After Travis finished speaking, he scanned the village, a chill creeping down his spine.
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Afraid they’d refuse, he hurried to clarify, “It’s just this village. Whatever we’re looking for dropped right by the entrance, we don’t have to go any deeper.
Linda glanced back at him. “You sure about that?”
Travis could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but he forced himself to nod. “I’m sure.”
“Alright,” Linda replied.
With that, she landed with her sword, bringing the two of them down with her. Rafael brushed off his clothes. “This place gives me the creeps. Are there really feral beasts here?”
Travis nodded frantically. “Yeah, just one, but it’s a real powerhouse.”
Rafael pretended to hesitate. “So, Linda, you think we can take it? Or should we call in the elders for backup?”
Travis quickly backtracked. “No, no, that’s not necessary. Two Gilded Phase cultivators are plenty. No need to bring in the heavy hitters.
“Piece of cake.”
Travis kept repeating himself, almost like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
Rafael whistled teasingly. “If it’s really that easy, why would you spend a supreme Luster Shard to hire us? Don’t tell me you’re after more than just your family heirloom?”
Travis’s face changed, and he managed a strained smile. “Come on, why would you say that? I just want my family heirloom back. What else could I possibly want?”
“Obviously…” Rafael struck a pose and flicked his sleeve. “You just want to admire our heroic style in action.”
Travis was stunned.
Rafael cut in, “Enough talk. Hand over the payment first. What if you ditch us later? We don’t want to make this trip for nothing.”
Travis froze. “Payment?”
Rafael sneered, “The supreme Luster Shard, obviously. Pay up before we do anything. For all we know, you could have a bunch of people lying in wait to jump us. So we’re getting our money first.”
Travis’s face darkened, barely able to suppress his killing intent. But when his eyes landed on the village just ahead, he lowered his gaze and started rummaging through his things.
Travis thought to himself, ‘Fine, I’ll put up with it for now.
‘Once you’re all dead, that supreme Luster Shard will end up back in my hands anyway!
“Here,” Travis said, handing it over with obvious reluctance.
Rafael took it and immediately handed it over to Linda. “Linda?
Linda accepted it and checked it right in front of Rafael. “Yep, it’s a supreme Luster Shard.”
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Chapter 89
Rafael looked satisfied. “Alright, you know how things work.”
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Linda glanced at Rafael’s profile, thinking to herself, ‘As long as Rafael’s around, we’ll never get shortchanged when it comes to money, or words, for that matter.
Laura and the others showed up soon after.
Once everyone had arrived, Travis urged them, “Alright, we’re all here. Let’s head in already.”
“Hold up…” Rafael said.
Travis snapped, “What now?” His irritation was obvious.
“You said it’s at the entrance, so where exactly? Point it out,” Rafael demanded.
‘How the hell should I know?‘ Travis cursed inwardly.
He gestured carelessly toward a random spot. “Over there.”
“What does it look like?” Rafael asked.
“It’s a crystal pendant,” Travis replied.
“Does it give off any mana fluctuations?” Rafael pressed.
Travis gritted his teeth. “Yeah.”
Rafael nodded. “Alright, got it.”
Seeing them just standing around, Travis was on the verge of snapping. “Why aren’t you moving?”
Rafael waved dismissively. “Just searching for a thing. Don’t need a whole crowd for this.”
Travis was about to suggest that only the two Gilded Phase cultivators go in with him, leaving the other three outside. Before he could finish, Rafael jumped in, “I’ll go alone.”
Travis was left speechless. ‘What’s the use of sending Rafael in? Nobody cares about him anyway, he grumbled inwardly.
But then, Rafael just stood there, his eyes suddenly laser–focused With a dramatic flourish, he shouted, “Maelstrom, show yourself!”
Suddenly, a golden portal tore open in the air.
Golden light spilled out, bathing the ground in a radiant glow.
Even Travis couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine at the sight.
“A summoned beast?” Travis gasped, eyes wide.
‘No way, he’s a summoner?‘ Travis’s mind reeled.
As Rafael finished his dramatic call, a summoned beast leapt out from the golden portal, claws flailing and head shaking like
a lion mid–roar, making a real show of its entrance before landing with a thud.
But once it hit the ground, the scene took a turn.
Instead of some terrifying monster, it was just a little critter, about the size of a goat, with shaggy black–and–white fur.
Travis was barely holding it together, his composure hanging by a thread.
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wonder she really ripgaert.
Matur blinker grily puzzled “Is he or digging that had just felt so
design
He roared, smashing the crystal insignis in his grip. All of you,
As his shout echoed, shadows erupted from every direction, dog in and trapping them in a slicedeg teg
Rafael glanced around, counting heads, “What a crowd”
Claudio said coolly, “Two late Gilded Phase, three early Gilded Phase, and five at the peak of Foundation takimest
There were ten people in total,
Rafael clicked his tongue. “All this manpower just for a family heirloom?”
Travis’s face twisted with mariness, “No, it’s your lives they re aher, Kill themt”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
