Chapter 175: Seven Million Gold Coins

When Aldric Goldfeather finally spoke, his words didn’t thunder or echo; they fell softly yet carried a weight that froze the entire second floor of the Adventurer Guild in an instant.

For several heartbeats, silence reigned. It was so profound it felt almost violent, as if sound itself had been sucked from the air.

From below, faint sounds drifted up, laughter, footsteps, chairs scraping, and the distant murmur of arguments. These ordinary noises only served to emphasize how heavy and still the lounge had become.

Gregor stood rigid beside the table, his usual relaxed demeanor vanished. His green eyes were wide with shock as his breathing quickened.

Valeria, typically composed and unflappable, went utterly still. Her spine straightened imperceptibly as her hand instinctively moved closer to her weapon’s hilt.

Vanthrice and the other mercenaries stiffened in unison. Seasoned warriors who had faced death countless times now looked as though a blade hovered silently at their throats.

Sage sat frozen in his chair, momentarily unable to process what he had just heard. His eyes were wide and unfocused, his mouth hung slightly open. a rare lapse that stripped away his usual calm facade as Guildmaster.

Even Mina, perched nearby, was struck dumb, her golden eyes were enormous with disbelief as she stared at Aldric like he had just announced the end of days.

Only Aldric remained composed. He sat quietly with hands resting on the table and shoulders squared. His expression was unnervingly calm, not from a lack of emotion but because he had endured this moment many times before. He anticipated this reaction.

He’d seen it reflected in the eyes of mercenary captains, guild leaders, noble retainers, and veteran warriors across the region ever since the Alchemist from the Capital said that he needs the heart and blood essence of the Sixth Order Lord Beast, the Crimson Abyssal Lion.

Aldric watched hope ignite only to extinguish within moments over and over again.

Even he had nearly crumbled when he first learned about it. A Sixth Order Lord Beast wasn’t just powerful, it was a calamity incarnate, a living disaster capable of reshaping landscapes and obliterating armies.

Aldric understood its terror well enough. He hired elite mercenary groups known for slaying Fifth Order beasts and conquering monster-infested ruins but none returned. Some vanished without a trace, others sent back broken messages written by trembling hands before death claimed them too.

Eventually, even gold lost its allure. Warriors stopped accepting commissions no matter how high he raised the reward.

Half a year passed like this until word reached him about the Adventurer Guild. Initially dismissing it as another overhyped institution relying more on novelty than substance seemed wise, until stories began piling up: skyrocketing registration numbers, completed missions executed with impossible efficiency and then came Valeria’s name.

A mercenary whose strength rivaled that of those serving the great noble houses, she was a woman of formidable power and command, making her a force unto herself.

When Aldric discovered she was in Greyvale and, more importantly, that she had joined this Guild as an Adventurer, he acted without hesitation. Gathering what he needed, he traveled tirelessly, fueled by a desperation that no amount of wealth could assuage.

Finally, Sage inhaled sharply, the sound echoing in the oppressive silence, and forced himself back into motion.

He interlocked his fingers on the table, knuckles tightening as his expression shifted to one of solemnity. Leaning forward slightly, he met Aldric’s gaze with unwavering seriousness.

“Mr. Aldric,” Sage began slowly, each word carefully chosen. “Do you understand what you are asking?”

Before Aldric could respond, Sage continued with a steady yet heavy voice. “You’re here to post a mission to kill a Sixth Order Magical Beast, a creature capable of decimating a small army single-handedly. Its mere presence can destabilize entire territories. The Crimson Abyssal Lion isn’t just a threat to individuals; it poses danger to cities and regions alike.”

He paused briefly, scanning the lounge before returning his focus to Aldric. “You’re an intelligent man; I know you’ve done your research. You’ve seen our Guild’s reputation and growth, the numbers speak for themselves. From the outside, we appear glorious and unstoppable. But the reality is much grimmer.”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Internally, we’re barely holding things together. The strongest individual affiliated with this Guild is here due to personal ties rather than obligation. We simply do not have the capacity to confront such a catastrophic force.”

Valeria’s eyes flickered slightly at Sage’s implication while Gregor clenched his jaw but remained silent.

Sage shook his head decisively. “This mission… the Adventurer Guild cannot accept it.”

The words landed like a verdict. Aldric’s calm demeanor shattered instantly; disbelief and panic surged in his widening eyes.

He pushed back from his chair so abruptly that it scraped against the marble floor and then dropped to his knees before Sage with an impact that echoed through the lounge.

Sage’s eyes widened in alarm as he jumped to his feet. “Sir Aldric… please get up! This isn’t necessary!”

But Aldric refused to budge, shaking his head violently while tears gathered at the corners of his eyes and spilled down his cheeks freely. “Please,” he pleaded hoarsely, emotion raw from years of suppression.

“I have only one son left, my only family, trapped in that coma for six long years. Six years of watching him breathe but never wake; wondering every morning if today will be the day I lose him completely.”

His hands clenched into fists against the floor. “I finally have hope. I finally see a path forward. I won’t let it slip away. Not now. Not again.”

He lifted his head, desperation burning in his eyes as he locked gazes with Sage. “I’ll offer any reward. Any amount.”

Sage exhaled slowly, shaking his head as he began, “Sir Aldric, this isn’t about….”

“Five hundred thousand gold coins,” Aldric interrupted.

The air went still.

Sage’s eyes widened slightly, his words caught in his throat.

Noticing the hesitation, Aldric misread it. Panic surged within him. “One million gold coins,” he blurted out.

Silence stretched again, thicker than before.

“Three million,” Aldric continued, his voice now trembling. “Four million. Five million.”

Each figure landed like a hammer blow, echoing through the room. Even the mercenaries exchanged incredulous glances.

Aldric clenched his teeth and spoke one last time, his voice cracking under the weight of desperation. “Seven million gold coins.”

The lounge fell into an oppressive silence.

Before anyone could react, a quivering voice broke through the tension.

“We will take it.”

A blur of green rushed into Sage’s line of sight. In an instant, Gregor appeared before Aldric, gripping the kneeling man by the shoulders and lifting him upright with surprising strength.

Gregor’s face split into the widest grin Sage had ever seen, a smile so exuberant it bordered on madness.

Aldric blinked in confusion, taken aback by the sudden change in atmosphere.

Gregor let out a hearty laugh, unapologetic and full of energy, as he slapped Aldric on the back.

“Relax, old man! You’re safe now.” He stood tall, puffing out his chest with pride as he introduced himself with infectious confidence.

“I’m Gregor Windsoul, the first Adventurer in history. That’s right, the very first to ever register.”

His eyes sparkled with excitement as he looked down at Aldric like a wolf eyeing its next meal. “And you, Mr. Aldric Goldfeather,” he said cheerfully, “the Adventurer Guild is ready to accept your mission.”

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