Chapter 128: 128:Money issues.
The meeting with the researchers concluded shortly afterward, and another Association employee guided Silver and Ravenna toward the administrative wing of the headquarters.
Unlike the investigation room, this section bustled with activity. Contractors lined up before dozens of service counters, some submitting completed missions while others accepted new assignments.
Large electronic displays continuously updated contribution rankings, emergency requests, and newly confirmed beast sightings throughout the surrounding Green Zones.
The employee stopped before a reinforced counter marked Special Incident Rewards.
"The compensation for the Detroin incident has already been approved," she explained politely. "Your participation was verified through multiple witness reports and Association personnel who arrived afterward."
She handed over two digital tablets.
"Please confirm your identities."
Silver and Ravenna pressed their contractor cards against the scanners. A soft chime sounded.
*Identity Confirmed.*
The receptionist smiled.
"Contractor Silver Ruddington. Contractor Ravenna Arkland. On behalf of the Delta Four Association, thank you for your contribution during the Detroin disaster."
She tapped several commands before another screen appeared.
"Your rewards are as follows."
*Emergency Disaster Participation Reward
• 450,000 Points.
• 1,500 Association Contribution Points
• Priority Contractor Registration within Delta Four
• Medical Expense Voucher
• Temporary Workshop Discount (30 Days)*
Silver’s eyebrows rose slightly.
"...That’s generous."
The receptionist nodded.
"The Association places considerable value on contractors willing to risk themselves during disaster-class incidents. Many who entered Detroin never returned. We believe those who did deserve appropriate recognition."
Ravenna remained quiet, though Silver noticed the surprise in her eyes. Four hundred and fifty thousand Points. That was more money than many Rank One contractors earned over several months.
The receptionist continued.
"In addition, the Association purchased the beast materials you submitted this afternoon."
Another notification appeared.
*Materials Sold
Stonehorn Rams ×6
Razor Crows ×3
Various Tier One Materials
Total Payment: 128,000 Points*
Silver smiled.
"The trip here practically paid for itself."
The receptionist laughed politely.
"As long as you ignore the near-death experiences. Those are usually the expensive part."
Even Ravenna allowed herself a small smile.
Once the transaction finished, the receptionist transferred the funds to their contractor accounts before returning their identification cards.
"We hope your stay in Delta Four is pleasant."
Silver thanked her before the two left the headquarters. The afternoon sun greeted them as they stepped back onto the crowded street.
For several moments, neither of them spoke. Finally, Ravenna looked toward him.
"...What now?"
Silver answered almost immediately.
"We’re going shopping."
Delta Four’s contractor district occupied nearly four entire streets. Every building catered to hunters. Weapon smiths displayed swords forged from beast bones. Armour shops advertised reinforced leather capable of resisting Tier Two claws. Medical suppliers sold healing medicines, antidotes, and emergency equipment.
Every few metres, another merchant called out today’s discounts.
Silver walked confidently through the district. Eventually, they stopped before a large stone building bearing a simple bronze plaque.
Green Horizon Beast Materials Exchange
Ravenna looked toward him.
"Here?"
"They have the best reputation."
The moment they entered, an elderly shopkeeper greeted them warmly.
"Welcome. Looking for materials or selling?"
"Buying," Silver answered. "I’d like to see your Tier Two attribute cores."
The old man’s expression brightened.
"Certainly."
He disappeared into the back room before returning several minutes later carrying a reinforced metal case. Opening it carefully, he revealed several neatly arranged beast cores.
The shopkeeper introduced each one.
"Tier Two Strength Core."
"Tier Two Agility Core."
"Tier Two Endurance Core."
"Tier Two Perception Core."
"We occasionally receive elemental cores..." he chuckled. "...but they never stay on the shelves long enough to display."
Silver wasn’t surprised. Elemental cores were treasures. Most large families bought them immediately. The few that reached the open market disappeared within hours.
Silver looked toward Ravenna.
"Choose."
She blinked.
"...Choose?"
"Whatever suits your growth."
She studied the cores carefully. Eventually, she pointed toward the Agility Core.
"My fighting style depends on positioning. I think this one fits."
Silver nodded.
"I agree."
He selected the Strength Core for himself.
"My beast tattoo already specializes in physical power, might as well continue developing it."
He also chose a few extra from the group of cores before nodding to the man. The shopkeeper carefully packaged both cores.
"Excellent choices. That’ll be two hundred and sixty thousand Points."
Ravenna’s eyes widened slightly.
"...That’s expensive."
Silver simply handed over his contractor card. The payment completed almost instantly. As they stepped back onto the street, Ravenna finally spoke.
"...We could’ve hunted those ourselves. We probably would’ve found suitable ones eventually."
Silver nodded.
"We could."
She looked at him.
"Then why spend so much?"
For several seconds, he remained silent. People continued walking around them while merchants loudly advertised their goods.
He didn’t know exactly how to answer. In his previous life, he spent years saving money, always telling himself he’d use it later when things settled down and life became easier, or after he was discharged. That day never came.
He had died with more money than he ever needed. Without a family, memories attached to it, or happiness, just numbers sitting in an account.
His gaze drifted toward the busy street.
"I don’t want to make the same mistake," he quietly said.
He looked down at the small case containing their new beast cores.
"If spending money lets us become stronger today, then it’s worth it. If it saves us three weeks of hunting, it’s worth it," he unconsciously continued," If it gives us more time together instead of risking unnecessary battles, then it’s definitely worth it."
He laughed softly.
"I finally realized something. Money isn’t valuable because you keep it, it’s valuable because of what it allows you to protect."
Ravenna lowered her eyes thoughtfully.
"I’ve never looked at it that way. My mother always taught me to save everything, and she wasn’t wrong."
Silver smiled.
"I’m not saying we should waste it. I’m saying... there’s no point surviving just to live uncomfortably forever."
She considered his words for several more moments before giving a small nod.
"I think I’m beginning to understand but it will take a while to get used to all of this."
Rather than turning toward the inexpensive contractor hostels lining the outer district, Silver continued walking deeper into the city.
The buildings gradually became cleaner and the streets quieter. Eventually, they stopped before a seven-storey stone building with polished glass windows and neatly maintained gardens surrounding the entrance.
Above the doorway hung a carved wooden sign.
Crest Contractor Hotel
Uniformed attendants greeted arriving contractors while luggage carts moved quietly across the entrance. Ravenna looked from the building to Silver.
"This looks expensive."
"It is."
She turned fully toward him.
"We don’t need somewhere like this."
Silver smiled.
"I know."
"Then..."
"I want somewhere like this."
She blinked, speechless. He looked up at the hotel with a relaxed expression.
"We’ve spent the last few days sleeping in tents and at checkpoints. I think we’ve earned one proper bed and a stress-free sleep. I don’t want to worry about beast attacks or too much noise in this much-deserved rest time."
For a moment, Ravenna simply stood there, then, despite herself, she smiled.
"I suppose arguing won’t change your mind."
"Probably not."
She let out a quiet sigh that carried more amusement than frustration.
"Then let’s at least enjoy it."
Comments