The Primal Hunter

Miranda sorted through some lists Sultan had handed to her, as well as the formal contract he had written up mere moments after their return from the Treasure Hunt. She skimmed the contract over, already aware of what it was about, primarily looking for any word traps or phrasing she didn’t quite agree with.

The contract was for him to act as a broker and sell items for Haven and Jake during the Auction a week later. The lists he had handed her included items he already possessed as well as people he had already made agreements with during the Hunt.

Reading over the contract, it became clear the man was giving extremely favorable terms to them, seeking to only take a flat fee for high-value items and a small percentage on lower-priced goods, though he did emphasize his belief that nothing below epic-rarity would be sold at the Auction simply due to the volume of items gained from the Treasure Hunt.

As for why Sultan was so interested in a deal… well, besides him being a businessman, that is, was that apparently, the Auction held some special implications and opportunities for merchants. If the World Congress was the arena of the politically minded and social classes, the Treasure Hunt the arena of the fighters, then the Auction was the event with the most opportunities for merchants.

Sultan had received a quest that was more or less just about selling a lot of things, and he would be competing against others. Miranda did not believe they could beat out the larger factions simply due to the sheer quantity of items to sell a city like Sanctdomo had, but if Jake agreed to use Sultan for some of his higher-rarity items, she did believe Sultan could do well. Of course, she would have to get some more benefits from the man if they helped him succeed in a quest, but Miranda suspected he already knew that.

“Lillian, is the report in from those who wish to sell through Haven?” Miranda asked the other woman in the room. While it was clear primarily items from the Treasure Hunt would be sold, some held valuables not from there. Even from some who did not participate in the Hunt at all, Phillip being one such example.

“Most of them,” Lillian answered as she brought over another stack of papers. “Neil and his party will sell through Haven, and a lot of the unaffiliated D-grades have also chosen to do so. Additionally, we have received thirteen requests to gain permanent residence from participants in the Hunt… which is all of those who returned but two.”

“Hm, thoughts?”

“I do not believe there are many downsides to additional D-grades within the city, and if we wish to increase the average power level of Haven, it would be highly beneficial. The more we have, the more will also come by as there will be more skilled crafters and more opportunities to find hunting parties and ways to sell and procure materials for everyone,” Lillian answered.

“You’re right,” Miranda agreed. “Just have some basic tests done; maybe ask Silas to help.”

Miranda didn’t really have much more to do right away as she had spent the last few days before the Hunt hectically planning for her own absence. They were told the Treasure Hunt would last ten days, and while many had suspected there would be some kind of time-dilation going on due to the length of it and the constant threat of beasts, no one had known. Hence she had been on the safe side.

“Additionally, the sculp-“

Lillian was interrupted by a knock on the door. Miranda was surprised as they hadn’t planned on anyone coming but equally as much that they heard it at all due to the enchantments meant to obscure sound.

She sighed as she waved her hand, and the door opened as Jake stood there, being the only one she would suspect of for some reason sneaking into the main office of Haven. Well, that or an assassin, but it would be an odd strategy to knock first if it was an assassin.

“Hey Miranda, Lillian, anything interesting happened I need to be aware of, or can I leave for a while?” he promptly asked.

“Only some minor things related to the Auction,” Miranda answered just as promptly, knowing not to mince words or ask unnecessary questions.

She gave him a quick rundown, and Jake agreed without much hesitation to allow Sultan to sell some stuff for him. He didn’t specify what, but Miranda was sure she would find out in due time. There were also a few additional minor points, and she asked him his opinion on giving what was effectively citizenship to the D-grades who had applied.

said with a shrug. “Just kick them out

said with a smile. “Where are you

any idea

asking Neil about directions would be a good idea as he has been working on the long-range teleportation circles, and as for a bow, maybe check in with Sultan as he no doubt possesses some,” Miranda

we'll meet next in the Auction,” Jake said as he prepared to

Skyggen to visit family?” Miranda asked, failing to hold her curiosity

less ordered me to go, and it is about time to visit, so it makes

skill to contact you if anything comes up, so I will make sure to keep you updated on major events,” Miranda said, getting a nod of approval

the room, his presence disappearing as soon as he left

down when you visited him just a few

shook her head. It was just what her gut told her, and she felt like she had interacted enough with Jake to detect

can you fetch Hank about the

Thayne a while back,” Lillian answered. “They seem to be working on some kind of odd

doing. She seriously doubted it could be anything that wouldn’t give her massive annoyances and

it was made solely with resilience in mind without any fancy effects. He did also have an epic bow for level 100 and above, but Jake preferred the rare one. It wasn’t the best, but it was all he had for

own transmutation of it. He wasn’t even sure that the woman named Maria who had made it could fix the bow. Sultan instead recommended Jake dismantle it and reuse some of the materials, such as the two gems. It was a bit disappointing, but Jake took his words to heart and saved the broken pieces for later use. Now, he would just hope that a good bow would

a good chat with Sylphie. To his surprise, she had wanted to split up as she wanted to go hunt and grow stronger. He felt a strong sense of inferiority from her, and she had seemed a bit sad at how little she had been able to help against the Monarch of Blood. There really wasn’t any need for her to feel like that as she was already up there with the strongest on

to get in her way. Her parents were also not in Haven – likely out hunting too – so that probably only added to her sense of competitiveness. So, before Jake had even

said he hadn’t hoped to take her with him, but he wasn’t going to tell her what to do. Well, at least he could now look forward to hearing about her progress during the Auction. Ah, who was he kidding, they

it only took a few seconds on a teleportation circle and some mana to travel the distance. Not that it

Jake had to respect his grit as the space mage had only been out of the Treasure Hunt for a few hours and was already straight back to work.

house opened it. Jake hadn’t seen a young lad before, and the guy seemed terrified upon seeing Jake stand there as he just froze. He stood

lot of half-made

Jake and promptly greeted him.

wave as he

know, who won?” Neil asked as he

said to have won either, Jake had

Neil said, turning the situation far

some way to know the direction of

the topic as he waved his hand

and it will display an arrow,” Neil said, as he also took out a small metal cube. “Also, if you are going, can you bring this with you? It is a small storage cube containing some research