Xia Nan lifted his glass, pretending to sip it calmly.
The malt aroma surged into his nostrils, and on his tongue was the unique subtle bitterness of hops and the crisp sweetness of chilled beverages.
However, right now, he had no mind to savor this otherworldly flavored drink carefully.
He even felt a bit nervous.
After about five or six seconds, only when the sharp gaze behind him disappeared did he visibly breathe a sigh of relief.
"This feeling..."
Xia Nan recalled the scene he had just witnessed, that seemingly utterly ordinary man.
It definitely wasn't an illusion!
Even standing at the center of attention, he remained a presence so weak that one would subconsciously overlook him as if he were just a passerby;
And after he noticed himself being watched, that gaze instantly focusing on him, delivering a strong warning.
Just like those dazzling high-level pieces of equipment in online games from his previous life, even without engaging, one could feel the other's immense power with just a glance.
"Perhaps, he's truly a professional who has finished his job transition?"
Xia Nan speculated in his heart.
Fortunately, he only noticed the other's presence and didn't make any abrupt moves.
Thus, that gaze only lingered for a moment before dissipating amidst the tavern's clamor.
A minor episode.
Without intentionally observing the elven team by the window, Xia Nan downed his mug of ale in one gulp.
His heart was somewhat stirred.
"I still don't know how to attain this so-called 'Professional Level'?"
Magi seemed to mention in front of his original self that "profession" was related to the "Battle Skill" he chose to learn.
But the exact relationship wasn't clarified by the other party.
He also skimmed through the [adventurer's manual] but did not find any relevant information.
"I'll try asking more seasoned adventurers in the future. If that's unfeasible, paying a price to know is acceptable."
Contemplating, Xia Nan shook his head.
Considering these matters now is still too early for him, just a rookie adventurer.
"I should get a good night's sleep first."
...
The lodging conditions in the tavern weren't great.
The bed made of hardwood panels had a slight unusual smell, the poor sound insulation allowed him to hear every creak of the rocking bed next door, the stairs squeaked, and the revelry from the tavern hall downstairs, along with the occasional mice running across the ceiling, could be heard clearly.
Compared to the star-rated hotels of his past life, even lying down with a newspaper on a park bench seemed much more peaceful and free.
Yet Xia Nan still slept until noon.
On the one hand, he stayed up late the previous night flipping through the "adventurer's manual," learning a lot of useful information about River Valley Town;
On the other hand, his body was excessively exhausted.
The Mist Forest was full of dangers; even the former four-person team with Elki and Gag needed to take turns keeping watch, unable to rest peacefully.
Now arriving in the safe town, this was his first good night's sleep since he crossed into this world.
After a delightful lunch at the White Sparrow Tavern,
he once again arrived at the entrance to the adventurer association.
For Xia Nan, who was just an ordinary office worker in his previous life, he naturally wasn't adapted to or eager for the "adventurer" lifestyle which tread a tightrope of danger.
But similarly, for someone who lived his entire life in a magicless technology side world, suddenly arriving in a fantasy world with actual supernatural powers,
it wasn't feasible to have him return to the peaceful pastoral life of working from sunrise to sunset with a hundred or so Gold Coins in his pocket.
Moreover, the only connection Xia Nan currently had with a Golden Finger, the "attribute panel," was applicable only to adventurer-related matters.
He naturally had to make use of it.
"I'll start with the simplest tasks."
Staring at the bustling entrance of the association, Xia Nan murmured as he made up his mind, stepping forward.
His figure disappeared into the crowd.
"Is there anything wrong, Wood?"
A voice filled with curiosity from Hai'an came from his side, and Wood retracted his gaze from Xia Nan's retreating back, replying softly:
"Nothing, young master."
He had already spotted that person who was in a "Concealing Breath" state in the tavern yesterday, and today they coincidentally met again at the association entrance.
As a qualified guard known for his prudence, Wood couldn't help but feel suspicious.
But he had also observed closely yesterday.
The young man with black hair and sharp features, although showing some signs of training, appeared to be a rookie through and through, judging by his attire and behavior.
Could it really be that he was overthinking?
Wood's eyebrows furrowed slightly, doubt clouding his expression.
On the other side, the silver-haired, gray-eyed half-elf "Hai'an" obviously didn't know what was going through his guard's mind.
At that moment, Hai'an was introducing the task's details to a new member of the team:
"Roughly within this range, and if nothing is found, you can extend further outward."
"So, you actually aren't sure what you're looking for?" Upon hearing this, the black, lean man in front of Hai'an, dressed in classic adventurer's leather armor and boots, exclaimed in surprise, "The Mist Forest isn't a place you can just wander around."
"We'll stay on the outskirts; it won't..."
Hai'an's words were cut off by a rather ostentatious voice.
"Three days!" Within the group, a slightly chubby young man dressed in a luxurious gold-plated robe held up three fingers and exclaimed loudly, "You won't need to help us find it. When the time's up, you can leave if you want, no need to drag on."
"As for safety..." The slightly chubby young man glanced at the guard Wood beside Hai'an, "You don't need to worry about that."
Upon hearing this, the lean man's eyes locked onto him, gritting his teeth:
"Alright, but I want 70 Gold!"
"70?" The chubby young man's voice suddenly became sharp, "Just 50! In such a big adventurer association, there's always someone willing to take the job if you don't!"
Uncontrolled volume led their argument at the association's entrance to gradually attract the attention of passersby around.
Perhaps because of this, the golden-haired girl beside the young man, who had been silent and impatient all the while, suddenly urged:
"Larry, we've been in town for days now, and it's so boring, I want to go home!"
Immediately after her words fell, the chubby young man named "Larry" suddenly toned down his initially aggressive demeanor, pulling his expensive custom robe, and leaning over with a flattering look:
"Don't worry, Doris, we'll leave soon! I've heard from the family's guards that the white mists inside the Mist Forest are actually condensed magic power, and it's said that just a whiff..."
The half-elf "Hai'an" withdrew his helpless gaze from the two, once again looking at the black lean man before him who had just joined the team and then reneged, asking for a higher price.
"We can only offer 50 Gold on our side. If you don't accept it, then we'll have to say sorry."
His demeanor remained calm.
To some extent, the fat man Kerry could be credited with a little merit.
After this, the black lean man, not wanting the lucrative job to slip away, put on a reluctant expression and nodded:
"Fine, 50 Gold it is."
"When do we leave?"
"Today. We have already prepared the supplies."