Chapter 45: Temporary Team-Up

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Temporary Team-Up

The rewards ranged from a few dozen copper nails to several Silver Scales, with almost none exceeding five Silver Scales.

In comparison, Hesia couldn’t help but marvel again at how generous Annis had been. The single Golden Shield she had casually given him was more than enough to complete every Black Iron commission on this entire wall, with plenty left over.

Naturally, he had no interest in these trivial commissions.

The reason wasn’t just the meager pay; more importantly, he needed to kill Demons to acquire more potential traits.

Both Mosquito Swarm Leader and Bloodline Solidification had made him understand that as long as they were used properly, every trait could play its own unique role.

Moreover, he could also equip his surplus traits on Bruce to boost his companion’s combat power.

There were very few Black Iron-rank monster-clearing commissions, and Hesia only saw a few.

"[Clearing] Clear out the giant field mice at the Eastern Farm. Payment is per tail, 2 copper nails each."

"[Clearing] Clear out the Sharp-beaked Birds at the South Quarry. Payment is per beak, 5 copper nails each."

The parchments for these commissions were a bit larger than the others, and the top-right corner was stamped with the sigil of a Thorny Rose.

Hesia noticed that there were similar commissions in the Bronze and Silver sections as well.

’These are probably long-term commissions issued by the officials of Rose Town.’

’Too bad the rewards for these low-level clearing commissions are calculated by the number of kills. The popular areas have probably been swept clean over and over again.’

After searching the commission wall for a long time, Hesia still couldn’t find a suitable commission.

He suddenly remembered the scene he had witnessed at the guild entrance before coming in, so he turned and walked back toward the main door.

Just as he expected, the square outside the guild entrance was crowded with people.

"Need a Ranger! Proficient with a longbow! Leaving immediately!"

"Bronze-rank independent squad, recruiting ranged fire support! Newbies welcome, as long as you can harass and tie them down!"

Just as Hesia thought, this was a place for forming temporary parties.

Many commissions couldn’t be completed by a single person, and their rewards were correspondingly generous.

Lone wolves without a permanent party, or squads that were temporarily short-handed, would all look for temporary teammates here.

Seeing Hesia walk out wearing a brand-new Black Iron badge, a Warrior in Chain Armor and holding a Longsword immediately approached him.

"Hey, kid! New around here? Wanna join our team? We’re looking for a good ranged fighter! And I see you’ve got a dog with you."

Before he could finish, another man holding a Long-handled War Axe and sporting a large, golden beard also pushed his way over.

"Join our team! We’re going to clear out a wolf pack! All you need to do is help slow them down, otherwise the bastards run too fast! As for the commission reward, you get thirty percent, and the four of us will split the rest!"

Hesia first turned to the Warrior in Chain Armor and shook his head politely. "Sorry, I’m not a Ranger."

Then, he looked at the Golden-Beard Warrior. Unexpectedly, as soon as the man heard he wasn’t a Ranger, the enthusiasm on his face immediately vanished.

Golden Beard’s gaze swept over the ordinary dagger at Hesia’s waist. He pursed his lips. "Tch, so not a Ranger... A Stalker like you should just stick to lockpicking jobs or finding lost cats and dogs. That kind of work is safe. Suited for your kind."

After speaking, he prepared to turn and leave.

"Does it have to be a Ranger?" Hesia asked. "Don’t you just need someone who can slow down the wolves?"

The words had barely left his mouth when he focused his will.

SHUNK!

A half-meter-tall, Sharp Earth Spike erupted without warning from the cracks in the stone slabs beside the Golden-Beard Warrior’s feet, stopping less than a finger’s width from his boot.

The sudden scene made Golden Beard jump. He whipped around to look at Hesia, his eyes wide with shock. "A Mage?!"

The commotion here immediately drew the attention of everyone in the square.

"Hey, look over there! There’s a Mage!"

"A wild Mage? Am I seeing things? You can actually run into a Mage at the temporary party-up spot by the gate?"

Just as the receptionist, Clara, had said, Casters were a Rare species among the Adventurers of Rose Town.

Even if there were any, they mostly had their own permanent parties or had long since been recruited by powerful squads.

Among the lower-tiered Adventurers, the vast majority were Warriors and Stalkers; even Rangers weren’t that common.

The Golden-Beard Warrior, who had been disdainful just a moment ago, immediately sidled back over, his face plastered with an awkward yet enthusiastic smile.

"Please, you must join our team!"

Before he could finish speaking, three other men in matching leather armor, who looked like a squad, also swarmed over, tripping over each other to speak.

"Ignore him, young Mage. Join our Clover Squad! The three of us brothers have first-rate defense. We’ll surround you so you can do your Spellcasting in complete safety. The reward is negotiable."

Seeing someone trying to snatch his prize, and noticing others nearby stirring with interest, Golden Beard hastily raised his offer. "Forty percent! You take forty percent of the reward! Join our team!"

For him, as long as he had a Mage on the team, they could challenge some high-reward commissions they wouldn’t have dared to consider before.

Giving away an extra ten percent was a guaranteed profit!

Just as the few groups were arguing until they were red in the face, a tall figure in full Chain Armor walked over.

"Young Mage, join our team. If you’ll permit me to be blunt, these rookies in front of you probably lack the experience and ability to fully protect a Caster."

"Hey! Who’re you calling a rookie, kid?!" Golden Beard was about to lash out.

"Shh... Keep your voice down, that’s Hulk, the ’Mountain of Unmoving’!" someone nearby whispered a reminder.

When Golden Beard got a clear look at the newcomer’s equipment and the gleaming Silver Badge on his chest, he instantly fell silent.

The Knight known as Hulk ignored the others, his gaze falling on Hesia.

"I’m Hulk. As you can see, I’m a Knight." He gestured to the people nearby. "Our friend here has already introduced my nickname. Our team is looking for a Caster. Interested in a chat?"

Compared to those hastily assembled and seemingly unreliable teams, Hesia was naturally more inclined toward the Knight before him, Hulk.

Whether from his equipment, his aura, or the reactions of those around him, this was clearly a truly capable Adventurer.

’This was exactly the kind of sandbag a fragile Mage desperately needed.’

Hearing him call himself a Knight, Hesia couldn’t help but think of a certain young female Knight who blushed whenever she got nervous.

’I wonder how Isha is doing now...’

But for now, the most important thing was to increase his own strength.

Only by becoming strong enough would he have more opportunities for reunions and choices in the future.

"Hello, Mr. Hulk," Hesia replied politely. "My name is Galen. What kind of commissions does your squad usually take on?"

Hulk extended a hand clad in an Iron Armor Glove and shook his lightly. "Mostly clearing-type commissions. We can talk about the specifics as we walk. First, I’ll take you to meet my teammates; I need to get their opinions as well."