Trespassers will be prosecuted

Ethan blinked, momentarily thrown by the question. "Fairfield Mines company?" he repeated, not understanding what was happening. What was a company? He turned to look at Lia who looked equally perplexed.

"What are you looking at, brat? Are you playing dumb? Don't you know every adventurer in Rotherhollow needs to register and work with the company?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow. The burly man's tone was as condescending as his posture was overbearing. "Hmph. Typical rookies," he muttered, folding his massive arms across his chest. 

"Fairfield Mines owns the rights to all resources and monster hunting in the western regions. That includes the ridge you're so keen on exploring. Adventurers can't just waltz in and claim anything they find—it's company territory. You register, take contracts through them, and they take a cut of your earnings."

"How much?" Ethan asked.

"80%"