Dead Line

As one of the most powerful subspecies among Goblin-kind, Bear Goblins possessed the same wicked and treacherous nature as their cousins and usually appeared as the leaders of Goblin tribes.

Under such circumstances, the Adventurers Association naturally placed this monster on its bounty list and, due to its strength far surpassing that of low-level adventurers, offered a decent reward—

10 Gold Coins.

That was not much.

But when combined with the spoils from clearing out an entire Goblin tribe along the way, the haul could barely be called substantial.

The Bear Goblin encountered by the Stinky Fish Rotten Shrimp squad had evidently left its tribe not long ago and had not even fully equipped its Henchmen.

Even counting the dozen or so Goblins from yesterday's ambush, the only weapon in the entire tribe worth selling was the Morningstar in the Bear Goblin's hand.

Xia Nan had tried picking it up. Even with his enhanced body, it was somewhat heavy. Though it looked intimidating when swung, it probably was not suitable for Whirlwind Slash, so it would most likely only be sold to a Blacksmith Shop.

But fortunately.

Perhaps because this was his first time venturing out as an adventurer, he had some legendary "beginner's luck."

On the Bear Goblin's body, there might be something that low-level adventurers like them could normally only glimpse from afar through the glass windows of shops or an Auction House—

That ochre-red energy shield.

In the vast majority of cases, Bear Goblins did not possess the ability to cast spells.

Only a very small number of individuals favored by the gods, known as "Priests" among their kind, could master a few primitive totem spells.

Clearly, the Bear Goblin "Heng Ke," whom Xia Nan had already beheaded, was not one of them.

Otherwise, the Stinky Fish Rotten Shrimp squad would have been wiped out the moment they entered the depths of the lair—at least, that was what Maji said.

Moreover, during the brief yet intense battle just now, the Bear Goblin had made no obvious movement suggesting the use of a spell scroll.

That left only one possibility.

Magic Item!

And indeed, that was the case.

Under Maji's guidance, Xia Nan found a ring in the Bear Goblin's trouser pocket.

[Dead Line]

Type: Ring

Grade: Fine (Green)

Effects:

1. Deflection Force Field (Active/2nd-Ring): Summon a chaotic force field to block your enemy's next physical attack.

Description:

On the night before the deadline, Noel finally remembered the assignment his mentor had given him.

Note:

"You know, my efficiency has always been high."

—Noel, outstanding graduate of Star Sea Enchantment Academy · Mage Tower Apprentice of the Year · "Riemann"

The ring was silver-white throughout, seemingly no different from the ordinary Silver Rings worn by common people.

But upon closer inspection, several inconspicuous patterns could be seen engraved along its inner surface, while ochre-red light occasionally flashed across its exterior.

"That's it!" The moment Xia Nan pulled [Dead Line] from the Bear Goblin's trouser pocket, Maji became excited.

"This ring is definitely a Magic Item!"

Since Xia Nan had joined the squad, he had never seen such a vivid expression on Maji's face.

"And it so easily deflected my Precise Strike. Its strength is no joke." He declared with complete certainty, "It's definitely not some trick. The enchantment on it is at least a 1st-Ring Spell."

Maji took the ring from Xia Nan and examined it carefully as though it were a priceless treasure, as if even the pain from his injuries had vanished at that moment.

Xia Nan was not as excited as Maji, nor had he harbored any unnecessary thoughts about it.

Until, while Maji was studying the ring, he searched the cave once more and then suggested leaving.

Xia Nan sharply noticed that the other man's expression seemed to change.

Maji's previously excited face suddenly cooled at a certain moment.

His gaze dropped, sweeping over his own nearly crippled right leg before quickly withdrawing.

He put on a somewhat stiff, gentle smile again, then returned the ring to Xia Nan while pretending nothing was wrong, though looking exceptionally reluctant to part with it.

"We should leave. The Blood Scent here is too strong. It could easily attract other beasts."

That was what he said.

Xia Nan had not been very old in his Previous Life, but he had spent nearly ten years in the workplace and had achieved a modest degree of success.

He understood the basics of reading people.

Therefore, although he showed nothing on the surface, he remembered that fleeting change in Maji's expression.

After leaving the cave.

Maji was seriously injured and had trouble moving;

Xia Nan was carrying a great deal of loot, so walking was not easy for him either.

As a result, the two did not move very quickly.

Fortunately, Maji's class skills gave him a familiarity with the terrain, allowing the group to keep heading in the right direction.

And unlike on their way in, they no longer had to constantly alter their route to track Goblin traces. They only needed to focus on heading outward.

Thus, in only a day and a half, the two reached the outskirts of the forest.

The somewhat delicate atmosphere between them also seemed to melt away into the white mist hanging in the air beneath the dangerous, oppressive environment of Thin Mist Forest.

"Crunch."

A leather boot came down softly through fallen leaves, stepping on a branch scattered across the ground and making a sound.

"There are more and more signs of human activity nearby. We should be close to the forest's edge." Maji pressed close to a tree trunk, his nostrils flaring. "We'll be back in the city by tomorrow night at the latest."

"That's good."

Xia Nan heavily set the bundle on his back onto the ground, leaned the Hand Axe he had been gripping like a hiking staff against a nearby tree—it had belonged to Ga Gu—and removed the Morningstar tied at his waist.

"Day after day, it's nothing but trees and grass. My eyes are starting to blur."

"Hehe, you'll get used to it eventually." Maji chuckled, then looked up at the sky. "It's getting late. Let's set up camp first."

The campfire was soon lit.

The two sat around the flames, eating the crude food they had brought with them—a hard chunk of black bread and several slices of unbearably salty meat from some unknown animal—while chatting idly.

"So, have you made up your mind?" Maji looked sincerely at Xia Nan across from him and invited, "Do you want to join my squad?"

"Let's talk about it after we return to the city. You'll probably need to rest and recover for a while too."

Xia Nan glanced at the other man's bandaged right leg as he answered.

"Haha, don't worry about it." Maji waved a hand and put on a bold front. "I've had worse injuries than this. Don't worry, a few more visits to The Church and I'll recover quickly."

Xia Nan nodded without speaking.

"Alright, we've been walking all day. It must have been hard on you, carrying all that stuff."

Maji rose to his feet with some difficulty and dusted the dirt from his backside.

"I'll go check the traps again. But since we're close to a settlement, there shouldn't be any danger. You can get some proper rest tonight. I'll take the first watch."

Xia Nan watched the other man's back gradually disappear into the bushes, his eyes narrowing.