"Dungeon-harvested materials, roughly 22 million in value. Monster Drop Items totaling about 33 million... hmm, and these recovery materials. Looks like the whole city's running short on supply, so the major pharmaceutical Familias have bumped their buy prices up 20% recently."
"So... the materials portion should actually come out to around 25 million."
"An extra 3 million. Not nothing, but not a fortune either."
Leon pursed his lips. If he were still a Level 1 rookie, 3 million Valis would've had him doing backflips.
"Too bad... I'm Level 4 now. A measly 3 million Valis..."
He sighed and shook his head.
"Whatever, 3 million's still 3 million. That's six Elixirs, or a decent Second-Class weapon or piece of armor..."
Setting the regret aside, Leon scribbled away in his notebook with a quill pen.
Before long, he'd finished tallying up the total value of the spoils.
"So all together, that's 25 million plus 33 million. Grand total: 58 million."
"And if some clueless noble from outside the city happens to take a fancy to the stuff we can't use, I might be able to squeeze out even more!"
The image of those tourists throwing money around at black markets and goblin auction houses flashed through his mind, and Leon's grin took on a scheming edge.
Setting aside the common goods, he turned his attention to the rare pieces.
"Mermaid's Blood. One of the top-tier recovery Drop Items. Hmm... if I hand this over to Airmid and the other pharmacists, I should be able to trade it for a dozen Elixirs, right? Tch... if it weren't for running into that Monster Rex fight during this Expedition and burning through a chunk of the Familia's strategic reserves, things wouldn't be this tight. Oh well... selling this will plug the potion gap nicely."
"Next up..."
"Amphisbaena's dragon liver..."
It was a blood-red crystal half as tall as a person, with faint wisps of Magic visibly drifting inside it.
"Tch, forget the practical value. Just the look of this thing would drive those suckers wild."
Leon ran his hand over the blood-red crystal, thinking it over.
"Amphisbaena's dragon liver is an ultra-rare Drop Item. If I remember right, it's the primary material for forging powerful flame-type Magic Swords. Tsubaki should be able to... name a price that gets my heart racing, hehe!"
...
After a thorough inventory, his rough estimate put the Expedition's total haul at somewhere between 70 and 80 million Valis.
"70 to 80 million, huh. Not bad at all."
Muttering to himself as he flipped through his ledger, a satisfied smile spread across Leon's face.
Sure, a mere 70 or 80 million was pocket change compared to the major Familias whose Expeditions moved billions in capital flow.
But among the mid-tier Familias made up of Second-Class and Third-Class Adventurers, this haul was more than respectable. At the very least, the Astraea Familia definitely couldn't pull this kind of money together on short notice.
"Astraea... nah, no point comparing myself to them."
Thinking about the goddess of justice and her squeaky-clean approach to finances, Leon shook his head.
But... well, everything's relative.
No comparison means no pain. With comparison... Leon's slightly deflated mood immediately perked right back up.
...
...
Overall, Leon was quite satisfied with both the process and the results of this Expedition.
At the very least, they now had the funds to upgrade everyone's gear. After all, even the lowest-leveled members of the Familia, Laurier, Aura, and Kureha, had all leveled up to Level 2. He himself, as captain, had shot up to Level 4. And with virtually everyone in the Familia capable of punching above their weight class, it didn't make sense to keep skimping on equipment and weapons.
After all, for an Adventurer, the gap between a good weapon and a mediocre one was a fundamental difference in combat power. Just look at Dainsleif.
Of course, beyond necessity, there was another reason: the Familia genuinely wasn't short on cash anymore.
Now that everyone had cleared the beginner phase and was solidly established between Level 2 and Level 4, their earning speed was leagues beyond the days of grinding the Upper and Middle Floors.
Forget upgrading gear. Even if he wanted to whale his way through level-ups, gold was no longer the bottleneck holding Leon back.
The only obstacle left in front of him was one thing: Excelia.
"Wanna level up fast? Just grind your ass off!"
With that thought, Leon's lips curled upward. Without hesitation, he pulled out the two precious Drop Treasure Chests.
"Alright you two, don't let me down!"
"Whether I get to grind hard and rake in cash, whether the next stretch is living large or tightening the belt, it all comes down to what you've got inside!"
After a bout of muttering, Leon laced his fingers together in front of the chests, bowed his head, and prayed with utmost devotion.
"Lady Demeter, Lady Astraea, and whatever unknown goddess of luck is out there, please bless me with something good!!"
"Drop Treasure Chests, open!"
"Ahhh!"
"My eyes!"
Golden light exploded outward, instantly blinding Leon's greedy whale eyes.
"Son of a... I forgot to wear sunglasses again!"
...
A distinctive gacha sound effect hummed through the air as the blinding golden glow slowly faded.
Once Leon's tear-streaked eyes finally adjusted, what appeared before him was... several translucent, iridescent bubbles gently bobbing up and down in midair.
Inside the bubbles, vaguely familiar yet unfamiliar objects drifted into view.
"Whether my future holds elf beauties in the Pleasure Quarter or grinding gold in the Dungeon, it's all riding on you!"
Unable to wait a second longer, he snatched the bubbles up one by one. A rapid string of pops filled the air as each bubble burst, revealing the treasures hidden within.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Grimoire x2.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Familia Recruitment Letter x2.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Compound Formula x1.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Pharmacology (Wondrous Potions: A Beginner's Guide) x1.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Blueprint: Mooncloth Bag x1.
Notification: Opened Drop Treasure Chest. Obtained Tailoring (Tailoring: From Apprentice to Master) x1.
...
...
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