"The video needing to be viewed before becoming an adventurer had mentioned that we'd be able to take the raw material from the monsters and turn them into equipment which could be auctioned off or sold to the Guild, but it's not something we really thought about," The mother continued with her thinking, not noticing that Claire had been deep in thought. "It's not until the merchant had mentioned that clothing was something which would be valued by not only adventurers but also the people living in the various villages, towns, and cities, where I actually put some serious thought into returning what I used to do before those creatures emerged." Her expression darkened from the thought of the Modified Humans. Still, it quickly brightened again as she remembered the business she had done back in her hometown.

Bubbling with enthusiasm, the husband nodded his head at his wife's words. "When I heard that she was thinking of returning to the designing world, making her own clothing and selling them to the Guild, I was filled with such joy. After the monsters had chased us out of the camping ground we were staying in and made us flee for safety, it was never in my imagination to see my wife being able to do what she was so passionate about again."

Seeing their parents in such a joyous mood, the children picked up the pace with eating and chatting with one another. It was as though the return to normalcy had washed away the oppressive feelings which pushed down their natural innocent nature.

Deep in thought, Claire still managed to listen to the couple. "Darlina had told us in passing that the higher-level manufacturing rooms had just as many benefits in terms of getting exposed to the energy. In addition to the increase in Guild Points and allowing us to eat higher quality food, developing skills in designing armor or weapons may be the best thing for the two of us."

Quickly looking over to Hannah, who was engaged with what the couple was talking about, Claire thought, "I'll need to talk to Hannah about taking part in the training opportunities the Guild offers, even renting out the free rooms to design and create equipment."

"Do the two of you have access to the raw materials to design the clothing?" Hannah asked the couple.

Hearing Hannah's question, the mother hesitated and then shook her head.

"We were thinking of saving up Guild Points and purchasing the raw material," The father explained, his expression mirroring his wife's downcast expression. "If it was possible to hunt the monsters, we would, but I'm too worried about my skills not being sufficient. I would even be willing to look after the kids, but my wife's skills are about the same as mine." Sighing, "We didn't grow up in an environment that required us to hunt in order to survive."

Hannah's face reddened, having realized how she had opened up a sensitive issue that the couple was trying hard not to think about.

Returning back to the conversation, Claire's expression brightened, "How about we lend you the raw material, and after a sale is made, then you can pay us back plus a premium?" Claire clapped her hands together, happy to have thought of such an idea.

Hearing Claire's suggestion, Hannah's face brightened. "Claire's right! We've been hunting horned rabbits. We'll loan the hide of the monster to you, and when you make a sale, then the two of you can pay us back!" She looked at Claire, happy that they were able to find a solution.

The mother's eyes were wide and mouth agape in surprise, hearing the offer being made.

"But aren't you worried that we'll just run away with the hide?" The father asked in a worried tone. He quickly raised his hands, saying, "Not like we would do such a thing!"

Claire laughed, waving the matter aside, "Aside from the fact that we all live in this area, I'm sure the Guild would be able to write up a rudimentary contract to make the deal legitimate." Sipping on the soup before continuing, "Anyways, whether we sell you the horned rabbit or to the Guild, I think it'll be better to send the business towards the two of you. The premium wouldn't be much, but it would still be a better deal compared to selling it to the person who made the request."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Hearing both Claire and Hannah talking about such a fantastic opportunity, the mother began crying with tears of joy.

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End of Part 1

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After exchanging their contact information on The Wire with the family, promising to contact them when they hunt more horned rabbits, Claire and Hannah made their way to the lobby in the Guild.

Claire covered her mouth as she yawned, the events of the day finally catching up with her.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the rooms are like, especially knowing that they're being given to us on a trial basis." Hannah giggled, her eyes drooping from needing sleep and resting up.

Nodding her head, lazily, Claire was looking forward to taking a shower and heading to sleep. "It'll be interesting to see what happens when we sleep in an environment where we're exposed to the energy. Just eating that food, I feel as though my body has strengthened, mainly from eating the high-tiered meatsticks."

She lifted a hand and closed it into a fist. Squeezing her fist, Claire sensed an increase in her strength. "I could probably perform just as well as the football players on our school's team," She thought to herself.

Noticing Claire testing her strength, Hannah followed the motion. "Hopefully, absorbing the energy helps us speed up how many horned rabbits we're able to hunt tomorrow."

Claire nodded, still staring at her fist. Feeling as though it was the right time, Claire looked up at Hannah and said, "I think we should take some classes and learn how to turn what we hunt into equipment."

"What about giving the hide to the family?" Hannah tilted her head in confusion.

"We can still do that," Claire raised a hand to stop Hannah. "But think about it, we're just giving them the hide. There's still the bones, sinew, and other raw material inside of the horned rabbit." Using her fingers to count out the various parts that still could be used. "In addition, we can't just keep only hunting horned rabbits. We'll need to hunt the higher level monsters, meaning it'd be a waste to not be able to process it into something we could sell in order to increase how much of the energy we're exposed to."

Hannah was silent as she listened to Claire's idea, digesting the information being presented.

Not wanting to force the issue, knowing it was vastly different compared to what they had originally planned on doing with their lives, Claire just stayed silent.

Reaching the main lobby counter, Claire saw Darlina working with people who had just become adventurers.

Just as Claire was about to line up behind the group at the counter, another Darlina showed up behind the desk. It waved for Claire and Hannah to approach it.

"I'm assuming the two of you are ready to rent out your complimentary rooms?" Darlina guessed, giving the two a welcoming smile.

"Yes," Claire answered, with Hannah nodding her head.

"Glad to hear that," It responded. Using a hand to motion for them to direct their attention behind them, it said, "Darlina will guide the two of you to your rooms."

Claire turned to see another Darlina walking up to them. "Happy to be of assistance," It smiled, bowing to them. "If you'd follow me," Darlina motioned for them to follow.

With graceful professionalism, Darlina began walking back to the main stairs which led to the various floors. Occasionally, it'd greet an adventurer they passed by, inquiring if they were set with what they were looking for. A few times, it would indicate for a Darlina to assist an adventurer or group of them if they needed help.

As it led Claire and Hannah, Darlina looked back at them. "From what I see, the two of you have adapted to the higher-tiered food that you consumed?"

Shaking her head, "I still can't believe that eating the food would cause such a reaction to our bodies. I can only imagine if we were to eat more." Claire sighed at the horrific thought.

"Like I mentioned before, there's a reason why we place such a high price on it. It both reflects the quality of the energy inside the food and the danger to someone not ready to consume it." Darlina nodded, glad to see that Claire and Hannah both respected the dangers of eating highly purified energy.

As they reached the stairs and walked towards the desired level, they walked past a few adventurers who appeared exhausted from training inside of the simulation. They would briefly nod to Claire and Hannah before continuing towards the lobby, likely going to rent out a room or head out of the Guild to their designated living space.

While they were talking to the family, Darlina had approached them with information about their respective parents and family members checking into the residential area of the Underground City.

Claire decided to video conference with her family once she reached the rented room, just to check-in and see how they were doing after entering the shelter. Knowing her parents and siblings, they were busy with their research. Being older, her siblings had their own space, even having been sent to the Fort before she had arrived with their parents.