Loren Town was already in sight.
Ed looked up.
At the town’s entrance, some adventurers holding weapons were gathered together.
Some were organizing their weapons and armor, some were boredly looking up at the sky, and a few were idly chatting with those around them.
These should be the adventurers Wilfred and Leo mentioned, who went out to subjugate beasts or search for survivors.
A scrutinizing light flashed in Ed’s eyes.
Although they looked loose and disorganized, with non-standard armor and weapons, no matter what, they should still be useful in clearing beasts.
“Hey! Why did you suddenly use your real name!”
Bailis suddenly shuffled close to Ed’s side, protesting softly and a bit angrily.
Honestly, Ed didn’t even know why she was angry, but that didn’t stop him from simply explaining his motives:
“Because we need helpers, and maybe more than one.”
“Helpers? Aren’t the two of us enough to handle those beasts on the road?”
“We don’t know how many beasts there will be. It’s always better to be cautious, Bailis.”
“But what does that have to do with your real name?” she asked.
“I remember that tall skinny guy called you by that fake name too.”
The tall skinny guy should be Dona.
“Because I hadn’t thought that far back then.” Ed was a bit helpless.
“At the time, I thought I’d soon end my adventurer career in the Nordvian Kingdom, so I used a fake name—or rather, a code name—to avoid trouble.”
“But now it’s different.”
That group of adventurers seemed to notice the few people walking toward the town, and a couple waved in their direction.
“We need their help for this period, Bailis. This time might be long or short, but no matter what, we have to gain their trust. Using a fake name would make that trust less solid, to some extent—and on the battlefield, that’s fatal.”
He said softly.
“When that time comes, relying just on the two of us, it’s very possible we’ll fall into that surrounded situation again.”
Bailis’s body seemed to shudder.
“Fine.”
She wrapped herself tighter, shrinking into a small ball, her voice lowering.
“Seems reasonable. I’ll listen to you.”
“Wilfred Uncle, Leo Uncle!”
Someone from the adventurers ran over. It was a young man about Ed’s age, with wheat-colored skin brimming with healthy vitality.
“It’s that Kelta kid.”
Leo looked around, suddenly frowning.
“How come I don’t see that little girl who’s always with him?”
“Probably helping that kid prepare lunch again—never mind that. Can’t you help me carry one more? I feel like my hand’s about to break.”
Wilfred complained.
In his hand, he was dragging the spoils from before—three demon wolf corpses.
According to him, demon wolf fur could be used to make some decent-quality leather armor, which was popular among adventurers.
After removing the fur, the remaining meat was also great as an ingredient—stewed, it could fetch a good price.
“This was your idea—I was the one helping.”
Leo curled his lip.
He was also carrying two demon wolf corpses by rope in one hand.
“If you’re not satisfied, go tell that Ed kid.”
Wilfred fell silent.
This was indeed his initiative—right after the demon wolf pack retreated, the middle-aged man, intending to befriend Ed, proposed that he handle finding a buyer for these demon wolf corpses, and all the proceeds would go to Ed, who had dealt with the wolves.
But after Ed’s refusal, they finally settled on a two-to-eight split: Wilfred two, Ed eight.
The ratio was fine, but it also killed his intention to befriend Ed.
Maybe the guy doesn’t even look up to him.
Wilfred sighed inwardly.
At this time, the young adventurer with wheat skin ran up to them.
He panted lightly, a bright smile spreading across his face.
“Uncles, you’re back so early today!”
“Ah, there was an accident, so we hurried back early—by the way, where’s Sylvia? How come I don’t see her?”
Wilfred awkwardly elbowed Leo.
“Why do you always care about the young couple?”
Leo scratched his head awkwardly and bitterly.
“Isn’t it because I’m short on material again? I was thinking if I could get some inspiration from those two. I can’t recite the old stories every time at the tavern. Last time, because of that, I even got chased out by those drunks! On a rainy day!”
“Hmph, so you know everyone’s tired of your stories.”
“That’s called nostalgia! But now, I need to keep up with the times!”
“Uncles—”
The young man quickly interrupted, seeing the two glaring at each other.
The two middle-aged adventurers turned to him in unison.
“Sylvia’s preparing the rations we’ll take when we go out later.”
The young adventurer showed helplessness on his face.
“And, we haven’t reached that step yet.”
“Haha, but it’s just a matter of time. Everyone in town knows it.”
Leo laughed and patted his shoulder.
“When you two lock eyes, you can practically spark flames. Want to hide it from us? Practice some more!”
“No, it’s not, what are you thinking—”
The young adventurer denied verbally but still awkwardly shifted his gaze.
This shift happened to land on the unreliable middle-aged duo’s behind: the golden-haired boy surveying the town, and a strange short figure covered tightly.
“Uncles, who are they?”
“Them—”
Wilfred elbowed Leo again.
The two exchanged a glance, and Leo nodded as if understanding something.
“Kelta, come here.”
Wilfred jerked his chin at the boy.
The motion made a few strands of his thick beard float up, looking a bit odd, but paired with his somewhat serious expression, it still made the young adventurer adopt a solemn look.
“What’s up, Wilfred Uncle?”
He leaned over, lowering his voice.
“Are they enemies? Spies from another country? Should I report to the town mayor?”
“No, no, they’re just adventurers too. Kid, what are you thinking?”
Wilfred glared at him in exasperation.
“I called you over to get you to build a good relationship with them—you and Sylvia need money, right? With just your skills, who knows when you’ll scrape together that sum. But if you join under a capable guy, money comes like the wind—it’s no big deal at all.”
As he spoke, he hefted the beast corpses on him.
“Look, these are all the spoils from that kid about your age. Fur and meat together are worth at least one or two gold coins.”
The young adventurer hesitated, looking at the obviously different alpha wolf corpse.
“I thought these were from you uncles…”
Wilfred sighed.
“Kelta, you know Leo’s and my skills. Dealing with three or four demon wolves might be okay, but a demon wolf pack led by an alpha is a whole different concept from a few strays. Anyway, listen to me—try to build a good relationship with them. Doesn’t your little girlfriend know some potion brewing? Use that as a bargaining chip. I believe he won’t refuse you joining his team.”
“But I don’t even know their personalities, if they’re bad people. I have to be responsible for Sylvia’s safety…”
The young man wanted to say more, but Leo waved his hand from the side, interrupting him.
“I say, kid, you’re being too hesitant. Adventurers need not just strength, but sharp, bold vision. There are plenty of cautious guys like you, but they let opportunities slip right by and never make big money.”
The middle-aged adventurer with bad ears grinned.
“Besides, if you’re worried about safety, Wilfred already tested it for you—that guy saved us on his own initiative and isn’t greedy for money. He shouldn’t be some villain.”
The smile on the middle-aged adventurer’s face suddenly turned teasing.
“Kelta, think it over yourself. This opportunity is something Wilfred couldn’t beg for.”
“Leo!”
“What? I’m just telling the truth.”
“…You wait—tonight, if you get drunk and tell those trash stories again, I’ll personally throw you out!”
“Tsk, sore loser.”
The two middle-aged adventurers started bickering again.
Kelta’s gaze shifted between the duo, then toward the golden-haired boy behind them.
Just then, that person also saw Kelta and smiled at him.
Kelta thought of that heavy burden currently pressing on him, which might separate him and Sylvia in the future.
One more month…
He clenched his fist, his fingertips digging deep into his flesh.
Then, he stepped toward that golden-haired boy.