Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 117: Adrian Lysander Percival

"As compensation for this blunder," the Guildmaster began, "we're willing to entirely dismiss the loan and pay reparations."

"Reparations?"

"The guild will pay seventy percent of the difference you were short-changed. This seventy percent, of course, will be based on the market price for Hidden Dungeon mana crystals."

"No, that's okay," Daisuke said, raising his hands dismissively. "If you're willing to drop the loan payment, then let's just call the whole thing water under the bridge. There's really no need to pay me back."

The Guildmaster smiled fondly, then she opened a single eye to peek at the canine who was surprisingly still within the boy's company.

Young people these days were very impressionable, often quick to adopt the negative beliefs of their friends and family. It was very refreshing to see a youngster getting along with a domesticated monster or demihuman.

Zephyr lay sprawled atop his throne, returning the sneering looks of the onlookers with a defiant glare of his own. Daisuke noticed the Guildmaster's gaze lingering on them but felt no reason to be alarmed.

Now that he was officially a Player, people would likely assume Zephyr was a Companion, not some untamed beast ready to cause havoc. He no longer saw the need to keep concealing him—at least, not here.

"H-Haxks," Jean muttered sheepishly, nervously fidgeting with her fingers, her entire behavior today very uncharacteristic. "Thank you for being okay," she added in a small, hesitant voice. "I know things were tough for you before you joined the guild... and the thought of never having the chance to apologize to you was really weighing on me."

Daisuke returned a cool smile. "Don't feel bad," he reassured. "Even if you had paid me the right amount, it would've all gone to the thugs anyway; they took everything but the shirt on my back."

"That's terrible!" Jean exclaimed, evidently devastated.

The Guildmaster shook her head in pity.

"Are you sure there's nothing we can do as compensation for this whole mess?" Jean asked again, almost pleadingly.

Daisuke's eyebrows descended like dark clouds eclipsing the sun. "...Information," he said in a hushed tone, illustrating the importance and confidentiality of the following words. "I was recently made aware that several children from my hometown were carried off by slave traders. Is there anything you can tell me so that I might possibly find a lead? Anything at all?"

The Guildmaster and Jean exchanged curious glances, but before either one of them could speak, they felt a force that almost rivaled a slap in the face. Jean was mostly oblivious, but Daisuke, Zephyr, and the Guildmaster's head snapped around suddenly, their eyes narrowed cautiously.

The unpleasant energy was emanating from a single individual outside the guild. By the way he was exerting his spiritual pressure, it was obvious he was basically asking for, or demanding an audience.

"Something tells me he'll provide far more reliable information than we possibly could," muttered the Guildmaster, a single eye open.

Daisuke turned on his heels, the gesture an abrupt farewell. "You took the words right out of my mouth."

"I appreciate you taking care of those thugs," the Guildmaster began, evidently well in the loop about what happened to Casimir and his cronies. "It really helped out a lot with business. But be careful... some of these delinquents are connected with very powerful and dangerous people."

Daisuke cast both women an appreciative sidelong glance before making his way to the door. Feigning ignorance, he stepped outside, kept his head straight, and began making his way north.