Chapter 51: Bounty Levels
He turned back to the blonde bunny girl, smiling politely. "I promise I'll buy you a drink when I get back."
The woman, who introduced herself as Lacey, flashed a knowing smile. Her eyes sparkled as she extended a delicate, white-gloved hand.
"Hello, Lacey. Nice to meet you."
Harvey shook her hand, encased in his golden gauntlet. Lacey's flirtatious gesture, running her fingers lightly across his glove, did not affect Harvey. He remained composed, gently returning the handshake.
Harvey was well aware that women like Lacey, working in bounty bars, often had complicated personal lives. He didn't reject physical attraction, but he was not easily swayed by it, nor did he act on impulse.
"Don't rush," Lacey said with a teasing smile. "When you're back, let's have that drink."
As she pulled her hand away, her smile grew even more enchanting.
"Please, Lacey, explain the details for me."
With Lacey's hand now free, Harvey's stance relaxed slightly, and he awaited her explanation.
The other patrons at the bar watched Lacey's practiced routine with interest. Many had been through similar experiences with Lacey, spending a lot of money to get her attention. Some regretted their choices later, but they had willingly paid for the experience.
Lacey, being a well-known fixture at the bounty bar, was skilled at guiding newcomers and explaining the bounty system. She had connections and backing, so any attempt at retaliation against her would require significant effort.
"Before we dive into that, let me ask, Mr. Kassadin," Lacey began, seeing Harvey's interest piqued, "What level of bounties are you considering?"
"I don't know much about the levels of bounties. Could you explain them to me?"
Harvey's curiosity was evident.
"Certainly," Lacey said, settling into a more professional tone. "Bounties are generally classified into three levels, with some exceptions for very special cases."
"Level one bounties range from 100,000 to 1 million credits. These usually involve tasks like capturing individuals, guarding, or dealing with minor disasters. The missions are typically within a relatively short distance and don't necessarily require a private spacecraft."
"Newcomers are best suited for these kinds of tasks. If you have some unique skills, you should be able to handle these well. You'll often have other bounty hunters working alongside you, which can be a good learning experience."
Lacey's explanation included a note of caution. "Of course, you might encounter some scams, so be cautious."
Harvey nodded, acknowledging the information. Level one bounties were manageable for someone with even a little skill, and the financial rewards were substantial enough to cover various expenses.
"Level two bounties range from 1 million to 5 million credits. The scope of these missions is much broader, and the targets are more dangerous."
"This includes interstellar captures, protecting high-risk merchant ships from space pirates, or dealing with dangerous creatures. You'll often face competition from other bounty hunters, so it's a 'first come, first served' situation."
"To take on these tasks, a good spacecraft is essential," Lacey continued. "There are higher risks involved, and completing such missions may take more time. It's not unusual for the success rate to be lower, and you might end up empty-handed or face threats from rivals."
Harvey understood the increased risk but wasn't deterred. He was aware of the potential dangers but felt confident in his capabilities.
"Level three bounties are the highest, ranging from 5 million to 10 million credits. These involve tasks such as hunting exceptionally dangerous beasts, retrieving valuable items from formidable space pirate fleets, or completely clearing out highly hazardous areas for safe extraction or mining."
"The rewards for these missions are substantial. Successful completion not only brings great financial gain but also the chance to build alliances and receive future targeted assignments."
Lacey provided a comprehensive overview, noting that such high-level bounties typically required well-equipped teams rather than solo efforts. Most individuals or small groups wouldn't be able to handle them alone.
"Got it," Harvey said. "I'd like to hear more about level two bounties."
Lacey, seeing his interest, complied without further persuasion. She tapped on a transparent screen, and the previously indecipherable text transformed into characters he could read.
The tasks available were mostly above 3 million credits, with lower-value tasks already taken. Harvey could also see who had completed the tasks and even view their images.
It was clear that bounty hunting in the galaxy was more transparent compared to the secretive nature of mercenaries on Earth. As long as one's reputation grew, there would be designated missions available.