Chapter 88: Puji Is Awesome

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Puji Is Awesome

Hesia’s gaze lifted from the commission scroll, his mind already racing.

Goblins. He had an instinctive revulsion for the filthy, cunning creatures.

Even though he’d only managed to pull a single [Bloodline Solidification] after killing so many goblins back in Print, leading him to believe they didn’t drop good attributes, it didn’t change the simple fact that he wanted to slaughter a few more to blow off some steam.

As for the Kobold commission, the reward of 3 Golden Shields alone was substantial.

He also remembered that Casters sometimes appeared among kobold tribes.

He looked up and asked, "Can we take both commissions?"

"Yes. That was my thought as well. They’re in the same general direction, so we can finish one and then head to the other. We have enough time. What does everyone else think?"

Laila was more concerned with the actual payout. She asked directly, "What’s the reward for the commission to clear out the goblin nest?"

"150 Silver Scales."

Laila astutely picked up on the problem. "Such a high reward, and it hasn’t been snatched up yet? That nest must be quite large, I take it?"

Hulk nodded, confirming her suspicion. "The commission states there are an estimated forty goblins."

As soon as Hesia heard that, he understood.

Normally, for the official culling quests issued by Rose Town, the standard rate for a goblin’s left ear was two Silver Scales.

For forty goblins, the ears alone would be worth nearly 80 Silver Scales.

Even though the commission offered a flat 150 Silver Scales, most Adventurers still preferred to hunt scattered, roaming goblins instead.

After all, the two tasks were on completely different levels of danger.

Laila continued, "What about the Kobold one? What’s the catch?"

Hulk replied, "The main problem with that commission is the distance. The destination is near the middle of the Gray Mist Forest, close to the Twilight River Basin. It would probably take a week just to get there."

Laila nodded decisively. "Distance isn’t a problem, as long as the pay is right. I have no objections. Let’s take both."

Zoya, quiet as ever, sat to one side without offering an opinion, merely giving a slight nod.

Belte, however, pumped his fist and shouted excitedly, "Goblins! Excellent! Every last one of them should be slaughtered! Leave none alive!"

He had clearly transferred his grudge against Pachy to all goblins.

To him, it was perfectly logical.

People always drew a distinction between the goblins who used their business sense to integrate into human society and their distant relatives who didn’t, but Belte wasn’t buying it.

As he saw it, the only difference between the two was that one would scheme for your Money Bag while the other would just snatch it outright. At the end of the day, when it came to being ugly and deserving a beating, there was no real difference between them.

Just as Hesia was feeling so hungry his stomach was caving in, a waiter who finally had a free moment arrived at their table with a wooden tray.

"Good evening, esteemed guests. Here is the Goblin Foot Ale you ordered."

Five ceramic mugs were set down in turn. The amber liquid was topped with a delicate white foam, giving off a fresh, malty aroma.

Belte couldn’t wait. He snatched up a mug and took a long swig. GULP. GULP. He let out a satisfied sigh. "Ahh, that hits the spot! That’s the stuff!"

Hesia also picked up his mug and took a sip.

The cool ale slid down his throat. It wasn’t bitter as he’d expected, but instead had a unique, refreshing sweetness.

Next, the waiter returned with their food, placing six Iron Skewer Giant Strength Barbecues, each as thick as a branch, on the table.

Huge chunks of beef were threaded onto special flat iron skewers, interspersed with onion, bell peppers, and richly aromatic mushrooms.

The meat was grilled to a perfect char on the outside while remaining tender within, its sizzling fat sprinkled with coarse spices.

Hesia didn’t hesitate to grab a skewer. He easily tore off a large chunk of meat and began to chew heartily, his face a mask of pure satisfaction.

Under the table, Bruce looked up at him with a mournful, pleading gaze.

Fortunately, Zoya had already quietly stripped the meat from one of the skewers.

She placed the chunks of meat on the floor, and Bruce immediately trotted over, tail wagging, and began to wolf them down.

Just then, with heavy footsteps, the proprietress, Jin Jia, came over herself, carrying an iron platter that was still blazing with fire.

She set the platter down in the middle of the table with a CLANG, and a blue flame WHOOSHED half a meter into the air.

"Flame-roasted Wild Chicken with Berry Sauce."

An entire wild chicken was roasted to an alluring golden-brown, its skin so crispy it looked as if it might shatter at the slightest touch.

Blue flames danced around it, releasing the rich aroma of strong spirits.

Next to it sat a small dish of deep red berry sauce, its sweet-and-sour scent mingling with the aromas of liquor and meat in a mouthwatering combination.

Once the flames had died down, Hesia sliced off a small piece of chicken, dipped it in the berry sauce, and popped it into his mouth.

The crispy skin and tender, juicy meat, combined with the faint aroma of the liquor and the sweet tang of the berries, created a complex and delicious flavor.

Just as the group was reveling in the satisfaction of the roasted meat and chicken, the young waiter carefully approached with a white porcelain bowl and placed it gently in the center of the table.

"Guests, your Delicious Creamy Mushroom Soup. Please, enjoy."

Compared to the hearty, rustic fare surrounding it, the soup looked exceptionally refined.

The soup was a rich, creamy white, its surface dotted with a few drops of emerald-green herb oil and a sprinkle of crispy, toasted croutons.

An incredibly savory aroma, almost magical, instantly overpowered the charred scent of the meat and the malty notes of the ale, boring straight into Hesia’s nostrils with domineering force.

A single whiff was enough to ignite the hunger in his belly completely.

Seeing this, Laila picked up the ladle and served a small bowl to each of them.

Hesia eagerly lifted his spoon, scooped some up, and brought it to his lips.

The next second, his eyes widened slightly.

The soup was thick and smooth, carrying the richness of cream and the savory depth of a fine stock.

But what was truly stunning were the mushrooms, which were tender yet had a wonderfully satisfying chew.

With every chew, an endless savory flavor seemed to explode on his tongue—a deliciousness that surpassed any meat.

This savory taste made everything else on the table seem bland by comparison.

Hesia lifted the bowl and took a large swallow. A warm, wonderful sensation spread from his tongue throughout his body, seemingly dispelling even the last vestiges of fatigue from his all-night Spellcasting practice.

He had never tasted a soup so delicious.

"What in the world are these mushrooms? How can they be so savory?"

Hearing this, Belte laughed smugly, as if he’d made the soup himself. "Haha, Brother Galen, you didn’t think this was just some ordinary mushroom soup, did you?"