Chapter 7

For over 20 years, Lief Painbringer has been responsible for placing rewards on the boards at the north gate office in Bloodhammer. These rewards include the type of mission, level of difficulty, and payment for completing the missions. Additionally, there is a minor stripe store where reward coupons can be exchanged. It is important to note that gold is not given as a reward, but must be earned. This system ensures satisfaction for all parties involved. The less experienced mercenaries would spend their earnings on nights with popular prostitutes, while those who aimed for excellence would invest in two-handed weapons when they lacked the strength for prolonged battles. They would also rely on health potions and antidotes to ensure their survival. However, upon collecting their bounties, they often received meager rewards such as a rusty knife or a worn-out garment, which were brought by scavengers and drunkards from the slums who were content with a carafe of liquor as payment, provided they weren't hungry.

 For a few days, the supplier group known for their heavy drinking did not visit him. This was unusual because their shabby appearance and tendency to steal made it clear that they were not legitimate sellers. However, they did bring him complete sets of weapons and armor for beginners, which they sold happily to those who wanted to look like real mercenaries. Most of the scrap metal collectors sell their scrap by the kilo to blacksmith shops. However, these particular individuals brought complete sets. Lief suspected that they had a secret source, likely no deeper than level 3 or 4. Despite having many people searching, he knew that those levels were the least expensive. As a result, he offered a reward for anyone who could locate them.

The board was mainly occupied by high-level wizards and smiths who would request items through an intermediary. They preferred not to communicate with the warriors directly. Simple quests were given by minor traders or furriers who would speak directly to the raiders to avoid using Painbringer's services (and paying for them, of course). However, the author of the ad placed at the bottom offered a mere 30 coppers, which could be considered an insult to any warrior who visited. Nevertheless, children or those who were excited to feel adventurous may have thought the sum was reasonable given the difficulty of the task. It should be noted that the author included a disclaimer in that section, absolving himself of responsibility for any harm that may come to the warriors, as he did not know the level of the mission.

 The initial group to descend were the rivals of his drunken companions. Despite carrying only metal pipes and cloth clothes, they considered themselves genuine adventurers. They departed with great excitement, not just for the reward, but also to discover the location where the missing people had taken all the treasures. I anticipated their return at dusk, but they did not come back.

 The next week, he raised his price to one silver coin. At that time, a newly formed group of true adventurers arrived, all wearing armor and linen clothes provided by him. They left at dawn with great enthusiasm. These adventurers were sober, aware of the risks, and eager to succeed.

On the third day, one of the adventurers returned, having had five successful dreams. Lief felt a shiver run down his back at the thought that nothing within the first three levels could harm six experienced adventurers. He assumed that the strongest of the group, a dwarf warrior, was the one who had returned, as he had an empty look. The man was dragging unknown legs behind him and his arm gave the impression that he was a woodcutter carrying a bundle of old wood, only the blood on his stump, some bloody bandages and the fact that he seemed to have gone through fire, his clothes disenchanted the appearance, Lief tended to the wounds as best he could while he listened in horror, apparently a new threat was looming in the first levels of the dark forest.

 After drinking a few glasses of wine he began to loosen the terrified dwarf's tongue, he tell the story, slow dripping his sorrow: everyone traveled calmly, the three novices followed their elders closely with their swords at the ready, the more experienced ones smiled indulgently as they had gone down to the fifth floor and the entrance to the sixth so nothing on the third floor impressed them, they were not going for the reward, they were going to give the novices experience.

They arrived at a scrapyard where, according to the group leader, they might find some intoxicated individuals. As he proceeded ahead, he heard a scream behind him. With a tremble in his voice, he described seeing his student, who was in a state of stupor, wielding a sword against the jelly-like creatures on the floor. However, this particular creature was not as unintelligent as the others. When the boy struck, the creature extended what appeared to be a tentacle and tore a piece of his face. The boy paled as he recounted the incident. Later, after two glasses, he continued his story. It seemed that they were surrounded by a sea of slimes, which cornered everyone and destroyed everything they touched. The slimes were relentless and swift. The dwarf was left alone due to a lack of necessary equipment, causing great shock. He fought his way to the dump's entrance using throwing axes. He returned in silence, having only recovered his arm and some belongings. This story raised an alarm signal in Lief. With kindness, Painbringer offered to buy the dwarf a map to the location and promised to provide him with a jug of wine every day for the rest of his life if he kept the location a secret. The dwarf silently began to draw on the parchment placed in front of him. Painbringer knew what he had to do; it was the only thing he could accomplish.

To the right of the available missions, there is a sign inviting adventurers to train with deadly enemies. The enemies are easy to avoid if you have the necessary skills. The map costs only 50 silver and is only given to those who enter the forest. The trainer guarantees that adventurers who train there will return as heroes. Additionally, another mission has been added for the drunks. The price for the training mission has increased to one silver coin and fifty copper coins. The seller offers to pay generously for weapons, armor, and any other items the adventurers bring back. However, the seller is not responsible for any harm that may come to the adventurers. Additionally, the seller provides access to a drunk dwarf who tells horror stories about the place, which may persuade hesitant adventurers to join. 

 A wholesome deal.