Chapter 12: Deadlines

As one of the most powerful sub-species of creatures like goblins, the bugbear possessed the same treacherous and malicious disposition as his cousins, and usually appeared as the chieftain of a goblin tribe.

Under such circumstances, the Adventurers’ Association naturally included this monster in its bounty list. Due to its strength, which far exceeded that of bottom-tier adventurers, they offered a rather handsome bounty for it—

10 gold coins.

This was not considered an immense amount.

However, if one factored in the incidental spoils of war that could be obtained from sweeping through an entire goblin tribe, the harvest could just barely be classified as bountiful.

The bugbear that the bottom-of-the-barrel party encountered had clearly left his tribe not too long ago, failing to even gather enough equipment for his lackeys.

Even if one counted the dozen or so goblins from yesterday’s ambush, the only weapon in the entire tribe capable of fetching a price was the morningstar in the bugbear’s hand.

Xia Nan had picked it up to test it; it felt a bit heavy even for his reinforced body. Although swinging it around looked quite terrifying, this weapon was probably not very suitable for [Whirlwind Slash], meaning it would most likely only be sold to a blacksmith shop.

Fortunately, though.

Perhaps because it was his first time coming out to adventure, he possessed a certain legendary “rookie luck.”

Upon the bugbear’s body existed something that bottom-tier adventurers like them usually could only gaze at from afar through the glass windows of shops or auction houses—

That ochre-red energy shield.

Under the vast majority of circumstances, bugbears did not possess the ability to cast spells.

Only a very select few individuals favored by the gods, known within their clans as “priests,” could master a few primitive totem-like spells.

Evidently, the bugbear “Henk” whom Xia Nan had already decapitated was not such a being.

Otherwise, the moment they arrived in the depths of the nest, the bottom-of-the-barrel party would have been wiped out instantly (at least, that was how Maji put it).

On the other hand, during the brief and fierce combat just now, the bugbear had not made any obvious movements indicating the use of a spell scroll.

Therefore, only one possibility remained.

A magic item!

And the reality was indeed so.

Through Maji’s guidance, Xia Nan located a ring inside the bugbear’s pants pocket.

…

【Deadlines】

Category: Ring

Grade: Excellent (Green)

Effects:

Deflecting Forcefield (Active / 2nd-Circle): Summons a chaotic forcefield to block the enemy’s next physical attack for you.

Description:

On the night before the due date, Noel finally remembered the assignment his mentor had left him.

Note:

“You know, my efficiency has always been very high.”

——Outstanding Graduate of the Sea of Stars Enchantment Academy · Best Apprentice of the Year at the “Riemann” Mage Tower · Noel

…

The ring was entirely silver-white, looking no different from the ordinary silver rings found on the hands of common folk.

Yet upon closer observation, one could discover a few inconspicuous patterns carved into its inner wall, with ochre-red gleams flashing across its surface every now and then.

“That’s it!” Seeing Xia Nan fish 【Deadlines】 out of the bugbear’s pants pocket, Maji instantly grew excited.

“This ring is absolutely a magic item!”

The expression on his face was spectacular, far exceeding anything Xia Nan had seen since joining the party.

“And to deflect my [Precise Shot] so easily, its intensity isn’t low,” he stated with absolute certainty. “It’s definitely no cantrip; the enchantment on it is at least a 1st-circle spell.”

Maji took the ring from Xia Nan’s hand, scrutinizing it as if treating a supreme treasure, looking as though even his physical ailments faded away at this moment.

Xia Nan was not as thrilled as the other party, nor did any superfluous thoughts exist in his heart to begin with.

It was not until he utilized the time Maji spent studying the ring to search the cave once more, subsequently suggesting they leave.

Xia Nan keenly perceived that the other party’s expression seemed to undergo a slight shift.

He saw Maji’s originally quite excited face suddenly cool down at a certain fraction of a second.

Lowering his gaze, he swept a glance toward his own near-crippled right leg, then swiftly retracted it.

Re-hanging a gentle smile that appeared somewhat stiff, he returned the ring to Xia Nan while acting as if nothing were amiss, yet simultaneously appearing exceptionally reluctant.

“It is time to leave. The stench of blood here is too heavy; it can easily attract other wild beasts.”

He spoke thus.

Xia Nan was not very old in his previous life, but he had mixed in the workplace for nearly ten years, barely managing to carve out some achievements.

He still understood the most basic art of observing words and expressions.

Therefore, while remaining unfazed on the surface, the shift in Maji’s expression in that single instant was noted by him in his heart.

…

Leaving the cave.

Maji was heavily wounded, making his movements inconvenient;

Xia Nan was carrying many spoils of war on his back, making it none too easy to walk either.

Consequently, the speed at which the two moved was not considered fast.

Fortunately, the other party possessed the bonus of professional skills and knew the paths thoroughly, keeping the party walking in the correct direction at all times.

Furthermore, they no longer needed to constantly alter their route to track goblin trails like they did when they arrived; they only needed to put their whole minds into walking outward.

Thus, within just a day and a half, the two arrived at the outer peripheral edge of the forest.

And the originally somewhat subtle atmosphere, when facing the hazardous, high-pressure environment of the Misty Forest, seemed to dissolve into the white fog in the air along with it.

Crunch.

Leather boots landed softly across the fallen leaves, treading upon the scattered branches on the ground to emit a sound.

“The traces of human presence nearby are growing more and more frequent; we should be close to the forest edge now.” Maji pressed close to a tree trunk, his nostrils flaring slightly. “At the latest, by tomorrow evening, we can return to the city.”

“That’s good then.”

Dropping the bundle behind his back heavily onto the ground, Xia Nan leaned the two-handed axe (from Gagu) held in his hand like a hiking stick against a nearby tree, while simultaneously unbuckling the morningstar tied around his waist.

“Day in and day out, there’s nothing but wood and grass; my eyes are about to get blurred.”

“Hehe, you’ll get used to it in the future,” Maji replied with a laugh, lifting his head to glance at the sky. “It’s getting late; let’s set up camp first.”

The campfire was soon ignited.

The two sat around the flames, eating the crude rations they carried with them (a piece of rock-hard black bread, a few incredibly salty slices of meat from an unknown animal), chatting back and forth.

“How about it, have you decided?” Maji looked at Xia Nan opposite him with a sincere expression, extending an invitation. “Do you want to join my party?”

“Let’s talk about it after returning to the city; you should also need to rest and recuperate for a period of time.”

Xia Nan glanced at the other party’s bandage-wrapped right leg and replied.

“Haha, no need to worry.” Maji waved his hand, acting magnanimous. “I’ve had injuries more severe than this before. Rest assured, visiting the church a few more times will fix it right up.”

Xia Nan nodded, remaining silent.

“Alright, after walking for a day, it’s been hard on you to carry so many things.”

Maji stood up with some difficulty, patting the dust off his buttocks.

“I’ll go check the traps again. Though being close to a settlement, there shouldn’t be any danger either. You can have a good rest today; leave the first half of the night to me to keep watch.”

Xia Nan watched the back of the other party gradually vanishing into the bushes, his eyes narrowing slightly.

(End of Chapter)