That's right, that's what adventure is like!

Laws are made by those in power to protect their interests; this is an eternal and unchanging truth.

However, through Fein's narration, Roland opened a completely new door, almost overturning this perception.

The first issue is the dissemination of the reward offer.

The process of issuing and closing a bounty is roughly as follows.

First, the local town hall issues a reward, and then immediately uses extraordinary means (usually a swift wind magic array, which only transmits text and simple images, at extremely low cost) to transmit it to more than a dozen nearby towns within half an hour.

Since the amount is less than 50 gold coins, the guards will not actively search for it. Instead, they will send those who are short of money to do it, such as hunters who have been starving for days, gamblers in debt, and adventurers who are struggling to make ends meet...

These people are like sieves. It would be best if the problem could be solved within three days, but if it cannot be solved, it will evolve into one of the other two situations.

First, if it's an ordinary resident who was killed, the wanted notice will just hang there and soon become worthless.

Secondly, the authority of nobles or kingdoms cannot be tarnished. Someone like Roland, who killed a guard, even if he only killed one, would have his wanted notice spread to more areas, and the amount of money involved would continue to increase.

"Your bounty will start at just one gold coin," Finn chuckled, "but it will gradually increase as the escape continues."

Seeing Roland nod slightly, he continued, "Later, assuming you are killed here, we only need to imprint your body with a recording stone, and then the transmission of relevant information will be canceled."

"If you choose to use 2 gold coins, we will select someone of similar build from the prison and leave a somewhat blurry image, which will solve the problem."

"Then what kind of tricks are you talking about...?" Roland asked.

"Don't rush, let me explain," Finn said with a grin, taking a sip of tea. "If you offer five gold coins, I'll use some methods to alter your appearance to ensure everything goes smoothly and avoid any low-probability secondary checks."

"If you offer 10 gold coins, I will use some of my connections at headquarters to not only resolve the bounty issue, but also to arrange a new identity for you. You can fill in the information as you wish, and even joining the King's Guard will not be a problem."

"And if you offer 100..." he nudged Roland, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Hey! You'll gain an extra chapter in your life on top of your existing identity, becoming a hereditary baron without even knowing it, and acquiring a small, legitimate fiefdom!"

Can you do this?

Roland seemed to realize something; it seemed the kingdom was far more corrupt than he had thought, with even titles being manipulated at will by these officials.

Or perhaps, based on the scribe's implication, it was the newly enthroned king who was abusing his power to sell titles? This would be a slap in the face to the entire nobility and administrative system...

Unfortunately, he wasn't interested.

"I want five gold coins," he said softly. "The kingdom's title is of no value to me, and I don't need to change my identity information."

Finn was somewhat disappointed. With his keen eye, he could tell that Roland was absolutely capable of paying 100 gold coins, but it was a pity that the kingdom's situation was so bad that business had suffered as a result.

Back when the war had just begun, some people deliberately made themselves wanted in order to become barons!

However, he dared not provoke this adventurer whose eyes occasionally flashed with a sharp edge. He took the five gold coins and quickly said, "You will receive a definite answer within an hour."

Roland nodded, then stood up.

"Take care—if you have any other needs regarding kingdom affairs, please don't hesitate to ask!"

Fenn rose to see him off, swaying his obese body until he saw his client's figure completely disappear into the wind and rain, before turning back into the house.

……

……

When Roland returned to the inn, he no longer needed to hide his face and openly revealed it. After paying the silver coins, he checked into his room.

The environment was still simple, but acceptable. After a twenty-minute body wash, he sat down at the table and began to take stock of what he had gained from the trip.

First and foremost, it's about money.

The tripled rewards for commissions, the profits from selling items, and the occasional small items finally led to a qualitative leap in this figure.

Even considering the wear and tear on some coins, the total value is 273 gold, 58 silver, and 96 copper.

Secondly, there are some special items.

Two Black Ash Fruits from the dungeon, after being experimented on by orcs, showed an extremely low probability of mutation, but their healing effect was quite powerful and could be used to save lives.

A slave contract with about seven or eight human names still on it, which can be used to claim these slaves and may come in handy when needed.

A ring with obsidian, from a treasure chest sent by Daphne, but unfortunately it doesn't offer much help in combat, and Roland hasn't used it yet.

The Ring of the Silent Scholar

Type: Jewelry/Ring

Grade: Excellent (Blue)

Description: A simple matte ring with no decoration on the surface. It feels slightly cool to the touch. After wearing it for a long time, a very faint silver-gray pattern will gradually appear on the inner edge.

Effect: Increased concentration during reading by 10%

Note: "Books allowed me to ignore the swaying deck and the captain's roar."

In addition, there's the book that the balance sheet ultimately offers.

Slightly to Roland's surprise, it turned out to be a spellbook from the dungeon lord. Although the handwriting was still a bit immature, it already had a unique, cursive style.

Arcane Enlightenment: The Chapter of the Surge

Type: Skill Book/Spell Notebook

Grade: Common (White)

Description: A thin book wrapped in tanned lizard skin, with a spine sewn with silk thread, and yellowed, cheap parchment pages containing the construction methods of seven basic arcane models recorded in ink.

Effect: Upon reading and completing the study, you will master one basic arcane skill (such as Arcane Missiles, Dim Light Illumination, or Magic Perception).

Note: "For an ordinary person, this is the best way to test your talent as a mage!"

"...Not bad."

This was Roland's first encounter with a book on the inheritance of extraordinary abilities in this world. After flipping through a few pages, he felt that he could understand most of the content, so he casually tossed it aside.

Compared to slowly learning by following the steps above, he felt that using the Golden Finger to directly extract abilities was more convenient and saved more time.

Speaking of the "golden finger" (a powerful advantage), he finally took a deep breath and glanced at the final evaluation.

Second-rate is already the limit.

The story "The Hidden Black Ashes" is complete. Do you wish to end the story?

"Yes."

Does it have extraction capabilities?

"Yes."

The two answers were crisp and clean, and the coins in my hand felt cold to the touch, but I couldn't help but feel a pulse gradually spreading through my body.

Roland's consciousness sank with the tremor.

No longer a hotel room, no longer dim lighting, fragmented images and feelings surged in like a tide, imprinting themselves on the five senses.

The sharp sound of wind cutting through the air mingled with the clanging of metal and heavy breathing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the cold glint of a poisoned dagger piercing from an extremely tricky angle, so fast that it was almost just a blur.

My lungs were burning, my muscles were twitching, but my thoughts were unusually clear, even "slow."

The sound gradually faded away, leaving only the trail of that approaching cold light. Time seemed to be stretched by an invisible force, and every detail was magnified.

It's the tiny crack at the tip of the dagger, the white fingertips of the assassin who used so much force, and even the dust particles that swirled in the air with the force.

In this infinitely stretched time, the body reacted before consciousness—not faster, but by finding a path to twist and bend its abdomen, allowing the sharp edge to graz its ribs.

This is not about speed, but about unleashing all your neural reflexes, dynamic vision, and bodily intuition to create a "slot" where you can think and react.

The coin in his palm suddenly became scalding hot.

Roland suddenly opened his eyes, breathing rapidly, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

He looked down at his palm; the lost coin was still cold to the touch, but a faint circular mark remained on his palm, which was quickly disappearing.

[The combat skill "Time Rift" has been extracted, and the item tier has been upgraded.]

[Do you wish to spread the story "The Hidden Black Ashes"?]

"……yes."