Kase walked in carrying a tray of food.

After casually placing the food on the nightstand, he said, "Hey, you’re one lucky guy, Colin."

"What?"

"We had to dig that Long Spear out of your wound while you were passed out. Just imagine what it would’ve been like if you were awake for that. No wonder that office guy told us not to."

"That’s Edwin. You could at least try to remember our superior’s name, you know?" Colin teased. "Speaking of which, those two screams of yours at the end were pretty embarrassing. I wasn’t even that badly hurt."

"Huh? What screams?"

’Uh... Was I imagining things?’ Colin felt a little awkward.

Judging by the Half-Orc’s confused expression, the guy didn’t seem to be lying at all.

Colin cleared his throat twice and said, "Never mind that. Where are we? Did we get any good loot after the battle ended?"

"That Druid was the leader of all the Frostland Druids. Everything he had is ours now. Besides that Short Spear, there were also a few Potions in clay jars. Seriously, that thing is no joke."

Kase continued, "Also, don’t you still have to do that job for the Dwarves? We got you some of the pollen from that big plant creature."

"Pollen from a Vine Blight, right?" Colin breathed a sigh of relief.

’Good thing this big oaf was willing to use his brain after I went down. Otherwise, this whole trip would’ve been for nothing.’

"Also, all the Druids are dead, and the Blights have been cleaned up..." As he spoke, Kase patted his stomach. "You eat up. I’m gonna go get another serving."

With that, he walked out.

Colin glanced at the breakfast.

The tray the Half-Orc had left only held a bowl of oatmeal and some jerky. It wasn’t bad, though. Silverpine Village probably didn’t have much to offer anyway.

’Speaking of which, I think Kase has to head north after this mission...’

’Based on my recent experiences, there might be another solution to his problem. I just don’t know if it’ll work. I’ll have to wait until we’re back in Thousand Masts City to figure out the specifics.’

He was halfway through his breakfast, his mind filled with complicated thoughts, when Kase walked back into the room with the four members of the Gray Squad.

The Mage came forward first and shook Colin’s hand.

He said, "We heard what you did from the others. It seems Mr. Helder recommended you for more than just your intel. Well done, Mr. Colin!"

"Very professional. Field operatives are really something else," the Halfling added.

Even the Elf said with a deadpan face, "It was passable."

"Passable, my..."

Colin quickly spoke up, his voice loud enough to cover Kase’s. "So, are we heading back to Thousand Masts City next?"

"You can head back with the other field personnel." The Mage shrugged helplessly. "We’ve already got a new commission to handle."

"Thanks again for your contribution," said the Plated Armor Strongman.

Colin smiled and said, "See you around, then."

"See you around," Kase echoed.

The members of the Gray Squad nodded in farewell, then strode out of the room.

’Is the Gray Squad really that busy? They finish one commission and immediately move on to the next, without even a break in between.’

’But for me, this matter is more or less wrapped up.’

Colin let out a breath of relief and picked up his oatmeal to continue eating.

After gobbling down his second breakfast in just a few bites, Kase started walking out, saying, "Let’s go check out the goods. We really scored some great stuff this time."

A moment later, he walked back in with the Short Spear and the Potions, placing the weapon on the bed as he mumbled to himself.

"Take a look."

"Don’t be in such a hurry."

But when Colin looked at the Short Spear on the bed, he couldn’t complain anymore.

[Ice Short Spear / Ordinary Magical Item]

[Damage: 1.5-8.5]

[Cold to the Bone: Attacks deal an additional 1 point of cold damage.]

He had to admit, this was some seriously good stuff.

Having been in this world for so long, Colin knew what a single point of damage meant. After all, most of the weapons he’d seen so far had a maximum damage in the single digits.

Besides, this was elemental damage.

Against a creature vulnerable to cold, this bit of damage could make a huge difference.

’Speaking of which... judging by Kase’s condition back then, he seems to be one of those creatures who are vulnerable to cold.’

"You should take it, Colin."

"No, it’s for you." Colin waved his hand dismissively. "I only know how to use a sword right now."

"Did you forget? I have to go back after this. If I take this back..."

Colin said, "Doesn’t that mean you need it even more? I’m one hundred percent sure the farther north you go, the more terrifying the monsters will be. Though, I have no idea if the cold damage from this Short Spear will be effective against those creatures."

Seeing how insistent he was, Kase didn’t object any further.

There were also two Potions.

The Potions were in round, earthenware jars. Colin uncorked one and took a sniff. The smell was similar to a Healing Potion, but also a little different.

"Do you know what these Potions do?"

Kase shook his head.

"We should ask the Dwarves about these Potions first."

"I guess that’s our only option. I don’t mess with brews made by Witches much. Drink those potions and you won’t even get scars."

’Wait, Kase is still bandaged up, but I’m perfectly fine. He must have used his Healing Potion on me.’

The two of them were in the middle of their discussion.

The village chief of Silverpine Village pushed the door open and walked in, followed by a dozen or so adults and children. Bob squeezed in among them.

"Hero, we are eternally grateful for your sacrifice and contribution." The village chief said with a smile, "Our village isn’t wealthy, but we certainly don’t lack for food. If you wish to recover from your injuries, you are welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"That won’t be necessary. We’ll be leaving in a couple of days," Colin replied.

As soon as he finished speaking, a little boy about a meter tall pushed his way through, his face bright red, and offered him a small toy carved to look like a Treasure Sword.

Kase grinned. "Thanks."

The little boy’s face instantly turned pale, and he whipped around and ran back into the crowd.

"You’ve got a real winning smile there, Kase," Bob quipped.

The room immediately erupted in laughter.

The group chatted for a while longer, and after giving the two of them a dozen or so fist-sized pieces of jerky, they finally left. Kase also muttered something about letting Colin get some peace and quiet before leaving the room as well.

Colin sighed in relief and lay back on the bed.

Quiet once again settled over the room, keeping him company.

Just as he was drowsily about to drift off to sleep again, he suddenly heard the SNAP of a tree branch breaking outside his window.

’A Druid seeking revenge?’

Staring intently out the window, Colin slipped his right hand out from under the covers.

If anything seemed even slightly off, he could swing within a second.

The next moment, a little girl with two braided pigtails poked her head through the window. She was gently biting her lip, her slightly chubby-cheeked face flushed and dotted with a few freckles.

In the faint sunlight, the little girl’s flaxen hair seemed to glow.

"Uh... hello?" Just as Colin spoke, the little girl tossed a cloth bundle at him and then scurried away.

The bundle landed right on Colin’s lap.

He opened it and saw a pale red stone inside, wrapped in a handkerchief embroidered with a pair of small birds.

Combined with the girl’s actions, what this meant was obvious.

’This obviously isn’t going anywhere.’

’After all, we have no emotional connection, and I don’t have time to waste in a place like Silverpine Village. Am I supposed to come back here later to be a lumberjack, worrying about paying taxes to the lord every year? That’s a life where you can see the end from the very start.’

’So there’s no way this could lead to anything. Throwing the handkerchief away would be rash, but keeping it doesn’t feel right either.’

’I’d rather it had been a Druid... I’m starting to break out in a cold sweat.’

Colin scratched his head. He hadn’t been this stressed even when he was facing down that Frostland Druid.