"Alright, first thing first!" Hazuki grinned like a kid who just beat the final boss in a game, immediately crouching over the fallen tiger beastkin.
"Oooohhh!!" he gasped, eyes sparkling. "A lot of coin! Jackpot! Thank you for your contribution, sir assassin—rest in pieces."
"OI!!" Ridan floated beside him, vibrating with outrage. "You forgot the girl over there!"
"Ah, crap—right!" Hazuki turned, clutching the coin pouch. "Almost forgot the real quest reward."
He rushed over to the bound girl and gently pulled the cloth from her mouth.
"Uncle!!" Ellyna's voice cracked as she burst into tears, her golden eyes wide and shimmering with emotion.
Hazuki blinked. "Err… only Ellyn calls me that."
"That is Ellyn, stupid!" Ridan shouted.
"Huh!?" Hazuki squinted at her. "How would you know? You've never even met her!"
"Just look at her finger, dumbass!" Ridan barked, pointing toward the shimmering pinky promise ring on Ellyna's hand.
