Moli stumbled, quickly apologizing.
Xia Nan looked at the clumsy girl in front of him, and his eyebrows creased slightly.
But in the next second, he recognized her as the receptionist he had seen a few times at the Association.
He didn’t intend to make it difficult for her, nor did he say much.
He just gently nodded and sidestepped, brushing past her.
It had been more than half a month since he returned from Kalanfor.
eating, sleeping, training, listening to adventurers brag in the tavern, occasionally picking up a couple of Battle Skill Books at the general store...
these were all his activities during this period.
Stable, peaceful, and without any waves.
Adding up the money on him and in the bank, it totaled 152 gold, 7 silver, and 3 copper.
Compared to his assets after the second mission, it had slightly increased, but not by much.
Apart from daily living expenses, his main expenditures were on adventuring equipment and tools:
The kerosene bomb, used previously in the fight with Ingram, showed good effects, particularly against swarms, so he replenished a jar at the general store;
The Light Plate Armor stripped from the sheriff was remodeled at "Rock Hammer" Barn’s, looking entirely new and eliminating potential hazards.
Now it’s worn over the repaired Chain Armor.
Double-layer protection, but not bulky.
Not like the heavy plate armor that covers the entire body at the Blacksmith Shop, it’s similar in size to an ordinary breastplate, and wearing it on the outside feels like a metal vest.
The combined weight of the two pieces of equipment suits his current physique just right, not affecting daily activities and combat.
Just a bit inconvenient...
At this hottest time of the year, wearing these two pieces of Iron Armor with the base layer beneath it.
It’s fine in town with no extreme activities.
If he goes outdoors and moves a bit or swings a sword, he’ll likely be drenched in sweat.
"I wonder if those high-level professionals’ enchanted equipment has temperature control effects."
Otherwise, changing into full Heavy Armor for a ten-day task, you’d end up stewing in the metal can.
Xia Nan walked alone on the street, his thoughts gradually spreading.
Suddenly, a cheer came from the roadside.
Turning his head, he saw in front of a new Western-style building decorated with flowers and mistletoe, a couple embracing, surrounded by applauding friends and family.
The man wore a happy smile, though unarmed, his tight-fitting leather armor and vigorous, fierce demeanor suggested he was likely an adventurer.
The woman seemed unaccustomed to the situation, shyly burying her head in her lover’s chest, her long hair obscuring her features.
The Midsummer Festival, also a day of romance and marriage.
Friends become lovers, lovers become couples... It is said that expressing love to the one you adore on this day receives the blessing of the "God of Love and Beauty" Shu Ni.
Xia Nan silently withdrew his gaze, his expression calm.
It reminded him of his previous life, where he had some youthful romances during his student years, but due to various reasons, they mostly bloomed like fireworks, quickly fading into the dark night sky without a clear end.
After starting work, working late into the night, arriving home to find even the dogs in the neighborhood asleep, opening his eyes to endless work, left no energy or time for socializing.
In the past, facing new couples like these, he might have felt envious or hopeful.
But now, he was particularly calm.
—Enhancing combat power to eliminate the insecurity born from lack of strength.
Since the crossing over, the growing clarity of direction was like when he had just entered a company after graduation, giving him a clear goal to strive for.
The pursuit of other things had faded away.
"Time to practice swordsmanship."
The evening deepened, dim twilight rose from the horizon, enveloping the frontier town beside the Mist Forest.
Xia Nan, drenched in sweat, even the strands of hair on his forehead clung due to the moisture.
He panted, walking back to the inn.
Ordinarily, with just ordinary training, especially in the hot summer, there’s no need to be fully armed like he was now.
Just a thin garment and a weapon would suffice for light engagement.
But considering he never had the experience of wearing two layers of armor simultaneously, he thought to take the opportunity to get used to the new plate armor, and didn’t mind the strain, training through the scorching afternoon.