Capítulo 645: Chapter 324: Perfect Creature and Fog Lamp Grass (2)
A deposit of 1000 Gold had already been paid earlier, and after the reward for the task was received, Xia Nan imdiately settled the remaining 2000 Gold for the Ash Fall straight sword.
As a result, his savings plumted, dropping from four digits to just 430 Gold, 2 silver, and 1 copper—an additional 50 Gold was deducted for the chain armor purchase.
It seed like quite a bit, enough to live lavishly in the town for a while.
But in reality, Xia Nan was still in debt.
After all, the new armor, custom-made primarily from the Beard Demon Long Saber, was still in the forging process.
According to Barn’s estimate, the cost of the finished product was about 500 to 600 Gold, roughly the sa level as the Bone Binding Iron Leg guards he was currently wearing.
Compared to the arm shield and straight sword, it wasn’t particularly expensive, but it still far exceeded his current savings.
Fortunately, being longti custors and having just completed such a large transaction, Barn didn’t even take a deposit and began the forging process, giving Xia Nan ample financial space to purchase supplies for adventure.
Compared to the previously overwhelming debt pressure from the Ash Fall straight sword, Xia Nan’s current gap was just around one to two hundred Gold, which could be earned back in a month with a bit of luck.
The pressure eased significantly.
He was already prepared for this.
“Creak, creak.”
With the sound of subtle tal friction, the wooden stairs creaked underfoot.
Xia Nan descended from the second floor, glancing around the tavern’s main hall.
Soon, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Just like when he last t her, “Green Blood” Adeline still sported the sa ssy look. Her previously roughly flattened short hair had grown a bit, but it was still shorter than Xia Nan’s, and judging by its disheveled state, it was clearly not intentionally grown long, just lazily unkempt.
She looked like she had just returned from a mission, with bloodstains lingering on her armor’s surface.
No need for deliberate identification; just the lingering scent and the color of the coagulated bloodstains on her armor were enough to conclude that they ca from those green-skinned goblins.
Ordering a classic number three combo with creamy mushroom soup from the tavern owner Chapton at the counter.
Xia Nan walked straight over and sat across from Adeline.
“You’ve completed the promotion mission, and you’re still at odds with those green-skins?”
He casually joked.
Being professionals, they observed carefully; Adeline noticed the refined and inscrutable aura on Xia Nan the instant he sat down.
It had only been about ten days since their last eting, and it seed… he had grown stronger?
A bit surprised, but her face didn’t show much; she just shrugged and replied:
“As if you could spare those green-skins; you probably have morized the locations of those goblin nests near town, right?”
They were old teammates, often gathering for als during breaks between missions, knowing each other well. Adeline, of course, knew the peculiar hobby of this young man with black hair.
“What have you been busy with lately, still the sa as before?”
Playing with his silver ring on his index finger, Xia Nan sat in his seat waiting for his breakfast.
There was nothing to hide, so Adeline took a spoonful of at soup into her mouth and nodded slightly.
“Although I’ve now obtained my professional level, those few youngsters in the team are far behind; I was the one who brought them into the trade, and I can’t just abandon them… I don’t feel at ease.”
“I plan to stay with them for a while longer; anyway, I’m not in urgent need of money. Although goblin-related tasks are less rewarding for a professional, they’re already sufficient for .”
“I’ll see about it once they’re able to establish themselves in town… At that ti, whether they choose to continue following or pursue other plans will be up to them.”
Hearing this, Xia Nan couldn’t help but fall silent.
Even the movent of his fingers, which had been tracing the surface of his ring, slowed.
At that mont, what ca to his mind was not goblins.
But the mory of a greenhorn who stood at the front line despite the fear, a rookie who slowly succumbed to the industry’s seductions, losing his original intentions, and an old fox ultimately pressing his hand onto the Devil’s Contract right in front of him.
If Abi hadn’t left the team back then and had stayed with the “Green Blood” squad, would his fate have been entirely different? Would there even be one more person sitting at the table across from him right now?
But he was completely dead, and all the what-ifs had lost their significance.
“What’s wrong? Feeling overwheld lately?”
Seemingly aware of Xia Nan’s sudden silence, Adeline asked with so confusion.
After pondering for a mont, Xia Nan felt it shouldn’t be hidden.
He paused to organize his thoughts and then shared his last mission encounter, including the Black Wood Squad, devil, and Abi, with her.
Imdiately, one could visibly see Adeline’s expression freeze.
She didn’t rush to question the truth of the statents, nor did she ask eagerly about the specific details.
She simply used her sowhat cloudy eyes, with an incredibly serious expression, to silently gaze into Xia Nan’s eyes.
Not until she clearly discerned the truth and sincerity in his eyes did she lower her head again.
The spoon in her hand created rings of ripples across the surface of the soup.
After a long ti, accompanied by an introspective sigh, Adeline’s slightly hoarse voice echoed across the table.
“What a pity…”
Regarding Abi’s changes after leaving the team, Adeline was not unaware.
In fact, she’d already ntioned so relevant information during previous casual talks with Xia Nan.
She knew this once rookie adventurer had been tainted with murky colors in the industry’s big lting pot.
But she hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly and suddenly…
For a mont, the atmosphere at the table beca cold and silent.
The separation between life and death was sothing adventurers were long accustod to, even more so with “Green Blood” Adeline, who had been in this line of work for years.
Knowing the other party simply needed a little ti to accept the death of a forr companion, Xia Nan didn’t say much more.
After finishing the mushroom soup brought by the tavern waiter, he bid farewell and left the White Sparrow Tavern.
…
For Xia Nan at this mont, the path ahead was crystal clear.
Short-term goals: 1. Earn money to repay debts; 2. Wait for the armor to finish forging;
Mid-term goals: 1. Learn new suitable battle skills and enhance professional levels; 2. Search for information related to the Dream Weaving Corridor key; 3. Find a Secret Realm to charge the Dream Weaving Corridor;
Long-term goals: Enhance strength as much as possible and accumulate wealth, then retire safely.
With his current fully ard appearance, with supplies also prepared, naturally, he intended to embark on a “long journey.”
Of course, saying it’s a long journey, round trip is only about ten days.
Moreover, considering the new armor wasn’t yet complete, this task he carefully selected carried no inherently severe dangers, either along the way or regarding the target itself.
It’s roughly akin to running an errand for soone.
…
[Task Number]: F-30623
[Type]: Collection
[Reward]: 15-150 Gold/1-5 points
[Task Briefing]:
Ms. Edwina from the “Green Grass Cauldron” requires a reliable adventurer or team to travel to a remote canyon on the southwestern edge of the Mist Forest to gather a special crop known as “Fog Lamp Grass.”
[Ti Limit]: 15 days;
[Extra Information]: Please consult Ms. Edwina at “Green Grass Cauldron” for additional details after accepting the task at the Association’s front desk.
…
Xia Nan considered everything very carefully.
In fact, given his current condition, he wasn’t inclined to stray far from River Valley Town.
After all, the chain armor he was wearing, although fine, offered slightly less defensive capability, which was sufficient for slaying a few goblins but reduced the margin for error in high-intensity battles.
It wasn’t until he completed the straight sword paynt a few days ago and ca across this task on the Association’s task list.
To so extent, the task’s “F” level rating already indicated its real difficulty.
To be cautious, Xia Nan even consulted his exclusive receptionist, Adeline, for additional insights.
She inford him that Ms. Edwina released this “Fog Lamp Grass” collection task almost annually, and there had never been any adventurer casualties.
The route was clear, and the potential dangers along the way had been thoroughly scouted by adventurers who previously accepted the commission.
Thus, he felt assured in accepting it.
He also accepted two additional goblin-clearing commissions that could be handled along the way.
This way, in just about ten days, even without any loot, the combined Gold rewards from the commissions would suffice to clear his debts and even leave so surplus.
Of course, before setting off, he still needed to visit “Green Grass Cauldron” to inquire about specific mission details from that plump and gentle lady.
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