novelraw Chapter 8 : Skill Allocation
Chapter 8 : Skill Allocation
Chapter 8: Skill Allocation
After all, in the wilderness, aside from monsters, “red-name” adventurers who specifically ambushed their own kind were not uncommon.
Lance said nothing more. He simply nodded politely to them, then turned and walked deeper into the map.
As expected, these high-safety locations had already been mostly cleared out.
He needed to find more remote gathering points.
As he walked, Lance kept his eyes fixed on the value in the corner of his vision.
【Environmental Stability: 78%】
In this area where the value had stabilized, the surroundings finally quieted down.
Lance discovered his target beneath a decaying fallen log.
Putting on his anti-slip gloves, he began working skillfully.
“Coppercap Mushrooms (1/30)”
“Coppercap Mushrooms (2/30)”
……
This type of fungus grew extremely fast. After a rainfall, large patches could sprout within two days.
Lance strictly followed the standard harvesting methods outlined in the guild manual to avoid damaging the mycelium base and causing total crop failure.
However, the gathering speed was not fast.
After some time, a notification popped up on the panel.
【Commission Completed: Gather Coppercap Mushrooms (30/30)】
【Rewards Obtained: Skill EXP 10, Knowledge EXP 10】
Lance glanced at the skill panel.
Castro Swordsmanship LV3 (3/250)
With a thought, he invested all 10 points of skill experience he had just obtained into it.
Castro Swordsmanship LV3 (13/250)
In an instant, it felt as if several days of intense training memories and insights had been added to his mind.
He drew the shortsword at his waist and smoothly thrust forward with a basic stab.
The movement was indeed slightly more fluid than before. Though the improvement was subtle, the sense of progress was intoxicating.
Satisfied, Lance sheathed his sword.
As for the knowledge experience, it could not be used for now. He would have to study it later.
Just as he was about to close the panel, the corner of his eye suddenly twitched.
【Environmental Stability: 62%】
That value which had originally represented safety had, at some unknown point, dropped below the warning line.
And in the very second he hesitated, the number dropped again.
61%
Lance’s heart jolted.
The environment earlier had been too comfortable, almost causing him to lower his guard.
This steady and continuous decline in value indicated that the surrounding environment was worsening, and that unknown danger was moving along with his own footsteps.
“Time to go.”
He quickly checked his pack. Today’s extra harvest had filled five leather pouches with Coppercap Mushrooms—he had already exceeded his target.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lance packed up and turned to leave at once.
On the return journey, he deliberately chose the fastest route.
Midway, he passed by the initial gathering point again.
That group of poorly dressed adventurers was still there, working with their heads down.
Lance paused for a moment. In his mind surfaced the kind reminder given by the enthusiastic greatsword wielder, Kael, when he had first entered the forest.
After hesitating briefly, he still stopped and called out to them.
“It’s not safe around here anymore. You should all head back quickly!”
However—
the response he received was a sea of indifferent stares.
Some even looked him up and down, letting out a sneer and muttering “coward” under their breath.
Wealthy yet timid adventurers were the most despised by this group.
Indeed.
Who would wear gear that looked like it was meant for hunting Gnolls, only to come and do such a simple gathering task?
Moreover, Coppercap Mushroom locations were marked as the safest green zones on the guild map. They would not abandon the profits right in front of them just because of the ramblings of a stranger.
Lance shook his head.
Since he couldn’t persuade them, he could only respect their fate.
He did not linger any longer and left the forest at full speed alone.
Since the caravan logging wagon had not yet returned, Lance could only walk back to town on his own two feet.
It took him a full hour before he finally returned to the Adventurers’ Guild with his harvest.
To avoid drawing attention, he deliberately avoided the busy counter where Nia worked and went to another counter to quickly hand in his commission.
When the heavy copper coins fell into his hands, a smile appeared beneath Lance’s hood.
A total of 85 copper coins.
In just half a day, his earnings had far exceeded what he made in a full day sitting as a scribe.
After counting the coins, Lance returned home first to take a bath and change into a clean set of casual clothes.
These 85 copper coins were of great significance—this was the first fortune he had earned as an adventurer.
He planned to use this money to properly treat the few friends he had in this other world.
Familiar with the route, he turned into that high-end pastry shop.
He bought berry cream tarts that girls found irresistible, translucent amber flower honey candies, and crispy, flaky herb pastries.
Carrying the packed paper bag, Lance returned to the Adventurers’ Guild.
By now, dusk was approaching, and Nia was still steadfastly at her post.
She wore a pair of specialized thick leather gloves, calmly counting a pile of bloody Goblin ears on the table.
Faced with such a somewhat disgusting scene, this seemingly delicate receptionist showed no sign of distaste.
Very quickly, she finished recording and handed a bag of silver coins to the adventurer in front of her.
As she looked up, she happened to see Lance in line behind, and playfully winked her large eyes at him.
During work hours, she maintained excellent professionalism.
Understanding her signal, Lance stepped forward, placed his own metal nameplate on the table, and pretended to be an adventurer handing in a commission, naturally taking over the counter.
“Adventurer sir, what spoils would you like to submit?”
Nia deliberately softened her voice, making it sweet to the point of cloying.
Holding back his laughter, Lance pulled out the bag of honey candies from behind him like a magic trick and handed it over.
Nia hadn’t expected there to really be something inside. She opened the bag and took a look.
Inside lay several translucent amber-colored hard candies, each encasing a complete pink flower petal at its core—so exquisite they looked like works of art.
This was her favorite snack.
Looking around guiltily to make sure no one was watching, she quickly picked one up and popped it into her mouth.
The sweetness melted across her tongue, making her narrow her eyes in delight.
“Call Amber and Flora tonight. Same place for cards.”
Lance lowered his voice and made the invitation.
Nia made an “OK” gesture, mumbling indistinctly, “Wait for me to get off work.”
There was still some time before Nia’s shift ended.
Lance wandered over to the commission board on the other side of the hall and began studying the task sheets posted there.
He was seriously considering whether to resign from his scribe position and become a full-time adventurer.
That system which displayed environmental values was practically tailor-made for gathering missions.
With it alone, he could earn considerable profits while avoiding risks.
He just needed to visit a bookstore to cram some knowledge in alchemy and botany, so that if he encountered rare materials outside commissions, he wouldn’t fail to recognize them.
Just as he was absorbed in reading the parchment sheets—
low conversations from several adventurers came from behind him.
“Did you hear? Something big happened in the eastern part of Copper Creek today.”
“Seems like a large group of Gnolls teamed up with Goblins to set a trap and ambushed quite a few teams doing missions.”
“Good thing I didn’t go there today. I heard one party even brought a newbie. They were planning to challenge a small Goblin nest, but they haven’t come back yet. Probably done for.”
“Not just there—even some gathering points for Coppercap Mushrooms in the outer areas got hit. Because of the sudden attack, a lot of people died.”
The adventurers shook their heads with sighs, preparing to line up at the counter to hand in their commissions.
At that moment, a somewhat abrupt voice came from behind them.
“Excuse me…”
They turned around and saw a handsome black-haired young man.
“That party that didn’t come back… was it three men carrying greatswords and axes, with a girl using a short bow?”
The adventurers found Lance familiar, recognizing him as a guild staff member, and nodded politely.
“Yes, that’s the group.”
“I remember the young leader looked quite spirited. What a pity.”
“Thank you.”
Lance softly expressed his thanks and silently turned away.
He looked up at the wall covered with all kinds of commissions. The plans and expectations he once held for the future suddenly felt dull and uninteresting.