Extra's Rise: I Stole All The Women In The Hero's Party-Chapter 19: Sweet Karma

The sun hung high in the sky by the time the group began making their way back to the meeting point, the golden rays casting long shadows over the western fields of Timberstead.

The air was thick with the scent of dirt, sweat, and the faint metallic tang of blood — a sign of a successful hunt.

Kara arrived first, her usual confident stride replaced with something lazier, a sign that she was done exerting herself for the day.

Behind her, an earth construct followed, a floating mass of hardened rock that carried a stack of freshly harvested dire boar tusks.

She stretched her arms above her head, groaning. "Ugh, I'm so ready for a bath after this."

Bran showed up next, carrying his own share of tusks slung over his shoulder, secured by a thick rope.

He looked unbothered by the weight, even whistling a little tune as he approached Tobias, who was already waiting at the designated spot, looking as pristine as ever.

"Done already?" Tobias asked, adjusting his glasses in that same practiced, almost scholarly motion.

Bran smirked. "You doubted me?"

He dropped the tusks onto the ground with a heavy thud, dust kicking up around them. "These bad boys weren't too bad to handle. Still, the little bastards can charge like crazy if you're not paying attention."

Kara yawned. "At least it's over now. Honestly, I think I killed just enough to get by. Zayn, though..."

That was when they realized.

"Where is Zayn?" Kara asked, looking around.

Tobias glanced in the direction Zayn had gone earlier. "Probably still hunting," he said, pushing up his glasses again.

Bran scoffed. "We agreed to meet here an hour after we split up. He better not be slacking off somewhere."

"I doubt that," Tobias replied. "Zayn isn't the type to take it easy."

As if on cue, a distant voice called out, "Hey!"

All heads turned to see Zayn approaching from the horizon, his figure slightly hazy under the heat of the sun.

As he got closer, the reason for his delay became obvious.

His arms were full of dire boar tusks.

Unlike Kara, who had the foresight to use her magic to transport her share, and Bran, who had secured his with rope, Zayn was carrying his like some kind of overworked pack mule.

His clothes were stained with dirt and dried blood, his blond hair a tousled mess, but his grin was unmistakable.

Bran blinked. "What the hell?"

Kara let out a low whistle. "Well, someone went a little overboard."

Zayn finally reached them, his breathing just slightly heavier than normal.

He set the massive pile of tusks down with a thump, rolling his shoulders. "Man, that was a workout."

Tobias gave him an amused look. "Did you really need to kill that many?"

Zayn shrugged. "What can I say? The boars just kept coming."

Bran crossed his arms. "And you chose to carry them all by hand?"

"I wasn't gonna just leave them there," Zayn said. "Besides, I figured Tobias could just dump them in his inventory."

Tobias sighed, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips as he adjusted his glasses again. Zayn, despite his exhaustion, still found time to inwardly complain about that damn glasses-adjusting habit.

"Fine," Tobias said, stepping forward.

With a casual wave of his hand, a swirling portal appeared above the pile of tusks. The air shimmered for a moment before the tusks began vanishing into the void of his inventory. Within seconds, they were all gone.

Kara clapped her hands together. "Well, that's that. Can we please go back to the guild now?"

Tobias nodded. "Let's go."

Elisse nodded in approval.

With that, the group began their trek back, leaving behind the field littered with the remnants of their hunt.

As the group made their way back into Timberstead, the once-busy streets were now slightly calmer, with most of the morning rush having settled down.

Vendors still called out to customers, offering fresh produce, weapons, and trinkets, while adventurers loitered around the marketplace, recounting their recent exploits with exaggerated gestures.

Zayn stretched his arms behind his head, rolling his shoulders after carrying so many tusks. "Man, I swear, if I ever have to see another boar again, I'm gonna — "

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"Kill it and collect its horns?" Bran interrupted with a smirk.

Zayn shot him a flat look. "I was gonna say run in the opposite direction, but thanks for the suggestion."

Kara yawned. "I just wanna take a bath and sleep. Or eat. Actually, no — both."

They pushed open the doors of the guild, stepping into the familiar wooden interior.

The atmosphere inside was lively as always, adventurers of all ranks gathering around tables, either discussing missions or enjoying a drink despite it still being daytime.

Behind the counter stood the same half-elf receptionist from earlier this morning and she was busily jotting down something in a thick ledger, her pointed ears twitching slightly as she worked.

She looked up as the group approached, her expression neutral at first — until realization dawned in her eyes.

Zayn swore he saw the exact moment her face twitched.

"You're already done?" she asked, blinking at them in disbelief.

Tobias, ever composed, adjusted his glasses. "Yes."

Before she could even question further, Tobias lifted his hand.

And then it happened.

A downpour of dire boar tusks rained down onto the counter in a spectacular clatter.

They came in waves, spilling over the wooden surface, some even rolling onto the floor.

It was an almost comical sight — especially since Tobias had done it with his usual, deadpan expression, as if this was the most normal thing in the world.

The half-elf sweatdropped.

Zayn had to bite his lip so hard to hold back his laughter that he was surprised he didn't draw blood.

This was what she got for ignoring his signature smile earlier this morning! Sweet, sweet karma!

Bran, on the other hand, crossed his arms and gave a satisfied nod. "That's a good haul."

Kara just sighed, shaking her head. "Show-off," she muttered under her breath, but there was no real bite to her words.

The receptionist exhaled sharply before straightening up, her professional demeanor returning. "I see. Give me a moment to record this."