Near River Valley Town, countryside.
The grayish-white mist that clung to the air like a shadow of death had long vanished without a trace.
In its place were bright sunlight unobstructed by tree canopies, fresh air mixed with the earthy scent, vast grasslands, winding country paths, and distant wisps of rising smoke.
Compared to Mist Forest, it was as if they had entered another world.
There was no need to worry about furry, venomous spiders dropping from the treetops into your collar; nor to be wary of dangerous demons lurking in the mist and shadows, eyeing the fragrant flesh on your body.
The only thing you probably needed to watch out for was the occasional pile of dung on the roadside.
Walking on the undulating dirt road between fields, the ground beneath felt more solid compared to the leaf-covered mud, making one’s heart feel more at ease.
In your ears was the soft clinking sound of chain armor iron rings rubbing and colliding with each movement of the body.
Long accustomed to it.
But to Xia Nan at this moment, it sounded especially pleasant and comforting.
The Green Blood Team had completely left Mist Forest and returned to the human world.
They were on their way back to River Valley Town.
Although they encountered many unexpected events during their adventure, fortunately, the team did not suffer any casualties.
Not even severe injuries.
And they had gained far more from the mission than ever before.
It could be considered a perfect success.
Even Adeline, who rarely showed emotions to outsiders, had a smile on her face.
"We’re probably going to earn at least more than twenty gold on this trip back, right?"
Abi, slightly hunched, with equipment they had stripped from the gnolls on his back, was visibly excited, his steps light.
Knowing he was the newcomer, both in experience and strength, he felt he contributed little to the mission.
Still, he actively helped clean up the battlefield, doing what he could, and volunteered to carry the majority of the team’s heavy spoils.
This relieved Xia Nan and the others of much burden, allowing them to be more composed in times of danger.
"It’ll definitely be twenty gold." Berg, with a Longbow on his back and hanging at the back of the team, replied lightly, "Just the bounty for that ’Carnivore,’ combined with the goblin reward, gives everyone already a good share."
"Plus the second-hand equipment you’re carrying, and other bits and bobs."
"It might even reach thirty gold!"
Finally freed from the high-pressure environment of the forest, Berg had completely recovered from his previous state of unease and anxiety to his original "old man" self.
He finally seemed at ease.
Upon hearing this, Abi’s expression showed a trace of yearning, calculating on his fingers:
"Assuming it’s twenty-five gold, send seven gold back home, pay off the five gold I owe from before, and I’ll still have..."
"A whole thirteen gold!"
Abi’s eyes immediately lit up.
"Once we hit town, I’ll head to the Rock Hammer Store and buy that quality leather armor I had my eye on."
"Just ten gold or so, grit my teeth, and take it right away!"
"You’ll spend it all and keep nothing for yourself?" Berg teased from behind him.
"Being new to the trade, you probably haven’t saved much yet, right?"
"If you spend it all now, what if the next few missions don’t go well, and you can’t even afford basic supplies?"
Hearing this, Abi’s previously excited expression became conflicted.
"So, maybe... save up some more?"
"Hahaha." Berg laughed heartily, moving closer to pat Abi’s shoulder. "I’m just joking, if you want it, just buy it."
"You’re in the adventurer line now, no point worrying about tomorrow."
"Just live for today!"
Xia Nan stood aside, saying nothing.
Listening to their chat, he had some thoughts.
Previously, he was a lone wolf, going out on missions alone.
Luckily and with a bit of skill, he overcame many obstacles.
He made substantial gains.
All the adventure rewards were his own, without needing to split with other teammates.
Therefore, he didn’t have firsthand experience of the average adventurer’s income.
Thinking now, for seventy percent of the low-level adventurers in River Valley Town, buying a set of equipment worth more than ten gold was clearly not an easy decision.
They might even need to dip into their savings.
There’s no way they could, like him, replace their entire set of equipment every other week without even worrying about its maintenance.