novelnext Chapter 109 The Human Squad
Chapter 109 The Human Squad
Chapter 109 Ten-Man Squad
"Joffrey, I remember—"
Wilder said in a low voice, "Yesterday in the underground lair you heard people approaching, it seemed like about ten people, right?"
"Um."
Joffrey nodded, immediately understanding his meaning. "You mean—"
"It could be them, at least the numbers match," Wilder replied.
When the association assigns missions, the most common formation is a team of four.
The reason is simple: if there are too many people, the reward won't be enough to go around.
Six-person teams like theirs are already rare, let alone ten-person teams, which are almost impossible to find.
Joffrey gently closed his eyes.
His ears, hidden in his black hair, twitched slightly, searching for the faintest sounds in the noisy hall.
The sounds of others arguing, whispering, tearing parchment, and the wind—
They were successively obscured by subjective intent, becoming blurred and unclear.
Only left—
"Clang, clang, clang—"
I heard that.
The soles of the ten adventurers' shoes clattered as they stepped on the ground.
Yesterday, the underground nest had a muddy floor, while the association had a brick floor, so the sound was louder and crisper this time.
But they are undoubtedly the sounds produced by hard leather boots rubbing against the ground.
Joffrey opened his eyes: "Their boots are stiff, and the sound matches."
Lyle interjected, "These leather boots have a unique pattern that's rarely seen in Ironweave Town. If the sounds are the same, they shouldn't be confused."
"That's them."
Cyrion took a deep breath and slowly looked at the ten people.
The leader was a warrior around forty years old, carrying a giant sword that he held in both hands on his back.
It is said that the combat techniques for this weapon are extremely difficult to master, and it has never been seen in Ironweave Town.
The nine people behind him ranged in age from their early twenties to their forties, and their professions could be roughly identified from their equipment:
The three shield-wielding warriors should all be in the front row;
A tall, savage;
Two monks dressed in magnificent robes;
There was also a ranger, a priest, and a wanderer.
The proportions are very balanced.
"It seems they also spent the night in the border forest."
Lyle narrowed his long, narrow eyes, taking in the slightly tired faces and bloodshot eyes of the group.
"I really don't understand, aren't they investigating a forest fire? How come—"
Before Gru could finish speaking, he was kicked by Joffrey.
"What are you doing?"
“Dwarf, I’m not the only wanderer in this house,” Joffrey said in a low voice. “And I have no doubt that the wanderers of Danube have just as good hearing as I do.”
Gru realized what was happening and shut his mouth.
The ten-person team didn't linger. The leader simply glanced around the lobby expressionlessly before leading his teammates upstairs.
"Was that footsteps we heard yesterday really theirs?"
Gru was finally able to speak. "Dressed all high and mighty, looking like you're about to fight a dragon, and you're trying to steal our kobolds?"
These words reminded Wilder of something.
"Martha".
He turned to the counter. "Are these ten people all from the association's headquarters investigation team?"
"Yes." Martha nodded.
"Is there no one else?"
Wilder thought for a moment and described, "For example, a warrior wielding a two-handed sword, a mage with a pale yellow staff, a ranger with a white longbow, and a warrior wielding two axes?"
"Never heard of it."
Martha shook her head. "But it sounds like you've seen it in person."
Wilder gave a wry smile.
I've seen it before, and I've even killed it with my own hands.
"But—" Martha continued, "This time, not only did the investigation team come from Danube City, but it's also said that quite a few merchants and amateur adventurers came along as well."
"What are they here for?"
"To do business, I've heard that our ironwood is quite popular in Danube City."
Martha, resting her chin on her hand, said, "As for the adventurers, they're probably here to strike it rich, aren't they? Aren't places where dragons dwell always full of treasure?"
When the topic of dragons came up, everyone became interested.
But the first person to speak was Talia, who hadn't said much at all.
"Some dragons don't have that."
She said earnestly, "When unfavored baby dragons leave the nest, they can't take anything with them, and some even die very quickly."
"Talia, you actually know about dragons?" Martha asked.
"Hmm—I heard it from a friend," she mumbled.
Friends again?
Wilder couldn't imagine what other friends this girl had besides them.
Isn't it from Tiewen Town?
The group chatted for a while longer until 8 p.m., when Martha finally finished get off work and they left the association together to celebrate.
Remembering his promise to Ella, Wilder led them to the Colt Inn.
Welcome!
Ella enthusiastically chose a large table for them and recommended the restaurant's specialties.
"If there are six of you, let's order two platters of roast beef and sausage first. We can add more if it's not enough. They taste best when they're hot."
She felt uncomfortable seeing Wilder and Talia having dinner alone together.
But seeing the two of them drinking with so many people, Ella felt somewhat relieved.
perhaps----
Were we just friends who happened to be staying at the same hotel?
"Since you're Wilder's friends, I'll ask the store for an extra serving of pork ribs!"
She said with a smile.
The meat at Mako Hotel is all freshly grilled, and the first thing served is six large glasses of their signature ale.
There were two more members this time compared to the last gathering.
Talia and Maeve.
The very first toast provided a reason to "Welcome Talia and Maeve!"
The glasses of beer, overflowing with foam, clinked together, and the group each took a big gulp.
"readily!"
Gru drank it all in one go and then ordered another.
Not long after, two large plates of sizzling beef, pork ribs, and sausages were served.
For the team that had spent three days and two nights in the border forest, the already delicious roasted meat was even more tempting, and they immediately began to feast.
After finishing the two plates, we ordered two more.
The beer was refilled glass after glass.
They kept clinking glasses.
"To ensure the mission is successfully completed!"
"To come back alive!"
"For delicious barbecue!"
"For Maeve's sour apple oatmeal!"
'
'
A celebration is a celebration.
We won't talk about bitter and resentful topics, nor will we discuss far-sighted plans.
As a bottom-dwelling adventurer, drinking is only for release and pleasure.
The only few words about adventurous work came when they said goodbye outside the door after the drinking party.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone!"
"Let's take a few days off," Cyrion said.
The other teammates also had the same idea.
Gru was preparing to return to Blackrock Keep to give his father the dual battle axes he had captured in the battle.
Lyle plans to take the professional assessment and officially advance to the intermediate ranger level.
Maeve is going to church to pray.
Joffrey smiled gracefully, without revealing what he was going to do.
"And you, little one?"
Gru patted Wilder on the shoulder and asked.
Wald thought about where he might go tomorrow and said with a wry smile, "Probably—to spend money."
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