Goblin Dependency-Chapter 694 - 348: Extra Meal (Part 2)

Considering that he could still stand here with all limbs intact, and his strength has dramatically improved since the past, it was clearly not a bad thing.

And the experience of these seven days seemed to prove his suspicion: why would the Goddess of Misfortune care about a small figure like himself?

Summarized from countless past adventurers and merchants, with a more meticulous plan than Xia Nan, a clearly planned route, well-equipped guards and skilled drivers, meticulous and thorough supply preparations...

For seven days and nights, the caravan moved at a stable and unhurried pace along the trade route, without encountering any danger that could threaten the safety of the goods or personnel.

There had been attacks, of course; those green-skinned goblins distributed like cockroaches and mosquitoes in every corner of the world would not retreat far like the somewhat intelligent bandits in the forest upon realizing the configuration of the caravan.

To those disgusting green skins driven by desire, there was essentially no difference between a donkey cart from nearby villages, a well-equipped caravan, or a troop of marching soldiers.

And their end was naturally no different from their countless kin already perished in underground nests, having been mercilessly beheaded to become fertilizer nourishing the forest.

With two Level 4 professionals and Xia Nan, whose actual combat power far exceeded his own level, as the baseline, the goblins attacking the caravan couldn’t manage to harm anyone in the caravan before being effortlessly wiped out.

Their overwhelming performance in battle elevated the status of a few adventurers in the caravan.

In such wild terrains, having three professionals as escorts provided an immense sense of security for any ordinary person without power.

It is worth mentioning that, due to the many eyes around, Xia Nan didn’t vent his desires much, slightly holding back while dealing with goblins and merely decapitating them.

Considering time constraints, he also refrained from tracing the goblins back to their nest, leaving him slightly disappointed.

But he thought, enduring a few more days, once the caravan reached its destination and they parted ways, he could hunt down green skins to vent his passion, so Xia Nan persevered.

By evening, the caravan found a relatively open and defensible spot to stop for rest.

Under the command of the caravan leader, the coachmen gathered Horak’s carriage at the center, the other carriages forming a semicircle at intervals, while the horses were gathered for care.

The guards and servants set up camp nearby, with bright campfires and sturdy tents quickly rising on the empty ground beside.

Having physical qualities far beyond ordinary people, the journey over the past few days hadn’t tired Xia Nan out much.

Even wearing heavy metal armor for long hours, his face didn’t show any signs of fatigue.

He quietly sat by the campfire, carefully wiping the ash-grey straight sword on his knee, meticulously maintaining his equipment.

His skilled movements indicated it wasn’t his first day doing so, only appearing slightly inexperienced when it came to the silver-grey armor on his upper body, as if lacking maintenance experience.

He glanced up at the sky.

As if realizing something, he glanced slightly at Margaret, across the campfire, seeing the female knight sorting her backpack and not paying attention to him.

He lowered his head, pretending to continue wiping his straight sword, concentrating attention and focusing his gaze on the blade, using its reflective surface to summon his own attribute panel:

...

[Gravity Etching]Level 3 (29/100)

—Remaining Uses (3/3)

...

[Gravity Etching]had been upgraded to Level 3 for over a month already, and perhaps due to the many battles experienced in between, its skill level increased rapidly, quickly reaching a third of the progress bar.

Even though he was in the middle of a mission, with relatively little pressure, Xia Nan didn’t deliberately maintain all three full charges.

Instead, as usual, he timed the cooldown of "every six hours once" charging like setting an alarm, consuming them regularly.

He even adjusted slightly in between to make the cooldown expire right before setting out at dawn, during midday rest, and after evening rest, for convenience in leaving camp to train.

Just as things were going well.

Nearby areas to the camp were already searched, showing no traces of dangerous demons, allowing him to train outdoors with ease.

Even should unforeseen events arise, as long as he didn’t stray too far, his perception ability would alert him promptly, allowing a timely return.

These thoughts swiftly crossed his mind as Xia Nan gripped the sword hilt, smoothly sheathed the straight sword with a "click."

He slowly stood up, brushing off dust from his pants and leg armor.

Noticing the movement over here, Margaret across the campfire instinctively raised her head, strands of dark gold hair on either side of her cheeks swaying, crystalline eyes reflecting the firelight:

"Going out to train?"

After traveling together for seven days, she was gradually accustomed to the young black-haired man’s energetic vigor, and his rare diligence in seizing every spare moment to improve himself.

Without needing further explanation from Xia Nan, Margaret already guessed where he was headed.

No wonder he had achieved such strength at such a young age.

Her father was an adventurer, and she had practically grown up in a tavern.

Margaret clearly knew when such a young and talented adventurer, with a bit of fame and status in certain circles, still maintains absolute discipline and habitual effort as he did when first starting out after becoming a professional meant a lot.

Over the seven days, she hadn’t seen Xia Nan drink even a drop of alcohol.

Had she not occasionally noticed his slightly fluctuating emotions during meals, she might’ve suspected if this black-haired youth named "Xia Nan" was a human-shaped magic doll made by some powerful mage.

Indeed, perhaps due to such efforts, he could defeat the material realm’s projection of a demon’s noble head-on at such age.

Margaret couldn’t help recalling over a month ago, under the wailing of Purgatory Devils, being engulfed by the dark red flames that swallowed an entire goblin cave;

Remembering the sharp sword shadow which left sparks lingering in the air;

Recalling the two deceased silhouettes...

Her breath suddenly became somewhat labored, her knuckles slightly whitening from exertion.

Between her thumb and forefinger was a badge issued by the Association, engraved with the black oak tree shield emblem.

It was the Oathkeeper Blackwood adventurer team badge.

The most precious, vital inheritance left by her father.

And also what Margaret swore to protect.

As long as she lived, the name "Oathkeeper Blackwood" would endure.

Xia Nan stood opposite the campfire, looking at the heroic female knight who, after asking him a question, suddenly fell silent.

He initially intended to ask if she was encountering any problems, but his keen perception ability swiftly alerted him to the turbulent emotions beneath her silence.

After a moment’s contemplation, he decided not to probe further.

He turned around, scanning the surrounding woods to recognize direction while seeking a suitable training site.

And at this moment, a robust figure that had vanished since the caravan leader announced rest and camping suddenly emerged from the nearby bushes.

The short, stout body, reflecting in the twilight like a rolling ball, hadn’t yet approached when Soldin’s rough, deep voice melded with the metallic rubbing of armor and the urgent heavy footsteps, emanating from the air:

"Come with me quickly, found something good!"

"Today we’ll have a nice hefty meal!"