Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 423 Same as when we arrived

"Woo..."

The cold, damp sea breeze weaves through the jagged rocks, its sharp, mournful howl echoing eerily in the air like the wailing of ghosts.

For islanders who have lived by the sea since childhood, the continuous sound of the tide has long been a kind of white noise that is subconsciously filtered out of their minds.

But at this moment, the seemingly endless splashing and splattering of water is so noisy, irritating, and annoying.

Steven, the village chief of Cliff Rock Village, stood at the very front of the procession.

In his right hand he held a well-maintained iron sword, though the hilt clearly showed signs of age; in his left hand he held an equally old and mottled iron-inlaid wooden shield.

Behind them were a dozen or so villagers, each holding various weapons, scattered across the gap, their expressions tense; in front of them were crudely laid traps, and further away, reefs and the vast sea.

As planned, Steven led a dozen or so able-bodied men from the village to block the other end of the exit in the northern cliff area of ​​Qiaoyan Island.

Compared to the villagers in remote inland villages who use pitchforks and iron pots as weapons and armor.

Living on the ocean and frequently facing pirates and monsters, the fishermen of Cliff Island, only five days away from Fish Bay, are significantly better equipped.

At least they were all holding legitimate weapons, and some were even wearing ancestral studded leather armor.

Combined with their somewhat unfamiliar formation and the makeshift wooden traps, the dozen or so people standing together actually looked quite convincing.

It was much more organized than the clan fights I had imagined between remote villages; it showed they had some fighting capabilities.

But under the current circumstances, the atmosphere among the villagers has become extremely tense.

The suffocating pressure filled the air. Every gust of wind and every wave of tide made them more and more nervous. Even the occasional cries of seagulls from the distant sky could make some villagers with poor mental fortitude shudder.

As for why...

It was naturally that terrifying monster that had just attacked Cliff Village and even kidnapped an adventurer.

Based on the scene described by the boy named "Colin" and the identity of the kidnapped adventurer "professional," the danger level of this monster might be much higher than he had anticipated.

Steven couldn't understand why, even though it had barged into the village like today and no one could stop it, this monster had been so cautious before, only attacking lone residents outside the village.

Is it a test, or simply a form of torment and torture?
He didn't understand.

But one thing is certain: if this dangerous and ferocious monster were to charge at them, all the preparations they had made here—the traps on the ground, the cheap and rudimentary equipment in their hands—would be futile in the face of the vast difference in their strength.

Now, for him and the dozen or so villagers he brought with him, the safest course of action is to retreat, abandon the pass, and return to the village to await news.

but……

Steven stood still, but his head turned unconsciously, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the middle-aged man with a similarly somber expression and dark skin not far away.

That was Captain Gregory of the Black Gull.

Right now, the other side is also holding this position here with their crew.

Gregory knew perfectly well that Steven's proposal to retreat was absolutely out of the question, based on their brief exchange earlier.

As a cargo ship captain sailing the high seas, you have to deal with adventurers on almost every voyage, so your reputation is of utmost importance.

If he were to back down now in the face of this crisis and abandon the tasks entrusted to him by his fellow adventurers, his reputation among the adventurers in Harbor would plummet, and he would no longer be able to find excellent and reliable adventure teams to cooperate with. He would only be able to hire some adventurers of equally bad reputation and mixed quality.

Steven himself had similar concerns.

The villagers were under immense pressure, but the pass ahead was completely empty, with no sign of any monsters. Perhaps the monster had simply escaped into the sea, or had been dealt with on the spot by those adventurers?
Although the outcome may be quite dire, the probability of them having to confront the monsters directly is estimated to be only about 50%.

However, if they retreat in the face of battle... the villagers of Cliff Village will certainly no longer face the danger of monsters at this moment, but the probability of offending those adventurers is one hundred percent.

In some ways, this could be a worse outcome than facing the monster head-on.

On these chaotic seas, the line between adventurers and pirates has never been so clear.

To put it bluntly, if a few adventurers enter the village, kill the people, steal the goods, and sail away, who can stop them?

They had no room to resist.

The atmosphere between the villagers and the crew was too heavy. As if sensing Steven's thoughts, Captain Gregory of the Black Gull took two steps forward, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him:

"Don't worry, the 'Silver Claw Osprey' team that's going on this trip are all seasoned adventurers who have already obtained their professional ranks. They have handled many similar missions and are very experienced."

"The other two are even more capable in combat, a fact we already verified when we were still at sea."

"Nothing will happen, just wait patiently. It's not impossible that we can also help you deal with that monster while we're at it."

Upon hearing this, Steven's originally gloomy expression softened slightly, and he felt that what the other party said made some sense. He nodded to the dark-skinned middle-aged man in front of him.

"hope so."

Gregory was far less calm inside than his outward appearance suggested.

Having sailed for many years, he has accumulated a wealth of experience in all aspects and has encountered countless monsters.

With such experience, even without obtaining a professional level or being considered an adventurer, one can roughly estimate the danger level of various monsters.

He heard a loud noise in the village and rushed to the scene. He carefully examined the traces left by the monster and the orc bone card during their battle.

This usually reckless orc professional was clearly at a disadvantage in his confrontation with the monster. In just a few dozen seconds, when he was abducted by the monster, he was probably already seriously injured.

This means that the monster's actual combat power far exceeds what ordinary professionals can handle.

Even if there are three adventurers in total, including the halfling, and Xia Nan, who is clearly stronger in the team, has left the team and disappeared, can they really take down that monster with certainty?

Gregory wasn't entirely sure himself.

As if he had thought of something, he glanced at the cliff wall ahead, but seeing no movement, he turned his gaze back to the village chief Steven beside him.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly began to speak:

"After this is over, if that monster... comes to nothing."

"I suggest you leave here first and wait for the adventurers from the association who accepted the hunting commission to deal with it before coming back, otherwise it's too dangerous."

Given that the monsters are known to be extremely dangerous and difficult for ordinary civilians to handle.

Not long ago, it was only tentatively attacking lone villagers, but today it dares to actively break into houses in the village.

This means that it has gradually realized that the villagers pose no threat to it.

If they had arrived a few days later, the entire village might have been devoured by the increasingly aggressive monster. Therefore, staying away until this monster was eradicated was the wisest choice.

Steven had considered similar ideas before, but the villagers had lived on Cliff Island for generations. Would they be able to adapt to a completely unfamiliar environment, especially the elderly in the village?

If they really need to relocate, where can they settle such a large village? Suoyu Bay?
Just as his thoughts became increasingly chaotic and tangled,

Suddenly, several undisguised footsteps came from behind the cliff face ahead.

"alert!"

Beside him, Gregory growled, and the villagers and crew behind him immediately perked up, raised their weapons, and prepared for battle.

With intense concentration, even breathing became slow and deep, and no sound was dared to be made.

Pairs of eyes were fixed on the distant pass, and the only sounds in the air were the roar of the waves and the sea breeze.

"Clap, clap."

The footsteps grew closer, but were much lighter than expected.

Before anyone could think it through, a pair of exquisite high-top leather boots stained with blood and embroidered with clover patterns stepped out from around the corner behind the rock wall.

With a lute slung over his back, Alton walked briskly, humming a little tune, a small basket that he had somehow found slung over his arm, and some small, yellowish-brown mushrooms could be vaguely seen inside.

Upon seeing Gregory and the others in the distance, a smile immediately appeared on the short man's face, and he hopped and waved to them.

"Come on, come on!"

"Come quickly and help me move these things!"

Steven instinctively beckoned the villagers forward, but couldn't help feeling a sense of relief.

Although the whereabouts of the other adventurers were unknown, the halfling's relaxed expression suggested that things were progressing smoothly. They also wondered about the monster...

Captain Gregory was much faster than Steven, and he strode forward as soon as Alton called out.

"How is it? Any trouble?"

"What about the others?"

"Should we evacuate in advance?"

Before the person even got close, a chorus of questions had already poured in.

Alton deliberately did not respond to this.

Instead, he turned halfway around, stretched out his right hand, and pointed behind him with a grin.

The very next second, Gregory's gaze followed the direction the halfling was pointing.

"Bah..."

Suddenly, a dull, heavy sound rang in my ears, like the sound of a heavy object being dragged and rubbing against the ground.

Splattered with blood, the twisted and dented surface of the silver-gray armor was wrapped with hemp rope. The bulging muscles stretched the somewhat tattered shirt high, revealing the clear outline of the clothing underneath.

A young adventurer with black hair and black eyes emerged from behind the cliff, the rough hemp rope wrapped around his shoulders taut behind him, as if he were dragging some kind of heavy cargo.

But his steps were very steady, each step firmly planted.

One step, two steps...

The taut hemp rope gradually extended in sight, and a crudely made raft came into view.

Three mangled corpses lay piled together: the orc's unfocused, lifeless eyes stared at the sky; Captain Nick's arm hung limply, covered in damp mud; and the half-elf's tattered armor swayed gently in the wind, revealing a bloody, mangled mass beneath.

Then came that enormous, ferocious, and imposing blue-gray figure, like a mountain of flesh.

The shark's head, shattered by the force field energy, was picked up from the ground and haphazardly pieced back together, resembling a broken watermelon, and placed on the corpse's belly.

Colin was still at the back of the group, his clothes soaked with sweat, panting as he helped push the raft.

Stopping in his tracks and loosening the ropes on his shoulders slightly, Xia Nan realized that prolonged use of [Gravity Control] had greatly depleted his mental energy, and he subconsciously raised his hand to gently rub his temples.

He then turned his head, his dark eyes looking at the crowd standing there, stunned.

He tugged at the rope in his hand as if to indicate something:

"What are you all standing there watching for? Come and help."

……

……

Qiaoyan Village held a grand banquet for Xia Nan and his companions.

Of course, while it was described as "grand," the conditions were limited, and it was impossible to live as extravagantly as the nobles in the Baiya District of Suoyu Bay.

Not long after being transported from the Black Gull, refreshing ale was poured into glasses; a thick stew made mainly of peas, onions, and clams; various kinds of fresh or dried fish; eggs; and all kinds of cured meats...

To Xia Nan, who was already used to the delicacies of taverns like "white tits" and "three-legged seals," this was hardly a feast.

But he knew perfectly well that this was all the villagers could offer.

They could feel the most sincere and heartfelt gratitude emanating from the food.

The long-awaited monster was finally eliminated, and the villagers' joy and excitement almost overflowed the air. Even the usually composed village chief Steven was uncharacteristically laughing and drinking a few cups with Gregory next to him.

Alden cooked a seafood mushroom soup for Xia Nan using a special type of mushroom he had picked on his way back, which grew in the crevices of the seaside reefs.

It looked messy and ugly, but it still tasted delicious. I ate it one bite after another, and before I knew it, I had scooped up the last spoonful.

Five days' voyage from Fish Bay, and with no means of preservation on board, the bodies of the three adventurers would have decomposed by the time they were brought back. The villagers buried the bodies of the three adventurers on a high cliff in the north, with their tombstones bearing their names facing the sea, where they could see every sunrise.

After consulting with the villagers, Xia Nan had a general plan for dealing with the enormous corpse of the shark monster. It was now lying quietly in the small square in the center of the village. Several curious children were carefully examining it. Every time their fingertips touched the shark monster's skin, its rough and tough texture would cause a gasp of surprise among the children, who would jump and laugh as they scattered and then gathered again.

The fog that filled the air melted away into the depths of the sunlight.

The waves rose and fell, and the Black Gull, moored at the pier, swayed slightly.

Cliffy Isle sits there, just as it did when I arrived.

(End of this chapter)