Returning to Gray Rock Town.
The familiar gray and white stone buildings instinctively put one at ease.
Perhaps this is the meaning of a town.
When adventurers go out on long journeys, facing wind and rain, crossing mountains, and finally returning to a place where they can sleep soundly and enjoy a feast, the sudden surge of emotion is indescribable.
Gauss, laden with packages of all sizes, stood at the town entrance, following other adventurers into the town's main street. Watching the curious gazes of children by the roadside, he suddenly felt as if he were in a different world.
In the blink of an eye, he had also become a true adventurer, a "dangerous person" that his previous memories warned against provoking.
Shaking his head, he chuckled lightly.
What kind of person am I really?
Just a group of goblins and a slightly stronger goblin had pushed him into danger.
He was still far from being strong.
"Let's submit the task first."
Even though his body was covered in dirt and sweat due to days without the chance to wash, Gauss decided to submit the task first.
This was his personal habit.
He liked to handle things from start to finish, and only after completing the task submission would he feel like he could finally rest.
Otherwise, even if he returned to the inn to wash and rest, he would constantly be thinking about this matter, unable to relax completely.
Walking along the town's central avenue to the square.
The Adventurer's Guild flag was still flying high in the wind.
Since Haylir previously registered at the Adventurer's Guild reception, adding Gauss's information to the task registration,
even though she wasn't present, Gauss, as one of the task members, could still claim the corresponding task rewards by holding the task commission documents.
Entering the Adventurer's Guild hall.
This time, the hall was even more lively than on his last visit.
Queues had formed at the service counters.
Gauss picked the shortest-looking line and waited patiently.
After a while.
The slowly moving line finally reached him.
"Hello, this is Petra, receptionist ID E21051. How can I assist you today?"
It happened to be Petra, whom he had met last time.
"I want to claim the task rewards," Gauss submitted the task commission documents, along with a heavy bag of task items and his badge.
After all, it was only a few days since then, and Petra seemed to recognize him.
"The task must have been tough."
Taking the commission documents, confirming the signatures, she opened the bag to check the goblin left ears, which served as task items.
"The quantity seems a bit more than expected?"
"That's because the task information was incorrect. In reality, our team encountered not 7-8 goblins but a total of 20 goblins." Gauss sighed. "The village chief also described this unexpected situation in the task documents."
"Ah! Sorry! This was an oversight on our part at the Adventurer's Guild. We apologize for putting you at risk." After confirming the documents, Petra solemnly bowed. "I'll report this to the higher-ups right away, and someone will follow up to verify."
"According to Guild regulations, your task rewards will be doubled as compensation."
Upon hearing this, Gauss nodded.
With compensation, it was at least an acknowledgment.
It was inevitable, as the Adventurer's Guild in this world was a giant entity operating across kingdoms. While it wouldn't bully customers, ordinary adventurers, especially bottom adventurers like him, had no say even with local branches.
To put it realistically,
Even if major errors occurred in task intel from the Adventurer's Guild, leading to an adventurer's death, so what?
Bottom adventurers were like wild grass on the roadside; as one dies, new adventurers spring up endlessly.
This was the sad reality bottom adventurers had to face.
Only by becoming a strong adventurer, at least a Professional, could one control their own fate.
Just like those figures clad in elite gear, standing straight, laughing as they headed upstairs. Even the stern-faced guards on the stairs placed a hand on their chest and saluted with a smile when they saw them.
Meanwhile, bottom adventurers like him had to squeeze into the crowded ground floor and wait in line.
This disparity was everywhere.
"Your task rewards are 9 Silver Coins, plus our compensation, totaling 18 Silver Coins. Please take care of it."
Petra took a bag of coins from under the counter and placed it on the tabletop.
Then she operated underneath the table, returning Gauss's Adventurer's Badge serving as his ID.
Gauss accepted the money bag and Adventurer's Badge.
A significant portion of these 18 Silver Coins belonged to Haylir and her companions, and he had no intention of taking it.
Although Haylir and her companions might not lack these Silver Coins, Gauss intended to hold on to them for now, as it was agreed before the task commission began.
Thus, belonging to Gauss were 4 Silver Coins and 50 Copper Coins.
His current cash temporarily amounted to 5 Silver Coins and 12 Copper Coins.
As for other spoils, considering that he played a crucial role in the battle and was in the early phase of his adventurer career, urgently needing money, he wasn't going to be overly polite.
Moreover, he had mentioned this to Haylir.
"The task information has been recorded on your Adventurer's Badge."
"Does the registration serve any purpose?"
"Yes, when you complete 10 ordinary level commission tasks, you'll gain the privilege to take on primary tasks. Completing three primary level commissions allows you to apply to become a bronze level adventurer, enjoying more guild benefits and purchasing privileges."
"However, primary tasks often involve powerful monsters requiring Professionals to handle. Without sufficient strength, even with ten ordinary task experiences, it's advised not to rashly take them."
"Bronze level adventurer? Miss Petra, may I know what rank I am?"
"You're unranked, a Levelless Adventurer. Above bronze, there are Black Iron Level, Silver Level, Gold Level, and Platinum titled adventurers." Seeing Gauss's interest, Petra explained a bit further.
"Platinum-level adventurers are strong ones, of whom five have emerged from our entire Carlos Kingdom, standing atop countless adventurers as titled adventurers."
Gauss nodded.
This adventurer rank system was memorable, though he hadn't expected there to be so few top Platinum-level adventurers—only five in the entire kingdom, meaning there would be even fewer currently.
"Miss Petra, how can I become a Professional?" He wondered if he could gather information from Petra, given that as a receptionist, she encountered all sorts of adventurers daily.
"Sorry, I can't answer that. After all, I'm just an ordinary receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild." Under Gauss's gaze, Petra helplessly shook her head, indicating she wasn't familiar with such knowledge.
"Thank you." Gauss thanked Petra.
He turned to leave the queue, and the next adventurer stepped forward.
If he didn't leave, the spiky-haired, golden-haired uncle behind him might be preparing to force him out.
As he walked towards the Adventurer's Guild entrance, Petra's earlier answer lingered in his mind.
Reflecting on Petra's tone earlier,
Truthfully, he didn't believe Petra was completely ignorant about Professionals; having worked at the Adventurer's Guild for so long, she ought to have picked up some relevant knowledge.
It was likely she didn't want to say or was restricted from casually speaking?
Of course, it might also be that with the long queue behind her, she thought a brief explanation wouldn't suffice and thus politely refused.
Not getting the answer he wanted didn't make Gauss anxious.
It was merely a casual inquiry, and lack of results wasn't an issue; he had other places more suited for gathering information.