1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 40: A Strange Letter

In the crossroads of the mine where the tunnels converged, he sat with the elf, having to comfort her after the terrifying sight. It wasn’t long after that two pairs of footsteps echoed through the quiet, abandoned caves.

The sight of the archer emerging from a shadow-ridden tunnel, with the orc following behind, brought Astrid out of her stunned shell.

"Otto!" She shot up, running over.

There wasn’t much of a chance for the archer to say anything before his sister practically leapt into a hug with him, "--Ah."

"Oh, you’re hurt–" Astrid said, looking her twin up and down with concern.

Otto laughed though winced, grabbing his ribs, "Just...some bruising is all. Looks like you both made it out unscathed, though."

Joining up with them, Noah exhaled with fresh memories of the earlier encounter, "Physically, at least. That guy...he definitely set us up with more than he made it sound."

"Right? Golem-rank, my ass!" Otto huffed, waving his hand in frustration. "Seriously though, this big guy—he sure can take a hit."

While Redrum stood tall and quiet, the bashfulness of the orc wasn’t quite hidden from view.

"I’m surprised though, I thought that bounty hunter guy would’ve been back here first," Noah remarked.

"Especially after all that big talk, huh?" Otto agreed.

As if talk of him was enough to summon his presence, the jingle of spurs echoed the arrival of the faux cowboy. He walked up without a word, fixing his hat then adjusting the collar of his coat with a quiet smile.

To Noah, something felt "off", though he couldn’t place it until the bounty hunter stepped right in front of the group. It was his eyes; they were now a dark shade, devoid of any emotion and noticeably dilated.

"Are you feeling alright?" Noah asked.

A slight pause came, then Billy adjusted himself, broadening his smile, "Perfect as the morning sun."

"Well, glad somebody had an easy time," Otto shrugged.

"Guess you all had some trouble, I take it?" Billy said with a short laugh, walking past them. "If any of you would’ve kicked it, I would’ve avenged you, no problem."

While they followed right behind the eccentric bounty hunter, Noah kept his eyes fixated on him. It was a feeling he couldn’t shake, as though Billy was withholding what happened during his encounter.

He didn’t let it linger on his mind, considering the mission was an offering from the bounty hunter. After all, it wasn’t like he was friends with the eccentric man.

"Ah, fresh air!" Billy announced, lifting his head and inhaling dramatically when stepping out.

Redrum mimicked the cowboy’s exaggerated inhale, "It was stuffy in there, I’ll admit!"

"Aren’t orcs used to living in caves?" Astrid asked, brushing gravel off her white boot.

"You’re thinking of goblins, sis..." Otto nudged.

"Am I? Wait–ah, I’m sorry!"

Redrum laughed it off, "It’s okay. Don’t worry about it."

While the others chatted, Noah kept his eyes on the bounty hunter, who was performing stretches as if completely loving life. For somebody that had just gone through a life-and-death fight, it seemed a bit odd.

"Alright, your payment...right, your payment," Billy nodded as if reminding himself. "The Tiras Guild will pay up when you get back."

"Really? Just like that?" Noah asked. "Don’t we need proof we did the job?"

"They’ll verify it their own way. If they find out someone lied, they send bounty hunters to break their legs and snatch their insignia," Billy explained with a smirk.

"That’s...a bit brutal," Noah said.

Under the night sky, the group was ready to make their way back to Tiras, while Billy had his sights set on the World Guild. Opposite paths led to their departure being right there, overlooked by the bones of long dead monsters.

"Safe travels," Astrid said with a smile to the bounty hunter.

"Good luck out there! Put in a good word for me!" Otto waved.

While the others said their goodbyes to the flashy adventurer, Noah looked on, unable to shake the odd feeling he had inside. Through the passage between mountains, the sight of the bounty hunter grew distant until–he was gone.

"Alright, I’m going for a hot meal once we’re back in Tiras. Who’s in?" Otto said, starting the walk back with a tired exhale.

Redrum didn’t waste a moment to answer that invitation, "A meal?! I would very much like that!"

"Well, I sorta assumed you would," Otto mumbled.

The way back into the city was quiet and uneventful, though that was much appreciated after the chaotic night they had. Even under the night sky, Tiras had hardly settled down, though those on the streets were mostly adventurers and travelers, a high percentage of which were already drunk and stumbling out of taverns.

"Let’s get our payment then get a bite," Noah said, leading the way, looking back, knowing full well some stomachs were growling.

The Guild was open, fortunately, and still as lively as ever when making their way in. He approached the receptionist desk, finding it was the same worker–the man with slicked-back, dark hair and a sharp gaze behind his glasses.

"Welcome back, adventurers," the Receptionist greeted. "I take it your mission was a success?"

"Yeah, we handled it," Noah confirmed.

"No survivors?" The Receptionist inquired, writing it down with a quill.

Noah only shook his head, finding the outcome leaving a sour taste in his mouth, though a reassuring tap on the arm from Astrid assured him.

"For assisting Billy in the bounty of the exiled adventurers, each of you will receive fifty gold," the Receptionist said, reaching under the desk, seeming to unlock a mechanism with quite a few safeties.

"Fifty?!" Otto and Astrid said in unison with a glitter of greed in their eyes.

As promised, four pouches stuffed to the brim with precious coins were handed to each of the participants in the dangerous bounty. While figuring out exactly how much a single gold coin amounted to in the currency he was used to, it seemed to be a substantial amount, seeing as how excited the twins were.

While they were already heading towards the door to celebrate, Noah’s attention turned back to the desk.

"A letter arrived for you, Mr. Noah," the Receptionist added, placing down a uniquely light-blue envelope.

"A letter? For me?" Noah questioned.

Picking up the envelope, he investigated the exterior, finding it stamped like a cloud symbol, though it didn’t give him any additional context. It was baffling, seeing as he spent his time in the new world alone up until recently–there was nobody he could imagine would find it necessary to reach out.

"It came from the World Guild," the Guild worker with slicked-back hair said, raising his hand to his chin in thought. "Though it is a bit odd, seeing as you only became a registered adventurer very recently. The letter would’ve been sent out before that."

’And to the Tiras Guild...Weird,’ Noah thought.

Briefly, he glanced back, seeing the others waiting near the front down and waving him down. He waved back to assure he’d be there briefly, though unable to satiate his curiosity until prying the mysterious letter open:

["To Noah Soul, in hopes of this reaching you in a timely and convenient manner,

I am sure you’re perplexed by the existence of my writing to you, but I assure you, I am a friend and benefactor. The reason for my letter is simple–

I understand you’re from a different world, brought here from afar with gifts given by higher powers. You’re not alone in this experience, I assure you. You’re not the first to arrive in Gaios in this fashion. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Undoubtedly, you have many questions. If you wish to have them answered, then journey to the World Guild and come see me.

–To safety in your travels,

The Record Keeper."]