprehensive discussion of biology.

Coincidentally, Mark's expertise lies in biology—the knowledge system of another world gave him ample confidence.

Vanessa, who was auditing the class, seemed completely lost, glancing left and right like a poor student trying to distract herself in class.

Even the usually haughty Madeline couldn't help but cast surprised glances at this scene, and began to re-evaluate the unknown adventurer before her.

More than an hour later, the debate came to an end.

Dylan let out a long breath and said with genuine admiration.

"Mr. Mark, I must admit that your ideas are so novel and unique, and I have benefited greatly from today's discussion."

"Me too."

Mark dusted off his collar—the hem of his shirt was slightly dirty.

Dylan then went to Madeline to ask for instructions.

"Deacon Gwennaville, I have revised the authentication standards with Mr. Mark. Regarding this authentication error, I am willing to refund the full amount."

"There's no need for a refund; the guild will compensate the client in other ways."

Madeline waved her hand, looking at Mark with a somewhat complicated expression.

She spoke slowly after Dylan left.

"Now I believe you are truly doing biological research. Dylan's mentor is an associate professor at the College of San Lorenzo, his family is quite prestigious in the Lorenzo Territory, and he himself has a small reputation in the local academic circle."

"To get him to admit his mistakes... you're really something."

Mark answered humbly.

"Everyone has their own area of expertise."

This time, Madeline presented a new plan, but her tone was somewhat more conciliatory.

"Your commission will be increased by half, that's the bottom line."

Increase it by half, and that's 9 gold coins.

Although Mark still felt it was expensive, it probably meant the other party no longer wanted to negotiate.

After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.

"Okay. Let's go with these terms."

Having finalized the basic framework, Madeline had no intention of lingering any longer and got up to give instructions to Vanessa.

"You'll be in charge of everything after this."

Madeline then nodded slightly to Mark in farewell and left the room.