The Cornflower Witch Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Adventurer of Brute Force

After settling down in Burntstone City, Talil took Hylial to visit her sister Winnie’s residence.

“Grandpa said to ask Sister to find me a job in Burntstone City, otherwise, playing with the village idiots all day will make me an idiot too,” Talil complained softly as they walked. This was also why she followed Hylial to Burntstone City.

Hearing this, Hylial couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What kind of job does Sister Winnie do in the city now?”

“Her? I don’t know, but I know my brother-in-law works at the ‘Oak Barrel’ Merchant Association, something about accounting.”

“Villagers earning 3 silver coins a month is considered a lot, but my brother-in-law gets 6 silver coins at the association, which is excellent pay.”

“My sister’s job changes frequently. Sometimes she’s a tutor for young children, and sometimes she’s a front desk attendant.”

“A front desk attendant earns about 3.5 silver coins a month, while a tutor earns much more, up to 5 silver coins a month at peak times.”

Talil introduced Hylial to the situation in Burntstone City. Ordinary laborers here could earn about 3 silver coins a month, but it was hard work and less leisurely than village life. Better jobs, such as waitstaff, front desk, or store clerks, paid 3.5-4 silver coins, but usually required youth, literacy, and a presentable appearance.

The two walked along the main road of the East District, where the streets were relatively clean, and there were many shops. They saw clothing tailor shops, pottery shops, furniture shops, oil presses, and places selling weapons and armor, which were rare in villages and towns, right next to the Adventurers’ Guild.

Compared to other shops, the Adventurers’ Guild obviously had a large crowd, with many people coming and going. They saw many people carrying weapons and equipment, and a few of them were physically robust. Hylial could feel the phase power emanating from them.

Name: Unknown

Race: Human (Mortal Body)

Status: Healthy (Minor hidden injuries)

Talent:

Robust [Good]: You easily grow strong muscles, provided you have enough nutrition. This talent will increase your appetite.

Fate Card: [Man of Brute Force] (Tier 1 – Blood Law); Within a light red border, a physically strong man stands tall and proud, showing off his well-defined muscles.

‘Through breathing technique training and the activation of the Blood Law phase, your physique grows stronger day by day. The brute force brought by these muscles is genuine.’

Effect:

[Brute Force Lv.2]: Increases your base strength. Even without using any special abilities or techniques, you possess more than twice the strength of an ordinary person, allowing you to use heavier weapons and thicker armor.

Ability Card:

[Breathing Technique Lv.2] (Blood Law): Regulates the blood flow rate through breathing, enhancing and strengthening the body’s overall strength and reaction speed. This ability places a load on the heart and body and cannot be used for extended periods (recommended not to exceed 3 minutes/day).

[Crimson Muscles Lv.1] (Blood Law): Activates the characteristics of the ‘Blood Law’ phase, causing your muscles to swell rapidly and temporarily gaining a strength boost. (Recommended not to exceed 2 times/day).

————

A passing strong man and his companions walked into the Adventurers’ Guild hall, laughing and talking. The ‘Blood Law’ phase power emanating from him was so prominent that Hylial couldn’t help but notice.

Seeing Hylial’s gaze on the strong man in the distance, Talil also shifted her gaze.

“He’s a badge adventurer,” she said, seeing the crossed swords copper badge pinned to his armor.

“They are adventurers recognized by the Adventurers’ Guild for their strength, and some quests can only be taken by them.”

The girl nodded, and then the two continued their journey.

After they left, the robust adventurer and his companions walked into the Adventurers’ Guild hall, and a young man behind them excitedly spoke up.

“Brother Jero, how much bounty will we get this time?”

“Hahaha, at least 60 silver, don’t worry, you’ll get your share.” He clapped the young man on the shoulder with his large hand.

“Mick, you performed exceptionally well this time. Study hard, and you’ll be like me someday, haha.” He let out a hearty laugh of encouragement, and his other companions also laughed. Some teased the young man who had just started, while others quietly encouraged him.

“Of course, I’m going to make a lot of money,” young Mick rubbed his nose, full of ambition.

“I’m a once-in-a-century genius in our village. I learned the breathing technique at sixteen, and my swordsmanship is unrivaled.” Indeed, with such strength, it was no wonder he had high aspirations.

“I was also in my twenties when I suddenly comprehended the breathing technique,” Jero said with some emotion, recalling some old memories.

“Never mind, let’s not talk about the past. Today, let’s drink well and eat some meat.” The group walked towards the Adventurers’ Guild’s front desk, pulling out the cloth bags from their backs and opening them. Inside were wolf heads, including a huge red-furred wolf head with a broken jaw.

Such an action immediately attracted the attention of others in the Adventurers’ Guild.

“Wow, a red wolf’s head, this is a Tier 1 Blazing Sun red wolf!” Someone immediately recognized the wolf’s origin.

“The other Tee wolf heads are also of good quality and should fetch a good amount of silver coins.”

“The red wolf’s fur is even more valuable, many nobles would buy it. I wonder where they put it, looks like they didn’t bring it or hid it.”

“They are experienced adventurers, they definitely wouldn’t easily take it out.”

“Who’s the leader? He looks very strong, and the blood aura emanating from him is also very heavy.”

“That’s Jero, you don’t even know him? He’s a very famous adventurer in Burntstone City. It’s said that few people can beat him.”

“Is he that strong? How does he compare to Lord Soran?”

“That’s incomparable. Lord Soran is the captain of the Burntstone City Guard, enfeoffed by Viscount Xuefeng. His strength is already Tier 2 in the ‘Castle’ phase.” The person answering shook his head.

“If he hadn’t been enfeoffed, Lord Soran’s strength would drop to Tier 1, and Jero would have a slight chance.”

“The foundation of nobles is not something ordinary people can contend with.”

As these people discussed, Jero’s companions also smiled proudly, posing for some young girls in the hall.

“Hey, we’ve got some fun tonight,” one of them said, hooking an arm around a companion’s shoulder and smiling.

“Of course, after putting so much effort into completing the bounty, it’s all for a few days of fun, haha.”

Ten minutes later, after the calculations and registration were completed, the front desk lady brought out 64 silver coins and placed them on the table.

“The bounty for a Tier 1 Red Wolf head is 50 silver, and the other 31 Tee wolf heads are worth 14 silver based on their quality. If you still have the red wolf’s fur, the guild will also buy it at a high price.”

“How much is a high price?” Jero stroked his chin.

“About 60 silver,” the front desk lady replied after a moment of thought.

ωωω ▪ttk an ▪C〇

Jero blew on his fingertips and nodded slightly, “That’s quite fair, but you asked too late. Someone has already reserved the fur, and they offered 80 silver.”

“I won’t say who it is, and I don’t think you need to inquire, do you?”

“That’s a shame. Please consider the guild next time you hunt a red wolf,” the front desk lady politely responded, not pressing the issue.

In response, Jero just nodded playfully, winking at the attractive front desk lady. “How about we have a drink tonight?”

Facing such an invitation, the front desk lady in her brown and white uniform smiled professionally and waved her hand.

“Sorry, I don’t go out much at night.”

“That’s truly uninteresting,” the man said in a melancholic tone, mimicking a bard.

Then, he picked up the money bag and turned to greet his long-waiting companions: “Alright, brothers, tonight we’re going to the Blood Pig Tavern! Drink heavily, make a ruckus, hahaha!”

“Oh~”

“Jero, you’re the best captain I’ve ever met!”

“Brother Jero!”

“We’ll follow you in the future too.”

“Good brothers.”

“Let’s go, go, go!”

The group left the Adventurers’ Guild amidst the envious gazes of those around them. At this point, many people gathered at the front desk, carefully examining the wolf heads submitted as bounty.

“It’s a red wolf, one eye was cut out, and its jaw is also injured, but it doesn’t seem to be fatal…”

The crowd slowly analyzed the situation, and the excitement in the Adventurers’ Guild continued late into the night.