Beast Slayer Online: Initialization
Copyright© 2026 by CaffeinatedTales
Chapter 31: The Beast In Human Skin
The professional soldier’s bandaging was rough, but practical.
The cuts left by the Drowner’s claws were finally bound while Bernie muffled one groan after another through clenched teeth. For the pain, he ordered himself a cup of rye vodka as well.
“Cheer up, Bernie. At least a Drowner’s claws are only filthy, not venomous. If they were, you’d be lucky to be alive.”
Seeing Bernie finally treated, Lannor wiped beer foam from his mouth and offered what comfort he could.
Phillip had bought him the drink.
Then the young witcher turned and raised his cup toward the sergeant.
“Thank you for the hospitality, Sergeant. But I imagine you’d rather discuss the matter at hand sooner rather than later.”
Phillip Strenger had both elbows planted on the table and was still pouring liquor down his throat.
“Gulp. You already heard most of it just now. I’ve little to add. I very much want you to help us catch the whoreson who did it. His lordship handed the matter to me, and if I fail, I’ll have no easy explanation to give.”
“What say you, witcher?”
“Me?” Lannor frowned slightly and half-sat against the edge of the table. “Naturally, I’m pleased to have work. But I’ve only recently accepted a long-term contract...”
In truth, Lannor had little confidence in his current level of Trace Detection.
But he certainly could not say that aloud. Let weakness show in his professional skills, and how was he supposed to earn his bread in Velen afterward?
“Forget those rotten village contracts, witcher. You ought to remember, you were brought here as a suspect. Even if I detained you for a month or two, it would be lawful and proper here in Velen.”
Phillip slammed his cup onto the tabletop with a heavy crack.
Even his companions flinched, but Lannor did not shift the half of his backside resting on the table. He only pressed one hand downward in the air.
“Easy there, friend.”
Lannor turned his head and glanced at Bernie, only to find hope on the hunter’s face too.
Expanding the fishing grounds could wait. But desecration of a place of prayer was urgent in the hearts of everyone living nearby.
So Lannor had no real excuse left to refuse.
If skill level was not enough, he would make up the difference with supernatural senses.
The young man’s eyes shifted back.
“Sergeant, threats alone don’t make a man work well.”
Phillip muttered something impatient under his breath, then looked at him.
“I can apply to his lordship for a reward of two hundred Orens. Out of my own stores, I can also give you a spare suit of armor, at least better than that cloth you’re wearing.”
“I hate haggling, so that’s the final price. Acceptable?”
An unexpected windfall.
Lannor had thought fifty or sixty Orens would already be generous, since this was only assisting an investigation, not buying a life outright like the bounty of more than three hundred Orens on Bordon.
Who would have thought the lord’s side could offer two hundred Orens as a bounty?
Here in Velen, whether an entire village could earn two hundred Orens in a year was doubtful.
But that also showed how grave the desecration at Dunham truly was.
“I don’t need the armor. Make it thirty Orens instead.”
Phillip nodded impatiently. A spare suit of armor belonging to an officer like him would certainly not be worse than standard issue. Thirty Orens would not easily buy such a thing.
Lannor was satisfied as well. By his estimate, the money would be enough to resize and repair the superior Bear School armor Bordon had left behind.
As for Bordon’s hidden savings, those could go into his own little treasury.
It was true he did not spend much now, but that was only because his cooperation with Auridon had removed most of his logistical pressure.
Sooner or later, he would have to practice Alchemy and stockpile elixirs and bombs.
In this world, without money, even one’s fighting strength could not properly improve.
“Deal. We meet here tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?” Phillip’s cheeks were red, and liquor fumes rolled from his mouth. “Why here?”
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