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Chapter 66 Valentina's Assessment Task

Valentina?

Hua Zhen was slightly taken aback.

I never expected to run into an acquaintance at this time.

Should we go say hello?

The thought flashed by like a spark.

No, forget it.

Perhaps because of Karura, Valentina had a very bad impression of Huazhen and Tiague.

Although they fought side by side, it didn't seem to create any truly exciting bonds.

Others rely on each other's backs in desperate situations, bravely fighting their way out, which is how they cultivate an unbreakable friendship.

Hua Zhen reflected on her actions.

Even putting all that aside...

Just based on Valentina's bewildered and embarrassed appearance at the end, she would definitely not give him a kind look again.

To put it bluntly, the fact that they haven't bothered me these past few days is already a huge favor.

It's better not to go looking for trouble.

Hua Zhen planned to blend into the crowd as a stranger.

However, women are naturally very accurate with their sixth sense.

As if sensing Hua Zhen's gaze, Valentina also turned her gaze over at this moment.

Their eyes met.

Her beautiful purple eyes were incredibly sharp.

Followed by.

Valentina, dressed in light silver armor and exuding a heroic air, strode forward, walking straight toward Hua Zhen.

Her waist was extremely thin, and her pair of voluptuous long legs made a powerful sound as they stomped on the ground in equestrian high-heeled boots.

What does it mean?

Hua Zhen pursed her lips.

Could it be that the other party hasn't been avoiding causing trouble for me these past few days, but has instead been camping out at the guild?

Good grief, you'd be better off taking on some commissions and making some money with that time!

Stop! Stop!

OK OK.

Is this how you play it?

You were the one who said you'd be my shield, but now that you've been ruined, you're coming to me for help. I don't accept that!

I, Mr. Hua, am not one to be trifled with!

Hua Zhen's muscles subtly tensed, and his strength quietly accumulated.

If there's any sign of trouble, he can immediately grab Tia and Karula and run away.

At this moment, Tia and Karula also noticed the newcomers.

After all, the other side's intentions were quite clear; it was almost obvious that they were coming for them.

Valentina walked up to the group.

Many adventurers around her were secretly watching her.

While there are many beautiful female adventurers, Valentina, a beautiful and powerful knight who always keeps to herself, is truly exceptional.

It's quite rare.

Furthermore, among Valentina's admirers, there are actually more female adventurers than male ones.

I've even heard that some female adventurers secretly write that kind of thing —

It's the kind of fanfiction where she reincarnates as a goblin, captures Valentina, the princess knight, but is ultimately defeated and brutally subdued by Valentina in her golden armor.

And she has received rave reviews within small female circles.

Whispers arose from the surrounding area.

"Oh no, Lady Valentina has come after us. That Hua Zhen is probably going to have a terrible fate, right?"

"The one who killed the Hydra Serpent? What did he do?"

"Haven't you heard? Although that guy killed that giant snake with an energy amethyst, I heard he was carried out naked! Who knows what method he used? And I also heard that those monsters deep in the underground labyrinth are incredibly lustful in order to reproduce!"

Hua Zhen frowned.

This isn't right. When did my reputation become like this?

Isn't what's published in the Adventurer's Daily my glorious record?

Why do you guys make me sound like I'm some kind of pervert?

I already said that the gap between those two giant snakes wasn't a gap anymore, it was a fucking cave!

"that----"

Valentina glanced at Hua Zhen, then quickly looked away.

She blushed slightly and said, "Could we speak in private for a moment?"

Upon hearing this, Tia's beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Her woman's intuition told her that something was wrong.

In the large tavern behind the guild.

There are usually not many people here outside of mealtimes.

Occasionally, adventurers will come here to rest or play cards, ordering beer and kebabs and idly spending an afternoon.

Hua Zhen and the others were sitting in the corner seats.

Hua Zhen, Tia Ge, Karula, and Shiva stood in a row.

Valentina sat alone opposite.

"Excuse me—what can I do for you, Miss Valentina?" Hua Zhen was a little unsure.

Judging from the way the person opposite them spoke softly and gently, they didn't seem to be here to cause trouble.

If she were truly angry, she probably would have summoned Shield Elbow right then and there.

Thinking about this...

Hua Zhen was suddenly startled.

He looked at Valentina with suspicion.

This guy—could he be here to ask for money?

Valentina was not a member of the chapter; she was said to have been invited to participate in this Great Expedition.

If that's the case, then she should rightfully have a share of that million-dollar check—bullshit!

Didn't Nius and the others pay you?

Although you did play a very important role!

But I suppose you must be a rich person to be hired by the warband?

Rich people shouldn't be competing with us poor people for wages!

This behavior is just as despicable as those retired women with high pensions who have nothing better to do than collect bottles, leaving poor elderly people with nothing to collect!

"I—I'll be frank," Valentina licked her lips, slightly nervous, "Can I join your team?"

"Hey?" Tia asked, making a penguin-like sound.

"Um—Miss Valentina, why do you want to join us?" Hua Zhen couldn't help but ask.

I originally thought they were there to share the money.

But they came to join the group instead.

Although the result wasn't much different.

"Because—after this incident, I deeply realized that relying solely on my own inherent skills has limitations. Even with strong defense, there are still many weaknesses. But you are different. Although you are newcomers, you have demonstrated strong decisiveness and execution, which is precisely what I lack," Valentina said sincerely. "So I think..."

"To join your team—don't worry, my defense is high enough that I definitely won't cause you any trouble."

"Liar," Tia said coldly, arms crossed. "Hua Zhen, this guy is lying."

"Huh?" Hua Zhen was taken aback. "How did you figure that out?"

"I...I'm telling the truth!" Valentina quickly retorted.

"real?"

"Yes, absolutely."

"Then turn around."

Valentina was puzzled, but she obediently got up and turned around.

Under Hua Zhen's bewildered gaze, Tia spat twice into her palm and rubbed it.

Then----

"Snapped!"

Tia slapped him hard across the face.

"W-What are you doing?!"

Valentina stared at Tiague with shame and indignation.

"Just as I suspected, you weak steel door guy have ulterior motives."

"W-What nonsense is this?!"

Tia Ge touched her chin with one hand and crossed her arms with the other, looking thoughtful.

"Although I was unconscious at the time and didn't hear the full story afterward, based on my keen deduction, you're addicted to tentacles, aren't you?"

"Gurgle?!"

Valentina let out a cute squeal.

Then she quickly shook her head in rebuttal.

"I didn't! As a knight, I've honed my martial skills and mental fortitude since childhood. A mere tentacle monster—a mere tentacle—"

—Hmm—

As she spoke, Valentina unconsciously closed her legs.

Hua Zhen's crisis sensor activated.

Sure enough, this guy is the dangerous type who has something in common with Tia and Karula.

I had a vague feeling when we were in the underground labyrinth that I might have discovered some kind of unusual hobby of hers.

But how should I put it—

Hua Zhen felt that she most likely wasn't there for that reason.

That would be too foolish, wouldn't it?

In addition, Valentina is, after all, a user of inherent skills.

Her abilities are perfectly suited for use as a front-line unit!

"Listen to me, Hua Zhen, this girl can't be kept," Tia Ge earnestly whispered in her ear. "Don't let her be blinded by her beauty. Think about it carefully, once you have money, what kind of beautiful woman can't you find? If you let her join the team now, what if she's drained of her energy and we lose our source of income!"

"I...I'm not that shameless!" Valentina retorted angrily. "You're making it sound like I'm a prostitute!"

"Heh heh, I didn't say anything like that," Tia said in a very irritating way. "What's the use of a turtle shell ability that only gets you beaten up? My inherent skills are still far superior!"

"Alright, alright, I think you should all stop arguing," Hua Zhen said. "I believe Valentina didn't come for the tentacles, after all, the adult supplies shop in Farlans even has goblin-mode runners available for purchase—but Tia Go is not without reason. Although we are newcomers, since Valentina took the initiative to come to us, it's necessary for us to be assessed."

you!"

"Huffing and puffing..."

Half an hour later.

Hua Zhen and the others arrived at a sewer.

All three were wearing full protective suits and transparent breathing masks as they walked along the narrow, sewage-filled bank.

Shiva wasn't affected much.

As a scavenger and anal-cleaning master, the smell here would at most only slightly affect its sense of smell.

The environment was dim, the water was foul-smelling, and moss grew everywhere.

All of this makes one frown.

This mission is to hunt down the mutated, ravenous crocodiles in the underground sewers.

It's worth mentioning that the city of Farlans is not entirely free of monsters.

Monsters are not evil creatures like skeleton soldiers.

It is part of the ecosystem of this alien world.

Therefore, not everyone views monsters with the same aversion and disgust as they would a rotten, foul-smelling, pus-filled creature.

In this bustling metropolis, some people raise weak monsters or monsters for amusement, while some wealthy people keep powerful monsters as pets. Even city management personnel capture and release some beneficial monsters into the city.

For example, the pica crocodile.

It is called that because this small monster does not eat meat.

They feed on all sorts of things—such as pebbles, sewage, decaying aquatic plants, etc.—and later it was discovered that they can also clean up human waste.

Deploying this monster into the underground drainage system will greatly reduce the risk of silt clogging the drain outlets and reduce the city's maintenance costs.

But this time it's a little different.

It is speculated that a malfunction in the drainage system at the Alchemist's Guild three days ago caused a large leak of alchemical potions and raw materials. This led to a human-induced mutation in a phantom crocodile in the area's underground sewers. Its size began to increase daily, and its original food could no longer satisfy its appetite. Therefore, it began hunting the workers who regularly came down to maintain the underground sewers.

They were staff members who went out at night to attack pedestrians.

So far, more than seven people have died, and a team of adventurers who came to check on the situation has gone missing.

Hua Zhen and his companions' mission was to locate it, confirm the situation, and then defeat it.

The client was from the Farlands city drainage engineering department.

The reward is 43,000 solas.

"Damn it, they only give us this little bit of money to bring us to a place like this—is that really all? Did those office workers embezzle the extra money?"

"Hard to say," Hua Zhen said. "Although the environment is a bit worse, it's still much better than Akuri's deal!"

"That's because his father is stingy!" Tia raised an eyebrow. "If it were me, I wouldn't spend a fortune to save a son who steals my underwear and socks!"

Hua Zhen wanted to say something.

But then I thought, if Musk's son turned out like that, Akuri might very well follow the same path.

The little bit of estradiol I put in his cup back then might have made his physical characteristics a little more feminine, but it wouldn't have affected his psychology.

Akuri's father probably realized this and thought that even if his son lived, he would most likely never have a grandson, so he casually posted a commission at half the market price.

Looking back now, if estradiol had actually worked, Akuri would have been a reward.

"Speaking of which, don't high-level adventurers take on jobs like this?" Tia's voice was muffled inside her mask. "It stinks in here. Are these outfits the guys in charge of the sewers giving us some kind of junk? Damn it—they smell worse than a woman oozing green pus!"

"We don't usually answer," Valentina's voice was muffled, "unless it's a mandatory request."

"Mandatory delegation?" Hua Zhen asked.

"Yes, it is the duty of high-ranking adventurers to quell any exceptionally serious situation that arises."

The guild's welfare insurance and housing subsidies aren't paid for for nothing.

"Wait, there's also a housing subsidy?" Hua Zhen became interested.

"Yes, depending on the adventurer's level, certain discounts are given when purchasing property in Farlands."

Hua Zhen's heart stirred slightly.

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