Chapter 607
Chapter 607 - 587: Dividing the Spoils
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The giant beast fell with a thunderous crash, yet its cause of death was quite complex.
Although the fatal injury could be attributed to the penetration of its heart, a monster of this caliber would not normally die instantly when its heart had been pierced.
"The cause of death... was actually the poison..."
A professional material collector and dismantler were simultaneously performing the duties of a coroner.
After all, according to the customs of professionals, spoils of war should be distributed based on merit, and the damage dealt to the Magic Monster formed the core component of merit.
In this regard, professionals and adventurers were experts. However, whenever there were people, there would be conflicts. Lu Ping’an had prepared mentally for any unpleasant situations...
"As per our previous agreement, you will have priority to choose twice from the materials. Considering your contributions, including your efforts later on, we’ll give you an additional chance to choose."
At this moment, Lu Ping’an couldn’t help but smile. It seems that the captain in front of him was quite fair.
Not all parts of a Magic Monster’s body were considered materials. Some parts were more valuable than others. Most Magic Monsters would have nothing left after being picked one or two times for materials... However, this Stone Dragon was clearly a treasure trove.
"Alright, should I choose now?"
"Yeah, once you finish choosing, you can take it with you and we’ll continue with the distribution."
Lu Ping’an nodded in satisfaction, as this was quite generous. After choosing three times, the value of the spoils would undoubtedly have decreased significantly.
This was actually a condition agreed upon in the letter. In order to persuade them to cooperate, Lu Ping’an had presented his plan and had taken on the most important and dangerous task - using a Rule-Level item to curse the wicked dragon.
Just like Director Shi needing to risk his life in exchange for the cooperation of a scattered group of followers, to persuade this group to carry out a comprehensive, disruptive, and restraining attack, Lu Ping’an had to present a highly feasible plan and make a massive concession in terms of benefits.
[Yeah, normal people take risks. Who doesn’t like the opportunity to win big with a small stake? All they need to do is draw the attention of the Magic Monster and the Stone-dragon Lizards. The truly life-threatening task is in our hands...]When Yaxi had asked Lu Ping’an how he managed to get the human warriors to leave their stronghold, this was his answer.
In his plan, Lu Ping’an not only disclosed most of the capabilities of his Rule-Level item but also promised, "I only want two chances to choose first."... This high-risk, high-investment opportunity with a small share of the profits naturally tempted the adventurers.
Most importantly, even if the disruptive attack failed, no one would die if they were cautious. And if it did create an opportunity, it would bring massive returns.
In order to be more persuasive (and avoid being regarded as a scammer), Lu Ping’an used his real name and the identity of an "Explorer" in the letter. Leaking the limited information about the Rule-Level item was also a considerable risk.
Lu Ping’an went through all these efforts, only asking for two priority material extraction rights, and gave away most of the major benefits, which was the fundamental reason why the counter-attack plan was so easily approved.
Now, seeing Lu Ping’an’s great contributions, even Director Shi felt embarrassed, and after consulting with others, granted him an additional priority right.
This unexpected delight undoubtedly brought joy to Lu Ping’an. After all, even if the Mother of Stone-dragon was powerful, there would be about seven or eight valuable materials worth harvesting from her. Taking nearly half of them was more than enough for him.
Furthermore, if Da Mao’s statement was accurate, giving Lu Ping’an the first priority right equaled granting him more than half of the actual value of the Magic Monster...
"I choose the right eye, the right claw... and the heart."
Upon hearing this, Director Shi sighed with relief.
As an old stager, he never hesitated to assess the human heart with the utmost malice, and he had vaguely been worried.
"...He didn’t choose the stomach or the digestive fluid. It seems I was overthinking."
If Lu Ping’an had been a bit more malicious, he could have used his first priority right to take away the main ingredients needed to make the Antipetrification Elixir, which would have left everyone else at his mercy.
At that point, time would equal life, and in order to save lives, the ones being saved would have no choice but to pay what he asked.
If he raised the price on the spot, he could take everything from the saved people, instead of just the spoils of war, as long as he acted shamelessly enough.
As the temporary Captain here, Shi Taohua had the right to distribute spoils of war. He could have directly distributed the "digestive fluid" as an essential expendable material.
However, since this "priority" agreement had been made before the battle began, it had to be excluded from the distribution of the spoils of war from the beginning. By the rules, if Lu Ping’an resorted to such tactics, he would technically be in the right.
Of course, this might damage their reputation, but for many greedy people, it isn’t impossible to make a living for three years.
Shi Taohua shook his head, thinking he expected too much of people.
"Um, you can take some teeth and scales when the time comes. They are pretty nice as a collection." The young boy was too easygoing, and as an old stager, Shi Taohua felt a bit embarrassed.
There are multiple eyeballs and claws, and although they are obviously of high value, others can also get them.
The heart has a big hole in it, so no matter how high its original value, it’s definitely depreciated now.
"Is it okay?"
"Of course! Compared to your support, this is nothing."
Lu Ping’an was satisfied with his opponent’s understanding and agreed.
In fact, while Lu Ping’an was worried that the adventurers with an advantage in numbers would break the contract, the adventurers were also worried that Lu Ping’an might demand everything from them.
"...Is he really just a university student? That’s too outrageous."
"I heard he’s an explorer, so he’s at least at the fourth-tier level..."
"Fourth-tier? With his abilities, it’s not that far-fetched. I’d believe it if you said he’s fifth-tier."
"It seems like he used a Rule-level item to make the lizard go crazy... Is this the background of an explorer? Damn, I should have tried to be one as well."
"Heh, as if you could be an explorer. But seriously, it’s crazy! He’s only been to one otherworldly place, and he brought back a Rule-Level item. Rule-Level!"
In the adventurers’ eyes, this "young man" suddenly emerged in a desperate situation, arranged a counterattack, and overthrew the arrogant army of Stone-dragon Lizards using the powerful Rule-Level item for cursing.
The displayed "battle-profession" and "War Gardener" ability should be at least Decree-level, which is quite terrifying to the exhausted adventurers.
Lu Ping’an was worried that the adventurers would turn on him, but the adventurers were even more worried that Lu Ping’an would turn on them and demand everything while they had to pay for their lives.
Truth be said, there was a real possibility of this happening, as some people would truly have no bottom line.
That’s why Shi Taohua was so easygoing, offering not only an additional priority right but also some miscellaneous materials as gifts... These "fragments" were also valuable treasures.
From his perspective as an old stager, if the "weaker" party doesn’t take the initiative, the other side will help you save face.
Now, both sides reached an agreement, and with the "digestive fluid" working properly, everyone could focus on rescuing the petrified adventurers at a faster pace.
Soon, Lu Ping’an’s first priority was fulfilled. A huge heart, an eyeball, a claw, and a bunch of random stuff fell into his hands.
"Do you need our help to transport it?"
Lu Ping’an casually threw the items into his Space Bag, showing off his "rich man" style.
"...Is this what being an explorer is like?" At this moment, even Shi Taohua had doubts.
He had been fighting on the ground for decades and didn’t even have a proper Silver-tier item, let alone a Rule-Level one (Gold-tier). The young man had shown off his lance, armor, and cursed items, which were too extravagant.
"Maybe I should try to become an explorer too. It seems much more promising than racking it out in the Secret Realm."
Meanwhile, Lu Ping’an squinted his eyes, waiting for Da Mao’s response.
After a few minutes, while watching the large pot of Antipetrification Elixir being boiled urgently, Da Mao’s voice was full of joy.
"Lu Ping’an, we found the Dragon crystal. We’re making a fortune this time!"
— End of Chapter 607 —