Chapter 12: The Deadline

As one of the most powerful subspecies among goblin-like creatures, the bear goblin shares the same cunning nature as its kin and typically appears as the leader of a goblin tribe.

In this context, the Adventurers’ Guild naturally placed this monster on the bounty list, offering a decent reward due to its strength far surpassing that of low-tier adventurers—

Ten gold coins.

This was not a large sum.

However, when combined with the spoils from clearing out an entire goblin tribe, the total haul could be considered reasonably substantial.

The bear goblin encountered by the Stinky Fish and Rotten Shrimp squad had clearly just left its tribe and hadn’t even gathered the full complement of its minions’ equipment.

Even counting the dozen or so goblins they ambushed yesterday, the only weapon of value in the entire tribe was the spiked hammer wielded by the bear goblin.

Xia Nan tried lifting it, and even with his enhanced body, it was somewhat heavy. Though swinging it looked intimidating, the weapon was probably ill-suited for his “Whirlwind Slash” skill, so it would most likely have to be sold to the blacksmith.

But fortunately,

perhaps because this was Xia Nan’s first adventure, he seemed to have the legendary “beginner’s luck.”

On the bear goblin, there might be something that low-tier adventurers like them had only ever seen from behind the glass of shops or auction houses—

That reddish-brown energy shield.

In most cases, bear goblins lack the ability to cast spells.

Only a very rare few, favored by the gods and known as “priests” within their tribes, can wield primitive totemic magic.

Clearly, the bear goblin “Hunk” whose head Xia Nan had just severed was not such a being.

Otherwise, the Stinky Fish and Rotten Shrimp squad would have been wiped out the moment they entered the depths of the lair (at least that’s what Magi said).

Moreover, in the brief but fierce battle just now, the bear goblin had shown no obvious signs of using any magical scrolls.

Therefore, only one possibility remained.

A magical item!

And indeed, that was the case.

Following Magi’s guidance, Xia Nan found a ring in the bear goblin’s pants pocket.

…

[Deadline]

Type: Ring

Grade: Superior (Green)

Effect:

1. Deflection Field (Active/Level 2): Summons a chaotic force field to block the next physical attack from an enemy.

…

On the night before the deadline, Noel finally remembered the assignment his mentor had given him.

Note:

“You know, I’ve always been highly efficient.”

—Noel, outstanding graduate of the Star Sea Enchantment Academy, “Riemann” Mage Tower’s Best Apprentice of the Year

…

The ring was silver-white all over, indistinguishable at first glance from any ordinary silver ring worn by common folk.

But upon closer inspection, subtle patterns were etched inside the band, occasionally flickering with a reddish-brown glow.

“That’s it!” Magi exclaimed excitedly when Xia Nan pulled the [Deadline] ring from the bear goblin’s pocket.

“This ring is definitely a magical item!”

The expression on his face was something Xia Nan had never before witnessed since joining the squad.

“And it bounced off my ‘Precise Strike’ so easily; it’s pretty powerful,” he declared confidently. “Definitely no mere trick—there’s at least a level 1 spell enchanted onto it.”

Taking the ring from Xia Nan’s hand, Magi examined it as if it were a treasure, seeming momentarily freed from his own physical pain.

Xia Nan, however, was not as thrilled and had no particular thoughts about it.

It wasn’t until he used the time while Magi studied the ring to search the cave once more and then suggested they leave that Xia Nan keenly noticed a change in Magi’s expression.

Magi’s previously excited face suddenly grew cold at a certain moment.

His gaze dropped briefly to his own nearly crippled right leg before quickly withdrawing.

He then forced a somewhat stiff, gentle smile, feigning nonchalance but showing unmistakable reluctance as he returned the ring to Xia Nan.

“We should leave now. The blood smell here is too strong; it could attract other beasts,” he said.

In his previous life, Xia Nan was not very old but had nearly ten years of experience in the workplace and had barely achieved some success.

Basic skills in reading people and situations, he understood well.

Therefore, although he kept his expression neutral, he committed to memory the fleeting change in Magi’s demeanor.

…

Leaving the cave,

Magi was heavily wounded and moved with difficulty;

Xia Nan carried much loot and found walking challenging.

As a result, their pace was slow.

Fortunately, Magi’s professional skills and familiarity with the route kept them moving in the right direction.

They no longer had to constantly change course tracking goblin traces as they had on the way in; now they could simply focus on heading outward.

In just a day and a half, they reached the edge of the forest.

The previously subtle tension seemed to dissolve into the misty air of the perilous forest surroundings.

“Crunch.”

The sound of leather boots stepping on scattered twigs and fallen leaves echoed softly.

“There are more and more signs of human presence nearby. We must be close to the forest edge,” Magi said, pressing against a tree trunk and flaring his nostrils. “By tomorrow night at the latest, we’ll be back in town.”

“That’s good.”

Setting down his heavy pack with a thud, Xia Nan rested his twin hand axes—acquired from the Gagbone—against a nearby tree like hiking sticks and unstrapped the spiked hammer from his waist.

“All day long, it’s just been wood and grass. My eyes are starting to go blurry.”

“Heh, you’ll get used to it eventually,” Magi replied with a smile, glancing up at the sky. “It’s late; let’s set up camp.”

The fire was soon lit.

The two sat around the flames, eating the simple provisions they carried—hard black bread and a few overly salty slices of unidentified animal meat—chatting casually.

“So, have you decided?” Magi asked earnestly, looking at Xia Nan across the fire. “Want to join my squad?”

“Let’s talk after we get back to town. You should rest for a while first,” Xia Nan said, glancing at the bandages on Magi’s right leg.

“Haha, don’t worry about me,” Magi waved dismissively, feigning bravado. “I’ve had worse injuries before. Just visit the church a few times, and you’ll heal up fast.”

Xia Nan nodded silently.

“All right, you’ve been carrying a lot all day. Good job.”

Magi struggled to stand and dusted himself off.

“I’ll check the traps again. Being close to the gathering place, there shouldn’t be any danger. You get a good rest; I’ll keep watch for the first half of the night.”

Xia Nan squinted as he watched Magi’s figure gradually disappear into the bushes.