GILF Hunter

The monster market set up on one side of the city was packed with people, forming a sea of humanity.

’Only this much? Look at the number of people!’

’This is the end of today’s supply of claws!’

’No, we all know there’s stock, so why are you releasing so little?’

Because there were too many buyers, temporary auctions were being held here and there throughout the market.

Most of them were auctions held for Legion Worm materials.

Occasionally, materials from other monsters appeared, but the merchants who came here seemed completely uninterested in anything other than Legion Worm parts.

At that moment, a large commotion broke out on one side of the market. Merchants who had been bickering over materials all flocked toward that direction.

’They’re here!’

’Keep the line!’

’Anyone who doesn’t follow instructions will be kicked out!’

After pushing the crowd back, the items were brought into the area.

The identity of the items that made the merchants gather was the carcasses of the Legion Worms.

They weren’t processed into materials, but were intact specimens with their original shapes preserved.

’Whoa. They’re much bigger than the rumors.’

’To think such monsters existed...’

The merchants talked as they looked at the appearance of the Legion Worms. Even experienced merchants who specialized in monster materials were seeing this monster for the first time in their lives.

Legion Worm carcasses that maintained their form so perfectly were the most popular items.

As a monster appearing for the first time, the Legion Worm was valuable for its outward appearance alone.

’The condition is quite good. We won’t see another one like this.’

’Ugh, why are the monsters’ conditions all like this...?’

’Haven’t you heard about what happened! An A-rank mercenary coughed up blood while fighting just to barely stop them—do you think any ’intact’ monsters would be left?’

’I’m just saying...’

The eyes of the talking merchants began to sparkle more and more.

Considering the fierce combat situation during the invasion, it was very rare for such a pristine carcass to appear.

Perhaps they really wouldn’t see anything in better condition than this ever again.

Tension hung in the air among the merchants who realized this.

Ian and Rin walked through the market, avoiding the dense crowds.

Looking at the merchants causing a fuss ahead of the auction, Rin said to Ian.

’They said the market was ruined this year, but this is even more intense than last time...’

’These items are a limited edition, after all.’

Just as he said, the merchants were desperate to secure even one small piece of material.

Thanks to that, the regular monster materials released in the market were being completely ignored. Normally, they were at prices merchants would have scrambled to buy, but now no one even spared them a glance.

Regular materials could be obtained elsewhere or bought later, even if they were expensive.

However, Legion Worms were materials appearing for the first time in the market. Furthermore, they were items that no one could guarantee would be seen again.

No matter which region they were taken to, they were items that could be sold at a high price.

Gaining great fame for bringing rare items that no other merchants in that region could find was a bonus.

Ancient monsters!

Items of legend that no one had seen.

Plus, the virility-boosting effect.

The story that a legendary monster famous for its reproductive power was good for virility was persuasive enough for anyone to nod their head in agreement.

From the merchants’ perspective, it was an opportunity they absolutely couldn’t miss.

’Just a short while ago, they said it was useless and they’d just burn it...’

’Until then, no one knew the value of the Legion Worms.’

’Value...’

Clearly, until recently, people wouldn’t even look at them. Ever since the story about it being good for virility went around, it became like this.

Moreover, while the materials effective for virility were only a small part, strangely, the prices of all materials related to Legion Worms skyrocketed. In Rin’s eyes, it was almost like madness.

A slight question occurred to Rin, and she asked Ian in a low voice.

’Is virility enhancement really that effective?’

’The research report said the effect was weak... so it’s probably a psychological thing?’

No matter how much it was a matter of mood, sometimes there were things that couldn’t be helped.

Was it that important of an issue for men...?

Listening to Ian, a certain thought suddenly occurred to Rin.

’By any chance, do you not need it, Leader?’

’...Me?’

’Actually, I’m a bit curious how much of a difference it makes...’

’....’

Ian walked ahead without a word.

Rin followed behind him, secretly thinking that maybe Louise had some leftover potions.

’Over here.’

A short while later, Ian met with the people who were waiting for him at a shop near the market entrance.

They were people from various merchant guilds who had participated in the regular monster auctions together.

Everyone vied to reach out and greet Ian.

’Leader. You’ve arrived.’

’Haha. Thanks to you, we’ve secured the entire amount we need for this year.’

Worrying about the rising monster material prices was the same for all merchant guilds. Thanks to solving that problem, everyone’s expressions were bright.

Ian had participated in the auction with people from several merchant guilds who had planned this together and bid on all the regular monster materials.

The merchants who would have originally been competitors were all flocked to the Legion Worm auction, leaving the regular monster auction hall completely empty.

The participants only exchanged a few formal bids with each other and bought all the items at nearly the starting price. Thanks to the lack of competitors, they were able to buy them even cheaper than in average years.

Considering that the overall price of monster materials was rising due to a shortage of supply, it was a much larger profit.

Of course, some merchants who succeeded in securing large quantities of Legion Worm materials would see a bigger profit than this, but that side was not as easy as it sounded because the price had become so high due to competition.

The merchants who failed would realize too late that they should have participated in the regular auction.

The guild staff member in charge of the auction also approached Ian with a smile.

Thanks to this, the guild sold off the useless Legion Worm materials at a high price and was able to reduce the regular monster materials they originally intended to release in bulk by half.

Although they released the items at nearly the lowest price, as a result, it was much more profitable from the guild’s perspective as well.

’By the way, what brings you to contact us like this?’

’It’s a bit conspicuous to gather openly like this...’

’Ah, it’s nothing else but...’

When the merchants asked, the guild staff member who had briefly gathered the participants of the auction lifted a bag.

The guild staff member in charge of the auction took out several well-packaged potion bottles from the bag.

’Now, everyone, please take one.’

’What is this?’

’We set aside our share in advance. We took them out separately with the Vice-Guild Leader’s permission.’

While everyone was taking the potions with puzzled faces, only Ian could recognize what it was.

It was a potion made from Legion Worm materials.

The merchants soon realized what it was and quickly tucked it away.

’I see. This is that...’

’The color alone is extraordinary!’

Actually, most of these items were either fakes that only looked plausible or had negligible effects, but...

Wasn’t this an item guaranteed by Louise, the most famous alchemist in Labyrinth?

At least compared to the unidentified items sold in the market, the effect was certain to be real.

Ian, staring blankly at the bottle, shook his head and refused.

’...I am fine.’

’Haha. Everyone thinks so when they’re young, but it’s better to take care of it in advance while you’re healthy. Here, Leader, you take two bottles.’

’....’

Rin, instead of Ian, took the bottles with a smirking grin.

＊　＊　＊

Ian and Rin, who had gone out together, finished their business and walked toward the base.

On the way back to the base, passing through a park in the middle, Rin looked down at the scenery of the streets below the hill.

It’s already festival season...

On the streets of Labyrinth, countless people were still moving busily.

In the past, she didn’t understand why the people of the city said the invasion was only truly over when the festival ended.

After spending quite some time here, Rin now felt like she could vaguely understand those words.

Because they made it through this year safely, they could hold a festival like this.

’Um, Leader. Shall we rest here for a bit?’

’Huh? Sure. If you want to rest, shall we stay for a while?’

Rin, who was walking behind Ian, suddenly made the suggestion. Ian and Rin sat side by side on a bench set up on one side of the park.

It was a hill overlooking Labyrinth.

...Come to think of it, did we talk here in the past?

Rin recalled the conversation they had about the Labyrinth shortly after she met Ian.

It was probably around the same time as now. Right after the monster invasion ended.

Since then, Rin had changed quite a lot, but the view of Labyrinth looking down from here remained the same.

Mercenaries and soldiers moving busily.

Residents naturally going about their daily lives within that.

And the Labyrinth still situated beyond that.

In the past, she felt like this daily life and peace would continue forever.

But now Rin could clearly feel it. That the great crisis Ian spoke of was continuously approaching without waiting for time.

’Um... Leader. I have something to say.’

Rin, who had been contemplating for a long while while looking at Labyrinth, spoke up.