The caravan's journey remained tedious; they didn't even stop for lunch. Everyone simply took out some dry rations and began to eat.
Even the horses only briefly replenished their water and soybeans before continuing their journey.
The journey didn't end until they reached an abandoned and collapsed watchtower near water. Some caravan members rested, some kept watch, and others began to cook.
Li Ke also took out his tent and began to pitch it with Lottie.
Then Li Ke noticed that most of the adventurers hadn't brought tents or anything like that. Even Miss Lucia hadn't pitched a tent, only carrying a blanket and a mat.
While they were setting up their tents, the other adventurers looked at them strangely, which puzzled Li Ke.
But just as he was about to ask, Miss Lucia walked over with her arms crossed.
"Adventurers are supposed to keep watch at night, and tents are cumbersome. If a monster attacks, it's hard to detect its arrival or quickly assess the situation and its actions. So, adventurers usually only bring a blanket and a mat, not a tent or anything like that."
After saying this, she looked at Li Ke.
"The caravan owner also wants to hire reliable adventurers who can fight at any time, not people like them who enjoy themselves in tents and wagons. Besides, tonight the three of us will be on watch for two hours, the first half of the night, so it won't be too strenuous."
Li Ke was somewhat speechless, but had to admit that what she said was true.
"Understood."
Giving a thumbs up, Li Ke and Lottie reluctantly untied the half-built tent and started digging a pit to cook.
Lottie stopped worrying about the tent and quickly opened the supply package she had bought with the funds Li Ke had given her, revealing the various items inside.
Dried tofu, flour, dried meat, various dried vegetables, and seasonings. She even saw jars of braised meat…
She truly couldn't imagine what kind of attitude Li Ke and Lottie had in preparing their supplies.
Lucia, seeing this, painfully covered her forehead and spoke in a helpless tone.
"Generally speaking, adventurers only need to bring some dry rations and dried meat, and then cook some wild vegetables when they can. With your kind of preparation, the cost of the adventure is truly unrecoverable. And the overly stimulating smells will undoubtedly attract all sorts of monsters in the unknown jungle…"
She was truly speechless. This kind of dried meat and dried vegetables were very expensive because they involved magical power. Not only that, she even saw squid strips among Lottie's supplies. While not uncommon on the West Coast, they weren't cheap either.
Furthermore, for goblins, minotaurs, and the like, spices and salt are extremely valuable. There are even cases of them attacking adventurers just to steal salt and seasonings.
"Huh?"
Lottie glanced at the braised meat she'd already put in the pot, then at the marks left by the tent they'd set up earlier. She instinctively looked at Miss Lucia.
"This isn't going to have to be thrown away too, is it?"
Lucia looked at her pitiful expression and sighed helplessly.
"No need..."
"Yay!"
Li Ke: "..."
With so many rules and inconveniences, and what could be described as a harsh working environment, being an adventurer really is difficult in every way.
Even a little comfort can bring countless troubles.
So who's really the adventurer here?!
"But with expenses like this, you'll probably spend all the profits from one mission... Are you really planning to go on an adventure?"
Lucia was genuinely puzzled. Li Ke and Lottie didn't seem like they were here to be adventurers; they looked like they were on a picnic.
"Well, that's quite complicated, because I just want to experience real combat."
And maybe grind some monsters on the side.
Li Ke answered while stirring the soup in front of him.
"I see... So you're not short of money. Then why don't you hire a teacher? Hiring a swordsmanship master would only cost a dozen or so gold coins a month, right?"
Miss Lucia looked at Li Ke with sudden understanding, finally comprehending his situation.
However, she couldn't quite understand another thing: Li Ke didn't seem to come from a wealthy family. If his family wasn't short of money, why would he have such an attitude and appearance, and why did he clearly lack training?
"Well, there are many reasons."
Li Ke didn't want to reveal his unique characteristics, so he changed the subject.
"But everyone has their reasons for going on adventures. I'm quite curious why you've chosen to go on an adventure?"
He sensed that Lucia was somewhat out of place among the other adventurers, not just because of her serious personality, but also because of a certain air about her. How to put it...
While Lucia wasn't particularly concerned about appearances, she still tried to maintain her neatness and professionalism, and was very polite and considerate.
However, the other adventurers didn't seem to care much about such things.
Li Ke glanced at the other adventurers out of the corner of his eye. They looked rather barbaric, even slovenly.
Miss Lucia was different.
And when she sat down, she did so in a very proper kneeling position.
"As for me..."
Lucia was taken aback by Li Ke's question. Her expression didn't change much, but her tone became somewhat somber.
"I want to exterminate all the monsters in this world and avenge those who have lost their loved ones because of them."
After saying this, Lucia turned to look at Lottie and Li Ke.
"And you two?"
Lottie proudly raised her hand.
"Never to go hungry again! And to return to the Demon Realm and help others not go hungry!"
Her words brought a rare smile to Lucia's face, and she even playfully pinched Lottie's nose.
"That's a really impressive goal!" she praised, while Lottie chuckled smugly. The two of them then looked at Li Ke simultaneously.
Immortality, resurrection after death, a harem of wives and concubines, unparalleled wealth, a strong and healthy body, eternal youth, never gaining weight despite eating and drinking to their heart's content, and never getting sick…
These words quickly flashed through Li Ke's mind, but looking at the smiling faces and curious expressions of the two people before him, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
'Are all your goals this lofty?!'
After mentally shouting this, Li Ke considered their previously mentioned dreams, carefully chosen her words, and thoughtfully replied. Finally, she put down her spoon and answered them earnestly.
"Power, love, and eternal live."