Volume 3 Chapter 8 Big-Mouthed Lizard Delivery
"I'm sorry, but I need to pause any more purchases for a while."
Cody, the dismantler, checked the prey in Lippi's cart. Orson nodded with a wry smile. It made sense; today was the third time Al and the others had brought in prey, totaling 4 creatures around 3 meters (≈9.8 feet), 2 around 2 meters (≈6.6 feet), and 3 around 1 meter (≈3.3 feet), nearly matching their previous two trips.
"How did you manage to hunt this much in such a short time? Last year, you were hunting Big-Mouthed Lizards for about half a month, and you didn't get this much."
Cody looked half-amazed.
"Well, I can't really say. But, I guess we were just lucky."
"I see, but if you keep bringing in this much, I won't be able to process it all, and it'll spoil. It's great to have plenty, but the number of craftsmen is limited. If you do this next year, please consider the pace."
"Yeah, I understand."
Orson shrugged. This time, it just happened to rain first, which caused this situation. Next year, things would probably go back to normal.
"Oh, and sorry, Orson, but there's something I want to ask you specifically."
"Just me?"
When he heard that, Orson looked puzzled for a moment, but then seemed to think of something and murmured, "Oh, I see."
"Got it. Is it urgent?"
Orson glanced at his own feet. Seeing that, Cody nodded as if he understood.
"I have about a month to spare. Can I count on you?"
"Ah, I understand. In that case, we can manage somehow."
It seems Orson has a new job. Al plans to ask him later, but he likely won't share much, as client requests often come with secrets. It's a shame Cody doesn't trust him, but given they've only met a few times, it can't be helped.
"That's how it is. Al, for now, do it alone. Well, this time's earnings should be pretty good, so maybe it's okay to have some fun for a while."
After three trips back and forth, Al earned about 15 gold coins, excluding armor costs. With this amount, he could live for about 6 months if he cut back on expenses, but it was still a bit short to buy a spellbook.
"Got it. For now, I'll check out the Adventurer's Guild."
"Yeah, that might be a good idea."
The two paid Lippi and the others generously while waiting for the carriage to free up, then left Cody's shop. The sun was setting, but it was too early to return to the inn for dinner. As they discussed what to do next, Blair and his crew returned.
"Orson, how's it going over there?"
Blair looked grumpy, with some crew members injured and limping. His cart held only 2 shabby Big-Mouthed Lizards, each under a meter long.
"Ah, the river was swollen, so we couldn't catch anything at all."
Orson answered with disappointment. Al was a bit surprised but stayed silent, wondering if there was some meaning behind it.
"Really, is that so?"
Blair seemed to agree for some reason.
"Well then, see you later."
Orson bluntly walked past Blair and the others. Al hurried to catch up and asked why he lied after they put some distance between them.
"Honestly, he looked rough. He probably couldn't handle it well. Those injuries suggest he got into a chaotic fight with multiple Big-Mouthed Lizards and had to flee. I told him that, but it seems no one died since the numbers don't look lower. Cody probably won't say who he got the Big-Mouthed Lizard from, and I bet he feels bad for that guy."
Saying this, Orson smirked.
"I see. If Mr. Orson says so, then that's good enough for me."
Al nodded, satisfied with Orson's answer.
* * *
"Do you know someone around here named Aunt Lara?"
Cody's dismantling shop was on South 3rd Street, but Al parted ways with Orson and headed to South 4th Street toward the suburbs. A mysterious woman named Carmilla had told him someone here dealt with an unofficial spellbook called the Garbage Scroll. Upon arrival, he found a poor neighborhood of shabby houses made of sun-dried bricks and rough wood. The neglected drainage system left piles of trash along the roadside, creating a terrible smell. In one corner was a market where people sold goods and unclear soup over a campfire. Al decided to ask one of them.
"Old lady Lara? I haven't heard of her... What do you want?"
An elderly man selling old hats and a battered staff on a ragged cloth tilted his head in confusion. Al was looking for a spellbook, but the magician's guild was strict, so it wouldn't be sold openly.
"Well, never mind then, see you."
Unfortunately, Al hadn't asked about the man's appearance, so he couldn't follow up. As he browsed the goods, he thought about the possibility of finding magic tools. These tools extracted energy from a black ore called magic stone, creating magical effects. Although usually made by specialized magicians, many were originally excavated from ruins, just like spellbooks. Al had heard that some of these mysterious items could be found alongside the Garbage Scroll and would glow a pale blue under the Magic Sense spell.
'Magic Sense'
'Sensory Boost'──Enhanced Vision
With hope, Al wandered the market selling dubious items. He soon spotted a small stall with a black cloth spread out, where among the junk, he found a slightly glowing black sphere, about the size of a fist.
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