Aaron glanced at David as the dust settled around them, his mind already shifting to the aftermath of the battle.
"What are we going to do with the Swift Wolf's corpse?"
David barely hesitated, his gaze sweeping over the fallen beasts with a practiced eye.
"We take the most valuable parts, of course. Swift Wolves are full of useful resources claws and teeth, for example. They're prized materials for crafting weapons and arrows, highly durable and razor-sharp. They'll fetch a good price."
Auriel, still steadying herself from the combat, furrowed her brows.
"Weapons and arrows? I didn't think wolves would be useful for that."
David smirked, nudging the fallen beast with his boot.
"They are, if you know what you're doing. Their bones, for instance, are great for weapon handles and reinforcing armor. Some alchemists even grind them into powders to enhance durability potions."
Auriel crossed her arms, eyeing the corpse skeptically.
"Alchemy ingredients, armor… What else?"
David gestured toward the thick fur. "Their hide makes excellent padding lightweight, resistant to the elements. Woven properly, it's useful for cloaks, boots, even enchanted garments that improve stealth."
Aaron listened intently, his fingers still tingling with lingering chakra. He had expected them to leave the wolves behind, but David was proving just how valuable these creatures truly were.
David crouched, inspecting one of the wolves more closely.
"Then there's the blood and essence," he mused, running a hand over its thick coat.
"Alchemists love this stuff. Can be distilled into potions that boost reflexes, stamina sometimes even imbued into weapons for poison crafting."
Auriel frowned, shaking her head.
"That sounds... unsettling."
David chuckled. "It's practical. Some tribes even consume the heart in warrior rituals supposedly absorbing the wolf's strength."
Auriel wrinkled her nose but didn't argue. Aaron, however, found the thought intriguing.
"The tendons and muscles do they have any use?" he asked.
David nodded. "Good for high-tension bowstrings, strong traps. Everything in a Swift Wolf has purpose. Waste nothing that's the rule."
Auriel sighed, her skepticism fading into reluctant understanding. "Fine. But what do we take?"
David smirked, adjusting his stance. "As much as we can carry. The rest?"
He shrugged. "Nature handles the cleanup."
David paused for a moment before adding, "If we sell this corpse, we can earn at least three gold coins per wolf."
Aaron's eyes widened. Three gold coins each? That was a hefty sum.
Without hesitation, he turned to David and Auriel, excitement creeping into his voice.
"Hey, why don't we head back to Blueish City first and sell these?"
It was a practical idea gold in hand meant better supplies for the journey ahead.
David raised an eyebrow, considering the idea.
"Heading back to Blueish City, huh? It's a solid plan we'd get a good profit. But…" He glanced ahead at the trail, thoughtful. "It'd cost us time. We were planning to move forward, not double back."
Auriel nodded slowly, weighing the pros and cons. "Three gold per wolf is tempting. That could cover supplies, gear… maybe even pay for better lodging."
Aaron leaned forward slightly, his excitement still clear. "Exactly! With the right amount, we could upgrade our equipment. And considering how dangerous this journey is turning out to be…" He let the words linger, subtly emphasizing the risk.
David exhaled, rubbing his chin, then glanced at Auriel. "Miss what do you think? Worth the detour?"
Auriel pursed her lips, scanning the wolves once more before giving a decisive nod.
"We wouldn't lose too much time, and considering how valuable Swift Wolf materials are… I say we go for it."
David smirked, satisfied with their reasoning. "Alright then. Looks like we're turning back. Let's load the corpse on the carriage first."
Aaron, Auriel, and David worked tirelessly to transport the Swift Wolf corpses, each beast stretching two meters in length and weighing nearly 200 kilograms a heavy burden, but one worth the effort.
David took charge, quickly securing the bodies with thick ropes, ensuring their weight was evenly distributed. Auriel reinforced the knots with **minor magic, preventing them from loosening during transit. Aaron, using chakra control, helped lift and position the wolves, ensuring they wouldn't shift unpredictably on the carriage.
The carriage wasn't built for hauling heavy game, so improvisation was needed. Aaron anchored himself with chakra, taking on the brunt of the lifting, while David adjusted the bodies onto the back using reinforced straps. Each wolf was carefully placed to maintain balance, preventing the carriage from tipping over. Auriel cast a minor enchantment, lightening the load just enough to ensure a smoother journey.
As David tightened the reins, guiding the horses forward, Aaron suggested a strategic placement of the corpses to reduce drag and improve stability. Auriel kept a watchful eye, ensuring the bindings held firm.
With everything secured, the trio finally set off toward Blueish City, the carriage rolling forward under the weight of their spoils.
They had won the battle but transporting their prize was its own challenge.
.....
As the carriage rolled through the grand gates of Blueish City, its wheels creaking under the weight of its unusual cargo, the bustling streets gradually fell silent.
At first, a few passersby glanced over, their expressions indifferent just another group of travelers returning from the wilds. But then, as their eyes settled on the stacked corpses of Swift Wolves, their jaws slackened, and murmurs spread like wildfire.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Market vendors paused mid-sale, their hands frozen over coins and goods. A young apprentice nearly dropped a bundle of herbs, eyes wide in disbelief. Even the seasoned adventurers loitering near the tavern turned to stare, some leaning forward with intrigue, others raising their brows in wary admiration.
"Swift Wolves?" someone whispered, astonished.
"An entire pack?" another added, voice tinged with both respect and disbelief.
The guards stationed near the entrance straightened their stance, hands instinctively resting on their weapons not out of fear, but out of sheer surprise. It wasn't every day that adventurers returned with such valuable trophies from the wilderness.
Among the crowd, a group of seasoned mercenaries exchanged glances, nodding approvingly. They knew what it took to bring down a Swift Wolf, let alone a pack.
As Aaron, Auriel, and David guided the carriage further into the city, whispers turned into excitement. Merchants, smiths, and traders eyed the carcasses with keen interest, already calculating their worth.
David smirked as he leaned slightly toward Aaron.
"Looks like we've grabbed their attention."
Aaron, still adjusting to the wave of reactions, simply nodded. He had expected to make a profit but he hadn't anticipated the spectacle they'd become.