Goblin Dependency-Chapter 272 - 145: Silence

After Hunting Day in River Valley Town, the bustling scene of before is noticeably quieter.

Those dusty adventurers commuting between the Adventurer Association and various cheap general stores, clad in simple equipment, have unknowingly disappeared into the deepening chill of the autumn wind.

It’s certainly not because they’ve earned enough money to retire comfortably.

As for their whereabouts... the fertile soil in Mist Forest might provide the answer.

And instead, there are many fresh faces on the streets, a sudden increase in equipment sales at the Blacksmith Shop, and the Adventure Manuals selling out quickly.

The myth of working for two years and earning enough for a lifetime of happiness, making the sheriff from the village no longer dare to shout loudly, and even becoming a "professional" for their transition.

Adventurers, at least on the Aifala Continent, are never in short supply.

The White Sparrow Tavern remains as bustling as ever.

With its excellent location and prices far exceeding those of other taverns in town, it annually attracts a large number of senior adventurers willing and able to spend money.

As for those "old men Berg" who’ve mingled in the adventurer trade for years, Hunting Day... indeed, is merely an annual event with soaring incomes.

There are, of course, some who don’t make it, but they’re rarely numerous.

No matter how deserted or vibrant the street outside, the tavern hall is packed with seniors living in a revelry of drunken dreams, choosing to relieve stress and numb their nerves with alcohol after strenuous tasks.

In fact, because they earned gold coins on Hunting Day, the atmosphere was even more lively than usual.

"Even if it costs me a lot today, I brought you here to see the world!"

An adventurer with bloodstains left on his leather armor, with some sense of flaunting on his face, pushed open the tavern door.

Behind him was a curious young man with a brand new One Handed Sword hanging at his waist.

"The White Sparrow is almost the highest class tavern in all of River Valley Town."

"Just staying here for one night costs a whole silver coin."

"Even your cousin, like me, only comes here with teammates to celebrate after a task is completed."

"You kid lucked out, haven’t even done a single task, and you’re already enjoying it."

Upon hearing his cousin in front speak so, Jimmy nodded with a newbie’s characteristic awkward smile.

Feeling unreal, only when the tavern’s mention of a silver coin per night’s accommodation fee was made did he subconsciously tighten his purse at his waist, estimating in his heart how many days he could afford to live here.

Subconsciously, even the server next to him sweeping with a mop couldn’t help but look up to him a bit, thinking he was a Big Shot who couldn’t be offended.

Carefully glancing around, his cousin had already stepped forward to the bar, and Jimmy hurriedly caught up.

Different from the imagined poised demeanor, his cousin appeared particularly hesitant when ordering, occasionally pausing to ponder, seemingly calculating the cost of this meal.

Jimmy felt somewhat puzzled, as he’d heard from family that his cousin had made quite a bit of money as an adventurer in River Valley Town these past two years; with his character, it should be impossible to be so stingy about treating them to a meal.

But when he saw his cousin lightly mentioning a few dish names, then taking out exactly three silver coins and five copper coins from his pocket, Jimmy finally understood the reason behind his cousin’s pained expression.

"Wow, that much money used to buy bread could fill up two big bags..."

While clicking his tongue secretly, he gained more expectations for the "adventurer" career and his own future.

Seeing his younger brother, whom he brought from his hometown, showing such envy, his cousin couldn’t help but let a bit of pride rise on his previously pained face due to the huge expense.

Pretending to be generous, he extended his hand around Jimmy’s shoulder, leading him toward the empty table in the hall.

"Your brother in these two years, not claiming any achievements, also has gained some prestige in town."

"Rest assured, having promised our uncle and aunt to take good care of you, I will definitely ensure you won’t suffer."

"From now on with me leading the way, I will guarantee you’ll..."

Under the encouraging beautiful words murmured in his ear, Jimmy couldn’t help but get lost, beginning to envision his soon-to-begin, wonderful adventurer career.

However, for some reason.

The initially sonorous and a bit buoyant voice of his cousin suddenly became quiet.

His body froze in place.

His expression stiffened, and his gaze stared straight ahead, but without focus, as if deliberately avoiding a certain direction, pretending not to see.

Not understanding the subtleties within, Jimmy felt puzzled, subconsciously looking towards the nearby tables with drinkers.

"Is it that Dwarf? But he’s already lying sleeping on the table, doesn’t seem special at all."

"Or is it that table with Half-orcs? I’ve heard from Minstrels passing through the village that their temperament is not very good, indeed it’s rather troublesome if they get drunk."

"It couldn’t possibly be this table, that black-haired adventurer looks hardly any older than me, probably a newly minted newcomer, indeed those in front of him..."

Pondering, Jimmy suddenly felt his cousin’s fingers on his shoulder tense up abruptly, forcibly turning his body back, not allowing him to look further.

Almost pushing him to walk back, while nervously lowering his voice:

"Stop looking!"

"We’ll switch locations, not sitting here."

"As your first lesson as an adventurer, I’ll first teach you to recognize people!"

The sudden change in his cousin’s attitude made Jimmy pause for a moment, instinctively uttering:

"Recognize people? Who? That black-haired..."

"Hush!" His cousin raised his left index finger to his lips, whispered.

Then, glancing back furtively, seeing that the other party hadn’t noticed them, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Touching his slightly cold neck, he scolded:

"From now on, don’t look around without my permission, and don’t speak recklessly!"

"Since you plan to make a living in River Valley Town, there are some people you may not interact with but must recognize!"

"Otherwise, if you offend a Big Shot, you might not survive a single task!"

Seeing his cousin’s expression so serious, Jimmy shrank his shoulders as if he’d been reprimanded, choosing wisely to keep silent.

"I’ll tell you about other things slowly later."

"Since we ran into this person today, I’ll take the opportunity to warn you with a few sentences, so you won’t lose your head without knowing who you’ve offended!"

"Firstly, the most noticeable thing, which is also the source of his nickname; you should have already seen it."

Listening to his cousin say this, Jimmy subconsciously recalled the image he had fleetingly glimpsed before;

"That... Gray Longsword?"

"Exactly!"

"The ’Gray Sword’!"

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶