Harvest

"Kasuga Vasaramaini Vanessa." Perhaps feeling that using only her common name wasn't sincere enough, Kasuga also told Gagnor her two Holy Names.

"Gagnor." The girl's appearance gave Gagnor a moment's hesitation, but he ultimately didn't reveal his Holy Name; it was a habit he'd formed in the Church.

The two talked for a while.

Gagnor asked, "Don't you have any companions?"

Kasuga scratched her head, a hint of embarrassment and dejection on her face. "I did have one. We agreed to come to the Tidal Lands together, but she backed out at the last minute."

"Your companion gave up. Why are you still so determined to come here?"

"I... I want to get rich." The girl's answer was very direct, then she added, "Isn't that what most people come here for?"

"Indeed." Gagnor said. Even he himself had come to the Tidal Lands with at least some desire for wealth.

He looked at the sky. "Let's head back quickly. The moon will be rising soon."

"Isn't there still a day left?" Kasuga was taken aback, then suddenly realized. "Oh, I see. You're level three. No wonder you could defeat that Water Elemental!"

Level three?

Gagnor realized that the Serpent's Cut Line's level restriction had been raised to level three last night, which meant he could stay here for another day.

If the Serpent's Cut Line's level restriction didn't drop again tomorrow night, he could continue to stay.

But Gagnor didn't want to stay any longer, so he didn't deny Kasuga's words. He stood up, ready to leave.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Kasuga's eyes, and she finally said, "Forget it, I'll leave with you. It's really a bit dangerous here."

The two then set off on their return journey together.

On the way, Gagnor learned more about Kasuga, discovering that she worked for Loha.

Her job was as an underground boxer.

No wonder her hair was so short. If a boxer dared to keep long hair, it would probably be torn out on the ring.

Formal boxing might restrict hair-pulling, but it was easy to imagine that Loha, who ran a ring in the slums, would have quite liberal rules for his matches. Gagnor had heard a little about it.

Several hours later, the two successfully left the Tidal Lands.

"Kasuga!"

As soon as they crossed the Serpent's Cut Line, a blonde woman with wavy hair ran up to them. She looked at Kasuga's disheveled appearance, covered in water and dirt, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red. "I'm sorry, I should have gone in with you."

Kasuga shook her head. "It's nothing. You were right. It's dangerous inside, and I didn't get anything..."

The blonde woman then noticed Gagnor standing beside her. "Who's he?"

"His name is Gagnor. He saved me," Kasuga said.

"Thank you," the blonde woman said to Gagnor.

"It's nothing." Gagnor waved his hand with a smile, then turned and left.

Watching the handsome young man in an apothecary's robe carrying a bow and sword, the blonde woman suddenly fell silent for some reason.

"Ellie?" It was Kasuga's voice that brought her back to her senses. "What's wrong?"

The blonde woman shook her head slightly, a hint of melancholy in her tone. "I just think you might have gained something very important..."

Kasuga blinked, not understanding. "Ah, what did I gain?"

"You're as dense as a man," the blonde woman said irritably.

Kasuga was even more confused, and the blonde woman didn't bother to explain. The two of them left.

On the other side, Gagnor had only taken a few steps when he was stopped by the Gray Hawk Mercenary captain. "Inspect the spoils!"

Gagnor then remembered that according to the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group's rules, mercenaries had to hand over a portion of their spoils.

His mind raced. "I'm an apothecary. There's no spoils clause in my contract."

"This..." The captain was immediately unsure.

Fortunately, Ryan arrived in time. "Gagnor is right. I was the one who brought the contract to be signed. There's indeed no spoils clause in the apothecary contract."

"Alright," the captain conceded.

Gagnor and Ryan walked to the side.

"Why did you only come out now? I thought you died inside," Ryan couldn't help but say.

"There was a bit of an accident, but fortunately, it was a close call," Gagnor only said. "How are the others?"

Ryan sighed. "Besides John, many people still haven't returned. I heard you encountered more than a dozen Forest Trolls?"

Gagnor: "And those heretics you mentioned. I didn't expect them to attack us together with the Trolls."

Ryan: "That's how Yemen followers are."

After a moment, he asked, "How was it? Did you get anything this trip?"

Gagnor didn't waste words and directly took out everything except the Blood Elf relics. "That's all."

Ryan picked up a Bloodsail Pirates badge, a little surprised. "Where did you get this thing?"

Gagnor briefly explained the story of saving Kasuga.

Ryan's expression was a little strange. "Are you saying you defeated a Water Elemental all by yourself?"

Gagnor didn't speak, just nodded. He also realized that this achievement seemed a bit impressive.

"It seems my previous impression of you wasn't accurate," Ryan said with a smile, slapping Gagnor on the shoulder. "Anyway, well done!"

The Bloodsail Pirates and the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group, although ostensibly both belonging to the Nordanlun Principality and both being followers of Mosa, were secretly always at odds. Most Gray Hawk mercenaries hoped the Bloodsail Pirates would just die.

Gagnor asked, "I seem to recall hearing that Bloodsail Pirate emblems can be exchanged for money?"

"That's right, but you have to go to the black market to exchange them." Ryan nodded, taking the three Bloodsail Pirate emblems to examine them. "These two aren't worth much, but the Water Elemental's emblem can be exchanged for several dozen silver coins. That guy wasn't a nobody."

"Oh right, and this map of the Shattered Isles doesn't look like a public map. It should be worth some money too," he added. "Although there's no Everlasting Moss, you've still gained quite a bit this trip, at least much more than I did the first time I went to the Tidal Lands."

Gagnor asked, "Where's this black market you mentioned?"

"The Raven Inn. Anything shady in South Sea Town can basically be found there," Ryan said. "I can take you to have a look, but not recently. I have to deliver a letter in a few days."

The two chatted for a while longer, and then Gagnor returned to his tent to rest.

He hadn't slept for dozens of hours.

But he wasn't sleepy now, partly because he had drunk another bottle of Pain Relief Potion a few hours ago, and partly because he needed to level up first.

[Experience: 455/400 (Level Up Available)]

Filled with anticipation, Gagnor made the decision to level up. Immediately, as before, the Holy Names available for selection appeared before his eyes like stars in the sky!