Adventurer, did you revive today by watching the ads too?

Labyrinth City of Farlands.

Adventurers' Guild Reception.

"Are you kidding me?!"

A slender, beautiful hand slammed heavily on the counter.

"I don't want to team up with this timid-looking newbie!"

The blonde, blue-eyed girl angrily confronted Anna, a guild employee, slamming her hand on the counter while pointing at Hua Zhen beside her with her other hand.

"Hey, calling someone a wilted vegetable is way too much..." Hua Zhen felt that this was an exaggeration. "Some people say I'm the sun at eight or nine in the morning."

"You son of a bitch, the sun!"

Tia angrily pulled out a small round mirror and placed it in front of Hua Zhen.

What came into Hua Zhen's view was a listless face with thick dark circles under his eyes, making him look perfectly natural next to a giant panda.

"Um, that..."

Anna, a guild employee standing nearby, said somewhat awkwardly.

"Miss Tiague, according to guild rules, adventurers must operate in parties before advancing to Silver rank. This is to ensure survival and for everyone's safety. It's a bit much for you to take on a goblin-slaying quest alone, especially as a girl... You don't want to be rescued carrying several goblin babies, do you?"

"Just a bunch of goblins, they can't even touch the hem of my clothes," Tia waved her hand dismissively. "By the way, you should have my request record, right? I've perfectly completed 17 requests so far."

"I also have a good track record of completing quite a few commissions," Hua Zhen raised her hand. "As long as we don't take on overly difficult commissions, that's enough to prove that we can act on our own, right?"

"Can't."

Miss Anna crossed her arms in front of her and made a "meow" gesture.

"Rules are rules, and besides, it's precisely because you've taken on too many individual commissions that the guild management has taken notice!"

"Please make an exception!" Hua Zhen and Tia Ge said in unison.

"What exactly is it that makes you not want to team up with other people?" Miss Anna looked troubled.

"A lone wolf doesn't need teammates!" Tia waved her hand dramatically, "Do you even know what a solo assault means?!"

"Isn't it strange that a task that could be completed by one person is inexplicably divided among several teammates who take away the payment?" Hua Zhen said. "I'm not rich enough to share my salary with strangers. To be honest, I won't be able to pay next month's rent. If this continues, I'll have to sleep in a stable or crawl under a bridge and cover myself with a blanket."

Miss Anna sighed, seemingly helpless about the two people in front of her.

In fact, it wasn't the guild's management who approached her; rather, she proactively reported the situation of the two of them to the guild's management.

Hua Zhen.

Tia G. Brando.

These two were new adventurers she had taken in two months ago.

Adventurers need to register with the staff after accepting a commission, so after a while, she quickly noticed the unusual behavior between the two.

These two always act alone, which greatly increases the risk.

Despite having spoken to them several times, the two seemed to have no intention of changing and continued to do as they pleased.

Anna felt that if things continued like this, something would eventually happen between the two of them.

The chances of dying are highest when you first become an adventurer.

Insufficient strength, carelessness, and arrogance are common problems among novice adventurers.

She didn't want to see the recovery team bring back the bodies of these two young people one day.

Therefore, Anna felt she had to do something.

"Sigh... Here's what I'll do. I have two commissions here. If you can work together to complete this task, it will prove your abilities, and I'll be able to report back to my superiors. I won't be asking about your situation for the next two months."

"What mission?" Hua Zhen asked.

"An investigation mission, and a rescue mission."

Miss Anna placed two letters of authorization in front of Hua Zhen and Tia Ge.

Hua Zhen looked at it carefully.

The first commission was an investigation task.

Recently, unusual phenomena have been observed in the misty forest southwest of Farlands, near the sea.

The goblins over there suddenly became much more aggressive, causing passing merchants and nearby fishermen to be attacked to varying degrees. Even other monsters in the forest were besieged by the goblins.

After receiving the news, the guild suspected that a mutated species had appeared in the goblin community.

The guild originally planned to send high-level adventurers to subdue them, but the latest report shows that villagers witnessed the goblins there engaging in ritualistic behavior similar to that seen in early human history.

They would carefully decorate the animals they hunted and the fruits they gathered, and then carry these "offerings" into the cave in groups, while dancing strange dances.

This is strange.

Just as gay men don't take birth control pills, most monsters don't have the same kind of faith and worship as humans; their intelligence isn't sufficient to support such behavior.

Therefore, a scholar from Farlands issued this investigation commission, hoping to take this opportunity to find out the truth of the matter.

The second commission was more normal; it was a rescue mission.

A grain merchant's son went missing yesterday evening, coincidentally in the misty forest.

It is speculated that this person was likely captured by goblins. Given that the goblins there have a practice that resembles rituals, it is possible that he is still alive and has not yet been made into dried human flesh.

Hua Zhen frowned slightly when he saw the name of the grain merchant.

Holy crap, how come there are acquaintances here?

Suddenly I don't want to save her!

"And the payment?" Tia asked, getting to the most crucial question. "How much is it?"

Hua Zhen got excited when she heard that.

Yes, how can we just talk about doing the work without discussing the pay?

"Let me see, the total reward after tax is 3 gold and 2 silver," Miss Anna said with a smile. "How about it? Do you want to consider it? According to the guild's rules, even if you want to take on other commissions, I can't sign them for you."

The two were taken aback at first, then their eyes cleared up.

Three gold coins and two silver coins, which is equivalent to 3200 Sola.

Even if the two split it equally, each person will receive 1600 Sola.

This is already a considerable income for a novice adventurer.

Hua Zhen silently did some calculations.

This money is enough to cover his accommodation expenses for the next month.

Although it was the cheapest kind of capsule hotel, with leaky ceilings and drafty windows, it was still much better than sleeping in a stable, and most importantly, the financial burden was significantly reduced.

Although Farlans earns a lot of money, his expenses are also high.

First of all, renting a place is not cheap.

Even the cheapest capsule hotels cost around 50 solas per day, though monthly rentals are cheaper.

Secondly, armor and weapons should be maintained almost weekly, and if they are severely damaged in battle, they should be replaced immediately. Generally speaking, it is more appropriate to carry a spare weapon.

Needless to say, healing potions and similar items are essential for treating injuries and poisoning. Unless the injury is extremely serious, they can at least keep you alive.

Then there's the cost of food.

If you can't even get enough to eat, then forget about fighting monsters.

Finally, there are taxes.

Besides the Adventurers' Guild taking a cut from the commissions to keep operating, they also have to pay taxes in the bustling city of Farlands.

These are all fixed expenses, and novice adventurers basically can't save any money. The more conservative ones occasionally do odd jobs to earn some money to cover expenses, while there are also many greenhorns who take on several commissions at once.

3200 Sola... that's very tempting for any newcomer.

Staying in a nicer hotel means at least when you squat down to use the toilet, flies won't gang up on your bottom and lift you up.

Hua Zhen couldn't help but look at the girl beside her.

And coincidentally, Tia also turned her gaze over.

A single glance is all that's needed; no words are required whatsoever.

It hits it off.

As long as the money is there, everything is negotiable!

"If there are no objections, then it's settled. Finally, do you two still remember the two ironclad rules for adventurers?"

"First, there is nothing that adventurers cannot do."

"Secondly, adventurers cannot take risks."

Miss Anna quickly signed the commission form.

"Then, I wish you both a safe return."