Back at the guild, whispers from confused adventurers stirred the air.
"How did they defeat a Shadowhound?"
"They're just Novices."
"What! A Shadowhound. I should've killed that one."
"That beast is nothing before the great might of Malak!"
Eris and Straf were dragging the corpse of the Shadowhound just outside the guild. Their destination was the chamber of the guild's butcher, Draven - the person in-charge of dealing with monsters' remains - trimming, cutting and retrieving the valuable parts.
The room was cold, dimly lit by lanterns that hung from rusted chains. Overhead were the hanging carcasses of various monsters - dire wolves, armor-plated boars, one-eyed hares, and horned birds. The scent of blood, earth and iron mixed with those of herbs used to mask the smell of decay.
The two entered the butcher's room and found a man wearing a leather apron and holding a bone saw behind a wooden table. The man stood like a wall of meat himself, towering over most people - thick-necked, broad-chested and with arms that bulged with muscles.
"Oh, Straf, Eris, what have you guys got for me, eh? You two a team now?"
"Hey, Draven!"
"Hi…"
The two revealed the large black corpse behind them.
"Heh… Now that's a bloody sight, ain't it?"
"You managed to kill that?" Draven chuckled in disbelief, failing to comprehend how they could have taken down that nightmare of a beast.
"Well, you see," before Eris could finish her statement. A red-haired girl burst through the door crying.
"Miss Eris, Sir Straff! I heard about what happened. I'm glad you two are safe," Misa, the guild receptionist, exclaimed. Tears ran down her face, overjoyed and relieved that the two are safe.
"We're fine, Misa. Thanks for the concern. Luckily, we didn't get hurt," Straf tried to soothe the girl's crying.
"Don't worry about us, Misa."
"Although, I left the dire wolf heads in the forest. Sorry about that," Eris said under her breath.
"Don't worry, Miss Eris. I'll have the scouts look for it in the forest. You'll still be compensated for it." Misa said gently, offering a reassuring smile.
"With what we got here, they won't need to be worrying about that," Draven interrupted as he held a black shard in his bloodied hand.
Due to its rarity, materials from a Shadowhound are coveted by many collectors, scholars and noblemen alike; as such, it commanded a hefty price in the market. Its fur can be used in expensive coats and while not tender, its meat can be used in special dishes for the nobility who can afford it. However, its greatest value lies in the shard that can be found in its body - usually in the heart.
A monster shard is said to be the first thing that forms when a monster is spawning. It is a stone made with concentrated Mana that serves as the monster's core. A shard taken from a Rare monster held far greater worth than any common fragment from a Normal one, owing its value not only to its rarity but also to the unique and potent magical properties it holds.
"How much do you think we can get for this?" Eris asked with excitement.
"I'll have to weigh all these before giving you a number, plus, I need to finish these ones first. You can wait at the hall. I'll relay the price to Misa so she can give you the reward," Draven answered.
Eris and Straf sat at one of the empty tables in the hall while Misa returned to her desk.
"I'll come back later once Draven has set a price," said Misa, lifting her hand in a cheerful wave.
"So, have you decided if you want to join?" Eris directed her question to Straf.
Creating a guild-recognized Party and becoming a Party Leader can only be done by a Junior adventurer or higher. However, its members do not have the same limitations.
Joining a Party means having to take on more dangerous jobs - and one of those is raiding Dungeons. If Monsters are creatures spawned from Mana, Dungeons are entire spaces spawned from it. They usually form in caves or crevices with dense concentration of Mana and exist outside the constraints of what one can consider "normal" space, which means that the inside of a Dungeon is not limited to the size of the cave. They defy logic and no map can truly chart a Dungeon's heart.
It is recommended to have people of various skillsets and capabilities form a Party, since Dungeons are unpredictable by nature and peril lurks around every corner. People with long-range attacks, melee fighters, frontliners, healers, scouts and of course a Leader are all vital roles needed for a well-balanced Dungeon team.
"I'm not sure yet. I've never really imagined myself going into dungeons," Straf answered with a low tone.
"I understand," Eris said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Well, you're always welcome to join."
Moments later, Misa appeared before the two adventurers bringing their reward - three gold coins.
"You can't be serious!" Eris exclaimed with a burst of excitement.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Straf added, still in shock at the generous reward, his eyes widening in disbelief.
One gold coin was probably enough for a month's modest living expenses.
"You'd have to split the one gold coin between you two," Misa explained. "Oh before I forget. Miss Eris, here's your updated Guild Card. It now says Junior adventurer. Congratulations!"
The three traded words of gratitude before parting ways. Eris got two gold coins and Straf had one. He insisted that Eris got the bigger reward since she was the one who made the plan that ultimately allowed them to slay the beast. Eris resisted at first but it proved futile against Straf's persistent nagging.
Straf then headed to the north of the town while Eris headed south.
It was already night time when they left the guild house. Eris moved slowly through the streets, drawn in by the town's captivating charm. The cobbled path beneath her feet glimmered faintly under the sea of stars above.
Magic and monsters were woven into the very fabric of their culture. The town's lamp posts shimmered with life, each one crowned by a glass orb housing a glowing fish. Its taverns buzzed with life from echoing laughter, clinking mugs and wild stories from weary adventurers.
Eris was particularly enamored by a passing minstrel. Stray notes from his lute transformed into light, and with a wave of his hand, he unleashed a chorus of fireworks that bloomed like magical flowers and fluttering butterflies.
I'm gonna miss you, Lum.
Eris had never stepped beyond the borders of Lumhaven, except for the first six years of her life spent at Yellowstone. This was her home. But she knew that the world was much larger. The vast world was calling out to her soul, whispering promises of adventure and wonder.
I'm ready.
Eris arrived home and was immediately greeted by Shei.
"Where have you been, I thought you already left for good," Shei fretted, a worried look visible from her expression.
"Mom, you know I can't leave without saying goodbye," Eris said reassuring the troubled woman. "Here, have this."
Eris handed one of the gold coins to Shei.
"Where did you get this!?" Shei uttered, her tone caught between disbelief and concern.
"Let's just say I had a dance with death," Eris smiled sweetly while scratching the back of her head, feigning innocence.
Shei shot her a sharp glance, at first, but then realized this was going to be Eris' life.
She pulled Eris into a firm embrace and let out a faint sigh, "I guess there's no point in worrying about you now. I believe in you, Eris. Thank you. This will be a big help to me and Deeno."
Deeno joined the two thereafter, grinning as he spoke, "Do I get a gold coin too, sis?"
"You wish. But I do have this for you," Eris said with a smirk, pulling out a piece of cloth from her pocket. Unfolding the cloth revealed a tiny black shard. Eris handed it to Deeno and the boy was pleasantly surprised.
"Is this…"
"It's a monster shard. From a Shadowhound. A piece might have broken off and accidentally went into my pocket," she said sarcastically.
"I can't believe this. Do you know how valuable this is? This is used to build Caethryan Thunderspears!" Deeno exclaimed.
"Trust me, I know. Don't be shy to sell it though if needed."
"Thanks, sis!"
The three, then, settled in for dinner, continuing their conversations and laughter amidst meat pies and fruits. Once finished, they did their night time chores and headed to bed.
Eris stepped into her room, letting the door close gently behind her. After changing into something more comfortable, she proceeded to lay down to sleep, her mind recalling the adventure she had earlier that day. Noticing the closed petals of her Sunbells, its nyctinasty served as a quiet nudge telling her that it was time to rest.
Nothing is more rewarding than a good dinner and an even better sleep after a long day.