Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 268 The Ascending Ladder and the Unexpected Visitor

It turns out that the hackberry bird doesn't taste good.

As the largest and thickest muscle group on its body, the breast meat has extremely low fat content, a firm and dry texture, and a very strong fibrous feel.

Without sufficient seasoning and targeted cooking methods, it's almost no different from gnawing on tree bark.

The thigh meat is slightly better, but not by much. The meat is too tough, and after the moisture evaporates, it becomes dry and coarse.

Fortunately, Xia Nan removed two pieces of tenderloin from the inside of the spine when dissecting the body.

Its delicate, smooth, and juicy texture, along with its pure and mild flavor, makes it exceptionally delicious even when prepared using the simplest methods found in rural areas.

As for the internal organs...

Before leaving, he specially removed a heart from a hacksaw bird. Unfortunately, even though Leon's sister "Janice" had some experience in processing animal organs, the finished product still had a strong, deep metallic smell unique to the heart.

The texture is actually okay, it's chewy and elastic, but without the addition of seasonings, I guess only people with a very strong palate would like this kind of food.

Of course, all of the above conclusions are based on Xia Nan's memories of his previous life and his demanding tastes, which are now accustomed to the delicacies of modern society.

For the Lyon family, however, they didn't think about all that; it all boiled down to three words:
"The meat is delicious!"

Xia Nan could clearly sense the people at the table's heartfelt love for this kind of meat, and their gratitude towards him for bringing back these meat chunks that they originally dared not even approach, but which had now become the delicious monsters on the table.

Especially after Leon vividly recounted their encounter in Ashenvale, and embellished the story of Shanan slaying the axe-beaked bird.

Tom and Janice's gazes towards them changed, becoming more respectful alongside their initial awe.

On the contrary, the little girl "Lily" next to her seemed confused. Her cheeks, which were stuffed full, were bulging up like a squirrel's. She tilted her head and stared at Xia Nan with her pure big eyes.

Amused by her reaction, he shared a piece of pork tenderloin that the Lyon family had specially reserved for them with her, and casually patted the girl's head.

Xia Nan turned her gaze to Tom across the table and asked:
"So... those mists in Ashenvale are indeed abnormal, right?"

“I’ve never heard of it before,” Tom nodded emphatically and replied seriously.

"In fact, many years ago, Ashvalley was not listed as a restricted area that villagers were not allowed to approach, as it is now. Villagers would go there to move stones when they repaired their houses or built something."

"There was even an opportunity to develop a quarry. I remember it was almost finished, but then a group of monsters that came from who-knows-where interrupted the development process."

"The businessman who was originally in charge also died in the attack, and the development project was abandoned."

As he spoke, Tom glanced at the steaming axe-beak bird meat on the table, his expression becoming complex and subtle.

"But no matter what, most people in the village know what Grey Valley used to be like, and villagers over thirty years old may have even been there in person when they were young."

"No one has ever mentioned the thick fog deep in Ashenvale, or the exotic architectural ruins."

"All these changes should have occurred in recent years."

Upon hearing what the other party said, Xia Nan's previously uncertain guesses suddenly became clear.

After all, when I inspected Ashenvale during the day, the dilapidated state of those ruins couldn't have been formed in just a few years.

His investigation has made him increasingly certain that a secret realm lies hidden deep within Ashenvale.

"Have you heard of 'Anti-Fire' or 'The Church of Ashes'?"

Xia Nan then asked.

After trying to recall, Tom shook his head.

"Perhaps... you could ask the village chief?"

"After all, he is the most knowledgeable person in our village. If even he doesn't know, then probably no one else in the village knows."

"Okay." Seeing that it was already late, Xia Nan thought she would find an opportunity to ask after dawn, "Then tomorrow..."

"Right now!" Tom casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve and stood up from the dining table. "The village chief is probably still awake. I'll take you there directly."

Tom's enthusiastic response surprised him, but since the other party had already said so, he had no reason to dissuade him.

He then stood up and, at the same time, instructed Leon, who was standing beside him:
"There's no training tomorrow, so consider it a short break for you. Get some rest tonight."

Young people are not fully developed and have limited physical abilities. Overly intense training will only have negative effects. It is very important to balance work and rest.

Lyon has been training with him for so many days, and Xia Nan has seen how hard he's worked. It's about time he got to rest, so a day off is appropriate.

Of course, on the other hand, Xia Nan was also thinking that after dawn, he would go deep into Gray Valley to explore carefully and find a possible entrance to the secret realm.

The level of danger involved is a mystery, and you might encounter some monsters.

He was alright with the axe-beaked birds he encountered today, but if they faced higher-level challenges, he couldn't guarantee Leon's safety in battle.

It's best to let the kid stay in the village and rest. If he encounters any danger that's hard to deal with, he'll likely be able to escape on his own, given his current agility and the displacement effect of [Fang Hunt].

……

It was only a short time since night fell, and the afterglow of the setting sun still lingered on the horizon.

So even though there are no streetlights or similar objects in Ashvalley Village, the visibility is still quite good; at least you can see the road clearly.

Following Tom, who was leading the way, Xia Nan casually surveyed her surroundings.

Under the cover of night, the blurred outlines of dilapidated buildings lining both sides of the dirt road are visible.

In the refreshing evening breeze, the sounds of insects chirping and tree branches rustling could be heard, along with the intermittent conversations of villagers coming from the houses on both sides.

After advancing to level 2, Xia Nan's physical abilities were improved once again.

Now that so many days have passed, he can certainly feel the changes in his body.

But it's not just about being stronger and faster in the literal sense.

As a whole, the "weakest link" effect is not so applicable to six-dimensional attributes.

An outstanding strength can subtly amplify the weaknesses in the six dimensions of attributes, bringing them to a level that matches the strength.

To give a simple example, a human with a physical attribute of 20 points has undoubtedly reached the limit of vitality and endurance that ordinary professionals can reach. At the same time, under the influence of such exaggerated vitality, his strength attribute will definitely not be low, otherwise it would not conform to the laws of nature.

Similarly, a powerful individual whose strength, agility, physique, intelligence, and perception all reach 15 points or more will never have a lower limit in terms of charisma.

After all, "charisma" isn't simply about being good-looking and having a pleasant voice; it's also related to factors like "leadership" and "approachability." To some extent, an extremely ugly creature might actually be more charismatic than a handsome or beautiful person, since "intimidation" is also a part of charisma.

Xia Nan's six-dimensional comprehensive score has now reached the range of "47" points, which is 17 points higher than the average "30" points for ordinary people.

In his previous life, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a "little superman".

This is already evident in their current daily lives.

Take the present as an example. Xia Nan is 100% certain that his eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell have undergone tremendous changes compared to when he first transmigrated to this world.

The textures of objects that were never before visible, the subtle sounds that nature had ignored, and the complex smells that were barely perceptible in the air were all incredibly clear.

They are even more sensitive to the taste of food; in the modern world, they might become a food critic.

In addition, the details of his physical enhancements also include some night vision capabilities.

Although limited by human bloodline, they may not be as exaggerated as the subterranean creatures of the Underdark, but they still exceed the scope that ordinary people should be.

It's worth mentioning that the little bit of strength and two points of agility gained earlier were merely stage rewards given after reaching the maximum level of [Fang Hunt].

His job, [Meteor Blade Hunter], did not receive any other corresponding improvements from level 1 to level 2, except for the change in numbers.

However, considering that the improvement of professional level will inevitably be accompanied by the upgrading of combat skills to the "proficiency" level, it is not unreasonable to say that the overall physical fitness will be stronger with each level up.

Based on the information Xia Nan learned on the second floor of the Adventurers' Guild, "profession" is more like a deep system that integrates the scattered combat skills one has learned, a path to advancement, or a foundation.

If combat skills are stones of different sizes, colors, and shapes, then professions are the steps that forcefully piece these stones together to climb upwards.

As you climb step by step, using your fully-trained combat skills to reach the top of your current ladder, you will naturally need to find other "stones" of better quality and seek a better "blueprint for the ladder" to continue upwards—this is job change.

Of course, upgrading your job level isn't entirely useless.

At least in the book Xia Nan had read, it was mentioned that most professions would grant the job seeker specialties, combat skills, and even extra attribute points as rewards during the promotion process.

The [Gravity Etching] skill he currently possesses is a passively acquired combat skill that comes with taking up a new job.

Based on Xia Nan's observations of the patterns in the gains from upgrading various combat skills over the past year, this analysis is valid.

For niche classes like [Meteor Blade Hunter], whose level cap is likely only "5", the key points will probably be the same as the combat skills, at "level 3" and "level 5".

Whether it's a specialized skill or combat technique, you should be able to gain something from it.

"Tuk-tuk-tuk."

While he was pondering, Tom, who was leading the way, stopped in front of a rather simple bungalow by the roadside and gently knocked on the door.

Accompanied by a slightly faster footstep.

crunch--

The wooden door was slowly opened from the inside.

The wrinkled, aged face of "Klapam," the village chief of Ash Valley, was revealed.

"Tom, what's wrong with you...?"

Klapam frowned, seemingly surprised that the other party had come to find him at this particular time.

But he had only spoken halfway when he caught sight of the dark figure behind Tom, seemingly blending into the night, and his expression faltered.

The next second he realized that Xia Nan must have something to ask him, so he quickly opened the door.

"Please come in, please come in. What's the matter? Let's talk inside."

Although he is the village chief of Ash Valley Village and enjoys considerable prestige among the villagers.

However, the interior of the Klapam cabin was completely unrelated to his status as a "village chief".

The furniture and decorations were even less impressive than those in Tom and Janice's home, appearing rather cold and simple.

As Xia Nan entered the house, his gaze unconsciously swept over the wooden dining table.

It seemed to be dinner time. Steam rose from the small bowl of stew, and on the table were only two hard, black bread rolls, a large bowl of beans, and half a dark brown smoked fish.

More importantly, there was only one set of tableware on the table.

With a thoughtful expression on his face, Xia Nan took the initiative to speak, politely saying:
"Excuse me, I've disturbed your dinner."

"It's nothing really important, I just wanted to ask you a few questions."

"in addition……"

As he spoke, Xia Nan handed the basket he had taken from Tom's house to the other person. Inside were several pieces of fresh axe-beaked bird meat.

Although he was a benefactor of Ashenvale Village for helping the village escape the goblin siege, his sudden visit at this time of year, stemming from a habit formed in his previous life, still made him unconsciously bring something over.

Klapam seemed quite surprised by this, taking the basket with a look of astonishment and then warmly inviting the two to sit down on the wooden chairs nearby.

I wasn't in a hurry, and I figured it wouldn't hurt to let Klapam finish his dinner before we talked, but he said he was getting old and had a small appetite, and that he was already full.

Xia Nan then cut to the chase, asking about the remaining buildings and fog in Ash Valley, as well as information about "Fadefire" and "Church of Ashes".

"The Church of Ashes?" Klapam shook his head thoughtfully. "If it's about Ashenvale, I might be able to give you some information that other villagers don't know. After all, I was with that merchant when he and his guards were inspecting the quarry site, and I overheard some things."

"But I really don't know anything about these churches or anything like that."

"And when I accompanied them on their expedition, we explored almost the entire Ashenvale region, and there were no ruins exposed on the main road as you described, nor any strange thick fog."

Since I can't get any useful information from the villagers, it seems I'll have to investigate on my own tomorrow.

Xia Nan pondered, intending to ask the other party for more information about the terrain of Ash Valley and the possible presence of monsters.

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the door.

Before the person was even seen, the voice could already be heard through the wall.

"Village, village chief... Hmph, adventurer..."

"Another group of adventurers has arrived!"

(End of this chapter)