Chapter 107 Book Box

Adventurers' Association, Main Hall.

Xia Nan guarded the coin pouch at his waist as he squeezed through the crowd ahead of him.

A faint scent of blood mingled with the decaying stench of the Misty Forest. Metal armor clinked and scraped in the jostling crowd, and heavy accents of Common from all corners of the continent filled the air. With two swords on his back and wearing two layers of armor, he would draw stares just walking down the street in any ordinary town.

But here in the Adventurers' Association, it was perfectly normal.

They walked a tightrope, keeping company with countless dangerous and lethal monsters.

One had to do everything possible to enhance their combat strength and maximize their chances of making it back alive.

Aesthetics, grace, appearance—none of it was worth a mention.

For adventurers, survival was the foundation of everything.

Struggling out of the crowd, Xia Nan let out a breath.

Before him stood a quest board that took up almost an entire wall.

He had finally practiced [Fang Hunt] to the point where it appeared on his Attribute Panel.

He had already made a plan: use the coming time to find other suitable combat techniques while increasing his proficiency with [Fang Hunt] as much as possible.

If he could take this opportunity to raise it to the "Mastery" "v5" level, based on his previous experience with [Spinning Slash]...

Aside from the attribute point rewards, he might even gain a related Feat.

It would be a massive boost to his current combat strength.

Of course, he was an adventurer who had completed a few quests by now.

Xia Nan naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to just charge straight into the forest and grind blindly.

After all, he still needed to save up money to upgrade his Arm Shield. It would be perfect if he could conveniently earn a sum on the side.

[Quest Number]: 26

[Type]: Bounty [Reward]:

150,000 gold (Crossed out)

300,000 gold!!! (Highlighted in striking red font)

[Quest Summary]: A Transcendent Tier Rank Swamp Druid (Circle of Spores) contaminated the water supply of the Nym Lower District and subsequently destroyed nearly half of "Kalanfor," and their current whereabouts are unknown.

Anyone with relevant information, please contact Sir Fran, the sheriff of Rivervale Town.

[Time Limit]: None. The first thing to catch his eye was still the wanted poster for that high-tier druid.

However, its contents had changed drastically since the first time Xia Nan visited the Association.

Not only had the bounty skyrocketed to a staggering 300,000 gold, but another line had also been added to the target's "track record" in the Quest Summary.

Destroying half of "Kalanfor."

Seeing this, Xia Nan's expression briefly froze.

'"Swamp Druid," "Circle of Spores"——'

His mind subconsciously recalled that night not long ago: the howling of a wolf, the afterglow of a sun-like brilliance, and the tiny dark purple particles permeating the air.

'Perhaps the target Forgan was tracking is this druid?'

He speculated inwardly.

'But since they already know this person is the culprit behind the Kalanfor incident, with such a massive commotion, the Barbarian's existence couldn't possibly be kept hidden.'

'Yet there's no related bounty for him on the quest board...'

'When it comes to the Swamp Druid, do the Association and Forgan share the same stance?'

Subconsciously, a strange feeling welled up within Xia Nan.

He was just an ordinary, bottom-tier adventurer who hadn't even obtained a Class Level.

Matters of this caliber should have had absolutely nothing to do with him.

But by a twist of fate, the goodwill he had inadvertently built with a quest teammate a few months ago had actually borne fruit, allowing him to come into contact with Forgan, a Barbarian of the same power tier who shared inextricably linked ties with the druid.

It was like strolling down the street and suddenly bumping into a huge celebrity who frequently appeared on TV, only to discover that they were a distant cousin.

'Interesting.'

Xia Nan mused, but his gaze subsequently shifted away.

He was perfectly aware of his own limits.

Just the aftershocks of the battle between the druid and Forgan back then had nearly cost him his life.

It was best for him to stay far away from dangerous figures of that level.

His gaze moved down.

[Quest Number]: 320C

[Type]: Bounty [Reward]: 120 gold [Quest Summary]:

A gnoll tribe from the Western Wasteland attacked several small villages around Rivervale Town. After being driven off by professional adventurers, they fled into the Misty Forest.

[Time Limit]: 200 days [Extra Information]:

The tribe contains an elite "Flesh Devourer" individual; please take precautions.

'A Gnoll Flesh-Eater?'

Xia Nan frowned slightly, recalling information related to them.

To a certain extent, the ecological niche of gnolls was quite similar to that of goblins.

They also lived in packs, were equally brutal and savage, harbored deep malice toward other intelligent creatures, and frequently attacked passing merchant caravans and human villages.

It was just that their numbers were much smaller, and their individual strength was greater.

Furthermore, just like hobgoblins and Bugbears, gnolls had elite individuals within their own race.

The "Flesh Devourer" was exactly one of them.

As for its specific combat strength...

Just like a Bugbear, its Challenge Rating was "1".

It wasn't a target he could handle.

Rejecting it in his mind, Xia Nan continued reading further down.

[Quest Number]: 412D

[Type]: Investigation [Reward]: 300 gold [Quest Summary]:

The "Fey Wind" general store was ransacked by a thief. The owner, Mr. Farlio, hopes an adventurer can help him find the pickpocket and recover the stolen property.

[Time Limit]: 365 days [Extra Information]:

"Gold coins, jewelry—just give me back that one item, and you can keep everything else you find!"

"Fey Wind" Farlio.

'No wonder he looked so distracted back then. So he was robbed.'

Recalling how out of sorts Farlio had looked when he went to Fey Wind to appraise the stone earlier, Xia Nan reached an understanding.

'The bounty offered is actually quite high, a full three hundred gold coins.'

Combined with his message at the end, this general store owner—who was quite famous in Rivervale Town—must have suffered a heavy loss.

'I wonder who had the guts to strike in a place like Rivervale Town, totally unafraid of retaliation.'

"Fey Wind" had been open in town for a while now. The owner Farlio's meticulous attitude and superb professional skills had earned him a long-standing reputation not only among bottom-tier adventurers, but also connections with many powerful Class Holders.

Normally, even veterans with highly skilled thieving techniques would never choose such a target.

The risk was too great!

The only ones daring enough to do such a thing were likely outlaws who would pull off one big heist and run away, never to return.

Xia Nan shook his head.

The 300 gold coin bounty was incredibly tempting, but he didn't possess any tracking-related combat techniques. In his past life, he was merely an office worker sitting in a cubicle; he had no relevant experience.

'These gold coins aren't mine to earn.'

He continued looking down.

[Quest Number]: 603H

[Type]: Bounty [Reward]: 25 gold [Quest Summary]:

Clear out a Goblin Lair located on the eastern outskirts of the Misty Forest. Please consult the relevant Association staff for the specific location.

Xia Nan's eyes lit up.

'This is it!'

Since his transmigration, he was still a long way from obtaining a Class Level, yet he had seen quite a few monsters like Petrification Lizards, Spined Devils, and Bugbears.

This kind of task—hacking at goblins and clearing out their nests—was exactly what he should be doing.

Moreover, Xia Nan's main purpose for this excursion was to increase his proficiency with [Fang Hunt].

Having swept through quite a few Goblin Caves while following the Barbarian earlier, he had gained some experience.

He had actually intended to use the greenskins as practice targets this time around anyway.

A quest like this suited his intentions perfectly.

He could accumulate combat technique proficiency through battle, while conveniently taking on a quest to earn some meal money.

Killing two birds with one stone!

Glancing over it a couple more times and noting down the quest number, Xia Nan headed toward the front desk.

Ten days ago.

The scent of alcohol and food permeated the air. A wooden cup sat quietly on a table, its clear liquor rippling faintly from the noisy footsteps of the patrons bustling around.

Vig sat alone in the hall.

His expression was plain as he drank by himself.

From time to time, he cast his gaze out the window, observing the gradually dimming sky outside.

Wearing a simple cloth shirt, he looked like nothing more than an ordinary townsman, making him seem completely out of place in the White Chickadee Tavern, where the vast majority of guests were adventurers.

Only occasionally, when the dwarves at the neighboring table roared at the top of their lungs, did he reveal a hint of disdain and disgust.

'I haven't been back in years, but this backwater place is still exactly the same.'

Though he too had experienced days of sweating blood and struggling in Rivervale Town, that was before he advanced to a "Rogue" and acquired a Class Level.

Afterward, he had returned to Nym. Relying on his status as a Class Holder and the savings he had amassed, he lived a decent life. However, coming from an adventurer background, the precariousness of his past had long accustomed him to squandering his money.

It had been fine back in Rivervale Town, where the bounties from various quests were plentiful enough to maintain his expenses.

But upon arriving in Nym, refusing to compromise in the face of exorbitant prices and stubbornly living like a noble without an income source, his little stash of savings had quickly run dry.

He was forced to take on some shady "dirty work" to pay the bills.

'Damn it, if it weren't for those bastards from the Wycliffe Family, I wouldn't be so broke that I couldn't even afford Midsummer Day,

let alone have to return to this hellhole.'

He cursed inwardly.

Vig raised his head again and glanced at the sky outside.

Seeing that the sun had fully set and night had fallen, he downed the last sip of liquor in his cup, stood up, and headed toward the tavern doors.

"Karin maggot!"

"wind servant!"

"%¥#@¥"

Behind him, the red-bearded dwarf who had just been loudly holding court with his tablemates seemed to have gotten into a dispute with someone. Shoving and grappling broke out, and the patrons in the hall flocked toward the commotion.

He sneered, his face displaying undisguised contempt.

Vig walked around a black-haired young man with twin swords on his back, who was sitting there watching the spectacle.

Stepping out of the tavern, he suddenly felt a gust of cold wind sweep through the muggy air.

He involuntarily shivered.

Looking left and right in confusion, he found nothing.

Only then did he fiercely spit at the tavern entrance before turning to leave.

Not long after he left, accompanied by an increasingly fierce and bone-chilling wind, a burly figure draped in a thick wolf-pelt cloak slowly walked into the tavern.

Vig's mission this time was very simple.

He didn't need to kill anyone, nor did he have to face dangerous monsters.

If he was lucky, he wouldn't even have to draw his blade.

Steal an item from Farlio of "Fey Wind."

For a Rogue, "stealing" was not a difficult task.

Especially since he already disliked the target to begin with.

'Who is he trying to fool? He wears a pair of glasses and genuinely thinks he's some sort of grandmaster.'

'Relying on his ability to appraise a few stones, keeping a straight face, unwilling to cough up even two extra gold coins.'

'He deserves to be hated!'

Seemingly recalling his past experiences as an adventurer, Vig's expression darkened significantly, yet his eyes faintly revealed a sense of malicious delight.

The mission was clear, and he knew the target inside and out.

But he was experienced, after all.

He didn't choose to make his move on his very first day back in Rivervale Town.

Instead, he patiently staked out outside the "Fey Wind" shop for several nights.

Until he had thoroughly figured out the man's schedule and habits.

Only then, late one night a few days later, did he begin his operation.

Draped in a black night-stalker cloak, his footsteps were soundless.

With a light swipe of the iron wire at his fingertips against the lock, accompanied by an imperceptible click, the shop's door swung open.

Farlio was unmarried and naturally had no children; he lived entirely alone.

He didn't go out often, but on the rare occasions he went drinking at the White Chickadee Tavern, he would stay until dawn the next day before returning home.

There was plenty of time.

Thinking of the generous reward promised by his employer, he moved with agility, like a phantom in the dark.

In just over ten minutes, he discovered a hidden alcove behind a picture frame hung in the inner room—the spot where Farlio stashed his valuables.

A small, ordinary-looking box.

He easily disabled the trap and pulled it open to look.

Inside lay a thin book with a pale red cover.

Flipping through a couple of pages, he confirmed it was his objective.

Wasting no time, Vig stuffed the book and its box into his coat. He was just about to leave.

But as if remembering something, he halted. Gazing at the surrounding shelves, he subconsciously licked his dry lips.

He didn't dare dawdle too long; carrying too many things would hinder his escape.

He simply grabbed handfuls of gold coins and jewelry, shoving them into the pouch at his waist.

Under the cover of night, he hurried out of town and mounted the horse he had readied on the outskirts earlier that day.

With the Book Box tucked in his coat, he rode toward Nym City.

'After this mission is done, I should be able to live large for a few months!'

His body rising and falling with the galloping horse, the smooth operation caused Vig to relax a bit and let his mind wander.

'I'll wait a while, then ask a few friends how Farlio—'

BOOM—On the distant horizon, a brilliant golden orb of light erupted like the sun.

The galloping horse was spooked and reared up on its hind legs.

Caught off guard, Vig was instantly thrown from the saddle.

Fortunately, his Rogue instincts allowed him to adjust his posture in midair, maintaining his center of gravity.

Not only did he land nimbly on the ground, but he also twisted his body to dodge the descending hooves.

"Fuck! What is that!"

His eyes reflected the blinding light radiating from afar. Accompanied by wolf howls and spores, a scorching wind washed over his body like a tidal wave, whipping his cloak violently.

Still reeling in shock, he pulled on the reins and was just about to mount the horse again.

Suddenly, the muffled sound of beating wings echoed from above.

A fierce gale struck.

Vig instinctively dove to the side.

The very next second, a monster with membranous wings on its back and bone spikes lining its spine and tail, surrounded by dark purple spores, swooped down like a falcon and crushed his mount into a bloody pile of gore.

'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!'

'How could there be a Spined Devil in this hellhole!?'

His pupils contracted sharply as he gripped his Short Dagger tightly.

Vig wailed in despair inwardly.

Knowing there was no chance of escape, but clinging to a sliver of hope, he lunged forward.

The power of shadows granted by the "Rogue" class, coupled with his nimble movements, surprisingly allowed him to hold his own at the very beginning.

His poisoned Short Dagger, its edges glowing with a faint blue light, left wound after wound on the Spined Devil's body.

During the scuffle, the Spined Devil's eyes—which were gradually losing their sanity under the erosion of the spores—flashed with a final trace of human-like intelligence.

It exposed a flaw, allowing Vig to leave a deep gash right in the center of its chest, the toxins on the blade seeping into its flesh.

At the same time, the creature's long, slender tail seized the opportunity to shoot out a bone spike, impaling the unfortunate thief.

Its final shred of sanity annihilated by the spore corruption, the Spined Devil let out a shrill howl, flapped its wings, and unsteadily took to the air, its body vanishing into the depths of the night sky.

Still clutching the Book Box stolen from the general store in his coat, Vig's corpse lay quietly on the ground.

Who knew how much time had passed; perhaps it was the stench of rotting flesh that drew them.

Several goblins wandering the Wilderness discovered Vig's corpse.

They immediately let out sharp cheers, swinging their wooden clubs to smash the softened, decaying body into pieces to drag back to their cave.

His bloodstained, tattered clothes were torn to shreds, and the wooden box containing the thin book was casually tossed into a corner of the cave.

Echoing between the stone walls was the bubbling of boiling soup and the sounds of chewing.

A bone with remnants of meat clinging to it landed beside the Book Box.

In the damp and sweltering environment of the cave, it took only a few days for the cooked scraps of meat to emit a foul odor.

"Scree!"

The excited, greedy, and shrill shrieks of the goblins suddenly rang out densely within the cave.

This was closely followed by the heavy, resisting thud of a blade sinking into flesh.

The air compressed, faintly emitting a noise akin to a wolf's howl.

Twitching, emaciated limbs hit the ground, and viscous, purulent blood splattered onto the surface of the Book Box.

In just over ten seconds, the greenskins' cries shifted from their initial elation, to anger, and finally to panic.

Ultimately returning to dead silence.

Only a single, steady breathing sound remained in the cave.

The Book Box still lay quietly in the corner.

Footsteps gradually approached.

The wooden box was picked up from the ground.

It was opened.

Looking directly down at the pale red book inside the box was a black-haired young man with sharp features.