n

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n

"Foster? You coming?

" Octer asked, not noticing the same things that Lynol did from where he was standing, but Foster simply shook his head and slowly raised his hand, before speaking up.

n

"Why are you this confident? Do you really think that you can be picky, without anyone to work with you right now?

"

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"...I'm the best damn handler this town has ever seen, so you can be damn sure I'd be picky.

" She replied, and Foster slowly leaned forward, intertwining his fingers with each other,

"Really? Then how about before we show our worth, you show yours?

" He asked, and Rae did nothing but scoff in response.

n

"Fine, if you think that's necessary, go ahead.

"

n

"Right. Well, actually, you could say that your personal 'test' already started. Part of a handler's responsibility is to set up meetings with clients, and work as a proxy. You have to work with others. And from what you've shown so far? You're not a people-person, I can tell. You act professional, but if you're rude as ** beyond that, it doesn't matter at all. So, you failed the first part immediately.

" Foster said bluntly,

"But since you were recommended to us, you must be able to make up for that fact. Now, something else that a handler does is deal with selling and buying items and materials for the party, so that they can focus on doing what they do best, so you've gotta be good with numbers, right? Then how about you answer a few questions of mine?

" He asked next, and Rae shrugged in response, apparently ready to be asked whatever Foster wanted.

nWith a grin on his face, he finished doing some mental calculations himself with the knowledge that he picked up here and there when studying up on the monetary worth of different things here in this city,

"We take on a guild request to take out an average-sized horde of Aperids south of Arcadum. Let's say, because of different circumstances, we manage to harvest 120% of the regular expected amount of materials from them, but at 90% of the base quality. We come back to Arcadum, but because the base amount of Aperids close to Arcadum doubled a while ago due to unknown means, the market is flooded. For that, just go with the regular amounts and qualities to make it simple. Now answer me, with as much detail as possible, what would our profits for this trip be?

" Foster asked with a curious expression. The moment that he noticed that Rae's expression didn't wave for a second, he knew that he was on the right track here.

nShe let out a slight sigh, and leaned forward as well as she started to explain,

"First, they're not called a horde, but a troop of Aperids. There would be no reason for you to go south, since the closest area south where you might be able to find a few Aperids is close to another relatively large town for adventurers, so nobody would pay the extra price to have people from Arcadum come. Taking out a troop of Aperids of that size would be a Tier 3 mission, so you couldn't do it anyway, but let's say you can, and let's say by that point your party remains at the size it is now, with the same members you have now. I would make you take a mission to accompany a trader to a town near the mission, and make you gather a few materials you can only get in those areas on the way. Food and provisions will be cheaper in that small town as well, so you'd buy 'em there. There is a rare plant that Aperids feed on that goes for a lot, and because there's so many Aperids, they'd cost more to be procured, so that's going to take care of the fees for the porter and the trip back at the very least, since only then can you bring back all the materials so easily. The whole trip would take... in total maybe 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the situation on the road.

" Rae started, and then took another short break to think for another moment or so,

"With those amounts, that quality, and the market situation... together with the fees and prices for materials, items, and repairs... you would make a total profit of 25 thousand to 27 thousand Val, give or take, which is... alright for that amount of work, I guess. I can go into detail on the math, but those three probably won't be able to follow, and you already know I'm right, so let's just skip that boring **.

"

nFoster and Rae locked eyes, and both of them knew that she was right. Foster had studied up on a lot of things for a couple of days specifically to ask a question like this. He tuned it up a bit for Rachel here, considering how cocky she was being, and it seemed like that was the right choice. She was clearly capable enough.

nSlowly, Foster turned around toward Lynol, and the two looked at each other for a few moments, before the party leader gave up with a deep sigh.

n

"What other qualifications do you have? Special abilities, special connections, things like that?

" Lynol asked, and Rae shrugged,

"Everything I do is special, bud.

" She pointed out. Rolling his eyes, Lynol sat back down.

n

"Fine. Then explain to us what you want us to do.

" He said, and Kyla immediately stepped up beside him in protest,

"Wait, what? Seriously? We're letting her be just because she can do a little bit of math?

"

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"It's more than just math.

" Foster pointed out,

"Trust me. I have a good eye for people.

"

n

"Tsk... I don't know about that.

" Kyla clicked her tongue, crossing her arms as she slightly turned her head away. For now, it seemed like she just gave up. With a smile, Rae looked at the group.

n

"I was told a few things about you all. Well, those three at least. Sorry, didn't know you were gonna be here, and all.

" Rae said, slightly glancing at the Cleric who simply ignored her,

"One of you has a resistance to necromancy, right?

"

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"...That'd be me, yeah.

" Foster replied quickly, wondering where she was going with this. With a grin, she crossed her leg,

"Perfect. You know, there's this place around here. A dungeon, that's only been cleared in the past few days. The moment I heard about it, I thought that it would be a great test for you bunch.

" Rae explained, and everyone in the group focused their attention on the woman in front of them, already having a rough idea where this was going.

n

"Obviously, I'm not expecting you to clear it, I'm not insane. But what I want you guys to do is to reach the end of the first floor, and come back.

" She said bluntly,

"With someone that's resistant to necromancy, that'd be easier than usual, right? And you've even got a cleric. And since I'm nice, I'll even allow you to hire other people for your party for the time being to make things easier for you.

"

n

"...Hm, maybe she's not as good as I thought.

" Foster said with a wry smile, slowly standing up. The group got ready to leave, and Rae let out a deep sigh, as if she was disappointed,

"Heh, if you don't think you can get to the last floor of a simple beginner dungeon, then I guess it makes sense.

"

nThe group slowed down and turned back around, as Foster looked at her,

"We're not worried about that, it just seems like you didn't do as much research as we thought. That dungeon isn't a place that's as easy to get through as you seem to think.

"

nRae raised her brow surprised,

"Huh? What'd you mean?

"

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"It's a fail type... most people that go in there don't come out with all their limbs attached.

" Kyla said bluntly, although she quickly frowned when she stared at the woman sitting there,

"Hold on, you knew about that? Seriously? And you wanted to make us go anyway?

" She asked angrily, stomping up to Rae with a deep glare,

"What a foul woman you are! Actually, what's wrong with you?!

"

nRae looked up at Kyla surprised, nearly startled,

"I... I obviously wasn't going to actually have you go in there... I'd have stopped you before you go through the entrance. I need to see how people would react. At least you're thinking for yourselves, but you don't have any guts. You didn't even think about it!

" She said immediately, and Kyla rolled her eyes annoyedly, pulling a small coin out of her pocket. She showed the sigil to Rae, who quickly recognized it after having done research on the dungeon, and dropped it into her hand.

nOf course, the coin immediately fell through Rae's hand, and Kyla caught it again,

"Screw you!

" She said immediately, and turned around, stomping out of the door that Octer was holding open. With slight smiles, the rest of the party followed Kyla, after the first meeting with a potential handler broke down, while Rae sat there baffled beyond belief.

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