Amid the gradually fading cheers, Haus stood at the front desk.
Following the gentle guidance of the guild receptionist, he submitted the goblin ears to settle the quest.
“That will be 24 silver coins in total.
Please take them.” Twenty-eight goblins, each worth 50 copper coins, amounted to 14 silver coins in total.
The extra 10 silver coins came from that Goblin Warrior.
Compared to ordinary goblins, its value was a full twenty times higher.
After learning that Garp had encountered a goblin warrior during this adventure, the assembled adventurers finally understood why Garp had said he almost didn’t make it back.
At the same time, everyone gained a clearer understanding of Garp’s strength.
This old man Garp was not only a veteran adventurer with thirty years of experience, but also possessed the formidable power to confront and defeat a professional.
Even though goblin professionals were inherently weaker than their human counterparts, who knew how much effort Garp had actually exerted?
Judging by his appearance, he probably didn’t have a single scratch on him.
It was possible that some of those newly promoted professionals might not even be able to defeat him in a head-on fight.
…
After the reward was tallied, Garp, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.
He asked the receptionist to exchange 4 silver coins for 400 copper coins, then pushed 4 silver and 80 copper coins toward Haus.
“There’s a share for me too?” Haus was somewhat surprised.
Excluding himself, the 24 silver coins would divide neatly into 6 silver coins per person.
If split evenly five ways, it would be exactly 4 silver and 80 copper coins each.
However, even if Haus was included, based on contribution, he had only killed 9 goblins.
At most, he should only receive 4 silver and 50 copper coins.
Moreover, even before joining the party, Haus had told Garp that he didn’t need to participate in the reward distribution.
He was even willing to offer ten silver coins just for the chance to join their adventure and experience the life of an adventurer once.
After that, he planned to try going solo.
But now, it seemed Garp intended to give him a portion of the quest reward.
“Take it.
My team always splits things equally.
This is what you deserve.” After putting the remaining coins into his pouch, Garp patted Haus on the shoulder for the third time: “Besides, you saved our lives.
If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to complete this final adventure.
You deserve more than this.” Upon hearing Garp’s words, what arose in Haus’s heart wasn’t gratitude or joy.
His mind was entirely focused on the phrase “final adventure” in Garp’s statement.
“So, Captain Garp, you won’t be adventuring anymore after this?” Haus asked tentatively.
“Yes, I’m getting old.
This was my last adventure.” Hearing Garp’s affirmative answer, Haus felt a sudden, sharp intake of cold air in his heart.
So he had actually survived an adventure that felt like a “death flag” scenario?!
At this moment, Haus felt only a mix of lingering fear and relief.
He finally understood why a seemingly ordinary adventure had suddenly gone wrong: not only had the originally planned “under twenty” goblins turned into “over twenty,” but there was also a powerful Goblin Warrior among them who nearly wiped out the entire team.
So that was it!
Damn!
Haus accepted the reward without a second thought.
As he was about to leave, Garp called out to him.
“Haus,” Garp looked him in the eye, “Come to the hall tomorrow at noon.
I have something to discuss with you.” “Can’t it be now?” Haus asked bluntly.
What could possibly need to wait until tomorrow?
Garp didn’t explain, simply replying: “It’s too late now.
Time to rest.” Fine.
What else could Haus say?
It wasn’t like he had work tomorrow anyway.
…
The Aion Tavern.
Located on a street between the town’s slums and the market district.
Due to its location, the drinks, food, and even lodging here were exceptionally cheap and affordable.
Among them, the Aion Tavern offered the best value for money.
A standard meal cost only two copper coins, a night’s stay just ten, and the tavern even provided hot water service.
Pushing open the old wooden door, the creak of the hinges accompanied a wave of warmth that greeted him.
Warm yellow oil lamps hung from the beams, their wicks flickering and casting a soft, dim light into every corner of the tavern.
A dozen or so rough wooden tables were scattered around, where a few adventurers in shoddy leather armor raised their mugs, much like those Haus had seen earlier in the Adventurer’s Guild hall, boasting quietly about their past exploits.
But they paid no attention to Haus as he entered, merely glancing over briefly before resuming their stories.
In the corner, a small fireplace crackled with burning wood, its warmth spreading through the stonework and driving away the chill of the night.
Directly opposite the door stood a dark wooden bar, its surface spotlessly clean and neatly lined with clay mugs of various sizes, glass bottles of liquor, and a few sealed jars of malt and herbs.
Behind the bar, the owner Elio was bent over, polishing a brass jug.
As Haus approached, Elio, as usual, spoke without looking up, asking for his order.
“One, uh…
three standard meals, plus a cup of hot milk.
And please prepare hot water for me, thanks.” Haus spoke smoothly, pulling nine copper coins from his pocket and arranging them neatly on the counter.
“Haus?” Elio looked up, raising his bushy eyebrows as he studied Haus.
“How did it go?” As he spoke, he pulled an empty mug from under the counter, poured a beer, and slid it over to Haus.
Haus was about to refuse when he met Elio’s eyes.
From his gaze, Haus understood this was on the house.
He picked it up and took a sniff.
Instead of the usual sour, cheap smell of ordinary beer, it carried a light herbal fragrance and a hint of fruity sweetness, clearly mixed with something extra.
Taking a sip, Haus was surprised.
It was unexpectedly good.
“Must’ve been tough without any skills.” Elio, the tavern owner, added another comment.
“It was manageable.” Haus replied vaguely.
He didn’t want to discourage Elio.
Earlier, when Haus had expressed a desire to go adventuring during a casual chat, Elio had tried to dissuade him.
This tavern owner, stern and aloof in appearance but kind-hearted at his core, had bluntly stated that the world of adventurers was not meant for ordinary people like them who hadn’t even mastered any skills.
As ordinary folk, they should stay in safe places, work, survive, and pay taxes to the lord.
Naturally, Haus, with his cheat-like advantage, paid no heed to such advice.
After that, Elio didn’t try to dissuade him again.
Now that he suddenly brought it up once more, it wasn’t hard to guess that he probably noticed Haus looking a bit weary after his adventure and wanted to try dissuading him again.
Of course, Haus, who had now unlocked the Monster Codex and successfully contracted his first monster, wouldn’t listen.
After chatting for a bit, Haus carried his meal tray back to the room Elio had arranged for him, prepared by the waiter.
Some of the luggage he had stored at the tavern was also delivered intact.
Placing the tray on the table, Haus wasn’t in a hurry to eat.
Instead, he first pulled out the “slime armor” from his chest.