[Task Number]: 26
[Type]: Bounty
[Reward]: 150,000 Gold (negotiable)
[Task Briefing]:
A Transcendent-level Wild Swamp Druid (Spore Collective) has contaminated the water source in the Neum Lower District, directly causing the death of 153 civilians and a nearly two-month water outage in the nearby area.
For detailed information, please contact the association staff. Those who provide location intel will receive a reward from the Meadow Church.
[Time Limit]: None
...
Xia Nan looked at the long string of "0"s behind the [Reward] section and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Currently, he was standing in front of the task board in the adventurer association's hall.
Having decided to pursue the path of an "adventurer," he planned to take on a few simple tasks to practice, while also familiarizing himself with the entire process.
Then, with the sincere mentality of "I can't afford it, but I can take a look," he glanced at the top of the task board, where the tasks with the highest rewards were listed.
"Tsk tsk."
Xia Nan clicked his tongue and memorized several useful terms like "Transcendent level" and "Wild Swamp Druid" from the task information that he didn't yet understand.
Then his gaze shifted downwards to the bottom of the task board.
...
[Task Number]: 201D
[Type]: Investigation
[Reward]: 200 Gold
[Task Briefing]:
A merchant convoy traveling from River Valley Town to nearby villages went missing on the road from Kalanfor to Cui Xi Village, located on the east side of Mist Forest. The convoy owner suspects they might have been attacked by bandits or demons and needs adventurers to investigate.
[Time Limit]: 15 days
[Extra Information]:
Recently, adventurers have discovered traces of "Thorn Demons" around Cui Xi Village, possibly related to the convoy's disappearance.
...
"What is a Thorn Demon anyway?"
Not to mention the two place names in the task briefing that were unfamiliar to his past memories, just hearing the term "Thorn Demon" was enough to remind him of the painful memories of facing Bear Goblins in the goblin cave.
"Any demon with a name I've never heard of, until I buy some book like the 'Monster Encyclopedia' to understand their specific strength, I'll regard them as powerful demons I can't handle alone."
Moreover, the uncertainty of investigation tasks is too high, making it hard to ensure that the difficulty won't suddenly escalate to a six-figure bounty level.
"I really should first find a more experienced team to stay with for a while." Xia Nan thought, rubbing his slightly sore brow.
Otherwise, with just that thin [adventurer's manual] in hand, he's afraid he wouldn't even understand the names of the demons he encounters along the way.
His gaze continued to move downwards.
Finally, after a long search, he found a choice at the corner of the task board that he was fully capable of handling with his current abilities.
...
[Task Number]: 387H
[Type]: Collection
[Reward]: 1 Gold/clump
[Task Briefing]:
The owner of "Green Grass Cauldron" at 17 West Street, River Valley Town, Ms. Edwina, is preparing a batch of new Detoxification Potions and urgently needs a large amount of "Firefly Garlic Vine" that grows on the outskirts of Mist Forest (see attached image).
[Time Limit]: 3 days
...
Comparing the illustrations and descriptions shown on the task board.
Xia Nan's eyes immediately lit up.
He very clearly remembered seeing a large patch of this plant, which emits a greenish glow like a firefly at night, on his way back from Mist Forest a few days ago.
He remembered initially mistaking it for some kind of demon that lures prey with light and had camped at a distant location.
Thinking back now, the amount of "Firefly Garlic Vine"...
"Must be at least thirty clumps!"
And that would mean an income of over 30 Gold coins!
After all, the Stinky Fish and Shrimp Group barely earned 30 Gold from their task of investigating goblin activity after fighting to the death until he was the only temporary member left.
This money is practically being handed to him on a silver platter; it would be a waste not to earn it!
"Is my beginner's luck still going strong?"
Xia Nan couldn't help but think happily.
Yet his body was already turning towards the exit of the adventurer association.
Before heading out on the task, he needed to make some necessary preparations.
...
Xia Nan clearly understood his position.
Even though he had mastered the Battle Skill [Vortex Slash], which had already leveled up to full level 5, and his physical fitness had improved due to acquiring attribute points.
He still belonged to the ranks of low-level adventurers.
The tragedies of Elki and Gag were still vividly remembered.
Even an experienced adventurer like Magi had fallen at the hands of this "youngster."
Being cautious and considerate, there's no harm in that.
Thus, for his first solo task, Xia Nan followed the suggestions given in the [adventurer's manual], preparing thoroughly, almost to an exaggerated extent:
The round trip would take just one day, and keeping in mind the storage space needed for the Firefly Garlic Vine, he took enough food and water to survive in the wild for five days—8 silver and 2 copper;
A Medical Tool Set containing bandages, ointments, and splints, enough for ten uses, and even got the general store owner to throw in 20 feet of hemp rope—5 Gold;
Compass, simple map, fire stone, sleeping bag, blanket, water bottle, and other essential living supplies—6 Gold 2 silver.
It's worth mentioning that to avoid having to discard his backpack laden with belongings during any adventure accidents, Xia Nan deposited most of the Gold coins he had earned in the only bank within River Valley Town—the interest was negligible, but it was very safe.
Although the prices of these adventure-related items reached another dimension,
he understood very well the expenditure was necessary to ensure his life safety.
What's more, the task's route was short, so if everything went well, he'd be back at the White Sparrow Tavern enjoying a feast with the thirty Gold coins reward this time tomorrow.
The items prepared above would use at most one-tenth of their capacity.
They could still be used for the next task.
"Shwa!"
Striking off the penultimate item listed on the note in his hand.
Xia Nan tightened the backpack behind him and took a deep breath.
Thanks to the "one-stop" service on the street where the adventurer association was located, he completed most of his pre-departure preparations in just one morning.
Recalling himself carrying large and small bags, holding a shopping list with one hand, weaving through bizarre pedestrians, walking between various shops.
Xia Nan suddenly felt a deja vu of shopping in Diagon Alley before starting school at Hogwarts, something from movies in his past life.
"Can't go back now."
He smiled and shook his head, looking at the last item on his list.
[Weapons and Equipment]