1000 Gold
"So, do you want us to escort you back to your little village, or what?"
The curious Yulia wanted to discern the nature of Shatter sound's quest. After hearing such a grim tale, the tiefling can't help but sympathize.
Her eyes, Vicious, "No. I want you to help me kill the bastards that murdered my clan." Shatter sound's words were laced with venom. Its source, the pool of hatred within her heart.
The very notion made Yulia shake her head, "I'm sorry, but you've gone to the wrong guild. We don't do assassinations."
Being a paladin, Yulia wanted to help Shatter sound enact her righteous vengeance. Hell, everyone in the room would agree that she deserved it. But rules must be upheld, or else, their guild board might be swarmed with nothing but petty murder quests. From killing nobles, to simply fulfilling someone's revenge fantasy.
"We'll take the quest."
In opposition, Antani's voice rang resolute. Clan or tribe, Antani nonetheless empathized with Shatter sound. If it was her tribe that was wiped out overnight, she would never rest until the ones who did it are six feet under. Justice needed to be served for what happened to the scarlet talons.
Ellamir was quick to protest, "Antani, what the fuck!? We don't even know how much she's going to pay us!"
Antani's mug twisted in anger. She had seen Ellamir's change, how she became caring to those whom she treated as friends. But to strangers? She remained unsympathetic as ever.
"It's not always about the gold, Ellamir!"
"It is when all five of us are going to run out of it soon! Like she said, it's going to take us 7 days just to reach wherever their forest is, we're all going to be drained of gold by then!"
The lover's spat was now starting to become a wildfire of anger, growing in intensity with each word thrown at the other.
And to make the flames combust even more, Shatter sound added mid argument, "I have no gold to give. Hate is all I have left."
"You hear that!? What are we going to do with that hate of hers, eat it!?"
"If you don't want to come then fucking don't! I WILL help her!"
A magic circle appeared beneath Ellamir and Antani's feet. The circle glowed purple, making the two float in mid air. One of the guild master's favorites in his arsenal of spells, gravity magic, being used to break off a lover's quarrel. The confused look on their faces amused the guild master so.
"Yahahaha!" The grand wizard gave a hearty laugh at the two lovers waddled mid air, like flightless birds suddenly given the ability to fly. With his message sent across, a single flick of her wrist was all it took to undo the spell.
Antani and Ellamir landed on the ground. Both glared at each other for a second, turning away in unison. In sync even in anger.
The guild master cleared his throat, "Now that I have your attention. Let me just mention that I will fund this quest myself, and in light of your party's predicament, you will all be paid half in advance. There is but only one caveat, this quest will be an unofficial one. In doing so, you must keep your lips sealed with whatever you might discover and your pockets will be lined with gold. Now, what say you lot?"
Narrowing her eyes, Yulia never thought that a day would come when she would engage in a shady dealing with their guild master. Before she would further comment, there's just one thing that she would like to know…
"How much are you paying us?"
"I gave you 500 when I crafted my dungeon, didn't I?" The grand wizard stroked his beard, wondering what the proper amount would be proper. A grandmaster of the arcane, much less a guild master should never be seen as a cheapskate so lowering is never an option. Raising it is then. "1000 gold. 500 now and 500 after. Do we have a deal?"
For Yulia, those capable of pulling off a charity of such magnitude are either saints, or fools. Granted that he is a bit 'odd', their guild master was still neither of the two. He must have a personal stake in this. What could it be?
Ellamir clicked her tongue while the rest of Team Valhalla went wide eyed with joy.
The tiefling pondered. They are all in dire need of cash, and although her inquisitiveness as a paladin wanted to grill their guild master some more, her friends might be itching to grab that gold.
Yulia glanced at team Valhalla, "So, are we taking this quest or what?"
"I will go!" Gloria raised her hand, eager to help the werewolf's plight.
Stefano hesitated at the thoughts of such fearsome foes but ultimately gave in to the promise of ridiculous amounts of gold.
Antani needn't be asked.
While Ellamir grumbled in frustration, her only excuse for not taking the quest was now thrown out of the window. "Fine, I'll go. It's not like I have a choice." She'll be damned if she would leave Antani's side as she faced off against monstrosities that can tear her head off with a single bite.
"If you don't want to do this, then don't."
"Alright, break it up, you two." Yulia stepped in. She had seen them quarrel numerous times before, and she's even sure that they'll make up eventually. The paladin was a professional, she was aware that constant infighting in a party does not inspire confidence in a client. As a matter of fact, she can already see the misgivings in Shatter sound's face.
"Are they all? I thought you said you were going to give me your best adventurers? They look weak, you need to aid me with more. Give me your diamonds, these chuds won't last even a minute before they get torn to shreds."
Dubious of the group's capability, Shatter sound questioned the guild master. She meant it with all the disrespect, even as the warrior woman fervently wanted to help her. She needed the strongest that the guild could offer if she would have her revenge. The knight in armor and the warrior woman may seem capable, but she highly doubted that they can stand against her kin. And the other three? Nothing more than live bait. Especially the fish on wheels.
"You're not fit to judge anyone's strength, you ran away with your tail behind your legs while your whole clan was being slaughtered, remember?"
Slit pupils emerged from Shatter sound's eyes as she glared at the dark elf. A torrent of rage swallowed her whole, triggering her transformation. The expanding flesh and bones made continuous popping sounds, only stopping once Shatter sound had assumed her guardian form. The woman who was glaring at Ellamir vanished, and in her place a terrifying 8 foot tall werewolf stood, snarling and ready to pounce. So the dark elf wanted to bark? Then Shatter sound will put her down like a common dog.
One moment she was mid air, ready to sink her claws into the dark elf, the next thing she knew she had crashed upon the ground. She felt the weight of the world bearing down upon her. A familiar purple light imprisoned her.
"Once I undo my spell, you must transform back. Disobey and I shall forfeit my assistance." With his outstretched hand, the guild master warned. He will not tolerate acts of violence inside his office. If it's already this bad, how worse would it become once they hit the road? Should he send Althea instead? She might dispose of the threats faster, too. No. That's not a risk he was willing to take. Her daughter might come close to the truth.
Being crushed by gravity might have cooled off Shatter sound's rage, either that or she realized that whatever help she could get would be better than receiving nothing at all. The moment the guild master's spell had faded, she reverted back into human form.
Yulia let out an impressed 'oh my' while the rest of team Valhalla's jaws almost fell to the floor.
Shatter sound knit her brow. The party before her showed no fear when she was in her guardian form. What are they all gasping for now?
"Shatter sound, you're naked!" The flustered Antani pointed out.
Flaunting her body without care, she was confused. Why was it so surprising? It was common for her kin to lose their clothing after transformation. Does she need to educate them? One's figure is a blessing from Gaia, and that it is something you should be proud of.
They were making a big deal out of nothing.