Chapter 1001: Chapter 498: Wildberry Cliff and the Iron Rock Shield
Five days later.
A certain sea area southeast of Suo Yu Bay.
The sea is vast, with a medium-sized ship that looks like a merchant ship bobbing on the waves.
The sound of sailors’ chatter and seagull cries fills the air, as Xia Nan stands alone by the railing on the deck, his dark eyes gazing into the distance.
There, at the junction of sea and sky, a vague silhouette of an island can be seen.
It has been three days since he departed from the Wave-breaking Pier at Suo Yu Bay, and the destination is the distant island known as "Wildberry Cliff".
Unlike Suo Yu Bay’s advantageous geographical position and unique terrain, Wildberry Cliff, like the previously visited Wild Rabbit Island, is among the most ordinary and unremarkable islands of the Southern Islands.
Even though adventurers call it "Wildberry Cliff", the number of wild berries on the island is no greater than other islands; the name was casually given for convenience.
Under normal circumstances, unless required by unforeseen events for temporary docking and rest, no one would target such a barren island with no special features for an outing.
But now, according to the intelligence that Xia Nan and his team have, the pirate group suspected of having close ties with the Ebbtide Gang, which plundered the belongings of collector Aurie Silver Heart, resides on the island, viewing Wildberry Cliff as their main base.
This is the reason Xia Nan forfeited his resting time during a mission break to come here.
It is worth mentioning that this trip stems from his personal interest and actions, so Xia Nan didn’t ask familiar people for help or involve others, making it simpler for him to go alone.
Including Alton and the members of the Vengeance Blade Ship Group, who are currently on vacation at Suo Yu Bay—the barbarian Akken insisted on going with Xia Nan, striking his chest in a characteristic manner, but Xia Nan declined.
The battle at Twin Canyon was almost a turning point, demonstrating remarkable performance in the fight against the Shark Beast, Xia Nan gained the approval of the entire Vengeance Blade team, many sailors onboard have come to see him as a truly reliable member of the team.
If he were to ask for help indeed, Alton aside, he could also expect responses from many crew members within Vengeance Blade, including Lorin and Hai Yin.
After all, this is his own business, Xia Nan’s personality doesn’t want to trouble others too much.
Of course, he isn’t the only one carrying out the sea task.
Aurie has operated in the Southern Islands for years, with extensive channel and relationship networks.
Even before contacting Xia Nan, Aurie had already made arrangements for the lost cargo.
The ship Xia Nan is on now, while appearing ordinary, is outfitted internally to the good standard of adventurer-customized guise, this is one of Aurie’s tactics.
Moreover, for the main force in the task of landing, Xia Nan has also newly acquainted with several teammates.
"Hey, Haiya! Come over, let’s discuss the next action plan!"
A rough male voice causing slight earache came from behind.
Turning around, Xia Nan glimpsed a similarly fully armored, stout figure clad in metal plate armor.
"Iron Rock" Habi, Level 4 Defense Guard Warrior.
A hill dwarf, also the captain of his self-established adventurer team "Iron Rock Shield".
Standing barely over four feet, the bottom of the heavy steel tower shield behind him almost touches the ground, a one-handed hammer hangs from his waist; his left hand holds a well-maintained classic barrel helmet, while his right hand is raised high, waving towards Xia Nan, his fine plate armor glistening under sunlight.
Xia Nan’s impression of this dwarf warrior is ordinary.
Rough, loud, obtrusive to the point of being somewhat brusque and impolite...
Perhaps due to the short duration of contact, the image of the opponent in Xia Nan’s eyes is almost the stereotype of the dwarf race, without any distinctive features.
It’s not that Xia Nan doesn’t want to engage in deeper interaction to establish rapport.
Personally, when tackling adventure tasks, he is relatively professional.
Given the need to fight alongside, he hopes to understand more about the teammates on this venture.
Even if they can’t become friends, and contact ends post-commission, for the task itself and potential combat scenarios, clarifying each other’s fighting styles and roles is necessary.
Regrettably, since meeting on the ship three days ago, Habi and other members of "Iron Rock Shield" have maintained a lukewarm attitude towards Xia Nan.
Even when Xia Nan initiates conversation, topics quickly die down under their indifference.
While there’s no apparent hostility, Xia Nan hasn’t felt much warmth either; neither do they proactively engage, keeping communication at a distance.
This, Xia Nan understands.
Just like with the Silver Claw Fish Eagle Squad he encountered before, he is only a temporary outsider, while the few members are long-time comrades already forming a fixed, close-knit group.
Perhaps social interactions happen otherwise, but during dangerous tasks requiring combat, they naturally cannot blindly trust a stranger like Xia Nan.
Hopefully, the situation improves later.
Thinking thus, finally being addressed for planning, Xia Nan steps over towards Habi.
