Chapter 127: Returning to White Rock Fort, Avril’s Published Tasks Caused a Sensation
However.
During the second “fishing” attempt.
Everyone keenly sensed that sothing was different.
Those black insects that rushed out from the port let out shriller, more piercing screeches, and their movents appeared far more frenzied.
So even launched attacks without regard for their own casualties.
During the retreat.
Jefferson and the others clearly felt that the pressure was much greater than before.
They recalled certain rumors about pack-type undead creatures, as well as the experience passed down by old rcenaries through word of mouth.
“Perhaps, if this happens a few more tis, what cos out won’t be this kind of small detachnt anymore.”
“It’ll very likely be hundreds or even thousands of insect tides, or mixed in with more powerful second-tier, even third-tier elite black insects!”
Jefferson glanced toward the direction of Lemon Port.
That eerie writhing seeping out of the deathly silence made his scalp tingle.
“Fortunately, we’ve already completed the fifty-insect task.”
“There’s no need for us to wade any deeper into this muddy water.”
Hearing this, the other team mbers all nodded with lingering fear in their hearts.
Money was a good thing, but one had to live to spend it.
As bottom-tier rcenaries like them, they understood best the principle of knowing when to stop.
As for what other同行 who accepted the tasks afterward would face?
That was not sothing they needed to worry about.
Doing this line of work ant licking blood off the blade’s edge; information gathering and risk assessnt were basic skills.
If soone died because they were unprepared or unlucky, they could bla no one else.
Just like the three companions they had lost earlier.
Could they go ask others or the employer for compensation?
After gathering fifty black insect corpses, the War Wheel rcenary Group formally bid farewell to Avril.
Jefferson once again promised that he would publish her tasks as soon as possible.
And Avril handed over the required deposit for the tasks to them.
……
One day and one night later.
The War Wheel rcenary Group, dusty and weary, returned to White Rock Fort.
Unlike Oak Town, which was relatively freewheeling and steeped in rcenary culture.
White Rock Fort gave a first impression of solemnity and order.
Tall gray-white stone walls encircled the town.
Because the walls had long been quarried and processed with a magical binding material known as “white stone sand,”
they were covered with a layer of fine white powder, from which the town derived its na.
The streets here were not as wide or lively as those of Oak Town, and pedestrians walked with noticeably hurried steps.
The pillar industry of white stone sand mining and trade was firmly controlled by several great families and the local lord.
As a result, the atmosphere of the entire town lacked so of the wild adventurous spirit,
and instead carried a few extra layers of oppression under rigid order.
Therefore, the number of resident rcenaries in White Rock Fort was far fewer than in Oak Town, numbering only around a thousand.
Precisely because opportunities were relatively scarce and competition more intense,
the rcenaries who managed to establish themselves here were, on average, stronger by a margin.
There were quite a few capable second-tier fighters, and nearly ten third-tier rcenaries of so renown stationed in the surrounding areas of White Rock Fort.
Jefferson and his group carried their packs and insect corpses, walking silently along the familiar streets.
They were missing three brothers, and the team looked sowhat empty.
This change was quickly noticed by acquaintances.
So familiar rcenaries ca up to greet them.
Seeing their slightly weary expressions and the vacant positions, they imdiately understood what had happened.
They rely stepped forward and heavily patted Jefferson’s and Harrison’s shoulders.
“Back?”
“Mm.”
“How many lost?”
“…Three.”
“Ah… my condolences.”
“Thanks.”
There were no excessive words, no hypocritical comfort.
Within the simple exchange lay a heaviness only those in the sa trade could understand.
In this line of work.
Death was the norm, and excessive grief would instead seem affected.
Those still alive had to keep moving forward.
After dealing with several waves of greetings from acquaintances.
Jefferson led the team straight to the rcenary Guild located at the center of the town.
The White Rock Fort rcenary Guild was smaller in scale than the one in Oak Town, but the building was sturdier and more utilitarian.
Jefferson first submitted that well-paid alchemist task—the fifty black insect corpses.
After the guild steward carefully counted and confird them, he handed over the agreed remuneration.
After deducting the compensation funds that needed to be set aside, the remainder was divided on the spot among the team mbers.
Although they had endured the pain of losing comrades, once they held the solid gold coins in their hands,
especially with Avril’s portion included, traces of relief still appeared on everyone’s faces.
Imdiately afterward.
Jefferson walked to the task publication counter.
He inford the guild steward in detail of Avril’s two commissions and paid a small deposit.
“Long-term task: Kill black insects at Lemon Port, priced by quantity and tier, no need to submit corpses, reliable proof required.”
“Short-term task: Within seven days, conduct an in-depth reconnaissance of internal intelligence at Lemon Port. The more detailed, the higher the reward, with no upper limit.”
When these two tasks were officially posted on the guild’s task board.
The hall, which had been sowhat noisy, instantly fell silent for a mont.
Then.
Like cold water poured into boiling oil, the entire guild erupted!
“What?! Long-term black insect kills without handing in corpses?”
“Reconnaissance of Lemon Port? No upper limit?!”
“Damn it! Didn’t War Wheel just co back? Where did these tasks co from?”
“There’s a rich female magician who suddenly appeared—Bona said she was the one who commissioned them!”
“This is insane! Completely insane! How many gold coins would that take?”
“Lemon Port is dangerous, sure, but with this reward… it’s worth risking it!”
That previous alchemist task.
Had already tempted quite a few rcenary groups, though they were still hesitating.
After all, it required submitting relatively intact corpses, which carried high risk.
In a real fight, who would bother caring whether the enemy stayed intact? Survival ca first.
But now, Avril’s tasks were practically tailor-made for them!
Especially that intelligence-gathering task.
The four words “no upper limit” stimulated the nerves of every rcenary who dread of striking it rich overnight.
Jefferson looked at the task board, which in the blink of an eye was surrounded so tightly that not even water could pass through.
And at his同行, whose eyes flickered with greedy and excited light.
He quietly retreated to the side.
There was not much ease in his heart; instead, there was a faint sense of unease.
Money was indeed alluring.
But the desires it stirred up, and the tide of people about to surge toward Lemon Port.
What kind of chain reaction would it ultimately trigger?
That mysterious magician nad Avril, and the forces that might exist behind her.
What exactly were they seeking in that dead land of Lemon Port?
He shook his head, casting aside those chaotic thoughts.
These matters.
Were no longer things that a small rcenary group leader like him needed to worry about.
Right now, Jefferson only wanted to take his brothers and rest properly for a while.
To soothe the pain.
And then consider what the next step should be……
Far away at the church, Lynn.
Perceived all of this through Avril’s perspective.
Regarding the actions of the Divine Blessed.
Lynn neither affird nor denied them.
Without considering the combat power of divine descent.
For a re third-tier like Avril to complete such a task.
It seed there was indeed only this one way—borrowing external forces.
“At that ti, there were several thousand black insects left, and the remaining humans were around ten thousand.”
“If calculated as one person incubating one insect, Lemon Port might now have around fifteen thousand black insects—completely the size of an Undead Legion!”
“Even if all the rcenaries of White Rock Fort were mobilized, they would be rcilessly swallowed up.”
“It seems I must leave behind so contingency asures.”
Lynn pondered.
These contingencies could not be too eye-catching.
Otherwise, the commotion would grow too large again.
These low-tier rcenaries fell within the rules; no matter how much they stirred things up, it would not prompt the Rotting Lord to personally intervene.
But if he acted, it would be different.
From Brian, Lynn had already realized just how reckless he had been before.
After all, the current Violet Empire was no longer ruled by humans.
“Perhaps, I can start from this new divine art, 【Divine Might Unbound】.”
“Coincidentally, among the technological products Liz and the others brought back from the ruins, there was sothing similar to a grenade……”
Reviews
All reviews (0)