After returning to Gael Town, Kevin and his team went to the adventurer's guild in Howard's place to sort out the loot. Goblins, as a hunting target, did not bring in a high income. Besides being able to recycle their equipment, the important sources of income were the earrings on their ears and the bounty on their heads.
There was a fixed bounty on goblins at the adventurer's guild, which increased as the level of goblin hunting increased. And the proof that you had hunted goblins and higher-level goblins was the goblin's earrings.
Goblins would embed earrings on their ears according to their own strength and position in the tribe. Ordinary goblins wore iron earrings, while goblin warriors wore copper earrings, and higher-level goblin shamans and goblin kings wore silver and gold earrings. The materials of copper, silver, and gold earrings were not copper, silver, and gold from the human world, but special materials with some magical effects. People now call them mountain copper, secret silver, and fine gold.
Today, Kevin and his team brought back fifteen iron earrings and one copper earring, as well as some relatively intact goblin equipment, such as the broadsword of a goblin warrior. These spoils of war brought them a lot of supplies at the adventurer's guild, and Kevin's share of the supplies could sustain his family for several days. He thought of the goblin warrior he had assassinated last time and regretted not bringing back its earrings.
After distributing the rewards, the team disbanded. Alex and Melissa went back together, and they seemed to want to play in a more prosperous area on the street for a while. Owen went to his usual tavern, which Kevin's father, Tang, also liked to go to, but there was no surplus supplies to spend in the past few days so he stayed at home. Kevin went to the church first. He had some questions about his advancement and new skills that he wanted to ask Father Daniel.
On the way, the town's scenery after experiencing the fusion of different worlds was reflected in Kevin's eyes. The once prosperous town now only had the skeleton of the past, and in the ruins, nature was quietly taking back the land that once belonged to it. Since the disaster struck, the streets that were once full of laughter and daily life have become exceptionally quiet, as if time has stopped and frozen a picture of a world that no longer exists.
The buildings that the small town once prided itself on have now become collapsed monuments, standing at the edge of a bygone era. The once bright brick walls are now covered in dust and grime, with colors fading in the ruthless passage of time. The windows that used to shine and reflect sunlight are now broken or covered with wooden boards, creating a sense of desolation and emptiness.
The roofs of the buildings have long since collapsed, leaving behind skeletal frameworks and exposing the interiors that were once hidden to the elements. Nature has started to reclaim its rightful place, with vines and climbing plants spreading along the dilapidated walls, and trees and shrubs growing out of the broken sidewalks and abandoned lots. The once neatly trimmed parks and gardens have become overgrown with tall grass and weeds, covering the remaining playgrounds and picnic areas. When the wind blows across the desolate streets, it brings with it faint whispers of memories of the past, echoes of children playing and families gathering, now replaced by the rustling of leaves and occasional bird chirping.
The air is filled with the smell of decay and dampness, a constant reminder of the tragedy that befell this once prosperous community. The remnants of the abandoned world are scattered on the old streets - discarded items, broken furniture, and tattered clothes - all slowly disappearing under the erosion of time and natural forces, leaving only the remnants of metal objects that people are unwilling to pick up.
The street lamps on the streets are rusted and corroded in the sun, standing as a symbol of the light that once shone brightly in the darkness of the apocalypse, but has now gradually faded away. They have not lit up again for more than a decade.
At this moment, the midday sun drives away the dark clouds in the sky, shining brightly on the broken small town. Although people have gathered to rebuild some new homes on the ruins, the area affected by the disaster is too large, and the number of people who are fortunate enough to survive the apocalypse is not large. In this town of Gael that has passed for twenty years now, only a few thousand people live. In addition to those who go out every day to hunt monsters to ensure the safety of their homes, the remaining people undertake some work to maintain the operation of the small town.
However, the number of people who can be separated to clear the ruins is far from enough, so they can only prioritize clearing some traffic arteries, intact houses, and facilities that need public use.
However, when night falls, darkness shrouds this desolate land. The once brightly lit streets now rely only on the faint light of the moon and stars. The silence and darkness of the night make the sadness and loneliness of this abandoned place even more palpable.
Only a few places light up at night, one of which is the "Brave" tavern, where Kevin's father Don and the recently separated Owen like to go. Apart from buying ingredients to make some cheap wine, the tavern also has a shopkeeper, a magic user who uses some fire elements to sustain the tavern with purchased fuel for the lamps.
This ruin bears witness to the fragility of human civilization. Its former glory seems so insignificant in the face of disaster. A catastrophe turned this once beautiful home into a wasteland, and the traces of time left here are so desolate and merciless.
Father Daniel was also a clergyman before the apocalypse, and he was one of the earliest to awaken the priest profession after the apocalypse. He used to join some teams to provide healing for them, but for the past five years, he has been staying in the church located in the central area of Gale Town to treat those who returned and the injured in town and train some new people to become priests. It can be said that Father Daniel knows the most about the priest profession in Gale Town, which is why Kevin wanted to go find him.
Kevin came to the door of the church and pushed it open. Although there was only Father Daniel inside, there was still a scent of blood lingering, indicating that the people who came for treatment had just left.
"Hello, Father," Kevin greeted.
"Hello, Kevin. What brings you here?" Father Daniel asked. "I heard about Eric's sacrifice on his last outing. Are you okay? Can you tell me more about what happened?"
Kevin explained the details of his first outing with Eric and Robert, but he concealed the fact that he had acquired the Underworld Person profession and killed the goblin warrior. He only mentioned that the goblin had left after he woke up from his injuries and had healed himself.
After listening to Kevin's story, Father Daniel said with a heavy heart, "Kevin, you are a good kid, and I don't think it was your fault at all. Robert bears a great responsibility for Eric's death due to his lies. But I believe you have come for other reasons, right?"
"Yes," Kevin replied. "I have advanced from 1 tier to 2 tier, and I have acquired a new skill called Activation. It's a skill that can temporarily strengthen the body. Can you tell me more about career advancement and acquiring new skills?"
"You've advanced already? Kevin, it seems I was not mistaken about you. You're truly a genius," Father Daniel said, smiling. "I think you have had enough battles or confrontations with powerful enemies, or perhaps you've used enough healing spells. These experiences will give you the necessary experience points to advance to the next tier."
Father Daniel paused for a moment before continuing, "When you advance to a new tier, you will generally gain a new skill that is unique to your profession. The skills you gain will vary depending on the person. You acquired Activation because you will likely be participating in direct combat with enemies frequently. Am I right?" Father Daniel chuckled as he looked at Kevin.
Kevin blushed slightly at the confirmation. Father Daniel went on, "Skills can also be acquired when you gain insights into certain aspects of your profession. Your father, Don, has more than the six warrior skills, and I do as well."
"Thank you, Father. I think I understand," Kevin said in reply.
"Keep up the good work, Kevin. I believe you will become a formidable priest one day," Father Daniel said with a smile. "I will do my best, Father. Goodbye," Kevin replied.
Kevin left the church feeling satisfied with the knowledge he had gained about skills and career advancement.