My Last Hunt

Treasures and Snatchers: Level Three (part 12)

They soon reached the Middletown and as it was still early morning, the market was not fully opened yet. This meant they could easily find their target as he would not yet have had the chance to sell off the treasure. They spread and searched in a wide manner. They had to search all places as even the shops which were not silent auctions could not be excluded.

The famous traders ran a shady auction too after all business comes first and the reputation later. 

The team leader who had snatched the pearl was standing in front of the auction now. The manager of the auction saw someone standing there and immediately came outside to inquire. "Sir, how can I help you?" he bowed and asked. 

"I wanted to stand for auction for a treasure of mine," the snatcher spoke as if he had earned this treasure himself. The manager got happy to hear this and replied, "Sure, you can enter in the auction with your treasure." He welcomed him gladly. 

"Stop right there." Qiao voiced from behind. The snatcher heard his voice and got baffled. The whole team immediately leapt toward him and stopped him from entering in the auction. 

"Hand it over or else don't mind me breaking your legs." the team leader who was attacked by this snatcher shouted angrily. 

The snatcher wanted to run but someone blocked with his sword in his way, 

"There is no other way for you."

One of the man gritted his teeth. The manager was looking at them and it was clear that soon they will be fighting for this treasure. 

For a very successful auction the manager knew he would be given his share so he thought to bring the master here so that they could get treasure at any cost. This way he might be able to get a good share from it.

Zura was also here in the auction at that moment and he was the son of the owner of the auction house. The manager related what was going outside to him and the people sitting in the auction house were also curious. Zura came out when he heard about it being a treasure. 

The snatcher was facing the team leader and his men. Qiao was standing there but not entering into a fight. He wanted the opponent to surrender without making too much of a fuss now. As he was surrounded, he should understand that.

Zura saw this fight and came wielding his sword so that he could instil some fear in those chasers who looked too pathetic. He was all too used to act unbridled that he did not take note of who all were present.

He was strong and impressive from his appearance and watching him appear the team leader got worried. Such kind of people who had guts to run illegal business often side with the snatcher. 

"Do you wanted to get the treasure? Then come and defeat me?" he warned the team leader and he could only lowered his head. Qiao saw Zura and came to interrupt. "It seemed you are eager to get defeated everyday." His voice carried a certain threat which everyone hard. 

Zura saw this beggar again and only now noticed he was also present here. He could not help but feel as to why he was facing this beggar again and again. Since Qiao stood beside the team he could tell whom he was siding with so Zura immediately understood the situation. They already had a deep grudge and Zura was alone today, while this beggar was probably with his big team. He was in a disadvantage.

"I don't want to interfere in this private matter of these two teams." He waved his hand and went back. The manager saw this turning point and hurriedly follow after him. If the young master was not ready to interfere then who was he to interrupt between them. 

The snatcher could clearly see what had happened after Qiao faced the reputed Master Zura. He was stunned and knew that he was now cornered. Soon he was pinned down and thoroughly searched up, then the team leader got the treasure and let the snatcher run away. The matter was solved easily.

"Brother Qiao, I will send you your share." 

He gladly thanked him. 

"No need, I am going for hunt now already and brothers don't need to return back the favour this way." He laughed and went back to the forest. This morning warm up incident expended up to three hours so now they needed to hurry for the hunt. 

Linwin and Quipu shrugged. They would expect the same behaviour from Qiao even after many years and they were sure now. The snatcher who was humiliated in front of the whole market left the Middletown to think a way how he should revenge for this humiliation. 

He collected his team and went back to the Guild. He showed his injured condition to the reception man and furiously complained about the team of other Guild who not only snatched their treasure but beat them brutally. His team was grade one team in this lower rank Guild, so the complaint was taken seriously. 

The Guild sent someone to report to the concerned Guild as soon as possible. The reception man could not believe that a small team of three people actually beaten team of six people still they cannot neglect their rules. 

Surprise was waiting for Qiao when he returned after a successful hunt and spoils. Linwin and Quipu were standing speechless. Their happiness of the hunt faded, if they were thrown out from this Guild, there was no other Guild where they could shelter. 

They were not worried for the experience token; they had paid for them so the Guild cannot claim back but what about the shelter? 

They were supposed to save the spoils for their vacations and winter. But if they rented in the Middletown, they would go bankrupt in a true sense. Qiao heaved a sigh. He heard back on Earth, 'When you help someone get ready to face worst soon' This was coming to prove to be the truth.