Chapter 71: Reputation
In the deep twilight.
Under the old locust tree outside the village fence, a few villagers awaited with torches.
"Why hasn’t he come back yet?"
"Hope he didn’t fail to save the person and endanger himself?"
"Hush! Don’t say things like that!"
"Little Taylor, go back to sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, your dad will be back." The old village chief hesitated, then spoke upon seeing the little girl beside him, her eyelids drooping and eyes red.
Nine-year-old Taylor was wrapped in a patchwork cloak made of coarse burlap, standing barefoot on the cold, hard, manure-covered mud, her head down in silence, just staring at her already reddened toes.
She originally had shoes, but earlier at dusk, a few village kids mocked her about being fatherless, prompting a scuffle where she lost her shoes.
"Will Dad really come back?"
As the sky gradually darkened, and her father, who would usually have been home by now, still had not appeared at the village entrance, the hope in her was almost entirely lost after several uncles returned from searching nearby without success.
But a very nice-looking older brother squatted beside her and smiled, promising to do his best to bring her father back.
That very promise kept her last bit of hope alive.
"..." The old village chief couldn’t answer Taylor’s question, only sighing and patting her head.
With his years of experience, in this sort of situation, an accident is mostly likely. Randall wasn’t a novice Hunter who got lost or lost track of time in the forest.
The danger he encountered was what hindered his return. Maybe a wild bear, perhaps a group of creatures, but whatever it was, it was deadly in the dark.
Even though the village sent a few young men out before dusk, finding one person in the vast forest is no easy task.
Not even the young Adventurer who ventured into the forest earlier to help search for Randall seemed likely to find a missing person in the pitch-black night.
"Someone’s coming back!" Just as the old village chief was sighing to himself, a villager next to him suddenly pointed into the distance with surprise.
Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, straining their eyes.
Indeed, under the moonlight, a figure slowly emerged at the road’s end.
Soon enough, the figure became clearer.
It was a young man with a steady stride, carrying a pallid middle-aged man on his back.
"It’s Randall! He’s brought Randall back!"
A few villagers glanced at the young man’s outfit and realized it was indeed the Adventurer who had just arrived in the village this afternoon.
Unexpectedly, despite being unfamiliar with the terrain, he successfully managed to bring back the missing Randall from the dense forest.
"Is there a doctor in the village? He’s hurt."
Gauss quickly reached the village entrance.
"Yes, follow me." The villager didn’t waste time, quickly leading the way upon seeing Randall’s weakened state.
Being from the same village, everyone was naturally happy for Randall and Taylor to see him miraculously brought back.
Gauss followed the escorting villager, glancing down at the little girl hurriedly catching up next to him.
The little girl stared intently at her father, as if looking away would make him vanish again.
"Dad, are you alright?"
"...Taylor, go to sleep first..." Randall forced a smile, mustering his strength.
"I’m not sleepy." Taylor wiped away tears of excitement from her eyes.
She exchanged a glance with Gauss, her eyes filled with gratitude.
As the saying goes, poor children take charge early, and it’s especially true in this era.
Though just nine years old, she was mature beyond her years compared to a carefree, game-obsessed elementary student in Gauss’s previous world.
Especially after her mother’s passing two years ago, her father was her sole reliance.
She also understood the significant risk this stranger had taken entering the forest at dusk to help find her father.
"Big brother, thank you for saving my dad."
"Yes, I promised you, thankfully I didn’t break it." Gauss felt a bit conflicted, watching the tears of joy on the girl’s face.
This era might truly not be great for ordinary people like them.
No wonder new Adventurers continuously emerge, perhaps driven by the same helplessness to rely on others for change.
...
The next day.
Gauss woke up early to claim the reward for the villagers’ temporary task yesterday, funded by the village’s communal assets.
A total of 5 Silver Coins.
While collecting his reward, he also inquired about Randall’s condition out of concern.
After all, it was someone he had rescued with his own hands.
Upon hearing that Randall had received basic care from a local doctor and was already transported this morning by cart to the nearest town northwards for professional treatment from the church, Gauss felt relieved.
Based on past experiences, there was a strong chance of escaping further danger, ensuring his life was saved.
With no serious injuries reported, Gauss relaxed a bit.
"Here’s your reward, 5 Silver Coins, please accept them." The village chief handed over 5 Silver Coins.
As Gauss prepared to turn away, the village chief spoke to him again.
"Brave warrior, might I further entrust you with a task?"
"Please speak, Village Chief."
"We hope you can help us eliminate the surrounding goblins." The chief gazed towards the forest, his eyes growing deep. "We’ll send two strong men to accompany you."
"We will pay a reward of 90 Copper Coins per goblin slain—are you interested?"
Generally, seeing one goblin indicates there’s likely a nest nearby.
Given Randall’s recent ordeal, the village decided to commission the young Adventurer to clear out the goblins.
Though he looked young, his successful return with Randall and confirmation of his combat skills led other villagers to temporarily acknowledge his Adventurer abilities.
Gauss couldn’t refuse this unexpected request.
He had come to hunt goblins anyway, and without the reward, he would have embarked on the task regardless.
Now that villagers were willing to add to his earnings, why not take the opportunity?
Perhaps good deeds indeed return good fortune.
Taking a slight risk to rescue someone had earned him the villagers’ trust, leading them to entrust him with further tasks.
In a game world, Gauss felt his reputation in the village likely increased significantly.
As for having companions follow him, he had no objections.
The villagers, unlike the Adventurer’s Guild, lacked special methods to verify the authenticity of task items, so they naturally needed their own people to tag along and ensure the goblins were truly eradicated.
Accepting this new commission from the village.
Gauss, after a quick gear check, followed the two other weapon-bearing young villagers into the forest.
...
"Chirp chirp chirp——"
Cicadas echoed in the forest.
Sometimes, finding goblins seemed more troublesome to Gauss than defeating them.
First, he led the group to the site where Hunter Randall was trapped last night.
Searching the area for any traces—nothing substantial was uncovered.
He couldn’t help but think.
Next time he’s in Gray Rock Town, he should visit Ms. Andri the Half-Elf and inquire whether affordable detection or Perception Spells could be purchased, or at least find out where to learn them.
With a handy detection Trick or Spell, no need for mastery, as long as it’s usable when needed, it could save much trouble and time.