Chapter 129: The Dragon’s Gift

The staff member explained that the key was exclusively Qiu Nuoya’s. The key itself would not open the door unless it first recognized him, at which point it would function properly. With it, Qiu Nuoya could freely travel back and forth to Elysium. If he discovered any rare monsters, not just dragons, he was to protect them by bringing them to the other side.

The door itself was enchanted with a biological authentication spell. Any monsters Qiu Nuoya protected through the door would earn him activity funds according to their rank. He could withdraw those funds at any Tamer’s Guild branch by presenting his employee ID card.

"Uh... I see..."

How incredibly high-tech! Is it really okay for him to receive such a convenient key and card? This has to be an extremely expensive magic item, right? And there are probably special monsters on the other side that adventurers would love to get their hands on.

[ My master, you have been given something quite convenient. ]

Qiu Nuoya turned at the sudden voice and saw Long lying there, still looking sleepy.

"With that, you will not have to worry about finding me a place to sleep from now on. It is quite tiring for me to remain in this form all the time, after all."

Certainly! Although Long could fit inside the house in his demi-human form, his true form was that of a massive dragon. Since his humanoid appearance was only temporary, there would surely be times when he felt cramped or out of place in the house. With that in mind, being able to freely travel back and forth to Elysium would be a great help.

[ Come to think of it, this place is far too noisy for me. I think I will return home and sleep in my own bed. ]

"Huh? Wait! You’re leaving!?"

[ Now that we have obtained such a convenient tool, you only need to call me when you need me, do you not? I will leave this with you. ]

Long handed Qiu Nuoya something shaped like a strange bone with several holes running through it.

"What’s this?"

[ It is a dragon flute that you can use to call me. ]

"A dragon flute? So it’s actually a flute?"

[ Yes. Blow into it to call me, and I will come. ]

With that, Long slowly made his way toward the door. However, just as he was about to enter, he suddenly stopped as though he had remembered something.

[ If I remember correctly, those people just now said they wanted some of my scales. I refuse to have them peeled off for their sake, but I have no objection to giving them any scales that shed naturally. ]

"Really? You’re okay with that?"

[ In exchange, tell them that I want alcohol as compensation. ]

With that, Long let out a huge yawn and walked through the door. Once he was on the other side, he returned to his true form, spread his enormous wings, and flew off somewhere.

He certainly was a free spirit.

Still, Qiu Nuoya could not help feeling exasperated at the fact that Long wanted alcohol as compensation. Just how obsessed with drinking had he become?

"Where did that dragon go?"

"He went back to sleep in his bed. Apparently, he’ll come whenever I call him, so he left this flute behind."

Qiu Nuoya then showed them the pure white flute that looked more like a strange bone, and once again, the guild employees examined it carefully from every angle.

It really must have been an extremely rare item.

"Oh, and about the scales you mentioned earlier. He said that he would be willing to give you any scales that naturally shed. However, he also said he wanted alcohol in exchange."

"Alcohol! How much does he want!? A barrel? He wants barrels, right!? We need to arrange it immediately! Would one hundred barrels be enough!?" The guild staff immediately latched onto the idea.

Seriously? They’re really excited about this. And 100 barrels? Isn’t that an absurd amount?

"Well, surely we don’t need that much. Besides, I don’t have anywhere to store it..."

"What are you talking about!? Dragon scales are incredibly rare materials that are difficult to obtain even if you pile up platinum coins! If 100 barrels of alcohol are enough to get them, that’s a bargain!"

"Are they really worth that much?"

"Dragon scales can be processed into powerful weapons and armor. Even the shavings produced during the processing can be used as medicine. They are an incredibly versatile material. In fact, 100 barrels of alcohol would be an unfair trade." Viktor quietly whispered this to the bewildered Qiu Nuoya.

But these aren’t scales that were forcibly removed. They naturally fell off, didn’t they? In other words, they’re basically discarded materials, right? Is it really okay to treat them as something this valuable?

"Um, let’s discuss the exact terms of the trade when Long is here again. It seems I still have a lot to learn about this." Qiu Nuoya deliberately left his answer vague, but the guild employee’s excitement only skyrocketed. One employee immediately rushed off after being ordered to "procure the alcohol at once!"

So dragon materials really are that rare... Well, considering how few dragons there are, I suppose that makes sense.

"Goodness, this is an unprecedented achievement since the founding of the Tamer’s Guild! To think we have managed to establish such a friendly relationship with a dragon. I had no idea such a talented individual had been living in this city. It truly shows that sometimes the greatest treasures are right under our noses. From now on, please think of the Tamer’s Guild as your home and feel free to visit us anytime!"

"Ah, yes. I understand. Oh, come to think of it, I never asked for your name."

The fact that he had been helping Qiu Nuoya so much since yesterday made it feel rather awkward to ask only now, but Qiu Nuoya had simply never gotten around to asking his name.