The commission entailed escorting an envoy from the Adventurers’ Guild to Yu City, with the task commencing at noon that very day, roughly half an hour from now.
With time pressing, You’er dared not delay, striding briskly across the smooth floor towards the East Gate.
“The Adventurers’ Guild envoy is about to depart; all idlers, please stand aside. Furthermore, adventurers who have accepted the escort commission are requested to report here!”
Just as You’er emerged from the East Gate, he spotted the assembled crowd beneath the city walls in the distance, a sight that brought a sigh of relief. He joined the long queue for inspection, and when his turn arrived, he handed over both his commission slip and his certification.
“Hmm? A newcomer who hasn’t even officially become an adventurer yet?” The one conducting the inspection was a Silver-rank adventurer, of medium-tall build with a resolute face and a formidable aura, likely having already reached the level of a Great Swordsman. After reviewing You’er’s information, he furrowed his brows. “Yu City isn’t far from here, so this escort mission itself isn’t particularly difficult, but are you aware of the major incident that has recently occurred within Yu City?”
“I am aware, and I appreciate your warning, Senior, but I have a compelling reason to go.” You’er nodded slightly, speaking with a polite and respectful tone.
You’er could sense that the Silver-rank adventurer before him wasn’t looking down on him, but rather offering counsel from the perspective of an experienced senior.
“If that is the case, I will not stop you. However, remember this: we are adventurers, and adventurers possess their own honor. As long as we draw breath, we must not allow our client to suffer the slightest harm!” The Silver-rank adventurer declared with a solemn expression.
‘The honor of an adventurer, huh…’ You’er clasped his fists in gratitude. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”
“It’s a bit strange to keep calling me Senior. My name is Tilu, and if you don’t mind, young lady, you can just call me Uncle Tilu.” Tilu waved a hand, chuckling. “I happen to have a son myself, only a few years younger than you.”
“Uncle Tilu, there’s something I’d like to correct. I’m not a girl—”
You’er began with a wry smile, but before he could finish, he was interrupted by a distinctly youthful boy’s voice.
“Dad, Dad, when are we leaving?”
A boy came bouncing over, tugging at Tilu’s sleeve with his question. Without waiting for Tilu’s reply, his gaze shifted to You’er, and a flush spread across his innocent young face as he exclaimed in surprise, “Wow~~ It’s that super, super pretty big sister!”
You’er was speechless.
You’er was left speechless; he hadn’t expected to encounter this boy again, and for the second time, the boy had utterly flustered him.
“Haha, this is my son, Timobi, a mischievous little rascal who never gives me a moment’s peace. You can call him Little Ti.” As Tilu ruffled Timobi’s hair, the taut lines on his face seemed to soften considerably, radiating the warmth of a father.
“Dad, that’s unfair! Little Ti is always very obedient, okay?” Hearing his father speak ill of him, Timobi immediately retorted, then secretly glanced at You’er.
“Alright, you, go wait over there. Your dad doesn’t have time to chat with you right now.” Tilu gave Timobi a pat that sent him away, then turned to You’er. “It’s almost time to depart, so I need to pick up the pace. Young lady, could I trouble you to keep an eye on this fellow for me, so he doesn’t cause trouble everywhere?”
“Of course, Uncle Tilu, please go ahead with your preparations.” You’er nodded, then waved at Timobi. “Come here, Big Sister will take you to play.”
Wait…
The moment the words left You’er’s mouth, he felt that something was amiss.
‘Damn it, I actually got caught up in this father-son duo’s antics. ‘Big Sister’? Big Sister my foot!’
“Yay! Yay!~~”
Timobi, who had run over, was utterly delighted.
“Big Sister, what’s your name?”
“You’er.”
“Big Sister You’er!”
“It’s not ‘You’er’ as in ‘child,’ it’s ‘You’er’! And don’t call me ‘Big Sister’; I’m not a girl!”
“Okay, Big Sister You’er! Where are we going to play, Big Sister You’er? Big Sister You’er, why aren’t you talking, Big Sister You’er?”
You’er was speechless.
You’er was truly experiencing firsthand the difficulty of dealing with children, especially a half-grown boy like this one. He felt a headache coming on, and every ‘Big Sister You’er’ made goosebumps erupt all over his body.
You’er almost wanted to take off his clothes and show the boy, then tell him righteously, ‘Have you ever seen a “big sister” with the same things on her body as you?’
Of course, such thoughts were quickly dismissed. With his current appearance, You’er couldn’t abandon his sense of shame. If Timobi insisted on calling him ‘Big Sister,’ then so be it. After all, he had been treated like a girl by the villagers his entire life; one more time wouldn’t make a difference.
You’er thought, resignedly.
****
Soon, it was time for departure. A total of sixteen adventurers, including You’er, had accepted the commission. After careful consideration, Tilu divided everyone into pairs, arranging them in a tight, impenetrable formation around the central carriage carrying the Guild envoy.
To look after You’er, the newcomer, Tilu assigned him to his own group. They each rode a horse at the front of the procession, while Timobi sat with the coachman on the carriage’s front board.
Once in mission mode, the adventurers were quite serious, their attention entirely focused on their surroundings. Few exchanged whispers, with the obvious exception of Timobi, who constantly gazed about with curious eyes, occasionally peppering Tilu and You’er with strange questions.
They were escorting people, not precious goods, so there was no need to worry about encountering bandits. The primary concern for this journey was the potential appearance of magical beasts along the way. Goblins were particularly active in this region, but they were not formidable creatures. With Tilu, a Silver-rank adventurer, leading the charge, the likelihood of any mishaps was exceedingly slim.
Originally, this commission was only D-rank difficulty. However, due to the major incident in Yu City, few were willing to undertake it, prompting an increase in difficulty and reward.
The estimated journey was a day and a half, with an expected arrival in Yu City by the evening of the second day, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
After traveling for about two hours, You’er encountered the legendary Goblins for the first time. They were diminutive, barely a meter tall, with greasy green skin and protruding bellies—undeniably hideous creatures.
These particular ones were known as Green Goblins, or Imp Goblins. Their combat prowess was probably inferior to that of an ordinary adult man, yet their numbers were vast. A small tribe typically comprised dozens to a hundred, while a medium tribe could boast hundreds, even thousands.
Such Goblins thrived along the borders of the Eastern Empire, with countless tribes of varying sizes.
The Imp Goblins shrieked “Wa-ooh! Wa-ooh!” as they brandished stone clubs and knives, encircling the escort party.
This was likely a small Goblin tribe, numbering nearly a hundred, which indeed presented a slight advantage when compared to the escort party of fewer than twenty individuals.
However, almost none of the adventurers present showed any alarm. As Bronze-rank adventurers, they could easily handle such weak, Iron-rank magical beasts; even a greater number would pose no real threat.
Without needing any rallying from Tilu, they effortlessly struck down each charging Imp Goblin, then finished them off with decisive blows.
“Young lady You’er, please keep an eye on Little Ti for me. I’ll go ahead and clear the path.”
“I’m not a… never mind. I’ll protect Little Ti. Please be careful yourself, Uncle Tilu.”
Seeing You’er nod, Tilu dismounted and drew the greatsword that had been strapped to his horse’s back.
It was a knight’s sword, exquisitely crafted, its intricate patterns clearly visible on the blade. As it left its sheath, it carried a dazzling glint of cold light, even seeming to be wreathed in swirling winds.
The moment Tilu grasped the sword, his entire aura became incredibly sharp. To You’er, he no longer felt like a man, but rather a sword itself.
‘Man is sword, sword is man! This is the Sword Intent!’
Tilu’s strength was absolutely absurd!
You’er had initially assumed Tilu was just an ordinary adventurer, and even if he had reached the Great Swordsman rank, he wouldn’t be exceptionally powerful.
After all, You’er had once slain a Great Swordsman, but that Great Swordsman, if faced with the Tilu before him now, would likely not have lasted even a single exchange!
Tilu had not only comprehended Sword Intent, but he was also a Great Swordsman at the absolute peak, likely not far from becoming a Sword Master!
Tilu assumed his stance, raised his sword, lowered his body, and stomped his foot, cracking the ground beneath him. While shattered stones still flew, his figure had already appeared ten meters ahead. Amidst the utterly terrified gazes of the Goblins blocking his path, he raised his arm and swung his sword.
“Hmph!”
Boom!
Surging currents, violent wind pressure, a raging tornado…
Dozens of Imp Goblins, along with the very patches of yellow earth beneath their feet, were instantly swept into the sky, disintegrating into dust.
This scene left many adventurers dumbfounded, their eyes wide with shock. Only Timobi cheered with his innocent childlike voice.
“Dad is mighty!”