Until the horizon gradually turned golden, the sun set in the west.
Accompanied by fiery clouds and the warm autumn breeze, the carriage also drove onto the main road of Mill Town.
The stone-paved road caused the wheels to create a different vibration, with the horseshoes clashing crisply against the stones.
Several people also awoke one after another.
"We're here."
"Yes, finally back to town."
A few minutes later.
Mill Town Adventurer's Association Hall.
Reya was talking to the female receptionist about something, but soon, the receptionist's face changed, and she left the counter, stepping away in her little leather boots, seemingly to report something.
Another female receptionist invited the squad, including Raine, into a reception room on one side of the hall.
Before long, Raine saw through the open door that a middle-aged man with a mustache briskly walked down from the second floor, accompanied by several guards.
"Miss Reya, I sincerely apologize for the significant lapse in intelligence on our side, which placed your squad in danger." As soon as the middle-aged man walked into the reception room, he quickly apologized while bowing.
"Lord Ramsey, thank you for your concern. I believe it wasn't your intention either," Reya said with a slight surprise on her face upon seeing the middle-aged man.
"I personally have no objections, but I think the association should provide sufficient compensation to our team members."
"Of course, Miss Reya. Would a 50% increase in the reward for the Howling Hunter Squad's task suffice?" The middle-aged man pondered briefly before speaking.
"Does that include the Wild Boar Warrior?"
"Of course, it also includes the intelligence you've brought about the Deadwater Wild Boar People."
"Although it's a bit low, we can barely accept it." Reya glanced at Raine and the others, with an uncontrollable smile at the corner of her eyes.
Soon, several sturdy association guards brought in the body of the Wild Boar Warrior.
And this middle-aged man named Lord Ramsey, after carefully examining the leather armor on the Wild Boar Warrior, said, "The sewing craftsmanship of this leather armor is undoubtedly the product of a sewing machine."
"The spacing of the needle holes is identical, only a machine can achieve such precision."
"The Wild Boar Clan absolutely cannot reach this level of craftsmanship."
"Miss Reya, your inference is quite reasonable. We will immediately issue a Black Iron Level task regarding the suspected changes in the Deadwater Valley Wild Boar Clan."
"Thank you again, Howling Hunter Squad." Ramsey expressed his gratitude once more to Reya and the members of the squad.
"You're welcome, Lord Ramsey. My squad and I are just doing what we should." Reya returned the courtesy.
After the middle-aged man left, Fabian, still a bit puzzled, whispered to Raine: "That's the head of the Mill Town Adventurer Association Branch, Ramsey Wood."
"I didn't expect this incident to even alarm him."
So it was the branch head.
Raine looked enlightened.
And the following matters naturally fell into place.
With the approval of the branch head, once the female receptionist recalculated the task reward, a staggering amount quickly surfaced—a high of one gold coin and ninety-five silver coins.
The reward for the Wild Boar Warrior was estimated to be 70 silver coins, as the group had expected.
And this intelligence, although not yet confirmed, was still valued by the association at 50 silver coins.
Adding the task's original reward for killing two Deadwater Wild Boar People of 30 silver coins, the total reached 1 gold and 50 silver coins.
Then....
Up by 50%!
Thus, the entire task reward reached 2 gold and 25 silver coins, an amount that should not appear in the lowest-level hall task rewards.
On the carriage at the entrance of the Adventurer's Association Hall.
"After deducting Chris's healing expenses of 13 silver coins this time, plus the cost of hiring the carriage and some trivial 2 silver coins, there are 210 silver coins left."
"However, I suggest we take 10 silver coins from this reward as an extra bonus for Raine's outstanding performance in this task." Reya looked around seriously.
On the road, she had already understood how they managed to deal with that Wild Boar Warrior.
Though both Grande and Chris performed bravely, it was ultimately Raine who turned the tide.
"I agree."
"Agree."
The others were momentarily stunned but soon smiled at Raine and nodded.
"Wait... Captain Reya, let's just split it evenly among everyone," Raine spoke up after a brief thought.
Money, everyone loves it.
But in Raine's view, in this battle, both Chris and Grande were brave enough.
When faced with the sudden Wild Boar Warrior, none fled from the battle, not to mention the high completion of combat skills, and their attack power was no less than his Freezing Ray.
And as the captain, Reya's performance was in no way inferior to his; she single-handedly lured away a Wild Boar and completed the kill.
As for everyone thinking his performance was astonishing, it was more because he surpassed everyone's expectations, ultimately benefiting from his monster skill.
"Hmm?" Reya looked at Raine, as if trying to decipher whether his expression showed humility or genuine belief.
"Everyone's performance was as good as mine...."
To Raine's surprise, just as he wanted to continue speaking, Reya patted his shoulder with a decisive air and said, "Raine, I'm the captain, and this matter is settled."
"Exemplary performance naturally deserves a reward; otherwise, who would strive hard next time?"
This...
Raine was taken aback.
He kind of understood why this team had Reya as the captain, rather than Chris or Grande.
It's not just a matter of strength.
"Alright, thank you." Raine thanked immediately.
So, everyone else received 40 silver coins, while Raine received 50 silver coins.
"Wow, 40 silver coins, this seems to be the first time in my two-year adventurer career!" Chris, who had just bandaged his severed arm, exclaimed joyfully.
"It's also my first time." Fabian sheathed his dagger, accepted the silver coins Reya handed over, and said.
"Same." The usually quiet Grande, though not saying much, had a smile on his face that said it all.
And Raine felt the suddenly heavy and bulging money pouch, quite delighted in his heart.
'With this money, it seems like my equipment can have a major overhaul.'
'No, there's no rush, I'll first try to integrate the Wild Boar Warrior bloodline later.' Raine mused silently.
"Alright, everyone go and have a good rest."
"Captain, aren't we going to celebrate and have a meal? My hand is fine. Look!" Chris waved his arm, saying.
"Be honest, the dinner is postponed to half a month later, after Chris recovers, does anyone have any objections?"
"Of course not!"
"Chris, take good care of your injury!"
Due to Chris's injury, the originally planned dinner celebration had to be shelved.
After agreeing to temporarily not engage in any squad tasks within the next half month, Raine returned to his room at the Oak Inn slightly excited.
At this moment, he finally had the chance to try activating the Wild Boar Warrior bloodline.