Chapter 609: Crystal Bunny

Setting off from the guild branch to fetch the required gear and supplies that neither of them had on hand, Verdell and Valerie found themselves encountering a morning rush like no other, as adventurers filled up every corner of the commercial street. Each rushing from one place to the next picking up supplies and other things.

The entire scene left the two of them somewhat bewildered at the sight, as it was clear from the anxious and hurried atmosphere that something had happened or was going to happen.

"What is going on?" And taking the opportunity while a younger adventurer rushed past, Valerie grabbed hold of the younger woman before questioning her.

"Eeep!? I-I..."

"Don’t worry, she is just asking what is going on since everyone here seems so anxious." Seeing the fearful expression on the young woman’s face as she looked like a startled young doe that had been captured by a fearsome predator after Valerie, this tall and tough looking woman no different from a local ruffian in her behavior grabbed hold of her, Verdell kindly stepped in and reassured the young woman that had been captured.

"Ah...! I-I see, there was news of a crystal bunny nest being discovered in the depths of a crystal tree forest not too far from the city. So, everyone is rushing to get supplies before leaving the city for a chance to capture the crystal bunny."

"A crystal bunny!?" Letting out a small exclamation upon hearing what the young woman said before she quickly escaped the instant Valerie let go of her, Verdell didn’t even glance towards her disappearing figure as he instead pondered over the information she had just shared with the two of them. "I see... Indeed, something valuable..." Muttering these few words as he suddenly froze. Recalling some information about the crystal bunny that wasn’t that important under normal circumstances.

That information was the official rank of the crystal bunny, SS Rank.

Normally, this information wasn’t important because the combat ability of a crystal bunny was essentially close to zero. Meaning even a junior adventurer that had just reached the E Rank stood a chance at defeating it if they were lucky enough to catch it.

But... Remembering the requirement for Valerie’s class advancement quest, he realized this might be the opportunity of a lifetime, as the crystal bunny was one of the incredibly rare monsters whose strength was nowhere near comparable to its official rank.

A monster generally considered a walking treasure vault because of how precious it was, something the activity all around made clear from a single glance.

The only problem with this unique little monster was the fact that it was truly difficult to catch. Not to mention the simple fact that the two of them wouldn’t be the only ones targeting this unique little bunny, as they would be competing with all the adventurers currently rushing to gather the supplies needed before they could set off towards the crystal tree forest where the crystal bunny had been spotted.

"We can’t give up this divine opportunity! Let’s go! Valerie!"

"Ooooh!"

Not understanding what had suddenly made him so excited, Valerie who hadn’t ever bothered to learn about these kinds of weak monsters during her time as an adventurer could only cheer him on from behind as she soon enough found herself getting dragged through the commercial street by Verdell. Diligently purchasing everything they would need for their adventure through the snow-covered region.

Leaving the normally valiant young woman somewhat dazed at the end. Not even realizing how her coin purse had suddenly ended up becoming quite a bit lighter by the time the two of them finally stepped out of the city following the stream of adventurers heading towards the crystal tree forest where the crystal bunny had been spotted.

For understandable reasons, Verdell didn’t pay for everything they needed and given how his current financial situation was far from optimal, Valerie unknowingly ended up paying for most of the equipment they needed for their adventure this time around.

All he could do to make up for it was help keep her warm with his fire magic when they inevitably had to hunker down outside and also share the food he had originally been saving for a certain little dragon who had ended up leaving to evolve before she had the chance to feast.

Speaking of which, Verdell still owed said dragon a feast after what had happened back in the Swirling Sands Dungeon, though the dwarf in question had already forgotten about this as he and Valerie moved across the thick snow along other adventurers.

But, while Verdell might have already ended up forgetting about the large feast, he had promised Scaly, the dragon in question hadn’t forgotten and was sure to come knocking at some point in the future after her evolution was completed successfully.

"How lucky the sun is out today with no clouds in sight. Looks like the journey to the crystal tree forest won’t be too difficult and will instead be a rather pleasant one. Haha, fire magic truly is wonderful,~"

Unaware of the future trouble that would come his way, Verdell just smiled to himself as he enjoyed the good weather outside the city. Feeling the cold breeze brushing against his skin only for it to vanish a second later as he circulated his mana and used a simple temperature regulating spell to keep himself warm even as the adventurers around him were shivering in the face of the cold morning breeze.

"""..."""

Understandably, Verdell earned himself quite a few enemies with that little comment of his. Including his companion, who stared at him alongside the other adventurers. Wondering if there was any way they could get this little dwarf to share the wonderful gift of his fire magic with everyone instead of just hogging it all to himself.

"Hm? Ah..." And sensing this slowly growing hostility, Verdell, who had been walking forward normally, found himself slowly shrinking away from the spotlight he had unknowingly placed himself in...