NotEvenMyFinalForm
patreon
Goblin Chapter 102: Daze
🕑 Added 2025-07-31 18:31:12 +0000 UTCGauss continued quietly observing the druid girl, Alia.
At last, during sunset, they reached the edge of the Jade Forest.
Both let out a breath of relief at the same time.
Outside the forest was a small temporary adventurers’ camp. It was a hub where low-rank adventurers, hunters, and herbalists gathered—occasionally, even Bronze-ranked adventurers could be seen.
The camp was surrounded by a wooden fence, with several wagons parked inside.
Stepping in, the ground was a dark brown color—stained by blood over time. Scattered across it were piles of trash, animal entrails, bits of fur, and other unidentifiable debris.
The camp was buzzing with activity. Merchants haggled with hunters and low-rank adventurers over collected goods and monster parts. Adventurers quibbled over how to split profits. Sometimes loud arguments erupted. A cacophony of voices overlapped throughout the space.
But as Gauss and Alia drew near, the other low-rank adventurers instinctively gave them space—mainly because of the huge wolf by Alia’s side and the green Bronze Adventurer badge hanging at her chest.
Even though Gauss didn’t display his badge, anyone traveling with a professional in a two-person party was assumed to be one too.
Two stinking, mud-covered travelers didn’t look special here. Everyone smelled like that.
It was a matter of degrees, not categories.
“Want to share a carriage?” Alia offered.
“What about your wolf?”
“He’ll follow behind on his own.”
“Sounds good. I’m tired too.”
The two of them strolled through the camp and quickly negotiated a price with a wagon driver heading back to Grayrock Town.
Before leaving, Alia bought over ten pounds of raw meat to feed her companion.
Then, they boarded the cart and began their bumpy ride back to town.
At the checkpoint gate, Gauss once again experienced the privileges of being a Bronze-ranked adventurer.
When Alia flashed her badge, they not only skipped the long entry line, but weren’t even searched. The guards just waved them through—Gauss included, as her companion.
Behind them, people still stuck in line stared in envy.
“You don’t even get searched if you show a Bronze badge?”
Once inside town, Gauss couldn’t help but ask.
“Normally, yes,” Alia replied. “But I’m a resident Bronze-ranked adventurer here in Grayrock. The guards already have my info on their rosters, so I get waved through. Just a tiny perk.”
Gauss nodded.
He had now completed one evaluation mission. After two more, he could get his own Bronze badge.
Technically, bigger cities offered alternate evaluation routes—but for remote towns like Grayrock, the task-based route was the only option.
That said, this route also produced the highest quality Bronze adventurers—those who had real combat experience, a proven record of completing commissions, and practical knowledge of tactics, tools, and resourcefulness.
“Let’s keep in touch,” Alia said, waving goodbye at the town gate.
“Sure. We should team up again sometime.” Gauss nodded.
He meant it.
After watching her all the way back, he’d concluded that she was a reliable partner.
Her crowd-control skills allowed him to dispatch enemies much more efficiently.
If the goblin extermination mission hadn’t been solo-only, and Alia had assisted, he wouldn’t have needed poison at all. With her locking down enemies, he could’ve just mowed them down.
That was the strength of a “hexagon-class” adventurer.
The support she provided was far more useful to him than it would’ve been to an average mage or swordsman.
Carrying his gear, Gauss headed to the public bathhouse.
He stored his pack in a private locker and soaked in hot water.
As the bloodstains—almost hardened on his body—melted away under the steaming water, he felt like he was being reborn. His body felt lighter, cleaner.
After scrubbing himself raw and finally washing away the stench of sweat and gore, he stepped out feeling refreshed.
He left his belongings in the bathhouse locker and took only a few essentials and quest materials to the Adventurer’s Guild.
Even though he had the recording crystal, he also brought the goblin ears he’d habitually collected—just in case.
It was around 4 or 5 p.m. when he arrived.
The guild was getting crowded with people submitting missions.
Petra wasn’t at any of the counters today—likely off-shift. Gauss picked the shortest line and waited his turn.
When it came, he handed over his badge, the recording crystal, and the bag of goblin ears.
The receptionist told him the ears weren’t needed, then took the crystal and headed to the back office.
A few minutes later, she returned—wearing a polite smile.
She handed Gauss a pouch filled with ninety silver coins.
“Adventurer Gauss, your performance on this evaluation task meets all guild standards. Congratulations on completing your first beginner-level mission. Here is your commission fee—please verify the amount.”
Gauss peeked into the pouch.
Nine bundles of ten silver coins. All there.
He nodded. “Thanks.”
“Would you like to take on your second beginner mission now?”
“Not yet.”
“Understood. When you’re ready, you can go to any reception desk and let them know. You won’t need to wait in line—they’ll escort you to the VIP area for your next mission.”
Her tone was noticeably more respectful than how staff usually addressed rookie adventurers.
Although Gauss wasn't officially a Bronze yet, the fact that he had completed his first evaluation mission so quickly made it obvious that he was already at that level.
…
The next day.
Gauss wandered around town, stopping by multiple shops to sell his loot.
Fabrics, leather goods, ceramic sculptures, weapons, and other unidentifiable goblin trinkets.
He carried a little notebook, checked prices, and compared offers from store to store.
In the end, he sold most of the goblin village haul for 1 gold and 25 silver.
Add that to the 90 silver from the mission...
His total income: 2 gold and 15 silver.
His wallet now contained 5 gold and 26 silver—a personal best.
After half a day of haggling and sweating, Gauss held the pouch up to his ear and shook it.
The clinking of metal inside made him smile.
The sound of coin was comforting.
He’d heard it enough now to distinguish different types.
Copper coins were dry and sharp, like cheap plastic from his old world.
Silver coins were clear, crisp, and echoed with a metallic twang.
Gold coins had a soft, heavy resonance, luxurious and full-bodied.
Not that he was greedy—he just really liked the sound of gold.
“And I still have those two scrolls I haven’t sold…”
He thought of Andeni again.
Why wait? Might as well check if she was home today.
Last time he’d gone to the Thorn Hut, no one had answered.
It had been several days—she should be back.
He stopped by a fruit stand, bought some fresh produce, and made his way to Widow Alley carrying two full bags.
“Hey, handsome! Want to come in and play?”
He passed a brothel. A scantily dressed woman with pale skin and killer curves winked at him, then giggled seductively when she got a good look at his face.
Flustered, Gauss waved her off, picking up his pace amid her teasing laughter.
He arrived at the Thorn Cottage and knocked.
This time, he didn’t have to wait long.
“Creak…”
The oak door swung open on its own.
She’s back.
Gauss stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The wall-mounted candles lit themselves, bathing the hall in a warm, golden glow.
At that moment, Andeni’s gaze locked onto him—like a predator spotting prey.
She stared at him like he was some kind of rare creature.
“Andeni? What’s wrong?”
“You’ve already advanced your class?”
Gauss had been planning to surprise her.
But apparently, she saw through him instantly.
Caught off guard, Gauss could only nod.
Andeni fell silent, lost in thought.
In a daze, she stared at the boy before her—and saw a shadow from her past, someone she’d once glimpsed only briefly.
It took a long moment before she finally returned to the present.
