Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 320 Proportion Allocation and Material Processing

Things around me are all moving in a positive direction.

When Xia Nan and the Oath-Keeping Blackwood Squad emerged from the Misty Forest, his proficiency with [Echoes of Ember] had reached (6/100).

Just as he had guessed, the proficiency of this powerful combat skill from the alien realm could not be gained solely through that precious once-a-month opportunity to use it.

Although it's a bit slow, you can still accumulate experience through daily training.

As for the specific training methods, they are the same as when I tried to get started a few days ago.

Following the route demonstrated by the Flame Crystal infusion on the Ashes Instructor's Staff, he controlled the fixed flow of energy within his body, which resembled residual fire.

Perhaps because the training period was short, or perhaps because it inherently required focus, Xia Nan had to maintain full concentration and not be distracted during training.

In some ways, it looks like a spellcaster's meditation.

Unfortunately, he did a little testing on his way back these past few days. Although the training didn't have much of an impact on his physical strength, the mental concentration he was trying so hard to maintain was constantly draining his focus.

The entire training process was not much easier than when I practiced [Spinning Slash] and [Fang Hunt] before.

Therefore, you still need at least six hours of sleep every day to restore your energy.

It is not possible to replace daily rest with meditation training using the "Echoes" method as one might imagine.

Fortunately, [Fang Hunt] is already at the maximum level, so while I haven't completely given it up, it's clearly no longer the focus of my training.

The extra time was perfectly allocated to [Echoes of the Ashes].

"Hmm... This combat skill improves much faster than [Gravity Control], so you can focus on training it."

"However, training these two combat skills requires a lot of mental energy. In my current state, I may not have the conditions for long-term, repeated training."

"Perhaps we could incorporate some swordsmanship practice in between?"

Since they hadn't returned to a safe town yet, and even the outskirts of the forest required vigilance against potential dangers, Xia Nan only explored and attempted to arrange a training plan while ensuring his own condition was sufficient to meet the challenge.

The specifics will need to be adjusted flexibly based on the actual situation later.

Perhaps all the bad luck had been exhausted in the battle with that infernal demon, because Xia Nan did not encounter any more troublesome opponents on the way back.

He also beheaded the few groups of goblins he occasionally encountered, treating them as a temporary pastime. He had originally planned to follow the trail and relax in their lairs.

However, considering that Margaret and Soldin were following behind him, Xia Nan suppressed the desire that had been building up in his heart.

It's worth mentioning that these two adventurers, who were injured in the battle, behaved very "well-behaved" on their way back. They not only helped me carry a lot of loot and materials, but also did things like setting up camp and lighting a campfire while traveling, giving people a sense of being very considerate.

Before resting at night, they would even discuss past adventures, mysterious rumors about the surrounding area, and gossip about local celebrities, which Xia Nan found very interesting, and his impression of the two gradually improved.

He knew that the other party had a purpose in doing this. After all, in the wilderness, without the supervision of civilized society, strength became the basis of everything, and the strong could overpower the weak without any scruples.

Even though Xia Nan's murderous intent had dissipated when the two offered to share the mission rewards with him, Margaret and the others continued to demonstrate their value as much as possible on the road to reduce the hostility that the stronger members of the team might harbor due to their previous unpleasant experiences.

There's nothing surprising about it; this is how adventurers survive.

As the group left the forest, they encountered more and more adventurers on the road, and buildings gradually appeared on both sides, bringing them closer and closer to the river valley town.

Margaret and Soldin's expressions, which they had been trying to conceal, visibly relaxed. They were no longer as tense as they had been in the forest, as if they were under constant pressure.

Despite being in a safe human settlement, Margaret did not act perfunctorily. Upon returning to River Valley Town, she immediately suggested that they go to the Adventurers' Guild to settle the previously agreed-upon transfer ratio for the quest rewards.

Seeing that the female swordsman was so straightforward, Xia Nan, who had been worried that she might renege on her debt, was now completely at ease.

The three of them, carrying large and small bags, walked straight into the Adventurers' Guild without even going back to the inn.

……

……

"Okay, thank you again for your support of the Adventurers' Guild, Mr. Xia Nan!"

In the small conference room, across the wooden table, the association's receptionist, Jasmine, put down her pen, closed the task report that was filled with notes, and carefully put it aside.

He stood up from his seat and bowed solemnly to Xia Nan across the table.

Then, her face returned to its previous gentle and friendly smile, her eyes crinkling as she said:
"The association will confirm the mission results within three days, so please rest assured."

Regarding the task rewards, how do you plan to allocate the exchange ratio between gold coins and points?

"Oh, the exchange rate in River Valley Town hasn't changed recently; it's still the same '1:30' as last time."

"If you haven't made your choice yet, I can hold it for you for three days before you decide."

On the second floor of the guild, the missions with official level numbers usually reward "gold coins" and "guild points". The former goes without saying, while the latter can be used to exchange for various benefits within the guild, such as discounted potions, rare materials, official combat skills, and special intelligence.

Xia Nan was short of money at the time, and had already made his decision before setting off on this mission, so he didn't need to think about it any further and immediately nodded in reply:
"Just convert them all to gold coins for me."

"Yes, Mr. Xia Nan!"

Jasmine smiled broadly and nodded vigorously, her short golden hair swaying as she revealed the metal earrings on her earlobes.

Her warm and friendly demeanor was a stark contrast to her usual listless and drowsy state when she sat behind the counter.

You can see the burning desire of the workers for performance and bonuses.

He very considerately and thoughtfully refilled the teacup in front of Xia Nan, which was only a third full.

"Mr. Xia Nan, it's the same kind of fragrant leaf tea as last time. How is it? Do you like it? Would you like me to get you something else?"

With business concluded, Jasmine keenly sensed the atmosphere in the room, seized the opportunity, and diligently maintained her relationship with the client.

For her, Xia Nan was undoubtedly a type of adventurer with a very high priority.

She had an impression of this black-haired youth long before he obtained his professional rank.

Later, I personally witnessed the other party go from the initial promotion mission to later going up to the second floor of the association and completing one commission after another.

To some extent, Jasmine has witnessed Xia Nan's transformation from an ordinary, low-level adventurer who made a living by hunting goblins to someone who can now sit in the conference room on the second floor of the association and calmly select formal commissions.

She could even remember the changes in the other person's equipment, such as the new armor that was changed from time to time, the arm shield that was inexplicably upgraded, and even the longsword that was used to be carried on his back but suddenly disappeared a while ago.

On the other hand, Jasmine was well aware that Xia Nan didn't have a fixed team and often completed tasks that required an entire adventurer party, working alone. Such performance and such rapid promotion were enough to make her take notice and place him at the top of her client list.

If one day in the future, the black-haired youth in front of me can climb a few more steps, perhaps I will also have the opportunity to leave the branch and go to…

Unaware of the blonde girl's thoughts, and even if he did, he wouldn't care too much. Xia Nan simply took two sips of his tea.

The tea, which originally tasted quite good, now seems rather bland at this point in time when there are mountains of things to do.

Without lingering any longer, and seeing that the matters related to the mission had been dealt with, Xia Nan got up to say goodbye and left.

As he stepped out of the door that Jasmine had opened especially for him, Margaret and Soldin were already waiting a short distance ahead.

As seasoned professionals, their team also had staff members in the association responsible for liaison. At this moment, they had obviously already completed the relevant matters entrusted to them. Seeing Xia Nan walk out of the conference room, the two quickly stepped forward.

With her braid swaying gently at the back of her head, Margaret handed a thin contract to Xia Nan.

The content above is very simple, with just a few clearly printed clauses regarding the distribution of task rewards.

Xia Nan will receive 70% of the final profits from the Blackwood Squad.

He dealt with all the demons in the lair, and Margaret and the other woman survived only because of Xia Nan, so seventy percent is not much.

If someone were slightly more greedy, they could easily use the difference in strength to apply pressure and push the percentage up to over 85%.

Forced by the threat of death, Margaret and her companion had no choice but to agree.

Xia Nan wasn't that ruthless. With enough money to pay off the debt, he felt there was no need to exploit the other party to this extent just because of a difference of a dozen percent.

Since both sides have shown goodwill, let's be straightforward and settle the matter at a ratio that is acceptable to both sides and will not lead to resentment later.

On the other hand, since it was the Blackwood Squad that accepted the mission, Xia Nan had no way of knowing the final reward or the degree of completion of the mission.

In this situation, the female swordsman chose to use the association as a platform and supervisor, signed relevant contracts, and did not handle the rewards herself. After the Adventurers' Association confirmed the completion, the gold coins were directly distributed.

This ensures the safety of the entire process to the greatest extent possible.

On the other hand, it's also a form of self-protection. Otherwise, if the other party feels that the amount of gold coins received does not match the actual income, and that you gave too little, you will be deceived.

Instead, it turned a good thing that could have improved the other person's impression into something negative.

So they simply let the association handle everything, charging only a small handling fee, which would be much fairer and clearer.

"Since the investigation mission itself is a 'temporary' type, there is no classification of commission level, but the rewards are quite generous, roughly between level E and level D."

Margaret stood in front of Xia Nan and explained the relevant situation to him.

"Depending on the completion of the task, I estimate that the total reward will be in the range of 500-600 gold. At that time, the association will transfer the gold directly to your account according to the agreed ratio."

"The relevant handling fees will be deducted by us."

Xia Nan nodded slightly, pleased that it would save him the trouble.

"Finally, thank you for your assistance to our Oath-Keeping Blackwood Squad. We hope to have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future."

Margaret looked sincere and extended her hand to Xia Nan.

He raised his hand and clenched it tightly. His palm had the rough texture of calluses from holding a sword for a long time, yet it felt steady and powerful.

Xia Nan stared at the female swordsman before him, his expression unchanged, but inwardly he couldn't help but feel a little resentful.

I know it's just a polite remark, but if I were in that situation, I probably wouldn't have added that last sentence, "I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together in the future."

After all, of the teammates he's had over a year of adventures, the number still alive is... well, "relatively" few.

For their sake, it's best to avoid any opportunities for cooperation.

You can manage on your own.

Without much small talk, both sides had just finished their mission and had many things to deal with. The loss of their teammates made Margaret and her companion feel rather down.

I bid farewell and left.

Carrying a lot of miscellaneous items on his back, Xia Nan walked out of the Adventurers' Guild's gate, pondering to himself.

He successfully completed the goblin extermination mission from the association, and he estimated that he could collect the maximum amount of gold coins within the reward range, which would be a full 300 gold coins.
As for the investigation mission from the Blackwood Squad, he was given 70% of it. According to Margaret's estimate, he would get about 400 gold.

With these additions, the profit of around 700 gold instantly wiped out the deficit from the longsword reforging, and he also had enough money for his armor.

Xia Nan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

The anxiety that had been building up due to debt gradually eased as the savings were about to grow.

I looked up at the sky and saw that the sun was still in the center, but it was only just past noon.

With a push of his arms, he weighed the heavy backpack on his back and considered his next move.

"First, go to the Grass Cauldron and Kukunur to sell off the materials from the Armored Monster and Thorn Demon, as well as some odds and ends, and scrape together some money."

"The weapons of the little devil and the bearded demon are not urgent; we can discuss them later."

Then comes the most crucial, most important, and most anticipated part for Xia Nan – the Rock Hammer Blacksmith Shop!

"With so much time having passed, based on the progress before the mission, the decapitation sword should have been reforged by now."

That's a full three thousand gold coins!

This was an enormous expense that Xia Nan had never experienced since his time travel.

Their deep involvement in the forging process gives them immense confidence in the final product's quality.

Unprecedented anticipation!
Just standing at the entrance of the association and thinking about it, his heart began to beat faster.

Taking two deep breaths, Xia Nan calmed the turbulent emotions in her heart.

Look around to try and figure out the direction.

He began his journey toward his destination.

(End of this chapter)