The First Legendary Beast Master

They waited a while and made sure that everything worth taking had been collected, including any possible hidden treasures that might have been in the dungeon itself, and not on the monsters.

There was an unspoken agreement that they wouldn't leave immediately so that their actions didn't arouse the attention of the guards outside.

Plus, the beasts were enjoying their time frolicking in their natural forms for a while. It would be a shame to make them rush back to their spaces just because they were too efficient at clearing the dungeon.

"Did we all get enough coin to cover our expenses?" Karl asked once the beasts had gotten bored and returned to their spaces.

Lotus did quick mental math and nodded. "This should be enough for two weeks of afternoon cake and coffee."

That mostly covered her priorities, as she had a place to stay and could make her own food if necessary.

Tessa nodded. "It split the coins evenly, so we all got about six gold coins. That's pretty impressive, far more than the guard said that we would get, and it doesn't even include these mediocre magical items.

I think that I saw a wholesale vendor for them just across the street, so we should be able to make at least a little bit more."

Karl nodded in understanding. "That works out perfectly. We will ask them about the trash items, in case they want them for raw materials, but we won't bring them this time, just in case they don't want them at all.

Then, we can return here every day or two and let the team stretch their wings."

The magical trash loot was transferred to Tessa, as she had just nominated herself as their spokesperson to deal with the shopkeeper, and then the War Cleric led the group back out.

"That was a quick trip. Just testing the waters?" The guard outside the portal asked.

"Quick? I suppose it's just due to our combat power with two summoners. We cleared all three bosses." Tessa informed the man, then handed him her gold coin fee.

One after another, they handed over their portion of the fee, while the guards stared at them in doubt.

This group didn't look that tough, and they were much faster than expected for a full clear. Could they have really eliminated all three bosses?

They were headed for the wholesaler for common magic weapons and trash drops in the dungeon, though. So they didn't miss out too badly.

The guards would just have to ask the vendor once they finished their sale.

Tessa smiled at the dainty lizardfolk girl who was working the counter. The woman looked like a Gecko in a dress, standing upright, and even shorter than Lotus. But she had a professional smile, so she wasn't just someone's kid let loose in the shop.

Telling the age of Lizardfolk women was very difficult for most humans, as unlike the men, they were unlikely to amass combat scars. So, every time they shed their skin, they looked as good as the day they reached full growth.

She was only Ascended Rank, though. Not a high-ranking person in the city, which appeared to prioritize power. But well-dressed in what was likely a shop uniform.

"Good morning. Did you finish the dungeon already?" She asked as Tessa took a seat on a high stool across from her.

"Indeed we did. I am informed that your shop buys the magical items we are willing to part with." Tessa replied.

"Exactly right. Everything that comes from the dungeon is a commodity. Magical items, trash items, magical plants if they happen to spawn. We will purchase it all and find buyers for a modest markup."

Tessa laid out the stack of magical weapons of Uncommon Quality, all things they didn't want.

"Oh, wow. You really had good luck. Did you clean it out entirely, or just these items?" She asked.

"Just these. We left the rest laying where it fell. If we couldn't find a buyer for common trash items, we didn't want to litter or have to barter with a smelter to get rid of them." Tessa explained.

"That's quite alright. Many teams go in specifically for the higher quality items and don't bother with the rest. The money goes straight to your inventory if your system is fully active.

It looks like yours is, anyhow.

Now, we have a standard rate chart up on the wall, so you know that I'm not being arbitrary."

Karl looked over, and while the rates were not great, they offered three gold for a Royal Rank Uncommon Quality weapon. Two for an armour piece, and progressively less for other items.

There was a note that higher quality items, or accessories, would be individually appraised by the proprietor.

So, it was a simple matter of counting the loot.

Seventeen weapons. Well, I think that's a weapon, the four rings thing. Then eight pieces of armour.

The girl didn't appear to be too bright, or perhaps she was very young, Karl decided. It was hard to tell, with her only vaguely bipedal form and petite stature.

Her method of payment was to stack coins beside each item, then pick them up. It would have been much faster just to do the mental math and hand them all the money at once.

As she finished and put the last of the items, a set of brass knuckles with a slight increase to stun effects, into the bin of received items, Tessa shook her hand and rose to her feet.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you." The Cleric informed her in a gentle tone.

"Thank you for the business. Please come back soon!"

Karl's group headed for the boardwalk for a little after breakfast treat, and one of the guards went over to talk to the wholesaler.
Experience new tales on empire

"Hey Moira. Is your dad still sleeping?" The guard asked.

The girl nodded happily. "Yep, passed out drunk from last night. Did you want to buy something?"

The guard shook his head, and pulled a cookie out of his inventory. "How many items did they trade to you?"

Moira stole the cookie with a rapid flick of her extendable tongue. "Thirteen and eight. All the Uncommon magic drops. Look at this one. It's pretty like rings."

She pulled out the brass knuckles, which had skulls engraved on them, and slid it on her hand with a smile.

"Just don't hit your dad too hard with those. They'll put him right back to sleep." The guard laughed.

"Work is more fun when he's sleeping anyhow. Look how clean it is."