My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 7)

As Zura and his team got ready to finish off the dragon, they could not find the dragon at first. But sometime later, the body came above the water surface, floating lightly. There was no more pearl on the head which meant either the pearl fell into the depths or the beggars took it. Since he was sure which was it, he regretted to let the other team take the hunt. It was a treasure which his father had asked to get at any cost but he failed. 

He brought back his team to tell his father. Inside one of the biggest shops, an old man was sitting with a stern expression painted on his face. Zura was standing in front of him. The air was grim and the attendants of the shop were standing away in a corner. The master was angry and they didn't want to offend him for any reason. 

"You did not put all your effort in this hunt, so don't come back with these excuses. Are you a child that needs me to remind you how our business work?" his angry voice resounded as if the sky was about to fell on all those who heard. 

Zura stepped back in scare, as he did not know that his father has already made plans for this treasure. He knew that his father had connections with the level eight hunter of High Town and also has understanding why they were considered powerful, strong and prosperous. The level eight hunter always gave them huge amount of benefits in return of treasures and also the other traders had some notion of their acquaintance with powerful hunter. 

"Father, forgive me for this once." Zura fell on his knees. 

His father turned his head away and spoke, "There is no choice, you have to find out the pearl or the hunter will come tomorrow and destroy all our business as well as us." The workers of the shop heard this and their legs started trembling with the fear. 

"If I had not made a deal with him then it would be fine, but I informed him as soon as the guild found out about the rare monster and I specifically sent your team to avoid any trouble of trading with other teams." The old man waved his hand, he knew consequences if he tried to excuse with the hunter. 

Zura stood up after his father gestured him to leave. He has to make another trip and search in the lake. He gathered his team members and walked out of the Middletown. Someone stopped him when he was about to enter in the forest. The man was the same team member who joined Qiao's team today morning.

"Wait Zura." he voiced from afar. After sending off others in his team with an excuse he returned to meet this rich hunter. He was experienced and knew how those traders work and since Zura has background of traders, he must be worried at this time. 

Zura stopped and tried to remember who this man was. "You were in that beggar team, why are you here?" he plainly asked. 

"Indeed, and I know that you are going to search for the treasure but you won't find it in the lake." he confidently spoke. Zura scrutinized him from head to toe and asked, "How are you this sure? Did your team get it? If yes then why you are here to tell us?" He asked several questions because he has no time to waste for query session. 

"Our team leader is too mischievous and sharp, he perhaps got the treasure and to avoid our share in it, he pretended that he did not get any. I am sure you can get it from him." the man spoke not forgetting to remind his share. 

"How can you be so sure?" Zura cannot believe someone who was disloyal with his own team. He was distrustful of him as well. 

…

In the Guild:

Qiao woke up after some time, his number of attacks at the monster in desperation allowed him to live again or else he would have been dead by now. Linwin and Quipu were sitting at both sides with worried faces.

"Brother Qiao," Linwin jumped with excitement when he saw that Qiao finally woke up. 

"I am better and alive because of you." Qiao patted his shoulders. 

"Brother there is something which was troubling me, I strongly feel that the new team member tempered the vine intentionally and I wanted to teach him lesson." he spoke with anger when he remembered the sneaky actions of him. 

"Sure we will look into it but for now we have to discuss what is more important." Qiao spoke in low voice though they were in the lodge but still it was worrisome even if the walls heard. 

"What is it brother?" Quipu asked. When they're leaving he clearly felt the presence of other team but they did not bother them at that time. 

"There are three pearls instead one so I am thinking to divide among ourself rather than letting the new member know about it because he does not seem to have good intentions. What is your opinion?" Qiao asked. They had earned each other's trust after facing a lot of problems valiantly and none of them backed down when they were surrounded by enemies. 

"I was thinking the same, and I am highly suspicious about his intentions of joining the team." Quipu shared his concern. 

"Then it is decided." Qiao brought out three pearls from his inner sleeve and divided one for each. 

"Remember, we cannot let anyone know about it until we are able to know how precious these pearls are, or how they can be useful for us." He advised. There were lesser information about normal treasures and about rare one there was naught information especially for those in low level Guilds as they have nothing to share for this level of confidential piece of information. 

"Sure brother, we will keep in mind but keeping along all time is impossible. It would be better if we try to buy that expensive booklet which contains all kind of information of treasures." Quipu suggested and both nodded. The new team member was handed the responsibility to bring Qiao out of the Guild so he walked back to do his task.