That's right, that's what adventure is like!

Chapter 117 "Scar Shield" Hogg

"What, you're not welcoming me?"

Roland leaned his left arm against the counter, looking at the girl sitting in front of him with a slight smile on his lips.

Before I knew it, a month had passed since I first met this receptionist, and he had gone from a newcomer to a full-fledged professional.

And she seemed to remain the same as always, at the same counter, in the same position, and being exploited for her labor.

Subconsciously, a teasing thought popped into his head, which led him to give that answer.

"No—that's not what I meant—"

Upon hearing this, the girl seemed slightly flustered, and her fair face flushed slightly.

She glanced at Roland, then at the other adventurers in the hall. Seeing that no one was looking their way, she whispered, "Didn't you know the Association's branch here is being closed?"

Cancelled?

Roland was slightly taken aback, then realized why the mission sheets on the wall had been removed. But—it was just a change of country, so why close the Broken Rock Town branch?

According to the regulations, established adventurers' associations will never change their stance due to any political changes, let alone be abolished.

Finally, a deep voice from not far away answered the question.

"It's not cancellation, it's relocation! — After all this time, you still can't remember?!"

The deep, resonant voice was so intimidating that Roland instinctively looked toward the winding wooden staircase to the side.

The first thing that catches the eye is an incredibly robust, naked torso with muscles like bulging granite, full of explosive power, covered with thick, dark golden hair, and a claw mark that runs from the right shoulder to the left abdomen stands out against the bronze skin.

Then there was his height of nearly eight feet, a heavy leather skirt studded with copper nails and tied around his waist, with several small leather pouches hanging from it, and a heavy black iron hand axe.

Finally, there was his grizzled blonde hair, tied into a whip with several bones and rings and hanging down his back. He had a square face, prominent cheekbones, and eyes that were amber like a falcon's, with a very intimidating gaze.

The girl rose to greet him, her expression showing a hint of respect: "Lord Hogg, what brings you here—"

"Hmph—" Hogmeet descended the last step, his heavy footsteps thudding on the floor. "Of course, I'm worried you won't handle the reception properly."

He walked to the counter, his tall figure casting a shadow that almost completely covered Roland.

Looking down at the young man, Hogg's weathered face broke into a smile: "Just as Ramona said, he is indeed an excellent adventurer."

As he spoke, he stretched out his palm, which was as big as a palm leaf fan. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and countless scars proved the brutal battles he had experienced.

At this moment, the hand is hanging in front of Roland.

Roland reached out and grasped it.

The moment his palms touched, he felt the texture of that power—warm, substantial, as if it had been polished and refined over the years.

"Scarface" Hogg, the barbarian's amber eyes swept over Roland, "You should have heard of my name."

Roland nodded.

He had indeed heard of Lord Hogg, who was the head of the Broken Rock Town branch. He was said to have come from the military, but left because he couldn't stand the bureaucratic style there. He later joined the Association and was known for his strong and domineering personality, but he was extremely kind to his own people.

As is customary, he would personally receive any adventurer registered with the Broken Rock Town Association who was promoted, and Roland had come for this very reason.

"Let's go upstairs and talk."

Hogg patted Roland on the shoulder, the force of which made Roland's whole body tremble.

Roland did not refuse, and turned to Aleta, saying, "It may take a while, wait for me here."

Aleta nodded, silently found a seat at the counter, took out the collected leaf-finding grass, and began filling out the task form.

The girl glanced at her furtively, then quickly lowered her head, pretending to flip through the register in her hand; only her swaying legs indicated that she was quite happy.

On the other side, Hogg had already climbed the stairs, with Roland following closely behind, looking around at the second floor of the association, which only formal professionals were qualified to set foot on.

There was no lobby, only a straight corridor with neat rows of wooden doors on both sides. Each door was inlaid with a brass plaque engraved with a number starting from "001", which extended to the end of the corridor.

Roland slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the doors.

Some wooden doors were half-open, revealing serious-looking staff sitting upright; others were ajar, with the rustling sound of papers being turned over faintly; and many more doors were tightly closed, covered in a layer of dust.

"That's the rule," Hogg explained, noticing his gaze. "Every professional has a dedicated receptionist to handle their requests and needs."

He paused, then added jokingly, "Of course, you have to pay. It's a service fee of 50 gold coins per year. After all, we can't let them work for free."

Roland didn't speak, but continued to examine the numbers, though he knew in his heart that the reason was not so simple.

50 gold coins is quite a lot for ordinary adventurers, but for professional adventurers, it's just the reward for completing one or two quests.

This is a threshold used to filter out adventurers who are lucky enough to be promoted but are unable to maintain their position, while also prompting them to keep moving forward.

Just like the trials for newcomers to the association, it was simple yet effective.

At the end of the corridor was a double oak door, much larger than the others. Instead of a number, the door bore a large shield-shaped emblem with the association's logo.

The door was pushed open, and Roland stepped inside.

The furnishings inside were quite simple, with only a large oak table with a few maps casually laid out, a bookshelf against the wall filled with scrolls, books, parchment scrolls, and a number of dusty weapons.

"sit."

Hogg walked behind the table, plopped down in the large armchair, looked at Roland with admiration, and then sighed.

"It's such a pity. We finally found a promising talent, and then this happened."

Roland sat opposite him, somewhat puzzled: "What do you mean by that? Also, why did the association suddenly relocate?"

Hogg slowly explained the reason: "You should know that our association has its own intelligence network, including branches in the Empire."

"Two days ago, we received news that a department of the Empire has begun to re-plan the division of the kingdom's towns—Broken Rock Town is an abandoned area."

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his thick fingers on the table, his tone complex: "No troops will be stationed here, no trade routes will be maintained, no resources will be invested—this town will slowly die, becoming a haven for exiles."

"Instead, they will focus all their efforts on developing the Trembling Swamp and rebuilding a small town three miles from the edge of the swamp."

"The association will be moving there."