Goblin Dependency-Chapter 693 - 348: Extra Meal

Xia Nan eventually accepted Horak’s gift.

It wasn’t that he was greedy; under normal circumstances, if someone on the street randomly offered him money,

his reaction would only be one of resistance and suspicion, questioning the person’s ulterior motives.

But now, as a bona fide professional recognized by his peers for his combat abilities, having joined the caravan as a temporary guard without demanding extra payment, purely for the ride, and in exchange, if any trouble arose during the journey within his capability, he could help resolve it.

Considering the average reward for an adventurer of his level, the caravan was definitely getting a great deal.

Under this premise, if the caravan owner Horak insisted on rewarding Xia Nan in various ways, he didn’t see a reason to overly refuse, as long as it was within reason.

On the other hand, the meeting gift given by the wealthy merchant, a silver chain pocket watch adorned with pearls, actually just seemed impressive.

Converted to actual gold coins, it might be around 50 gold coins? Xia Nan wasn’t very knowledgeable about the actual price of such items, but either way, it definitely wouldn’t reach triple digits.

It wasn’t even as profitable as an F level mission on the Association’s second floor.

Compared to the reward for a typical long-distance escort mission aligned with Xia Nan’s level and strength, the caravan still stood to gain more.

Seeing Xia Nan accept the watch, Mr. Horak generously appeared very pleased, as if accepting the gift was a way of showing him respect.

He even proposed to pay Xia Nan the same guard reward as the Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad.

However, Xia Nan promptly refused on the spot.

The meeting gift wasn’t a big deal, but the reward... was an entirely different matter.

He had already discussed with the caravan’s head, Mr. Horak’s assistant, that he was only hitching a ride and did not require additional compensation.

Even without a formal contract, he had no intention of going back on his word.

More importantly, from what Xia Nan gathered over the two days, the detailed content of Margaret and the others’ commissioned mission was for the Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad to escort the cargo-laden caravan to the destination town, stay for a short while, and then escort it back to River Valley Town.

It’s practically a complete round trip.

While he, after resting in the town, would part ways with the caravan and continue south.

His was a one-way trip.

Thus, accepting the same pay for only half the workload wouldn’t be fair.

In fact, he only managed to hitch this ride because the two vouched for him.

Xia Nan certainly wouldn’t compromise his conscience for the sake of a few gold coins.

Whether intentionally or not, upon hearing Xia Nan’s refusal, Horak seemed to realize that his suggestion of additional payment was inappropriate.

Seeing Xia Nan’s refusal, he didn’t show any anger; instead, he diverted the topic with a very smooth and barely perceptible transition, while offering an apologetic smile to the two members of the Blackwood Squad nearby.

Dwarf Solting, being a bit thick-skinned, didn’t catch the nuance, simply thinking of Xia Nan as principled, saying no and meaning it;

Margaret, on the other hand, seemed to notice something after Xia Nan’s refusal, but judging by her subsequent expression, she wouldn’t have cared even if Xia Nan had agreed.

The one in the Oathkeeper Blackwood Squad who might have conflicted with Horak over this triviality, nitpicking about every dime... had long died under the claws of the Purgatory Devil.

Xia Nan arrived at the station almost exactly on time.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with those present, the caravan’s second in command, a stern-faced slim man, approached, indicating to Horak that the team was ready.

The plump yet upright merchant followed his assistant’s lead, said a few parting remarks, and smoothly concluded the conversation.

They each returned to their respective compartments.

The shouts of the drivers and servants came from outside the windows, mingling with the hustle and bustle of the station, and amidst the rolling of wheels and the neighing of packhorses, the caravan officially set off, gradually leaving River Valley Town.

...

...

The journey was very smooth.

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.

Regarding the possible unexpected events on the road, Xia Nan, with over a year of experiences since he transmigrated, always felt lacking in confidence.

From the first mission he embarked upon in this world, just like the truck that conferred upon him the identity of a "transmigrator," there always seemed to be inexplicable things colliding with him at some relatively delicate moment, in ways beyond description.

During the Stinky Fish and Shrimp Group, he hadn’t yet fully figured out his attribute panel’s Golden Finger before facing a goblin attack, resulting in the dwarf’s immediate death. It was a hard-won battle to kill all the invading enemies, only for the half orc to suddenly have a crazy idea, believing the goblin nest could be taken advantage of with the main force out... Then came the Bear Goblins that cast such a shadow over Xia Nan, later developing into a strange sadistic hobby;

Attempting some simple collection tasks suitable for newcomers, he unexpectedly encountered Hai’an and Wood, ultimately facing the petrified lizard, which, although he has since successfully avenged, back then could only run away in disgrace...

There were many other bizarre occurrences that followed, needing no further elaboration.

At times, Xia Nan even wondered whether that Half Elf Dwarf’s gift of the [Destiny Coin] not only caught the attention of the Goddess of Fortune but also brought him under the observation of her obsessive and jealous sister—a divine being in charge of domains completely opposite to "luck."