Lena wouldn't voice her difficulties—doing so would only spread negative emotions to this kind adventurer before her without any real benefit.

Though Lin Mo could sense her low spirits, he couldn't read minds and simply assumed she didn't want to discuss the topic.

So he changed the subject: "That friend of yours, Ellie—could you tell me what she's like?"

"Ellie carries the bloodline of the Ice Wolf Clan within her..."

Lena immediately pulled herself out of her gloomy mood and began earnestly explaining to Lin Mo: "You must have heard of this clan."

Lin Mo shook his head. His knowledge of this world was limited to those beginner handbooks he'd bought from Lena—he remembered most of their contents—plus occasional rumors overheard in taverns.

These sources obviously didn't randomly mention beastfolk. One could say his understanding of the beastfolk race was practically zero, so he naturally had no concept of what Ice Wolf Clan bloodline meant.

Lena looked somewhat surprised but didn't comment, patiently explaining instead: "Within each beastfolk tribe, there exist rather special bloodlines. Individuals possessing these bloodlines gain talents and potential far exceeding their kin, often becoming the upper echelons of their tribes, even 'royalty'."

"The Ice Wolf Clan bloodline is one such exceptionally powerful special bloodline among the wolf tribes."

Lin Mo immediately grasped the meaning: "Like Goblins and Mutated Goblins? Or cat demons and cursed pattern cat demons?"

"You could understand it that way."

Lena nodded: "Though after several generations of breeding, Ellie's Ice Wolf bloodline has become quite diluted, this powerful lineage still granted her considerable strength, which led her to pursue an adventurer's career."

"What about her current specific strength..."

"Ellie only officially became an adventurer about half a year ago, so her adventuring experience isn't very long yet. But her strength should be approaching professional level."

"Level 0.8 professional?"

Lena pondered the term before nodding repeatedly: "Pretty much, meow! That's quite an accurate description!"

Lin Mo nodded: "What else? Like her appearance, personality, and such."

Having learned what needed knowing, he was actually more curious about these aspects.

After all, she was another beast-eared girl like Lena!

"Personality and appearance, meow?"

Since this was about a future teammate, Lena had focused on explaining Ellie's race, talents, and adventuring experience. She hadn't expected Lin Mo to ask about these things, so she gathered her thoughts before continuing:

"Ellie's very easy to get along with and quite warm toward people. When I was going through difficult times before, she helped cover my rent several times. Team members often borrow money from her too..."

The first part was fine, but that last sentence made Lin Mo pause.

That wasn't just about having a good personality, was it? Even among adventurers in the same team, unless there were special relationships involved, who would casually borrow money from others?

The key was she actually lent it, and from Lena's description, it wasn't just once or twice—it happened frequently.

"As for her appearance..."

Lena glanced cautiously at Lin Mo. This was the one thing she really didn't know how to describe.

In human eyes, half-beastfolk probably all seemed quite strange, right?

Even if Mr. Lin Mo was a good person who wouldn't disdain them for it, that was just because he was kind-hearted.

Lena had warned herself many times in her heart not to get carried away because of Mr. Lin Mo's kindness.

"Lena!"

Just as she was struggling, a voice suddenly called from behind her.

Lin Mo turned to see a young girl approaching with light, quick steps, almost skipping over.

She had ice-blue short hair, with long ears atop her head that were also ice-blue overall, though with light gray fur at the very tips.

Her face was quite pretty, with delicate features that blended elegance with a touch of martial spirit, combined with a somewhat youthful appearance that created a peculiar feeling. It inexplicably reminded Lin Mo of those indomitable warriors captured by enemies in certain... unmentionable works.

Sinful, sinful...

Shaking off those inappropriate images, Lin Mo smiled at the girl before him.

"Hello, you must be Miss Ellie?"

"Ah... Hello!"

Noticing Lin Mo, Ellie's initially delighted expression immediately became awkward. She took two slight steps back and gave a small bow.

"Don't be nervous, Ellie. This is Mr. Lin Mo."

Lena introduced him with a light laugh.

Lin Mo?

Ellie had been hearing this name frequently lately—Lena talked about him constantly, enough to wear out her ears.

She couldn't help but cast a curious gaze toward this handsome young man. Indeed, as Lena had said, he had a very gentle face.

"Sorry, are you working? I'm interrupting..."

"No, no, we were actually waiting for you, meow~"

When speaking with Ellie, Lena's tone became noticeably more relaxed, her voice more lively and animated.

"Waiting for me?"

Ellie pointed at herself with a puzzled expression.

"Isn't your team recruiting recently? Mr. Lin Mo happens to be looking for a team right now... and he's a professional!"

Before Ellie's doubts could fully form, Lena dropped this bombshell of news.

A professional?!

Ellie's mouth opened slightly in surprise. If she remembered correctly, hadn't Mr. Lin Mo only registered quite recently?

"Hehe, Mr. Lin Mo is really amazing..."

Like a child showing off her favorite toy, Lena smiled proudly.

"If he's a professional, then of course there's no problem. But we'll still need to ask our team leader."

Lin Mo nodded: "When are you planning to take on the mission?"

"If the team leader agrees to let you join, it should be tomorrow... We plan to accept Mr. Edgar from the forge's Earth Bear mission, plus two other simpler small tasks."

The Earth Bear mission happened to be one of the two alternatives Lin Mo had previously selected.

"Then please go ask your team leader. Should I wait here? Or should we meet at the Association tomorrow morning?"

"Please wait a moment! I'll go now and be right back!"

As she spoke, Ellie waved to Lena before hurriedly running out of the Association.

Lin Mo's gaze was inevitably drawn to the tail behind her.

Unlike Lena's slender tail, Ellie's tail was larger, fluffier, and looked quite furry.

I wonder what it would feel like to touch?

Still no adventurers came to Lena for service, so Lin Mo turned back to continue chatting with this receptionist.