Emily's fingers moved across the valuation sheet with practiced efficiency, though her expression remained troubled.

  "Alright, Mr. Yuki and Alpha party. The valuation is complete." She took a breath. "The Minotaurs are appraised at twenty gold each."

  "And the two Caldens..." Emily paused, her professional mask slipping for just a moment. "For the female one—the standard Calden—we can give seventy gold for the whole parts."

  Cleo's eyes went wide. "W-wha-whaa?!! That m-m-muuucchh??!!"

  "That's enough for a whole armor set, and still have money for good meals," Fanya whispered in awe.

  "Isn't that much more than other Caldens, madam?" Ludor asked carefully.

  "Yes." Emily's voice carried genuine reverence. "This Calden is cut cleanly and preserved in one perfect piece. It's the finest harvest we've seen in Cowfering history, frankly. The guild decided to compensate accordingly."

  "So how about the other one, madam?" Kairen leaned forward.

  Emily hesitated, and that hesitation was answer enough.

  "Besides it being a rare male specimen, the flesh quality is superior to the female Calden. And it has the same pristine cut." Emily's words came carefully. "So—"

  "So what, madam?? Why are you being mysterious?!" Cleo's impatience was adorable and desperate.

  "Yeah! What's the price?!" Ludor pressed.

  Kairen smirked. "I bet the guild won't even buy it. Too much hassle."

  "Actually, it's the opposite." Emily's expression shifted to something between excitement and stress. "The guild is very eager to buy this rare male specimen. But we can't decide on a fair price. The standard appraisers debated for nearly twenty minutes."

  "So how much is it?" Cleo asked, her voice smaller now.

  "For now... we can compensate for one hundred thirty gold." Emily's next words came reluctantly. "Actually, the appraisers finalized their valuation at five hundred and forty gold. But our finances are..." She sighed. "Let's just say the guild's funds are strained. So we can only afford one hundred twenty gold, plus ten gold from the Guild Master himself as a personal contribution."

  The silence that followed was deafening.

  "Five... five hundred golds?" Cleo's voice cracked. "I could buy a house. A whole house. And everything I need for a peaceful retirement!"

  "With that money, I could buy rare equipment and reach S-rank," Ludor breathed.

  "I could explore anywhere I want," Kairen said quietly, wonder in his voice.

  "W-w-whaa??" Fanya grabbed Cleo's arm. "Hey everyone! That money is not ours, r-right?"

  Reality crashed back down.

  "Ah..." they all mumbled, embarrassed.

  Emily smiled gently at their reactions. "So Yuki, please accept our offer. We know you'd get much more money selling at auction. But if you prefer our guild, we'll find ways to compensate. In the future, we'll give you priority on high-value quests, better terms, more support—"

  "S-so what's your choice, Yuki?" Fanya's voice was hopeful.

  "An assurance from the guild might be worth more long-term than a sum of money," Ludor offered. "Especially if you plan to stay an adventurer."

  "You'd have guild backing for anything you do," Cleo added.

  "Hmm, if he plans to make adventuring a career, it's probably better than just money," Kairen agreed grudgingly.

  "What do you think, sir?" Duran asked Vanheir.

  "Hmph. I think it's not the case for that brat at all," Vanheir replied.

  "Eh? What do you mean, sir?"

  "Just wait and see for yourself."

  Yuki's voice came calm and certain. "Nope, as I said before—I'll take them both. How much should I pay, Miss?"

  Emily's mouth fell open.

  "W-wait, Yuki! You can think this through and decide later, you know." Cleo grabbed his sleeve.

  "Y-yeah! Please think carefully, Yuki." Fanya's voice was earnest.

  "They're yours," Ludor said quietly. "You can decide freely, and the guild will accept whatever you choose. But—"

  "I have a plan from the start, so it's my final answer."

  The finality in Yuki's voice closed the conversation.

  Emily recovered, though her expression was confused. "So Yuki chooses auction then? I can arrange—"

  "Nope, not at all."

  "Huh?" Everyone stared.

  "It's for a celebration." Yuki's flatness made the words somehow more powerful. "As the original purpose of Cowfering."

  "W-wha...?" Emily blinked.

  "You're invited, Miss Emily."

  "E-e-eh?? I'm glad you invite me, Yuki, but what do you mean—"

  "It'll be held tonight in the plaza near Flamerose Inn, Miss. Please don't be late. Oh, and please relay my invitation to Oldman Herald, too."

  While they processed his words, Yuki continued without emotion.

  "You four and Mr. Duran are all invited too. Just come."

  "W-wait a min—" Cleo started.

  "Wa-wa-wa... what do you mean, Yuki?" Fanya's confusion was complete.

  "Could it be..." Kairen's eyes widened with understanding.

  "God..." Ludor breathed.

  "Sir, is this what you meant?!" Duran's voice cracked with realization.

  "Yep, he's one hell of a strange boy." Vanheir's tone carried genuine affection disguised as irritation.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  "Oldman, don't forget," Yuki said.

  "Hm? Yeah, yeah, of course. I'm not that old."

  "Alright, please excuse me everyone."

  "W-where are you going, Yuki?" Cleo called after him.

  "I'll take the Caldens and pay the fee over there, right?"

  "Ah, y-yeah. Be careful on your way home, Yuki! Guild Master and I will come for sure~"

  Emily waved, though confusion still clouded her expression.

  The Harvest Area quieted as Yuki left, taking with him the strange energy that had defined the evening.

  "Is it real, sir?" Duran asked Vanheir quietly.

  "We'll know for sure tonight, dude."

  The plaza near Flamerose Inn transformed under the weight of anticipation.

  Tables materialized from nowhere—the residents had been planning this for weeks, just in case someone claimed an exceptional harvest. String lights were hung between buildings, casting a warm glow across the gathering crowd. The smell of roasting meat filled the air, mixing with bread and spiced wine.

  CHEEERRSS!!

  The call went up as people arrived—adventurers, merchants, guards, laborers, farmers, the unemployed. Rich and poor alike, all converging on this one spot under stars that seemed to shine brighter than usual.

  The clink of glasses. The laughter of children playing in the spaces between tables. The warm, easy conversation of people grateful to be alive.

  And in the center of it all—gathered around one table like pillars of legend—sat Herald Magram, Vanheir, Rinne Flamerose, and Emily.

  The legend circle.

  People watched them from a respectful distance, awestruck. Only a few brave souls dared approach, and those who did were met with surprising warmth.

  "Come, boy, sit!" Herald's booming voice welcomed a nervous young adventurer.

  "Would you tell us a story, Madam Flamerose?" Rinne just smiled and refilled their cups.

  Other parties scattered throughout the plaza—Dawgian's crew, grateful and safe. Silver Honor, maintaining their dignity while truly enjoying themselves. Countless other teams, united in the simple joy of survival.

  It was different from previous years. Better. More genuine.

  An elderly woman stood up and called for attention, her voice cutting through the revelry without being unkind.

  "Thank you for joining us tonight! This celebration is possible because of one party's extraordinary support. They hunted two Caldens—two!—and donated them for tonight's feast. But before we hear from them, please welcome our longtime patron of Southern district..."

  "Thank you for joining us tonight! This celebration is possible because of one party's extraordinary support. They hunted two Caldens—and donated them for tonight's feast. But before we hear from them, let's welcome our patron of this district for many years—Mrs. Flamerose!"

  The crowd erupted.

  "Kyaaak!!"

  "Wooohoo!!"

  "That's Mrs. Flameroosseee~!!"

  Rinne stood, rolling her eyes at the enthusiasm, while Herald and Vanheir encouraged the noise with knowing grins.

  She made her way to the stage—a simple platform of stacked wood—and the crowd's energy somehow intensified.

  Tak tak tak

  Each footstep was a drumbeat. The crowd quieted instinctively, eager to hear what legend had to say.

  "Ahem. Emmm... I'm sorry. I can't give much of a speech." Rinne's honesty was disarming. "I just hope you all enjoy this year's Cowfering. Truthfully, I didn't contribute anything. All of the Caldens are the bounty from Yuki. Some of you may have heard his name already."

  She began to clap.

  The legend circle immediately followed—Herald, Vanheir, Emily, all offering their applause. The crowd caught the signal and rose to meet it, thousands of hands coming together in a sound like distant thunder.

  The walls of nearby buildings actually trembled.

  "Come on, boy! Don't make us wait!" Herald's voice boomed across the plaza.

  "Get on, brat! I'm already hungry!" Vanheir added.

  But Yuki was still in the crowd, and his expression suggested this whole situation was profoundly bothersome.

  Rinne caught his eye and made an urgent gesture.

  Come now. Don't be difficult.

  "B-brother? Can you come to the stage now? Mom asks me to bring you."

  Manna appeared beside Yuki, holding out her hand with the kind of innocent sweetness that made refusal impossible.

  She's using her daughter against me, Yuki thought with genuine irritation.

  But he took Manna's hand anyway.

  That single motion—the famous beginner, led by the beautiful young woman of Flamerose Inn—drew every eye in the plaza. Whispers spread like wildfire.

  Who is that boy?

  He's with Manna?

  The innkeeper's adopted son, maybe?

  What a lucky brat...

  Yuki ignored all of it and followed Manna to the stage, where Rinne was waiting with an expression that mixed triumph and maternal affection.

  "Alright boy, you got this," she whispered, tapping his back lightly before moving aside.

  Yuki took the center of the stage, and the crowd fell silent.

  His hand rose, and wind gathered around him—a spell cast without words, a display of casual power.

  [Wind Howl!]

  "Thank you for coming to this humble celebration," he said, his voice carrying across the plaza with unnatural clarity.

  "What's the magic he's using, oldman?" Vanheir whispered.

  "I don't know either, dude. But he always surprises me in the smallest details." Herald chuckled.

  Yuki continued. "I didn't think to make this grand. I only hunted to help my family and satisfy my curiosity."

  Light chuckles rippled through the crowd.

  "Before we start this celebration, I want to clear only one thing."

  The atmosphere shifted. He wasn't joking anymore.

  "Don't expect someone's help, for whatever reasons. For instance, I don't plan to continue providing you meat, neither does the Flamerose family."

  The light mood evaporated.

  Murmurs of discontent spread through the crowd. Some people frowned. Others looked almost angry.

  Vanheir slapped his own forehead. Rinne sighed. Emily's expression grew concerned. Even Frangust—the Master's former student—stiffened at the apparent callousness.

  Only Herald seemed unsurprised, a knowing smile playing at his lips.

  "You can ask yourselves:" Yuki's voice cut through the noise. "Do you still want to take pity from others? Do you not feel ashamed? Are your conditions changed by receiving others' mercy? Do you prefer to live a loser's life rather than as a champion?"

  Silence returned, but it was different now—thoughtful, almost uncomfortable.

  Then someone shouted in protest.

  "You're too much—"

  Others joined, their voices rising in a chorus of objection.

  "What do you know about us, huh?!"

  "Yeah, give us solutions, not judgment!"

  "You don't understand our struggles!"

  "Solution! Give us real solution!"

  The crowd's demand built like a wave, thousands of voices united in their need for more than words.

  Yuki waited until they began to settle, then spoke again.

  "That so—I propose to you a different path. Let's take the glory at our own pace. Every little step in our lives."

  His voice had changed now—not colder, but more certain. More real.

  "You can start with little things other people won't even notice. Be proud of every change you've made. Don't pity yourselves by looking at others' achievements. You have your own battles. No one has the right to underestimate your effort."

  He paused, letting the words sink in.

  "Hold onto your morals and your principles. Remember—your family will live your legacy. What you build, they will inherit."

  Scattered laughter started—not mocking, but genuine recognition.

  "Finally, you can rely on the guild if you need help. There are still adventurers who want to help others and make coin on the side. The guild has mechanisms for that."

  Pffft—adventurers in the crowd cracked genuine smiles.

  "Yeah, you can count on us!!"

  "Hehe, of course!"

  "Let's help each other!!"

  The mood shifted back, but it was different now—more honest. More grounded.

  Yuki's expression remained flat as he delivered the final statement that would change everything.

  "Don't worry. If no one takes your quest, I'll try to clear it for you in my free time. Just don't expect too high of me."

  The crowd reacted—some laughing, some serious, some both at once.

  "Damn you, brat! You underestimate us, huh?!" An adventurer shouted.

  "Yeah! Do you think all of us are lazy bums?!"

  "Who do you think you are, commenting on our character?!"

  But there was no real anger in their voices anymore. Just the familiar banter of people who'd found their footing.

  Even Yuki managed what might have been the ghost of a smile.

  "Then let us make our own story," he said, his voice rising to carry across the plaza. "And together we help each other! Tonight, stuff your stomach to your heart's content and mark this day as our new beginning!!!"

  WOOOOOO!!!

  The roar that erupted was unlike anything heard in Spawnhall before. It started in the plaza and echoed outward, reaching the Northern district, even touching the walls of the great fortress beyond the city.

  It was the sound of something changing.

  Something fundamental.

  The feast began in earnest—meat roasting, wine flowing, laughter genuine and contagious. The legend circle rose to join the celebration, and the crowd no longer kept its distance. Barriers dissolved. Social status became meaningless.

  Everyone was simply human, sharing food and hope.

  Rinne found Yuki at the edge of the gathered crowd, watching the chaos he'd created.

  "You're something else, you know that?" she said softly.

  Yuki glanced at her. "Was it necessary?"

  "For them? Yes." Rinne's hand found his shoulder. "For you? I don't know. But I'm proud of you anyway."

  That night marked something that history books would later call the "Dawn of a New Era."

  A time when the community of Spawnhall stopped waiting for heroes to rescue them, and instead became heroes for each other.

  All because one strange boy, holding a sword and a terrible power, chose to remind them that they were capable of more than they believed.

  - The Hunted Hunters - Offering: CLEARED -