Chapter 64: My Name Is Hall, and I'm Freaking Out

  "My name is Hall, and I'm freaking out."

  "In front of me are hundreds of gnolls. They eat people! And they prefer them alive!"

  The only oill somewhat dazed and not fully grasping the situation was the newly recruited 8th-level rogue, Hall.

  In his younger days, Hall had been one of the fi rogues in Bloodmoon City, specializing in expl underground ruins.

  His sharp eyes, agile movements, and cautious behavior had allowed him to survive dangerous expeditions into these ruins, yielding substantial rewards.

  However, like most adventurers, Hall spent vishly when he had money.

  Whether it was indulging in life's pleasures or iing in power, such as buying magical ons, spell scrolls, or life-saving alchemical potions, the costs were always steep.

  It was as if a whisper in his ear tempted him with dreams of a better life, urging him to tinue his adventures.

  Yet, those who asded to extraordinary levels, extending their lifespans and even being legendary figures admired by all, were exceedingly rare.

  A sudden act during an adventure, an ued flict, or even a "dispute over loot" could easily end an adventurer's career—or their life.

  The adventurers who survived grew older, and as their journey became increasingly perilous,

  When they realized they could no longer level up, and their youthful ce had long since waned, most adventurers had only one choice.

  They id down their swords auro the mundane life of an ordinary person.

  By the time Hall was in his 40s, with a missing arm, he should have settled into retirement, far from danger and battle.

  But with three sons and two daughters, the enormous family expenses forced him to worry about his livelihood again.

  Especially his two daughters, who showed promise and had both bee professionals—their expenses kept growing rapidly, and Hall’s early savings quickly dwindled.

  To make matters worse, old enemies from his past had started making noises about seeking revenge.

  Just then, Adam Smith’s generous recruitment offer spread through Bloodmoon City.

  Hall looked into it and, for 180 gold s, sold himself bato service.

  On his first day,

  Hall was taken aback by the uniqueness of Bay Vilge and its mysterious and powerful lord.

  However, his worries eased a bit, especially after seeing Old Arnold, who only had to share his experieh the warriors for a hefty paycheck.

  Hall had thought,

  He, too, would just train some young, impulsive rogues and enjoy a fortable sary, peacefully living out his days.

  Then Old John, grinning mischievously, approached him with a proposal:

  "Hey, Hall! Wanna make some quick cash?"

  "Hmm? My funds are a bit tight. What do you have in mind?"

  "Of course! Tomorrow, e with me to guard the lumberyard. You’ll earn ara two silver s a day."

  "t me in!"

  And so, unsuspeg Hall joihe group guarding the lumberyard.

  The first m, nothing happehings were quite peaceful.

  Hall started to wonder,

  "What’s for lunch?"

  "Where should I nap afterward?"

  Thetle betweeerritory and the gnolls erupted!

  "That John... nothing he says be trusted."

  "Sure, guarding the lumberyard avoids bat, but you 't avoid the lord and his soldiers seeking out battles!"

  After years without a fight, Hall's skills had dulled, and he barely mao plete his task.

  He took down one gnoll scout.

  As Hall hesitated about joining the main battle, the gnolls had already been routed by the lord and his soldiers.

  Seeing the gnolls flee, Hall recalled John showing him the tribution points system.

  Driven by the principle of "Never leave money oable," Hall gave chase without hesitation.

  Leaping down from a tree, he nded behind one of the fleeing gnolls, stabbing it through the spih his sharp dagger.

  After taking down the first gnoll deserter, Hall still hesitated.

  But then he remembered that one gnoll could be worth 2–3 gold s, enough to cover his daughters’ training costs for a month.

  Hall couldn’t resist and swiftly killed the sed and third gnoll deserters.

  To prove his kills, he even cut off their ears.

  Spotting o fleeing gnoll, Hall couldn’t hold back.

  Using his speed, Hall mao get ahead of the gnoll and hid in a tree, waiting for the creature to pass by so he could return with more bounty-earning ears.

  But then disaster struck!

  A rge pack of gnolls appeared—hundreds of them!

  They surrouhe esg gnoll Hall had been stalking and began jabbering in their strange nguage beh him.

  Cold soured down Hall’s face as the terrifyiy set in.

  He realized something truly awful.

  He hadn't prepared for this situation—he didn’t even have a sealed bag for the gnoll ears he had cut off.

  Now those bloody ears were still tucked into his pouch, oozing their st.

  The thick stench of blood was strong enough that even Hall's dull nose could clearly smell it!

  And gnolls, known for their keen sense of smell, had likely already picked up the st.

  They just hadn’t yet figured out whether the smell was ing from the deserter or from Hall’s pouch!

  Fear and panic gripped Hall’s heart, tightening with unbearable pressure, making it hard for him to breathe.

  "If only I hadn’t trusted John…"

  "I could be lounging safely in Bay Vilge right now…"

  "If only I hadn’t been greedy and chased down that st gnoll…"

  "I could have already brought home 10 gold s for my daughters…"

  "If only…"

  "…"

  In short, Hall was filled with regret!

  Regret and helplessness clouded Hall's mind until the sharp howls below startled him awake. Cautiously, he peeked down.

  Nearly 500 gnolls had split into two groups and were encirg a position ahead.

  An overwhelming thought hit Hall like a hammer.

  If so many gnolls unched a surprise atta the lord and his soldiers, it would cause massive casualties.

  There was even a high ce they could be wiped out!

  Hall pinched his thigh hard, using the pain to force himself to stay calm, keeping his eyes locked on the group of gnolls splitting into two teams below.

  He spotted dozens of gnoll berserkers surrounding two cloaked gnoll sentries.

  This must be the gnolls' reserve forces and aer!

  "I have to warn the lord."

  "If he survives, surely someone as generous as him would give my daughters a nice reward…"

  "If they all die, well, I won’t make it out either…"

  Gritting his teeth, Hall pulled out a scroll.

  With a t, he released a bzing fireball spell.

  Feeling the intense surge of fire energy, the gnoll sentries below looked up in terror.

  Boom!

  FAL