32: Chapter 26 Tokens 32: Chapter 26 Tokens “Wood, we’ve delayed too much time in River Valley Town.”

The strands of silver hair fluttered in the wind as Hai’an softly spoke to his most loyal guard beside him.

Like those “Long Ears” living deep in the towering Forest Sea, though half-elves develop a good nature under the teachings of their elders, they can occasionally show a stubborn side.

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

As if hearing a certain keyword in his words, Wood, who was originally planning to be a bit more assertive, opened his mouth but swallowed back the words.

Though not always reliable, Larry’s recent suggestion was indeed a good choice.

Hai’an contemplated in his heart.

Having not yet taken up the profession, his abilities were limited, and although he had mastered a few battle skills learned from his mother, they were all inclined towards long-range combat;

Larry, with an illusory appearance, came from a wealthy family and had professional adventurers as trainers since childhood, had some fighting power, but not much;

Doris…

let’s not mention for now;

Wood was a genuine professional, with no demons near the Mist Forest’s outskirts that could threaten him, but based on past outings, he would stay by his side no matter how fierce the battle.

With still some distance to the destination, it was impossible to avoid conflict entirely in the Mist Forest.

On this premise, their team certainly needed a capable, close-combat adventurer.

Hai’an raised his head and watched the wary, black-haired young man across the clearing.

Pausing for a few seconds, he organized his thoughts and then slowly spoke:

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

Under normal circumstances, no matter how kind, one wouldn’t go this far for a stranger.

But to improve his team’s image in the other party’s eyes, and more importantly for the upcoming invitation, Hai’an decided to express his sincerity this way after careful consideration.

“Then, I hope to hire you with 70 gold coins to assist our team as a temporary member in our current task.”

Hearing this, Xia Nan debated whether to run off with the gold coins or hand over the spoils.

Suddenly, he was taken aback.

And his first reaction was—

30+70=100 gold.

“No, no, no.” Xia Nan reined in his thoughts, assessing the genuineness of the invitation.

Firstly, he owned items worth nearly 80 gold coins (Firefly Garlic Vine + duo’s spoils).

Returning to River Valley Town would be a big profit, with no need to take unnecessary risks for these 100 gold coins.

As a low-level adventurer acting alone, he had to consider the possibility of a feigned invitation designed to lure him in for an ambush.

Secondly, despite the four seemingly awkward individuals before him, Xia Nan found it odd.

Even the lowest-tier adventurer groups like the Stinky Fish and Shrimp Group had a configuration of front-line warrior (Gag) + long-range shooter (Magi) + assassin (Elki).

Yet these four?

The half-elf and his guard seemed normal, but the overweight man without fitting equipment, looking greener than him, occupied what role?

Not to mention the pale blonde lady at the back, who seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

Instead of an “adventurer group,” they seemed more like city kids on a countryside outing.

Thinking of this, Xia Nan’s thoughts paused.

Then he looked at them again with a strange expression.

“Could it really be…?”

He couldn’t help but find it amusing, almost being tricked into a pirate ship.

“No way, not even for 10,000 gold would I join,” Xia Nan thought, keeping a straight face.

Faced with Hai’an’s invitation, he firmly and determinedly shook his head.

“100 gold!

I’ll give you a hundred gold!” Larry, beside the half-elf, seemed agitated by Xia Nan’s refusal, raised a finger, and exclaimed.

“I said, not even for 10,000 gold!” Xia Nan muttered internally.

He again silently shook his head.

“You…” Facing his repeated refusals, Larry flushed, waved his arms, and mutely opened and closed his mouth, seemingly brewing up a number that couldn’t be refused.

Clap—

A white, knuckle-visible hand lightly rested on his shoulder.

“Let it go, Larry.” In Hai’an’s silver-gray eyes, the image of Xia Nan nearly vanished into the forest.

“It’s not necessary to force it.”

Though the other party said nothing, the half-elf sensed the human youth’s resolute refusal.

Taking a pouch from his backpack, he tossed it across the clearing to Xia Nan.

“30 gold, take it.”

Xia Nan was surprised but remained vigilant.

Using the sword tip to open the pouch, he carefully inspected it to ensure no tricks were involved.

Only then did he pocket the pouch.

“Is he so trustworthy?”

Even though he wouldn’t join the team, they still tossed him the 30 gold coins.

Is it his nature or are elves always like this?

Feeling the heavy pouch, Xia Nan found the other party a bit more agreeable.

Meanwhile, Wood, who had been silent beside him and saw Xia Nan refuse, subconsciously sighed, saying:

“Master, the Mist Forest is too dangerous; it’s hard to ensure your safety alone.

Perhaps we should return to River Valley Town for a few days and then decide?”

“Our destination is just on the outskirts.

Aren’t you a professional?

What’s there to fear?” Rejected twice by Xia Nan, Larry seemed displeased and spoke with a hint of grievance.

To this, Wood merely shot him a cold glance, saying nothing, causing Larry to feel as though he had fallen into an ice pit, and he quickly quieted.

He showed the utmost respect to Hai’an, but with others in the team, Wood felt no need for displays.

“Besides, those people back there didn’t seem like adventurers.” Seeing that Hai’an was possibly swayed by him, Wood pressed on, “I suspect it might be Neum’s side…”

The statement halted halfway, but Hai’an clearly understood his point, and his expression darkened instantly.

“No, right now…

it’s not time, they wouldn’t go this far.”

It was as though Hai’an was comforting himself, whispering as he pulled out a jet-black token.

“Wait!”

In the air came Xia Nan’s voice.

Initially planning to leave with over a hundred gold coins, he abruptly halted.

The narrow-at-the-top widening-at-the-bottom token, seemingly etched with some antique symbol in Hai’an’s hand, instantly gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.

The distinctly classic style was something he had seen countless times in memory.

But the “memory” here was not from his current self.

But genuinely—

From his past life.