Chapter 642: Gesture of Goodwill

After a couple of seconds, Thoren finally opened his mouth, breaking the silence that had settled over the chamber.

His gaze remained fixed on the beast-hide map spread across the stone table, and after considering the information Draven and Rynna had shared with him, he slowly raised his head.

"Can I get a copy of this map?" he asked calmly. "Don’t worry, I will give you something in return."

Draven was not particularly surprised by the request.

Without hesitation, he reached into his inventory and brought out another piece of brown beast hide.

"Take it."

Thoren reached out and accepted the map without ceremony.

He unfolded it carefully, examining the familiar lines and markings to ensure that it contained the same information Draven had shown him earlier.

After examining it for a moment, Thoren folded the beast hide and placed it inside his inventory.

"So, what are you going to do?" Rynna asked curiously.

Thoren turned his head toward her, his expression as calm as ever.

"Of course, I’m going to explore."

He spoke as though the answer were obvious, without the slightest hesitation or uncertainty in his voice.

Rynna was not particularly surprised by his response. She had already expected him to say something similar after learning about the different routes and the distance their party had explored.

Anyone who wanted to leave the third floor would eventually have to venture beyond the relative safety of Scarwind Camp and search for a way forward.

However, she did not bother asking which route he intended to explore first.

That information did not matter much to her.

Whether Thoren chose a one-star passage or decided to test his luck in a more dangerous region, the decision belonged to him.

They had already explained the risks, and he was free to decide how he wanted to proceed.

Besides, there was a considerable difference between exploring a route and surviving its deepest sections.

Even if Thoren possessed considerable strength, Rynna found it difficult to believe that he could surpass their achievements alone.

Their party had explored five one-star routes to depths exceeding thirty kilometers, and reaching that point had required months of preparation, repeated expeditions, and considerable sacrifice.

There had been times when they had been forced to retreat with serious injuries because the beasts they encountered were stronger than expected.

Their progress had not come easily.

It was the result of experience, cooperation, and sacrifices of many.

For that reason, Rynna did not believe a single awakener could simply enter the trenches and achieve the same results in a fraction of the time.

Thoren might be stronger than he appeared, but strength alone could not eliminate every danger waiting inside the underground passages.

This was also what Draven thought.

Before Thoren had asked for a copy of the map, Draven had considered inviting him to join their scavenger party.

Although he had only known Thoren for a short time, his instincts had repeatedly warned him that Thoren was not an ordinary newcomer.

His composure, the unusual wine he possessed, and the fact that he had crossed an unmarked route alone had all suggested that there was more to him than met the eye.

Having someone like that join their party could prove extremely beneficial.

However, the moment Thoren asked for the map, Draven understood that his original plan would probably fail.

Thoren was not looking for a permanent group to accompany him through the trenches.

He was going solo.

Draven could not help feeling a little disappointed, but he did not attempt to change Thoren’s mind.

Looking at the duo, Thoren asked calmly.

"How should I repay you for your kindness and for the map?"

Draven raised his eyebrows slightly, but before he could respond, Thoren continued.

"Do you want the wine?"

"Hmm?"

For an instant, Draven’s mind went blank.

Rynna also froze, her eyes widening as she stared at Thoren with an expression that betrayed her surprise.

The wine they had tasted earlier was unlike anything either of them had encountered since arriving on the third floor.

Even now, Rynna could still remember the delicate sweetness and rich fruity notes lingering on her tongue, along with the pleasant warmth that had spread through her body after drinking it.

Compared with that wine, the Lonely Bloodmoon Draven had proudly presented earlier seemed almost embarrassing.

But the most unbelievable part was that Thoren had offered it so casually, as though he were talking about an ordinary drink.

How many bottles of that wine does he have?!

Draven could not help exclaiming inwardly.

Taking a deep breath, Draven shook his head.

"I don’t want anything. Just take everything as us making friends with you." His answer was sincere.

Listening to Draven’s answer, Rynna was stunned.

She creased her brow and stared at him for a moment, seemingly trying to determine whether he was being serious.

The wine they had just tasted was clearly extraordinary, and its value could not be judged by ordinary standards.

Yet Draven had refused to accept anything in return for a map that represented months of dangerous exploration.

She understood that he wanted to establish a relationship with Thoren, but she had not expected him to go so far.

Nevertheless, she chose to remain quiet.

After all, Draven was the leader of their party, and he had his own reasons for making such a decision.

Thoren, however, was also surprised.

He had expected Draven to demand several bottles of wine. The fact that Draven had refused to accept anything in return was completely different from what he had anticipated.

Looking at the man across the table, Thoren quickly understood what Draven was trying to accomplish.

He wanted to establish a connection rather than gain an immediate reward.

Thoren was inwardly pleased by the decision.

Now, he could understand why Draven and his party had managed to survive for so long in such a deadly underground cave system.

Their survival was not merely the result of their fighting strength. Draven knew when to take risks, when to retreat, and when to prioritize a future opportunity over an immediate gain.

A leader who could recognize the value of an unfamiliar person without allowing greed to cloud his judgment was not someone to underestimate.

"That won’t do." Thoren shook his head slightly before raising his hand.

In the next instant, two crates of wine appeared beside him before settling gently onto the stone floor.

The sudden appearance of the crates made Draven and Rynna freeze.

Their eyes dropped toward the containers, then slowly rose toward Thoren, as though their minds needed additional time to process what had just happened.

The crates were filled with bottles of the same wine they had tasted earlier.

Rynna stared at the crates in disbelief.

My goodness!

She screamed inwardly, struggling to comprehend the sight before her.

One bottle had already been enough to leave her amazed, yet Thoren had casually produced two entire crates.

Draven was equally shocked. For a moment, Draven did not know what to say.

"Since you’ve taken me as a friend, how can I not reciprocate?" Thoren said calmly. "Take this as a measure of goodwill toward you and your party."

His words were simple, but they left a strong impression on Draven.

Thoren had accepted his gesture of friendship and returned it in a way that made his sincerity difficult to doubt.

Rather than allowing the exchange to end with an unpaid favor, he had chosen to make it clear that he valued the relationship as well.

Draven’s expression gradually softened as he looked at the two crates.

He had made the right decision.

However, before he could respond, Thoren rose from his seat and prepared to leave.

Rynna watched him stand, still unable to completely recover from the surprise of receiving two crates of wine.

Draven also rose slightly from his seat, his gaze following Thoren as the young man turned toward the exit.

Just as Thoren was about to leave the chamber, Draven’s voice suddenly echoed behind him.

"Be careful out there, and more importantly, be wary of the pathfinders."