The Frugal Mage

The Skitterfang's shells weren't something they could easily deal with.

They were insects the size of wolves with incredibly hard shells that shouldn't be considered as a Lesser Beast.

Indeed, it was unfortunate that their Beast Cores were too small compared to their capabilities. Strength-wise, they should be considered Greater Beasts in their opinion…

However, because the quality of the beasts was based on the amount of mana they could muster and their ability to utilize it, the Skitterfangs were only classified as Lesser Beasts because of their barbaric way of using mana or energy.

"They scatter when I shoot, then regroup before we can finish them. It's like trying to fight smoke."

Hale crossed her arms as she recalled their experience. It was frustrating…

"And without Josen's Mana Shield, Drosk and I have to tank everything head-on. Against two of those Lesser Beasts, sure, we can still manage. Against three, we're pushing it. But in that nest we stumbled on yesterday? If we hadn't pulled back when we did, we'd be corpses now."

Drosk nodded grimly.

He remembered the chittering, the clicking of countless legs in the dark.

Those Skitterfangs could give him nightmares…

Even his heavy sword had felt useless when wave after wave of Skitterfangs poured from the tunnel walls.

"We need another mage," he said at last. "Doesn't matter if it's temporary. Without one, the next raid will be our last."

Well, it wasn't even a raid, they were only supposed to do some scouting and assess the level of difficulty within the chamber, but this task wasn't for them.

The group fell into silence…

Their team composition was strong, but incomplete. Together, Drosk, Hale, Victor, and Emma could handle most foes. With Josen, they had been a force to be reckoned with. But now? They were only holding ground, unable to press deeper into the dungeon, and of course, they were also unable to compete for the precious treasures within.

They knew very well that it wouldn't take long before the elite Adventurers and powerful organizations would soon arrive in the city.

Once that happened, their chances of obtaining more treasures would drop even more.

"Guildmaster better send us someone soon…" Victor muttered helplessly. "Otherwise, we'll rot on the sidelines while everyone else gets rich."

Hale then clasped her hands as if she were trying to pray.

"If he does send someone, they'd better be worth the trouble. I'm not babysitting some greenhorn."

Drosk shook his head after hearing this.

"We'll see. The Guildmaster wouldn't risk giving us dead weight. Whoever he sends… We'll test them. If they can't keep up, we can just pay him to leave us instead."

At that, Emma agreed.

"Maybe we'll get lucky. Maybe this replacement won't just fill the gap… You know… I have a good feeling about this."

***

In the meantime, as Rayven left the Guildmaster's office, he couldn't help but get curious about the silver-rank missions.

He wanted to know what kind of things he had to do if he wouldn't be part of any team…

So, before heading out, Rayven walked toward the mission board reserved for Silver-rank adventurers.

The large board was covered in parchment slips. They all had one thing in common, they were all carefully stamped with the guild's crest…

Unlike the Copper and Iron-Rank boards, there were far fewer postings here, but the rewards were noticeably heavier.

He leaned closer to read.

[ Extermination Request: Thunderfang Wolves

Description: A pack of Thunderfang Wolves has been harassing a merchant caravan route near the Housewood Trail. They are fast, pack-oriented, and capable of discharging minor sparks. Eliminate at least five Feral and one Lesser and provide their fangs as proof.

Reward: 50 silver coins for each Feral, 80 silver coins for Lesser. ]

[ Escort Mission: Merchant Guild Convoy

Description: The unnamed Merchant Guild is sending a convoy to Veylis Port. Several raids have been reported along the route. Protect the caravan until its safe arrival. More details about the Merchant Guild will be given upon acceptance.

Reward: 1 gold coin and 70 silver coins per adventurer. An additional bonus will be given depending on the danger encountered or avoided. ]

Rayven gently nodded after reading a few missions.

'Mhmm… Just one gold and seventy silver coins for an escort mission that will take 4 days back and forth… I guess the food will be covered. As for the possible loot from the Beasts…'

Rayven calculated and realized that he would just become poor doing adventurer's work at this rate.

Unless he was trying to find treasures, he felt that it wasn't worth it to accept any of these missions at all.

Right now, he couldn't help but feel impressed by Seoryun's generosity… He actually paid him a lot for using only a very few spells.

Still, Rayven believed that there might be something interesting as he continued reading through it.

[ Subjugation Request: Greater Hybrid Goat of the Eastern Quarry]

Description: A Hybrid Goat has taken residence near the Eastern Quarry. It has already destroyed three shipments of stone and injured several workers. Terminate it.

Reward: 2 gold coins and 3 additional gold coins for retrieving its core intact.

[ Collection Request: Venom Glands of Lesser Green Serpents]

Description: Alchemists in the city require fresh glands from Green Serpents found in the outer marshes. At least ten specimens are required.

Reward: 75 silver coins per gland.

[ Investigation Request: Abandoned Watchtower ]

Description: Strange lights have been sighted in the ruins of an old watchtower near the southern hills. Determine the cause and report back.

Reward: 70 silver coins. Extra payment depending on information quality.

[ Subjugation Request: Greater Crimson Bear…

[ Search Request: Rainbow Mushroom…

[ Escort Mission: Alchemist Escort…

Rayven exhaled slowly as he skimmed the rest. None of them had anything to do with the dungeon.

It was not surprising, since Warren had already explained that such raids were reserved for established teams and above.

Still, seeing the rewards laid bare made him realize the gap between his current abilities and what was expected of Silver-rank adventurers.

'I'm too expensive for these missions…' Rayven thought as he prayed that if he really used the Skill Market Refresh Token, he would get something pretty useful.