"So, is this what exposed you?" Lin Jun looked at the pendant taken from the Noble Knight and asked.

"That's the only possibility I can think of." Dylan shrugged, feeling a bit helpless.

When I first got it, I spent quite a while confirming it was an item that granted +4 Power, and it would be a pity to just throw it away.

However, since it's stolen goods, it wasn't convenient to wear it openly. I had to stash it in my bag, planning to have a Forging Master redesign its appearance on the way back.

Unexpectedly, this happened. It seems that Noble Knight is probably one of Clark's people.

Now, there's even less reason to throw it away. Dylan wrapped it up carefully, this time stashing it at the bottom of his luggage bag with a seal on it.

After sorting out his things, Dylan headed toward the harbor.

The group dabbling in Abyss Magic must have been taken care of, especially with the Sword Saint showing up. But after that, there would be guards conducting follow-up investigations.

So, originally, Dylan's inn was south of the harbor. After escaping last night, he took a big detour, now reaching the north side of the harbor to avoid running into guards.

As for the Sword Saint showing up in Clark, Dylan couldn't figure it out.

While it's true that the Sword Saint isn't like Duke Alama, who has a fixed territory, allowing more freedom to go wherever, he'd typically be active near the borders. So why come to a western port city?

Of course, this was just Dylan's casual speculation, as he knew that with his limited information, figuring it out was unlikely.

Dylan's focus was clearly different when it came to the Sword Saint.

During their brief encounter, Lin Jun noticed that the Sword Saint's panel showed things entirely different from ordinary people.

[Extreme Sword]

A skill very much in line with a Sword Saint's style.

But it had no level!

It was Lin Jun's first time seeing a skill without a level and couldn't determine what it specifically represented.

Is it a unique skill of the Sword Saint title?

Or is it the ultimate form of a skill beyond Level 10?

If possible, I would like to have a good talk with this Sword Saint, or at least see how strong this skill is.

Unfortunately, with Dylan and the Scout in their current situation, they can't even hide fast enough, let alone approach...

When Dylan arrived at the harbor, the eastern sky was just tinged with an oyster-shell gray.

A quick scan revealed only four regular-duty guards at the dock, seemingly unaffected by last night's events.

He quickly found a three-masted ship docked at the berth— the Wind Feather.

"Dylan, you're right on time," the one-eyed first mate stood guard under the ship, greeted Dylan.

A closer look would reveal a hint of translucent fish scales on his rough face, clearly indicating some diffuse Fishman blood in his ancestry.

"When is the ship departing?" Dylan asked, appearing casual before stepping onto the gangplank.

If possible, he hoped to leave immediately.

But the first mate just looked up to the sky, replying, "Noon."

There was nothing Dylan could do about it. He wasn't the only passenger; typically, departures were set for noon as a default, and the Wind Feather was no exception.

Fortunately, no unexpected situations arose. Once the passengers boarded, the Wind Feather retracted its gangplank just before noon, indicating everyone was on board.

After the ship left the dock, Dylan, who had been watching the rear, noticed a group of guards appearing on the dock, led by none other than the female Knight.

They approached every ship still berthed, presumably conducting inspections, but it had nothing to do with the Wind Feather, which had already set off.

With matters settled, Dylan breathed a sigh of relief.

The ship would pass several islands en route, including Dylan's destination, Silver Sand Bay, and should arrive in a month, barring any surprises.

During this time, Dylan planned to train his Combat Techniques, not necessarily to make much progress, but to regain some of the skills he once had.

"Found a good spot yet?" the boss suddenly asked.

"Huh? What spot?" Dylan couldn't grasp the boss's meaning.

"Your sunbathing spot!" the boss clarified. "I'm telling you, it's not just you who needs magic power, the Scout's magic power is running low too, and you'll have to supplement it!"

"The Scout too?" Dylan was puzzled, "How am I going to supplement the Scout?"

A backpack strap moved, connecting to Dylan's back just out of everyone's line of sight on the deck, instantly demonstrating "how to supplement" for him.

Feeling the magic power being sucked out of him, Dylan covered his face, already anticipating that he might end up without clothes in the days to come...

-----------------

Purple Crystal Dungeon Level 5, Venom Lake.

Lin Jun had long used this place as a feeding ground for Dragon Beast-Mirage.

These Mirages had been fed by Lin Jun for a long time, with their numbers steadily increasing.

They went from eating one fat otaku Puki loaded with mushrooms every other day to needing three in the past two days, or else they'd wander off to neighboring mushrooms due to hunger.

Evidently, the number had increased quickly, reaching the limit of what Venom Lake could hold, so it was time for a harvest.

However, they couldn't be directly killed in the lake, as collecting would be too troublesome.

Driving them out of the lake was also no easy task.

Puki's [Corrosion Resistance Level 5] was just sufficient for activities around the lake, but not for entering it.

As the saying goes, you raise a Black one thousand days, for a single use.

This was a time to make use of Xiao Hai!

Lured by Bright Crystal, Big Black Mushroom jumped straight to the bottom of the lake.

Despite its mimicry as Puki, Xiao Hai's weight, with its full set of Black Scales, was unmistakable— sinking straight to the bottom upon entering the water and unable to float, but that was perfect for this occasion.

"Xiao Hai, drive them out!"

Xiao Hai couldn't see its surroundings at the bottom of the lake, but it walked and stirred its arms in the center of the lake.

This had the desired effect; the Mirages in the lake had been startled, emerging one by one onto the shore.

Waiting at the shore, the Pukis armed with [Corrosion Resistance Level 5] rolled up and slammed the Mirages to death.

The Mirages had scale armor, making it difficult to inflict sufficient damage through cutting, while the Mushroom Cannon would shatter them too much. Though primitive, the method of slamming them was effective.

The Mirages were numerous— it took a full half-hour before the Pukis managed to smash 300 of them to death.

Xiao Hai, meanwhile, had long emerged from the lake and was rolling in a mushroom field to rid itself of the lake's stench.

Yet, when a ruby rolled by one of the Pukis landed in front of Xiao Hai, it stopped rolling immediately.

Unfazed by its lingering stench, it grasped the ruby and dashed toward the Mushroom House.

The aggressive demeanor startled a group of passing adventurers, who spontaneously split in three directions. One unfortunate fellow was "chased" for quite a distance, only to be overtaken by Xiao Hai with a heaving breath.

This time, Lin Jun truly paid a wage.

The ruby wasn't a piece of magic material but merely a pure gemstone, and its only real use was to be traded for gold coins. However, Lin Jun didn't particularly need gold coins, so gifting it for Xiao Hai's collection was perfect.

Lin Jun threw all the Mirages into the Swamp Area.

Though their level wasn't high, their numbers were ample— ample enough to raise [Scale Armor] to Level 6.

Naturally, Lin Jun didn't eliminate all the Mirages, leaving about a hundred in the lake. Given their reproductive speed, with a healthy mushroom diet, they'd repopulate within a few months.

Once Lin Jun finished handling the Mirages, another priority area sent a signal— Norris had awakened!

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