CHAPTER 18: PROFIT SHARE

Sebastian set his cup down with a soft thud, the faint grin he’d worn since arriving dimming into something more serious.

His eyes swept over each of them before finally landing on Wade.

"There’s something we need to settle before we start making preparations," he said. His tone was firm but not unkind, the voice of a captain addressing his party. "Loot."

Rowan leaned back slightly in his chair, still chewing on a crust of bread.

Ingrid’s pale gaze flicked towards Sebastian, and Wade straightened instinctively, setting his spoon aside.

To him, this was the most important part of this whole expedition. Loot meant money, and money meant deals, and deals meant slowly moving towards freedom.

Sebastian folded his hands on the table. "Normally, we divide loot based on contribution. The guild doesn’t care how a party shares. It’s left to us."

"The usual rule is simple. You keep what you earn. If you kill a monster, you take its drop. If you find a herb, you keep it. Stones and rarer items are usually traded or sold, then the coin split based on who did the work."

He paused, his eyes still on Wade. "But this time, I’m proposing something different. Since it’s your first expedition, and you’ve likely got debts to deal with, we’ll share all loot equally. One fourth each."

Rowan’s lips curved into a grin. "I like it. Consider it a welcome gift. One equal share for Wade."

Ingrid gave the smallest nod, her expression unchanged, though the gesture was enough.

Wade blinked, caught off guard. He opened his mouth, then shut it again, unsure of what to say. Finally, he managed, "Thank you. I... I didn’t expect that."

Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head. "Don’t thank us too much. This is a one time arrangement. After this dungeon, we go back to contribution-based sharing. You’ll have to pull your own weight."

"That’s fair," Wade said quickly, relief spreading through him.

Equal shares meant he wouldn’t leave the dungeon empty-handed, even if he struggled.

And he would struggle. He knew that much already.

"Good," Sebastian said, leaning back. His heavy frame made the bench creak. "Now that’s settled, I’ve booked a room for us to discuss strategies. And once we’re done with that, we can each leave to take care of the supplies we’ll need for tomorrow."

Rowan drained the last of his porridge and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Efficient, as always."

Sebastian ignored the remark, already reaching for another slice of bread.

Wade hesitated, glancing toward Rowan as something occurred to him. "Rowan... that sword you lent me in the swamp. Could I use it for this dungeon too?"

Rowan tilted his head, smiling faintly. "Of course. I don’t need it anymore. It’s yours to keep."

Wade blinked. "Really?"

"Really," Rowan said. "Consider it an investment. A sword’s no good gathering dust in my inventory when it can keep you alive."

Wade smiled, another rush of gratitude sweeping through him. "Thanks. I’ll make good use of it."

Rowan waved the thanks away, but his eyes were kind. "One more thing. You’re getting something defensive for yourself, right?"

"Yeah." Wade nodded. "I already have an order for a breastplate I have to pick up today."

"That’s good." Rowan nodded. "But you should also invest in a defensive skill from the guild shop. Even if it puts you deeper in debt, it’s worth it."

"Offense is important, but defense keeps you breathing. Having another layer between your breastplate and the monster is even more reassuring."

Wade frowned. "A defensive skill? Like what?"

"[Basic Ward]," Rowan answered without hesitation. "It’s cheap compared to most skills. Efficient too."

"It creates a shield in front of you, strong enough to block a blow or deflect a spell. The cost is small, just a trickle of mana, but the value? Immeasurable."

Sebastian nodded in agreement. "Rowan’s right. A sword alone won’t save you. Every adventurer needs something between themselves and death."

Wade chewed on that thought, his mind already tallying the coins in his pouch. Another debt wasn’t what he wanted, but then again, neither was dying.

The four of them fell into silence again, each focused on finishing their meals.

The clink of spoons and scrape of bread against bowls filled the space between them.

Wade’s mind, however, was restless.

Loot sharing, strategy rooms, defensive skills... it was all coming together, and it felt real.

Sebastian finally set his mug down. "Alright. Let’s go."

The group rose as one, sliding their trays aside before heading out of the mess hall.

The noise of the guild’s bustling morning wrapped around them. There were other parties gearing up for quests, handlers barking orders, and clerks running ledgers.

Wade stayed close to his party as Sebastian led the way.

They passed through the main hall, its high ceiling echoing with footsteps, before turning down a side corridor.

The noise gradually faded as they moved deeper into the guild building, until at last Sebastian stopped before a wooden door.

He pushed it open and gestured them inside. "Here."

The room was plain but functional, a square chamber with a table in the center and a few chairs arranged around it.

A board stood before them, with a map of the city and surrounding lands hung on the far wall, and a few lamps glowed on their sconces.

"Sit," Sebastian said.

Wade lowered himself into a chair, Rowan dropping into one beside him, and Ingrid across.

Sebastian remained standing for a moment, his hands braced on the table as his eyes swept over them.

"Let’s talk strategy," he said simply. "Tomorrow we enter the Shattered Hall."

"Our main enemies are the mirror wraiths. We know they’re tricky, and can attack from anywhere. And since we’ll be fighting against them in what is essentially their home ground, that means our formation will matter more than our raw strength."

He turned to the board. "Here’s our formation..."

Wade leaned forward, listening closely. This was his first chance to prove himself.

And he would not waste it.