Chapter 427: Chapter 222: Return, Subtle Transformation

“Ding…”

The metallic dining spoon scraped against the bowl with a slight sound.

The thick soup dotted with green parsley leaves swirled and churned, its sweet and creamy aroma rising with the warm white steam dispersing into the air.

Scooping up several slices of mushrooms, enrobed in the rich milky flavor, the soup was delivered into the mouth.

As Xia Nan savored the sweet, silky taste on his tongue, he couldn’t help but close his eyes in enjoyment.

Across the dining table, Abi sat upright, his darting eyes and only half-seated position with a forward-leaning posture clearly showed his unease.

The flush of alcohol on his face had subsided considerably, completely unlike the classic “drunken adventurer” demeanor from just moments before.

“Where’s Adeline, why isn’t she with you?”

The sudden voice in front of him caused Abi’s body to stiffen slightly, and he hastily replied:

“The boss went to the general store to handle the spoils, that ‘Kukunur’ place. I had nothing to do, so I came to the tavern for a few drinks.”

His gaze briefly crossed the claw marks on the surface of Xia Nan’s armor plate before quickly looking away, not daring to ask more, and he added in a hurried tone.

“We only just got back to town.”

Hearing this, Xia Nan nodded without speaking.

Ever since returning from Neum, although busy with the Sea Thorn Squad on various beast-clearing tasks, he hadn’t been completely out of contact with “Green Blood” Adeline and novice Abi.

Occasionally coinciding time between missions, they often gathered at the tavern to share updates.

He could sense the changes in both of them, especially Abi.

The initial greenness of a rookie gradually faded, subtly showing a few shades of an old-hand adventurer.

Their equipment was becoming increasingly good with each completed mission, clearly earning quite a lot.

However, similarly, as they delved deeper into the “adventurer” industry, and with the tavern’s mixed environment gradually influencing them.

He visibly adopted the behaviors of those old foxes at the bar with alarming speed.

Adeline was fine; after all, when they first met, she was already a well-known senior adventurer in town, her views long matured.

But Abi, who was once reckless and brave, stubborn yet obedient, gradually carried an indescribable air with his growing experience.

In recent meetings, he hardly dared to look him straight in the eye.

Considering Adeline’s unchanged attitude towards him, Xia Nan didn’t think the reason lay within himself.

The spoon stirring the creamy mushroom soup paused slightly, Xia Nan raised an eyebrow and asked casually:

“Another drink? I’ll buy you one.”

“No, no!” Abi quickly waved his hand, the expression on his face indefinable but not far from panic.

“I’ve had enough… I’ve already drunk too much earlier.”

Xia Nan merely glanced at him.

Adventurer pressure is immense; every completed mission is practically a brush with death, equivalent to trading one’s life for money.

Using alcohol to release internal burdens is very normal for them, something he could completely understand.

If one silently bears all the pressure, it’s like a warehouse full of gunpowder needing just a single spark to explode.

It would certainly become a big problem sooner or later.

But…

Reflecting on Abi’s indulgent behavior at the tavern door earlier, and his changes over time.

Xia Nan opened his mouth but eventually said nothing.

Perhaps after some time, he’ll have a chat with Adeline about it.

“The boss too, what’s taking her so long?”

“You go ahead and eat, I’ll go find her outside, in case there’s any trouble.”

“I sincerely apologize, Mr. Xia Nan, I’ll treat you to a good meal sometime.”

Abi spoke fluidly, as though he had rehearsed it many times in his mind, hardly pausing for breath in between.

Hearing this, Xia Nan had nothing more to say and nodded slightly.

“Alright, please give my regards to Adeline.”

“Of course, goodbye, Mr. Xia Nan.”

Then, the sharp noise of chair legs dragging on the ground filled the air, alongside rapidly retreating footsteps.

Shaking his head almost imperceptibly, he took another mouthful of creamy mushroom soup.

The journey from Mist Forest back to River Valley Town was very smooth, with basically no trouble encountered.

Admittedly, although his teammates were all unexpectedly killed, leaving him alone to return to the city.

Anyone with a little insight and adventure experience, upon seeing Xia Nan along the way, would think twice about causing any extra trouble.

An adventurer who clearly just finished a mission, walking alone on the return path, seemingly a bit disheveled yet showing no obvious injuries upon close inspection, wearing good equipment and showing a cold demeanor, especially with those five ferocious claw marks nearly penetrating his chest plate iron…

For a seasoned adventurer, Xia Nan was the most troublesome and feared.

Avoidance was more likely than provoking such a person for no reason.

With his empty left hand tapping the table gently, pushing aside unnecessary distractions, Xia Nan began to contemplate his next steps.

His visit to the White Sparrow Tavern and the bowl of creamy mushroom soup on the table were merely due to “coincidentally” passing by and popping in for a quick bowl.

Total time added up to hardly ten minutes, not a formal meal.

His primary goal now was first to make a trip to the adventurer association, submit the investigation mission, and collect the reward.