My monster cards can evolve infinitely.

Chapter 21 Tavern Night Talk

Of course, this does not include Xiuqi.

He's not even as good as those rich mutts.

On many bulletin boards, bounty missions for goblins are the most numerous.

It seems that this little monster, whose biological name is goblin, truly lives up to its reputation as a rampant species among the "Three Families" of the mainland.

Of course, he was also familiar with it; this creature would occasionally appear around the villages in his hometown of the Shire fiefdom.

They provided Xiuqi with a wealth of valuable practical experience during his youth when he practiced swordsmanship.

At this moment, he planned to choose a suitable goblin-hunting mission.

By the way, determine the location of those small monsters from the mission intelligence.

He doesn't have the skills of a hunter to track monsters, and without location information, he absolutely mustn't get lost in the vast gray forest, where he's not very good with directions.

The first group to be ruled out is the goblin tribe encountered in White Oak Village, because they include bear goblins, which are level 1 challenge monsters.

This is still too difficult for Xiuqi at present.

To improve efficiency and avoid getting lost, he plans to hire a guide to accompany him to the Grey Forest.

Not a companion, but a guide;

Those are the kind of magical contracts that are signed. Anyone who dares to break the contract or plot against her will be punished by that lady herself.

It's not that I don't need companions, but that I don't believe in them.

After all, the biggest sunk cost between people is trust.

The probability of him making a compatible and reliable adventure partner on his first visit to the Adventurers' Guild and his first time trying his luck with a team is no higher than the probability of him actually becoming Jasley's boyfriend.

Although he wasn't a real boyfriend, his status as a contract boyfriend was confirmed.

It was thanks to the magnanimous daughter of the marquis that he was able to solve his biggest problem—gold coins.

Finally, after careful selection, he found a task that was perfect for him:

Summertown Adventurers' Guild ID: 01806212

"Introduction": Near the old oak tree at the junction of the western suburbs and the Grey Forest, some travelers have recently reported being harassed by a few goblins. According to eyewitnesses, the goblin group should number around ten, and they use short swords, bone clubs and short bows.

"Reward": Killing a goblin will reward you with 30 copper coins per goblin.

"Task duration": 7 days; ending on the 20th of the Flower Festival month in 1318.

......

This was practically a bounty mission tailor-made for him.

There are about ten goblins, not many, and there are no "big guys" like their cousins, such as goblins and bear goblins.

He and the "princess" should be able to handle it.

After accepting this task, Xiuqi posted another task in the Adventurers' Guild.

A very simple task—

You need a guide to take you to the old oak tree at the border of the western suburbs and the grey forest, and you will receive a reward of 20 copper coins.

Although the bounty is not high, this task is very simple; you can do it as long as you know the way, and it is very safe.

The agreed time is tomorrow morning, to meet at the entrance of the Adventurers' Guild.

After issuing the quest, he overheard a conversation among several adventurers as he passed by.

He wasn't intentionally eavesdropping, but hearing the words "goblin" and "old oak tree" simultaneously made him unconsciously stop in his tracks.

"Those goblins entrenched around the old oak tree... I saw them last week when I was escorting a caravan!"

"How is it? Is it just a few scattered soldiers like in the mission description?"

"Pretty much! A bunch of cowards, but they're incredibly fast. I've never seen goblins run that fast!"

......

Timid yet fast?

No wonder they've survived until now.

Xiu Qi wasn't afraid of running fast. He was unarmored and light-footed, and with his extremely high agility and the "Princess's" ghostly thrusting skill, he was undeterred.

Tracking down this group of goblins is a piece of cake.

So Xiuqi stopped walking and left the Adventurers' Guild without stopping.

After he left, the adventurers continued their discussion.

"However, it's probably best to avoid that forest near the old oak tree anytime soon."

"Why? Have more high-level monsters migrated their territory here?"

"That's not the reason, it's just a bit strange..."

"What's so strange about it? Isn't the Grey Forest just a bizarre forest of monsters?"

"It's not that strange, it's an indescribable feeling. The air there... seems viscous, and you can clearly feel the stickiness in your nose with every breath..."

"Also, a friend of mine spent the night nearby two weeks ago, and woke up the next day to find himself in a completely unfamiliar forest..."

"Fortunately, a beautiful, elfin-like girl kindly guided him out of that labyrinthine jungle..."

"Haha... I've heard this story recently too. It was told by John, that old virgin, right? That drunkard, instead of spending money on drinking, he'd rather spend it on a trip to a brothel..."

......

The setting sun bathed the silhouettes of the wooden houses in summer town in a warm orange hue, and the aroma of ale wafted through the streets from the chimneys.

Xiuqi, feeling satisfied with his gains and slightly weary, walked towards the "Traveler's Rest" tavern.

He recalled a figure in the Adventurers' Guild who looked somewhat familiar, dressed in a black robe and wearing a hood.

But I just can't remember who it is.

Why does everyone seem so familiar to me today?

Xiuqi said with a hint of self-deprecation.

The same feeling he had towards Ms. Olivia was evident when he thought back carefully and became certain that the two of them had never met.

Although I have been in Harbor City for almost a year, I have only left the academy a handful of times, spending most of my time practicing magic in the training room.

Olivia's potion shop is located in the Merchant Guild District, an area that Xiuqi has only been to twice. The first time was to go to the tailor shop to order the gray robe he was wearing.

The second time was to retrieve it.

Therefore, he was fairly certain that he had never met Olivia before.

"Maybe I practiced for too long last night..."

Indeed, he still felt the lingering weariness from not sleeping all night.

He planned to get a good night's sleep tonight and be well-rested so he could take down at least nine goblins in the Gray Forest tomorrow.

As for why it's such a precise number of nine, it's because according to the rules of the [Monster Card Maker], he is currently only a one-star card maker of the lowest rank.

To upgrade a one-star monster card to two stars, you need to prepare ten one-star cards.

One card is designated as the main card, and the other nine are designated as supplementary cards.

Monsters in the main deck will be promoted, and all other monsters in the side decks will be sacrificed.

In addition to upgrading monster cards, each card has one chance to be strengthened.

You only need five cards to enhance your character. The rules are the same as for Star Advancement: select one card as the main card and the other four as sub-cards.

As agreed, Xiuqi arrived at the "Traveler's Rest" tavern located next to the town's central square.

The "Traveler's Rest" tavern is located in the southeast corner of Summertown Square. The wooden building looks a bit old, but it is kept very clean.

Warm light shone through the windows, accompanied by faint noises and the aroma of food, dispelling the chill of the night near the forest.

Above the tavern's door hangs a sign carved from old oak, depicting a traveler dozing with his luggage, swaying gently in the evening breeze.

When Xiuqi pushed open the heavy wooden door, the wind chimes hanging above the door rang out with a clear and melodious sound.

A wave of heat, a mixture of the smoky aroma of grilled meat and the rich fragrance of ale, wafted over, accompanied by the boisterous chatter of the guests.

Unlike the forest, which grows cooler as night falls, the tavern is filled with a lazy warmth.

The fire crackled in the corner, illuminating the unidentified paintings and faded adventure flags hanging on the wall.

The tavern was spacious inside, with more than twenty sturdy wooden tables, most of which were already occupied by customers.

Most of them were weary adventurers, chatting and laughing loudly as they exchanged information, their clinking glasses echoing incessantly.

A small stage was set up in the center, suggesting that there would be performances in the evening.

He immediately spotted Erwin and Lina sitting by the window, waving at him.

Somewhat surprisingly, Ms. Olivia had already arrived. She had changed into a deep purple dress and still exuded elegance as she sipped a steaming beverage.

"Master Xiuqi, over here!"

That was Lina's enthusiastic greeting.