Gauss silently observed the druid sister Aaliyah along the way.
Finally, at sunset, they emerged from Emerald Forest.
Both sighed in relief simultaneously.
Outside Emerald Forest, there was a small temporary camp for adventurers.
Some bottom adventurers and hunters, medicine gatherers gathered here, and the presence of bronze-level adventurers was not uncommon.
The camp was surrounded by a layer of wooden fences, with many carriages parked inside.
Walking in, one could find that the land was deep brown, a color soaked by blood, with all kinds of trash scattered on the ground, organs of unidentified animals or hair and other miscellaneous items.
The camp was bustling, with merchants bargaining with hunters, bottom adventurers, purchasing the items and spoils they had collected; adventurers chattering about sharing the proceeds from actions; occasionally, a few loud disputes broke out, and various noisy sounds intertwined in the camp.
But when the two approached, other bottom adventurers caught sight of the large wolf beside Aaliyah and the green identity badge hanging in front of her, instinctively distancing themselves from the two.
Even though Gauss’s identity badge wasn’t exposed, anyone who could "team up" with a professional to form a two-person team must also be a professional.
Two smelly people arriving at the camp were not special, as everyone here smelled the same.
It was merely fifty steps laughing at a hundred steps.
"Want to ride the carriage together?" Aaliyah took the initiative to suggest.
"What about your wolf companion?"
"It will follow the carriage on its own."
"Then let’s take the ride back." Gauss was a bit tired too.
The two strolled around the camp and quickly negotiated a price with a carriage owner preparing to return to Gray Rock Town.
Aaliyah also bought over ten pounds of raw meat, fed her wolf companion, and then the two of them got into the carriage, swaying back toward Gray Rock Town.
When they arrived at the checkpoint of Gray Rock Town, Gauss once again experienced the benefits of an adventurer’s bronze-level identity badge.
After Aaliyah presented her badge, not only did they not have to queue at the gate like the others, but they also didn’t need to be checked; the gate guards let them pass directly, and Gauss enjoyed the privilege along with her.
Other pedestrians waiting to enter the town behind them glanced over with envy.
"Do you not need to be checked after presenting a bronze-level badge?"
Entering the town, Gauss couldn’t help but ask Aaliyah curiously.
"No, normally checking is required. But since I am a resident bronze-level adventurer of Gray Rock Town, my identity information is noted in the roster of these town guards, so they just let me pass. It’s a small insignificant privilege."
Gauss nodded.
This time he successfully completed the task, two more times to go.
He too could get his own bronze-level badge.
Actually, if you go to a big city, there are other assessment methods, but in a border adventure town like Gray Rock Town, the only route is through commission tasks.
Of course, bronze-level adventurers who pass the assessment in this way have the highest value.
It represents their excellent practical ability, along with rich experience in fulfilling commission tasks, and they are adept at using tools or other strategies to assist in executing commissions, very comprehensive.
"Let’s keep in touch if there’s an opportunity later." Aaliyah bid farewell to Gauss at the town entrance.
"Alright, next time we get a chance to cooperate." Gauss nodded.
It was not just polite talk, but a judgment made from his observations along the way.
At least in terms of strength, she is a good partner.
She can offer ample control, facilitating him to harvest enemies more swiftly.
If this goblin village clearance didn’t require solo action and she provided assistance, he wouldn’t have needed to go through so much trouble applying the medicine in advance.
Just having her control the field, he could charge up and annihilate them all, the confidence of a "Hexagonal Profession."
The benefits brought by one assistant are far greater than the enhancement effects given to other mages, warriors.
Carrying his package.
Gauss first went to the bathhouse to store his luggage and took a hot shower by the way.
Watching the blood stains on his body, almost solidifying into scabs, gradually rinse off with the flow of water, he felt much more comfortable, his body seemingly felt a few pounds lighter.
After scrubbing his skin until it turned red, and thoroughly washing away every last bit of the stench of blood and sweat, Gauss finally left the bathhouse, feeling refreshed.
As for the luggage, it’s temporarily stored in the private compartment of the bathhouse.
With some personal belongings and task items, Gauss headed to the Adventurer’s Guild base.
Even though he had a Recording Crystal Stone, to ensure everything was foolproof, he also brought along the goblin left ears he habitually cut off.
It was around four or five o’clock in the afternoon now.
The number of people submitting commissions at the Adventurer’s Guild was gradually increasing.
This time he didn’t see Petra’s figure at any of the counters, presumably resting, so Gauss casually chose a counter with the least people.
After queuing for a while, he submitted the Task Badge, Recording Crystal Stone, and a small bag of goblin left ears.
The counter receptionist stated there was no need to submit the left ears, took the Recording Crystal Stone, and went to the office behind the counter, knocking and entering.
A little while later, she returned with a respectful smile on her face.
She handed Gauss a commission reward of ninety Silver Coins.
"Dear Adventurer Gauss, the assessment task you executed this time was checked and meets the Guild’s requirements. Congratulations on completing this initial task successfully. Here’s your commission reward, please check."
Gauss glanced at the bag.
Ten Silver Coins were neatly bundled into a stack, a total of nine stacks.
After quickly counting.
He put away the small bag containing coins.
"Thank you."
"Do you need to take on a second beginner task now?"
"Not for the time being."
"Alright, if you need, you can go to any front desk at any time, without queuing. Explain your situation, and there will be staff to lead you to the VIP area to take on tasks." The receptionist’s tone was very respectful, accompanied by a sweet smile.
It was not the formal tone and content used for ordinary bottom adventurers.
Although Gauss is not yet a true bronze-ranked adventurer, completing his task for the first time smoothly in a very short time already indicates his strong capabilities. Becoming a bronze-ranked adventurer is just a matter of time for him.
...
The next day.
Gauss, carrying a large bundle of various spoils, roamed among the shops.
Leather fabrics, ceramic artworks, weapons, and other items of unclear significance.
Holding a small notebook, he shifted between multiple shops, compared prices, and recorded the amounts.
Finally, he sold most of the spoils retrieved from the goblin village for about 1 gold and 25 silver.
Including the commission for this task, the total was 2 gold and 15 silver.
The savings in the money bag suddenly broke through to 5 gold coins.
Reaching 5 gold and 26 silver, a new historical high.
After running around for most of the day and sweating profusely, Gauss put the money bag by his ear and shook it.
Listening to the jingling sound of metal colliding inside, his lips curled into a slight smile.
The reassuring sound, having heard it often, he could distinguish the sound of different coins.
The collision of copper coins was a short, dry, hard clanging sound with a hint of static, like the sound of plastic pieces colliding in the previous life.
The clash of silver coins was clearer and more transparent, with a pure lingering sound and a slight metallic vibration.
As for the gold coins, it was a long, soft, deep, and rich echo, with a luxurious and expensive aura coming towards him.
Of course, he wasn’t a money-grubber.
He merely thought that the sound of the gold coins colliding in the money bag was pleasing.
"And I haven’t sold those two scrolls yet."
Thinking of this.
He recalled Andri again.
No time like the present.
Let’s see if she’s back today.
The last time he went to the Thorny Hut, knocking on the door didn’t open.
It had been several days now, she should be back.
At the fruit store by the street, Gauss bought quite a lot of fresh fruits, and carrying two bags of fruit, he stepped into Widow Street.
"Little brother, want to come in and play?"
Passing by the establishment, another scantily clad, fair-skinned, well-shaped older sister extended an invitation, and upon seeing his face, covered her mouth repeatedly with a wanton smile.
With a fleeting glance, Gauss, somewhat unsettled, waved his hand repeatedly, briskly passing the establishment amid the woman’s giggles.
He arrived at the Thorny Hut.
Knocked on the door.
This time, without waiting long, the oak door automatically opened slowly with a creaking sound.
It seemed she was back.
Seeing this scene, Gauss understood in his heart.
He stepped inside and closed the door.
The candles on the walls automatically ignited, emitting a warm yellow glow.
Inside the hall, Andri’s gaze firmly locked onto Gauss the moment he entered.
Then she looked at him as if he were a monster.
"Senior Andri, what’s wrong?"
"...."
"You’ve advanced in your profession?"
Gauss was about to speak to surprise her.
Unexpectedly, Andri immediately noticed the change in him.
Being so suddenly pointed out, Gauss could only nod and admit it.
After Gauss’s admission, Andri fell into a long silence again, as if pondering something.
Suddenly, the green youth before her overlapped with the figure she had glimpsed many years ago.
After a long time, she pulled herself out of her thoughts.