Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 53 Tim

Chapter 53 Tim
Karanfor.

A small town near Riverdale.

It is no different from the countless unknown small human gathering places within the Kingdom of Servia.

The river is short and shallow, far from being suitable for navigation. It is only enough for the women in the town to wash clothes and dump dirty water.

It does not produce any rare specialties, and there are no large mineral veins around that could support the economy of the entire town.

Because it is close to the misty forest, the wilderness near the town has a denser population of monsters than other areas, making it particularly dangerous for caravans to travel back and forth.

To some extent, if River Valley Town did not have that perfect terrain surrounded by mountains on three sides, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it would be further away from the Misty Forest.

That is what Kalanfor will be like now.

Fortunately, there is a "River Valley Town" like this, which has an Adventurer's Association and provides a large amount of tax revenue to the kingdom's province every year.

The satellite cities of Kalanfor surrounding it are like leeches, relying on sucking blood, and are given the suffix of "town" instead of "village".

It didn’t completely decline.

It takes only four or five days to travel back and forth to River Valley Town, and the relatively flat terrain around it makes it a temporary resting place for many adventurers and caravans.

It can be said without hesitation that 70% of Kalanfor's annual tax revenue comes from generous adventurers passing through the town.

But on the other hand, it is like a sweet drink that tastes delicious but invisibly affects your health.

Adventurers who walk on the edge of a knife, whose high income comes with huge risks, and who need to vent their stress in various ways after each mission.

While giving the town a bright future, countless filth has also bred in the shadows behind it.

On the west side of Karanfort, at the end of a street that looks a bit deserted.

It is a tavern called "Bags Full of Gold".

The store name is simple and unpretentious, and the signboard has an image of a purse filled with gold coins.

While expressing the tavern owner's good wishes, it also implicitly reveals its functions.

"Click click click..."

In the air filled with alcohol and hormones, there is the crisp sound of the dice being shaken.

The soft yellowish light, accompanied by the warmth of the burning fireplace, is like being in bed in the early morning of winter, making people unconsciously immersed in it.

The pub lobby, which should have been spacious and bright, became narrow and cramped because of the dense crowds in front of the gambling tables.

However, it has also become a place full of fanaticism and excitement.

It was different from a big city like Neum, which was full of nobles and educated intellectuals.

There are no large-scale horse farms in Kalanfor that are expensive and require huge amounts of money to build and maintain; and few people are patient enough to play a game of dragon chess, which is interesting and has complex rules.

These low-level adventurers simply use the simplest and most direct way to vent their greed in endless excitement and gaming.

"Four, five, two..."

Tim stared at the dice on the table in front of him, and his sweaty face showed a concentration that he had never shown when facing the werewolf hunter in the wilderness many years ago.

"Eleven o'clock, Fuck!"

There was no intention of lowering the volume, and the curses filled with dissatisfaction melted into the noise of the surrounding gamblers like a drop of water in the sea.

The coins that originally belonged to him were taken away mercilessly.

Tim touched the somewhat shrunken wallet at his waist, looking hesitant.

As a former adventurer, the high-risk, high-reward job allowed him to accumulate a considerable amount of savings in just over a decade.

Even if there is no income now, you can still live a good life in Kalanfor with this money, and even spend your old age in peace.

However, his income as an adventurer was much higher than that of ordinary civilians, and the bad habits he developed under high-pressure conditions made him accustomed to the kind of life of lavish spending and drunkenness in taverns.

In just a few years, the savings that were enough for the family to live a comfortable life were squandered.

At the moment, he is not much richer than an ordinary porter in the city.

"Hey, is it over? Is it my turn?"

Behind him, the gamblers who were waiting in line to sit at the table were urging him impatiently.

Tim turned his head suddenly, and in his red eyes there was a fierce look that he had only shown when fighting monsters.

"Why are you rushing me? Get lost!"

The dissatisfied shouting disappeared in an instant, replaced by the other party's back as he shrank his head and looked for another card table. You could also vaguely hear the complaining muttering:

"You're just a poor fellow, why are you pretending? Even..."

Perhaps it was the other party's words that stimulated Tim's heart, which had become increasingly sensitive due to his difficult life.

Or maybe it was the gleaming gold and silver of the pile of coins across the table that was so eye-catching.

He clenched his teeth, his flushed face showing the madness unique to gamblers.

"boom!"

The shrunken wallet was slammed hard on the table.

……

spit--

A mouthful of saliva with a hint of alcohol was spat onto the stone floor.

The cold wind at night made Tim subconsciously tighten his tattered coat, and his wallet was empty.

"Fuck, if I had known that move, I would have chased it, otherwise I would have made back my money by now!"

With deep reluctance, he replayed the scene at the poker table.

It seemed that if he was given another chance, he could win back everything he lost.

My legs moved mechanically, and the road beneath my feet was all too familiar.

Suddenly, I was back at the doorstep of my home.

This is a two-story building, and there is even a small garden at the back.

The location is also pretty good, only a few dozen minutes away from the town center.

It was because of Tim's work as an adventurer that he was able to buy a house like this in his middle age.

Suddenly came back to his senses.

His lips moved slightly, and he felt a slight dryness in his mouth.

He pushed open the door and entered.

The first thing that catches your eye is a petite and cute figure.

"Dad, you're back!"

Accompanied by a tender female voice as sweet as a silver bell, Beth ran into Tim's arms.

The little head rubbing against the father's collar shows the child's deep attachment to his parents.

Tim stroked his daughter's smooth golden hair and picked her up carefully.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, and his expression suddenly became annoyed, and he said apologetically:

"I'm sorry, little Beth, Daddy forgot your favorite muffins."

"I'll buy it for you tomorrow, okay?"

"It's okay, Dad!"

The girl showed a hint of disappointment on her face, but then she was worried that her father would think she was angry, so she smiled and shook her head, saying sensibly.

thump—

"Beth, come to dinner."

The steaming plate was placed on the table, making a cold sound.

A fair-skinned woman with a bun on her hair called out to the girl while untying her apron.

But he didn't even look at Tim who was holding his daughter, as if he didn't exist.

The guilty man just smiled and walked towards the dining table.

"Coming."

He said so.

……

At the dining table, a girl with blonde hair was lively telling her mother about new friends she had made today and what had happened.

The woman with her hair in a bun also listened to the other person's words patiently and seriously, and asked a few questions from time to time.

Tim said nothing, just lowered his head in silence, drinking the broth spoonful by spoonful.

"Again?"

Suddenly, the gentle tone of my wife's voice when she was chatting with her daughter became cold and short.

Know that you are asking yourself.

Tim paused with the spoon in his hand, lowered his head, and nodded imperceptibly.

No scolding.

Tim only heard a faint sigh coming from across the table.

"Mom and Dad miss little Beth. I plan to take her back to the country to live for a while."

Tim looked up suddenly, looking stunned.

"No, no! I will make money! Just a little capital, just a little! I will definitely make it back."

Faced with his promise, his wife just looked on coldly.

Don't say a word.

Tim was becoming increasingly anxious.

"I'll take risks... Yes! I can still go out and take on missions. I'll be fine, I will! I promise!"

The atmosphere at the table fell into silence.

After a long time, the wife sighed again and took out a bulging purse from the pocket of her worn-out clothes.

Place it gently on the table.

"This is the little money I saved from working as a laundryman."

"Whether it's to maintain the equipment and continue with the previous business, or to organize the equipment and find a job..."

"No more talking. It's up to you."

"I'm going to wash the dishes."

The wife slowly stood up, cleared the dishes on the table, and walked towards the kitchen.

Tim stared at the purse in front of him for a long time without saying a word.

Suddenly, the corner of the clothes was gently pulled.

I turned my head and saw little Beth, who had stopped talking since a while ago because she felt the cold atmosphere at the table.

At this moment, she was raising her little head, looking sensible, and said carefully:

"Dad, you don't need to buy muffins tomorrow."

"Beth, I don't like it."

……

The next day, it was dawn.

Tim left home early with the purse left by his wife in his arms.

As a former adventurer with experience in fighting many monsters.

Even if you don't step into the misty forest, you can stay in this town where there is no danger.

There are many things that can be done.

However, after so many years of decadence, the spirit that once allowed him to fight to the death while bathing in the blood of monsters has long been completely lost.

Even with the money his wife saved, he bought himself a decent set of clothes.

The decadent atmosphere that permeates him and the reputation that has long been spread in the relevant circles.

Let Tim be rejected repeatedly.

As dusk approached, the sky gradually darkened.

Tim was walking alone on the way home, looking tired.

He knew that with his current conditions, it would not be easy to find a job with satisfactory salary.

It is impossible to make progress in just one or two days.

but……

Thinking back to the cold faces of those people when they rejected me.

Tim gnashed his teeth and said in secret:

"Why are you all putting on airs in front of me? Ten years ago, I..."

"Money, isn't it just some money?"

"I got more than 10 gold from each mission I completed!"

He was lost in his own fantasy, but his legs seemed to have some kind of muscle memory.

Comply with one's deepest desires.

Step by step……

When Tim reacted, he was already standing in front of the familiar gate.

Warm and bright light, along with the intoxicating aroma of wine and noise, flowed out from the crack in the door.

His expression was dazed, and there was an indescribable emotion in the depths of his eyes.

Subconsciously, he raised his hands and slowly pushed the door open.

……

The room was clean and tidy, but seemed a little cramped because of the empty furnishings inside.

The wife looked out the window at the sky outside which had already darkened completely.

On the distant street, the figure who should have returned home long ago did not appear, as usual.

She lowered her head and stopped sighing.

Just quietly packing up the luggage.

"Beth, are all your clothes packed?"

"It's all ready, Mom! But Daddy..."

"Go to sleep. We will set off at dawn tomorrow. Grandpa and the others miss you so much."

"okay."

……

"boom!"

The door of the second-story building was pushed open violently.

Tim's face was still flushed from a night of excitement, and he returned home excitedly under the bright sunlight outside.

In his hand was a bag of beautifully packaged muffins.

"Hahaha, little Beth, look what daddy brought back for you?"

The petite figure who would rush to greet me with a smile every night no longer appeared, and there was no more smoky sound of spatulas rubbing against each other in the kitchen.

Only his loud and excited voice echoed in the empty room.

Seems to realize something.

The paper bag in his hand fell to the ground and he called out, pushing open every door in the house, even the closet was opened for a careful inspection.

The originally excited expression gradually froze.

It was not until the sun set again and Tim, sitting in the messy living room, finally came to his senses from the unbearable feeling of emptiness.

There was a determination on his face that had not been seen in many years.

"Chi bang!"

He carried the dusty old wooden box from the basement to the living room.

I found the keyhole with great difficulty in the dust, inserted it, turned it, and opened it.

What appeared before his eyes was a set of half-body scale armor with traces of rust, and two metal daggers that were no longer sharp.

Touch it gently and feel the familiar cool touch of its surface.

Tim touched the bulging wallet in his arms, which made him feel extremely uneasy.

Thinking in my heart:

"This money is definitely not enough to buy a new set of equipment, but it is more than enough to send these old things of mine to the blacksmith shop for maintenance."

"I don't know what the captain is talking about..."

Tuk-tuk-tuk——

There was a sudden knock on the door.

Tim showed an expression of disbelief on his face, and hurriedly stood up and rushed to the door.

Even if he accidentally bumped into something, he would still be able to get up in a panic by rolling and crawling.

"Crench!"

The wooden door was flung open from the inside out.

Tim's originally surprised face was suddenly stunned.

Looking at the familiar figure outside the door, he subconsciously said:

"team leader?"

What appeared before him was a middle-aged man who was no longer young.

But compared to the decadent and listless Tim, the other party was particularly energetic.

He has a fierce temperament, a strong body, and even wears a well-maintained set of armor.

"Captain, why are you here?" Tim forced a smile on his face and stepped aside, "Come in!"

Unexpectedly, the captain of his former adventurer team stood there motionless, just frowned and glanced at him, and said coldly:
"There's a new member in the team recently, and there's not enough space. I went to River Valley Town and helped you cancel your name from the team."

"You're not doing this now anyway, right?"

As he spoke, the man pulled out a purse from the backpack behind him and threw it to Tim.

"I still have a mission, so I won't bother you anymore."

"See you someday."

……

"Gah."

The door was slowly closed.

Tim sat alone at the dining table.

The dim light shone through the window behind him and gently fell on his body.

There was no ripple on his face, so calm that it was somewhat scary. His face was shrouded in shadow and his specific expression could not be seen clearly.

He just stared quietly at the table in front of him, at the half-worn armor that hadn't even had time to wipe off the dust.

The fingertips twitched slightly.

……

Pawn shop,
The scale armor and two short swords were thrown onto the table without mercy.

In exchange for a purse with golden light shining inside.

tavern,

Tim's face turned red and he roared, the shaking dice reflected in his bloodshot eyes.

It was as if even his own soul was pushed towards the card table.

Midnight,

Tim was drunk and staggering on the empty street.

He was mumbling something, but I couldn't tell what he was saying.

"boom!"