Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 158 Passion and the Newsboy

Jeff is a good man.

At least that was the impression Xia Nan had of the other person during the many days they had been in contact with him.

He certainly possessed the shrewdness and cunning of an ordinary citizen in this world; after all, he had been running a caravan for many years and had dealt with countless people.

If he were truly as simple and honest as he appeared, it would have been impossible for him to have built up such a tailor shop in Newme by the time he retired in middle age.

Xia Nan was well aware of this.

And as a husband, a father, and even a team leader.

Jeff must have done all he could.

He leads a caravan through the desolate wilderness outside the city, teeming with dangerous monsters and ruthless bandits, risking his life for a living to support his family.

They were generous with subsidies and rewards for adventurers like Xia Nan who accompanied them, and even helped them develop valuable connections, taking great care of them.

Therefore, even though they hadn't known each other for very long, Xia Nan still had a good impression of this hardworking middle-aged man.

In this situation, faced with a minor problem that he could easily solve with his current abilities, he naturally wouldn't mind lending a helping hand since he had just encountered it.

The reason he trains so hard and improves his skills is precisely to keep such unpleasant things away from him.

He's a "professional" after all. If he lets these street thugs bully him, wouldn't his professional level have been wasted?
However, it was somewhat unexpected.

The bald man who seemed to be the leader of the thugs had pretty good eyesight and could see that he was deliberately using [Gravity Control].

Once they realized he was a professional, their attitude changed swiftly.

He can be considered a reasonably intelligent person.

That saves me from having to put in any more effort.

May the goddess of trade bless you forever!

"Brother, we'll be going now. We'll come back to patronize your business again next time!"

Outside the Pigeon Feather Tailor Shop, the notorious Badger gang henchmen, who were known for their ruthlessness and savagery, were bidding farewell to Jeff and his companions, led by a bald, burly man.

Each person held a roll of brightly colored cloth in their hands, which contrasted with the grotesque tattoos on their bodies, creating a somewhat comical effect.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left, his steps gradually quickening until he disappeared at the end of the street.

"She's quite sensible."

Xia Nan withdrew his gaze, muttering to himself.

In my ear, Jeff's loud voice, filled with gratitude, rang out:
"Thank you so much this time, Xia Nan."

"I didn't even have a chance to properly thank you last time, and now it's the same again..."

"I don't know what to do."

Seeing the other person's rather sentimental expression, Xia Nan simply waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for such formality.

"It's just a little effort."

Knowing that this was his personality, Jeff didn't say anything more about thanking him or other mushy things.

Then he pulled his daughter, "Lilina," who was hiding behind the counter and secretly watching them, over.

He introduced it in a serious and solemn manner:
"This is the adventurer I've been telling you about, the one who saved your father's life—'Xia Nan'."

"The reason your father is still able to stand here safely and accompany you in the shop is because of him, and you..."

"Alright, alright, there's no need for that, Mr. Jeff." Xia Nan could sense the sincerity and earnestness in Jeff's words, but introducing him like this in front of him still felt a bit too formal.

But to my surprise, the girl in front of me named "Lilina" looked very young and had a strong student vibe, clearly a thin girl who had just graduated not long ago.

With Jeff's introduction, the expression on his face changed from timid to dignified. With a still somewhat pale face, he bowed properly to Xia Nan.

"Thank you so much for saving my father, Mr. Xia Nan."

That incredibly serious expression left Xia Nan momentarily at a loss for how to react.

But I couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. No wonder Jeff had previously revealed that he had to pay exorbitant tuition fees every year for his children to study at Newme College.

This money wasn't wasted after all.

It was evening when Shanan arrived in Newme.

The tailor shop was already close to closing time, and after being disturbed by those thugs from the Badger Gang, it simply closed its doors and stopped serving customers.

"Thank you."

Standing in the shop, Xia Nan smiled and nodded as he took the teacup from Lilina, then asked Jeff beside him:

"What's the background of this Grey Badger Gang?"

I just happened to be passing by today and that's how I helped Jeff and the others out of their predicament.

After he finishes his mission and goes back, the thugs from the Badger Gang will come looking for trouble again. I don't know how they'll handle it.

"A gang in the western part of Newme, with a large territory and some influence."

Having discerned the implied meaning in Xia Nan's words, Jeff smiled slightly, his expression showing complete ease.

"It's okay, don't worry."

"Although I'm not an adventurer, I've had some connections with sports cars over the years."

"I've just opened the shop and I've been so busy with so many things that I forgot about it. I'll just mention it to someone and it'll be over soon."

Xia Nan nodded silently, not doubting that the other party was lying.

After all, Jeff was known as a nice guy when he was in Riverdale and had friends with many veteran adventurers.

If you really have to pinpoint it, his first meeting with the evil sheriff "Ingram," who had contributed his "Brightlight" feat to him, was arranged by Jeff.

Even though he eventually nailed himself to the tree trunk.

"Why didn't you write to let me know you were coming to Newme? Now it's all so rushed, and I haven't prepared anything."

Hearing what the other person said, Xia Nan did recall that on the night Jeff announced his retirement, he told her to look for him if she ever went to Newme.

However, I am not the type to take advantage of kindness, and even if I remember, I probably won't ask the other person to do anything for me.

He smiled and said casually:
"I didn't get much rest myself. The association just issued a task, and the time was quite tight, so I contacted the convoy to come over that same day."

Knowing the key points, Jeff didn't ask about the specifics of the mission; he simply patted his chest as a reassurance.

"If there's anything we can do to help the old cripple, just let us know."

"Although I have a limp and may not be of much use in combat, many people still recognize this old face of mine."

Upon hearing this, Xia Nan took a sip of tea, and some thoughts began to form in his mind.

"Nothing else is wrong."

"The main problem is that I'm new here and don't know much about Newme. I haven't even found a place to stay yet."

"I don't know if you have any hotel recommendations. I don't mind if the price is a bit high, as long as the environment is nice and the food is good."

Upon hearing Xia Nan's words, Jeff's face immediately broke into an incredibly enthusiastic smile.

She stepped forward, grabbed his shoulder, and said with a smile:
"Why would I let you stay at a tavern? You've come all this way to Newme, do you think I'd let you pay for your lodging?"

“Listen to your brother and come stay at my house. There are a few rooms available, and it’s quiet at night, much better than that noisy tavern. You can also try your sister-in-law’s cooking.”

Although he spent a huge sum of 500 gold coins on custom equipment, which severely depleted Xia Nan's savings, he didn't plan to skimp on food and lodging during the mission.

It's even less likely that they would be tempted by such a bargain.

Just as I was about to refuse, I saw a happy expression on Jeff's face, tinged with a hint of pride, as he enthusiastically urged me to stay:

"Your sister-in-law used to work as a kitchen helper in the taverns of those big cities in the south. Putting aside everything else, her cabbage stew, salted herring porridge, cream of mushroom soup, and the like, were much tastier than those chefs in Newme!"

As if he had extracted a keyword, Xia Nan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

……

……

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The streets gradually became narrow and dirty.

"Boss, is there something wrong with that kid?"

A young-looking thug with tattoos on his neck reached behind him and touched his back with his right hand, looking puzzled.

He remembered that just now, he was standing properly at the entrance of the tailor shop, and when he saw the black-haired youth dressed as an adventurer approaching, he even thought of reaching out to stop him.

But unexpectedly, just as his hand was halfway out, a strange suction force suddenly came from behind him. It felt like someone was hiding somewhere and pulling his body forcefully.

If it weren't for the door frame nearby that allowed him to back up and catch himself, he probably would have fallen flat on his face.

Looking back now, it feels strange and somewhat embarrassing.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than the bald, burly man next to him slapped him hard on the back of the head.

"Shut up!"

He shouted in a low, stern voice.

At the same time, he glanced back furtively, as if he had done something wrong, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the street was empty and there was no one in sight.

"I've told you so many times these past few months, don't associate with those crazy adventurers, especially those whose equipment looks like it could cost you your life. Just run away when you see them, don't even bother to exchange a glance."

"Otherwise, a hothead like you probably wouldn't even know how you died!"

Hearing what the burly man said, the young thug next to him scratched his head, looking puzzled.

"I've seen plenty of adventurers in the tavern before, and they seemed alright. Do we really have to be this careful?"

The only response he received was two cold laughs from the burly man.

For Xia Nan, an adventurer who had lived in River Valley Town since the beginning of his transmigration, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

However, in other areas of the world, especially in towns far from magical gathering places where monsters rarely appear, the frequency of their appearance is far less than in River Valley Town.

If you're unlucky, sometimes you can sit by the roadside for half a day and still not run into a single adventurer with a distinctive appearance.

Furthermore, because they possess equipment, weapons, and even combat skills, their strength far surpasses that of ordinary civilians.

If you offend those "part-time" adventurers who work regular jobs and only go to River Valley Town on hunting days to earn extra money, then it's not so bad.

If you encounter a seasoned adventurer who does nothing but eat, sleep, and slay monsters, who has become detached from normal human society, whose values ​​have changed, and who is even starting to have psychological problems.

The speed at which the opponent cuts off your head won't be much slower than killing a goblin.

It has long become a bodily instinct, and there is no hesitation whatsoever.

In the eyes of the bald, burly man, the black-haired youth who had just entered the tailor shop undoubtedly belonged to the latter category.

His youthful appearance might give the impression of a newbie, but his equipment was clearly of high quality, probably worth hundreds of gold coins, and he exuded a cold aura from long hours of intense combat.

That alone is enough to deter people from even approaching it.

The real reason that made him disregard his reputation and change his attitude instantly like a circus clown was...

The two men, as if struck by some invisible force, fell backward simultaneously when the other party entered.

This was beyond his understanding of what an ordinary adventurer was like.

"Damn it, did I run into a professional?"

"Just collecting protection money, what a lucky guy!"

The burly man looked extremely frustrated. He planned to go to a church tonight to pray and see if he had picked up something when he passed by the cemetery a few days ago.

"Boss, should we continue to take over that tailor shop in the future...?"

"Collect my ass!"

Another slap landed, the burly man roared.

"Don't go hanging around there anymore, you hear me!?"

"If you cause trouble and implicate me... none of you will escape!"

Putting aside the suspected professional who clearly had a connection with the shop owner, the lame old man himself, judging from his behavior just now, didn't seem like an ordinary person who honestly ran a shop.

If, as the other party claims, they are indeed friends with "Stubborn Donkey" of the "Iron Bucket Toad," then all they need to do is ask someone to come and speak to the leader of their Badger Gang.

We will never go there to collect protection money again.

If there are any troublemakers, you might have to help keep an eye on them.

"Look at what this mess has been made, damn it!"

Unable to hold back, he cursed again, feeling a surge of pent-up anger that he couldn't vent.

"Tonight, call two of your most outgoing friends over..."

He turned his head, wanting to say something to his younger brother.

Suddenly, a figure appeared around the corner ahead.

With his head down and looking like a walking corpse, he didn't even look where he was going and bumped right into the chest of the bald, burly man.

He stumbled back a few steps before regaining his balance with the help of his underlings.

"Damn, are you blind? Can't you see people?"

The bald man grimaced, rubbing his chest and cursing under his breath, his eyes fixed ahead.

What came into view was a young man with a youthful face.

He stood there, motionless, clutching a package tightly in his hands, his head bowed, staring blankly at the ground.

His lips moved as if he were muttering something.

His eyes shifted slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over the young adventurer in front of him.

Cheap armor with little sign of use, a brand-new one-handed sword at the waist, a package tightly clutched in the arms...

A deep greed flashed in the bald, burly man's eyes.

He silently raised his hand in a gesture, and his henchmen immediately surrounded the other party.

He grinned and licked his dry lips.

He drew a gleaming dagger from behind his waist.

"Boy, you..."

Whether it was because they actually picked up something in the cemetery or not, things took another unexpected turn.

The bald, burly man had only uttered two words of his threat.

The young man, whose eyes were glazed over, stepped forward to greet him.

What alarmed and terrified him was that at that moment, he suddenly lost control of his body.

Just watching helplessly as the other person approached and got close to him.

"laugh."

His right arm trembled, and the sluggish feeling of the blade piercing flesh came from the hilt of the dagger.

boom--

The young-looking adventurer fell backward to the ground, crimson blood spreading rapidly beneath him.

The surface of the dagger in his hand was already stained with blood.

"Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!"

The moment he regained control of his body, the burly man felt a chill run from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, and the hair on his body stood on end.

Ignoring the surprised looks on the faces of his underlings, he turned around and ran wildly in the opposite direction.

The bulging veins on his neck and his red, moist eyes revealed the sheer terror and fear in the bald, burly man's heart.

Unaware of the details, the underlings, seeing their boss's sudden reaction, could only follow quickly, puzzled.

But it only lasted a few seconds.

On the dilapidated street, only a gradually cooling, stiff corpse remained.

He was still clutching the bundle in his arms, a corner of the gray-black wood carving inside faintly visible.

Two winding, upward-sloping corners disappear into their ends, seemingly spreading and growing within the natural, intricate textures, melting into the depths of the dim twilight.

I don’t know how long it took.

Until the last glimmer of light in the air completely faded, starlight gradually appeared in the sky.

A thin, small figure walked wearily along the roadside.

The light was dim, making it impossible to see its exact appearance.

Only a faint outline could be seen, and it seemed that a thick stack of newspapers was being held between her slender arms.

(End of this chapter)