Insect Enthusiast

He Xi was walking along the dirt road on the west side of town that led to his home.

"Good day, sir."

A polite voice came from below.

He Xi's attention was drawn to an unusually wide hat.

When he followed the hat and looked down, his vision was nearly filled by its broad brim.

The visitor wore a khaki surveyor's hat with a wide brim, and a small magical lamp was even fixed to it.

On his back was an enormous, stuffed backpack nearly as tall as he was.

This strange outfit immediately made He Xi think of a race.

A dwarf?

A dwarf with the air of an explorer.

"Hello," He Xi replied. "I'm He Xi. Is there anything I can help you with?"

The dwarf removed his hat, solemnly pressed it to his chest, and gave He Xi a slight bow.

"Duggan greets you," he said slowly in a steady voice. "May I ask if you know Mr. Cyril Eagleclaw? Could you tell me where he lives? I'm his friend."

He was looking for Cyril?

He Xi was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Cyril to have a dwarf friend.

In his stereotypical impression, dwarves were mostly boisterous creatures who roared in taverns, "I'll drink you under the table!" and treated a thunderous belch as the warmest applause.

Yet the Duggan before him was impeccably polite, making He Xi rather curious.

"Cyril lives in the estate north of town," He Xi said, raising a hand to point north. "Turn left at the end of this road, then follow the gentle slope upward and you'll see it. That's Baron Ul's estate."

Duggan saluted him again. "Thank you, Mr. He Xi. May the Earth Mother Goddess's resilience always be with you."

[Hill Dwarf · Duggan's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +8]

He Xi had not expected to receive eight Parsing Points.

His heart stirred, and he immediately checked the entry system.

[Race: Hill Dwarf]

[Parsing Points: 8]

[Entry Extraction: Requires 20 Parsing Points]

Though that was ten more Parsing Points than humans required, simply asking for directions had earned him eight. He Xi felt that Mr. Duggan was truly "generous."

Duggan had just been about to head in the direction He Xi had indicated.

"Please wait, Mr. Duggan," He Xi quickly called after him. "There are occasionally some unfriendly stray dogs and cats in town, and they aren't very welcoming to unfamiliar faces. I happen to be heading north as well. Why don't I lead you part of the way?"

"How thoughtful of you, Mr. He Xi." Duggan revealed a sincere smile. "You're the most helpful gentleman I've ever met."

[Hill Dwarf · Duggan's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +5]

The two walked side by side. As He Xi led the way, he naturally started a conversation. "Your surveyor's hat and equipment are truly professional. I can tell at a glance that you're an experienced adventurer."

Duggan puffed out his chest, clearly pleased by the professional assessment. "Haha, when one travels far and wide, these old companions are indispensable."

[Hill Dwarf · Duggan's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +5]

"And that magnificent beard of yours... heavens! The braiding technique not only conveys strength, but also possesses a unique aesthetic beauty. I'd wager that back in your homeland, it's an absolute masterpiece that makes every Madam swoon!"

Duggan subconsciously stroked his beard, a flash of pride passing through his eyes.

[Hill Dwarf · Duggan's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +6]

"You came all the way from Fernandez. The journey must have been fascinating, right?"

Duggan nodded, and his floodgates opened. "I certainly had some unforgettable experiences. For instance, in the Emerald Mountains..."

He shared many little tales from his travels. He Xi listened attentively, nodding now and then in amazement.

[Hill Dwarf · Duggan's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +4]

They were nearly at the estate gates, and the points had reached twenty.

"It has been a pleasure speaking with you. Your manner and knowledge have given me an entirely new understanding of the dwarven race. Baron Ul's estate is just ahead. I'm glad I could show you the way, Mr. Duggan."

"He Xi, you're a fine young man! I'm glad to have met you."

He Xi bid farewell beneath the other man's reluctant gaze.

Inside the estate.

After learning that the visitor was Young Master Cyril's friend, the elderly goblin steward at the gate did not dare neglect him and immediately went to report it.

A moment later, Cyril hurried out of the main building to greet him, his face full of disbelief.

"You're... Duggan? My gods! You actually found Plint?"

"Haha, Cyril, your place truly wasn't easy to find." Duggan laughed heartily and patted the dust from his backpack. "Fortunately, I met a gentleman named He Xi in town. He pointed me in the right direction and saved me a great deal of wandering."

"He Xi?" A smile curled at Cyril's lips. "Ah, that fellow has a warm heart."

"Yes, and more than that, he's a gentleman of taste."

"Of taste?" He recalled He Xi's coarse linen clothes. Although He Xi was indeed a little more handsome than him, taste...

He did not dwell on it and quickly invited Duggan into the reception room with enthusiasm.

By coincidence, Baron Ul was there as well.

"Father," Cyril introduced excitedly, "this is my pen pal, Duggan, who came all the way from Fernandez."

Baron Ul merely gave a faint "Mm."

He had been busy directing the servants as they prepared the accompanying supplies and offerings for the Count's funeral, so he did not have much of a welcoming expression for this dwarf who had come from afar.

He knew his son had several pen pals with whom he corresponded frequently, but they all seemed to be... insect enthusiasts.

He had never imagined that such a hobby could even develop into meeting in person.

What was the point of that? Coming all this way, he was most likely hoping to gain some benefit from him.

"Duggan, this is my father, the lord of Plint, Baron Ul."

Duggan immediately stepped forward and offered another formal salute.

"My respects, my lord. I am Duggan, an Insect Mage."

A mage?

An Insect Mage?

Baron Ul nearly thought he had misheard. The combination of those two words sounded as absurd as drunken ramblings in a country tavern.

He scrutinized the travel-worn dwarf before him, who looked more like a miner, yet he simply could not connect him with the revered image of a mage.

Duggan seemed long accustomed to such skepticism. He merely extended a hand, palm upward.

A point of faint light lit up at his fingertips, instantly outlining a complex, precise pale-green magic circle.

As the light flowed, a strange insect, emerald green all over, appeared out of thin air.

"Wind Cicada," Duggan said with a trace of pride in his voice. "Naturally attuned to the wind element."

Before his voice faded, the Wind Cicada slightly opened its mouthparts. A visible miniature cyclone formed from nothing, then began spinning rapidly!