Chapter 65: Journey to the Eastern Grasslands

Qiu Nuoya could only sigh inwardly.

Viktor really was acting a little childish.

Saying something like that only made Warren look pitiful.

"I’m happy Warren is coming with us," Qiu Nuoya said with a smile. "It actually helps a lot. I know firsthand how scary goblins can be."

"As long as I am with you, I will not allow you to experience anything frightening again."

Qiu Nuoya knew Viktor meant every word.

Still, lately, Viktor had become just a little too overprotective.

"Hey, Viktor!"

A familiar voice called out to them.

Igor, who had been doing something else that morning, waved his hand as he approached.

He casually glanced at the mission forms they were holding.

"Oh? So you two little ones are heading to the eastern grasslands today too? Perfect timing. Viktor, come with me for a bit."

"Hm?" Viktor frowned. "What is this all of a sudden? I already told you that I would not be taking any missions for a while."

"I know." Igor shook his head. "This isn’t really a mission. Think of it as volunteer work."

He then smiled and said, "You haven’t forgotten the responsibilities of a high ranking adventurer, have you?"

"The responsibilities of a high ranking adventurer?"

Qiu Nuoya and Warren both tilted their heads.

Seeing their confused expressions, Igor laughed. "That’s right. There really is such a thing."

"As you continue taking promotion exams, you’ll eventually learn about it. The Adventurers’ Guild has a whole list of principles. Things like, ’An adventurer must uphold order, pursue justice, and faithfully carry out their duties,’ and, ’An adventurer must conduct themselves honorably and never fall into wrongdoing.’"

"There are actually quite a few of these guidelines." He continued explaining. "They also include contributing to the local community, mentoring younger adventurers, maintaining public safety, and protecting the citizens of the region where you’re registered."

"When you reach the higher ranks, those responsibilities become almost mandatory."

"In the worst case, if you fail to fulfill them, you can even be demoted or have your adventurer license revoked. So it’s worth remembering."

"I see..."

Qiu Nuoya was genuinely surprised.

He had not realized adventurers were expected to contribute so much to the communities they served.

He had assumed they simply accepted missions and earned money.

Apparently, that was not the whole story.

Igor also explained that although the city had organizations responsible for maintaining public order, similar to police forces, many of the people serving there were former adventurers.

"Well, with that in mind, Viktor, you’ll come with me today, right?" Igor said. "There’s something I’d like you to help me with. We’re heading to the eastern grasslands anyway, so we might as well bring these two along."

"If it’s a dangerous investigation, I don’t think Nuoya should come."

"I don’t think there’s any danger." Igor shook his head. "After the large scale investigation the adventurers carried out the other day, it was reported that there are no unusually dangerous monsters left in the area. I’ve been patrolling there myself over the past few days, and I don’t see any problems."

He paused and continued. "There’s just something unusual I found. I’d like you to take a look at it."

"Something unusual?"

Igor nodded. "Yeah. That’s why I want you to come with me."

Viktor looked toward Qiu Nuoya with a slightly troubled expression.

Qiu Nuoya did not mind.

If that was the situation, Viktor should go.

As long as they encountered the monsters they were supposed to hunt along the way, there would be no problem.

"Let’s go, Viktor," Qiu Nuoya said. "I’m curious about this ’something unusual’ too."

After a brief hesitation, Viktor reluctantly nodded.

Sometimes, he could be surprisingly childish.

The group thrn entered the eastern grasslands.

As always, the grass had grown wildly.

However, compared to before, there was now a clearer path running through it.

After the recent incident, so many adventurers had searched the area that the grass had been trampled down.

Igor walked at the front of the group and Warren followed behind him.

Qiu Nuoya came next and Viktor brought up the rear.

Huh... This actually felt like the formation of an RPG party.

Last time, Qiu Nuoya had been walking at the very back and had been easily ambushed from behind.

This time, however, the strongest mage was guarding the rear.

That was incredibly reassuring.

"Nuoya." Warren slowed his pace and held out a hand toward him. "The footing around here is a little bad. Are you okay?"

Qiu Nuoya looked ahead.

The path had become muddy, almost like a small marsh, and it looked easy to lose his footing.

Still, holding hands felt a little embarrassing.

There was nothing strange about an older boy helping a younger child. But Qiu Nuoya was an ordinary middle aged man on the inside.

Being escorted by a younger boy made him feel unexpectedly awkward.

"I’m fine. Thanks."

"Just give me your hand," Warren insisted. "It’ll be dangerous if you get stuck."

Qiu Nuoya had tried to politely decline, but Warren grabbed his hand anyway.

In the end, the two of them walked together hand in hand.

Igor looked back with an amused grin. "You two really look like brothers."

Qiu Nuoya gave an awkward smile.

As for Viktor, the oppressive presence coming from behind him was so intimidating that Qiu Nuoya did not dare turn around.

As they continued along the path, they defeated both the monsters on their respective missions.

Qiu Nuoya hunted Horn Rabbits, while Warren took care of the goblins.

For goblins, the required proof of extermination was one of their distinctive pointed ears, so Warren cut them off and collected them.

Since goblin meat was inedible, the bodies were simply left behind.

As for the Horn Rabbits, only their horns needed to be collected as proof.

However, half of Qiu Nuoya’s reason for accepting the mission was the meat itself.

After draining the blood, he stored each rabbit whole inside his bag.

The magic bag was unbelievably convenient.