novelraw Chapter 230: The Journey Home, Dirk’s Dilemma
Chapter 230: The Journey Home, Dirk’s Dilemma
"Job done."
Lin Mo and the others quickly collected the spoils from these magical creatures, then left the scene behind the mess they had created.
Since the required quantity for the mission was relatively small, today's journey was much smoother compared to yesterday, and they even managed to exceed their target significantly.
By the time everything was finished, it wasn't even noon yet.
But this worked out perfectly - if they returned early, they should be able to arrive before evening.
This was the advantage of having a carriage, especially one pulled by Lord Level magical beasts.
If this were in the past, trying to return to the city in half a day would have been too rushed.
Since the battles weren't particularly difficult and the group hadn't expended much energy, they set off directly after a brief rest, beginning their return journey toward the forest entrance.
Compared to their outward journey, the return trip felt much more relaxed. They didn't need to worry about so many things, and their mood naturally lightened.
Of course, necessary vigilance was still required, but Sherfilia naturally handled that aspect.While traveling, Lin Mo checked his status panel.
Since he had been using the [Swift Rushing Punch] skill almost continuously and had killed quite a few magical creatures, it was no surprise that the skill had smoothly leveled up to 5.
"Skill [Swift Rushing Punch] Lv4 (100/100) has leveled up!"
"Current skill [Swift Rushing Punch] Lv5 (18/180)"
[Swift Rushing Punch] was an excellent-grade skill, with just one more level needed to complete its upgrade.
Lin Mo took another look at his overall current panel.
[Name]: Lin Mo
[Professions]: Warrior Lv8, Knight Lv4, Assassin Lv7, Mage Lv10, Priest Lv5, Ranger Lv5
[Attributes]:
Strength: 81(+43=124)
Agility: 72(+65=137)
Constitution: 49(+38=87)
Spirit: 30(+36=66)
Mana: 101(+48=149)
Fire Elemental Affinity: 26%+13%=35% (after attenuation)
Ice Elemental Affinity: 16%+12.5%=26.5% (after attenuation)
Lightning Elemental Affinity: 12.5%
Earth Elemental Affinity: 12.5%
Wind Elemental Affinity: 12.5%
Water Elemental Affinity: 12.5%
Light Elemental Affinity: 12.5%
Equipment: Frost Dragon Scale Sword, mithril gloves, Bow of Hurricane, Frost Chill Robe, Flame Ring, Calming Bracelet...
This was an exceptionally luxurious panel of attributes. No matter which attribute you looked at, it was absolutely explosive for the corresponding profession level.
However, the issue of imbalance definitely existed.
His base Mana was far ahead of everything else, with Strength and Agility following closely behind, which wasn't too bad, but Constitution was lagging quite significantly.
But Lin Mo's main focus right now was on raising his Warrior level, otherwise his Mage level would also get stuck, so he temporarily couldn't focus on improving Constitution.
Once both these professions reached Elite Level, he could circle back to level up his Knight profession...
Along the return journey, they encountered several more magical creatures one after another. Adhering to the principle that many small things accumulate into something big and constant dripping wears away a stone, Lin Mo didn't let these proficiency points delivered right to his doorstep go to waste, allocating them all to his nearly-leveled [Swift Rushing Punch].
When they reached the entrance of Silent Forest, they could finally relax completely.
Lin Mo went to the station to retrieve the carriage, and everyone boarded. The Gale Steeds pulling the carriage were quite intelligent and naturally headed in the direction of Fargard City.
These two Lord Level magical beasts were already in a completely tamed state.
This was no easy feat - even Elite Level Powerful Experts might not necessarily be able to accomplish it.
But in the Oxivis Family, this was quite ordinary - they had many such carriages. Including the Epic Level equipment they were currently wearing, it all came from this family.
Lin Mo was quite curious about just how powerful this Imperial Royal Duke Family was.
If he had the opportunity in the future, perhaps he could pay them a visit.
The carriage moved swiftly, but thanks to the stability enchantment, there was no sense of bumpiness inside the compartment.
It was afternoon. The return journey through the forest had taken considerable time and accumulated some fatigue.
With a mission completed and tense emotions relaxed, people easily became drowsy.
Ellie unceremoniously used Lin Mo's thigh as a pillow, finding a comfortable angle, while on the other side, Finnie leaned against Lin Mo, nodding off like a student in a math class, her head bobbing up and down like garlic being pounded.
Sherfilia couldn't stand watching and gave her a helping hand, letting the golden-haired little head rest on Lin Mo's shoulder, where her breathing soon became even.
Lin Mo leaned against the soft cushion, resting with his eyes closed, with only Sherfilia still constantly observing their surroundings, guarding against potential... well, actually quite unlikely dangers.
No incidents occurred along the way, and they returned to Fargard City quite smoothly.
The timing was even earlier than expected - there was still quite a while before evening. After storing the carriage again at the shop by the city gate, the group went straight to the Adventurers' Association, planning to settle the mission while there was still time.
Afternoon was indeed the time with the fewest people in the Adventurers' Association, and even Fargard City's branch was no exception.
Pushing the door open, although there were still quite a few adventurers visible in the hall, compared to the bustling crowds during morning and evening, there were considerably fewer people.
Therefore, there was basically no need to queue. After waiting for the team of adventengers in front to finish their business, Lin Mo went to the same counter where he had accepted the mission yesterday morning.
"Hello, I'd like to settle this mission, please."
As he spoke, Lin Mo took out an enormous cloth bag from his Spatial Ring, and a pungent smell of blood immediately spread through the air.
"Alright, please wait a moment."
People working at the Adventurers' Association were naturally already accustomed to such smells and scenes, but when they opened the bag, they were still shocked by the astonishing quantity of trophies inside.
Nearby adventurers also looked over curiously - these mostly straightforward folks wouldn't hide their reactions.
"Damn, that many?"
"Impressive, brother!"
"Did they raid a goblin nest? All ears... and it looks like many belong to high-level goblins."
"Looking at their party size, it's not that big either. Must be all experts in that team!"
Lin Mo didn't pay much attention to the surrounding comments, and couldn't be bothered to respond.
After a while, these NPC-like refreshing praises could hardly stir any emotional fluctuations anymore.
"It's you, Brother Lin Mo."
However, an acquaintance who suddenly walked up and patted his shoulder was a different matter.
Lin Mo turned his head and saw it was actually the person who had helped him out when he was stopped by the guard brother at the Lion Adventuring Company entrance.
If he remembered correctly, his name was Dirk?
At that time, he should have just returned from a mission with his companions. According to normal adventurer habits, he should have been resting in the city these past couple days.
"Quite a coincidence."
Lin Mo nodded to him: "Here to check missions?"
"Yeah, but I'm feeling a bit conflicted..."
"How so?"