Goblin Dependency-Chapter 288 - 153: Eerie Aesthetics_2

Having been told as such, Xia Nan obviously couldn’t force it.

After pondering, he decided on the alternative plan given by the blacksmith that day.

Sell part of the bone stick’s material to the other party to offset the workmanship fee.

Barn would use the remaining part of the bone stick to craft a piece of defensive-type magic equipment suitable for him.

Xia Nan only needed to bear the cost of some auxiliary materials, which was very cheap.

——500 gold coins.

Let’s just say, when he stood in the "Rock Hammer" Blacksmith Shop and heard this quote from Barn, he truly thought he might have misheard for a moment.

After all, the bone stick used as the main material for equipment was provided by him, and the expensive workmanship fee had already been offset.

But Barn looked as if he had already given him the lowest price, offering a discount on the price.

Thinking back to the "1500 gold" heavy plate armor marked inside the blacksmith shop, and the exaggerated figures mentioned in drunken tales about the prices of enchanted equipment in taverns.

Xia Nan’s heart gradually calmed down.

"If I have to put it this way, then the [Dead Line] ring on me, the wooden sword [Green Pine], if sold, should all fetch astronomical prices, right?"

Selling these few pieces of equipment, given his level of consumption, could directly retire.

Shaking his head, he cleared his mind of distracting thoughts.

In a world like the present, having "wealth" without sufficient "power" behind it, for someone like him from a farmer boy background, would only be more dangerous.

He looked out the window, observing the dusty adventurers coming and going in the station, his fingertips feeling the intricate patterns on the surface of the silver coin.

The Snake Scale Arm Shield had already been retrieved from "Rock Hammer" and was now worn on his arm.

The equipment Barn mentioned, crafted from the bone stick with "quality assurance," would likely not be completed until the current mission was over.

"Knock knock."

A crisp knock on the door suddenly sounded from outside the carriage, as the wooden door was carefully opened to reveal the respectful face of the convoy captain.

"Mr. Xia Nan, we’re planning to set off. Is there anything else you need to instruct us on?"

"Let’s set off." Xia Nan shook his head, indicating they needn’t pay him so much attention, and responded.

Having worked for many years, he had encountered various adventurers innumerable times, realizing the person before him, "Gray Sword," was not one of a talkative nature.

The convoy captain spoke no more, gently closing the carriage door for him.

"Keep an eye on your luggage; if it’s lost, our convoy won’t be responsible!"

"Jack, Jack, damn it, where’s that bastard!?."

"Hey there, stay away from my horse!"

The loudly raised voices outside gradually faded away.

Sitting in the carriage, Xia Nan once again felt the power of so-called "reputation."

Gap-Tooth Bennett, Bear Goblins... The outstanding battle achievements combined with the identity of a "professional," along with some half-true and exaggerated rumors.

His nickname, "Gray Sword," also gradually brewed and spread, especially among people like the convoy captain who often contacted low-level adventurers, he had a pretty good reputation.

Of course, this reputation was temporary and superficial.

Just like a long-faded star who hasn’t released any new work, if Xia Nan were to leave River Valley Town and not return.

It wouldn’t take long, two months at most, before River Valley Town would only have Adeline, Abi, and probably Barn who’d remember hosting a god-like figure with explosive armor probability.

On the other side, the convoy leader’s behavior was also because Xia Nan paid the gold coins directly.

From River Valley Town to Neum City, counting the rest and resupply time in between, it would take at least half a month.

The convoy not only carried passengers but also lots of goods — which was also one of their main income sources.

In this situation, a single carriage would typically be crammed with four to six passengers, making the space tightly constrained and particularly crowded.

If accompanied by someone who doesn’t care much about personal hygiene, the journey could become uncomfortable.

Plus, Xia Nan might need to practice battle skills en route, and his equipment carried was quite valuable.

He directly spent a few gold coins to book an entire carriage.

Honestly, after experiencing the 500 gold coin expenditure at Rock Hammer Store, he had become somewhat numb to such amounts, feeling no distress.

Now sitting alone in the spacious compartment also gave one a sense of value for money.

"I wonder if the adventurer association will reimburse these expenses incurred during tasks."

"Might head back and ask Moli."

Xia Nan pondered in his heart, taking out a small note from his bosom.

[West City District - Crow’s Beak Street - Grey Tree Lane No. 32]

This was the destination of his mission.

...

...

Unlike the Mist Forest, where each breath carried tension, and two or three minutes felt like hours.

The journey from River Valley Town to Neum passed quickly.

Both are important adventuring hubs with an association presence; one a core city of Sevia Kingdom’s Pan Yun Province.

Regularly, many merchants and adventurers frequented the area, making the roads smooth.

Except for certain special spots, one rarely encountered demons or even bandits.

Between sunrise and sunset, seven days had already gone by.

In the evening.

The carriage halted by the roadside, forming a caravan to guard against potential attacks.

On the adjacent open ground, tents were scattered about, encircling bonfires, faintly echoing the traveler’s clamor.

With multiple passengers, the cramped carriage space was insufficient for all to rest.

Therefore, when night fell and the convoy paused for a break, most travelers would disembark to camp overnight.

"Crackle."

The campfire flickered, Jimmy held two freshly warmed cakes over the flame.

Cautiously passing through travelers sitting by the campfire on both sides, he approached.

"Brother, dinner’s ready."

His gentle call received no reply.

His gaze followed.

Only to see his cousin tightly clinging to the package in his arms, eyes staring at the orange-red fire ahead, with a blank expression.

Jimmy thought nothing more, reaching to shake his cousin’s shoulder, speaking again:

"Brother, dinner!"

"Oh... oh, oh."

Seeing him finally react, picking up the cake and eating furiously.

Jimmy felt puzzled inside.

He didn’t know why his cousin recently seemed to daze often, and it was getting worse.

Before it was just slightly spaced out in the morning after waking up or after lunch, now it was spreading throughout the day; like moments earlier, he often needed to shake him awake.

"Perhaps it’s too much mental pressure?"

Jimmy pondered inwardly.

His cousin sent money home every month, quite a large amount; he initially thought it was from thriving as an adventurer, but these days noticed his cousin’s net worth seemed far less substantial, probably sending most income back home.

Even his outfit, his cousin sponsored a small portion.

A few days ago they had a lavish meal at White Sparrow, followed by various purchases; there should be little money left.

Lately also coinciding with Hunting Day’s end.

Goblin numbers in the forest reduced sharply, many vicious demons feeding on goblins turned fiercer due to starvation.

Bold enough to leave the mist’s shelter, hunting and feeding near human villages around the forest.

River Valley Town’s ever-shrewd adventurers naturally wouldn’t venture out during this heightened risk period.

His cousin subsequently had no income recently.

"Hope the trip to Neum yields something."

His mind recalled when his cousin had shown him that grey statue resembling a stone.

Jimmy had found it odd and unattractive before.

Thinking back now.

Like the mosquito swarms over a pond’s surface on summer evenings; ripples and buzzing, dim light reflecting numerous small dark dots wavering.

He felt a kind of indescribable eerie beauty.

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