Goblin Dependency

Xia Nan had an ordinary impression of the man with the goatee named "Flynn".

Limited by one’s own senses, before obtaining detailed insights, people often gauge a stranger through various aspects such as the other person’s appearance, attire, demeanor, and gestural expressions from a visual perspective, or linguistic expression from an auditory perspective, forming an initial impression in their mind.

Honestly, regarding this point, it might be a natural trait of his personality or perhaps deliberately cultivated.

Flynn’s public persona was meticulously crafted.

A form-fitting and luxurious suit made of high-quality fabric, a skillfully groomed and trimmed goatee, a friendly smile, and the deliberate act of placing himself in a low-status with his tone...

To ordinary people in this world, and many inexperienced low-level adventurers, sometimes just a few words are enough to create a favorable impression of him.

But if the person speaking with Flynn were someone like Xia Nan, who’s perceptively sharp and possesses some experience in dealing with matters.

He can only sense an inexplicable oddity.

Like a skillful method actor, Flynn even designs his body movements and postural details during conversation flawlessly, leaving no trace of imperfection.

Yet this "perfect" state, which is impossible in ordinary exchanges, makes his mannerisms look particularly jarring in Xia Nan’s eyes.

Within just a few brief words, vigilance quietly arose in his heart.

Of course, another reason is that Flynn distinctly expressed his identity - as the subordinate of "Algae Scale" Dodd.

If the search plan for the Dream Weaving Corridor key doesn’t go smoothly, there’s a high chance they might stand in opposition, this Xia Nan is acutely aware of.

However, since things haven’t reached that stage yet, he, being always cautious, wouldn’t sever ties with the other.

Nor would he get too close, merely showing a clear indifference aligned with his cold persona to the outside world, dealing with Flynn’s rhetoric.

Seeing Xia Nan’s lack of interest, Flynn adeptly concluded the topic and began to attend to other adventurers submitting their catch.

The three-hour limit of the event swiftly came to an end.

When Flynn stood at the fishing ground’s entrance and loudly announced the end of the first activity, many adventurers still desperately fishing suddenly lamented.

"Wait, I’m just one fish short!"

"Just two more minutes, two minutes are all I need!"

"Damn, why can’t these few fish amount to one gold coin?"

As the person in charge, hosting the event, Flynn obviously was experienced in dealing with adventurers.

Showing no mercy, he decisively announced the time’s cessation and the completion of the activity.

Even if there were unreasonable adventurers trying to stir trouble, he would merely need to use rhetoric like "extending time is unfair to adventurers who’ve already completed the task" or "the prizes for the draw are inherently limited", shifting the conflict from the adventurers to the event organizers to the adventurers who have completed the task, resolving everything swiftly.

Indeed, Flynn did exactly so.

As for the outcome, it’s extremely effective.

After all, those who met the one gold coin value requirement within the stipulated time are either exceptionally lucky or possess solid fishing techniques, and many adventurers, like Xia Nan, achieved it through unconventional means using their own strength.

Additionally, some directly leveraged their advantage in numbers and strength to seize fishing spots or even the catch.

In terms of average strength, those adventurers who completed the task within the stipulated time are undeniably stronger.

Upholding the law of the jungle where the weak are preyed upon, adventurers facing those with higher professional levels and stronger combat abilities among seasoned peers, despite any internal resentment, can only swallow their pride and not dare to stir trouble.

Once the scene calmed down, Flynn’s face retained an amicable, friendly smile as if everything prior had nothing to do with him.

He began to introduce the rules of the next activity.

"First, congratulations to everyone on meeting the requirements for the first project."

"Now, everyone can rest for a while, have lunch or a couple of drinks."

"At one o’clock in the afternoon, in the central square of Stodd Island, we..."

...

...

Originally, just a carnival activity to celebrate the Moon Tide Banquet alongside the festival, except for a single unlucky adventurer dragged underwater by a Fishman, there weren’t many dangerous types within the event.

The intervals between projects weren’t overly tight, allowing ample rest time for adventurers participating in the event.

Now, with the three-hour fishing competition ending, it’s nearing noon, and adventurers sitting in the sun for such a long time were quite sunburned.

Upon hearing that the second project would wait until the afternoon, they all began to head to restaurants and taverns near the square to eat and rest.

Xia Nan and the others were no exception.

But upon comparison to their arrival, the intelligence sub-team of Sword of Vengeance had another member.

Ellison came to Stodd Island alone privately, seeing him without companions, Xia Nan, having consulted with his teammates, temporarily included him in the small team to act together.

Thinking that once today’s event is completely over, he might be able to let Ellison meet his sister Lorin, if collaboration could be achieved, it would also increase the chances of success for the upcoming banquet’s actions against Algae Scale.