This adventurer is overly righteous.

Thinking about it this way, perhaps Croa really should take the risk and give it a try.

It wasn't to exterminate the goblins, but to bring back some evidence to prove to the Adventurers' Guild how terrifying this cave was. Kroya couldn't possibly fight head-on against monsters capable of annihilating such a small adventurer's party; even his sword would probably break.

"That was really dangerous..."

Kroya murmured to himself, now that he thought about it, perhaps the reason why the Goddess of Death was so generous in bestowing so many blessings was because she knew early on how difficult his request had been.

When he lived in the monastery, Chloe often read stories in various books about gods blessing mortal heroes and helping them accomplish great feats. Now it seems that he may have become a part of these stories.

It was precisely because what Kroa wanted to do was fraught with difficulties and obstacles that the goddess of death was so generous; without these blessings, Kroa's power alone would have been insufficient to achieve his goal.

"She is truly both great and gentle."

These are the gods that Kroya has always sincerely believed in; Kroya respects them and loves them...

"Mr. Croya, be careful, it's hot."

At the dining table, the other hunters sat together around a table. These hunters were quite united and ate together. Roslet brought out a large pot of hot soup with fresh venison in it.

"We haven't seen such large prey in a long time because of the goblins." Roslett seemed very happy. Goblins also hunt wild animals, and their presence would scare away the hunters' prey.

"I am extremely grateful."

  

For hunters, meat is an extremely precious resource. The fact that they were able to offer Kroya such a pot of venison shows their hospitality. Kroya decided to leave a silver coin on their seat before leaving as a token of their gratitude.

This was the price to pay for the medicine powder. Roslet didn't want to charge Kroya because he knew Kroya was helping them clear out the goblins, which was a huge help to them.

However, the hunters were not wealthy.

The venison made him feel warm and full of energy, which greatly replenished Kroya's stamina, allowing him to enter the goblin main camp with full energy.

After all, he had made a pact with the gods. Even if he went back on his word, the gods would probably just withdraw their blessing and not blame him too much. However, Kroya felt that he should still fulfill this pact. The goddess who controlled death might have some expectations of him. She had blessed him and hoped that he could live up to them. Kroya did not want to disappoint those expectations.

Moreover, the goblins must be killed.

The hunters raised their cups, and Croya joined them. Their cups were filled with tea that wasn't too bitter, since Croya was about to leave and getting drunk wouldn't be a good thing. Croya had started as an adventurer when it was almost autumn, and now it was the time when autumn was transitioning into winter. Their faces were blurred by the faint mist rising from the hot soup, but the joy on their faces was clearly visible.

Part of what drove Kroya to hunt goblins was disgust—he loathed goblins—but more so because he had witnessed firsthand how the land seemed to be slowly improving as the goblins were eliminated.

Farmers no longer had to worry about their crops being stolen by goblins, hunters were able to catch their desired prey, and merchants could travel the roads with greater peace of mind. They expressed their gratitude to Kroya. Although Kroya did not consider himself a vain person, how could he not feel happy about this, and even more strength welled up in his heart!

Besides, the goddess who controls death has assured him that she will return safely, so why waver?

Kroya, are you a coward?

Kroya drank the bowl of soup down in one gulp. He felt full, warm, and full of energy.

of course not.

"I must take my leave now."

Kroya quietly left a silver coin on his seat, then began to put on his armor, shoulder his bag, and gather all his belongings.

"Wait a mininute."

Roslett called out to Kroya, who was about to leave, saying that she had a gift for him. Kroya stopped in his tracks, but he would not accept anything that was too valuable.

"A spoon?"

Kroya looked at what the hunter had taken out with some surprise.

The spoon was held in Rosslet's hand. It was relatively flat but slightly wide, with an ivory-white sheen, and looked like it was made from the bone of some kind of creature.

“That’s right, it’s made from the hind leg bone of a stag.” Roslet handed it to Kroya and said solemnly, “It’s almost winter now, and the bone used to make this spoon came from the first stag we hunted this winter.”

"It can bring good luck to our friends."

In Roslett's opinion, Kroya was fully entitled to accept it, since it was because Kroya cleared out the surrounding goblin settlements that the deer returned to live in this area, giving them the opportunity to catch it.

"I will cherish it." Kroya didn't refuse, but carefully put it away. It could be considered a testament to the friendship between him and these hunters, and should be treated with care. "Goodbye, friends."

Take care.

After parting ways with the hunters, Kroya began his journey toward the goblin's lair, no longer feeling any fear.

Even if he forgot everything else, just because of his friendship with these hunters, Croya felt he should help them, since their dwelling wasn't far from the main lair.

Soon after, Kroya returned to the cave entrance, which was dark and deep. Near the entrance, Kroya saw traces of the adventurers who had lived there. They had entered with torches, but perhaps none of them could escape.

However, thanks to the blessing of the gods, Kroya has an enormous advantage in cave exploration. He doesn't need torches for lighting, and he can hide in the dark. In a direct fight, Kroya is no match for those adventurers, but when it comes to infiltration skills, they are far inferior to Kroya.

The purpose of this exploration is to find evidence.

Kroya mentally emphasized that he didn't need to fight the monsters inside; he just needed to bring out some evidence that could prove the danger inside.

So, Kroya stepped inside, his figure disappearing into the darkness as if swallowed by the cave.