RUFUS CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

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[soulus]

[The wolf opens her eyes, but otherwise does not react.]

I ran into an escaped prisoner from the Underworld. I seized his soul for the bounty.

[robopriest]

[The wolf is just going to...rest her entire head on the other, lightly, huffing.]

How nice. A little extra payment, right? That must have been a good day for you.

[soulus]

[There's a huff, but she allows it.]

Yes . . . Extra payment is always good.

[robopriest]

And then after that, you returned home with your spoils...

I wonder. Can you claim the entirety of your bounty, or is there a fee or something you have to pay?

[soulus]

Is that important? In the end, I'm still paid.

[robopriest]

Even if you get less of it, if there's a fee? It doesn't matter?

[soulus]

No. Referral fees are to be expected.

[robopriest]

...

[A sigh.]

What a thankless thing...referral fees. You deserve more than what you get, Rufus.

[soulus]

[He swallows another bite of the sandwich.]

Why do you say that?

[robopriest]

Because you basically survive job to job, and you work hard, and yet, you're treated like a machine. That isn't how you should live.

[soulus]

That is how bounty hunters live. I'm not the only one.

[robopriest]

...

How did you become a bounty hunter in the first place, anyways?

[soulus]

How else? I asked someone to teach me.

[robopriest]

[He frowns at that.]

And why? Why teach you that profession?

[soulus]

I needed money.

[robopriest]

There are better ways of making money.

[soulus]

You're not from the Underworld. Hunting bounties is the most lucrative line of work in the wilderness.

[robopriest]

...

What if you just found someone who could pay you? Without all this bounty hunting business.

[soulus]

There's no one in the wilderness who can pay enough. Most bounty requests come from the city.

[robopriest]

[He's silent for a long moment.]

What if I paid you?

[soulus]

[In that time, he takes a few more bites out of the sandwich, finishing it.]

Do you have a job for me?

[robopriest]

Yeah, I sure do.

[And a light smile.]

Do you want to know what it is?

[soulus]

If you have something to say, please say it now.

[robopriest]

Your job will be...to leave your job, and find a new one.

[His voice is sincere, his gaze unwavering. He means what he says.]

If you do...I'll pay you so much that you won't dream of sitting in the dark ever again. That's my promise.

[soulus]

[Rufus holds Hansa's gaze with scrutiny.]

. . . How much is that? In case you've forgotten, I don't count myself as a mortal.