Goblin Dependency-Chapter 690 - 346: Departure! (Part 2)

Without saying anything, they just quietly looked at each other, waiting for an explanation.

The summer heat was intense. After running back and forth, the ordinary Moli was already breathless, her bangs clumping together on her forehead.

Casually wiping the sweat off her cheeks with her sleeve, the blonde girl propped herself on the table. After finally catching her breath, she looked up at the patiently waiting Xia Nan with a hint of apology in her eyes:

"I’m sorry to disturb you during your rest, Mr. Xia Nan."

Waving his hand, Xia Nan glanced briefly at the girl’s damp short hair, indicating she needn’t worry.

Having interacted with him many times, Moli knew the style of this dark-haired young man. After expressing her apologies, she got straight to the point without unnecessary pleasantries.

"It’s like this, Mr. Xia Nan."

"The enchanted equipment you consigned to the association a few months ago, named [Tide Rod] by you, has received some interest recently."

With a slight nod to indicate he understood, Xia Nan felt somewhat surprised inside.

After the flail was purchased by the Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad’s dwarf, this was the only trophy left from the beastman incident he had consigned to the association.

So when Moli explained the consignment situation in the tavern, he had already made a guess.

What surprised him was...

Is there actually someone interested in this equipment?

Even though he had joked to himself many times before that the anglers of this world wouldn’t miss such a baiting device.

But honestly, as time passed, Xia Nan gradually lost hope for selling the [Tide Rod].

Maybe the special effect of "attracting all small floating creatures within a 1-mile radius" could be very useful when fishing.

But its extremely strict usage condition—"continually spear a living, healthy whale with a tip at a rate of 60 times per minute for 10 minutes without interruption."

Also meant this effect was extremely difficult to trigger.

It’s unlikely that any angler would go through the trouble of finding a whale to torment for ten minutes just to bait a spot, right...

"A professional registered with the adventurer association has shown a willingness to purchase the equipment you consigned and hopes to negotiate on the price."

Xia Nan certainly wouldn’t mind earning more money. The effect of the [Tide Rod] was practically useless to him, so it would be great if he could convert it into cash.

If someone was willing to buy it, even if the offer was a bit low, as long as it could be sold, he would be happy to accept.

"But the issue arises here." Moli sat across the table, explaining seriously, "That professional initially wanted to meet with you to negotiate the equipment’s price through a face-to-face discussion."

"However, considering the long distance between the two adventurer association branches, it’s not worth making a trip just for this equipment. After understanding the situation, following the suggestion of the staff there, they decided to use the adventurer association as an information channel to discuss the price with you."

"What do you think, Mr. Xia Nan?"

"It’s possible, but..." Xia Nan nodded, but his brow furrowed slightly, "I may have to go on a long trip soon, and I won’t be back for three months; will there be enough time?"

Upon hearing this, Moli paused for a moment, thinking of a solution for him.

"How about this, Mr. Xia Nan."

"I could negotiate on your behalf to see if we can postpone the transaction time."

"But if the other party disagrees, just to be safe, if you want the transaction to proceed and trust me, maybe..."

"Could you give me a base price and then a higher price, and I’ll negotiate for you slowly?"

That wouldn’t be a problem; he hadn’t expected the [Tide Rod] to sell. Keeping it served no purpose, so any sale would be a profit.

If Moli could help with the sale, it would save him a lot of trouble.

However, he didn’t immediately agree but instead inquired about the handling of the sale afterward.

"So after the transaction is completed, does your association handle the transportation?"

"Of course!" Moli nodded with a smile.

But after she said this, she suddenly glanced toward the back door of the room, like a guilty thief, seeing that it was closed, she leaned forward and lowered her voice:

"Normally, for goods consigned through the association, if the distance is considerable, the association helps with the transport for both parties."

"But in addition to the original transaction fee, there will be an extra labor charge for the transport based on the distance, which is deducted from the transaction amount."

"...It’s quite a lot."

Pausing, the blonde girl covered her lips with one hand and whispered.

"Therefore, if the item’s value isn’t that high, many experienced adventurers often decline the association’s channel and hire passing adventurers or merchants for transport themselves."

"Compared to the association, the cost of doing it this way is lower, but it is riskier. Even if an accident occurs during transport causing loss or damage, compensation will be fully paid out."

"Handling it privately may not be as secure as through the association, but it considerably reduces transportation costs."

"My personal suggestion..."

"If the price of your equipment is relatively high, using the association’s transport would be safer; likewise, if you’re looking to save some money and are willing to accept the risk, you could arrange the transport yourself."

Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Xia Nan pondered after understanding Moli’s implication.

Even though the [Tide Rod] is enchanted equipment, it’s only a piece of white equipment and probably won’t fetch much.

gold? 300 gold?

If transportation costs consume a fifth or more of the sale price, that seems excessive.

So, does he need to find someone to help with transport himself...

While considering this, a thought suddenly occurred to him. He shifted his focus from the table back to Moli.

"You haven’t told me where that professional buyer is from."

"Oh, I’m really sorry!"

"It’s Suo Yu Bay, Mr. Xia Nan."

...

Is it really that coincidental?

In Moli’s farewell, Xia Nan walked out of the adventurer association with an odd expression, holding a long, burlap-wrapped item.

Naturally, it was his consigned [Tide Rod] at the association.

Earlier, when Moli mentioned the buyer’s location, all his previous thoughts and considerations were immediately nullified.

How could any channel, no matter how stable and secure, be more reassuring than keeping it close?

As cheap and money-saving as it might be, if he could personally deliver it, it would cost him nothing.

Anyway, his travel destination was the Southern Islands of the Aifala Continent.

And within the islands, "Suo Yu Bay" housed the only local adventurer association branch, and he’d definitely stop there.

This way, carrying the [Tide Rod] himself, he could also satisfy the buyer’s request for a face-to-face negotiation, possibly fetching a higher price.

Upon reflection, the Southern Islands are close to the sea and would have plenty of whales, and hence the fishing demand there would be greater than for inland adventurers. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Having an interest in the [Tide Rod] is not surprising.

But the timing, coincidentally falling exactly as he was preparing to leave on his trip.

Had it been sooner or a few days later, it might not have aligned at all.

Xia Nan couldn’t help but find it slightly uncanny.

...

...

Time quietly slipped away, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.

After saying goodbye to his familiar friends and making all necessary preparations for his journey, Xia Nan, fully armed, walked out of the White Sparrow Tavern, across the street, and came to the River Valley Town’s station.

There, amidst the sound of rolling wheels and the neighing of packhorses.

Two familiar figures he hadn’t seen for almost a month were already standing by the carriage, waiting for the final member of their team.