Starting with the goblin extermination

Arlando 3563, Ashwood, Outer Reach.

Gravel and dirt flew everywhere, and the earth trembled.

With a deafening roar that shook the earth, a wild boar the size of a fully grown warhorse slammed into Baron's brand-new steel round shield.

If it were that dwarf newbie who was swallowed by the giant frog a week ago, this blow would have been enough to smash him and his shield into a pulp.

But Barron's has been completely transformed.

"Stop!"

Baron roared, his feet firmly planted on the ground, the muscles in his arms bulging, and a faint, earthy yellow light flashed across the surface of his shield.

【hold fast】

boom--!

The shield actually absorbed the terrifying impact of the wild boar, which was enough to break a tree in half.

The steel-hard fangs sparked against the shield, but could not advance any further.

"Well done, you brat!"

Thorin's laughter came from the flank.

Taking advantage of the moment the wild boar was stopped, the battle axe whistled through the air and swiftly chopped into the boar's thick hind leg.

Fresh blood gushed out like a fountain.

The situation is extremely heated.

This is the famous landmark on the outskirts of Ashwood – the Guardian Stone.

Three giant rocks rising abruptly from the ground are arranged in a triangular pattern, forming a natural shelter.

At this moment, the three monsters, whose challenge level was 1/2, were being separated between the giant rocks by Logan and Thorin's two teams.

Spiked Boar (Challenge Level: 1/2).

Their broad backs, extending from their necks to their tails, are densely covered with sharp, blackish-gray spikes, like javelins.

The trunks of the surrounding large trees were covered with pale marks, several inches deep, left by the thorns as they scratched the trees, a testament to their sharpness.

"Watch their backs! Don't fucking smash my gold coins!" Thorin roared as he precisely chopped the boar in the side of its face with his battle axe, knocking it to the ground.

This is a well-paid task.

According to the guild's bounty, the bounty for hunting a Spiked Boar is 4 gold coins, but what's really valuable are the excellent forging materials on their backs—if you can peel off a cluster of intact spikes, the blacksmith is willing to buy it for a high price of 6 gold coins.

After all, incorporating these spikes into a weapon can significantly improve its toughness and armor-piercing capabilities.

Three wild boars, if handled properly, can mean a profit of 30 gold coins.

On the other side of the battlefield, the fighting was equally intense.

"Watch me!"

With a crisp, delicate shout, Papa, who was hiding on top of the giant rock, knelt down and instantly drew her large bow to its full extent.

[Rapid Fire]

Compared to seven days ago, Papa's strength had also improved. Two arrows flew from the same bowstring with a trembling sound, trailing off end to end, transforming into a gray streak of light.

The first arrow pierced the second boar's left leg with pinpoint accuracy, disrupting its balance; immediately afterward, the second arrow struck the boar's right eye.

The wild boar, which was frantically ramming against the rocks, let out a pitiful scream.

Elsa emerged from the shadows, her dagger piercing the boar's brain through the bloody hole left by the second arrow.

The wild boar collapsed with a crash, raising a cloud of dust.

There's one last one left.

Logan walks on the edge of the battlefield.

He was now facing the largest wild boar by himself.

If Logan had faced a monster of this level alone a few days ago, he would definitely have chosen to patiently maneuver using the terrain.

But now he has decided to make things quick.

The wild boar lowered its head, its back quills bristling like a hedgehog's, and roared as it charged toward Logan.

too slow.

The +1 Agility boost was noticeable, and Logan felt he could easily dodge the boar's attacks.

Without any other unnecessary movements, Logan planted his feet firmly on the ground, and only when the wild boar approached did he suddenly turn to the side.

[Thrust]

Draw your sword.

The longsword seemed like a natural extension of his arm. The cold light sliced ​​into the flesh through the gap in the wild boar's shoulder blade.

Logan flicked his wrist, drew his sword, and retreated.

The massive wild boar, propelled by its momentum, charged forward for another dozen meters before crashing headfirst into a giant rock, then slamming heavily into a pool of blood, where it died instantly.

[Proficiency +1]

The third wild boar, solved.

"call......."

Logan flicked his wrist, and the longsword drew a bloody arc in mid-air, without even a drop of blood staining the newly bought leather armor.

"You little brat..."

The old dwarf Thorin approached, carrying a blood-dripping battle axe, and gave Logan a meaningful once-over. As a seasoned adventurer, he immediately noticed the change in Logan's strength.

"Your combat skills have advanced?"

"I was lucky; I had some insights in the woods a few days ago," Logan said casually, rubbing his nose.

Thorin gasped, his beard trembling.

If his previous assessment of Logan was that of a "promising newcomer," then now, having mastered combat skills from beginner to advanced in less than half a month, Logan was now, in his eyes, an absolute monster.

Keep in mind, Logan didn't have that much money to hire high-level adventurers for private tutoring in combat skills. Even Thorin himself didn't know how much money and time he spent to upgrade his combat skills to the advanced level.

"abnormal."

Thorin muttered something in extreme frustration.

He then turned his gaze to Elsa, who was removing spikes from a wild boar carcass, and a gossipy, lewd smile spread across his face.

"But seriously, not only are you incredibly talented, but your womanizing skills are also surprisingly impressive!"

Thorin nudged Logan in the waist with his elbow, winking and saying, "Tell me honestly, did you give that rose to this wanderer lady? To actually get that cold, aloof wanderer to agree to team up with you, and you even call yourself 'Black Beast'? Not bad, kid!"

Logan's eye twitched as he glanced at Elsa, who was silently working in the distance.

It was all mutually beneficial; he acknowledged Elsa's strength and character, nothing more.

Of course, it wouldn't be true to say that he had no worldly thoughts about that beautiful face hidden under the mask; after all, Logan is a normal man. But let's just let things take their course.

Before Logan could even reply, he heard Papana's energetic voice coming from the other side.

It seems Thorin isn't the only one who's gossipy.

She hovered around Elsa, chattering away and asking questions, while skillfully helping to remove the spikes from the wild boar's back.

But Elsa just gave her a perfunctory response without any emotion.

Logan noticed that Elsa hadn't been in high spirits since they met in the guild hall that morning. She was usually aloof, but today she seemed even more indifferent.

"Alright, Papa! Stop bothering her and get to work!" Thorin noticed Elsa's low spirits and interrupted Papa's questioning with a loud shout.

The group peeled off the spikes along with the flesh and put them into a specially made bag.

"Alright, leave these things to us."

Thorin looked at Logan and Elsa and waved his hand magnanimously.

"Don't you have other tasks? Be careful. Go straight to the guild reception after you get back to town; you'll definitely get your two share of gold coins!"

"Thanks, Thorin. See you at the guild."

Logan nodded and gave the three old dwarves a high five to say goodbye.

Watching Thorin and the others disappear at the end of the forest path, Logan's smile faded, and he turned to look at Elsa.

"Let's go."

Logan pulled a map from his pocket and tapped a black mark with his finger.

"Go to the abandoned mine, finish it quickly, and get paid sooner."

"Um."

The two, one in the light and one in the shadows, headed towards the mine.