He Who Fights with Monsters, #1
He Who Fights with Monsters
by Shirtaloon
Contents
70. Rewards
Overview
Jason and Clive complete the mangrove snatcher contract using Clive’s rune traps, split the rewards, and return to Greenstone. At a concert, Jason learns of a daring thief and an iron-rank open contract. In Old City, Lamprey and Ventress scheme to control the fallout, aiming to use the thief’s capture for political leverage.
Summary
A mangrove snatcher bursts from the water toward Jason Asano and Clive. Clive plants a glowing rune that he detonates as the monster passes, splattering remains that Jason promptly loots. Jason questions why Clive, despite such power, avoids monster hunting; Clive insists he is primarily a scholar.
They finish clearing the remaining villages by using Clive’s fading rune traps, with Jason acting as bait. After the quest completes, Jason offers the 100-coin reward to Clive, and they agree to split the money, also dividing monster loot. They notify the villages, return to Greenstone by airboat, and plan to meet for dumpling soup.
Back in the city, Jason attends a string recital, where Cassandra Mercer invites him to the Mercer box. They exchange witty banter and note discreet adventurers stationed around the patron lounge. Cassandra explains an open iron-rank contract: a bold, single-essence woman in black has robbed elites at performances, including a relative of the Duke, prompting political friction with the Adventure Society’s director’s constraints.
Elsewhere, Magic Society Director Lucian Lamprey confronts Clarissa Ventress over the escalating spectacle. Ventress argues the thief must be publicly identified to justify later interference and promises Lamprey political reward. After he leaves, Ventress orders her leonid bodyguard Darnell to discreetly locate Belinda and Sophie, asserting that, with Lamprey’s support, exposure of her involvement will be contained.
Who Appears
- Jason AsanoActs as bait for mangrove snatchers, coordinates with Clive, splits rewards, attends concert, learns of the thief and open contract.
- CliveDeploys explosive rune traps to kill monsters, uses magic vision to avoid hazards, pilots the airboat, agrees to split quest and loot proceeds.
- Cassandra MercerInvites Jason to the Mercer box, fends off social intrusions, explains the bold thefts and iron-rank open contract.
- Lucian LampreyMagic Society director; pressures Ventress about the staged thefts and seeks political advantage from the thief’s exposure.
- Clarissa VentressOld City power broker; orchestrates events around the thief, reassures Lamprey, orders discreet searches for Belinda and Sophie.
- DarnellVentress’s leonid bodyguard; tasked with discreetly locating Belinda and Sophie.