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.

why not?” he just said with a shrug. “Just kick them

said with a smile. “Where are

is located. Sky-something. Ah, for that, I wanted to ask if you had any idea where it is, and

idea as he has been working on the long-range teleportation circles, and as for a bow,

we'll meet next in the Auction,” Jake

family?” Miranda

or less ordered me to go, and it is about time to

have a nice trip. I still have the communication skill to contact you if anything comes up, so I will make sure to keep

their goodbyes as Jake left the room, his presence disappearing as

when you visited him

just what her gut told her, and she felt like

Hank about the plans

visited the temple with Lord Thayne a while back,” Lillian answered. “They seem to be working on some kind of odd monument, and I am truthfully not certain what it

headache come on from whatever they were doing. She seriously doubted

also acted as his store. The merchant had quickly sold him a rare bow for level 120 and above, which was far worse than his old bow, but it was made solely with resilience in

but Sultan said that anyone else but the original craftswoman would find it difficult if not impossible after his 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

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

only added

to do. Well, at least he could now look forward to hearing about her progress during the Auction. Ah, who was he kidding, they still had their connection that allowed some communication, and he had barely managed to exit Miranda’s office before she gave him the absolutely essential update on a funny-looking tree she had found and couldn’t break

for the Fort where Neil was. The guy was still working on teleportation gates and had gone far enough to have one connect Haven and the Fort, which meant it only took a few seconds on a teleportation circle

he was working on an even larger circle in his own house of sorts, which was more like a large warehouse or gymnasium. Jake had to respect his grit as the space mage

before, and the guy seemed terrified upon seeing Jake stand there as he just froze. He stood there for a solid second before collecting himself,

Jake saw a lot of

up as he detected Jake and promptly greeted

giving a half-hearted wave as he was too busy inspecting

asked as he stopped

Saint couldn’t be said

said, turning the situation

said, changing the topic. “Looking for some way to know the direction of Skyggen as I am going there, and Miranda said

changing the topic as he waved his hand and took out a small metal disc that looked like a

is a copy of the Spatial Compass tied to the receiver circle I gave to Skyggen during the World Congress. Just infuse a bit of mana, 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 and improved coordinates