Starting with the goblin extermination

Kruger rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice.

"Rules are rules, but people are flexible. Mr. Logan, I've always been optimistic about your potential, and besides, the information you provided last time did me a small favor."

"So personally...within the scope of my authority and responsibility, I used a tiny, insignificant amount of power."

Kruger's small eyes swept over Logan and Elsa.

"The Dire Wolf kill counts perfectly. Congratulations! Your [Shadow of the Raven] team has now achieved the mandatory target of defeating two level-one monsters."

Kruger became more and more excited as he spoke, his face flushing.

"I strongly recommend that you advance to the Bronze-level Adventurer Party as soon as possible! Once you reach Bronze level, you will not only be able to receive more rewarding Bronze-level quests, but you will also have certain privileges in major cities across the continent. More importantly, the guild's internal market will be open to you."

He held up four fingers and counted them.

"In addition to absolutely genuine, lower-priced equipment, materials, and potions, you will also have access to a variety of valuable intelligence."

"Take your hometown, North Nordland, for example. The current state of the war... tsk tsk tsk, this is core information that even those third-rate tabloids outside can't get."

Seeing Logan's eyes flicker with curiosity, Kruger stopped the conversation.

"So in my opinion, intelligence is the most valuable thing about these permissions."

Kruger rubbed his hands together.

"Of course, if you're temporarily short on funds, once you become a Bronze-level adventurer, the bank can also provide you with more advanced financial services such as low-interest loans! I, Kruger, am at your service 24/7!"

Logan raised an eyebrow.

Honestly, I almost forgot what kind of person these goblins are.

However, it's no wonder Kruger was so agitated.

A salesperson's income and future prospects are deeply tied to the adventurers they serve. Besides selling financial products and providing other services, the most valuable asset for a salesperson's advancement is the adventurer who can survive long-term and thrive.

There's a success story circulating among salespeople. A low-level female salesperson, with her sharp eye and hot figure, managed to latch onto a low-level adventurer.

Later, the adventurer rose through the ranks to become a powerful Gold-level adventurer, and the salesman also benefited from his promotion, rising to a high-ranking position in a branch office in a major city.

It is said that the two eventually got married.

Kruger touched his shiny bald head and looked at Elsa beside him.

He was very self-aware; he would never count on using his body to build a relationship in this lifetime.

But he absolutely had to serve this man in front of him well. This man was undoubtedly a promising prospect, and would definitely be his biggest asset for future promotions and raises.

Logan interrupted Kruger.

"In other words, now all that's left is to complete one more advancement task."

"That's right!" Kruger nodded repeatedly. "I'll draft your promotion report right now! The guild will then issue targeted commissions based on your team's past performance and number of members."

"Don't worry, it won't exceed your capabilities."

He paused, as if he had thought of something, and lowered his voice to add.

"Take this time to rest well. The advancement quest should be coming down soon."

Logan nodded without asking any further questions.

......

After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, Logan and Elsa walked side by side down the street toward the blacksmith's shop.

Logan carried the heavy shadow panther skin, while Elsa walked quietly beside him.

As Logan walked, he mentally calculated the potential profits from this trip.

The nobleman Quintas and his father paid a total of 22.8 platinum coins, Koska paid 5 platinum coins, plus the 4 quests they accepted before setting off and the bounty for the gnoll hunt... The team's total income reached 30.9 platinum coins.

He suddenly turned his head to look at Elsa.

Sunlight fell on her icy blue eyes, reflecting dazzling sparkles. Elsa seemed to sense something, and their eyes met.

Elsa paused slightly, a faint blush rising to the tips of her ears, but she did not look away.

"What's wrong?"

Logan's lips involuntarily curled up slightly.

Elsa smiled faintly.

Her gaze shifted downwards to the heavy shadow leopard skin on Logan's shoulder, and she instinctively reached out to help lift it up slightly.

Although she was far weaker than Logan, she still gave Logan a slight warmth in his chest.

He recalled their conversation the night before he set off.

"The team's funds can no longer be split equally as before."

That's what he said at the time.

"From now on, 10% of our income will be used as public funds to purchase medicine, food, and other utilities. We'll split the rest equally. If we acquire equipment or loot, we'll give it to the most suitable person, but that person will have to compensate the others with gold coins; if they don't have enough, they can owe us... What do you think?"

Elsa didn't answer immediately; she simply leaned against him and gently shook her head.

Then, she earnestly offered to give all her money to Logan for safekeeping. But Logan lowered his head and kissed her lips, stopping her after she mumbled, "What's mine is yours."

Thinking of this, Logan couldn't help but reach out and gently grasp Elsa's fingers.

Her palms, calloused yet still soft and cool, were still smooth.

Elsa's body stiffened slightly, and the blush on her ears instantly spread to her cheeks, but she didn't open her eyes, simply letting him hold hers.

"...Still on the street."

Logan chuckled softly.

"Let them see."

Elsa snorted, but then grabbed his hand in the next moment.

Their fingers were intertwined, gripping each other even tighter than his.

The two walked hand in hand toward the Giant Hammer Blacksmith Shop.

Sunlight shone on them, casting two overlapping shadows.

Before entering the blacksmith's shop, Elsa reluctantly let go of Logan's hand. She resumed her cold demeanor, though the tips of her ears still bore a faint red tinge.

As usual, Dadlach was lounging in his chair reading a magazine.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and immediately grinned.

"Hey, you're back!"

He instinctively threw a punch, but then suddenly stopped.

Logan's ring armor, which had been repaired before, was now tattered and torn.

Many of the iron rings were broken and torn, with reddish-black blood still stained on their edges.

What surprised him even more was the familiar sense of oppression emanating from Logan.

He had only experienced this from professionals.

Damn it, no way! It's only been a few days!

"You...you've got the job?!"

Dallak gasped.

Logan didn't answer; instead, he slammed a heavy package onto the counter.

boom.

The package unfurled.

A massive black and white animal hide, which eerily seemed to devour light even under the intense glow of the hearth fire, appeared before Darak's eyes.

Dallak's Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes lit up instantly.