Chapter 114: That’ll Cost Extra

Chapter 114 -113: That’ll Cost Extra

As the tall, lanky figure approached through the thin mist, Hulk was the first to step forward.

He presented the commission letter, stating their identity and purpose.

The gaunt, middle-aged man’s face was expressionless. He simply scanned them over with his sunken eyes before giving a slight nod and leading the group inside.

The wooden cabin was more spacious inside than it appeared. The furnishings were simple, yet carried a strange air: cured meats and the skeletons of small creatures hung on the walls, emitting a mixed odor of raw flesh and spices.

“That’s right, I’m Trist.” His voice was a bit hoarse but held a certain composure. “A Hunter who lives here, and also… a gourmand in pursuit of the ultimate flavor.”

“Hulk,” Hulk replied concisely. “Captain of this Dragon Fang Adventurer Squad. The commission mentioned you’d be entering the Dogman Cave with us. Can you tell us why?”

A confident look appeared on the man named Trist’s face, as if he felt there was no need to hide anything. “Because inside that cave is an ingredient I have long sought—a Dogman Mage that has awakened its Dragon Vein Bloodline. It is my target.”

“A Dogman Mage?”

Hulk sat up straight, his brow furrowed. This crucial piece of information hadn’t been mentioned in the commission at all.

“Correct,” Trist said with a careless wave of his hand. “I know that thing isn’t easy to deal with. But don’t worry, I can handle it on my own. I only called for you all as insurance, just to clean up the grunts.”

As he spoke, as if to prove his point, he called out the door, drawing out the name, “Little—Treasure—Pearl!”

Hulk and the others instinctively followed his gaze.

Outside, the white mist roiled.

There was nothing…

…

Meanwhile, in the dense woods not far away, a thrilling “hunt” was underway.

Using the effect of [Shadow Escape], Bruce’s figure flickered in and out of sight among the tree shadows, nimbly darting about to provoke his target.

The Giant Spider named “Little Treasure Pearl” was growing disoriented by this harassment from all sides, its eight crimson compound eyes gleaming with anger and confusion.

Zoya, lurking among the high branches, calmly observed the battle.

After Bruce successfully lured the Giant Spider into a relatively open area thick with webs, she made her move.

The next second, Zoya’s figure flashed onto a tree trunk. Her dagger sliced through the main strand connecting the web to the trunk.

[Shadow Step]!

Her form vanished instantly, only to reappear on another tree, where she cleanly severed another critical strand of silk.

Having lost its support, the massive web fell like a fishing net cast from the sky.

Bruce, already prepared, rolled away just in time, clearing the area of effect.

But the Giant Spider “Little Treasure Pearl,” which had been toyed with for so long, had no time to react before it was caught squarely in its own web. Its eight hairy legs were instantly tangled together as it struggled, letting out furious HISSES.

“Got it!” Bruce said, excitedly wagging his tail as he trotted over to Zoya, who had just landed lightly from the tree. “Zoya, this big fella is the Giant Spider they were talking about, right?”

Zoya looked at the behemoth struggling furiously in the net. Although she had never seen a Giant Spider before, the size of this one was telling enough.

“Mm, probably.”

“It’s gotta be worth a lot of money, then!” Bruce’s doggy eyes glittered with the light of Golden Shields. “Hesia will definitely praise us when he finds out!”

Hearing the word “praise,” Zoya’s purple eyes instantly lit up.

…

Back at the cabin, the confident look on Trist’s face froze. He tried calling out twice more, but there was still no response from outside.

He frowned, looking a little awkward. “Strange… my animal companion is usually very obedient. I have to go check on it. Please wait a moment. Once you see it, you’ll know I’ll have absolutely no problem dealing with that Dogman Mage.”

Seeing this, Hulk also stood up and said in a low voice, “We’ll go with you.”

Although the man’s failure to mention the Dogman Mage in the commission had made him suspicious, he had enough confidence in his own squad.

One extra Mage target was nothing to the Dragon Fang Squad.

As for this Mr. Trist’s actual abilities, he reserved judgment.

Seeing their captain stand, Belte and Laila naturally followed.

Hesia, however, felt inexplicably guilty and awkward—because just a moment ago, a notification had appeared in his mind.

[Affinity with Moon-eyed Elf Zoya Selene has increased. Decryption Points +2]

His intuition told him that the no-show Giant Spider was definitely, absolutely related to the disappearance of Zoya and Bruce!

The group had just left the cabin when Bruce burst excitedly out of the mist.

“Master! Master! Zoya and I caught a huge spider!”

Trist: “?”

Hulk, Belte, Laila: “…”

The group rushed to the scene. When Trist saw the Giant Spider tangled securely in its own web and letting out aggrieved HISSES, he sucked in a sharp breath.

He examined it carefully and, upon finding his “Little Treasure Pearl” was only frightened and not seriously harmed, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

But this was immediately followed by a flicker of wariness.

He had specifically observed them from within the mist for a long time before revealing himself.

He originally thought this was just an ordinary four-person Adventurer Squad, with the captain being the only one of notable strength.

But now, it seemed that was not the case.

This team not only had a top-tier Stalker he couldn’t even detect, but also… a mutt that could use Invisibility?

Not to mention, this Magic Pet that looked like a mutt had an extraordinary air about it—it could even talk! This was no ordinary Magic Pet!

The strength of this squad was far greater than he had estimated.

‘Thank goodness… I chose to tell them my real request honestly just now.’

Trist was secretly glad. If he had waited until they were in the cave to reveal his true objective, things would have become very difficult.

He soothed the frightened “Little Treasure Pearl” while untangling the web.

Forcing a more amiable expression onto his face, he said to Hulk, “It seems… this was a misunderstanding.”

…

Back in the cabin once more, the atmosphere was much less tense than before.

Hulk returned to business. “So, Mr. Trist, your target is the… corpse of the Dogman Mage?”

“Yes,” Trist nodded. “I can pay an additional reward for it.”

Hulk didn’t answer immediately, instead turning his gaze to Laila at his side.

No words were needed; Laila understood implicitly.

She adjusted her posture, crossed her arms, and entered her element—”negotiation mode.” She asked coolly, “How much more?”

“Uh… one Golden Shield?” Trist asked tentatively.

“Too little,” Laila said, shaking her head. “A Dogman Mage is worth more than that.”

Trist gritted his teeth. “Another 50 Silver Scales!”

Laila: “Not enough. I’m sure many Alchemists would love the blood of a Dogman Mage. It’s a high-quality material, after all.”

Trist’s mouth twitched. “Two Golden Shields! That’s all I can offer right now!”

Laila judged that this price was close to his limit and was about to nod, but she felt a gentle tug on the corner of her clothes.

She glanced impassively at Hesia beside her and saw him signaling her with his eyes.

Laila paused, swallowing the “Alright” that was on the tip of her tongue.

Hesia spoke up at the right moment. “Two Golden Shields, plus the Dogman’s skull.”

Trist paused for a moment. He didn’t really need the skull for his “cooking” anyway, so he nodded readily. “Done. The skull is yours.”