"Boss, do we really have to do this?"

Dylan's inquiry was filled with embarrassment and discomfort.

"Nonsense, this is a long journey.

If you don't do this, how many potions will you have to carry?

On land, you can replenish supplies along the way, but once you're on the boat, do you plan to bring a whole box of potions on board?"

Right now, Dylan had stowed his clothes and pants in his luggage.

He was riding on the horse wearing only a pair of shorts.

According to the boss, this was called maximizing solar energy absorption.

But,

with just half a day's journey to Novid, it would be too embarrassing if he ran into someone...

As the saying goes, the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.

Just before the sun set and Dylan could put his clothes back on,

naked Dylan encountered four strangers, though the situation was slightly different from what he imagined.

Simply put, three guys dressed very much like bandits were doing something very much like banditry—robbing a man who looked like a traveling merchant.

Even though the merchant was on horseback, he was forced to the edge of a dirt slope by the three, with no way out.

The bandits seemed not to want to hurt the horse, hence they hadn't yet dragged the merchant down.

Dylan's arrival naturally caught the attention of the bandits, but all three just silently assumed defensive postures.

No one stepped forward to threaten him, nor did they intend to rob him too.

These three hadn't even reached Silver Level, only capable of robbing ordinary people, low-level bandits.

They naturally choose their targets with caution.

Dylan, with his strange appearance, didn't seem nervous upon seeing them.

If they could avoid provoking him, they would rather not.

Dylan touched the longsword hanging on the horse, then gently turned the horse's head, bypassing the group.

"Uh, aren't you going to help him?"

"Boss, I have a journey to complete; I can't meddle in everything!" Dylan said as if it was obvious.

"Dylan..."

"Hmm?"

"Has anyone ever told you you're a bit of a double standard?"

...

"Sir! Help me, I'm willing to offer 2 gold coins!" The merchant suddenly shouted to Dylan for help.

"Shut up!"

A bandit, clearly panicked, raised a notched iron sword and slashed, not caring if it would hurt the horse.

As he swung, the bandit caught a glimpse of blue from the corner of his eye, hesitating for a split second.

The next second, an ice cone grazed past his nose.

Everyone looked at the naked figure on the horse, especially at the ring in his hand that hadn't yet fully dissipated its blue glow.

"Skills... Equipment..."

They couldn't afford to provoke someone with skill equipment.

"Friend, no need to fight; we'll leave right away."

Seeing that Dylan didn't seem to intend further attacks, the three bandits backed away slowly, facing Dylan.

Only after retreating to a safe distance did they turn and flee.

Dylan felt he acted on impulse.

Without any armor, all he had on was this ring and his shorts.

Initially, he decided not to interfere.

After all, he wasn't really short of 2 gold coins right now.

But those damned muscle memories.

Having gone through so much effort just to earn a few silver coins in the past, the prospect of earning 2 gold coins with almost no effort was tempting.

Sigh!

"Thank you for saving my life, I'm really grateful."

The merchant rode over on his horse, nodding vigorously in thanks, while Dylan just held out his hand.

If this guy dared to skip out on the payment, Dylan would take everything like a bandit.

Luckily, the merchant had no plans of reneging.

"Oh yes, here you go." Soon two gold coins were handed to Dylan.

Neither of them noticed that as the merchant approached, the strap on the bag hanging off the horse's rear had slightly lifted, ready to slip out at any moment.

Dylan took the money and, looking at the still-thanking merchant, casually warned:

"Next time, don't skimp on hiring guards. The more you skimp, the more you'll lose, and sooner or later you'll lose your life too."

"Yes, yes, you're right." It was obvious the merchant felt a bit embarrassed about it himself.

Having collected the money, Dylan was about to set off, but he didn't expect the merchant to follow.

"Sir, may I accompany you to Novid?"

"Weren't you coming from Novid?"

Seeing Dylan's slightly disdainful look, the merchant promptly offered another twenty silver coins.

"I've just realized how dangerous the road is, so I want to return to Novid and hire two guards before setting out again."

Dylan wasn't short of this bit of money, but having just accepted 2 gold coins, he'd feel a bit heartless to turn the man away immediately.

It's only half a day's journey anyway...

"Alright then."

Dylan reluctantly accepted the silver coins.

Seeing this, the merchant's smile became even more genuine.

As the sky darkened, Dylan didn't plan to continue traveling.

He dressed, found a spot without cover around it, and lit a campfire.

He chose not to travel overnight, not because of the additional merchant.

Firstly, he didn't have night vision ability; even in the Underground City, he relied on the boss's fluorescence for light.

Secondly, the horse also needed rest.

Under the threefold moonlight, the two sat on opposite ends of the campfire.

Dylan tossed some jerky into an iron cup, boiled it into a small half-cup of meat broth for dinner.

Amid the clinking of metal, the merchant suddenly spoke, "Sir, I haven't asked your name yet. I'm Anthony Neil."

"Just call me Dylan."

Dylan was slightly cold, given that they were only "companions" for a half-day journey, there wasn't much need to invest energy into friendship.

The merchant seemed slightly disappointed but didn't force the conversation.

He simply unscrewed a flask at his waist and took a few swigs from it.

Once Dylan had finished his meat broth, the two went to sleep.

Dylan indeed didn't need to be on guard, he had a scout, and a bunch of detection skills were more useful than his eyes.

The scout, transformed into a backpack, was hanging on a branch, keeping watch over everything around.

Especially this "merchant."

[Name: Keroro]

[Race: Shapeshifter]

[Level: Level 36]

[Racial Talent: Shapeshifting (freely change appearance, can mimic humanoid beings, including specific individual appearance, voice, scent, etc.)]

A shapeshifter, should be counted under the Demon Race...

With such a racial talent, it's equivalent to being born with an enhanced version of Mimicry.

The human territory is truly full of stars.

Within just three days' journey, there was a rogue knight, bandits, and a shapeshifter.

Dylan thought he saved the merchant, but Lin Jun believed, he probably saved those three bandits instead.

This shapeshifter surely planned to kill the bandits at first, and he could certainly do it.

Yet, upon seeing Dylan, he changed his mind.

This guy isn't the harmless type; his panel contains many attack skills, and Dylan is not assured of defeating him.

It's just that it's unclear what this fellow intends by approaching Dylan.

Lin Jun hadn't yet told Dylan the merchant's true identity.

After all, if Dylan walked around constantly on guard, it wouldn't look good.

In the end, it's only Level 36; keeping an eye on him shouldn't provide him any real chance to harm Dylan.

Let's see what tricks he's planning to pull!

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