Shifter - Infinite Transformation-Chapter 85: Ready To Kill

"Phenomenal." The elf gasped, his thin, unblemished fingers caressing over the Karus’ corpse lovingly. All other carcasses had been analyzed and priced at this point, leaving them with the behemoth. A 2nd Tier monstrosity.

"Your comrades really did a great job with this one. The most valuable organs are unscathed, and even the hide is barely damaged. The eye...well, it’s unfortunate, but the monstrosity had to be killed somehow, I guess." He sighed, still rubbing the monster carcass with all the love in the world.

That was...odd. Eerie even. It was certainly something I didn’t want to watch again.

"Considering its rarity, the carcass’ condition, and the current situation around the Eserian, the Huntrice is willing to offer you 41 silver for the Karus. Is that acceptable to you, sir?"

That was more than all the other carcasses were priced at–combined. It certainly sounded like a good offer, but the last part confused me a little.

"What if I want 50 silver for the Karus?" I asked, eyes narrowed. Negotiating was not often seen within the Huntrice, according to Jer. The demihuman made sure to tell me not to negotiate with them, yet the elven receptionist responded with a smile.

"Then I offer you 45 silver in return."

He looked smug while making that offer. So much that it made me groan.

"I was told not to negotiate the prices, but you look like you want me to negotiate with you. What is that all about?"

"It is good that you were told about that. However, whoever warned you did not tell you that monstrosities are an exception. So are a few other valuable goods." The elf’s smug smile didn’t change in the slightest. "You may negotiate with the Huntrice when it comes to rare goods. Of course, the Huntrice will convince you not to negotiate, but they won’t threaten you if you do–for monstrosities and the like. If you try to negotiate other prices, I might have to mark you down for being a nuisance. That you don’t want, considering that all information is shared across the branches."

That didn’t help me nearly as much as I had hoped. Then again, it was good to know that monstrosities were rare enough to be handled differently. They were rare and usually powerful, meaning monstrosities were harder to kill and harbored secrets the Huntrice appeared interested in. Interested enough to pay a premium price.

"In that case, I want 50 silver." I tried again, which seemed to agitate the elf. But before he could say that negotiating worked differently, I added a stipulation, "50 silver, and whatever you are willing to pay me for information. Secret information regarding the Eserian, the Eserian Grove, and the Zetrian Empire."

The elf’s anger didn’t subside. He snorted, "You know something valuable enough to–"

"Two Fae." I interrupted him. "That was how many survived."

"Survived?"

"My mate and a friend of mine. They’re the only ones who left the Eserian Grove alive. The rest died. How? Why? When? I can tell you that, and much more. I can also tell you why my mate and friend are currently talking to the Officials."

The elf clearly knew that there was no falsehood in my voice. Whatever Power or ability elves were given by the gods, it helped him study me–read my body language or discover the falsehood in my voice. No matter what it was, the receptionist knew I wasn’t lying.

"The grove is no more?" He swallowed hard. "And what is this about the Officials?"

"Are you willing to pay the price?" I wasn’t sure if Fern wanted that, but I couldn’t see a reason why I shouldn’t tell the Huntrice about it.

If anything, the Huntrice appeared to be the best place to speak about the dungeon entrance and the Zetrian Empire’s doings. Not because they were better than the Houses or the rest of the Forea Alliance, but because I believed the Huntrice and its Hunters would be greedy enough to ignore the Taboo.

They would enter the Eserian, search for the dungeon entrance to confirm my information, and then they would enter the Great Depths. They would surely want to claim the dungeon entrance for themselves, and they would act much faster than the Houses in doing so. Fast enough to possibly stall or stop the Zetrian Empire.

I did not believe the Houses of the Forea Alliance would act fast enough to catch up with the Zetrian Empire’s preparations. But the Huntrice? Maybe they would push the nation to make a decision. To hasten the process.

"If your information is valuable enough, I may be inclined to pay you," the elf said, and that was all I had to know.

So, I told him. About the Zetrian Empire’s attack, their torture of the young dragon, how much the Eserian had changed, and about the dungeon entrance, of course. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

I knew the elf couldn’t find any falsehood in my voice, but that did not mean he believed me.

"I...I will have to send someone out to confirm."

"Do that. But they will find out that I’m telling the truth," I said evenly. "I know what I saw."

The elf didn’t say anything. However, the fear in his eyes said more than a thousand words ever could. He knew I was not lying. He didn’t want to believe it, but he had to. And I could only hope that he took my words seriously enough.

Just as seriously as I had to take the commotion from outside. I would have ignored it to get my money, but there was a sense of familiarity in the commotion. A single voice stood out to me, pained but also frustrated. And oh...so angry.

It was Jer, shouting at the top of his lungs, sounding more enraged than I ever heard him.

Who here is stupid enough to annoy him?!

That was all I needed to know to storm out of the butchery, ready to Shift and kill if necessary.