Chapter 171: The Contract

Chapter 171 The Contract

You said the beast was injured before it came on shore? The inspector surveyed the sea serpents battered carcass in her dull uniform, her nose wrinkled at the pungent stench of rotten fish that choked the air.

Kai couldnt blame her. He had run out of curses for his improved Perception hours ago. While a day wasnt enough for the flesh of a yellow beast to decay, it let the internal liquids seep out, forming dark and foul puddles on the sand.

The majestic creature had been stripped bare of every shred of its dignity. A thin trickle of greenish ichor leaked from the dark flesh where the blue scales had been ripped freesurely the job of some savage predator.

Despite the distaste at having to surrender part of his spoils, Kai had limited their harvest to that single section. It allowed them to conceal the straight cuts that had wounded the serpent and preserve the hide. No one would suspect spatial magic had anything to do with the jagged mess.

The ruinous injury was almost negligible before the work of sea birds. Flocks of ravenous feathered friends pecked without mercy every ounce of flesh not protected by the metallic scales. Even the crown fins circling the draconic beast had been reduced to a series of stark bony spines.

Yes, maam. Kai dutifully bobbed his head. We were very lucky the beast was weakened, or we would have stood no chance to put it down. He had offered to do the talking to arouse less suspicion. Who would suspect such a naive and honest little kid?

We tried to shoo away the birds, but they kept coming back. He hung his head in shame.

The inspector watched him closely but failed to find any fault in his act. With a curt nod, she continued her examination towards the jaws, evading the pools of foul liquids around the sea serpent.

As she was about to crouch before the head, she jolted back with a frightened shriek. She somehow managed to keep her balance, but couldnt avoid walking into a pool and splattering her clothes.

An osprey covered in ichor stumbled out the jaws, a strip of dark flesh firmly in its curved beak. With a proud screech, the bird of prey flapped its wings and flew away to secure its price.

Theyve been getting bolder since there is no more food on the outside. Kai nodded emphatically from a respectful distance. Mana Sense had warned him of the intrepid bird, but it would have been rude to butt in the work of a professional.

The inspector looked at her soiled clothes with a grimace of disgust, her fingers flexed on empty air with unexpressed frustration. Kai didnt doubt shed wring the bird's neck if it were within reach. If they asked him, the dark spots were an improvement over her dull uniform, though she didnt seem to share his fashion sense.

With a harrumphed breath, the woman schooled her posture. She advanced towards the beast, checking there were no more surprises. A flick of her wrist and two men of her crew approached and lifted the mighty jaws.

Looks like it skimped on the dental insurance.

Kai had to bite his cheek to not laugh at their befuddled expressions. A total of thirteen lonely spikes remained in the mouth. Half of them were chipped, the others shorter than a dagger, minuscule compared to the ones that had been packed away.

It had been hard work to relieve the serpent of its fangs. The glass-like teeth were sharper than his knives, and tougher too. He had to spend long hours finely manipulating water into the thin seams of the jaws to extract them.

You must have been lucky indeed to run into a toothless sea serpent, she commented. Ive never seen anything like it, the fangs look almost surgically removed.

Kai drew a circle on his heart, bowing reverently to the sky. Bless the Seven Moons. The priest always says the gods work in mysterious ways.

Bless be their light. The two workers chanted by instinct, staring dumbly at the serpent. The inspector echoed the invocation but her narrowed eyes stayed on him, lips pressed in a thin line.

What are you looking at? Im the picture of innocence.

Kai played naive and unaware of her mood, enjoying her frustration. The contract had been signed in double copy and safely stored. With no evidence, there was nothing she could do, and she knew it.

Okay, this might have been a better idea than I gave it credit for.

Everything alright, maam? Lou took this time to step forward with a pacifying expression. His squared shoulders and stature made him look years older than his age. The kids are tired and scared after this experience. Id like to bring them back to Higharbor as soon as possible, Im sure you understand.

The woman broke into an understanding smile that didnt touch her eyes. There are a few simple matters to finalize, and well take care of this.

Of course, we need to evaluate what can be harvested. The teen gave him a pointed look. Kai, why dont you go prepare with the others?"

Youre no fun.

Kai left Cadet Lou Denule to deal with it. They just needed the inspector to sign on the specifics of the beast to ensure they didnt get cheated. There was little to argue with measuring tape and numbers.

He hadnt had time to go through all the clauses of the contract, but Lou had already proved himself a skilled negotiator. Their final earnings were closer to two-thirds of the serpent rather than half as he had promised. A cheap price to not come close to the putrid carcass again.

Guess he was being modest

He waited to reach the inner circle of the ruins before whistling a happy tune. The healing potions had done their job, his right shoulder and leg were still tender, but he had no issue climbing the ivory tower to their camp.

The twins lay snoring in a corner, looking oddly innocent in their sleep. They had worked through the whole night to secure their unofficial stash, and then spent the morning masking their work to make the tears look believable.

Lou was indeed recognized as the sole owner of the beast's parts. It wasnt weird since he was the only one with a hunting license. No, Kai didnt worry. The teenager was hesitant to accept a potion from him, there was no way he would steal materials worth close to a gold mesar

No, he wouldnt

Kai put away the contract to go look for Lou, just to check on how he was doing, maybe he needed help. No other reason. On the beach, there was no trace of the inspector, though the crew she brought was already at work.

In no more than a couple hours, they had managed to saw the scales on the underbelly of the serpent, and they would soon begin to skin it. He couldnt help but stare as they sliced open the impenetrable hide, their hands and tools glowing with mana.

How does that work

His eyes intently observed them as he attempted to make an echo of their skills.

Kai.

The voice interrupted his skill. Kai turned to see the hulking teenager marching towards him. Lou, I was just looking for you. He smiled brightly.

The teen stopped within arms length, throwing a glance at the workers behind. The sea serpent is yellow grade.

Oh, that guess the inspector knew her job after all.

Really? Thats great news, it must be worth more than I thought.

Damn, stupid mouth, dont give him strange ideas.

You didnt know? Lou suspiciously narrowed his eyes.

The snake refused to tell me when I tried to pet him. Then I was focused on not getting eaten.

Thats not a no.

Damn, he caught on fast. Its not really a secret

Its grievous injuries must have weakened it a lot before it got here, Kai waved at the workers, getting an awkward nod in return. Thankfully you were here to save the day, right? Have you thought about how much you want to keep and sell?

Lou resisted only a moment before he let himself be led through the towers for some privacy. We dont need to discuss about shares.

Kai struggled to keep his grin. We dont?

No, its your kill, you can have it all.

Oh I didnt doubt you for a second.

No, you were right. It would have been a mess if I tried to deal with it on my own. The twins already have their stash, you should get at leasta third?

Dont joke like that, Lou darkened. Have you any idea how much thats worth?

Probably better than you.

You said its mine, so I can give it to whoever I want.

Okay, you can give me five percent for the help, Lou said like the words caused him physical pain.

No way, do you want people to think Im a miser? You get twenty.

Ten.

Fifteen, last offer. Kai raised a hand to stop his objections, Its decided.

Im not sure thats how it works.

Well, thats how it should work. As they say, my money my rules. Kai ignored his protests. Cmon, Ana wants to leave tomorrow at dawn, we need to pack.

It had been an eventful journey, but he was glad to go back to civilization.