"That person is a bronze adventurer!"
The teammate’s expression of surprise grew even more pronounced upon hearing this, and their gaze fell once more on Marlin, full of incredulity.
Knowing them from working at the blacksmith shop, it means they and Marlin practically became adventurers around the same period.
"Did you see it wrong?" Marlin, although newly an adventurer, understands the significance of this level, and he asked in disbelief.
"Didn’t you see the green badge hanging on the chests of those two just now?"
Upon hearing his teammate’s supplement, images of the brief encounter flashed in Marlin’s mind, he indeed noticed a glimmer of green pass by.
But at that time, he was overwhelmed with embarrassment and hardly dared to look at Gauss more than a glance.
He wished desperately for Gauss to leave quickly and stop witnessing his awkwardness.
Bronze adventurer...
How could it be so fast?
A sense of helplessness grew in Marlin’s heart; in his mind, the group’s professionals in the small town were the most untouchable, and now Gauss became one of them?
Thinking back to a little over a year ago, Gauss was just a temporary worker in the blacksmith shop.
Unattached, even as a small town boy like himself, he could find significant superiority over Gauss, bragging about eating meat today, casually revealing his family gave him allowance tomorrow...
At that time, seeing the undisguisable envy in Gauss’ eyes, he felt a great sense of satisfaction.
And now.
The comparison of their situations only made him feel utterly ironic.
The only relief was that Gauss didn’t seem to have the same desire to show off as he did.
Otherwise, he would truly be ashamed beyond measure.
—
"Acquaintance?"
Aaliyah asked in response.
It’s known that her social circle is quite small, but occasionally in the town she might encounter former teammates or merchants she interacted with temporarily.
But compared to Aaliyah, Gauss’ social circle is even smaller.
On usual days, besides seeing him interact with others at the inn, he seems to know no one else, hence the inquiry.
Gauss remained silent for a moment, then simply described his relationship with Marlin.
"He doesn’t seem fit to be an adventurer." Aaliyah observed incisively.
She meant more than just skills; it included mindset and aura.
You could tell from Marlin’s downtrodden appearance after being scolded by the "captain" earlier that this was likely his regular state in the team.
Being an adventurer requires a certain fierceness, towards enemies, teammates, and most importantly, oneself.
One must force oneself to be tough, unless gifted exceptionally, otherwise it’s tough to struggle out of the mire of being a bottom adventurer.
"It’s his choice as well." Gauss nodded.
Not just acquaintances like Marlin, even intimate friends, he wouldn’t arbitrarily impose opinions on their life choices.
Two paths in the woods, choosing one often leaves the other one sentimental.
Though he seems unfit to be an adventurer now, if he retreats from the field completely, ensuring he won’t begin regretting not persevering.
By then, a well-meaning suggestion might turn into the cause of someone’s grievances.
"It’s indeed difficult for a bottom adventurer to rise." Aaliyah sighed over something.
Silence along the way.
The two passed through the gate, entering Gray Rock Town.
The town’s temperature felt noticeably warmer than outside.
The two first went to the Adventurer’s Guild to submit a task.
Though they were trivial ordinary commissions to him, it summates to thirty silver coins, with almost no damage or weapons wear, he could maintain daily expenses and save a little money.
Of course, Gauss didn’t count on these trivial commissions for much profit.
It was merely to warm up before winter hunting, train magic, and accumulate some kill counts.
Gauss’s gaze roved the street.
Bottom adventurers were becoming less numerous on the road.
Many were returning biennially to their hometown, rural townships to overwinter.
In contrast, due to winter hunting, a batch of bronze adventurers gathered here, occasionally one or two were spotted along the streets.
It caused the shops along the streets and the townspeople walking and talking to behave with more restraint.
As Gauss and Aaliyah walked down the street, occasionally some other bronze adventurers would nod, greeting them.
"Time to pick up the jerky," Aaliyah reminded.
It had been over a week since commissioning the food workshop to process and manufacture.
Gauss figured it was time to check it out.
Crossing streets and alleys, they arrived in front of a nondescript courtyard and knocked on the door; the two stepped over the threshold inside.
The workshop owner was out, only a few workers leisurely basked in the last sliver of autumn sun in the courtyard.
At the sight of them entering, several workers visibly flinched.
After Gauss presented a contract, they exhaled, leading them to a section of drying racks.
"As per your request, we’ve processed it into three flavors: original, salty fragrant, and spicy; each nearly 60 to 70 pounds,"
Gauss’ gaze lingered a bit over the jerky on the rack.
The frog meat processed through a series of complicated procedures had become strands of tough dark jerky, a faint smell revealed the dense salty aroma intrinsic to the meat.
Upon confirming it was indeed the frog meat he provided, with no unrelated meat mixed in, he nodded.
And had the workers assist in packing them into a storage pouch.
"I’ll use magic tricks to clean them later," Gauss thought to himself.
Though the workshop appeared clean, due to air drying, it was inevitable for some dust and impurities to adhere.
Magic tricks could remove those residues.
"The first supply is ready." Gauss looked at Aaliyah.
If nothing unexpected occurs, Aaliyah should master the Divine Berry Technique within this week.
By then, magical frog jerky paired with magical power berries, with meat and vegetables balanced, short-term supply wouldn’t be a concern.
Combined with energy storage glands, his endurance ability in prolonged battles could outshine others’ adventurers.
This is also why he’s in no rush to recruit new members.
Other teams require numbers to offset low-level stamina and magic power deficiencies.
But he’s different; he alone could handle several others, as long as the supply keeps up.
Especially, during this period, having thoroughly grasped the meditation method.
Every evening, he’d practice meditation.
His magic power continues to increase rapidly.
In just over a week, his magic power has already grown by nearly ten downgraded magic missiles.
And coupled with the hidden blue bar of energy storage glands, it’s been incrementally increasing with the goblin kills.
His blue bar could now more freely cast 1st-level spells.