Chapter 34: Going Home
There was no other way.
Goblins, especially those from small settlements like this, often have poorly maintained iron weapons.
Though it’s unclear why this group of goblins suddenly occupied the ruins, the majority of goblins prefer living near caves or swamps because they naturally enjoy damp underground environments.
However, such living conditions provide the necessary conditions for rust formation, and iron tools quickly oxidize when exposed to moist air over time.
Moreover, bottom goblins also lack maintenance materials like anti-rust oil, which leads to them wielding severely rusted and dilapidated second-rate iron weapons.
Gauss and the others started gathering the spoils in the ruins.
Soon, a small pile was stacked up on the open ground.
Medvedeva sifted through them and, considering the limited space on the wagon, discarded some cheap but bulky worthless items.
"These should be worth about 20-30 silver coins?"
After all, it’s a settlement of 20 goblins, already capable of plundering, and the accumulated spoils were quite a lot.
Hearing the estimated value Medvedeva gave.
Gauss also silently calculated in his mind.
Adding the mission reward, it would be about 6 or 7 silver coins per person.
All in all, he was quite satisfied.
Though it couldn’t compare to the profits from Birch Village, that was sheer luck.
A typical adventure can’t always yield high-value magic items; otherwise, magical items wouldn’t be so expensive.
This kind of task is stable happiness, with the danger level not too high and the yield being quite substantial for bottom adventurers.
After doing this about ten more times, they’d be able to buy a house in Gray Rock Town.
After cleaning the battlefield, it was already near noon.
The trivial matters before and after battle take much longer than the actual combat time.
Perhaps seeing that the commission was almost finished, everyone’s expressions relaxed.
Except for Daphne, who was treating Doyle’s small scratches, the others, after maintaining their weapons, were ready to eat to replenish their strength.
It was then that Gauss noticed, after Medvedeva lowered her hood, that under her black shoulder-length hair, her ears were of a peculiar pointed shape, different from ordinary humans.
Perhaps noticing Gauss’s gaze, Medvedeva turned her head.
"What’s up?"
"What’s with your ears?"
𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Oh, that, I have a very thin bloodline of elves in me."
After saying that, Medvedeva said no more and bent down again, rummaging for food in the bag.
No wonder he felt her movements were especially agile before, it was the bloodline power’s influence. Gauss thought upon hearing this.
Among intelligent beings, elves are considered very strong individuals, with longevity, magic affinity, super perception, innate stealth ability, and a natural talent for archery, with the only shortcoming being low reproductive capability.
Perhaps it is for this reason that humans, with a more mundane set of racial talents, later rose to prominence, establishing human kingdoms across the land.
In the afternoon, the Night Owl Squad did not set off for Gray Rock Town either.
Firstly, although the morning battle was easy, it did use up some energy.
Secondly, and most importantly, even if they started in the afternoon, it was impossible for them to get back to Gray Rock Town before nightfall.
So they simply camped in the ruins, planning to set off at dawn, also allowing some time for the packhorses to rest and recover their strength.
In the afternoon, with nothing else to do, Gauss wandered around the ruin structures.
The ruins were full of mottled, broken scenes.
Walls and buildings were overgrown with weeds, showing that it had been abandoned for a long time.
Aside from a few buildings where the main structure was still intact, he found many buildings appeared to have been opened like cans, with large holes in the roof that penetrated through the floors to the ground, as if they were destroyed by attacks from above.
The village square was likewise pitted, like the surface of the moon.
So, were these ruins destroyed by "artificial" means? Or did some meteorites fall?
The more he observed, the more Gauss felt it was unbelievable.
If it was man-made, then whoever did this must be very powerful.
To create attacks comparable to the bombardment of wars from his previous life, the power of individuals in this Otherworld was astonishing.
Thinking of this, he swallowed.
Along with the fear, he also felt some admiration, deepening his aspiration toward the profession’s realm.
One day, he too would master such power.
...
The journey back to Gray Rock Town still had no surprises.
Gauss successfully completed his second commission in life.
Submitted the quest, received rewards, sold spoils, and divided the profits.
Once they received their respective task rewards, a group of "working people" couldn’t wait to disband right then and there.
Although the task itself was not difficult, the exhaustion from traveling on the road couldn’t be neglected.
Not having bathed for several days and reeking, no one wanted to stay for another moment.
Gauss recounted his earnings of 7 silver coins and 15 copper coins, satisfied as he put them back in his wallet.
Cash: 19 silver, 30 copper.
In the coming period, Gauss will need to be somewhat frugal.
Previously, he spent 10 silver coins on a rapier and 15 silver coins on leather armor. These were considered advance investments to obtain better weapons and armor, providing more security for future commissions.
But naturally, after investing, he needs to earn some returns.
He plans to follow Levin’s Night Owl Squad and take on some commissions for a while.
Earn some money to replenish his small funds.
After all, making a magic wand requires at least 70 silver coins for the base material.
Of course, he’s not just along for the ride.
In fact, he and the Night Owl Squad need each other.
His Magic Missiles act as the trump card for the Night Owl Squad, functioning similarly to Priest Daphne’s Life Maintenance Technique.
Even if they are not always needed, their presence allows the team to execute tasks with confidence.
After taking a hot bath in the bathhouse, a clean Gauss headed towards the inn.
Sofia was just about to close the door when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure on the dark street.
She immediately stopped what she was doing and reopened the door.
"Gauss, you’re back? Come in quickly."
Gauss looked up and saw Sofia, her plump figure bathed in the orange-yellow light, waving at him, and felt warmth in his heart.
After working hard for a few days, seeing a familiar face again...
Felt just like coming home.
Truth be told, the original owner actually had a home, it’s just that...
Whenever he thought about home, absorbing the original owner’s memories and emotions stirred up complex feelings.
Maybe he should go back and visit when he has time?
Pausing for a moment, Gauss steadied his sudden surge of emotions.
"Yeah, I just successfully completed the task." He squeezed a smile at Sofia.
Although the process was somewhat dull, Gauss thought it would be nice if it were always this uneventful.
"No danger encountered, I hope?" Sofia asked with concern.
"Just a few goblins, nothing dangerous." Gauss said, but then couldn’t help but change his tone to remind her.
"Of course, it’s not dangerous for me. Sofia, should you run into them, you must be careful and not underestimate goblins as non-threatening creatures."
"Don’t worry, I’m not as brave as you adventurers."
"By the way, want some supper? It’s on me."
"Uh..."
"Already eaten?"
"Well, then I’ll have some."
...
The next day.
Gauss got up late again.
Taking a break on the day after officially concluding a commission job is quite reasonable.
He didn’t get out of bed until noon.
Walking downstairs.
Sofia was sitting at the counter, resting her chin in her hand with boredom, gazing out at the street.
The midday sun was bright, and the shops along the street were filled with open-air stalls, with people coming and going in streams.
The water in the gutters on both sides of the street flowed with fresh mountain stream water, nourishing moss and unknown small wildflowers in the gaps between the stones.
The vines climbing the exterior walls at the building opposite the inn swayed with a rustling sound as the wind passed by.
"Ha—" Sofia and the descending Gauss coincidentally let out a leisurely yawn.
"Good afternoon."
"By the way, I prepared lunch for you."
"Thank you."
Today, Gauss planned to have lunch at the shop.
Last night’s supper proved that a sparse vegetarian diet is indeed not very filling, so he submitted a request to Sofia to add some meat to the menu.
Sofia agreed.
Actually, Sofia’s cooking skills were quite good, but she couldn’t make something out of nothing. The food provided to guests was mainly cheap, with no room for variety.
Moreover, someone as poor as the original Gauss couldn’t afford good ingredients.
Fortunately, now Gauss didn’t have much trouble with eating a little meat.
Watching Sofia run back to the kitchen, Gauss yawned again.
Today, he plans to visit Widow’s Alley and take a look at the small shop that Boss Glon recommended, which deals in magic items.
Although he hasn’t saved enough money to buy a magic wand yet, can’t he at least inquire about the specifics?
Perhaps there might be a pleasant surprise?
At the very least, finding out exactly how much is needed gives a clear goal to work toward.