After so much travel and a thorough survey of the city, we finally arrived at our room. It was modest in size, but we accepted it gratefully, understanding that for now, we couldn't afford the luxury of an inn or renting a house. The guards had offered us this place out of empathy, and it was better to accept what we had than to be without shelter. However, we knew we had to look forward and decide our next steps.
Sitting down together in the small room, I asked Eric, "What do you think we should do now? Sooner or later, we'll have to leave this barracks. It's best if we seek work in this city first."
With Eric's agreement, we began to plan our next steps. Tomorrow would be a new day, and we needed to make the most of it. We divided the tasks among ourselves, each taking on responsibilities that played to our strengths and skills.
Eric would take on the responsibility of scouting for job opportunities in the city. With his knack for communication and resourcefulness, he was well-suited for the task. Meanwhile, Joshua and I would focus on gathering information about the city's layout, potential areas of interest, and any rumors or news circulating among the locals.
As we finalized our plans for the next day, there was a sense of determination in the air. Despite the challenges we faced, we were resolved to make the best of our situation and carve out a new life for ourselves in this unfamiliar city.
Just as we planned, Eric went to the vendors to seek a job, while Joshua and I headed to the local market. Remembering the flowers we encountered on our journey, I suggested to Joshua that we find the guild first. After wandering through the market and asking small merchants, we finally arrived at the guild. Inside, the counters were divided into six portions. A girl at one of the counters noticed us and asked what we were seeking. I showed her some of the flowers and inquired about them. Upon seeing the flowers, she grew concerned and asked where I had obtained them. After explaining, she seemed even more worried. She immediately informed one of her colleagues to urgently notify the adventure guild, as it appeared that a hydra was near the city. I asked her what was wrong and what a hydra was. She explained that a hydra is a ferocious monster, a snake-like creature the size of a human, with breath so potent it could melt people nearby. She explained that the only way to subdue it is by attacking it from afar, and its blood is lethal to humans upon contact. However, when it drops on the surface, it grows into Mogra flowers, known for their healing properties. It seemed the hydra was already wounded.
Upon hearing the young woman's explanation, a sense of relief washed over me. If the hydra was already injured, it would certainly make it easier for adventurers to subdue it. Feeling reassured, I inquired about where we could sell the Mogra flowers. The girl informed me that the merchant guild handled such transactions, ensuring fair compensation equal to the market value of the product. When she asked how many flowers I possessed, I chose to withhold some, stating that I had 17 of these unique blooms. Her reaction was swift; she immediately summoned the guild master for an appraisal. As he arrived, he scolded the girl for causing unnecessary commotion, then turned his attention to the matter at hand. After examining each flower carefully, he confirmed their authenticity and praised me for bringing them to the guild. Valuing each Mogra at 10 gold coins, he offered us a total of 170 gold coins for our bounty. With a gesture, he handed me a pouch containing our earnings, instructing me to count it. Eager to share the news, I hurried back to our lodgings, urging Joshua to fetch Eric. It was clear that this unexpected windfall held significant implications for our immediate future, and I was eager to share the news with my companions.