Adventure: My Skills Evolve Infinitely

Unsurprisingly, with Flora’s help, they had no trouble rescuing the villagers from Falling Leaves Village.

When the three of them led the young women out of the cave, the clearing outside was a scene of utter devastation. Goblin corpses were strewn everywhere, and the ground was scorched black and pockmarked with craters.

Flora, looking refreshed and invigorated, waved at them as they came out.

Her Magic Mark being blocked by a Magic Crystal Stone these past few days had made tracking Jim incredibly frustrating. Even after burning Jim to ash and confirming her student had been murdered, she couldn’t find any joy in it.

But now, after taking out her anger on these Goblins and unleashing a fierce barrage of Magic, her mood had finally improved a bit.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you home."

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, adjusted the pointed, round hat on her head, and spoke to the young women before her.

...

By the time they returned to Falling Leaves Village, it was already afternoon. It was clear they wouldn’t be able to reach Roland Town that day, but they chose to set off immediately regardless.

"Thank you, thank you all so much!"

Tears streamed down the old village chief’s face as he saw them to the village entrance, repeatedly gripping Lin Mo’s and Alton’s hands. Beside him stood a little girl of about twelve or thirteen—his granddaughter, one of the very same young women they had just rescued.

The little girl gazed at the Adventurers with curiosity and reverence, her eyes lingering on the tall, handsome young man.

"You don’t have to see us out any further, Chief. We’re leaving now. Remember to have more people patrol the area. If you find anything wrong, send someone to the town to get help from the Association right away."

"Okay, I will. Be careful on the road..."

The surrounding villagers all bid them an enthusiastic farewell. Many of the rescued young women waved with tears in their eyes. Clearly, the events of the past day would become an unforgettable memory for them.

The carriage traveled down the road, gradually leaving the village on the plain far behind. Lin Mo sat at the back, watching the figures of the villagers shrink into the distance.

’I’ve been in this world for some time now. Before this, I’d only taken on quests to slay Demons or gather materials. This was my first rescue mission. Despite all the hardships and unexpected turns, it was a good experience overall.’

He recalled fighting off the Goblins, the villagers’ sincere and thankful faces, and the tears the young women could no longer suppress once they were safe.

’These ordinary, simple folk are all living, breathing people.’

’They may be common and poor, but they should never be reduced to a meal for Demons, or to a few tax coins in the eyes of the nobility...’

His interactions with the villagers, and everything that had happened with Ali on this journey, made Lin Mo feel like he was truly becoming a part of this world.

Back inside the carriage, Alton was sorting through their loot. The spoils from defending the village had already been taken back by Solan and Carson; this was all from the most recent battle.

The foul, bloody stench was clearly unsettling to Flora, who wasn’t used to such things. She didn’t say a word, though, simply stepping outside the carriage for some fresh air.

In addition to a large number of Goblin ears, their spoils included the belongings of the Adventurers who had attacked them that morning.

They had taken the weapons and armor of the Assassins from before, as well as their money—about 50 Gold Coins in total, which was a considerable sum.

Besides those items, they had also found a blood-red token on the leader’s body.

A wolf-like pattern was engraved on it, and in the center was the numeral ’5’.

"What is this?"

Ali asked curiously.

Lin Mo stared at the token; it seemed to trigger a faint memory.

"It’s the Blood Sea Gang!"

Alton recognized the insignia on the token. "I saw this mark before when I was in Lania City. They had it carved on the plaque at their gang’s headquarters."

’The Blood Sea Gang again?’

Lin Mo recalled his second adventure, when he had also been attacked by the Blood Sea Gang. He’d even had to chase them all the way back to their camp and kill the entire squad.

This time, however, the encounter wasn’t because his previous actions had been exposed. It was related to the student from Saint Antonia Academy, and the assassins had been dispatched by the so-called Lawrence Clan, the Lords of Roland Town... and by extension, Lania City.

"It looks like this Blood Sea Gang is most likely connected to the Lawrence Clan."

"That’s not surprising..."

Alton shook his head. "As far back as ten years ago, when the Blood Sea Gang was just starting to make a name for itself, people noticed the connection."

"Besides, it’s not logical for a gang to pop up out of nowhere and become one of Lania City’s three major powers in just two or three years. But if the Lawrence Clan was pulling the strings, then it all makes perfect sense."

"Black Gloves."

Lin Mo hit the nail on the head. "The Blood Sea Gang is probably how Viscount Lawrence handles matters he can’t be seen dealing with himself."

"Then we’ll eradicate them both!"

Flora suddenly whipped open the carriage curtain from outside and stepped in. "Once I find evidence, I’ll make sure the entire Lawrence Clan is annihilated!"

Having said her piece, she caught the foul stench of the Goblin ears again. Her face twisted in disgust, and pinching her nose, she retreated outside for fresh air.