Starting with the goblin extermination

Logan was carrying two corpses and tossing them into a large pit not far from the Guardian Stone, like throwing away trash.

Elsa sat on a rock nearby, wiping her dagger, and coldly watched Koska and Quintas, who reeked of foul odor.

The pampered young nobleman was now in a terrible state.

He was safe, and his damned pride returned. He frantically tried to wipe the urine and mud off his inner thighs with leaves.

But the dirt had already seeped into the fabric, making it dirtier the more you wiped it, until finally only a large, embarrassing yellow stain appeared in the crotch area.

Logan then carried two more corpses whose right ears had been cut off.

Logan, after defeating the monsters and collecting the loot, left immediately.

After all, there would always be something in the forest to help him clear away the limbs and remains scattered everywhere. He only took what he needed, leaving the rest of the bodies to the forest—a reasonable and efficient approach.

But this time is different.

Koska must stay at the Guardian Stone for a full two hours.

Although he certainly wouldn't choose this blood-soaked place to camp tonight, looking at the corpses all over the ground, Logan didn't want to come back tomorrow morning to find this place full of goblins or other monsters that had come by smelling the blood.

Now it's completely dark, with only sparse light filtering down from the treetops.

We can only handle it simply.

Fortunately, I brought that thing with me before I left.

boom.

The last body was roughly thrown into the pit. With a strength of 8, moving these chunks of flesh was a piece of cake for Logan.

Logan took out a small bottle, removed the cork, and sprinkled a layer of grayish-white powder into the pit.

Odor-eliminating powder

The name is simple and unpretentious.

A special powder used to mask the stench of corpses and blood, supposedly made from the corpses of some kind of insect-like monster.

This stuff is cheap, only 5 silver coins a bottle.

Normal adventurers kill monsters, collect their loot, and then immediately run away without lingering.

So it didn't sell well.

But this stuff is just right for Logan right now.

The smell of the corpse faded quickly.

Quintus walked to the edge of the pit, clutching the badge he had just torn from his friend, his eyes reddening again.

He knew he was incapable of transporting his friend's body back to Riverwood.

He could only take the badge back with him.

They simply covered the area with a thin layer of soil, laid down branches to completely mask the smell, and then returned to the Guardian Stone. They sprinkled some powder on the bloodstains on the ground; it was time for them to leave.

Elsa suddenly sensed someone approaching.

rustle--

A series of light footsteps came from the woods, followed by a hearty voice.

"Hey! Logan?!"

The first to emerge from the forest was a half-elf ranger with light blue hair, wearing close-fitting leather armor, and carrying a longbow.

Following closely behind was [Steel Fist] Iris, whom I had just met at the tavern yesterday. This tall woman, nearly 1.8 meters tall, was wearing heavy chainmail and was swinging her fists with a nonchalant air.

Ellis is in a good mood now.

I wanted to see what was happening in the area where the wolf howls were coming from.

I never expected to run into Logan here.

Looking at his blood-stained yet still pleasing face, the frustration of not finding the mission target instantly subsided.

and many more.

Is this kid...?

Ellis's outstretched arm froze in mid-air.

Even though they were only a dozen steps apart, she could clearly feel the oppressive aura emanating from the man in front of her.

A familiar sense of oppression.

Professional.

He's taken the job!

No wonder that old dwarf praised the boy's talent so highly when he secretly inquired about him with Thorin after meeting him at the tavern that day.

Not only is his face to my liking, but his strength is also astonishing.

Thinking of this, Ellis subconsciously clenched her fists.

I really want to have a real fight with him!

Let's see if he's more ruthless, or if I'm stronger!

Upon seeing Ellis, Logan instantly released his grip on the sword hilt.

"What a coincidence, what are you doing here?"

The half-elf ranger Sylvie sized Logan up and down, then poked Iris's ribs hard with his elbow, only to be impatiently slapped away by the latter.

"Don't even mention it, it was just some stupid job to find someone—"

Before Ellis could finish speaking, she caught a glimpse of Quintas huddled behind a tree.

She paused for half a second, then grabbed Quintus by the collar and patted him all over, like inspecting cargo.

"Found it?!"

She shouted excitedly, then slapped her thigh in frustration.

"You beat me to it! You're something else! You found those 16 platinum coins before several other teams!"

Quintas's face stiffened, and he instantly understood.

His father indeed posted an emergency request in the guild, which warmed his heart.

But then he thought about it again. His father hadn't directly hired a team of professionals, but instead had found this group of people... He looked at Iris, and his mood plummeted to rock bottom once more.

"Logan, I assure you," Quintus nodded to Logan, "that the reward I promised you will remain unchanged, and you will also receive your father's reward."

"As for you... Father must have already paid you a deposit."

He slapped Ellis's hand away and said with disgust.

"If it weren't for Logan, you'd be stuck piecing my bones together to take back for your reward!"

Uncharacteristically, Ellis didn't retort, but awkwardly touched her nose. She glanced at Sylvie beside her, only to receive a large eye roll in return—

I told you long ago that this was a thankless and arduous task.

Logan glanced at Koska and Quintas.

He was already having a bit of a headache, since he would have to stay here with Koska for a while tomorrow. One burden was enough; adding another would be troublesome.

Now, Ellis and her friends have solved the problem.

He looked up at the sky, which had become completely dark.

"How about this, Ellis?"

"What?"

"I can't be bothered with this young master anymore. Tomorrow morning, your team will be responsible for escorting him back to Riverwood."

Logan held up two fingers.

"We'll split his father's payment 20/80, I'll get 80% and you guys 20%. That way you'll each have 3 platinum coins. As for the deposit his father gave you, I won't ask about that."

"how?"

"OK!"

Before Sylvie could speak, Ellis had already taken a big step forward excitedly, almost touching Logan.

She was worried that she didn't have a chance to get to know Logan properly and cultivate a friendship.

Once you get to know him, you won't have to worry about finding an excuse to spar with him.

"It's a deal! It's getting dark, so how about our two teams camp together tonight? More people means more power, and we can take turns keeping watch..."

They were so close that Logan could see her long eyelashes.

Elsa, who had been standing behind him, stared intently at Ellis.

Ellis felt a chill run down her spine under Elsa's gaze. She instantly realized what was happening, her face flushing red for once, and she took a half-step back with a dry laugh.

Logan glanced at the two unarmed men behind him.

It's always good to have more people protecting these two burdens.

"Can."

A sudden gust of wind swept through the forest.