I handed the thug 10 gold coins, after failing an attempt at haggling for 8. Which to be honest, was technically a fair exchange, but whatever.

  And thus began his explanation of things I could post, how the rewards were usually structured and so on.

  I could set anything as a reward. Not only copper, silver or gold coins… but objects.

  Telling me stories of accepting quests offering as little as a bag of flour.

  Considering the rage over my granola.

  I snorted at the thought, while cobweb-thug was continuing on.

  “The dungeon is quite massive, ranging to 100 floors and supplying towns with steady income and valuable items.”

  “But problems are not contained to the dungeon itself, since monsters tend to spill out.”

  I was taking in the information and simultaneously adding to my Information Broker section.

  An area steadily increasing, even though it was passively doing so—and without much doing from my end.

  “Since you made me pay for that information, we’re technically square now.” It being begrudgingly though.

  “True, you and I are now done. But that doesn’t mean it has to end here. I’m also technically available for a new quest now, and also in need of some income.” The man added, still playing with the 5 gold coins I had to fork over.

  Meaning the wood-guy was now… kind of working for free.

  I’ll just pay him for the floor, if he asks.

  “I technically sent Lomber on a contract to find the ‘dragon-girl’ you guys sold.”

  The man went sort of shy, scratching the dry and flakey skin on the back of his neck.

  “Yeah, sorry about that. No hard feelings yeh?”

  I nodded, sitting myself down in the office and going through my bags of money.

  “Anna, could you bring these to my room and secure them?” Looking at the female silhouette standing idle near the sink, and picking her nails.

  “Can do… after my break.” She added, continuing her nail examination.

  Too good of a boss. That’ll be my undoing in the end.

  “Whenever you can is fine.” Returning my attention to the cobweb guy just beyond my counter. Eagerly waiting for a job of sorts.

  “You said that you do jobs. What is the highest floor you’ve gone down to?” I asked.

  “While my rank is quite low, I’m actually a mid-tier adventurer. So I’ve seen the better part of up to floor 30, but beyond that…” he paused.

  “You kind of get slaughtered, if you’re not in a party of at least 4. Especially with a healer.”

  “What would you say is the most used item when fighting inside this dungeon?” I queried, already loading the job I had in mind.

  While the man was mentally cataloguing the items in question, I brought up the Storefront. Scrolling and swiping until I found the Quest Board.

  $100 gold… wow, and for such a small item.

  I continued my purchase and placed it on the opposite side of my counter.

  Since it came with a wooden stand, I simply plopped it down.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  Now functioning as a decider wall, as well as the new job board.

  Wait, so what’s the difference between a Contract and a Quest?

  Focusing my question on the system this time.

  [In simple terms. Contracts are for Headhunters, while Quests are for Adventurers]

  I sort of figured, but what’s the difference between the two?

  [Headhunters level through bounties and fighting]

  [Adventurers level through Quests, Fighting and general progression through Dungeons]

  Hmm.

  I walked around my counter and into the dining room, where the Quest Boars was essentially now sitting.

  How do I post a Quest? Do I just write some stuff down on paper and pin it?

  [You have a section in your menu, similar to your employment contracts]

  [Simply provide the details in that Quest section and it will appear on the board]

  Seems simple enough.

  Cobweb-thug finished processing my question and eagerly stepped beside me, like a dog noticing a piece of meat in my hand.

  “And?” I responded dryly, focusing my attention on the quest menu option of the Storefront.

  “Above all else—potions.” He proudly announced.

  “Potions.” I answered in monotone copycat-mode.

  He nodded.

  “You wanna elaborate or?”

  His hand lifted up, like trying to beckon a cat with the motion of 2 fingers rubbing against each other.

  Dirty fucking fingers might I add.

  “How much for ‘this’ information now?”

  Noticing a pattern of monetary extortion for basic knowledge, which was most likely shared in a pub—for free.

  The man smacked his lips, eyes rolling upward, acting like he was doing some internal calculation.

  “How about we say 5 gold again.”

  Ok, system… a little help here.

  I know gold is important, but… copper and silver just… left the chat or something?!

  [Unable to assist]

  Awesome

  “Fine, 5 gold then.” I answered with the dry enthusiasm of someone just wanting this conversation to an end already.

  I withdrew some coins from my pocket, noticing my trusted employee Peek, returning to his base in the kitchen.

  Gotta remember to empty that cash-pit again.

  Also have to figure out his leg wish…

  The coins were abruptly smacked into his dirty palm and I was rewarded with a yellow-stained smile.

  “Pleasure. It’s mostly health and stamina potions, with the occasional tonics for poisons etc.”

  “Stamina, like running out of energy while fighting?” I queried.

  “Yes, but also magic users.”

  “Think of it as this: A mage uses a fire-spell; they do that too many times, and they will lose consciousness.”

  Interesting

  “Everyone has a certain level of regeneration in regard to stamina, but mages tend to run through theirs faster. Since they not only cast, but also add physical exertion to their dwindling reserves.” The man added, shoving the coins into his pouch with a satisfying clink.

  “And that’s 5 gold worth of information right there.”

  Bullshit it is, but whatever!

  “So what Quest would you like to offer me?” His arm now leaning on the empty board.

  “How about, you gather me all the basic ingredients to make said potions?”

  Swiping through my menu and setting up the reward.

  The cobweb-guy made an upward whistle.

  “That’s going to be pricey.” But I interrupted him toward the end.

  “You will do this at no higher cost than 2 gold, plus a pick from one of my items in my FoodLocker.” My hand pointing toward the white pantry-door.

  “And if you don’t accept now, I’d like you to remember… I have all the merchants of Dirkhim arrive in a couple of days.” Giving him a sinister smile of my own.

  “Then the cost will go into the copper and silver range—I assure you.”

  He sort of slipped off my Quest board, nearly braining himself on the corner of the pristine wood, before blowing out a few raspberries.

  “Fine, but you better not go back on your deal. Quest-givers are ranked similarly to adventurers and headhunters.”

  I looked around, even pulling my collar down a little bit.

  “I don’t have a metal dog-tag like yourself, so how am I being ranked here?”

  “First of all, what’s a dog-tag? Second of all, why do you think the merchants are coming here?” He snickered.

  Oh… Regulators.