Starting with the goblin extermination

Arlando 3563, Riverwood, Asbia Square.

Today is the day to pick Lily up from the temple and take her home.

Logan, holding Elsa's hand, stood by the fountain in Asbia Square, gazing at the majestic temple spire. This landmark of Riverwood stood proudly, silent above the crowd; apart from the Adventurers' Guild, other buildings appeared small and ordinary at its foot.

The midday sun shone through the gaps in the spire and onto the square.

As the largest public space in Riverwood and its geographical center, Asbia Square is like the heart of Riverwood, connecting the desolate West End with the bustling East End, home to guilds and temples.

Therefore, even though it was still noon, most adventurers had already left the town for the forest, and the square was still bustling with people. A puddle of muddy water next to the fountain, trampled by countless pedestrians, gradually evaporated and dissipated under the scorching sun.

The two walked through the crowd toward the temple.

The spire drew ever closer, still towering high, and they found the spacious courtyard with its marble floor in front of the temple.

Beyond the stone pillars at the courtyard entrance, the gaze follows the marble on the ground forward, eventually arriving at the magnificent building with a huge silver scale hanging from it.

Logan gazed at the familiar scene before him, feeling as if he had been transported to another world. Although Logan was an atheist in both his past and present lives, he respected the beliefs of others, and that did not prevent him from appreciating the beautiful temple before him.

The hall features massive, pristine white stone pillars, an open-air lobby, and a floor that shimmers with gilded patterns in the sunlight. A colossal stone sculpture, about two people tall, stands silently in the center of the hall.

Soma, the Goddess of Order.

The statue has no eyes, but the empty eye sockets are not frightening. Instead, the scales and scepter in her hands add a touch of holiness and solemnity.

The believers knelt on the clean floor, their hands crossed in front of their chests, reciting their scriptures in the same tone and rhythm.

As the two entered the hall, two paladins dressed in brown plate armor, standing like statues on either side of the doorposts, scrutinized them with their eyes.

Professional.

The moment their eyes met, both sides used a sense of pressure to assess each other's strength.

Elsa held Logan's hand and waited quietly.

Only when the priest who came to greet them emerged from behind the statue did the paladins slightly shift their gaze, and like two machines returning to hibernation, they continued to stand quietly.

The priestess, dressed in a white robe with gold trim, led the two into the hall. She was barefoot, and Logan could see her ankles and the delicate soles of her feet, which were slightly stained with gray.

Barefoot, white robes, and a silver scale on the chest—these are the hallmarks of a Soma priest.

Will Lily become like that too?

Logan looked away, returning to the stained-glass corridors on either side, and felt a sense of tranquility. Walking within the vast temple, one feels small, yet also finds something to rely on, a subtle sense of certainty. Seeking certainty in a turbulent world—perhaps this is why they believe in the divine.

At the end of the corridor is an open lawn.

On the lawn, a dozen or so priests, dressed in simple white robes, sat cross-legged on small stone slabs, maintaining strict spacing.

There were no children playing or frolicking. Everyone bowed their heads, their expressions serious as they recited the weighty scriptures. Occasionally, a lovely bird would land beside them, keeping the young men and women company as they deepened their faith in the divine.

Their eyes searched through the pure white space, finally settling on a small figure in the corner.

The priestess leading the way quietly approached Lily and interrupted her as she began reading the next paragraph. Following the priestess's finger, Lily saw the two of them, and a huge look of surprise instantly spread across her young face.

She glanced at the supervising priest holding a wooden ruler, and only after she nodded in acknowledgment did she slowly rise.

But instead of running, she followed the temple's rules and stepped out into the sunlight with steps she had been trained countless times.

Elsa took Lily's little hand and walked into the corridor.

Only after confirming that they were out of the sight of the overseer priest did the little girl bury her face in Elsa's arms, her eyes slightly red.

Elsa smiled and ruffled Lily's hair, and Logan smiled too.

Looking at the warm scene before him, Logan's mind drifted back to a Soma verse he had just heard in the lobby—

"The standard for measuring whether a civilization survives or perishes is simple: the former makes all things revere the chains of law, while the latter makes all beings succumb to the abyss of desire."

What will Lily eventually become?

He had no answer.

......

Elsa took Lily for a walk in the town market, letting the two sisters spend their hard-earned holiday alone.

Ilily, with her talkative nature, must have been cooped up in the temple and had a lot to say to her older sister.

Logan, however, had other things to do.

"One more time."

Instructor Soben swung his arm, and his sword struck Logan's hand squarely.

"grass!"

Logan endured the pain and raised his blunt sword again.

"left."

Logan brandished his blunt sword, pre-adjusting his stance to meet the attack from the left. His fingertips, wrists, and shoulders burned with every exertion, and his entire body was drenched in sweat.

Really ruthless.

After sensing the professional aura emanating from Logan, besides the wide-eyed look of Instructor Soben, Logan was greeted by a blunt sword just like his own, and unrestrained offensive instructions.

After all, for Logan, who possesses the "hunter's instinct" specialty, deliberately slowing down the pace for teaching purposes no longer serves any teaching purpose.

"prick."

A faint green light erupted beneath Instructor Soben's feet as he accelerated once more, his blunt sword clashing fiercely with Logan's.

boom!boom!boom!boom!boom!

He always managed to deflect Logan's attacks from unexpected angles, leaving Logan's arms feeling intensely sore. Logan, on the other hand, managed to hold his own against Soben thanks to his significantly improved speed and dynamic vision gained from his new job.

During the clash, he deliberately used the [Parry] combat technique. With each swing, his understanding of the technique was further enhanced with Soben's help.

He could clearly feel that he had become stronger.

The noble young master Quintus leaned against the railing of the training ground with his female companion, staring blankly at the two fighting in front of him.

After returning to Riverwood from the forest, he apologized to Instructor Sorbun and asked to return to teaching. Perhaps his friend's death changed him, or perhaps it was just a passing fancy; in any case, he picked up a sword again, only this time, he no longer scoffed at Logan's blond hair.

Her companion was surprised by Quintus's change, but she wisely refrained from asking further questions, knowing full well what Quintus had experienced in the forest—a story that had become a laughingstock in their social circle.

That's all.

Soben pressed down hard, Logan's blunt sword slid across his cheek, and then Soben lashed out with his elbow, sending Logan crashing to the muddy training ground.

[Proficiency +30]

Parry LV1 (88/100)

It's still a significant improvement in proficiency. After a few more missions, I can train [Parry] to LV2 and gain a new skill.

With the sun behind him, Soben pulled Logan up from the ground.

"Not bad," Soben said, looking Logan up and down. "You'll surpass me soon."

"Thank you for the compliment, instructor."

Logan casually wiped the mud and sweat mixed with the earthy smell from his face.

The instructor wiped away his sweat, but his previously proud expression turned serious.

"Next, get ready."

Logan paused slightly.

"What?"

Soben uttered only four words.

"Joint expedition."