Chapter 1295: Sulfur Dragon Breath (Part 2)

The team configuration is somewhat lacking, and the number of people is relatively small, otherwise it could already be called an elite team.

Their team name is “Sulfur Dragon Breath.”

Like the previously encountered “Sword of Vengeance,” it is named after the external title of the team’s captain.

It is said to be quite well-known among adventurers in Anlun Province, but Xia Nan had never heard of it until Tal introduced him.

Moreover, for some unknown reason,

the core captain of this “Sulfur Dragon Breath” is not present in the team for some reason, and it’s unknown where they’ve gone.

As a result, the “Sulfur Dragon Breath,” which only has three members left and cannot meet the Banshee mission requirements, had no choice but to form a temporary team with Xia Nan and Tal, arranged by the military reception staff, and head to the destination together.

“Bang!”

A gigantic iron hammer heavily landed on the ground, smashing the last goblin on the field into pulp.

The half-orc warrior spat on the ground excitedly, his scorching breath turning into two visible white mists in the cold air.

Without any intention of cleaning or maintaining, he picked up the dirty, blood-covered Heavy Hammer from the ground and slung it over his shoulder.

“These damned little things have no vision at all, daring to provoke me!”

“If Captain Gretchen were here, she would have led us to clear out all these green-skinned nests directly!”

“Why bother with these green-skinned rats? Let’s finish the mission first,” Minstrel Uriah chimed in, inviting the half-orc to sit by the campfire.

Seemingly picking up on the half-orc’s anxiety, he added,

“Don’t worry, Captain Gretchen will be fine. By the time we finish this task, she might already be waiting for us at Blood Castle.”

“I know…” The half-orc muttered with his head down, his face visibly agitated.

Meanwhile, the half-elf wanderer sat silently, cleaning the blood off his dagger alone, under the shade of an oak tree.

At first glance, there seems to be nothing special here.

It’s just an adventurer team that has recently lost its captain and is currently in a downcast state.

But when you add in Xia Nan’s group, who had just helped them fend off the goblin camp attack yet sit on the other side of the campfire without any interaction, as if invisible to the others.

The atmosphere in the air… becomes somewhat delicate.

Although no visible conflicts have occurred yet, the relationship between the two sides is not harmonious.

From the “Sulfur Dragon Breath” team’s perspective, if their captain had been present, they would have just the right four people to meet the mission requirements.

However, they are now forced to cooperate with unfamiliar adventurers, which significantly reduces the mission rewards each can obtain.

Due to distrust of the unfamiliar adventurers and the reduced anticipated rewards, they naturally don’t show Xia Nan and his companions any friendly faces.

From Xia Nan’s own position, the transition from benefiting fully as a “Lone Wolf” to evenly splitting rewards in a team mode clearly hinders his plans to increase contribution levels and exchange for the [Chain of Conquest].

With some emotions stirred, seeing these temporary teammates behave as they do, he naturally won’t flatter them gratuitously.

Fanny only has eyes for Xia Nan, no need to say more.

Ranger Tal, experienced in dealing with people, knows when to do the right thing and stands firmly on Xia Nan’s side.

In this situation, despite camping in the same area, the pair and a wolf are subtly divided into two camps against the three adventurers across.

“Gurgle gurgle…”

Tiny bubbles gradually rise to the surface.

Not yet fully boiling but already warm.

Xia Nan removed the metal kettle from the campfire, tilted it to pour out some of the melted snow water, and felt the temperature with his hand.

With a Perception Attribute as high as “14,” he can detect enemies faster in battle and utilize its convenience in daily life.

The campfire-heated snow water is perfectly warm and pleasantly soothing.

He retrieved a piece of gauze from his waist pouch, wetting it with the warm water.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Xia Nan gently patted his thigh.

Fanny, originally sitting quietly beside him, let out a whimper before gracefully lying across his legs.

Constrained by her wolf-shaped body structure, the Winter Wolf Fenney, despite her formidable combat prowess and intelligence.

Cleaning her body after battle poses quite a challenge.

Especially when dealing with the thick, viscous blood that easily dries and leaves prominent stains.

The pure white fur is a natural camouflage for a Winter Wolf on the snowy plains, always cleaning each other’s bloodstains after hunting and feeding.

Fanny doesn’t need to hunt outside now that she’s with Xia Nan, but her wolf instincts still make the bloodstains bothersome and uncomfortable.

Sensing her emotions acutely.

Being instructed by Frogon to take care of the clingy little wolf, Xia Nan, who never refuses other people’s friendliness, naturally wouldn’t let her remain dirty.

Letting Fanny rest on his lap, Xia Nan gently stroked her head and back while using the warm, wet gauze to clean her bloodstained fur.

“How far to the destination?”

Without turning his head, Xia Nan asked Tal, warming himself by the fire next to him.

“By noon tomorrow at the latest, we should be there, Mr. Xia Nan.”

The Bald Ranger had just confirmed their location on the map before setting up camp.

Nodding slightly, before he could respond.

A voice came from the “Sulfur Dragon Breath” team’s direction across the campfire.

“Perhaps… we can head out earlier tomorrow?”

“If all goes well, we could avoid staying there overnight, completing the task and setting off back to the fortress the same day.”

Speaking was Uriah, the temporary captain for “Sulfur Dragon Breath,” a slender human Minstrel.

Despite the delicate atmosphere, no real conflicts have occurred. It’s just that they generally don’t interact.

Besides, this mission’s target is a Banshee with a Challenge Level of lv4.

Even with thorough preparations, there’s no guarantee it’ll be dealt with easily.

The addition of two more professionals will certainly ease the difficulty of the fight significantly.

As they approach the destination, knowing delays can’t go on, Uriah, the interim leader despite being filled with anxiety from their captain’s disappearance and a lack of interest in fostering relationships due to the disturbance.

Nevertheless, he forced a stiff smile and took the initiative to speak, trying to improve relations with Xia Nan’s group.

In response, since the other party expressed goodwill, Xia Nan wasn’t about to feign aloofness.

Raising his gaze to the Minstrel across the campfire, he nodded and replied,

“Alright.”

You could see, the moment Xia Nan nodded in response,

there wasn’t much change from half-orc Gangke, who remained distressed, grilling meat skewer.

But the half-elf wanderer Tree Creek, sitting in the shadows, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief quietly.

Being professionals and seasoned adventurers, they wouldn’t foolishly take lightly someone well-equipped like Xia Nan with a Winter Wolf companion.

In some ways, even the straightforward half-orc Gangke has maintained composure during their time here, avoiding provoking the opposite group.

If Captain Gretchen were still with them, she’d have befriended them the day they first met.

There wouldn’t be this prolonged tension before trying to mend relations.

Truth be told, if Uriah hadn’t acted before resting tonight,

even though Tree Creek isn’t skilled in socializing, by morning cleanup they’d likely attempt something to see if relations with Xia Nan could improve ahead of the task.