Episode 3, Chapter 2: A Particular Elf

Cloud, ready your weapon!

You're from Monster Tamers, aren't you?

Nice try, but I got here first. Try someplace else. Shoo.

We're here to meet with you.

Here to meet me? Why?

To guide us. Miller recommended we find you. We're on the way to Sylvarium.

I see... You want to hire me to help you. Happy to meet new customers.

But I'm already finishing up another request, so... that comes first.

We can negotiate after this.

Negotiate? Negotiate what?

...#$^&()()!!...

Huh...?

The party decides to examine the defeated Ring Slime's condition...

...

Be careful. It might attack again.

No, I... I think it was attacking us against its will.

()()! $%#◎◎!!!

Are you awake?

$#@$%, %$%! ●●!!!

There's no need to thank me. But... what was that you said? Filthy water...?

●●!! ↗→↘↘↓!!!

Up there...? Maybe the water was corrupted by the Void.

◎◇□■!!!

Don't worry! We'll stop that filthy water for you!

@!$#@! &(&!!!

The Ring Slime says thank you.

You can talk to monsters? Amazing.

I accept thanks in cash and credit.

Uh, do you want me to ask if it has money?

*Sigh.* Do you really think it would have money?

Hey, you. Don't you think you're being a bit too obvious?

Gah! D-don't hurt me!

Don't worry. Just answer my questions and nothing will happen to you.

Have you ever seen a seed that looks like this?

I have! I have! There's a whole bunch near our old home!

The terrible gargoyles brought over a whole bunch. To our home! My home! Now I can't even go home!

Okay, I get it. I'll get rid of all those seeds for you and give those gargoyles a beating while I'm at it.

R-really?

But... I can't do it for free. In exchange, you need to do a favor for me.

Of course! I'll do anything! Come to our village later!

That's a promise, right?

Verna... I feel bad for that goblin...

Leave him be. He brought it upon himself.

Meoww.

...

Did you find a seed, $CAT_NAME$?

Nyan!

Wait. Are you planning on taking that? I already called dibs.

Huh? Oh, yeah. Right, you have it.

Hm... Good to see we're on the same page.

Before we leave, let's search up there.

Fine. Then let's talk about that job.

Tell me. How much are you thinking?

Uh... Is that a joke?

Are you really serious about this? It's pretty hard to navigate to Sylvarium.

You haven't even collected ten seeds yet. I'm willing to give twice that amount, what's the problem?!

You don't know what you're talking about. I just earned five hundred gold in two hours, so you're gonna have to make it worth my time.

That's fine. I can just accept another job.

Yesss! Deal! No take-backs. Welcome, I'll safely guide you to your destination. Hehe.

The branch master told us to only offer up to double!

Now, now. There are no take-backs. I want to stop here before heading to Sylvarium.

I found a treasure map of "Thesaurum Cave" in the goblin village.

Why now? Can't you just do that by yourself, later?

They call it the "Adventurers' Grave." So it might possibly be the slightest bit dangerous to go alone.

Hah, the slightest bit? I'm not buying that. Go later, without us!

What if someone takes the treasure during our trip to Sylvarium? Are you going to take responsibility for that?

I was already planning on going there after this job.

If we're going with you, there needs to be something in it for us.

Ergh, you're sharp... How about this? We'll split whatever we find seventy-thirty! That's a very generous offer!

We're getting seventy, right?

Hey! That's going too far! It's only natural for the person with the map to take the bulk of the treasure!

Tch, fine. A third it is.

Hmph, fine, since there are two of you. Let's finish that request now.

One, two... Oh, there are exactly ten.

Here's your reward.

You're going to Sylvarium now, is that right, Miss Penny? How long has it been since you last visited?

I don't know... Like ten years?

Ten... ten years?!

Your mother must be lonely. Why don't you visit more often?

Are you nagging me too? I was planning on going there soon anyway.

Luckily, they just happened to post a request.

What?! We were totally swindled...

Heh. Sounds like a personal problem. Your problems only become my problems when I'm paid, capiche?

Oh, speaking of being paid... I want around half my payment up front so I can give it to my mom.

Um... Uh, this is a personal request from the branch master, so you need to get it directly from him.

He's here right now. You can head upstairs!

Look who it is! Penny! Why is it so hard to see you?

Looked like you hadn't been home in a while, so I recommended you to some friends that needed a guide.

Think of this as a vacation, and rest for a few days. You've been so busy!

Okay. Give me half my payment now.

Of course. Of course. Would that be two hundred and fifty gold? Or five hundred?

Nope. We decided on fifteen hundred gold, so that'll be seven fifty.

Fifteen... what? Fifteen hundred?!

C-Cloud. What happened?

Uh, so about that, Branch Master...

Shush. Pay up quickly. I'm busy.

My money...

Let's go.

I'm sorry, Branch Master...