Chapter 55: Marlin Chasing His Dreams
Black Anvil Workshop.
Revisiting the old place, Gauss felt a lot of emotions as he looked at the shop.
The last time he came here, he was still a newbie who had just completed a task.
He knew nothing about the adventurer’s career and the supernatural system of this world.
But now, he was already on the right path.
Walking into the blacksmith shop.
Unexpectedly, Gauss didn’t see the figure he had imagined.
At the front, the person in charge of reception was a face he didn’t recognize.
"Welcome to the Black Anvil Workshop, is there any weapon or equipment you want to buy?"
A freckled boy stepped forward proactively, wearing a smile on his face.
Seeing the man who walked into the shop dressed in standard adventurer armor and wielding a sword, he knew the visitor was likely not just a passerby asking for prices.
"I want to buy a short sword." Gauss looked around for a while and said.
Even though he already had several weapons, including a dagger, rapier, and White Bone Staff, he decided to add a short sword.
The lightweight dagger, small and light, is suitable for close concealment in emergencies, but in close-range frontal combat, a dagger is not as reliable as a short sword.
As for why he needed a short sword when he already had a rapier, it was to prepare for potentially more diverse combat environments in the future.
In relatively narrow environments such as caves and caverns, a short sword is more effective.
Of course, the main reason was that he happened to have some cash on him right now.
Carrying more weapons is never a bad thing, and in the end, choosing the appropriate equipment for battle according to the need is the way to go.
Picking a short sword isn’t complicated, just choose one that looks well-made.
The short sword itself is also one of the mainstream alternative weapons for many adventurers, so the store has plenty in stock, all standard short swords with no difference between them.
"By the way, can I ask, where did Marlin go?" Gauss asked casually at checkout.
The new clerk looked at him warily.
"I am his friend, I remember he was still working here the last time I came."
The freckled boy replied.
"He quit last week to go home, I heard he’s preparing to become an adventurer." He said while shaking his head.
"No one knows who persuaded Marlin, the store manager advised him to stay, but he didn’t listen, and in the end, the manager even sponsored a weapon for him."
The freckled boy’s face was full of confusion.
As the "culprit," Gauss felt a bit awkward hearing this.
He knew that Marlin was probably influenced by him, especially since the last time he visited, the store manager Gron had appraised his Life Magic Stone as two gold coins, which greatly stimulated Marlin.
Perhaps that event made him believe that if Gauss could do it, he could too.
Leaving the blacksmith shop, he didn’t disturb Gron, who was busy forging in the backyard.
Thinking of Marlin, he felt a bit rueful.
He actually wanted to say that if it weren’t for having the Adventurer’s Handbook as a golden finger, he probably wouldn’t choose to become an adventurer either.
"Bless him with safety." Gauss shook his head.
Regarding Marlin’s choice, he could only choose to give his blessing, hoping to see him again in the future.
He didn’t have many acquaintances in this world.
From Marlin’s perspective, Gauss didn’t think becoming an adventurer was more promising than being a blacksmith.
In terms of income, a qualified blacksmith can surpass most bottom adventurers, and it’s stable and safe.
An adventurer has a higher ceiling, but the job is risky, and most people find it difficult to move up; unless one truly yearns for such a life, it’s hard to imagine why one would give up a blacksmith apprenticeship for it.
Gauss turned and walked toward the Adventurer’s Guild.
Common low-level monsters around Gray Rock Town include kobolds, giant rats, fish people, and so on.
He didn’t have the urge to carefully pick and choose.
First of all, after gathering a set of 5 illustrated guides, the system randomly draws a certain talent or ability from any of the five kinds of stimulated monsters.
The other four slots were already filled, so even if the last type of monster was carefully selected, it was only a one-fifth chance.
Besides, even if it happened to be the fifth type of monster, it’s not certain that he’d extract a desired ability.
He’d rather leave it to fate; as long as he can collect five types and initiate the draw, it’s fine.
"Everyone seems well-rested." Levin looked at everyone, refreshed, and said with a smile.
Although nothing unexpected happened on the way back, there was still a lingering shadow left by that ghoul in everyone’s minds.
After a few days of rest, those with relatively rich adventuring experience quickly adjusted their mood and state.
You can never know if your next adventure commission is the last one, but if you still hold a longing to become a professional, you must overcome the fear of the unknown and carefully press forward.
The members of the Night Owl Squad clearly had such awareness.
"I’m ready to show off my skills anytime." Doyle clenched his fists, his gaze wandered over his teammates.
When he saw Gauss, his gaze paused, then he squinted and carefully looked up and down.
To be honest, although he didn’t want to admit it, Gauss had always been his focus of attention.
Firstly, it’s a respect for the "strong," and secondly, he wanted to observe Gauss and learn why he got stronger.
Therefore, he was very sensitive to changes in Gauss.
Upon seeing him today, he always felt that the aura on Gauss was again a bit different from the past few days, something indescribably changed.
It was as if some shackles had been unlocked.
Gauss felt a little uneasy being examined by his burning gaze.
According to memories in his mind, he knew this otherworld wasn’t lacking people with unique preferences.
Moreover, this body, though its charm was still 5 points, Gauss felt it might be close to 6.
But this panel didn’t seem to round numbers.
So whether it was 5.1 or 5.9, the system would still display 5.
The belief that his charm was close to 6 was certainly not out of vanity.
There were good reasons for it. Firstly, his foundation was already good, and over this period, he ate well, drank well, replenished nutrition, his physique became stronger, and his energy and aura improved a level, so it’s normal for charm to increase.
Calling him slightly handsome wasn’t an exaggeration.
"Just to clarify, I like women." Gauss, feeling helpless under Doyle’s gaze, said.
The others initially had odd expressions, then followed his gaze.
They saw Doyle, as if ’stunned,’ experiencing a change in expression.
Especially the archer Oliver, who initially stood by Doyle, silently moved back several steps before anyone knew it.
Realizing his companions’ peculiar gaze, Doyle, who was immersed in his own thoughts, confusedly looked at his teammates around.
He glanced at Oliver, wanting an explanation of what happened.
"I like women too." Oliver said cautiously.
Only then did Doyle belatedly realize, his face instantly flushed.
After a small interlude, the laughing group entered the Adventurer’s Guild hall.
Levin, walking at the front, silently sighed.
It wasn’t just Doyle who noticed the change in Gauss’s aura; Levin, with his keen sixth sense as a shield soldier, did too.
Has he become stronger again? He wondered to himself.
At this rate, we probably won’t be able to keep up with Gauss’s pace.
For a squad, if one member’s strength quickly outpaces the others, it often means the time to part ways isn’t far.
Because it benefits no one; the strong will be held back, slowing progress. Meanwhile, the weaker side, due to overly safe protection, will gradually lose their resolve for advancement, and over time, the door to becoming a professional will close for them.
This is a very frightening thing for adventurers who long to step into professionalism.
After all, if they only sought safety, why become adventurers? Isn’t staying in town more tranquil?
Levin realized that separation might be inevitable.
Though he noticed this, he wouldn’t choose to speak out.
"Is it the same as usual?" Levin looked at Gauss.
"Yeah."
"Then let me take a look."