That bard is such a charmer!

Chapter 60 A Triumphant Return

"Huh? Levin and his team still took on that difficult mission in the end?"

Inside the Flying Axe Guild's hall, several adventurers who had interacted with the Forest Arrow Squad were chatting idly. One of them mentioned the Snake People's quest, and another chimed in:

"Yes, they eventually found collaborators and gathered enough people."

"Kayla said they're both newcomers."

"A newbie? Is that reliable? High-difficulty missions are very dangerous..."

"It should be... probably reliable, right? Levin and the others are old hands; they won't do anything they're not confident about."

snort!

A sudden cold snort interrupted their conversation. Turning around, they found a bald man standing in front of them.

This is Michael, who suffered a humiliating defeat at the Trout Tavern a couple of days ago.

He listened to the adventurers' discussion and disdainfully interjected:

"They're just three cowards and two stronger rookies. How could they possibly complete a difficult task? They're probably already the snake people's breakfast!"

After recognizing that the other party was a tavern brawler, the timid adventurers shrank back, wanting to avoid him.

But a confident half-elf, who was on good terms with Levin, stepped forward to retort: ​​"Hey, what are you saying? Everyone is taking risks to make money, how can you curse them!"

Michael squinted and grinned maliciously:

"I'm just stating the facts. Not just anyone can be an adventurer. You should know how big the difference is between someone with experience and someone without, right?"

"Besides, snake people are not common on the surface, and the other side is an entire small tribe. It's normal for them to fail with three half-baked people leading two newbies."

The half-elf, naturally unconvinced, continued arguing, their voices growing louder and louder...

As we all know, watching a spectacle is human nature.

In less than half a minute, the adventurers in the hall had gathered around.

Some of the enthusiasts even took out props and started betting on the spot—gambling is rampant in the Gulf region, whether it's playing cards, the result of a game, or simply what color clothes the ladies at a ball wear, people are happy to gamble on it.

Soon enough, the adventurers took out copper or silver coins to express their opinions.

Judging from the odds, most people still think Levin and his team will fail.

After all, the combination of "newcomer" and "high difficulty" is like putting zucchini and eggplant together in a stew, then mashing them into a paste – it's really hard to be optimistic about their chances.

"Ha ha!"

Upon seeing this result, Michael immediately became smug. He even took out a gold coin and placed it on the side where the mission would fail.

"You see, most people still have good judgment."

On the other side, the half-elf also got carried away.

Despite her companion's attempts to tug at her sleeve, she deftly pulled out a gold coin, betting that Levin would return victorious.

However, after doing this, her complexion gradually turned ugly.

She didn't doubt her friend's character.

My only worry is, what if the mission is really difficult, and Levin and his team realize it's not going to work and have to turn back halfway through?

And most importantly...

Her wallet, like the figure of most elves, is really not very plump!

In her anxiety, she suddenly heard a commotion outside the door.

"Everyone, the Forest Arrow Squad is back!"

Is that such a coincidence?

The adventurers in the hall all stood up and rushed to the door.

there.

After Richard and his companions returned to Phoenix City and rested briefly, they went to the Flying Axe Guild to turn in their quest. Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, they were treated like pandas in a zoo, leaving them somewhat bewildered.

It took them some effort to piece together the situation from the adventurers' fragmented explanations.

At this moment, the adventurer who had just started the game asked, "So, did you kill those snake people?"

Richard and his teammates exchanged knowing smiles and gave a playful reply: "Snakemen? They're not the point at all."

Adventurers: "?"

The high-difficulty mission requires snake people, so why isn't that the main point?

Are you making excuses for not finishing your work?

Behind the crowd, the half-elf lowered his head, while Michael rubbed his hands together, ready to mock him.

Richard didn't explain to these people. Instead, he took a dimensional bag from Levin, walked straight to the guild's counter, and loudly addressed the clerk named Karen:

"We have completed the mission to eliminate the Snake People, and after the mission, we discovered and destroyed the cultists who were secretly controlling them. Below is some of the evidence we retrieved. We hope the guild can coordinate manpower to follow up..."

As he spoke, he opened his dimensional bag.

Areca palms! Areca palms!

Instantly, the heads of the snake people, the armor and equipment of the cultists piled up into a small mountain in the guild hall.

"By the gods above!"

The female employee was startled on the spot.

The adventurers watching from behind all slammed their jaws down.

What, what's going on?

They actually exceeded their target?

Furthermore, judging from the quality of these equipment and the bloodstains on them, the opposing side was not weak in terms of either numbers or strength.

How is that possible!

Among the adventurers, a few more observant individuals noticed the respect Levin showed Richard, as if he were the newcomer and Richard the veteran.

This surprised them even more:

Could it be that this seemingly ordinary-looking newcomer—wait, no, upon closer inspection, quite handsome—actually displayed greater strength than the Forest Arrow Squad during this mission?

It's incredible!

Perhaps, yet another legendary adventurer is about to be born in Phoenix City…

Immediately, the entire hall was abuzz with discussion.

But regardless of whether everyone's guesses are correct, one thing is certain.

That's the result of that bet!

"Yay!"

The half-elf girl happily took the only two gold coins on the field and high-fived her companion in celebration.

Those who lost the bet were all dejected.

As for Michael?

Upon seeing the heads scattered on the ground, he lost even the courage to utter a sarcastic remark. He hunched over, like a primary school student who had bumped into his menopausal homeroom teacher during a holiday trip, and slunk away through the back door...

Here.

The female employee was stunned for a while, and then she hurriedly began to record and count. Because she felt that she could not do it by herself, she also called over a colleague next to her.

Even so, it is estimated that it will take a considerable amount of time.

Richard had no interest in dealing with this kind of paperwork.

Fortunately, Levin, being an immortal being, is good at this—he himself has never said anything like that, but everyone thinks so, and that's enough.

In the blink of an eye, Richard, Grace, Hammer, and Mendel slipped out of the guild hall, leaving only Levin, a big cat, and a dog staring wide-eyed at the counter, "voluntarily" taking charge of the follow-up matters.

The group that escaped went straight to the Trout Tavern across the street to truly celebrate their victory.

...In short, we had a big meal and drinks.

the next day.

Richard woke up feeling quite pleased with himself, only to find himself lying on the bedroom floor, a wine glass in his left hand and a boot on his right foot.

Damn, this doesn't seem to be his boots.

"What exactly happened last night?"

"You boasted about your incredible drinking capacity, bravely challenging dwarves and dragons, and as for the result... believe me, little poet, you don't want to remember it~"

Just as he was wondering, Grace suddenly opened the door and walked in. After casually answering his mutterings, she squatted down, poked his cheek with her index finger, and laughed:

Good morning!

"Good morning... By the way, why do you have a key to my room?"

"That's not important~ What's important is that you should get up... Levin just told me that the Flying Axe Guild has confirmed our results and has also reported the matter to the Church of the Goddess of Wealth. The church has expressed its desire to talk to us."

Upon hearing this, Richard immediately perked up.