Chapter 26: Token

“Wood, we’ve already lingered too long in River Valley Town.”

Silver hair fluttered in the breeze as Hai’an spoke softly to his most loyal guard.

Like the “long-ears” dwelling in the towering depths of the forest sea, half-elves, though nurtured with kindness from kin and elders, could show their stubborn side at times.

“Mother once said, the waters of the Vina River never stop flowing (an elven proverb). We can’t delay any longer.”

As if triggered by a keyword in his words, Wood, who’d planned to firmly state his stance, opened his mouth but swallowed his words.

Though often unreliable, Larry’s earlier suggestion wasn’t a bad option.

Hai’an weighed it in his mind.

He hadn’t yet taken a class, his strength limited. Though he’d learned a few combat techniques from his mother, they leaned toward ranged combat;

Larry seemed frivolous but came from wealth, trained by professional adventurers since childhood, with some combat ability, though not much;

Doris… best left unmentioned;

Wood was a genuine professional, nearly untouchable by monsters in the Mist Forest’s outskirts, but past outings showed he’d stay glued to Hai’an’s side no matter how fierce the fight.

Their destination was still some distance away, and in the Mist Forest, avoiding combat entirely was impossible.

With this in mind, their team indeed needed a strong, close-combat adventurer.

Hai’an looked up, fixing his gaze on the wary black-haired youth across the clearing.

Pausing a few seconds to gather his words, he spoke slowly:

“As compensation for unintentionally involving you, I’ll leave 30 gold coins.”

Normally, even with his kind nature, he wouldn’t go this far for a stranger.

But to mend his team’s image in the youth’s eyes, and for the upcoming invitation, Hai’an, after weighing his options, chose this tangible way to show sincerity.

Hearing this, I who’d been debating whether to bolt with my gold or hand over the loot, froze.

My first thought was—

30 + 70 = 100 gold.

“No, no, no.” I reined in my thoughts, judging the invitation’s authenticity.

First, I had nearly 80 gold worth of items (Fire Garlic Vine + the duo’s loot).

If I got back to River Valley Town, that was a huge profit—no need to risk 100 gold.

As a lone low-tier adventurer, I had to consider they might be luring me close to gang up.

Second, this group of four felt off.

Even a bottom-tier team like Rotten Fish and Shrimp had a frontliner (Gagu), ranged shooter (Maji), and assassin (Erji).

What about these four?

The half-elf and his guard were normal enough, but what was the deal with that chubby guy, whose gear didn’t even fit, looking newer than me?

Not to mention the pale blonde lady, frail as if a breeze could topple her.

They seemed less like an “adventurer team” and more like rich kids on a countryside outing.

My thoughts paused.

I gave them another odd look.

“No way, really…”

I couldn’t help but find it absurd, nearly fooled onto their ship.

“Like this? Forget 100 gold—10,000 wouldn’t make me join.”

Though thinking this, I kept my face expressionless.

Facing Hai’an’s invitation, I shook my head firmly.

“100 gold! I’ll give you 100 gold!”

Seeing my refusal, Larry, beside the half-elf, seemed anxious, raising a finger loudly.

“I said, 10,000 wouldn’t do!” I thought.

I shook my head silently again.

“You…” Facing my repeated refusals, Larry’s face flushed, arms waving, mouth moving wordlessly, as if brewing an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Slap—

A pale, bony hand pressed his shoulder.

“Enough, Larry.” Hai’an’s silver-gray eyes reflected my figure, ready to vanish into the woods.

“No need to push.”

Though I hadn’t spoken, the half-elf sensed the resolve in my refusal.

He pulled a coin pouch from his pack and tossed it across the clearing.

“30 gold, take it.”

Caught off guard, I stayed vigilant.

Using my sword tip to open the pouch, I checked for tricks.

Only then did I tuck it away.

“So trustworthy?”

Even after I refused to join, he honored his verbal promise of 30 gold.

Was this his nature, or were all elves in this world like this?

Feeling the pouch’s weight, I found him a bit more likable.

Meanwhile, seeing my refusal, Wood, who’d been silent, visibly relaxed, saying:

“Young master, the Mist Forest is too dangerous. I alone can’t ensure your safety. Why not… return to River Valley Town, rest a few days, and plan?”

“It’s just the outskirts. You’re a professional—what’s to fear?” Twice rejected by me, Larry’s mood soured, his words tinged with complaint.

Wood gave him a cold glance, saying nothing, and Larry shrank like he’d fallen into ice, shutting up.

Wood was respectful to Hai’an but had no need to humor the rest.

“Besides, those guys didn’t seem like adventurers,” Wood pressed, seeing Hai’an waver. “I suspect they’re from Nyum…”

He stopped mid-sentence, but Hai’an clearly understood, his expression darkening.

“No way, it’s… not time yet. They wouldn’t do this.”

As if reassuring himself, Hai’an murmured, pulling a jet-black token from his pocket.

“Wait!”

My voice suddenly rang out.

About to leave with my hundred-plus gold fortune, I froze.

The narrow-top, wide-bottom black token in the half-elf’s hand, etched with faint archaic symbols, sparked an intense sense of familiarity at a glance.

Its distinctive classical style—I’d seen it countless times in my memories.

But not from my predecessor.

From my past life, truly.

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