After he left, I contemplated in thought about my options. Ideally, I wish to run away while no one is paying attention, but unfortunately that is not an option. Guild contracts are pretty strictly enforced from what I heard, and if I intentionally break it, I risk becoming a crime slave. And as far as I know, other than this country, the neighboring countries all have slavery... well except for Teris. But from what I heard that place is pretty hard to settle into for non-elves. And even if I do go there, there is no guarantee the guild's influence does not reach there.

I should probably first look at the pros and cons of all this.

The first pro is obviously getting a salary and a portion of the commission from requests. The con is THAT!

The second pro is that I can also sell my stuff in affiliated guilds during our travels, specifically ones that have fewer dwarfs. The con though is THAT!

I will also get a lot of experience from making and maintaining gear of a high level party. But the con is THAT!

There is also all the high level skills I can get from both the party and the monsters they face. And as expected the con is THAT!

I can also maybe get access to production skills that are not in this town, such as maybe Leatherworking. But unfortunately there is THAT!

I'll also probably get access to better food and if this room is any indicator, a fluffy bed. On the downside there is THAT!

I will also get to go on an adventure, a bit earlier than I originally planned but with a protection of a high level party it should be no problem. If... not for THAT!

I can also make my name well-known and get lots of people to buy my stuff. Not only will that improve my business, if my stuff become famous enough, my equipment can go beyond [Named] to [Famous], or maybe even to [Legendary]! Wouldn't that be awesome?!?! Except, there is THAT!

No matter how I look at it, it is pretty clear the cons have an upper hand... guh! In normal circumstances this would be an opportunity of a lifetime by all means... if that THING was not in this party! Leave it to a hero to ruin everything!... I wonder if as a benefit they will grant me one simple small wish...

You know... the heroes head on a platter! Nyahahahaha!

"Ouch! Ouch!" I screamed from the remaining pain in my body.

I should probably heal myself...

"... [Light Magic: Holy Light]!"

After casting the spell a few times, I felt quite better, well physically at least...

* sigh * They'll never grant that now will they... which leaves me no choice but to think of enough benefits to at least remotely make this worth it...

Now that I think about it... there are some positives ... don't heroes have all the luck in the world? You know, how they get all the epic and impossible to get items? That means I can get all the benefits and once I am strong enough... * evil grin *

With my resolve somewhat made up, I thought throughout the night about the benefits I would ask for and eventually fell asleep.

...

And finally the next day, the moment of reckoning has come.

I was brought by the traitor to the upper level of the Inn into what seems to be an executive suite taking up the entire floor. I entered into the room and sat down where there was empty space.

Facing me was the traitor, the monster, a dogkin a dwarf and a human... ha? [Wizard]? ... does that mean I can finally steal some offensive magic?!?! No, no, focus!

"So have you made up your mind?" asked the traitor.

"I have... to an extent... but first let me clarify some questions. Normally as part of the contract, you would pay a salary and materials right? But that assumes I were an Advanced Disciple. But considering I am not, how would the whole salary and material distribution thing work?" I questioned.

"Let's see, how about this. We will pay you half of an Advanced Disciple benefits as part of your normal wage. But if you can meet our quantity requirements while maintaining quality, we don't mind matching even an Advanced Disciple's benefits fully" He replied.

That doesn't sound too bad... if I remember correctly when I looked it up in the past, an Advanced Disciple gets 10 [Iron Ores] and 5 [Coal Ores] with options for claiming higher quality ores as well, and the salary is 2 gold coins per week! Considering my income prior was about 12 silver coins per day when I hunted, minus of course the time I took down the goblins. That would be like getting over 16 days of hunting while only doing smithing! But that is not the best part...

"A-And about t-the commission?" I nervously asked prepared for some kind of catch while at same time remaining hopeful.

"Same as normal, 15% of all those who wish to utilize your services" he confirmed.

"Which is how many?" I inquired.

"Well there is Ariel for sure, and I guess you can count me in for maintenance. As for the rest, that would be up to them..." he responded as he took a look around at his party members.

Due to that action, I inadvertently took a look at that wretched hero. Who for some reason seems to be far more quiet than I had expected... though she does seem to be trembling for some reason... paying her no mind, I took a look at the others.

"Well I don't really have metal gear to maintain..." replied the [Wizard].

"Considering I take most of the brunt, I'll take you up on your offer missy" replied the Dwarf.

"Hmph! I don't know if I could trust that ret-pipsquick with my equipment" replied the hateful dogkin.

I make sure to give him a short glare before I ponder things over... so that would be about 9% assuming I don't participate in combat... I've seen a Rank A quest in the Adventurers Guild, and it was as high as 50 platinum coins! If they end up taking such a lucrative quest... I'd earn 450 gold coins! There is so much I could do...

* Thud * * Thud * * Thud *

I was woken up out of my stupor by multiple thuds from behind, looking back I noticed my tail in full swing... realizing my folly, I tried to calm down and bring out a poker face. If they realize I am being tempted, that means my negotiations for extra benefits will fall through!

I clear my throat and activate [Voice Manipulation] to sound as authoritative as possible.

"That seems... barely passable in my opinion... but I am going to require a bit more than that. At first, I want a show of sincerity... something like you know, a sign-on bonus." I requested.

"Alright... what kind of sign on bonus are you looking for? A down payment or something?" the middle-aged man inquired.

"Nothing too extravagant, I just want high quality clothes. I only have one set of leather ones which aren't the most comfortable when its hot, so I want a set of clothing made of cloth, by set I mean shirt, pants, socks and hat! Oh and I also want a sewing and knitting kit along with 20 yarns split equally between tier 1 and 2" I demanded.

"That shouldn't be too difficult..." he assented.

Maybe he was expecting a more grand request? It's not like I am done asking for things yet, but want to start with the simplest things first.

"But! These clothes have to be made right in front of me! I won't trust any piece of clothing that I don't see made!" I added.

While new clothes are definitely nice, I also want more skill levels!

"Uhm... okay?" he replied somewhat perplexed.

"So is that a yes?" I confirmed wanting to be sure.

My request is not without basis. From what I have noticed looking out the window of my room, this Inn is most definitely the best Inn in town. And as expected, it is one that does not allow beastkin. I don't know if it's due to the whole hero thing or just being Rank A in strength, but by me and that dogkin being here makes it pretty clear that such rules don't apply to them. So if they can get around these rules, it goes without saying I'm going to take full advantage of them.

"I don't think that will be a problem, is there anything else?" he queried.

Now this one might be a tad difficult...

"I also want a small sculpture..." I asked with slight hesitation.

"Uhm... might I ask why?" he probed.

I kind of saw that one coming... asking for a sculpture sounds a bit odd doesn't it? But I came up with an idea to rectify this... probably...

"As I said, the sign on bonus is to test your sincerity!" I explained, trying to justify my strange request.

"Do you also want to see it produced?" inquired the middle-aged man in tired voice as though he gave up.

"Yup!" I verified.

"Boss, she is clearly messing with us!" interjected the dogkin.

"Brian, we agreed that all negotiation will be left to me didn't we?" replied the middle-aged man.

"Ghh... fine boss, but don't blame me when you end up looking like a fool" grumbled the dogkin Brian.

"Is there anything else you request for your 'sign on' bonus?" the middle-aged man continued.

Is there anything else? It's kind of hard to think of what you need when you don't even know what exactly you need... as far as my immediate needs, that is all I can think of. There is [Alchemy], but looking at that [Wizard], her non-combat class is [Alchemist]. So there is no reason for me to waste my favors when I can just innocently tag along and ask questions here and there... So for the time being that should meet my initial requirements...

Personally, I never expected him to even take me seriously when I asked for that sculpture thing. Of course, just because I haven't thought of things I need at the moment doesn't mean I haven't planned for ahead.

"That should be fine for the sign on bonus, but I have other benefits I'd like..." I requested.

"Such as?" inquired the middle-aged man.

"Well... I'd like to have one request granted to me every week..." I proposed.

That's right... if I don't know what I need now, then I just need to ask when I know of it!

"Boss!" Brian cried out.

"Hush, what kind of requests are we talking about here?" asked the middle-aged man after stopping Brian with his hand.

"Nothing big... similar in nature to the two requests for the sign on bonus maybe?" I appealed.

"I see... if that is the case, that should be doable but only once a month, and it can't get in the way of the party" the middle-aged man countered.

"Twice?" I pleaded.

"I am sorry, but even if we wanted to honor that, I don't think we could... once is the limit" rejected the middle-aged man in a stern voice.

"I see..." I reluctantly accepted.

Well technically speaking, there should be many things I could get myself even without using up the request, as long as I have the money that is. And even then, I may be able to get some favors in without actually using up an actual request. So it isn't a total loss if I can make use of it from time to time when I truly need it...

"Is there anything else?" pressed the middle-aged man.

"That should be all... I think... but I do have some conditions..." I replied.

"Conditions? I am not sure if you know, but conditions are not part of a contract. Simply because one party can make use of unfair conditions to find loopholes and take advantage of it. This is why conditions tend to be standardized with the exceptions of special requests through the guild. That said, if it is reasonable, we can hear it out" explained the middle-aged man.

"My condition is pretty simple... keep that THING at least 50 meters away from me at ALL times!" I announce while pointing at the elf who is staring at me in cluelessness.

"Uhm... aren't you being a bit... too unreasonable with that distance?" appealed the middle-aged man.

He has a point... that distance is fairly unreasonable...

"I understand..." I relented after hearing his advice.

"Alright, good th-"

"Keep that THING 1 km away from me!" I announced.

I mean thinking about it, being 50 meters away from someone of A rank should be no different from being right next to them... 1 km is probably the bare minimum I could feel safe and even then I am a bit worried... I'd ask for more but...

"Oy! Oy! Didn't that number go up instead of down?" he retorted.

Hmm? Isn't that a given?

"Look, the best I can offer is the best efforts to keep her under control. But unfortunately, she is not something we can handle... Is there any more conditions?" he asked.

*sigh*

I droop down my ears and shoulders in disappointment after being reminded of the futility.

"I guess not..." I hesitantly respond under the pressure.

I mean if the most simple condition was not accepted, how are they going to accept my other reasonable requests of keeping the hero tied up with mithril chains at all times. Then if possible, put in an air tight container and lowered to the bottom of the ocean... I mean I don't think I'm asking for too much am I?... * sigh *

"Well then, I guess now you are officially part of the party. Again, I am Harold, this dwarf here is Saron, the dogkin over there is Brian and the one with the pointy hat is Tina. And as you know that over there is Ariel" Harold introduced.

Suddenly I felt like a volcano just exploded!

"Mayo~!"

While I was caught by surprise due to the sudden outburst, this time around I was prepared! Not only did I think about things like benefits and the like, I also thought of possible ways to deal with this menace right here!

"KYAAAA!!!!!!!" I yelled!

But that was no ordinary yell, as the windows and vases started shattering! That's right, I used [Screech] with combination of [Voice Manipulation] and [Howling Call] to create an ear deafening noise, which should be pretty effective against elves who also have better hearing than normal humans. Of course, I wasn't naive enough to believe something of this level would be good enough to stop a Rank A adventurer. But it was good enough to have her stall just enough time for me to [Charge] and duck behind Harold's back who seems to have at least some restraint on that monster!

"kh- t-- m---" I tried to pronounce only to notice my throat in pain and my voice totally gone...

Did I maybe over do it? I wanted to cast a [Holy Light] spell, but I couldn't afford to take my eyes off that monster. Not to mention, casting spells takes concentration. So instead I took a [Lesser Healing Potion] out of my [Item Box] and drank it.

Everyone looked a bit dumbfounded at the scene, but soon after got back their bearings.

"What the hell was that?!?!" complained the dogkin while covering his ears, seemingly taking the most damage out of the group.

"Okay...." said Harold, "I guess that's another expense we'll have to consider * sigh *" he then added.

Hey, it ain't my fault! Maybe now you'll take my conditions more seriously! That said, it's quite surprising that the party was pretty much unfazed... does that mean I'll have to come with some sort of alternative? Maybe some kind of equipment that electrocutes her if she tries to hug me or something? * evil grin *

"That was [Item Box] wasn't it?" asked Tina.

I hesitated on how to respond, but suddenly another loud noise filled the room.

* growl *

Looking down, the source was embarrassingly enough my stomach... Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten since quite a while... I was so occupied with coming up with benefits and counter measures it totally slipped my mind until I eventually fell asleep...

"I know! How about we go to Zaveriya to celebrate?" proposed the monster.

Hmm? My ears perked up with interest. Zaveriya from what I heard is the best and most expensive restaurant in the entire city! And it goes without saying it is one of those places that doesn't serve beastkin. While the proposal was fairly tempting, especially if I am not paying, I wasn't foolish enough to let down my guard either....

"Look here Ariel, we are quite short on time and more importantly short on money. While the last few days have been good, with the new added expenses things might turn difficult..." Harold interjected.

"Hmm? Who said you were coming?" Tina interrupted.

"What is that suppose to mean?" asked Harold.

"You said it yourself, we need to save money, so this will be a 'girls only' celebration. Either way, you are busy and need to prepare right?" Tina provoked.

"* sigh*, do whatever you want. Just make sure to keep spending on the low side. And after you are done, stop by the places to get her requests out of the way" Harold relented.

"Ha?! What about me?!" bellowed the outraged dogkin.

"Isn't that obvious? Unless you became a girl since last I checked you aren't invited!" Tina declared.

"Grrr" Brian grouched while glaring at me.

Why are you glaring at me? It's not like I'm the one who made this decision... I am being forced against my will here! * drool * ... Against my will I say!

And like that, us three went out of the inn, but not before one last particular exchange by the door.

"Tina, as the only adult in this party, I trust you to keep the two out of trouble okay?" Harold pleaded.

"Mmmm... so now you see me as an adult?" asked with a bemused smile.

"... relatively... yes" Herold responded with hesitation.

How come I have a really bad feeling about this...