"The second task is a bizarre jewel theft case.
In a small town, many pieces of jewelry were stolen, but the doors and windows weren't damaged, and there were no signs of outsiders having entered the scene.
So everyone suspects it's a mage involved, and as long as the thief is caught, we'll get... 150,000J as a reward."
"150,000J!" Lucy's eyes sparkled; it could solve most of her rent in one go!
And investigating such an interesting case felt perfect as material to write into her novel.
Lucy couldn't wait and said, "Let's take this one!"
Rhode said, "Don't be in such a rush. You can take on both tasks because the town is not far from the village of the previous task.
Moreover, I suspect the thief's hideout might be in the same forest as that beast, so you can look for both targets together."
"Natsu, what do you think?" Lucy eagerly sought Natsu's opinion.
Brimming with enthusiasm, Natsu felt that he'd been waiting forever for Lucy to choose a task:
"No problem, we can finish both tasks at once, then Lucy's rent will be covered in no time!"
"Aye, we'll have money to eat fish again, and once Lucy pays the rent, we can mess around at her place more often."
"Why do we always have to go to my place!" Lucy tugged at Happy's face, "And did you just say 'mess around'!"
"So it's decided, hunting the beast and catching the jewel thief?" Mira asked, "If you are decided, then go get the task slips."
Technically, doing this was a bit against the rules since handling multiple tasks at once showed a lack of focus.
But anyway, since there were three of them, and the tasks weren't too dangerous, they were still quite broke as newcomers, so a little leniency was okay.
Lucy quickly found those two corresponding task slips on the noticeboard.
— The efficient way was to ask about Nabu's location first and then tear off the task slip, fast and convenient.
Mira helped Lucy with the stamping and registration while Rhode was writing something swiftly with a pen: "Give me a few minutes."
Natsu seemed to guess what Rhode was up to: "I think we don't need to wait, let's set off quickly."
"Eh? But Mr. Rhode seems to be writing something important."
Happy raised a hand: "I think we should wait too."
The minority yielded to the majority, so Natsu reluctantly listened to them.
Rhode folded the written paper a couple of times and then took out a few information sheets from under the counter, handing them to Lucy.
"These are the basic details of the task, take a look on the way. And this one is a 'Clearance Guide' I'm giving you, Happy knows what it's for."
"Aye! Lucy, even if you lose your skirt, take good care of this."
"Why would I lose my skirt!" Lucy said curiously, "What's a 'Clearance Guide'?"
"Simply put, if you like adventure and want to complete the task on your own effort, then only look at the basic details.
If you want to complete the task efficiently, and aim to get as much of the reward as possible, then take a good look at what I wrote."
Rhode optimized his working method, not only letting everyone choose whether to 'listen or not' to his advice but also whether 'to know or not.'
"It's just some chatter, just burn it away. Tasks obviously should rely on ourselves!" Flames erupted in Natsu's hand.
"No!" Lucy clung to the papers in her arms.
Mr. Rhode put so much thought into it, it must be very useful. Even Happy said it's important, of course, she couldn't listen to Natsu.
She promptly set the agenda: "In that case, let's go home and pack first, we'll head out in half an hour!"
Natsu could only give in: "Rhode, lend me the big crab."
Rhode pretended not to understand: "Why?"
Natsu didn't yet realize the seriousness of the issue: "Because I don't want to ride in a carriage."
Rhode nodded: "Oh, but you've already said the task needs to be completed on your own, Rhode would just chatter on, so I can't lend it."
"Revenge, revenge!" Natsu stood there, jaw dropped, pointing at Rhode, turning to stone on the spot.
"Haha..." Happy covered his mouth trying not to laugh.
Mira and Happy gleefully watched Natsu wobbling as he walked out.
"Do you think Lucy will get the reward this time?"
Mira pondered and said, "She probably will, Lucy is quite lucky."
Regarding Lucy's luck, Rhode couldn't argue.
He also just learned today that Lucy was lucky enough to receive a Golden Key on her first guild task since joining.
Although she didn't manage to get the reward, a Zodiac key isn't something you can buy with money.
The Virgo Constellation's Balrog originally belonged to Baron Abar's Star Spirit, but after Lucy and Natsu helped investigate the evidence, Baron Abar was arrested.
According to the Celestial Spirit Contract rules, when the contractor is captured, the contract is nullified.
Then Balrog voluntarily approached and signed a contract with Lucy.
Mira mentioned that Balrog seemed to play an important role in the Lalabai incident.
How could she possibly join the guild and instantly acquire an ultra-rare task reward limited to twelve worldwide on her first task?
Rhode's first task yield was, well... Ah, it seemed even more important than the Golden Key.
Anyway, Lucy's kind of incredible luck made Rhode wonder at times who the real protagonist was, her or Natsu.
But this task...
Rhode said, "How about a bet? I bet Lucy will only get at most half of the reward."
Mira asked, "What are we betting?"
"I haven't decided yet, how about the winner gets to make a reasonable request?"
Mira nodded: "Alright, then, as long as Lucy gets more than half, I win."
Clap! The two shook hands to seal the bet.
The bet was made, Mira then reminded him: "You've already made a detailed plan for Lucy, do you still think she can't finish it?"
"I just have faith in Natsu's destructive power." Rhode thought it would be tough for Lucy to stop an outbursting Natsu.
Though nowadays, Natsu sometimes knew how to hold back.
"Sister Mira, the wine we ordered yesterday has arrived, come give me a hand."
Laki shouted from the doorway inside, "And that guy slacking off by Sister Mira too!"
"Coming!" Mira responded, patting Rhode, "Let's go, slacker."
"Slander, when have I ever slacked off during work!"
Laki thought for a moment and said, "Last week, when there were clearly two tables to clean, yet you insisted on cleaning the same one with Sister Mira.
The week before, during stock counting, Sister Mira counted one and you echoed right after, like an echo. And last month, you..."
"Enough, enough, enough..." Rhode cut her off,
"How do you remember so clearly? Do you jot down my mistakes in a diary every day and review them before bed?"
"Who would do that kind of thing? Either they have a grudge or it's a crush." Laki said displeased, "And I don't even keep a diary!"