Chapter 233: Glasses Boy Demands Money

“Is this okay?”

No objections were raised at Geodine’s final confirmation.

Alright, it’s settled smoothly this time too.

With this, the plan is set.

…On the third day after the assignment announcement, our monster hunting team was having a strategy meeting for the zombie legion subjugation.

Once the assignment is given, there’s no more classroom study until the success or failure is questioned.

If you want to resume classroom study quickly, finish the assignment quickly.

We gathered in the classroom after several days and Geodine explained the rough plan we had come up with over the past three days, with me. Geodine, our leader. A dependable leader, so I didn’t have a role to play.

Normally, we would all refine the strategy together from here on–but after refining it, there wasn’t much to discuss this time either.

There are questions about refining details and roles individuals will take, but the overall strategy hardly ever changes.

……..

Well, maybe it’s because of the group dynamic.

Or maybe more than half of us are just not good at thinking, or prefer to stay completely out of using our heads.

There are probably a lot of smart candidates in the assassination team, but here, I feel like there are fewer types who want to use their heads.

Chace and Florentine have had a “leave it to you guys” attitude since their days in the assassin village.

Harriatan, too, though he has the intention to do something, doesn’t really offer many opinions.

And Trawllul always looks either bored or sleepy during strategy meetings, or is messing around with or being messed with by Florentine.

Recently, I’ve come to know that Belge seems interested only in cooking and ingredients. He should be smart, but I think our fundamental stances are just too different.

Hmm.

Yeah, it seems like only Lisse, Geodine, and I are enthusiastic about strategy meetings after all.

…Oh well.

Without thinking too much about unnecessary things, let’s focus on subduing the zombie legion now.

Now then.

With the strategy decided, next comes the customary topic of discussion: the issue.

“…Alright, I’ll collect the money.”

Immediately cutting through Geodine’s announcement of the issue, those who had been indifferent during the strategy meeting responded promptly.

“Put it on my tab.”

“Put it on my tab, yeah.”

“Nyahahaha, put it on the tab~”

“On the tab.”

……..

Yeah, it’s definitely about the issue.

Collecting money refers to gathering funds for tools and consumables necessary for the assignment and operation. We gather money and replenish supplies at Krozheit.

Although we try to collect it right after each assignment ends…

Chace, Florentine, Trauwllul, and Harriatan are really bad at paying up.

Sometimes, just hand it over smoothly, you troublemakers.

It’s not like the collectors have time or are in a good mood for this.

Moreover, when it comes to shopping, they say things like “leave it to the leader who knows the strategy well” and don’t even cooperate.

Honestly, if someone said I could just punch them instead of paying, I might choose that option. Even though punching wouldn’t get me anything, it might feel satisfying for a moment… Well, maybe it’s fine to feel that little bit of satisfaction.

“Can’t you guys be more serious?”

Lisse, the earnest one, reprimands them, but the troublemakers brush it off as if used to being scolded, which annoys me.

“We ain’t got no money to spare. The only valuable things we got are cute dolls… Can’t we just make do with this?”

“Don’t even think about selling that. Put it away. Quickly. Don’t flash it around. It’s sticking out a bit, so hurry up and put it away properly… That’s why it’s peeking out!”

I tried not to think too much about it, but it seems Florentine is steadily making a new creation… I wish I didn’t know that.

“Fine. I’ll cover Florentine’s share.”

If that’s the case, I’ll pitch in too, but before that…

“…How about you guys go hunting? All four of you.”

During the strategy meeting, I, the deputy leader who usually leaves everything to Geodine, found myself in a situation where I had to speak up.

“You can hunt and sell at Krozheit. If you hunt a couple of monsters, you should be able to earn enough for this funding. Fortunately, Lisse is recognized at Krozheit, so you can sell through her. It should be a smooth transaction and a quick way to make money.”

Lisse has been working as a hunter to fund the making of that infamous knife, the Obsidian Wolf Knife. And yes, the knife is already finished.

Chace and Harriatan also won prizes at the hunting festival, so they should have no problem hunting those monsters in that area.

“By the way, it seems they’ve already spent all their prize money. Don’t spend it all so easily.”

“Hunting, huh.”

Harriatan crossed his arms.

“…I know it’s a bit late to ask now, but why did you guys withdraw from the hunting festival with zero points?”

Huh? Now? You’re asking about that now? At this moment?

“Let’s talk about the money instead.”

“No, why did–“

“Shut up and pay up.”

“…………”

“…………”

“………… Are you perhaps angry?”

Yeah, I am.

Maybe it doesn’t show on the surface, but I’m pretty annoyed.

I didn’t intend to get involved, but here I am, getting involved. It’s troublesome. Very troublesome.

“You guys too. Pay up.”

“W-Wait a minute… If you just take my words, it sounds like straight-up extortion…”

“Nya…”

“Y-Yeah…”

“…Why are you still here? Shouldn’t you hurry up and go hunting? Is there something else?”

With an attitude that clearly said, “I’m not joking or anything, so hurry up”, after a brief silence, the troublemakers left the classroom.

Such a hassle… Wait, why is Lisse still here?

“Shouldn’t you hurry up and go?”

“What?! I have nothing to do with this, right?! I’ll pay up! Why are you mad at me too!?”

“Shut up and go already.”

“I’m not going! I have no reason to go! …Oh, wait. …Actually, I do. Fine, I’ll go.”

Yeah.

Just leaving it to those troublemakers alone would be worrying.

And we need someone with a recognized face to handle the sale of the prey. We’d get ripped off at Krozheit otherwise.

…

But honestly, there was no reason to be mad at Lisse. I just got carried away. I feel bad for her.

“Wow, Eil gets scary when he’s mad.”

That’s not true.

They moved voluntarily because they had something on their conscience.

“More importantly, what about food supplies for the journey?”

Belge is unwavering.

“…Eil.”

Ah, Lisse is back.

“Shouldn’t the vice-leader accompany us? I think you should go with me rather than staying behind.”

…

She came back angry.

Looks like she realized she was about to be unfairly forced into something.

Can’t be helped.

I’ll join in too and help look for monsters.

“…I’ll catch up later for shopping.”

Making a promise to meet up later with Geodine and the others, Lisse and I were roped into helping the troublemakers.