Goblin Heavy Dependence

Chapter 395 Oysters and Three-Legged Sea Seals

"Algae Scales" Dode?
Xia Nan pondered the name, which carried a somewhat adventurous and rough-and-tumble air, but couldn't recall any related impressions. It was clearly a local figure from Suoyu Bay.

The middle-aged man in charge of intelligence work at the front also explained to him at the right time:

"'Algae Scale' Dodd, a dragonborn adventurer from Barracuda Bay, plundered a royal cargo ship of the Kingdom of Servia during a mission. After being wanted with a bounty, he led his fleet into hiding in the southern islands and is now a notorious pirate in the surrounding waters."

Although adventurers in different regions have their own ecosystems and unspoken rules, to some extent, they also share certain commonalities in their behavior due to their extraordinary powers that far exceed those of ordinary civilians and the local lack of regulatory systems.

Just like those low-level adventurers in River Valley Town, at home they might be respectable fathers who are the economic pillars, or hardworking husbands who work outside, and at the tavern they might be humorous and witty adventurer companions at the next table.
But in the unsupervised wilderness and dense forests, they became, to the villagers in those remote settlements, vicious and cruel robbers and ruthless executioners.

The same applies to the adventurers in Barracuda Bay.

On this vast and boundless sea filled with chaos and violence, the line between "adventurers" and so-called "pirates" has become incredibly blurred.

When faced with a cargo ship they happen to encounter on their return journey, most adventurer fleets don't mind raising the skull and crossbones flag, which they usually keep hidden in the hold, on the mast, playing the role of pirates, and doing some dirty work of plunder.

—Of course, this is on the premise that the cargo ship does not belong to the Kingdom of Servia or the Gulf Merchant Guild.

No one knows why "Algae Scale" Dodd, who had already made a name for himself among the local adventurers, would attack the kingdom's cargo ship at the cost of being wanted by the kingdom, banned from entering Barracuda Bay, and forced to hide deep in the archipelago like a shelled hermit crab.

No one knows what the other side stole from the ship.

Today, he has transformed from a rising star among adventurers in Barracuda Bay into a notorious pirate in the surrounding waters.

"There is far less information about the direct descendant of the Morton family than about Dodd. All that is known is that he was once an adventurer, but his adventure team seemed to have been severely damaged in a mission and almost disbanded. He chose to retire and settle in Barracuda Bay, where he encountered 'Algae Scale' Dodd on a voyage and then disappeared."

Across the table, the intelligence officer explained detailed information about Dodd and Lelo Morton to Xia Nan.

With a calm expression, Xia Nan processed the information he had obtained from the other party.

The actual situation is already very clear.

His target was the key to the Dream Corridor that Lylo Morton might be carrying. Now that Lylo Morton had been attacked by pirates and his whereabouts were unknown, there were only three possibilities regarding the key's whereabouts:

1. The key was hidden by Lelo Morton beforehand, and now it lies quietly in some unknown, secret corner because of his death;
2. The key sank into the sea with Lelo. After so many years, it has probably been washed to the deep sea by the ocean currents and buried by silt and gravel.

3. The key was seized by Dodd, the "Algae Scale".

The corresponding solution is quite simple.

Find the "Algae Scales" and ask them if they had any special finds when they attacked Lylo, such as the silvery-white metallic objects recorded in the journal of the evil druid. Then, trace back to the source, carefully examine Lylo's former residence, and look for people close to him to try to find the possible hiding place of the key.

In the worst-case scenario, the key had already sunk into the sea with Lelo's death...

Xia Nan will probably have to treat this trip to Suoyu Bay as a leisurely vacation during a break from his mission.

However, when he asked the intelligence officer for information on where "Algae Scales" might appear recently and offered to pay points for it, the middle-aged man in front of him did not immediately confirm or process the formalities for him.

Instead, he spoke with a hint of meaning, albeit with a slightly hesitant tone:

“Mr. Xia Nan, my personal suggestion is that you could try your luck at the tavern in Barracuda Bay regarding this kind of information. After all, not every adventurer is qualified to come to the first basement floor of the guild, and points can only be obtained through missions, making them more valuable than gold coins.”

The other party has actually made it very clear.

He felt that Xia Nan was using his points on this kind of problem, which was a very inefficient and wasteful approach.

Regarding the whereabouts of the direct descendants of the Morton family, information from many years ago may only be obtained with the help of the association's vast information database.

However, regarding the whereabouts of influential figures like "Algae Scales," one can actually obtain fairly reliable information by asking around in taverns like "Three-Legged Sea Dogs" and spending a small amount of money.

In fact, most professionals in Fish Bay do the same.

For information you want to understand in more detail, first get a general understanding from the association, and spend a small amount of points to find out the key figures or important locations.

Then they would return to the tavern with the information and use other channels to learn more.

Xia Nan thought about it and realized that his remaining 6 points were indeed a bit insufficient and might not be enough to exchange for the information he wanted.

He then nodded and stood up to express his gratitude to the middle-aged man in front of him.
"Thank you for your help and suggestions. I will consider them carefully."

"Of course, Mr. Xia Nan."

……

crunch--

The wooden door to the intelligence room closed slowly, leaving a lingering sound in the cool, quiet air.

Xia Nan had just stepped out of the room when Ms. Mar, who had been waiting outside while he was asking for information, greeted him with a smile.

Very tactfully, she didn't ask Xia Nan what information he had gathered, but instead took the initiative to introduce him to the other rooms on this floor.

He had a very good impression of the receptionist, who had honey-colored skin and a reddish-brown updo.

Given his undemanding nature, unless the other party's behavior is truly unsatisfactory, his first choice will often remain his first choice for a long time to come.

Just like the little-known rice bowl restaurant downstairs from my company in my past life, and the cream of mushroom soup I drank at White Sparrow after I transmigrated.

He knew, of course, that the tasks he accepted and the points he spent from Mar would count as part of Mar's performance.

However, if this woman is so dedicated, Xia Nan would not mind continuing to cooperate with her.

After bidding farewell to Ms. Mar, who had become noticeably more enthusiastic after he expressed his willingness to cooperate, Xia Nan walked out of the Adventurers' Guild.

It was dusk, and the golden twilight spilled onto the sea, reflecting layers of dazzling brilliance as the waves surged. The sea and the distant horizon seemed to merge into one under the setting sun, with only a few seagulls flapping their wings and disappearing into the depths of the radiant light.

Feeling the slightly salty, humid air, Xia Nan stood on the open ground next to the association and admired the beautiful sunset over Suoyu Bay for a while before turning her gaze away.

The buyer of the [Tidal Lure Pole] is not in Shuyu Bay, and the return time is uncertain, so it will be put on hold for now, and we will wait for the association's later notification. The most urgent task right now is to treat myself to a big meal at the "Three-Legged Sea Seal", and then try to find out some information about "Algae Scale" Dodd.

My gaze swept across the street, where Paddy, the grocer, was sitting with his nephew Colin at a grilled oyster stand.

Although the stall is located right next to the association, it is situated near the ocean, so this kind of seafood is not rare and the price won't be too high.

Oyster shells almost filled the entire table, but of the three silver coins Xia Nan left with the stall owner, two copper coins remained.

I casually took a grilled oyster from the stall owner. The remaining juices in the oyster shell sizzled under the high temperature, and the salty and fresh taste of the seawater, concentrated by the sea breeze filled with the aroma of seasonings, rushed into my nostrils.

With a seemingly gentle flick of the finger, the chef actually uses gravity to deliver the grilled oyster, juice and all, into the mouth.

After seasoning, the complex and profound umami flavor suddenly bursts in the mouth. The plump oyster meat is very chewy, but you can also feel its amazing smoothness and richness. It releases the sweetness of shellfish while chewing.

Finally, as all the flavors passed down the throat, a fresh and tender aftertaste lingered on the tip of the tongue, making one unable to resist swallowing a second, and a third...

Previously, Xia Nan had been staying in River Valley Town. Although it was only fifty days' journey from the sea, due to the transportation restrictions imposed by this world beyond its extraordinary power, he rarely had the opportunity to eat seafood in River Valley Town.

You can only occasionally find dried goods on the White Tit's menu.

Eating a few grilled oysters right now gave him a wonderful and unforgettable taste.

This also intensified his hunger.

"Do you have any plans for tonight? Would you like to go out for dinner with me?"

"Don't worry, I'll pay."

Although Paddy helped introduce Barracuda Bay, it was Shanan's reward for safely escorting his nephew Colin there.

But since the other party had taken him around for most of the day and was quite enthusiastic and responsible, Xia Nan was willing to keep this channel open and thought of treating them to dinner.

Paddy initially seemed somewhat apprehensive, as if he hadn't expected Xia Nan to do this, and immediately wanted to agree.

But then, as if remembering something, his head, which was nodding, paused for a moment and suddenly slowed down.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, Mr. Xia Nan."

"Absolutely no offense intended, but I must ask you this: is your destination... a three-legged sea lion?"

Even after just one day of contact, Paddy realized that the black-haired youth in front of him was different from most of the adventurers he had met. He didn't have that condescending attitude and, in some ways, could even be said to be very easy to get along with.

But for now, he still appeared unusually cautious and uneasy, afraid of offending the other party.

Xia Nan was certainly not stupid; he could tell what the other person was worried about from their question.

Just as Paddy had mentioned before, the "Three-Legged Sea Dogs" is a gathering place for adventurers in Barracuda Bay. Ordinary townspeople rarely go there, and some cautious ones don't even dare to approach the nearby streets after sunset.

They were afraid of accidentally angering a drunken adventurer and getting into trouble.

Even with Xia Nan by his side, it would still be too much to ask this small businessman, who has lived in Suoyu Bay for so many years and witnessed countless tragic cases, to bring his nephew into such a place after nightfall.

Xia Nan nodded in understanding and did not insist.

"Then...may we have a chance to meet again in the future?"

"Of course." Seeing that the other party was so easy to talk to, Paddy breathed a sigh of relief and his expression softened slightly. "I have been in Suyu Bay for many years and I have some connections. If Mr. Xia Nan encounters any problems in the future, please do not hesitate to help me if I can."

Xia Nan accepted the other party's kindness.

I was originally going to reply with something polite like, "You can come to me if you encounter any trouble in the future," but after thinking about it, I realized that although my actual combat strength was not bad, my professional level was only lv3.

Having just arrived in Harbor Bay, he hasn't even accepted a single mission yet, and he has absolutely no reputation, unlike back in River Valley Town where he had the nickname "Gray Sword".

To say something like that based on that premise seems rather frivolous.

Just before he was about to utter the words, he swallowed them back down and gave a silent smile.

Compared to Paddy's cautiousness, his nephew Colin seemed eager to try it out, as if he really wanted to go to the tavern with Xia Nan and broaden his horizons.

But being a newcomer, Paddy simply tugged at the boy's arm and pulled him back to the grocery store.

Watching the two figures disappear at the end of the street, Xia Nan roughly determined the direction and headed towards the "Three-Legged Sea Dog" tavern.

……

……

At dusk, the three-legged seals, like the white tits at the same time, exhale noisy heat waves in the dim light.

Located at the junction of the Cormorant Zone and the Saltwater Zone, it is like the essence of the entire street, with all kinds of adventurers coming and going, bringing the wildest and most untamed nature of this sea area.

Vulgar laughter, heated arguments, the clatter of dice rolling and colliding in wooden cups, and the deliberately hushed whispers of transactions... all these sounds echoed from the brightly lit area and then vanished into the deep night.

A sailor, completely drunk, was stumbled out, helped by his companions, and vomited against the dirty wall of a nearby alley; by the window, a one-eyed adventurer raised his glass to his teammates, seemingly in high spirits, his hearty laughter audible on the street outside.

The "Three-Legged Seal," just like its name suggests, is anything but elegant. It has taken deep root in Suoyu Bay with a wild and unrestrained attitude, providing a safe, comfortable, and wonderful place for adventurers whose pockets are full of gold coins, whose bodies are covered with salt crystals from the sea, and who gamble their lives dancing on the edge of a knife and on the waves. They can do whatever they want without worrying about anything else.

Xia Nan even seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of the place; his identity as an adventurer allowed him to blend perfectly into the environment.

Perhaps that's why, after scanning the menu, they couldn't find what they were looking for.

His very first serious words upon entering the tavern were:

"Boss, do you have cream of mushroom soup?"

(End of this chapter)