"Alright everyone, I'd say it's time we cash out, and fill our stomachs!" A smile was stuck to my face after that dive. How could it not be? Welf had really opened up, and had a slightly tired smile on his face from all the fighting we did.
It looked like Belle had made a quick recovery though, truly our stamina training was worth it! Or maybe she used some kind of special power, I wasn't really sure. All that mattered is that we were home free, and just needed to get a pay out and eat up!
"Sounds good to me, how are we dividing up our haul?" Welf interjected, cutting right to the chase as he put his hands behind his head and leaned back slightly while we moved towards the guild.
"I really think Belle should get the Chameleon's stone, you'll be getting one soon anyways after you beat one." I casually nodded my head while Belle hummed in agreement.
". . . Sure." Welf looked like he was going to say something else, but decided to just agree instead? This wouldn't stand!
"Welf, if you have disagreements you gotta let us know! Don't keep those slights bottled up in your heart!" I pointed straight at him as he blushed slightly and scratched the back of his head.
"No, no. Belle definitely deserves the crystal, I just really don't think I'm going to take down a Dungeon Chameleon, much less encounter one."
I bit my lip slightly, before shrugging.
"Eh, things have a way of working themselves out as long as you keep moving forward while remembering to look back." The great sage said that to me once after we got stuck in traffic. That truly was a valuable piece of wisdom.
"Anyways, what about the rest?" Welf gently shook the pouch by his side, the load we got earlier in the Dungeon clinking against the large stone inside.
I glanced at Belle who smiled upon spotting my gaze. She must be thinking what I'm thinking!
"You can have them Welf. We aren't exactly short on funding at the moment so you can have all that loot!" He was a blacksmith, so it made sense to give him the fangs and nails anyways. Maybe he could make something cool out of it? Nah, he DEFINITELY could! Welf was a great blacksmith.
Belle and Welf both silently stared at me, then glanced at each other.
"Fuck it, I won't complain." Welf reached into his pouch and handed Belle the massive stone from earlier with a genuine smile on his face. "I'll smith you something Belle, to celebrate taking down the Chameleon." He gently wiggled the bag, and Belle nodded in understanding.
She ran a hand through her white hair as we walked, the way the sun caught on it reflected her beauty, and my heart couldn't help but skip a beat!
"Very well, I suppose I can't refuse a gift from a party member." She stopped, wiping some blood off her knife "Even if it's from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Take of what you will, Red Boy."
"Are you still mad about the Rabbit Girl thing?"
"Perhaps if you kneel down and repent this very moment, I shall allow you forgiveness just this once."
"I meant what I said, and said what I meant."
My head was turning back and forth as it moved between the two speaking as they slowly moved closer and closer to each other. That was it, I knew it! They were shounen rivals! They just had to be!
The woman who could do anything, and the boy who could make anything! It was so perfect! Moving forwards I wrapped my arms around the two of them and forced them into a hug with a hearty laugh.
Lifting the two of them off the ground I slightly tightened my grip, avoiding pain, but making sure I didn't drop them.
"You guys are awesome!" Welf struggled a little bit, but he quickly accepted his fate of being hugged! Though I did set down the pair a moment later, I didn't actually want to make Welf feel uncomfortable or anything!
At least I didn't have to worry about Belle. She was kind of like a Koala, clinging to my arm while staring at her rival!
"Belle, were outside the Guild, I think the Andrew-Mobile is going to have to take its last stop."
She hopped off, kicking a small pebble just moments after landing. Welf took the opportunity to open the door to the Guild, which had a pretty large amount of people present inside.
"Alright everyone, it looks like it's waiting time!" I put my hands on my hips as I entered the long queue, but an older dark skinned woman approached me. Her attire was mostly strips of cloth that vaguely reminded me of some really talented dancers I'd met in my previous world before.
Those ladies were really cool, they even bought me lunch after I helped them out! Their former boss was a real jerk. I had to beat him up!
"Andrew Ariti right?"
"Uh, yeah. That's me!" I was lost in my own thoughts a bit and stumbled on my own words as I stared at the tiny guild badge put on her clothes. Oh! She was probably one of those enforcer people that helped keep the guild safe. Did I do something wrong?
"Ms. Fannet wants to see you in the back, I'll escort you." Her smile was casual, but she wasn't even looking at me. She was staring at a few other adventurers walking around with a dangerous look in her eye.
Rose wants to see me- OH YEAH. She owes me money! Or well, the Guild owes me money. I wouldn't put a friend in debt like that!
"Thank you." I gave her a smile, and she briefly eyed my face and gave a small nod. Turning to my party members I gave them a thumbs up, I was sure I'd be fine! It was just business after all.
Walking past different groups of people we made it to the back without issue, Rose sat behind a desk in her office and gestured for me to take a seat as the escort left the room and shut the door.
"Hi Rose! How are you doing?"
"Quite well. I hope the ring is serving you nicely?"
"Well, I haven't really used it for much yet, but at least it looks cool."
She silently stared at me for a moment, before sliding a suitcase sized box my way. The latches were shiny silver, and I couldn't resist the urge to crack them open!
Opening the box, I wasn't sure how many Valis exactly were inside of it, but it seemed to be a lot! Definitely more than last time!
"This is another five million valis. While Hunter stones normally go for more, yours was only one million Valis. The Trophy of Unslayable Prey on the other hand is a highly sought after item for high level families seeking to invest in a generational talent."
Five million. Five million valis!
"I could buy so much food with this."
She gave a small smile, before her expression went flat again.
"I highly recommend you change your place of residence, your friend Belle told me a while ago. You were living in a dilapidated church. That's no way for anyone to live, additionally having a proper place of residence also makes it easier to keep valuables protected."
"A new home huh?" I was getting attached to that church to be honest. Sitting on the roof, gazing at the stars. Its location wasn't perfect, but it was the first place I'd gotten to call home ever since coming to this new world.
I moved around a lot before, and it made me sad to put the church on the list of 'old homes' I'd moved away from. I looked down at my hands, staring into the digits. Rose made a good point. She always did.
Slowly turning my gaze upwards, her expression was slightly sad, her extra set of ears on her head slightly downturned. She probably knew I was the type of person to get easily attached, but she still recommended I move anyways.
It showed how much she cared! I couldn't blame her for that, nor did I.
"May I recommend an alternative option?"
I slightly perked up at that, a hopeful spark in my eyes as she continued with a small sigh.
"It's more expensive than just buying a different home, but you could refurbish the church. The guild subsidises housing for adventurers, and while your church wouldn't apply for the benefits, I at least know a group of reliable builders I could send your way."
I stood up. Rocketing to my feet, and giving a sincere bow her way!
"Thank you! It really means a lot to me!" She'd kept my feelings in mind, even when her job only applied to my safety! Rose is awesome. "You really mean a lot to me Rose. I've wanted to stay in one place for a long time, so this really does mean a lot."
Rank 8: Rejecting the Instinct - Increases resistance to negative effects that stem from the user's own abilities, this ability can be disabled or reduced in strength.
Will that work on Hector being weird about Syr?
Her cheeks turned faintly red before she crossed her arms and gave a nod.
"Your mental state also contributes to your safety within the Dungeon, a healthy body and mind are critical to your continued success. This too should fall under the purview of an advisor."
Rose was also super smart. A true rival for the title of great sage!
I scratched the back of my head as my thoughts wandered back to when we first met.
"Rose." She glanced up at me from the pile of money before her. "I'm not going to give up, you supporting me like this even though I know you think I should quit while I'm ahead means the world to me."
She leaned back in her chair, narrowing her eyes slightly as she stared at my smiling face with a bored expression.
"Just don't die." She silently shut the case and slid it my way.
"You got it!" I gave a thumbs up.
"The builders should show up tomorrow at your place, make sure to receive them early in the morning."
"You got it!" I held the second thumb up!
"Alright Andrew, I'll see you next time."
"Alright Rose, thanks for all your help! See you next time!"
I walked out the room and quickly regrouped with my allies! We had a lot to discuss with Hestia, but we definitely had to eat first. As a matter of fact, I should find Syr. I owe her a lunch date! While I didn't really want anything too serious to come of this while I was still trying to understand my own feelings related to Belle, I did promise her.
I really, really, don't like to break my promises!
"Hey Welf, I'll tell you more about myself tomorrow, but I just remembered I promised someone I'd get food with them today." Belle looked a bit surprised as she turned to me with a slightly aghast expression.
"Fine by me, I'll hold you to it." He gave a small smirk as he kept going. "It's a promise." He gave a laugh as he patted me on the shoulder. Dang Welf! He used the classic promise trap! He truly was worthy of being Belle's shounen rival.
We walked out of the guild, but the moment we exited Belle dragged me aside with strength I didn't even know she had.
"Who." I slowly turned to Belle, whose gaze was fixed on the ground as she held my arm firm.
"Syr, she gave us some of the food I brought home once, so I'm getting lunch with her."
As if on queue Syr appeared! Walking down the street in a casual outfit that made me blush slightly, I couldn't lie. She was cute! Looks like Hector really did take a hike with Rose's help! I knew the guy was just looking out for me, but he was weird about Syr. Really weird!
Spoiler: Cute Syr
"Hi Andrew! Looks like you just got out of the Dungeon." She wrapped an arm around mine, locking it in place as she gave me a bright smile. Belle immediately started moving towards us, but froze at Syr's next words. "So why don't we go on our date now?"
I couldn't help but gulp. This was unideal! Belle might seriously get the wrong idea!
I should also pass of this case of money to someone, I shouldn't be walking around with this much on me!
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