Goblin Dependency

Xia Nan felt incredibly fortunate.

His gaze continued downward, automatically skipping over several promotional and recruitment messages like "Elf Leaf Bakery New Products Launched, Crowded" and "Fireplace Inn Urgently Hiring Front Desk Receptionists."

The only news that caught his slight attention was "A large group of Grey skinned Rats has been confirmed in the West City District sewers, causing casualties. Neum City Hall advises nearby residents to avoid the area unless necessary!"

Suddenly, he recalled the scene that night when he encountered Buck in the sewers.

After such a long time, the corpses of those Gray Badger Gang members were probably all gnawed away by the Grey skinned Rats.

But that lucky thug leader, "Iron Head," survived because of him.

Who knows what he's up to these days.

Xia Nan shook his head and decided not to think any further.

Whether it's the rat swarm or the Gray Badger Gang,

it doesn't make any difference to him now.

Because he's about to leave Neum and return to River Valley Town.

The Golden haired Elf officially labeled as a "Cultist," the Sheep Deer Statue silently circulated then urgently recalled, and the city's higher-ups' chaos seemed like layers of deep shadows cloaking Neum, impossible to discern the true situation.

The waters run too deep!

Xia Nan was just a newly professional, having recently acquired his Professional Level; he couldn't possibly get involved in such possibly high-level power incidents.

With Buck dead, his task is complete.

He of course didn't wish to linger in the city, already prepared for the journey back.

"Xia Nan, over here!"

He followed the direction of the voice.

Amidst the crowd, Jeff was waving him over, standing on that prosthetic leg from the "Rock Hammer" Blacksmith Shop.

Behind him stood several younger men dressed as coachmen.

It was just after the Moon Feast, and crowds gathered from surrounding towns for the festival began to leave.

This made the inns particularly busy these past days, hardly able to book a spot without reservation.

But having been with the convoy for so many years, Jeff had quite a network at the inn.

Knowing Xia Nan planned to return to River Valley Town, Jeff proactively contacted a few acquaintances to find an empty spot in a convoy headed to River Valley Town.

"Really not staying a few more days, there are many places in Neum City you haven't visited, right?"

Jeff sincerely pleaded as Xia Nan approached.

"No." Xia Nan smiled and politely declined, "I have to return to the association to submit my task. I don't know if it's considered complete; otherwise, I might have to travel out of town again."

"You're already a professional, no need to work so hard."

Jeff patted Xia Nan's shoulder, comforting him.

"You're still young, you could take a few days off for yourself or find a suitable woman to settle down with."

Xia Nan didn't speak, just shook his head.

Regarding the task intervals, although he spent a lot of time daily training his Battle Skill, his mind and body were actually recovering quite well.

If feeling too pressured, taking a couple of days off wouldn't make him feel guilty.

As for starting a family...

He had already thought deeply about it long before acquiring his Professional Level.

Before gaining enough strength to provide a safe environment for those he cares about, he wouldn't consider it.

Looking at the simple-looking middle-aged man in front of him, Xia Nan seriously reminded him:

"Although I've said it before, I must remind you again."

"Regarding those oddly shaped statues, definitely don't touch them, keep your distance."

"And the Golden haired Elf in the newspaper, run if you see them, don't hesitate."

"Business can be done anytime, but life, you only have one."

"If you truly encounter an insurmountable problem, you can go to the City Lord Mansion to find a man named 'Wood,' mention my name; maybe he can help you."

Lady Daisy, an excellent cook and master of cream mushroom soup, Lilina appearing shy but actually lively once approached, Jamie studying deeply at the academy and courteous at home...

Though their time together was short, Jeff's family left a very good impression on Xia Nan.

Even from the first meeting, they treated him like family, carefully caring for him throughout his time in the city.

Thus, as parting approached, Xia Nan couldn't help but say a few more words.

Reliable as always, Jeff listened intently to Xia Nan and nodded seriously, indicating he remembered.

Then with a smile, he stepped aside, making way amidst the crowd.

"It's getting late; better get going."

"If you ever return to Neum, look for me, the guest room at home is always ready for you."

Waving his hand, Xia Nan stepped into the carriage.

The wheels creaked and turned.

Outside the window, Jeff stood still, watching the departure.

...

...

Supply along the way, camped and rested.

With stops and goes, more than half a month quietly passed.

No bandits or demons threatened their journey, just a passing wolf pack one night that startled the convoy leader; at other times, only the monotonous wasteland and the carriage's jostling outside the window were tiresome.

Finally, on a sunny morning.

The convoy returned to River Valley Town.

The familiar noises reached his ears, even the curses mixed in seemed pleasing at this moment.

He opened the carriage door, his boots firmly landing on the stone-paved ground.

In view were no longer ordinary Neum City citizens, either ragged or polished.

Replaced now by the cold gleam of blades reflecting sunlight, and the crisp clash of Metal Armor against sword sheaths.

Even the air was tinged with a faintly familiar bloodiness.

"Gray Sword, back already?"

Someone he recognized glanced at the Beheading Longsword on his back and called out from afar.

He nodded in response.

Xia Nan stepped forward, headed towards the town center.

After completing his task, naturally, it was time for the classic loot management phase.

Though he didn't acquire biological materials like goblin ears or Rusted Monster Poison Sacs, he did snag some shining stones from the Gray Badger Gang.

A trip to Fairy Wind might trade them for a few bags of Gold Coins.

On the journey to Neum, he helped the convoy fend off bandit attacks.

The horses and Equipment won as loot were scheduled, by agreement, to be exchanged for Gold at the White Sparrow Tavern, awaiting his collection.

Though uninjured, the two pieces of armor he wore were melted into molten iron under the Golden haired Elf's strange power, completely unusable.

It was necessary to visit "Rock Hammer" to purchase two new sets.

Of course, he wouldn't forget.

Before leaving River Valley Town for Neum.

He spent a whopping 500 Gold to commission Barn at the "Rock Hammer" Blacksmith Shop to craft him a defensive Magic Equipment.

Estimating the time, nearly two months had passed, surely it was finished.

He wondered what type it was.

If it turns out to be armor, it might save him some money.

He couldn't help but feel a bit excited.

However, before all of that,

Xia Nan needed to visit the adventurer association to submit his promotion task.

If considered complete, he'd gain access to the Association Second Floor, enjoying career benefits the Association provides and perhaps obtaining advanced knowledge about upgrading or job changes.

If incomplete, at least he needed to register the task for the next one.

According to task info, he could prepare accordingly.

With pending tasks crossing his mind, the very familiar streets he had walked countless times didn't require him to recognize directions, as they naturally shifted backward on either side of him.

Raising his head once more.

In front of him stood the tall, tree-like wooden structure.

He had arrived at the adventurer association's doors.