Am I qualified?
What a strange question.
Gauss heard Albena’s inquiry and couldn’t help but feel awkward.
Sis, can’t you just have a bit more confidence?
In the end, Gauss didn’t voice his thought.
He just nodded calmly, pretending to be composed.
"Of course, if you don’t mind our team, Albena. Please take care of us in the upcoming tasks."
He reached out his hand.
"Great!" Albena quickly grabbed Gauss’s hand with both of hers.
"Then, Lord Gauss, I hope we have a pleasant collaboration."
Gauss’s hand was squeezed tightly.
He instinctively tried to withdraw it.
His first attempt ended in failure.
He couldn’t pull it out.
He had to use more force.
Crack, crack, crack—
A strange crunching sound was heard.
"Hiss—"
As it turned out, in terms of strength, he was indeed no match for Albena.
He took a sharp breath.
"Albena, you see..."
He gave up struggling and spoke, while glancing down at their tightly clasped hands.
"Oh! I’m sorry. I was just thinking about the task a bit too deeply."
Albena chuckled.
Gauss looked at her suspiciously.
He had the feeling that his hand had been surreptitiously rubbed again.
Was there really something odd about Albena?
Gauss had a vague suspicion in his mind.
But he quickly pushed that thought aside.
He wasn’t one to jump to misguided conclusions.
Like assuming someone smiles at you or looks at you often and then thinking they have a crush on you.
In reality, there’s a high probability that she’s like that with everyone.
So, he temporarily assumed Albena was just a nice person.
Regarding her attitude towards Jon.
Well, that’s easy to understand.
Who would warmly welcome someone who owes them money and doesn’t repay?
Since Albena accidentally wreaked havoc on the venue.
Gauss and the others simply demonstrated their abilities and discussed strategies for dealing with monsters before returning to Gold and Silver Town.
As with every new member joining, Gauss held a welcoming dinner for Albena’s temporary membership.
Gauss rented out an entire tavern.
Fortunately, the cost wasn’t as high as it might seem, because Gold and Silver Town had fewer adventurers, and there weren’t usually many customers.
"Albena, are you famous in Gold and Silver Town?"
Gauss noticed that both the bartender and the waiters in the tavern were subtly eyeing Albena.
Although her figure was indeed eye-catching, Gauss felt it wasn’t that simple.
At this moment, Albena had changed back into her regular clothes.
Her armor seemed to have some kind of enchantment that allowed it to switch between battle and everyday attire with a gesture.
So, on the way out of town, she wore it purely to show her strength and physical prowess to Gauss and the others.
Of course, this ability relieved Gauss.
At least during this task, he needn’t worry about having his storage pouch unnecessarily occupied by nearly a third.
"Hehe, I caused a little stir in the past." Albena scratched her head. "It’s all in the past now, not important at all."
Gauss nodded.
It seemed it was more than just a little stir.
But since Albena didn’t want to elaborate, there was no need to dig deeper.
It shouldn’t be something major; otherwise, she wouldn’t still be in town.
Besides, the looks from others were not of fear, but curiosity.
"How about we order some food first?"
Since Gauss and the others arrived early and booked the entire tavern, it exclusively served their small team.
So, the food service was quick.
Sizzling roasted meat, stews, bread, and a local specialty mushroom soup grown on rocks soon filled the table.
Once they officially started eating.
Gauss glanced at Albena.
Although she initially seemed reserved, chewing slowly in ladylike manner due to unfamiliarity, she soon got comfortable.
She devoured a large piece of roasted meat, which could provide a normal person with half a day’s energy, with just a few chews and gulps.
She quickly grabbed another piece.
And another!
Gauss swallowed hard.
For the first time, he felt a humbling realization of the vast world beyond him.
Albena’s appetite was quite daunting, even for him.
If she had been born in Gauss’s previous life, she’d surely be an excellent candidate for a food streamer.
Just watching her eat was enough to stir one’s appetite.
Aaliyah and Ying were stunned, which was proof enough.
"Everyone, help yourselves to the food."
Albena licked her lips.
After a few pieces of roasted meat, she was simply getting started, her appetite was fully awakened.
Besides her, Gauss also ate quite a bit.
The two of them were like well-matched opponents, eating quietly.
Thankfully, all the chefs in the tavern were dedicated to serving them, so the speed of serving dishes kept up with their pace.
As time passed, one empty plate after another was taken away, and waiters brought in new plates full of food.
Aaliyah and the others had finished eating early on, sipping fruit wine with a taste similar to a drink while enjoying the food performance in front of them.
As it turns out, the art of food streaming works just as well in another world.
Aaliyah took a sip of wine, looked at Gauss, then turned to look at Albena.