Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

45: Chapter 45: Personally Greeting 45: Chapter 45: Personally Greeting Pfft—

Nope, can’t do this, it’s too damn embarrassing, how could I have said something so shameful.

Thinking about it, at this juncture, as the male protagonist, I should have said something cool, but I carelessly uttered such a cringeworthy line.

This embarrassment is just like reading one’s middle school emo diary out loud in front of college classmates, Yang Yu wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

Suppressing the chaos within, and trying not to let the awkwardness show, Yang Yu awaited Bai Jin’s response.

Yet, Bai Jin sat motionless, holding her magic wand, seated on a chair.

Big sis, come on, say something!

If you don’t speak soon, I’m going to be the only person drowning in this awkwardness.

“Can accompanying you on your adventure be considered the compensation I need to pay?” suddenly said Bai Jin, to Yang Yu’s great relief.

“Yes, you can think of it that way, don’t worry, I will ensure your safety as much as possible, after all, you are my partner.”

“Alright then.” Shaking her body as she stood up, Bai Jin reached out and firmly shook hands with Yang Yu, “I hope you won’t go back on your word.”

Compared to Yang Yu’s large hands, Bai Jin’s hands were very small, maybe because of being sick for a long time, they were frighteningly thin, practically just skin and bones, and very white.

But they were warm, with a faint pulse, as if she were truly alive.

Bai Jin smiled, a different smile from before, one that seemed to come from within, a chilling, heartfelt smile.

“Heh heh, going on an adventure everywhere?

That’s exciting, I can’t wait to see what kind of creatures we’ll encounter, what kind of people we’ll meet, there’s bound to be plenty great for making magic potions, and perfect for experimenting with my curse magic.”

She hasn’t changed one bit.

Having settled things with Bai Jin, Yang Yu explained the ins and outs of the task.

It wasn’t through the regular channel of the auction house, but by breaking into the research institute and each taking what they needed, Bai Jin was a bit surprised and reluctant, but when she heard that the Silver Orchid Commerce might be colluding with another country, she let her guard down and was reassured.

You’re a curse mage and yet you have a stronger sense of justice than I have, Yang Yu frankly remarked that she really wasn’t suited to be a curse mage.

“That’s the entire content of our task, there’s some risk, so they’ve asked us to lay low in another city for a while after we complete the task; that’s when our journey will truly begin.

Bring everything you need to take, this weekend, we start our operation.

Everything, you’ll follow my lead.

Understand?”

“I didn’t quite understand some parts just now, to successfully complete the task and get the medicine, could you go over the task requirements and the process from the beginning…”

“It’s not impossible, if you really can’t remember, just quietly follow behind me…”

“Don’t worry, it’s just to be safe, to see if we’ve missed anything.”

…

Time ticked by, and finally, the day of action arrived.

Yang Yu went to the adventurer’s guild to meet with Tela and chose the skills he wanted from the skill scroll list Tela brought.

He had thought that the Giant Umbrella Chamber of Commerce was just a small firm and wouldn’t have any particularly good skill scrolls, but there were actually several incredibly practical skills, making Yang Yu wish he could choose a few more.

After weighing the pros and cons multiple times, Yang Yu made his choice, “I’ll take these two.”

The name of the first skill was “Copper Wall Iron Curtain,” which, once activated, reduced damage taken by 20% for 20 seconds.

The name of the second skill was “Steel Body,” which, once activated, for 10 seconds increased both resistances by 10% and also increased maximum blood volume by 20%.

With these two skills, Yang Yu’s tanking ability would greatly increase; he could finally present a semblance of a Defensive Battle.

Previously, he focused on Endurance and invested points into Speed secondarily.

Even though he should have been a Defensive Battle character, he played it like a meaty assassin.

Still, a tank that relied on evasion to mitigate damage was a tank nonetheless.

Unfortunately, Yang Yu had no idea how long he could maintain this status.

The game had just started, and the monsters he encountered were still very basic, nothing particularly perverse yet; his Speed alone was sufficient to deal with them easily.

But come late game, who knew what kind of creatures would wait for him.

Against a giant dragon’s wide-reaching searing Dragon Breath, he had no confidence in dodging it; and if he faced a boss that could bind or significantly reduce his Speed, having Speed so high and other attributes so low would definitely be disadvantageous.

So, he had to steadfastly follow the path of a Defensive Battle.

Yang Yu, having chosen two skills and done so as if it were a matter of course, left Tela somewhat helpless, “You can only choose one skill.”

“Don’t worry, I’m certain I can complete the task better than you imagine.

By that time, you will surely give me another Skill Scroll.”

Yang Yu smiled meaningfully, which made Tela feel even more that the young man before her was no ordinary individual.

A Rare Skill’s Skill Scroll was quite valuable.

Even the Giant Umbrella Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t easily offer two as a reward.

However, if he were to exceed the completion of the task, the Commerce certainly wouldn’t be stingy and would seize the opportunity to enlist him.

Could it be that he held some secret intelligence unknown to the Silver Orchid Commerce?

Ha ha—how could that be possible…

Even the most outstanding young man couldn’t just easily discover something the Giant Umbrella Chamber of Commerce couldn’t find.

Discounting the thoughts inside her head, Tela laughed and said, “If you really can complete the task better than imagined, giving you another isn’t impossible.

Don’t forget the delivery location of the items.

Once you’re there, it’s best to confirm and remember the routes to avoid getting lost.”

“Everything will go smoothly.”

Yang Yu waved his hand and left Rhodes City along with Bai Jin on a carriage.

The destination of this mission was Chuanyang City.

Starting from the adventurer’s guild in Rhodes Town, it would take less than half a day to get there.

The adventurer’s guild often had commissions from Chuanyang City as well, either looking for various things or temporary tasks to help maintain city security.

Bai Jin had undertaken many such tasks and was quite familiar with the city, making her an ideal guide.

The noon sun hung high in the sky.

Having paid the late fee and passing through the check point, the two arrived in the bustling streets of Chuanyang City.

Streets filled with vehicles and horses, people bustling about, and shops big and small lined neatly, creating a lively scene.

After parking the carriage, Yang Yu glanced at the task handover location and followed Bai Jin into a nameless alley.

There, a man wearing an orange-red mask had been waiting for quite some time.

His hair was white as frost, his fingers withered, and the long white beard behind the mask was barely visible.

“Are there no more people in their Commerce?”

Yang Yu muttered softly, quite surprised to have an old man as their rendezvous.

“I heard everything you just said,” the old man said, stooped shoulders, his voice devoid of any trace of emotion, simply asking in a light tone, “Why would you say that?”

There was no use hiding since he’d been overheard.

Yang Yu laughed it off, intending to comment on how disrespectful it was to send an old man for such a task, but upon opening the panel to check—

Wow, fuck, this was actually the Commerce Association President of the Giant Umbrella Chamber of Commerce personally coming out to meet them!

To meet and immediately comment on the lack of people in their Commerce, mocking it for being small, he’d definitely be dragged out and beaten to a pulp.

There was no choice but to brazen it out, Yang Yu said with a half-smile, half-grimace, “No offense meant; I just didn’t expect the President of the Giant Umbrella Chamber of Commerce to personally come out for a reception.”