CHAPTER 31: TAX AND DEBTS

There was a flash of light, and the party found themselves in the dungeon room inside the Lion’s Guild building, the door sitting innocently against the wall, the edges bleeding white light.

"Phew! That was awesome!" Rowan groaned as he stretched, finally dismissing his armor back into his inventory.

Sebastian chuckled, placing his axe too inside his inventory. And as for Ingrid, she didn’t bother to put anything inside her inventory, slinging her bow over her shoulder.

Wade, for his part, was preoccupied with the table that had appeared in the middle of the room. "Is that supposed to be there?" He asked with a frown.

When they’d been in this room hours ago, about to delve into the Shattered Hall, this room had been empty.

"Oh, yeah." Rowan answered. "That’s pretty normal."

There was a flash of light, and four slips of parchment appeared on the table.

They all walked to the table, picking up the parchment as Rowan continued explaining.

"This room is like a conduit with the dungeon

It records every reward the dungeon gives us, tallies it according to what’s present in our inventories, and then we receive a report of how much tax we have to pay."

Wade blinked, reading through the parchment with his name on it.

He blinked at what he saw. He was required to leave behind 1,750 coins as payment for the 10% tax placed on all dungeon loot.

But that was not all. His debt to the guild totalled 17,500 coins, and they wanted a 50% payment now of 8,750 coins.

They wanted him to surrender one of the skill stones, valuing them at 6,000 coins, all of his stat stones, totalling 2,200 coins, and top it up with 550 coins.

If he did this, he would be left with only one skill stone, and 1,200 coins. And he’d still be 8,750 coins in debt.

"What the hell?" He whispered. "Everything I have, gone!"

"Yep." Rowan nodded, not taking his eyes off his own list. "That’s the guild for you."

"They’re ripping us off." Ingrid spat. "They’re valuing the skill stones at 6,000 coins, and yet, if we go to buy them, it’ll suddenly cost at least 7,000 coins. But we have no choice, since they’re the ones who decide the market value of the stones."

Wade almost dropped his parchment in surprise. This was the first time he’d heard Ingrid talk so much. In fact, he was sure her rant just doubled the amount of words he’d ever heard her speak.

But his shock at how much of his loot was being taken away was greater. He’d almost died more than five times during this single expedition, and yet, he would be walking away with just 1,200 coins and one skill stone.

"Well, we can’t do anything about it." Sebastian said, taking his required tax and debt payment out of his inventory and placing it on the table. "This is the life of an adventurer."

Exhaling at the truth of his words, they all left behind the loot required of them on the table, making their way out of the room.

The armored soldiers were still present in the hallway, two on either side of the doors.

They made their way out to the hall beyond, and this time, the checks by the soldiers were not as rigorous as what they’d faced more than an hour earlier.

"Fuck." Rowan groaned. "I could use a hot bowl of chicken soup right now."

They exchanged glances, a grin appearing on all their faces. And without any words, their decision was made.

They made their way to the cafeteria, each one stuffing themselves full of warm food. And as they ate, Wade finally allowed his mind to think through what just happened.

The dungeon run had been brutal. There was the pace. Everything was just nonstop fighting. He’d struggled, always tired, and he was sure the others had taken on more wraiths in order to give himself breathing room.

He’d have to raise his Constitution somehow.

His Agility and Perception were okay where they were, and for now, he couldn’t see the need to increase his Strength.

The whole thing also highlighted something he’d have to work on. Rationing his use of mana. If he hadn’t caught himself, he would’ve used up his mana in the second ring. In fact, he’d already used up two thirds of his mana in the first ring.

Then, there was the problem of his debt. Until he had it paid, he would have to make peace with seeing a huge chunk of his dungeon loot taken away. But the sight gave him hope. If this was what a single layer dungeon could give, then what about a dungeon with more than one layer?

However, he knew he wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. He’d need to increase his stats before he could even think about that.

He chewed the soft bread in his mouth, wondering what he’d do with his new 1,200 coins. First thing on his list was moving out of the guild dorms.

He’d have to find an apartment. Maybe somewhere in the market districts. He had the money for it now. And with the privacy of his own lodgings, he would finally be able to focus on his business ventures.

He smiled, calling up his status screen.

[Name: Wade Barrett]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Dimensional Merchant]

[Origin Skill: Dimensional Ledger]

[Level: 3]

[Exp: 11.3%]

[HP: 97/165]

[MP: 0/240]

[Strength: 30]

[Agility: 45]

[Perception: 35]

[Constitution: 25]

[Stat Points: 10]

[Skills: Observe, Conceal, Inventory, Exchange, Basic Ward]

He’d leveled up two times, and now sat at level 3. He’d also gotten 10 stay points from it. ’Sweet.’

He closed the screen, smiling to himself. There was indeed a lot of work to be done. But not after a long sleep though.

They finally finished their food, each one itching to trace off to their bed.

Sebastian smiled, looking at all of them in turn.

"Good work, guys." He grinned. "Tomorrow is free for you all to do whatever you want. You’ve all earned it."