Ch.34Reward+

# 34. Compensation+

“Welcome, eh?”

“Move aside.”

“J-just a moment! N-North Gate Guardian, what brings you here…?”

Wow. Where’s the popcorn? This is already getting juicy.

The North Gate Guardian, though not quite as imposing as the weapon shop owner, effortlessly pushed aside the clerk who had been treating us with typical elven disdain and strode into the weapon shop with purposeful steps.

Seeing that once-arrogant clerk stammering respectfully, I might need to discard my “North Gate Guardian is dog food” theory.

Just get out of here, you worthless clerk.

I stood slightly behind the Guardian, almost like I was borrowing his authority, though it felt strange since this “tiger” happened to be an elf.

Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now.

“Boss?”

“Guild leader?”

“I’m on my way to teach a lesson to the shop owner who completely ignored us. Want to watch? Or you can keep browsing weapons if you prefer.”

The two seemed to grasp the situation immediately from my words and the unexpected appearance of the North Gate Guardian (whose dog food status was in jeopardy). They followed behind me as if the answer was obvious and not worth asking.

The shop owner, who had been sitting indifferently in the back, underwent a dramatic change in expression upon seeing the Guardian. He looked like he couldn’t believe the Guardian wasn’t at his post but here instead.

He probably never thought that “inferior” humans would bring one of the only four Gate Guardians, among the “noble” elves, directly to his shop.

“How is it that the North Gate Guardian honors this humble establishment with—”

“Human. Show him the purchase voucher ‘I’ gave you.”

“Here it is.”

The Guardian accompanying me despite being annoyed by my complaint had already disproven the “fake Guardian” theory, and this exchange completely demolished the “Guardian is dog food” theory.

All that remained was teaching this arrogant elf a lesson.

I’m counting on you, North Gate Guardian!

“Is the name of the North Gate Guardian not enough to verify the value and authenticity of this voucher?”

“It’s enough. More than enough. Absolutely.”

“Your words contradict your actions. Then why did this human tell me that you claimed the voucher was worthless? I heard you refused to sell any weapons or armor.”

“Well, that…”

Yes! Well done!

My ancestors’ wisdom was spot on! This is the perfect strategy—using the enemy against themselves!

“And I also heard you claimed there was no spirit mark or oath mark… Am I such a dishonorable elf that I need to make individual oaths through spirits for every reward I offer in my name?”

“No, not at all. That wasn’t my intention. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I couldn’t rule out the possibility that an inferior human might be trying to deceive me with a paper bearing your name.”

Wow. He’s really trying to twist things around?

“Even inferior humans are perfectly capable of copying a form and writing someone else’s name, aren’t they? That’s why there was such a ‘misunderstanding.’ I never meant to treat you as a ‘dishonorable’ elf.”

“Hmm…”

The Guardian stroked his chin at the shop owner’s slick words. Perhaps because it wasn’t entirely unreasonable, at least by elven standards.

But from my perspective, having nearly been denied entry, it was infuriating.

‘Guardian, you’re stopping here? Keep this up and I’ll have to add “premature” to your dog food theory.’

While the Guardian hesitated, I cut in.

“I hate to interrupt while the shop owner is cleverly trying to weasel out of his mistake, but—”

“Don’t interrupt, human! Elves are speaking!”

“The fact remains that you had to come all the way here because of him. He’s claiming it was a misunderstanding to avoid blame, but isn’t this whole situation the result of him doubting your honor?”

“It’s not just a claim—it was a misunderstanding! Stop twisting things, human!”

It’s frustrating that I have to keep arguing when I just wanted to enjoy the show. Still, I should be grateful the Guardian is reasonable enough to have come here at all.

“Before we discuss abstract values, let’s look at the facts. I defeated hundreds of Debitas and received a reward from the Guardian. That reward included vouchers for purchasing weapons and armor. Correct so far?”

“That’s right.”

I turned to face the shop owner and continued.

“My two companions and I came to this shop. They were looking at weapons including axes in the display case, while I discussed purchases with you. You said you couldn’t sell weapons and armor to humans. I presented this voucher and told you the North Gate Guardian gave it to me personally. You declared you couldn’t trust a piece of paper without spirit marks or oath marks and still refused to sell. Correct so far?”

“Well…”

“Correct?”

“Answer him.”

“Y-yes, that’s correct.”

I ignored the grinding sound of teeth. Was that a common trait among them?

“To summarize, the fact remains that the shop owner refused to honor a purchase voucher given by the North Gate Guardian, claiming it couldn’t be trusted.”

“B-but I just said that was a misunderstanding!”

“Then summon a spirit and make an oath. Swear whether that ‘misunderstanding’ was genuine or just an excuse to cover yourself.”

The shop owner’s ears twitched. He clearly never expected a mere human to play the spirit oath card.

“Is it impossible for an inferior human to request this? What do you think, Guardian?”

“If I serve as witness, it’s acceptable.”

The Guardian stepped forward again.

“If the shop owner’s words are true, I’ll let this matter drop and even apologize for being overly harsh. I’ll also compensate you double the value of the voucher from my own pocket. However, if this human’s account is accurate…”

The Guardian fully regained his initial dignity.

“You will not only pay the price for disrespecting my name, but I will completely waive the amount you would have received from this human’s voucher. Additionally, there will be consequences for attempting to deceive me with false excuses. Of course, refusing the oath will be considered an admission of the latter.”

The already pale shop owner turned completely ashen.

“Will you not do it?”

“I-I will.”

You should think before you speak, my friend.

Checkmate.

**

“Hmm-hmm-hmm~”

“Are you that happy?”

“SO happy! Hahaha!”

Saex was humming and grinning broadly. Cutjyeora beside him was just as delighted.

As expected, the shop owner’s elven prejudice was exposed, and our voucher value was doubled, allowing us to buy equipment not just for Saex but for Cutjyeora as well.

‘This is compensation for the unpleasant experience caused by un-elflike behavior. You may each purchase one additional weapon and piece of armor from this shop. I personally guarantee it.’

The moment I heard those words, North Gate Guardian Al-Kedran became the G.O.A.T. of Albrant in my heart.

I guess his sense of principle and order was stronger than his racial supremacist tendencies.

Anyway, I was glad to see my party members so happy after we gained unexpected benefits from a bit of legwork and verbal sparring.

Now we faced a choice:

Earn more money to stock up on consumables.

Or head to the next floor.

“What do you guys think?”

“Hmm… why don’t we get new equipment for the boss too? Two of us already upgraded.”

“I agree!”

“Hmm, seems like a waste of money though.”

“What’s the point of saving money? If something goes wrong, it’ll all be for nothing.”

Saex put his arm around my shoulder, pressuring me. Then Cutjyeora attached herself to my other side.

“Since the 7,000 gold was communal, about 2,300 gold would be my share, right? I want to use that to buy equipment for the boss.”

“Me too. So it’s better to just accept new equipment gracefully.”

“I surrender! I surrender!!”

Under the suffocating pressure (literally) from two beautiful women on either side, I abandoned my plan to keep some money in reserve.

I appreciate their concern, but… could they maybe let go of my arms?

It’s getting hard to breathe, kids… in more ways than one.

**

“What exactly is our goal?”

Golden Wing Guild Leader, Aniri Guild Leader, and Yalyali Guild Leader. The three sat side by side on a bench in the corner of the plaza, discussing the future like other guild leaders.

“I’m not sure if there’s a need to push ourselves to climb higher.”

“So we just camp out here?”

“Not exactly, but I don’t think we need to volunteer as the vanguard.”

The sharp-featured man with glasses, Yalyali Guild Leader, said:

“We might have been among the vanguard in the game, but here, one mistake means not just a wipe but death.”

“I agree with that, but there’s one major difference.”

“What’s that?”

“In reality, we can check and reference information left by the vanguard, but here?”

It wasn’t simply a matter of internet access.

How could anyone be certain the tower was “two-way”?

Once you go up, you might not be able to come back down. In that case, waiting for the vanguard’s experiences would be pointless.

“Waiting and building our foundation is good, but we might become complacent.”

“So what’s your opinion, Golden Wing Guild Leader?”

“We need to decide our direction now. Safety or challenge.”

The three fell into deep thought. Though they only needed to choose one of two words, it wasn’t easy.

‘In this situation, not dying is definitely best… but I’m not alone.’

‘What should I do? Taking risks is scary, but thinking I might live here forever is equally frightening…’

‘I was just playing a game seriously, why do I have to make life-or-death decisions?’

After lengthy deliberation, Aniri Guild Leader, who had gathered the three, spoke:

“Since there are three of us, let’s decide by majority vote? On the count of three, left hand for safety, right hand for challenge?”

The other two nodded.

One, two, three.

One left hand, two right hands.

Another party of three began planning their ascent.