My job list is full of alien girls.

Chapter 4 has enormous potential and a promising future.

The friendliness on Buck's face was something he had never seen before.

"Didn't you recognize me?" Rhodes lowered his eyes, pondering the changes in his mind.

If it's not a problem with the other person's eyes, then it can only be an effect of merging.

Thinking of this, he glanced at the system panel that he hadn't had time to check along the way.

[Current Combination: Swift Ranger (Best Pairing)]

[Fusing Material: Elina (Half-Elf), Material Compatibility: High, Material Condition: Poor]

【Combination Skill (Inherent):】

Resonance: Automatically combines racial traits, abilities, and basic attributes of combined materials, unlocking related traits and classes.

Damage Sharing (Passive): In the combined state, damage is preferentially borne by the party with the better condition.

Cognitive Filter (Passive): In the combined state, your true appearance has a cognitive barrier effect, making it impossible to directly discern (it will automatically become ineffective after actively revealing or witnessing the combined state)

Just like the mask effect of Kamen Rider, Gale Wanderer will not easily reveal his identity.

Thinking of this, Rhodes nodded in satisfaction and naturally accepted the setting.

Seeing Rhodes suddenly nod, Buck assumed he had accepted his offer and immediately smiled and tried to get closer to him: "Judging from your accent, you're probably not a local. You must be an adventurer who came to Misty City from elsewhere."

Rhodes nodded at the question, then suddenly shook his head.

He was indeed from out of town, but he wasn't a newcomer.

Buck didn't take it seriously, simply dismissing it as a quirk unique to the strong.

"Are you going into town to report to the Adventurers' Guild?" Buck asked Rhodes, continuing in a familiar tone, "I suggest you wait two more days."

Noticing Rod's puzzled look, Buck deliberately lowered his voice and said:

"Recently, many villages have been attacked by monsters, suffering heavy losses, especially these green-skinned beasts, who are swarming together."

"Is that so?" Rod thought of his previous experience and understood.

No wonder there have been so many adventurer corpses lately; I was even unlucky enough to encounter a group of goblins in the outer area.

"Judging from what you're wearing, you've probably encountered more than just a simple goblin, haven't you?" Buck said with a laugh, pointing to the goblin ear tuft on Rhodes' waist.

He had noticed it long ago; one of the ears in the string was noticeably larger than the others.

"Yes," Rhodes nodded, "he's a small-time boss."

Upon hearing this, Buck's eyes lit up instantly, and his tone became even more enthusiastic: "That could probably fetch a lot of money."

"But I advise you not to rush," Buck whispered. "I heard the guild is planning to increase bounties to incentivize more people to hunt monsters."

"Just a regular goblin, you're guaranteed at least eighty copper coins per goblin, and it's even possible it'll go up to one silver coin per goblin," he winked and gestured with his hand, "You're about to strike it rich!"

"Some people have already started stockpiling fresh Goblin Left Ears and the latest nest locations, just waiting for the guild to issue a raid commission and raise the bounty to make a fortune."

Rod remained silent, simply listening attentively to what he had to say.

The information the other party provided was something he rarely had access to on a regular basis.

As a corpse collector who leaves early and returns late, he deals mostly with the dead. However, the corpses can only show how brutal and troublesome the monsters are, but they can't tell you how valuable the monsters that Rodger is hunting are.

Especially for outsiders like him who have no status or power, if they want to settle down and live in the local area, they can only do the lowly job of collecting corpses, which no one wants to do. Most people think he is unlucky and naturally won't take the initiative to deal with him.

"I see," Rod nodded, then politely added, "Thank you."

"Hehe... I see you're all alone, just arrived in Misty City. If you don't know where to go, you can sit at the 'Broken Barrel' tavern in the south of the city," Buck enthusiastically recommended.

"Information flows quickly and there are many connections there. I have a good relationship with the bartender there. If you mention my name, Buck, he'll know what I mean."

"Of course, if you'd like to find a place to have some fun," he said, giving his companion a knowing look, "there's a 'Nightingale' nearby. With your outstanding looks and demeanor, they should be happy to entertain you."

"I'll consider it," Rhodes replied casually, stepping into the city.

Buck didn't press the matter further. Dealing with adventurers was a gradual process, and there was no need to be overly obsequious without clear benefits.

However, compared to the few coins for the city entrance fee, he valued this promising career more. After all, the captain was making a lot of money and living a carefree life, which made him very envious.

After entering the city, Rhodes did not head south as the other party had suggested. Instead, he deliberately took two secluded alleys, constantly observing his surroundings to make sure no one was following him before quickening his pace to his residence on the edge of town.

The place they mentioned is okay to go, but not now.

The most urgent task is to find a place to dissolve the fusion and settle Alina in.

The deeper you go, the more humid the air becomes, and the more eerie the surroundings become.

Stone tablets were crookedly stuck in the soil. Crows cawed and landed on the tablets, staring intently at the passing figures. When Rod approached, they flapped their wings and flew away, leaving behind a piercing cry.

Alina, feeling a chill run down her spine in the consciousness space, finally couldn't help but ask, "Where are we going?"

"Come to my house," Rhodes sensed her unease and casually explained, "It's also the cemetery in Misty City."

Although it is called a public cemetery, the public cemetery in Misty City is not much different from a mass grave. Those buried here are mostly poor refugees and low-level adventurers, and it is not comparable to the church cemetery that is carefully maintained.

The roads here are messy and disorderly, with weeds growing waist-high and untended. Apart from the small paths for walking, it is difficult to find a place to step. When the wind blows, the withered vines and wild grass rustle, mixed with a faint smell of decay, making it desolate and gloomy.

Most of the stone tablets were broken and crooked. The few inscriptions that were already there were blurred and difficult to read due to the erosion of wind and rain. Some graves were simply filled with a stone, making it impossible to identify the owner.

Thinking of Rhodes's incomprehensible fusion magic and his terrifying living environment, Alina's heart sank.

This looks exactly like the place where those legendary dark sorcerers secretly conducted evil experiments.

Rod's residence was reached quickly.

It was a low stone house with cracked walls. A makeshift shed made of old burlap and rotten wood stood in front of the house, barely enough to keep out the wind and rain.

Aside from homeless drifters and people with ulterior motives, almost no one comes here, making it convenient for Rhodes to hide a conspicuous outsider like Elina.

"Squeak—"

The dilapidated wooden door was pushed open, and dust and a musty smell rushed out.

After closing and locking the door, my tense nerves relaxed slightly, and the intense fatigue and hunger brought on by our union surged up instantly.

"Hoo..." Rhodes leaned against the wall and took a deep breath, then a thought struck him.

The cyan-gold leather armor covering his body turned into specks of cyan light and dissipated. His attire reverted to that old, patched, gray hemp clothing, making him look like a poor, struggling corpse collector struggling to make a living.

At the same time, Alina's figure suddenly appeared in his arms.

She was still in her consciousness space one second, and the next second she bumped into Rhodes's arms. Startled, she instinctively hooked her arms around Rhodes's neck, afraid that she would fall.

The girl's warm breath exhaled a fresh scent of grass and trees, her smooth, soft cheek brushed against the man's rough clothes, and a faint smell of sweat lingered around her nose.

Golden hair fell onto Rhodes's hand, brushing against it like a feather, making his skin slightly itchy.

"I'm... out?" Alina was a little confused and hadn't reacted yet.

Looking up and seeing Rhodes's face so close to hers, Alina paused, then unconsciously looked away and whispered:

"Um, could you put me down...?"

Before she could finish speaking, Alina suddenly felt a slight loss of weight, the world spun around her, and she was casually tossed onto the bed next to her.

"?"

Alina, who had rolled halfway around, lay blankly on the stone bed, her fists clenching as she looked at Rhodes's oblivious expression.

Although she did intend to have Rhodes put her down...

But couldn't he have been a little gentler with a wounded soldier?!

As for Rhodes?

His attention was entirely focused on the system panel.

[The Swift Ranger has logged out...]

[Due to the unlocking of the profession, the base attributes Strength and Agility receive a slight increase.]

[Note! This skill cannot be used outside of a combined state unless you have fully mastered it.]

Weapon Mastery: Archery Specialization (Beginner), Short Weapon Specialization (Beginner)

【职业技能：魔法箭矢（LV1）、精準打击（LV1）、猎人印记（LV1）、野外生存（LV1）、狩猎（LV1）、敏锐感知（LV1）、导航（LV1）、迅捷（LV1）……】

[Fusing Material: Elina (Half-Elf), Material Compatibility: High, Material Condition: Poor]

[Note! When not in a combined state, the inherent talent effects of materials cannot be shared.]

[Half-elf racial traits (inherent): Sharpshooter, Darkvision, Nature's Affinity, Sleep Resistance, Charm Resistance]

This material is of the Gale attribute; when combined, it increases Agility and reduces Stamina consumption.

"Hiss..." Rhodes gasped after reading this.

What a wonderful power this is!

It has both strength and a robust mechanism; it boasts a handsome appearance, enormous potential, and a promising future.

My goodness, Lord Swiftwind Ranger!

Thinking of this, Rhodes couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if he and Alina were perfectly combined.

The mere thought of that scene sent shivers down Rhodes' spine.

What on earth is this guy doing?

Alina watched this bizarre scene with a sense of unease, feeling that Rhodes was pondering something strange.

"It's a pity that the time we can combine is still too short. If only it could be a little longer..."

Rhodes felt a pang of regret. His gaze swept over Alina's pale face, and he recalled the "Poor Material Status" message on the panel, falling into deep thought.

Since the compatibility of materials directly affects the strength of the combination, if we can improve Alina's condition, will the strength of their combination increase significantly?

"What methods can be used to improve her condition?" Rod pondered, a whole host of methods flashing through his mind, before finally identifying a few promising directions.

Feeding, treatment, rest...

That's right, let's do it.

Rod stepped onto a chair, took down the vegetable basket hanging on the roof beam for moisture protection, looked at the black bread, smoked jerky, radishes, beans and other food inside, and then picked up a brazier to start a fire and cook.

"call--"

As Rhodes blew, Alina saw wisps of smoke rise, indicating that the fire had been successfully ignited.

"He's pretty good... but what about me?" Alina sat on the bed, hugging her knees. The flickering firelight illuminated the confusion in her eyes. She stared blankly, pondering her incompetence and what to do next.

An enemy suddenly stormed into the manor, and during the chase, he was teleported away by his mother. When he woke up, he found himself in this unfamiliar place.

Her wounds were still throbbing, and she was even a little weak to stand. With no ability to survive, if she were to leave in such a wounded state, she would probably be killed by wandering monsters or targeted by those with ill intentions before she even found her way home.

The only sound in the room was the crackling of the burning firewood. Alina stared intently at Rhodes as he used a knife to cut the dried meat into pieces and toss them into the bubbling pot. Soon, a layer of colorful oil rose to the surface of the water.

If you can't trust anyone else... what about Rhodes, who just went through life and death with you?

Alina recalled how Rhodes looked when he faced that group of vicious goblins.

Thinking about it carefully, although this person had an odd personality, perverted behavior, and rough actions, touching and looking at her body repeatedly...

But in terms of both survival skills and mindset during battle, he seems to far surpass her.

Perhaps staying by his side for now is the best option?

But would he really take in such a troublesome person?

Alina watched Rod's cooking progress, her eyes lowered and she remained silent.

"Phew—it's almost done cooking." Rod, who had been watching over the pot, suddenly spoke up.

He stirred the broth in the pot a couple of times with a wooden spoon to check its condition, then took out a palm-sized bag and opened it. Inside were some dried mushrooms, their grayish-brown caps glistening with a faint sheen of oil.

This mushroom causes a burning or tingling sensation in the body after consumption, and the tongue feels as if it has been pricked with needles, hence its nickname "devil mushroom."

However, for Rhodes, a transmigrator who was used to eating chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, the devil mushroom had a firm texture and delicate taste. It was absolutely delicious when stewed with salted meat. He often used it to soothe his taste buds that had been ravaged by black bread.

"Just this last bit of the secret seasoning is needed," he said, pouring in all the remaining ingredients from his pocket. "Ready to serve."

As the seasonings were added, a rich and enticing savory aroma quickly filled the air, rushing into Alina's nostrils along with the rising steam.

Upon smelling the aroma, Alina unconsciously swallowed.

So fragrant...

The aroma of the broth grew stronger, and the warmth of the firewood dispelled most of the original chill of the stone house.

"What are you thinking about?"

Rhodes' voice rang in her ears, and a steaming bowl of meat soup was handed to Alina.

The girl stared at him blankly, her emerald eyes reflecting the warm, flickering flames, and the man's image burned within them.

Looking at the fragrant meat soup and at Rod's smug yet serious expression, the confusion, worry, and fear of the future that had been weighing on my heart quietly faded away at that moment.

Even if you are still recovering from serious injuries, or even if you are temporarily homeless, it doesn't mean that you are a burden who can only depend on others.

Besides, I am not entirely useless.

She has half-elf blood in her body, as well as innate archery skills and a natural affinity for nature. How could she so easily bow down to fate?

"Don't wait until the soup gets cold," Rod said, unaware of Alina's thoughts. "Let's eat first."

Alina suddenly laughed.

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

[Basic resonance has increased!]