I'm not a goblin Frankenstein's monster.

Griffin looked at Xia Lin with a scrutinizing gaze, but also with a hint of approval: "Tagen recommended you to me, saying that although you are young, you are reliable in both skills and character."

Xia Lin was even more confused and looked at Griffin: "Why me?"

As far as Xia Lin knew, there should be several formal professionals on the second floor of the Adventurers' Guild.

The opponent is stronger and more experienced.

Of course, you get what you pay for, and professionals will definitely be worth more.

But in order to complete the mission, Griffin should have sought out these professionals first, not himself.

Surely it's not because it offers the best value for money?

Griffin began to explain: "This mission... requires a very high level of secrecy. The fewer people who know about it, the better, so as not to cause unnecessary panic."

Moreover, employers only trust adventurers they believe are trustworthy.

I've worked with the employer a few times before, so we have some acquaintance.

Xia Lin didn't immediately agree, pressing further, "What exactly is the mission? How dangerous is it?"

After a moment's thought, Griffin revealed some information: "An important figure in the church needs our protection."

We are only responsible for perimeter security and responding to any potential disruptions. In the event of actual combat... our main fighting force will not be us; there are other strong individuals within the team.

Xia Lin's heart skipped a beat.

Is there another formidable opponent? For Griffin to give such a high evaluation, they must at least be a formal professional, or perhaps even stronger.

This is a good opportunity to observe and learn the fighting style of real professionals up close.

Seeing his hesitation, Targen patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Xia Lin. I know Griffin's abilities. With him around, your survival is much more secure."

"I reckon you're mostly just there to keep things in order and handle minor troubles. If you really encounter any difficult monsters, that professional will take care of it."

Xia Lin tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her mind racing as she weighed the options.

The risks seem manageable, with professionals in charge and experienced Griffin providing support; the mission is about protection rather than a direct assault.

The pay might be good; Tagan's description of a "lucrative job" is probably not an exaggeration.

More importantly, being able to access a higher level of adventurer circles may help in finding one's own path to becoming a professional in the future.

"Is the employer reliable? How is the compensation calculated?" he finally asked.

Griffin seemed to have anticipated this question: "The employer has a good reputation, pays 30% of the fee in advance, and settles the balance after the job is done."

The exact amount... is absolutely worth the risks and sacrifices made in this operation.

He announced a number that made Xia Lin's eyelids twitch slightly; it was indeed a substantial sum.

"Meet at the north side of the riverbank dock area in three days, before noon," Griffin announced the time and location.

"Travel light, but don't forget any essential life-saving items. Specific details will be provided later."

Xia Lin took a deep breath, looked at Tagan's trusting gaze, and then at the composed Griffin beside her.

"Okay," he nodded, downing the water in his glass in one gulp. "I'll be there on time."

In the middle of the hall, the bard's music had changed to a lighter, more cheerful country tune.

The afternoon sunlight stretched the colorful dappled light into longer shadows. It was as if the heavy legend of depravity and curse from before was merely a fleeting dream in the afternoon.

A few days of leisure made Xia Lin feel inexplicably uneasy.

Buy some wine for the dwarf Sindar, stroll around town, occasionally sit in the Moonlight Tavern, or chat with Jasmine at the inn.

This kind of life, free from the burden of missions and the constant threat of death, should be a source of enjoyment.

But somehow, after enjoying it for only two days, a familiar sense of emptiness and guilt crept in.

"It's exactly the same as in my past life."

Xia Lin squatted by the window of the hotel room, watching the pedestrians hurrying by on the street below, and muttered to herself.

"When there's no work, I feel anxious, like I'm wasting my time. When there's work, I just want to take a vacation... What is the point of living like this?"

Woody, who was dozing on his shoulder, lifted his eyelids: "Just for fun, just for a full meal, and just to avoid being eaten by monsters."

Instead of thinking so much, why not think about what to have for lunch?

Xia Lin chuckled; in some ways, this crow was more insightful than him.

This morning for breakfast, he didn't order that familiar cream of mushroom soup again.

He opted for a different set meal: crispy fried sausage, two soft-boiled eggs, a large slice of rye bread, and a bowl of vegetable soup.

Jasmine seemed a little surprised, but didn't ask any further questions.

After eating and drinking my fill, the thought that "I can't keep going like this" became even clearer.

Xia Lin tidied up and headed towards the "Anvil and Fire" blacksmith shop.

The furnace in the shop was burning brightly. Xinda had just finished quenching a piece of armor and was wiping the coal dust and sweat off his face with a towel.

Seeing Xia Lin enter, his small eyes lit up, then he snorted, "So you've finally decided to come? I thought you'd made some money and were planning to laze around in taverns and inns until you died!"

"How could that be, Boss Xinda?" Xia Lin smiled. "My equipment is still with you. I don't feel at ease without any missions."

"So you do have some of the qualities of an adventurer."

Sinda muttered to herself, then turned and dragged a shield from behind the worktable, placing it on the table.

"Here you go, your precious shield, it's fixed. It took me a lot of effort and all my best materials! Get ready to spend a fortune this time, kid!"

The shield was indeed that purple-black dragon scale shield.

At this moment, the area in its center that was originally missing scales and slightly damaged has been cleverly repaired by several scales that are darker in color, harder in texture, and have a dark red metallic luster.

The transition between the old and new scales is natural and seamless, and the entire shield surface has a smooth curve. Under the glow of the furnace fire, it gleams with a deep and restrained luster, as if a lurking beast has donned a complete outer armor.

The grips and straps have also been replaced with new, more comfortable and durable leather.

Xia Lin's eyes lit up with joy, and he immediately activated his recognition technique.

[Purple-Black Dragon Scale Shield (Green) (Refined - Dragonborn Scale Enhancement)]

Type: Shield (small to medium)

effect:

Dragon's Might: Can cause nearby enemies to be hindered in their actions due to fear.

Durable: Exceptionally stable when parrying, and resistant to fire, strong acid, and bite damage.

Fire Resistance (New): Further enhances resistance to fire and high-temperature damage. (Derived from the Kobold Dragon Shield Guardian Scales.)

Description: Based on the original replica of the purple-black dragon scale shield, this design incorporates some scales from the kobold chieftain and has been meticulously repaired and reforged by a dwarven master. Its defenses are comprehensively enhanced, and it inherits some characteristics of dragonborn creatures.

Condition: Excellent condition, stable enchantments.

"How about it, not bad, right?" Sinda stroked his beard smugly.

"The texture of these new scales is so much better than your old junk! I stayed up all night trying to fuse them in perfectly and adjust their curvature!"

Xia Lin sincerely praised, "Boss Xinda, your cooking skills are impeccable!"