"Human" in the Common Language refers only to the human race and does not include other humanoid races. The Common Language is the most frequently used and widely covered language in the continent, and even in the entire Multiverse. Invented by humans themselves, they hold various privileges in the Common Language.
The Common Language originated from the even older Duransa language, and Duransa was the first empire in human history. Although the size of the Duransa Empire at that time was not even half as large as the current Griffin Kingdom, it had already united more than 90% of the humans on the continent.
After all, at that time, humans were not the masters of the continent but merely quietly thriving in a corner by themselves.
The Duransa Empire lasted for nearly 300 years. After that, the human kingdoms were constantly dividing and merging, and the number of languages was also increasing. Even though many branches of human languages developed, they all derived from the Duransa language.
Later, the Magic Empire emerged and ruled the continent for a thousand years, pushing the human race to its peak and dominating the Multiverse for thousands of years.
The mages of the Magic Empire returned to the roots of language, invented the Common Language based on the Duransa language, and through their own powerful power, popularized the Common Language using compulsory means, spreading it to every corner of the continent and even the Multiverse.
As a Norde Barbarian, Bartlett did not understand all of this, but it did not prevent him from understanding the meaning revealed in the Gnome's words - the newcomer was a human, not some other strange creature.
This Gnome could see so far in the mist? Bartlett was somewhat surprised by this.
The Gnome grabbed the pointy horns on the helmet of the Ogre Morris, stood up on his shoulders, squinted his eyes to look into the distance, and said, "There're quite a few people coming." His voice was a little hoarse, "But it shouldn't be a problem."
Despite saying it shouldn't be dangerous, the Gnome still took out the dagger from his waist, gently tossed it into the air, and caught it backhanded.
As soon as the Gnome's voice fell, Bartlett also saw the figures in the mist. It was a group of about twenty or thirty adventurers. Only a few of them wore leather armor, while most were dressed in ordinary and shabby cotton and linen clothes.
If he thought leather armor was hidden under those barely covering clothes, Bartlett didn't really believe it. Instead of having the money to buy leather armor, it would be better to take some money and buy a handy weapon. At least a simple iron long sword would only cost two gold coins, but the killing power is much better than the pointed wooden sticks in their hands.
Looking at the state of these people, Bartlett guessed that most of them should be from Slumtown in Carano, as he had also recruited many poor people who wanted to change their fate there.
As the foremost commercial city in the Griffin Kingdom's west, Carano truly exemplifies the widely circulated proverb - "Underneath a shiny exterior lies ugliness."
Slumtown occupies half the size of Carano. Bartlett had also lived in Slumtown for a considerable period, where life was hard, even rye bread was mostly mixed with bran. But at least it could let you have a satisfying meal with just one copper coin.
The distance between the two adventurer groups grew closer, "I see them." said the Half-Elven, "But they seem to have seen us as well."
The Half-Elven was right, Bartlett noticed that the adventurers' group on the other side suddenly became restless. Many people stopped in place, holding their "weapons" nervously, their faces full of panic and confusion, as if meeting with their peers in the forest was not in their plan. Or rather, any sudden incident would make them show such an expression.
Many of these people were trembling all over, not knowing whether it was due to fear, the mist in the Foggy Forest, or excitement like Bartlett's? No, that's not possible!
The Barbarian Adventurer shook his head in his mind, many of the people on the opposite side might not even be able to defeat a Goblin. They hadn't received the most basic training and seemed to have been in Slumtown a moment ago, and arrived in the Foggy Forest the next.
A flat-nosed adventurer walked out from the group on the other side. The leather armor on "Flat Nose" was bulging due to his fat belly, and the iron nails embedded on the armor seemed to fly out at any moment. Rather than a piece of Weare enlarged studded leather armor, it was like a special hidden weapon that could be triggered at any time.
"Flat-nose" patted the back of a panicked boy in front of him, signaling him to make way. However, the boy was too nervous, and the sharp wooden stick in his hand unconsciously stabbed towards the unremarkable-looking adventurer. "Flat-nose" grabbed the sharp stick in his hand and slapped the youngster with his other hand, cursing and scolding him as he continued to approach Bartlett.
"Hey, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to see you here—the most devout 'Feeder' of the forest." Flat-nose walked towards Bartlett, speaking while stretching out his hands to hug the Norde Barbarian.
Bartlett took his hand off the "Iron Bride" and walked a few steps forward to perfunctorily respond to the hug. Bartlett and Flat-nose were quite familiar with each other, although their relationship was not great, but at least on the surface it was okay.
"Looks like you're not happy with your own nickname and are trying to steal mine?" Bartlett looked at the poor adventurers behind the newcomer and hinted.
"No, your nickname is yours, I don't want it." The newcomer laughed and shook his head, "'Handsome Jack' may not be a great one but at least it's not as disgusting and scary as the 'Feeder'."
"You don't get to pick a nickname." Bartlett said casually.
"Couldn't agree more." The newcomer nodded.
"Handsome Jack"—this was the nickname of the Flat-nosed adventurer. The nickname was not sarcastic, or at least it wasn't at first, because Jack's appearance could indeed be described as 'handsome' in the past. Perhaps not as good as the Half-Elven Estelle, but not far from it either.
During one of his adventures, Handsome Jack was unlucky enough to be hit straight in the face by the fist of a giant troll. His once straight nose was crushed, and most of his teeth were knocked out as well. Fortunately, his skull was sturdy enough not to be shattered, and his life was spared.
Although Jack had his teeth replanted after recovering from his injuries, his collapsed nose could never regain its original shape. Moreover, Jack was talkative, and every time he opened his mouth to speak, his unevenly planted teeth were exposed. Since then, adventurers still called him "Handsome Jack," but the meaning had completely reversed.
"Looks like you've put together a pretty good team this time." Jack glanced at the others behind Bartlett, his face flashed with surprise, and then he smiled at the Barbarian again, "But, it seems like there's not too much 'food' this time."
My food may not be much, but it's more exquisite, Bartlett thought to himself.
"I'm not the team organizer, just a guide with a commission." Bartlett stepped aside, revealing Old Will and the others behind him.
Jack's gaze shifted from the ogre to the dwarf on its shoulder, his face full of curiosity. Immediately after, his gaze moved from the dwarf to the half-elf, his curiosity turning to envy and a bit of pain, and finally rested on Old Will.
"A mage?" Jack asked uncertainly.
"Mage Will, my employer." Bartlett replied.
Jack quickly raised his palms up, placing them on his chest, and spoke reverently to Old Will, "Honorable mage, Jack of the Woolf Family salutes you."
Bartlett looked at Jack in surprise, not understanding the strange gesture he was making. But at least it should be different from the meaning of the crossing hands gesture that the adventurers use to greet each other.
He didn't think 'Handsome Jack' would make that offensive gesture to a mage unless that giant troll had not only smashed his nose but also damaged his brain when it hit him.
...