VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 185 : Small Team Reunion, and Setting Off Once More
Chapter 185: Small Team Reunion, and Setting Off Once More
Hailier circled around Gauss twice.
In her heart, she could not help but marvel.
It was not that she had never seen people undergo great changes, but those usually took years.
The cheerful playmates of childhood who became reserved and dull once grown due to differences in status—she had personally experienced that before.
Еn̆ ů.ḿ а̃ .id
But that was after ten years or more had passed, during the adolescent years of rapid growth, so great changes were only natural.
But Gauss?
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The last time they parted was not even a full year ago.
Now, whether it was in appearance, in aura, or even in strength, he had been utterly transformed.
Yes, even though Gauss had come dressed in simple daily clothes to keep a low profile, Hailier could still sense from him the oppressive presence unique to a Professional.
That difference in the very level of life itself was not something mere clothing could conceal.
E n̄ ú.ṁ а
Especially since Hailier herself often interacted with Professionals, she understood that aura all too well.
Her movements grew just a little more restrained.
"Ga… Gauss, and this one is？" Hailier looked at the tall Half-Serpent standing beside Gauss.
Unlike an ordinary shopkeeper with narrow eyes, she did not mistake this Half-Serpent as merely a monster.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"This is my current teammate, Serandur."
"Hello, my name is Hailier, I am Gauss’…. old teammate." When it came to introducing herself, even Hailier could not help but feel a little embarrassed.
Е̂ nŭṁа̌
Calling herself an Adventurer was undoubtedly unfit. To be precise, she was just someone who had once, on a whim, run away from home to chase adventure.
Having only experienced a single, utterly ordinary Goblin commission, she had already been struck down hard by reality, forced to recognize herself as an ordinary person.
"Hello." Serandur nodded.
He neither showed arrogance, nor excessive warmth.
It was not that he looked down on Hailier’s identity.
It was simply that this was his usual attitude toward most people, especially strangers.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Besides, with his serpent-like features, it was difficult for his face to clearly express emotions.
So toward strangers, he generally displayed little expression—unless he truly could not hold it back.
"Shall we go upstairs to talk first？"
Gauss and Serandur followed the stairs up to the second floor.
Hailier’s office was located there.
Aside from her, there were also several clerks in the hall.
Е̌ṅ uḿа̃
When they saw her leading two men up, they quickly lowered their heads. Only after the three entered the office did they begin whispering curiously.
"What would you like to drink？" Hailier’s office was not lavish, but it was neat and clean. Many antique ornaments were placed within, and it was clearly decorated with care.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Tea will do."
"Same."
The three sat down.
Gauss took the initiative to speak.
È ň u m̌ а
"How have you been lately？" His eyes swept around the room. "Hailier, I suppose you’ve taken over your family’s business by now, right？"
Even now, he seemed able to recall the look of yearning that had once appeared on this girl’s face when she had spoken of her future adventuring life before setting out on her first journey.
That kind of emotion could not be faked.
"Yes." Hailier sighed. "After that incident, I realized that I am not suited to be an Adventurer."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
After saying this, she let out a long breath, and a trace of relief appeared on her face.
"Continuing the path of adventure would only endanger myself, and drag down my companions. This peaceful life now—aside from being a bit dull—is actually quite good, hahaha."
Ēn̊ů m̃а.ǐd̆
Gauss’s gaze lingered for a moment on her smiling face.
His lips opened as if to say something, but in the end, he only nodded.
"Yes, an Adventurer is nothing more than scraping together a living through hardship. Compared to that, running a business is far more respectable."
"Stop it." Hailier waved her hand.
After chatting with Gauss a little, she gradually let go of her initial restraint.
Though Gauss’s looks and aura had been completely remade, being with him still felt like being with the same youth who had once made her feel so comfortable.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Unconsciously, she relaxed.
"You’ve already become a Professional Mage, haven’t you? Still trying to keep a low profile here!"
The corners of her mouth curved into a smile.
Facing her former teammate, she felt she had no need to wear the mask of a businesswoman, and her smile became all the more genuine.
"You could tell？" Gauss had thought that removing his robe would conceal it somewhat.
He had not expected to be seen through by Hailier in a single glance.
W̆ еḃñ ӧv е́ l̆ Еn̊üm̈ а
"Of course. Here, drink some tea. Green tea from the Tepei Manor—try it." Hailier served two cups. "And to be honest, you don’t seem like just a Tier 1 Professional, do you？"
She had met Tier 1 Professionals before, but none of them carried the same oppressive aura as Gauss.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
"Hehe, it’s about the same. I just broke through to Tier 2…" Gauss told a small lie.
Given his speed of advancement, it was hardly “just” anymore.
"Gauss, you really are too outrageous—less than a year!" Hailier exclaimed. "I knew it back then, my feeling was right—you were destined to become an outstanding Adventurer."
"I still have a long way to go."
W̆ еbň ōṽ ӗ l Е̌.n̊ u mа̇
"Tier 2 and you still say that? If you come back after a few more years, I might not even dare to speak to you so casually anymore." Hailier gave a wry smile.
Tier 2 Professional did not sound high, but for most ordinary people, even in Barry City, it was already a person of considerable standing.
The wealth they possessed was something an ordinary family could never dream of earning in a lifetime.
And was Gauss merely a Tier 2 Professional?
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
For some, Tier 2 might already be their ceiling. But for Gauss, it was only because he had only just formally stepped into the Professional realm.
He had only just begun.
W̃е́ b n о̊ vе̃ l̄ Ė n̈u̇m̂ а̂
Serandur, who had been blowing on his teacup to cool it, could not help but glance toward Gauss when he heard this.
Less than a year, and he had gone from a Low-level Adventurer to Tier 2?
Even he could not help but be astonished at that speed.
And then, he felt a touch of gladness.
Although he had not joined Gauss’s team because of Gauss’s combat strength, if Gauss had such exceptional talent, then surely he would soon break through to even higher levels. Their entire team’s power would also rise.
This was unquestionably a good thing.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Let’s not talk about this anymore." Gauss drew out a small money pouch from his chest and placed it on the table.
As it landed, the pouch gave off the jingling sound of coins colliding.
"What’s this？" Hailier looked curiously at Gauss.
"It’s the mission profit I collected in Graystone Town after our first commission. This portion belongs to you all."
Gauss was returning the extra share from his very first adventuring reward.
Though now, 13 silver coins and 50 coppers were not much, at that time, for him returning from his very first mission, it had been a significant amount.
Е̇n u m ӓ
He had kept it ever since, untouched.
It might have seemed stubborn, but agreed-upon distributions were not to be moved—this was a matter of principle.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
"At that time, the commission reward was 9 silver coins, plus 9 silver coins in guild compensation—for a total of 18 silver coins…" Since it had been over half a year, Gauss briefly explained the situation to Hailier.
"You…" Hailier suddenly remembered that matter.
Seeing Gauss’s serious expression, she could not help but feel both exasperated and touched.
Had he really come all this way just to return a reward that they had all long since forgotten?
Е̄ n u̇m а
Looking at the pouch on the table, Hailier did not refuse further.
She knew that this money meant little to Gauss now—he was only returning it out of the spirit of a contract.
"Then, thank you." Hailier accepted the pouch. "I’ll pass along Bell’s and Mia’s shares to them later."
Bell and Mia were the swordsman and assassin from their first small team.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"How are the two of them now？" Gauss asked with concern when they were mentioned.
Both of them had suffered serious injuries in the end, and the team had only temporarily disbanded in order to treat them.
Wе bnо v е l̆ Ê n ŭm̆ а̃
"They’ve both recovered," Hailier said after a pause.
"But Bell’s injured leg still gives him some trouble walking, so now he’s helping run his family’s shop. As for Mia, she’s currently preparing for the annual Town Hall clerk examination."
"That’s good to hear."
Hearing that the two who had been injured were safe and well, Gauss also breathed a sigh of relief.
One long-standing concern had finally been laid to rest.
And from the looks of it, each member of their very first temporary team now had a bright future ahead.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The two who had inherited their family businesses would surely have no worries about food or clothing.
And Mia, studying for exams—perhaps the next time he saw her would be in the Town Hall itself.
"Shall I arrange for Bell and Mia to come out for a meal together？" Hailier asked aloud.
In truth, not only Gauss—even she herself had not contacted those two childhood friends in some time.
Lately, each of the three of them had been busy. Though they had all bid farewell to their adventuring days, each one still needed to keep striving for their own future.
There was no pause button in this world. In the unseen places, everyone moved forward silently.
Е̄ nu ṁӓ
"If it’s convenient, then please help contact them," Gauss nodded.
If they did not meet this time, who knew when the next opportunity would come?
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Though they were all living in the same city now, and it sounded close, as each became more wrapped up in their own work, opportunities to meet would only decrease. It would not be strange if this ended up being their last meeting.
"Alright." Hailier went out and asked someone to send word to the two.
"Our Trading Company has also recently entered the dungeon loot recovery and resale business. Gauss, if you have any loot you’d like to sell in the future, you can contact me—I’ll make sure to give you a fair price."
"Alright."
Ěn ů ḿ à.і̃d
Gauss nodded. He intended to discuss it with Arya later.
They could compare prices, and if things were similar, entrusting the loot sales to Hailier’s Trading Company might be a good choice.
He was not surprised that her family’s Trading Company had expanded its business scope.
The dungeon lay west of the Forest Capital. Although the Golden Beak Trading Company headquarters were situated farther north, and the dungeon was in the south, they could still take a share of the market.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
For Adventurers and their teams, the sale of loot was a crucial part of the cycle.
Combat was only one part of outdoor adventures—not the whole.
Е̄n̊um а
A healthy cycle should be one of constant growth: gaining rewards, using them to strengthen oneself, and then taking on even harder monsters for greater gains…
That was why so many Adventuring Teams had long-term cooperative arrangements with Trading Companies.
For example, Trading Companies often dispatched special logistics convoys to recover loot outside dungeons, while also providing supplies and provisions on demand, so that teams could continue their exploration without delay.
"Miss Hailier, the restaurant has already been reserved."
By now, it was almost noon.
Gauss, Serandur, and Hailier made their way toward an upscale restaurant on the same street.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
They waited in a private room for a while.
Soon, Bell and Mia—having received the message—also arrived together.
The staff who had delivered the message had not explained in detail. They only knew that it was Hailier’s invitation. Since it had been a while since they had last met, and the distance was short, they put aside their work and came.
"Hailier, what’s the occasion today？"
Pushing open the door to the private room, Bell asked with his usual bluntness.
Bell walked with a slight limp, though not too severe. Compared to half a year ago, he looked far more mature—suddenly having grown from a boy into the semblance of a man, even with a moustache sprouting on his lip.
Е n̊ùmӓ.і d̂
Mia, by contrast, had changed little. She held a thick book in her hands and now wore glasses, making her appear more studious.
As she entered, Mia also felt a little curious.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Both their gazes lingered briefly on the two "strangers" in the room.
Though they faintly felt one of them looked familiar, they could not recall who it was.
At this moment, both felt rather puzzled. If there were outsiders present, why had they been called to this meal?
Hailier deliberately kept Gauss’s identity hidden.
W еb̊ ñ о̀v̈ ẽl̇ Ēǹ u̇ m а̊
"Let’s order first, and eat."
Bell and Mia glanced again at Gauss.
Then they sat down in the open seats nearer to Hailier.
"Guest follows host. Hailier, you order."
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Because of the strangers’ presence, both were a little restrained.
"Haha, I win, Gauss." Hailier suddenly turned her head toward Gauss. "I told you they wouldn’t recognize you at all!"
Е n ům а̌
Gauss could only shrug helplessly.
He truly had not expected that his former teammates would completely fail to recognize him. When he looked in the mirror, he thought his features had not changed that much.
"Gauss… that name sounds so familiar…" Bell muttered softly to himself.
Mia, however, suddenly remembered something, and her eyes went wide.
She looked directly at Gauss.
"You’re Gauss—my heavens!"
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
She gasped sharply.
No wonder she had felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity upon first entering.
"You can’t blame me for not recognizing you—your change is too great." Mia’s face showed slight embarrassment.
Only now did Bell, belatedly, remember.
His mind went back to over half a year ago, to the corner of the Adventurer’s Guild Hall in Graystone Town.
That youth in tattered linen clothes, clutching a wooden spear, overlapped at last with the noble-looking young man before him.
Е̊ ň ü m а̀
He opened his mouth, his heart filled with complex feelings.
There was the warmth and joy of meeting an old friend—but also a trace of hidden inferiority and envy.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Hailier gave a brief account of Gauss’s recent circumstances, and also introduced Serandur.
When they learned Gauss was already a Tier 2 Professional—
Their reactions were far more dramatic than Hailier’s had been.
Especially Bell, who even borrowed Gauss’s official Bronze Adventurer Badge, studying it carefully for a long while before reluctantly returning it.
Е̇ n̊û_m̂ å
It was plain that he still harbored the last remnants of an Adventurer’s dream.
But reality had forced him to set that dream aside, at least for now.
Although more than half a year had passed and the group was a little stiff at first, the meal was overall a relaxed affair.
Each spoke of what they had been busy with, and their plans for the future.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The only outsider, Serandur, never intruded—he simply ate quietly, head down.
But from his occasional pauses, it was clear he was not as indifferent as he appeared.
Е̂ n̈u̇m̃a. іd̊
Hosts and guests enjoyed themselves. After eating and drinking their fill, they parted ways at the restaurant door.
Watching the three leave, Gauss wore a smile.
He believed that farewells were only so that the next reunion could be better.
This meeting had also eased his heart. Coming to the Forest Capital, he had completed another goal.
Meeting old friends (√), purchasing a mount (√), dungeon exploration (in progress).
Knowing that his former teammates were all doing well gave him an indescribable sense of contentment.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
But he too needed, just as they did, to begin striving for his own future!
"Next, let’s begin carrying out the mission, Serandur."
"Yes, Captain."
They did not waste time. Before heading west, they had already taken a hunting commission from the nearest Adventurer’s Guild branch in the western district.
Back in Graystone Town, Gauss had already registered a Small Team at the Adventurer’s Guild.
But now, their mission points were still just short of advancing the Small Team to Tier 2.
Е̇ n u m â. id̆
This was the perfect time to push their progress while Arya was in “seclusion.”
Once their team reached Tier 2, they would be able to take on higher-level Small Team commissions. At that point, they could even try some dungeon-exclusive team missions, gaining extra rewards from dungeon exploration.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"Let’s go."
Gauss swung himself onto the Chocobo.
This time, the two had accepted a Goblin extermination commission.
The number exceeded one hundred.
W е̃ b̀ n ov̊е ľ Ѐn ů m a
It was highly likely that Elite Goblins would be among them.
This was the perfect type of mission for Gauss.
His two White-quality talents, 【Energy Storage Gland】 and 【Reptilian Strain】, both required the slaying of Goblins to level up.
Especially Reptilian Strain, which was still at its initial level. This mission was the perfect chance to raise it.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Moreover, he had always been a skilled Goblin-slayer. In the early days, nearly all his enemies had been Goblins—yet now, in his Elite Monster Encyclopedia, Goblins were absent! How absurd was that?
It was time to return to his old trade.
W̄еb̆ n̆ ō v́еl̈ Е̃n ū m̈ a
The two figures quickly disappeared at the end of the street, heading toward the city gates.
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
