My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 9)

The whole team surrounded the three while those in the surroundings chose to disperse. Anyone could recognize Zura as the unruly son of the trader. His men seemed to be efficient in such kind of robbery and threatening. Qiao twitched his brows, this was going to be more troublesome in the Middletown. 

The man who moved to attack on the Qiao was strong and at the peak of level three or perhaps even level four, clearly aware of his opponent's strength. Qiao was also not ignorant as today he was fortunate to hunt singlehandedly and his level boasted straight to the level three peak. 

So, there was no difficulty to face this man but it would not continue to be if this dragged on. They were equal to each other but after exchanging some blows Zura gestured his men to attack on the two others. Linwin and Quipu though they would never choose to back down but they were not match for their opponents. Within few moments their necks were under the tip of their swords. 

"Stop now or do you want my men to really harm your team?" Zura shouted at Qiao who was still fighting. 

Qiao turned and shook his head, he can't lose both of them. His weapon fell to the floor and the man kicked him to bring him on his knees. 

"Now look at yourself, feeling humiliated yet?" Zura laughed. No one gave any response to it. The way Zura acted, it was clear who was being shameless. They were the one looking shameless for those who were witnessing from afar. 

"I pity if you could understand what is actual shame." Qiao snickered. 

"Shut up, search his clothes." He ordered one of his men angrily. 

At that moment, a man came forward but in a quick motion Qiao kicked him back. Then he threw the pearl he kept towards Zura and immediately turned to leave. Since he had decided that he would settle all his grudges sometimes later, then he should have to wait for the time to come. All those who had bothered him and bullied should wait for the time being. 

At this moment, he would rather just act rational. Zura caught the pearl and examined it immediately without paying attention to the guy leaving. His main task was to retrieve this and he didn't care for anything else. He could be sure this was the same pearl which was crowned on the head of the dragon. He nodded and waved his hand as they returned back and handed the pearl to the master.

Apparently, he thought their problem was solved with this. But they were unaware that they had made a bigger problem for themselves in the future. And the name of the actual problem was Qiao. Qiao would come one day and destroy the name of this trader's family completely. 

...

Linwin and Quipu had got some bruises in the fight, but nothing too fatal or severe. 

"So, are we going to go back to the Guild or continue to look for the booklet?" Quipu placed his palm on his right cheek and spoke. He knew if Qiao chose to end this battle that meant he has some plan in his mind. 

"Since we are here for booklet, we'll buy it. At least our trip to Middletown should not go to waste." Qiao shrugged his shoulders and gestured at him to know whether he was alright. 

They then entered the old store situated at the end of market area. The book store was small but neatly organized and two men were standing to guard it's entrance. They were not really welcoming as either of them had the same face expressions.

"Wait here, you cannot enter in the bookstore, no one is allowed to make ruckus inside." One of them stopped the trio. 

"Senior, we are only here to take a look at the available books and we don't intend to make ruckus." Qiao cleared his throat and explained. 

"You don't look prosperous and just got robbed off in front of us, we are not supposed to let you walk in." He refused to make a way for them.

"Senior, we only want to ask few questions and if the price is high we will come back with the spoils in future." Linwin almost pleaded.

To make another visit and bump in to the enemies perhaps can be taken as treat but to intentionally get bruised was definitely not their choice. "Alright go inside." He saw the innocent pleading face and let them enter the bookstore. 

The shelves inside were filled with ancient handwritten scripts and an old man was going through one of them sitting on the chair and sipping tea. Qiao and others bowed and greeted him, 

"Senior, we are looking for a specific booklet which contains all the information about the treasure of all grades. Can you help us?" Quipu spoke with all the respect and manners. 

"Oh, young man I like your manners so sit here while I will check if I have one." he gladly answered. 

All those who were allowed to enter the bookstore should show the same manners else they would be thrown out with a single kick of the old man. He was a strong hunter and liked to collect all types of information in one place after getting retired from hunting. 

A little later, he came back with a booklet and spoke, 

"This one is the most authentic and little pricy book. If you are here only to take a look then you can pay a second grade spoil for one hour reading and if you wanted to buy then it might take fifteen spoils of first grade or seven spoils of second grade." 

Quipu looked at Qiao and he spilled out his pocket, Linwin also followed and Quipu did the same. They gathered all the spoils on the table of the bookstore and counted. There were nine grade one spoils and three grade two. Fortunately, they had just enough to meet the buying range. They looked toward the old man and he smiled. He only liked the way they spilled out their pockets. It was rare, as these days chasers don't trust each other and they have no reason too. They are less likely to trust anyone. 

"Sigh, I wish you come again." he sat on the chair. Linwin misunderstood his words and hurriedly spoke. "Senior, we did not hide a single spoil and this is all we can pay." He pleaded just like before. 

"Young man take the booklet and come again if you need another type of information or script." the old man sipped on the tea and smiled. 

"Senior, thank you for your generosity." Qiao bowed and then came out of the bookstore. Now Quipu could read it and tell them about all those graded pearls. 

Qiao has also gotten some idea about his increasing strength after fighting with the peak level three chaser.