"Hissss~!"
That eerie sound came again, and all eyes turned toward its source. A snake-type soul beast covered in moss-like green scales slithered into view.
"That's a Green-Scaled Viper!"
Someone in the crowd shouted out the name of the soul beast.
The serpent raised its head, coiling along the branch of a massive tree. Its tongue was flat and forked, flicking constantly as it studied them.
"Judging by its size, it must be at least over three thousand years old."
"Yeah, but it's fine. We've got plenty of people with us. A little viper like this isn't much of a threat."
Seeing that it was just a snake, most of the group relaxed their guard.
There were definitely advantages to moving in large numbers. It wasn't that the beast was weak—but with twenty-three soul masters here, even a strong soul beast wouldn't have an easy time.
The viper, however, seemed to sense danger. It remained coiled on the branch, unmoving, its dark green eyes fixed intently on the group.
"Forget it, let's just go around it," the steward said after a moment's thought.
The others nodded in agreement. It was clear the viper wasn't their intended target. As long as it didn't attack first, they were more than happy to bypass it.
After all, once a soul master expended their soul power, it took time to recover. No one could predict what soul beasts lay ahead, so conserving strength was also a form of self-preservation.
"No need to avoid it."
At that moment, a soul master stepped forward. He was the one ranked 46th in soul power—second only to Aether.
He clasped his hands respectfully toward the steward, then turned to the group with a mocking smile.
"Everyone, since our employer paid us so handsomely, shouldn't we put on a little show of strength?"
"…"
Most people looked at him like he'd lost his mind. But a few others—clearly his companions—nodded and chimed in support.
"Yeah, I think it's necessary to show some strength. Otherwise, the client might feel their money wasn't well spent."
"Exactly. No point in detouring endlessly. Let's just take down that soul beast up ahead."
"I'm in favor…"
The steward was just about to step in and deescalate things when that soul master called out again.
"How about this—let's make the Green-Scaled Viper our trial. Everyone goes up and takes a turn fighting it. Whoever lasts the longest gets a bigger cut of the reward after the job's done. What do you all think?"
He looked meaningfully at the weaker soul masters in the group, his mocking intent obvious.
His goal was simple: force out the lower-level soul masters. The bounty was generous, but too many people meant the payout got sliced thin. Rather than split the money evenly, he'd rather eliminate the competition early.
"I object! You're acting on your own!"
A soul master with a rank of 32 stepped forward angrily.
"Oh? And what do you suggest?" the higher-ranked soul master asked coldly, staring him down.
"We all came together—we should split the reward evenly!"
The lower-ranked man clearly lost his nerve under that cold gaze but forced himself to speak.
"Heh… What does everyone else think?" the instigator raised his voice, eyes turning toward the higher-ranked soul masters.
"I think you're absolutely right. The stronger should naturally contribute more, so they deserve more."
"I agree."
"Seems fair to me."
All the soul masters above rank 40 voiced their support. Aether said nothing, merely watching the performance with Paimon in his arms, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
"You all…"
"Employer! He's going off-script! I don't agree!" some of the rank-32 and 33 soul masters spoke up angrily, having realized this was a deliberate attempt to edge them out.
If this went through, they'd have come for nothing!
"What do you think, Steward?" the instigator asked, turning toward the steward and the noblewoman.
"Ugh…"
The steward's face twitched. This idiot. Stirring up drama so close to their destination?
"If you're not willing to split things differently, then count me out," the soul master suddenly declared with a sneer.
"Yeah, we'll leave too."
"Let's go, this is a waste of time~"
"…"
The steward's expression turned cold. He was, in truth, a Soul King at rank 56, though he'd used special means to conceal his strength.
If it weren't for the importance of this mission, he'd have slaughtered these fools on the spot.
"How about this…"
The woman beside him, silent until now, stepped forward and spoke.
"We're all here to help me obtain a soul ring. There's no need to waste energy on internal disputes. When we return, I'll personally pay an extra 100 gold soul coins to each soul master above rank 40. Is that acceptable?"
"Miss, you are magnanimous! We will do our utmost to keep you safe!"
Several soul masters lit up at the offer and pledged themselves at once, quickly abandoning the idea of leaving.
"And you, sir?" she asked, looking to the instigator.
"…Fine. But I have one more request."
Though he'd just been slapped in the face, the man wasn't angry. No mercenary would turn down extra pay.
However, his gaze darkened as it fell upon Xu Lai.
"And that is?" the woman asked.
"Everyone here is at least rank 30. What's that kid with 29 gonna do? Why should he get a share?"
"…"
The group followed his gaze toward Xu Lai.
People were selfish—especially bounty hunters. They had objected earlier because there were many low-level soul masters. But now that the complaint was about just one person, no one spoke up.
On the contrary, many began calculating: one less person meant a slightly bigger share for them.
"What's your problem?" Xu Lai narrowed his eyes at the soul master who had clearly singled him out without cause.
"Nothing much. I just think you need to prove you're worth a cut," the man said with a smirk, noting no one had come to Xu Lai's defense.
"…"
Xu Lai gritted his teeth.
He hadn't come here for the bounty—but he couldn't just admit that.
"How do you want me to prove it?" he asked after a moment of thought.
For now, all he could do was play along and see how things unfolded.
"See that?" The soul master jerked his chin toward the still-watchful Green-Scaled Viper.
"You…"
Xu Lai clenched his fists. That thing was a 3,000-year-old soul beast! This wasn't a test—it was a death sentence.
Cough, cough~
Just then, someone coughed lightly. A confused voice followed.
"Looks like that soul beast ran off. Guess there's no need to prove anything anymore?"
Everyone turned to the speaker—Aether, who pointed innocently at the tree branch.
The Green-Scaled Viper was gone.
It was as if it had never been there.
_
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