Reaching the Target (Thanks to Investor for Extra Chapter)

The rest of the journey was uneventful. Perhaps the monsters in the area were hibernating, or maybe they were busy with family reunions. Or, it could be that they were enthusiastically fighting amongst themselves, their dog-like brains exploding in conflict.

In any case, during this time of laziness, happiness, or busyness, the local powers-that-be simply didn't have the extra energy to entertain distant guests.

The Flaming Fist soldiers, who had been cautiously on alert the entire way, found their efforts to be in vain. However, peace was always welcome, especially in such a wilderness frequented by goblins, wolves, and ogres, making it truly precious.

Crossing hills and broken cliffs, traversing fields and streams, they finally spotted distant smoke before the sun had set.

After traveling a few miles, the wilderness on both sides of the road gave way to farmland. The remnants of withered grass, harvested, replaced the sand and soil blown by the wind. They had entered the territory of Nashkel, a vital southern resource hub.

As soon as they entered Nashkel, a group of soldiers clad in red cedar armor and blue helmets stopped them for questioning.

It wasn't Skar who stepped forward to deal with them, but Lawrence, that old lecher. The current Flaming Fist squad was flying the banner of the Seven Suns Merchant Alliance. With Skar's military bearing, he likely would have revealed a vulnerability and caused unnecessary trouble.

As the saying goes, people have their specialties. Lawrence's negotiation skills seemed to be maxed out. With his slick methods, honeyed words, and a few extremely persuasive gold coins, these guards waved them through without even bothering to inspect them.

Zhang Yuan wasn't surprised. These guards were from Amn, a commercial kingdom. Honor and responsibility were nonsense to them; only money was the truth. They were the complete opposite of the Flaming Fist.

"Good thing I didn't let Skar deal with them," Zhang Yuan thought, feeling fortunate as he glanced at Skar.

As expected, although Skar remained silent, his disdain and contempt were written all over his face. His hands, hanging by his sides, occasionally clenched and unclenched.

Clearing his throat, Zhang Yuan moved in front of Skar, further concealing the emotionally transparent fellow within the group.

After taking just two steps, they arrived at the riverbank. A golden river flowed before them, its clear water meandering over a bed of pebbles. The tranquil surface reflected the lingering sunlight, occasionally broken by an eddy or a leaping fish, splashing up a spray of golden light.

Nashkel was thus embraced by this river. Whether for agricultural irrigation or mining and smelting, all demands, whether natural or insatiable, were accepted and accommodated by it.

Crossing a stone bridge over the river, they entered Nashkel's main urban area, revealing a different scene.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of Baldur's Gate as a major city, and different from the common life of Beregost, Nashkel, a small town surrounded by rivers and farmland, possessed its own unique charm.

Vast fields and farmhouses with rising smoke dotted the landscape along the riverbanks. The center of the town was located in the river bend, featuring sparse houses, a few simple inns, and the only structure that could be called magnificent: the Temple of Helm.

Further in the distance, several plumes of black smoke rose – exhaust from the furnaces of blacksmith shops or smelting plants, adding abrupt strokes to this pastoral idyll.

Although Nashkel's inns were almost ridiculously simple, they were still better than camping in the wilderness. The group, having not rested properly for three days, practically rushed towards the inn's entrance.

To their slight disappointment, due to insufficient rooms, the group had to squeeze into single rooms in pairs or threes, essentially sharing rooms.

As a spellcaster, Zhang Yuan received special treatment – his own private room. He had no intention of refusing the kindness; after all, without even this small privilege, what kind of mage would he be?

The process of preparing spells requires avoiding any disturbance from others, which is also why few mages share rooms with others. Of course, the main reason is that mages are generally wealthy; a penniless person like Zhang Yuan was an exception.

Alone in his room, Zhang Yuan was about to prepare his spells for the next day. Thinking about the pawns, he checked the refresh status of the pawns for the day.

"Crystal Maiden, Anti-Mage, Mars, Luna, Winter Wyvern."

Five pawns were displayed above the chessboard, and among them was the Crystal Maiden he had been hoping for.

"Whoa, I got lucky!" he exclaimed, quickly spending ten energy points to purchase the Ice Maiden.

"Witness the disaster from the glacial remnants!" With a battle cry, Lina, wrapped in a cold wind, stepped onto the chessboard in the void.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan felt a subtle emotion. When he summoned Tiny, he felt only excitement and anticipation, with no other feelings. However, unlike Tiny, the Stone Golem, the Crystal Maiden before him was a living, breathing beauty. Even at a stretch, she was a lifelike collectible figure.

With this thought, he could no longer suppress his stirring heart and directly called the system, entering the Void Chessboard.

It was the familiar toilet-flushing-like teleportation. While his head spun, he comforted himself, thinking it was good preparation for future teleportation spells.

Poof~ With a pleasant sound, Zhang Yuan was deposited onto the chessboard. Shaking his head, he got up from the ground and saw the pawns lined up before him.

He decisively ignored the three round stone golems and headed straight for his target, the Ice Maiden.

Looking at the Crystal Maiden standing gracefully before him, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart. He was not unfamiliar with the girl opposite him; he had used her many times in Dota and auto-battlers. However, seeing her appear as a "real person" left him somewhat flustered.

He carefully examined the Crystal Maiden from head to toe, finding her even more beautiful in person than in the game. Unfortunately, her beautiful long legs were completely covered by her snow boots.

It seemed he had to go all out to upgrade the Ice Maiden. Only a three-star Ice Maiden with a treasure would reveal the beauty beneath her skirt, yes, he meant her legs.

As for why? The higher the level, the less they wear, isn't that common sense?

Mustering his courage, he poked the Ice Maiden's arm with his finger. It felt soft, cold, and resilient. At the same time, he looked into her eyes, and in those pupils, as beautiful as a lake, he couldn't see even a ripple of emotion.

Sighing, Zhang Yuan was naturally disappointed but also somewhat relieved. "Perhaps I haven't even figured out how to face her myself," he mused.

Exiting the chessboard space, Zhang Yuan directly chose Sleep, Mage Armor, and two Summon Monster I spells to prepare. Then, listening to the teeth-grinding and snoring sounds from other rooms, he gradually drifted off to sleep.

The next day, lying in bed, he was reluctant to get up. Closing his eyes, he tried to recapture the vanished dream. It had been a good dream, he thought regretfully.

While the lingering aftertaste had not yet faded, he stared intently at a certain figure on the chessboard until the noise around him became increasingly clamorous. Only then did he reluctantly get up.