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Chapter 81 - Chapter 81 - Leftovers

The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting long shadows across the worn path leading to Korvath's guild outpost. Yoshiya and Omina moved in quiet synchrony, the wooden cart creaking under the uneven weight of their collected loot. Two boars, steady and dependable, pulled the load with surprising ease, their broad backs straining only slightly under the hides, horns, and preserved organs stacked carefully atop the sled.

"I still can't believe how much this thing can hold," Omina muttered, patting Baboar's flank. LaBoar snorted beside him, impatient to move.

Yoshiya glanced at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "The guild will probably frown at us for squeezing this much in. But… we didn't have much choice."

Omina chuckled softly. "Cargo-kun would be proud."

The two of them fell into a comfortable rhythm, walking alongside the boars and guiding the cart. The forest gradually thinned as they approached the outskirts of Korvath, the familiar scent of the town filling their nostrils. The guild outpost loomed ahead, a simple stone building with banners fluttering lazily in the morning breeze.

Inside, the air buzzed with quiet activity. Clerks shuffled papers, apprentices scurried with packages, and the faint smell of ink mixed with parchment filled the room. Lia's eyes flicked up from a stack of forms as they entered, and she raised an eyebrow.

"You're back," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and mild exasperation. "Did… everything go smoothly this time?"

Omina smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Mostly. We brought back what we could from the camp. Some loot was left behind, but… someone else already handled it." She let the unspoken implication hang in the air.

Yoshiya stepped forward, placing the first bundles of hides and preserved organs on the counter. "The boars managed the heavy lifting. It wasn't easy, but they did their part."

Lia's gaze softened slightly, though there was a spark of amusement in her eyes. "I see. And let me guess—you ran into that… individual again?"

Omina nodded. "Yes. Kaito. He cleared the camp before we even arrived. Left nothing behind. Didn't even glance our way."

Lia chuckled. "Typical. Always high risk, solo quests. No wonder he never seems to need rewards or assistance. Makes the guild's bookkeeping interesting, I'll say that." She tapped a finger against the counter. "He has a system. Food only. Anything else… he leaves untouched. Your contribution will still be recognized, though. Five silver each for your effort hauling the remaining loot."

Yoshiya's lips twitched, and he nodded. "Understood. We'll take the reward."

Omina leaned against the counter, glancing at the neatly arranged items behind the glass. "I still can't believe how much that one camp had. Kobolds everywhere, and yet… nothing survived Kaito's charge. Brutal."

Lia shrugged lightly. "He's not careless, just… decisive. Always takes calculated risks, always alone. Some would call it reckless, but in the end, it works."

Yoshiya placed a final bundle of horns onto the counter. "We didn't expect him to leave anything. It's… overwhelming."

"You did well," Lia said, her tone warm. "I've already credited your guild contributions and silver coins. One extra silver for reporting what you witnessed. It's important we keep track of these things, even if he doesn't ask."

Omina exhaled, brushing her hands on her trousers. "Feels strange, doesn't it? Watching someone clear a camp like that… and not being able to intervene. Almost like we're spectators."

Yoshiya's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Maybe. But it's also a lesson. We learn from watching as much as from doing. And we have our own strengths."

Lia's smile widened. "Exactly. Now, let's focus on getting the remaining loot stored properly. The guild's storage will keep it safe, and you can plan your next outing without worrying about what's left behind."

The two adventurers nodded, moving to arrange their items neatly on the counter. They exchanged quick glances, silently acknowledging the weight of what they had witnessed—and the work that lay ahead. The silent understanding between them was enough; they didn't need words for every thought.

Once the last horn was carefully placed, and the organs secured in their designated compartments, Lia gave a final nod. "Good work. And… be careful next time. High-risk solo encounters aren't for everyone."

Omina grinned faintly, already plotting their next move, while Yoshiya simply watched the sunlight streaming through the guild's windows. Outside, the world waited with unspoken challenges—and somewhere beyond the forest, Kaito's shadow lingered, moving quietly through the wilderness, leaving devastation and awe in his wake.

For now, though, the work of hauling, reporting, and arranging was done. They had survived another day—and the story of the bloodied camp would linger in their memories, shaping them in ways neither had anticipated.

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