Goblin Dependency

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[Task Number]: 09C

[Type]: Bounty

[Reward]: 100—300000 Gold (negotiable)

[Task Briefing]:

A Moon Elf named "Feng Xian" (half-blood) was suspected to be possessed by an evil object during a resurrection ritual, causing massive damage and casualties to the Neum Moon God Church, several streets in the West City District, and parts of the slum area. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.

If witnessed, please contact association personnel nearby. After verification, you will be rewarded based on the accuracy of your information.

[Time Limit]: None

[Extra Information]:

Warning! Extremely dangerous!

Do not approach closely unless you are a seasoned professional!

...

Xia Nan stared at the top of the task wall, at the bounty commission that had clearly just been posted not long ago.

His heart felt inexplicably subtle.

Based on the detailed information in the [Task Briefing], and the realistic portrait attached beside it.

No doubt about it.

This Moon Elf named "Feng Xian", is precisely the golden-haired Elf he encountered previously.

Even while he was in Neum, he heard from various sources about the disastrous scene that night, knowing that the other party had escaped official and church pursuit and disappeared into the depths of the night.

In some ways, the existence of this Elf was one of the reasons that prompted him to return to River Valley Town quickly after only a few days.

But what he didn't expect was, Neum's efficiency was quite high.

Even he had just returned to River Valley Town, and the bounty for the golden-haired Elf was already posted on the task wall.

Moreover, the bounty...

Xia Nan's gaze swept over the [Reward] section, the long string of "0" behind it made him a bit dizzy counting them.

If all were converted into mushroom soup...

It might be enough for him to drink until the end of time at the White Sparrow.

Of course, that's just a thought.

Truly, for this money that is almost impossible to earn, he absolutely wouldn't return to Neum and throw himself back into the dangerous whirlpool.

As for any useful clues, he seemed to have nothing worthy of reporting to the association without exposing too much...

While pondering in his heart, his thoughts suddenly paused.

He keenly perceived a figure with strong purpose aimed at him, quickly approaching him from the crowd beside.

Looking over.

Appearing in his line of sight was a familiar figure with the same golden hair and a beautiful face.

"Mr. Xia Nan, you've returned!"

Looking at the front desk receptionist "Moli" approaching with quick steps, smiling and greeting him.

Xia Nan nodded slightly in greeting, replied:

"Yes, the journey took too long."

"The task sort of had a result, we..."

"Sorry, Mr. Xia Nan, I was abrupt." Moli tidied her slightly messy bangs, showing an apologetic expression, "Please follow me, let's find an empty meeting room and talk in detail."

...

...

"So... you actually went to the Neum Sewer and fought with the adventurer infected with beastification?"

Moli sat opposite at the table, her expression indescribably odd.

"Yes, unfortunately, the sewer is too complicated, I'm not familiar with it, and he escaped." Xia Nan nodded, "The task required it, didn't it?"

As soon as the words fell, Moli in front got up again, repeatedly apologizing to him.

"Truly sorry, sir, really sorry!"

"Although I don't know if the colleague responsible for the task transfer reminded you, but he surely forgot to emphasize, the nature of this advancement task is 'investigation.'"

"You don't have to kill any target, nor definitely bring anyone back alive."

Xia Nan's outward expression remained unchanged, but inside suddenly felt a difficult situation.

Could it really be as I speculated...

"Then how can I be considered to have completed it?"

Lightly tapping his fingers on the table, he asked tentatively.

"Uh..." Moli paused, then turned to glance at the tightly closed room door behind her.

Only then she lowered her voice and leaned in:

"Actually, as long as you followed the address we provided, went to Neum, asked knowledgeable people for relevant information, combined with your own speculations, and wrote a report or directly narrated to me."

"The task is actually almost done."

The finger tapping on the desktop couldn't help but pause.

Xia Nan stared directly at the golden-haired girl full of apologies, further deepening his impression of the adventurer association as a "ragtag group."

Worried that Xia Nan might become angry, or possibly due to the tense atmosphere in the silent air.

Before he could reply, Moli hastily added:

"That colleague responsible for task transfer normally, it counts as his dereliction of duty, he will be punished by the association."

"But... he was already dismissed last month, no longer in River Valley Town—rumor has it earlier, there was a work mishap, causing a significant loss to an advanced adventurer team."

"Please rest assured, Mr. Xia Nan, I will apply for a higher tier task reward for you, ensuring you won't have run this trip for nothing!"

"You all handle it as you see fit."

Waving his hand.

Now that things have come to this, Xia Nan only hopes the task rewards later provided by the association can cover the cost of his two pieces of armor.

Back in town, there are many issues needing handling, not planning to waste any more time.

Xia Nan directly got to the point:

"Can I go to the second floor now?"

"Of course!" Moli stepped with quick little steps, opening the room door for Xia Nan, "Please follow me."

...

This was quite a wonderful feeling.

Early knowing from other adventurers after just crossing into this world, that only so-called "professionals" can enter the association's second floor.

Even if he didn't have any strong feelings in his heart, under such circumstances and from the surrounding people's envious tone, every time Xia Nan came to the association, he couldn't help but fantasize, about the scene of himself stepping up the stairs.

Now, truly guided by Moli to complete the professional identity registration.

Following her, under the gaze of many adventurers in the hall, step by step, stepping onto the wooden stairs leading to the second floor.

In his heart, instead, there weren't many emotional fluctuations.

Just at the stair corner, he glanced once more at the bustling adventurers in the hall, then turned his head, looking upward.

Examining the layout of the association's second floor.

The first thing that caught his eye was likewise a fairly spacious hall.

Still maintained the Mist Forest style of design thinking, using the dark oak from deep within the forest as the mainstay, supplemented by vines, branches, shrubs, and other various common plants in Mist Forest as decorations.

Giving a simple and elegant natural aesthetic.

The overall area is large, only slightly smaller than the hall downstairs.

But due to the drastically reduced number of adventurers inside, it seemed three or four times wider.

In the center of the hall, there's even a small fountain garden laid out leisurely, with several wooden benches scattered around for rest.

Then, there's the extremely noticeable change in atmosphere.

Unlike the crowded adventurers downstairs, who bring urgency and tension in the air filled with sweat odor and the smell of blood.

As if just lagging behind two seconds, the tasks one wanted would be snatched away, and the gold coins supposed to enter one's pocket would be lost.

Making people subconsciously speed up their steps.

In the association's second floor, at least the adventurers in the hall now, all appeared calm and composed.

Though occasional debate and altercations could be heard, the solid momentum and steady, proficient actions from their professional identity, were unmatched by typical adventurers.

Beside, Moli led Xia Nan into the hall, softly explaining the function of each room on both sides.

"Here is a potion shop exclusively for professionals, cooperating with the Alchemist Association, storing many potions that can't be bought outside, all enjoying association subsidies."

"If you are interested, you can take on some material collection tasks commissioned by the Alchemist Association, after completion, you might be awarded a certain level of discount."

"This side is the item exchange place, rare vegetation materials, special metals, and even customized services for enchanted equipment, as long as you have enough points, you can find staff here to exchange."

"This room is intelligence..."

"Hold on." Xia Nan reached out to interrupt Moli's introduction, noticing a special term in her words, he frowned slightly, asked.

"What does this 'points' mean?"