Chapter 203 Let's Head to the Misty Swamp
Blood Moon City.
Adventurers' Hall.
Unlike the sparse crowd of previous days, today the hall was packed with adventurers.
Their sharp senses for information had brought these seasoned individuals to life.
"Have you heard? The Carlisle family has developed a new ruin in the Misty Swamp!"
"A new ruin? What's the big deal?"
"Yeah, there are so many ruins under Blood Moon City, with new ones discovered every few days. Who cares about some backwater ruin in the Misty Swamp?"
"That's where you're wrong! This ruin is no joke—I heard its value is estimated at several million gold coins!"
"Several million gold coins? Really? Can a place like the Misty Swamp even have such a ruin?"
"I don't believe it. Blood Moon City hasn't found a ruin of that scale in over a decade."
"I heard some rumors from the Kingdom of Lok that a massive ancient ruin was found beneath their capital, but they haven't opened it up yet…"
"A ruin of that size would be suicide for us—don't even think about it."
"I heard about this Carlisle family ruin, and it's likely true since they fought with Bay Territory over it."
"The Carlisle family made a move again? The local lord must be unlucky—losing the ruin and probably having to pay compensation."
"Actually, it's the Carlisle family that's paying compensation!"
"What? The Carlisle family lost? How is that possible? The last time they lost was when they clashed with the Radiant Moon family in the west!"
"They did lose. A few days ago, they sent a huge shipment of supplies to the Thorn Merchant Guild!"
"The same guild that's been hiring labor and refugees? I heard they're loaded and very generous with their payments!"
"Yeah, my cousin works for the Thorn Merchant Guild, and they pay 25% more than other guilds."
"Too bad their hiring standards are high, and you have to take a trip to the Misty Swamp every month, so I didn't go for it…"
"Oh? Did you see? They're expanding their recruitment again, but this time it's for work in the nearby Desolate City…"
"Desolate City? That area hasn't been safe lately. I heard there's been trouble with barbarian wanderers and many refugees from the south."
"The Thorn Merchant Guild is going there to recruit refugees. I heard they're planning to send them all to the Misty Swamp…"
"…"
As the crowd buzzed with chatter, a burst of colorful magical light suddenly shimmered across the central notice board in the Adventurers' Hall.
The special display immediately grabbed the attention of everyone in the hall.
It usually signaled some sort of urgent or high-value mission.
Under the gaze of hundreds of eyes, a few lines of surprising tasks appeared on the board:
"Ruin Development Task - Advanced, Commissioned by the Carlisle Family and Bay Territory."
"Task Details: Recruiting mid-level or higher adventurers to explore newly excavated ruins in Bay Territory, located in the Misty Swamp."
"Potential Dangers: Mid-sized underground ruin undead creatures, war golems, constructs, mid-level or higher magical creatures in groups."
"Task Rewards: Each exploration pays a subsidy of 20 gold coins per person, and upon completing three explorations, you'll receive a piece of magical equipment."
"Ruin Profits: All spoils from the ruins will be purchased at 15% above market value. Any adventurer who submits items worth more than 5 gold coins per day will receive a free vial of Vitality Potion!"
"Bonus Task 1: Capture trolls. Capturing or subduing one troll will net a bounty of 50 gold coins. No limit on task completion."
"Bonus Task 2: Capture murlocs. Capturing or subduing one murloc in the designated area will net 2 silver coins. No limit on task completion."
"Daily rewards, lucrative returns—adventurers looking to strike it rich, head to the Misty Swamp!"
The two distinct types of tasks caused a stir among nearly all the adventurers in the hall.
Almost every adventurer present could find a task that suited their abilities and experience.
The most important detail was that the rewards for any task were quite generous.
Aside from the adventurer groups eyeing the magical weapons and equipment, the majority were more interested in the two seemingly secondary bonus tasks.
Capturing murlocs was a bit troublesome but posed little danger, making it perfect for low-level adventurers looking to gain experience.
The impressive rewards for capturing trolls, on the other hand, were bound to tempt many mid-level adventurers.
After gathering details from the Adventurers' Hall,
many learned that the Thorn Merchant Guild would be heading to the Misty Swamp and Bay Territory tomorrow, and they rushed to sign up.
Matthew slowly withdrew his gaze, reflecting on the busy figures of the adventurers, and couldn't help but sigh:
"As expected, adventurers are always so blind…"
Then, thinking of his own past experiences, Matthew's lips curled into a slight smile.
Yaya, fast asleep, turned over slightly, nestling comfortably in Angela's arms, a sweet smile on her babyish face.
She must be dreaming of something delicious!
Passing through Adventurers' Street, the carriage stopped outside the municipal hall of Blood Moon City.
The sharp-eyed guard at the door recognized the Ser family crest and, thinking of Bay Territory's recent events, smiled and stepped forward.
The burly Beelzebub, noticing the lack of fear on the guard's face, muttered to himself as he opened the carriage door.
"Sir Matthew, Lord Halley has been expecting you."
Butler Ralph smiled and nodded at him, handing the reins to the guard and leaving five silver coins in his surprised hand as he said:
"Wait here for a bit. We'll be back soon."
The guard gladly took the reins, quite happy with his extra tip.
Matthew, Beelzebub, and Ralph walked into the hall.
Many people cast curious glances at Beelzebub's towering figure.
Then, when they saw Matthew's Arcanist insignia, they were shocked into silence, only whispering among themselves after he had entered.
"Who was that?"
"An Arcanist that young?"
"I don't recognize him. Could he be an heir from a major family?"
"That's the Ser family crest. I heard the Ser family recently established territory in the Misty Swamp…"
"The same Bay Territory that sells Vitality Potion?"
"Yes, it's from the Ser family—no wonder…"
"Have you heard the latest?"
"You mean the Carlisle family and Bay Territory?"
"Exactly…"