Sorcery Monarch

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 one still 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 finest rogues in Bloodmoon City, specializing in exploring 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 lavishly when he had money.

 

Whether it was indulging in life's pleasures or investing in power, such as buying magical weapons, 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 continue his adventures.

 

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

 

A sudden accident during an adventure, an unexpected conflict, 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 courage had long since waned, most adventurers had only one choice.

 

They laid down their swords and returned to 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 become 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 coins, sold himself back into service.

 

On his first day,

 

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

 

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

 

Hall had thought,

 

He, too, would just train some young, impulsive rogues and enjoy a comfortable salary, 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, come with me to guard the lumberyard. You’ll earn an extra two silver coins a day."

 

"Count me in!"

 

And so, unsuspecting Hall joined the group guarding the lumberyard.

 

The first morning, nothing happened—things were quite peaceful.

 

Hall started to wonder,

 

"What’s for lunch?"

 

"Where should I nap afterward?"

 

Then the battle between the territory and the gnolls erupted!

 

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

 

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

 

After years without a fight, Hall's skills had dulled, and he barely managed to complete 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 contribution points system.

 

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

 

Leaping down from a tree, he landed behind one of the fleeing gnolls, stabbing it through the spine with 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 coins, enough to cover his daughters’ training costs for a month.

 

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

 

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

 

Spotting one last fleeing gnoll, Hall couldn’t hold back.

 

Using his speed, Hall managed to 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 large pack of gnolls appeared—hundreds of them!

 

They surrounded the escaping gnoll Hall had been stalking and began jabbering in their strange language beneath him.

 

Cold sweat poured down Hall’s face as the terrifying reality 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 scent.

 

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 scent.

 

They just hadn’t yet figured out whether the smell was coming 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 Village right now…"

 

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

 

"I could have already brought home 10 gold coins 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 encircling a position ahead.

 

An overwhelming thought hit Hall like a hammer.

 

If so many gnolls launched a surprise attack on the lord and his soldiers, it would cause massive casualties.

 

There was even a high chance 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 command center!

 

"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 chant, he released a blazing fireball spell.

 

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

 

Boom!