Chapter 135: The Business
"Just two weeks ago..." Rayven nodded as he looked at the paper and scanned through it.
[ Guild Commission Report: Unidentified Ruins in Headhunt Valley ]
[ Status: Incomplete Exploration ]
[ Description: A hidden underground structure discovered near Headhunt Valley after a minor quake. The first exploration team reported unusual mana surges from the site, but further investigation was halted due to toxic fumes and a faint distortion field in the air. The phenomenon caused mild disorientation and nausea among the members. The team retreated without completing the survey. ]
[ Objective: Confirm the nature of the structure. Determine whether it is an abandoned shelter, a tomb, or a remnant of an ancient settlement, or something else. ]
[ Reward: 10 silver coins. ]
Rayven’s eyes lingered on the last line.
"Ten silver, huh?" he murmured.
Now that Rayven was earning a decent amount of money in his business, the 10 silver coins seemed negligible to him right now.
However, every coin counts.
Furthermore, there’s a rule that any treasure he finds in that place would be his. There was no need to turn it over.
Stella gave a small shrug. "Exactly why no one’s taken it. Too little pay, too much hassle. The toxic fumes scared off the few curious ones, and most scholars deemed it unremarkable. But since it’s been two weeks, the fumes should’ve calmed down by now..."
Rayven could only nod as he considered this mission.
"Still, the quake might’ve unearthed something the first team missed."
"Or it could just be a collapsed cellar..." Stella muttered, smirking a little. "The last so-called ’ancient ruin’ turned out to be a crumbled storage bunker. They found some cracked pots, rusted spearheads, and a single iron spoon. Not exactly a jackpot."
Rayven chuckled. "Even so, the Guild needs confirmation, right? I’ll take care of it. This is an adventurer’s job, after all.
Stella nodded as she swiftly recorded that the mission was accepted. Now, Rayven had one week to provide a report about this place.
Just like that, Rayve folded the commission report neatly and slipped it into his coat pocket.
Truthfully, Rayven wasn’t expecting much either.
The Headhunt Valley ruins probably were just remnants of some forgotten outpost or a burial site washed out by time.
However, the Headhunt Valley was located in the northern part of the city, where the 17th Dungeon wouldn’t be too far... Probably just about 10 kilometers.
Furthermore, the description intrigued him. The unusual mana surges and mental disorientation weren’t things to ignore, especially for someone whose advancement required detection-based exploration.
Besides, he didn’t need a grand discovery. He just needed proof of successful detection, enough to fulfill the System’s Trial of Insight.
He then signed his name on the Guild registry, officially accepting the commission.
Stella nodded, stamping the request slip. "Alright, Rayven. You’re now the official assignee for the Headhunt Valley survey. Remember, the Guild only wants confirmation, no heroics. Just record what you find, mark the boundaries, and bring back samples or sketches if applicable."
Rayven smiled faintly. "Got it. I’ll handle it properly."
"Good. And make sure you take antidote pills before entering the site, just in case... The toxic fumes before may not be lethal, but they can mess with your focus."
"I’ll be careful..." he replied before turning away.
As he stepped outside, he realized that the afternoon sun was already uncomfortable.
"Headhunt Valley, huh..." he muttered. "Ten silver coins and a headache. Not a bad price for an advancement test."
His Coinbound System flickered faintly at the edge of his vision, the Trial of Insight line glowing in acknowledgement of the accepted task.
Rayven smirked. "Guess it’s time to pack my bag again."
Of course, he also thought about potential companions.
He didn’t really need a full party, his spells and detection abilities gave him a huge advantage in exploring unknown environments, but having support would make it safer and more efficient.
"Maybe Dennis, Tristan, and Luke..." he muttered as he recalled these adventurers...
Dennis’s agility and twin short blades would help in tight underground passages. Tristan’s sword style was reliable in close quarters, and Luke’s accuracy could deal with distant or ambushing threats.
"They’d do nicely, and they could also earn some extra income."
Nonetheless, Rayven still had other things to do. He needed to visit his shop.
By the time Rayven reached the southern gate district, he immediately noticed the bustling shop...
It was the Eterna Script Trading that was between a small bakery and a tailoring shop.
He stepped inside, and the familiar smell of paper and ink greeted him warmly.
Several customers were browsing the display shelves where his handmade Fountain Pens were arranged neatly inside glass cases.
There were silver ones for scholars, sturdy bronze models for cheaper options, and the newly released black-gold pens that had become quite popular among nobles and merchants.
Hannah was manning the counter this time while Miki and Nara were just guarding the shop at the corner.
Hannah then waved as soon as she noticed him.
"Welcome back, boss! You’ve got good timing. We just delivered the five custom-made pens today."
"Nice... How’s our supply?"
"Still good for now. I’ve already listed the next batch for polishing."
"Perfect."
Rayven inspected the main store briefly, checking that everything was running smoothly, before heading toward the back section of the building.
This was an inventory room, but was now a freshly renovated space...
It was empty except for a few crates stacked against the wall and an unfinished counter along the right side.
This was the new spot he had commissioned, a dedicated space for his upcoming Mayonnaise business.
He crouched slightly, visualizing the layout.
"Five to seven days... maybe less if the materials arrive early."
The specialized jars, bottles, and shelf he ordered were scheduled to arrive soon. Once everything was in place, he could finally start mass production and testing.
He imagined the shelves stocked with bottles labeled
"Eterna Cream Blend" or something catchy enough for customers to remember...
’Or maybe Eterna Mayonnaise.’ He mused.