Crafting Gear From Monster Genes

Garius and Kalysa led the way, while Kreyn and Groza followed behind them under the watchful eyes of three of Garius’s men. Their rifles were ready for action.

While Garius’s convoy remained behind, busy unloading, they climbed up to the second stone level, walking along the right wall through the carved tunnel.

The people on the first level could see them, and there were reasons why Kreyn and Groza had attracted attention.

"Huh, looks like Garius has returned with some interesting catch this time." The man smiled. "Do you think Old Hargod will give him what he wants this time?"

"No way." His buddy shook his head. "How long has Garius been trying to become the third captain? Maybe Old Hargod hates him for something?"

"Who knows? But... Look at this too, you don’t see a catch like this around here very often! Hahaha!"

The residents weren’t the least bit surprised by this scene. They just clinked their beer bottles and took a sip while watching the show.

More and more people were coming out onto the streets or peering out of windows, all to get a glimpse of the two new captives.

Their black military uniforms, as well as the badges on their chests, were enough to grab everyone’s attention.

"Are they... Are they from a city?" The boy looking out the window muttered, his eyes wide open.

The little girl next to him nodded. "Yeah... Looks like it! Look at the metal things on their chests! Only Hunters from the cities have those! Mom talked about it!"

Step.

Kreyn and Groza walked forward slowly, noticing the growing attention directed at them.

"Does this always happen?" Kreyn asked Garius.

"Nah." Garius waved his hand casually. "The locals are already used to us catching some strays and sending them to work in the mines. Huh, even the Hunters don’t impress them anymore, but... your uniforms and badges, they’re like a red bow on a gift box to them."

Groza frowned.

"Disgraceful. Do you think you’re doing these people a favor? You should have tried to join a city a long time ago!"

"Shut up."

Kalysa turned around. Her eyes were deep and cold.

"These people are only alive thanks to the Hunters protecting them and the two captains! The cities don’t give a damn about the Renegades! Don’t pretend you don’t know that!"

"Relax, Lys." Garius patted her on the shoulder. "Kreyn actually knows pretty much nothing, and very soon I’ll become the third captain! Hahaha!"

Kalysa’s expression softened as she nodded. "I... I hope so."

Kreyn noticed the change. But he said nothing, as his gaze was fixed on the large gates in the distance that led to the hall inside the stone plateau.

Strangely enough, no one was guarding the gates, and the person standing behind them didn’t need protection from ordinary people.

Crack.

Garius opened the gates, and they found themselves in a spacious hall. High ceilings, supporting columns, and a massive stone chair greeted them.

In the very center of the hall stood a round wooden table.

Two men were playing cards. To the right was a middle-aged man with a muscular back and a black beard gray at the tips, with hair of the same color. He wore an eyepatch over his right eye as he stared intently at the cards in his hand.

Across from him sat a man with pale skin and shiny, charcoal-colored hair that fell to his shoulders. He wore a relaxed smile, seeming to be in complete control of the situation.

"Damn it, Arstar, why does every game against you go the same way? You lose at first, and then you pull off a move that completely turns the game around!" The man snorted, trying to make the right play.

"I just focus on the key moments. Nothing else."

Then, he turned to Garius and the others.

"Looks like we’ll have to put our game on hold. Little Garius is back with some interesting finds."

"Pffft!" The man slammed his cards down on the table. "Stop pretending like you didn’t win two moves ago."

"Hey!" Garius waved his hand. "We’re back from the Lucent Gorge, and besides the two monsters, look who I found!"

The man slowly rose from his chair, making Groza’s eyes widen. Only now did she realize just how massive he was.

’Holy shit...’ She gulped. ’He’s at least two meters tall! And those arms - why are they so huge?!’

Garius hurried to introduce them.

"This is Hargod. He’s the head of the Crooked Horn."

"Just Old Hargod." Hargod crossed his arms over his chest. "Everyone calls me that. And you two... You’re the Hunters from a city, aren’t you?"

Garius nodded.

"This is Kreyn and Groza. They’re from Dust Star."

Hargod’s gaze fell on their badges.

"A Silver and a Golden, huh? Not bad, not bad at all. How did you manage to capture them without any casualties?"

Garius smirked.

"Nothing complicated. We waited until they’d dealt with the monsters, and as soon as they contacted the city, we opened fire. After that, the Okkla’s Shackles did the rest for us."

"I see. What kind of monsters did they defeat?" Hargod nodded deeply.

Kalysa decided to answer: "The Anomalous Crystal Crusher and Spider Queen of the Green-Tipped Spiders. The queen died almost immediately after she spawned."

"Good, very good."

Garius’s eyes lit up.

"So, what do you say, Old Hargod? Can I become the third captain now?"

Kalysa looked at him with hope. She knew how long he’d wanted this role.

"No."

Hargod’s reply was cold and serious.

"You’re still far from the level of the two captains, and I’ve told you this many times already. Right now, the Crooked Horn doesn’t need a third captain."

"But!" Garius waved his hand resentfully. "How many successful expeditions have I already led? I’m ready to keep going, to venture beyond the plateau, and to find resources for all of us! Damn! That position is open anyway!"

BAM!

Without warning, Hargod’s fist slammed straight into Garius’s face, sending him flying to the side.

Kalysa’s eyes widened as she spun around abruptly.

"Hargod, you can’t treat him like that—!"

She couldn’t get the next word out as Hargod’s heavy gaze fell on her.

"Shut up, girl, these negotiations aren’t your level. Garius knew what he was getting into."

Garius got up from the ground, covering his bleeding nose with his hand, as Hargod turned to face him.

"Want to become third captain? Keep working and achieve something more than a few useful raids. You’re still too young and want everything at once, but I won’t tolerate disrespect toward me. My orders are absolute!"

"Tsk." Garius snorted, looking away. "You’re still the same old grump you’ve always been."

Crack!

At that very moment, the door on the other side opened, causing everyone to turn around.

High heels clicked against the stone floor as a tall girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes walked in. The black leather suit squeezed her curves.

Behind her walked a man and a girl. Their hands were bound with thick rope, and their faces were smudged with what looked like either dust or soot, while their eyes were filled with fear.

At that very moment, Arstar turned around, a smile playing across his face.

"Here’s our first captain. Looks like something interesting happened, Leora?"

"Yes."

Leora yanked on the rope so hard that the man and the girl fell to the ground in front of her.

"Hargod, these two were trying to escape. I decided to bring them to you."

Hargod grinned widely as he glanced at Kreyn and Groza.

"Just in time! Hahaha! Four hostages are too many for one evening - two will be enough for us!"

"And..."

Suddenly, Kreyn’s voice rang out.

"Who gets to decide who stays?"

Hargod smirked.

"You, of course - who else?"

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