"Boss, do we really have to do this?"
Dylan's inquiry was filled with embarrassment and mortification.
"Of course! This is a long journey. If you don't do this, how many potions would you have to carry? On land, we can still resupply along the way, but once we board the ship, are you planning to bring an entire crate of potions aboard?"
Right now, Dylan had packed his shirt and pants into his travel bag. He was riding horseback wearing nothing but his underwear.
According to the boss's explanation, this was called "maximum surface area absorption of solar energy."
But with only half a day's journey left to Norved, encountering people like this would be utterly humiliating...
As the saying goes, whatever you fear most is bound to happen.
Just as the sun was about to set and Dylan was finally about to put his clothes back on, the nearly-naked rider encountered four strangers. However, the situation was slightly different from what he had imagined.
Simply put, three fellows dressed very much like bandits were doing very bandit-like things—robbing a man who appeared to be a traveling merchant.
Though the merchant was mounted, he had been cornered by the three men against a hillside with nowhere to escape. The bandits seemed reluctant to harm the horse, which was why they hadn't managed to drag the merchant down yet.
Dylan's arrival naturally caught the bandits' attention, but all three merely adopted defensive postures in silence. No one jumped out to threaten him, nor did they have any intention of robbing him as well.
These three hadn't even reached silver rank—they were just bottom-tier brigands who could only rob ordinary people. Naturally, they would be cautious in choosing their targets.
Someone like Dylan, with his bizarre appearance who didn't seem particularly nervous upon seeing them—they preferred not to provoke such a character if they could help it.
Dylan's hand moved to the longsword hanging from his horse, then he slightly turned his mount's head and rode around the group.
"Uh, aren't you going to help him?"
"Boss, I still need to make good time. How can I meddle in everything?" Dylan replied matter-of-factly.
"Dylan..."
"Hmm?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you have double standards?"
...
"Sir! Please help me, I'm willing to pay 2 gold coins!" the merchant suddenly cried out to Dylan for rescue.
"Shut up!"
One of the bandits was clearly getting desperate, raising his chipped iron sword to strike, no longer caring whether he might injure the horse.
As he swung, the bandit caught a glimpse of blue light from the corner of his eye and instinctively hesitated for a moment.
The next second, an ice spike grazed past his nose.
Everyone looked toward the naked figure on horseback, particularly at the ring on his hand where blue light had not yet completely faded.
"Skill... equipment..."
Someone who possessed skill equipment was beyond their ability to provoke.
"Friend, there's no need to fight. We'll leave right now."
Seeing that Dylan didn't seem inclined to continue attacking, the three bandits faced him and slowly backed away.
Only after retreating far enough did the three finally turn tail and run.
Dylan felt he had acted impulsively. He wasn't wearing his equipment—aside from his underwear, he only had this ring on his body. Initially, he had decided not to get involved.
After all, he wasn't lacking 2 gold coins right now.
But this damned muscle memory... Previously, he had gone to great lengths for a mere few dozen silver coins, so when faced with 2 gold coins that were practically free money, he acted on impulse.
Sigh!
"Thank you for saving my life, I'm truly grateful."
The merchant rode over, nodding his thanks repeatedly. Dylan simply extended his hand.
If this fellow dared to renege on the reward, Dylan would have to rob him clean in place of those bandits.
Fortunately, the merchant had no intention of welching on the deal.
"Oh right, here you go." Soon, two gold coins were placed in Dylan's hand.
What neither of them noticed was that when the merchant approached, the strap of the pack hanging by his horse's rump had already lifted slightly, ready to be drawn at any moment.
Dylan pocketed the money and, looking at the merchant who was still thanking him, casually offered some advice:
"Next time, don't skimp on bodyguard fees. The more you save, the more you lose—sooner or later, you'll save yourself to death."
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right." It was clear the merchant himself was somewhat embarrassed about this.
Dylan had taken the money and was about to leave when unexpectedly, the merchant followed him.
"Sir, might I travel with you to Norved?"
"Weren't you coming from Norved?"
Seeing Dylan's slightly disdainful look, the merchant immediately and tactfully offered another twenty silver coins.
"I just realized how dangerous the roads are. I'd like to return to Norved first to hire two bodyguards before setting out again."
Dylan didn't particularly need this small amount of money, but having just accepted 2 gold coins, turning around and driving the man away would be rather heartless.
It was only half a day's journey anyway...
"Fine."
Dylan could only reluctantly accept the silver coins.
Seeing this, the merchant's smile became more genuine.
As evening fell, Dylan decided not to continue traveling. He put his clothes back on and found an open space with no cover around it to build a campfire.
He chose not to travel through the night—not because of the additional merchant. First, he lacked night vision abilities; even in the underground city, he had relied on the boss's fluorescent illumination. Second, the horses also needed rest.
Under the light of the three moons, the two sat on opposite sides of the campfire.
Dylan tossed some jerky from his provisions into an iron cup, added water, and simmered it into half a cup of meat broth as his dinner.
Amid the clinking sounds of metal, the merchant suddenly spoke: "Sir, I haven't asked your name yet. I'm Anthony Neal."
"Just call me Dylan."
Dylan was somewhat aloof—after all, this was just a "teammate" for half a day's journey. There was no need to expend much energy making friends.
Though the merchant seemed somewhat disappointed, he didn't force conversation. He simply unscrewed the flask at his waist and took several gulps of whatever was inside.
After Dylan finished his meat broth, they each went to sleep.
Dylan truly didn't need to maintain vigilance—he had his scout. A host of reconnaissance skills were far more useful than his own eyes.
The scout, transformed into a backpack, now hung from a tree branch, monitoring everything around them.
Especially this "merchant."
[Name: Clorolo]
[Race: Shapeshifter]
[Level: LV36]
[Racial Talent: Transformation (Can arbitrarily change appearance, capable of mimicking humanoid creatures, including specific individuals' looks, voices, scents, etc.)]
A shapeshifter—that should count as a demon race...
This racial talent was equivalent to being born with an enhanced version of [Mimicry].
The human territories were truly a constellation of talents. In just three days of travel, he had encountered a scumbag knight, bandits, and now a shapeshifter.
Dylan thought he had saved the merchant, but from Lin Jun's perspective, he had probably saved those three bandits instead.
This shapeshifter had originally planned to kill all the bandits—and definitely had the ability to do so. It only changed its mind after seeing Dylan.
This creature was definitely not the harmless type. Its status panel showed numerous attack skills—at least Dylan would have a tough fight against it.
The question was what purpose this thing had in approaching Dylan.
Lin Jun hadn't yet told Dylan the merchant's true identity. After all, if Dylan maintained a constantly guarded appearance, that wouldn't be ideal.
At the end of the day, it was only LV36. With some extra attention and surveillance, there would be no real opportunity for it to harm Dylan.
Let's see what tricks it's planning to play!
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