Chapter 6

As I got closer to the guild, my heart gradually became more and more restless.

It's still early, so I think it should be fine... but Dan isn't here, right?

Since it's just a day after yesterday's incident, to be honest, it feels a bit awkward. I hope I don't run into him...

"Al-kun?"

"Ah! You scared me, Sierra-san! Don't do that!"

The voice that called out to me from behind was Sierra, a guild staff member.

"You don't have to be so surprised. I just called out to you because you were acting so secretive."

Sierra, with her long indigo hair, exuded a calm and composed atmosphere. Her lips were painted with a vividly colored lipstick, and she wore a black suit. She was two years older than me and, in every way, an attractive woman.

We often met when I took on quests, so we had become acquaintances who would chat when we saw each other.

"Hey, I heard you got kicked out of your party?"

"Shh! What if Dan is here!"

"It's okay. The cruel blade went on a quest this morning and won't be back today."

Sierra laughed mischievously. I let out a sigh of relief. In this guild, Sierra is pretty much the only one who is on my side.

"So, Al-kun, are you going to continue being an adventurer? I can kind of tell from the look on your face."

I nodded. Of course, I intend to get stronger and show Dan.

"Since you were expelled, Al-kun, you're a solo adventurer now, right? Do you want me to introduce you to another party?"

Sierra is very kind. She's trying to help me out.

Given her capabilities, if she puts out a call, she might be able to find a party that would take me in.

But my feelings haven't changed.

"No, I think I'll continue solo for a while."

"Is that so? But at your level, isn't soloing a bit tough?"

I was waiting for that question!

"It's fine! I have an 'evolving skill'!"

"Evolving... skill?"

A subtle tension filled the air between Sierra and me. After a moment of silence, Sierra burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! What's that? A skill that evolves?"

"Don't laugh! It's true!"

"I've never heard of such a thing. But I'll be rooting for you, so do your best, okay?"

Ah, she doesn't believe me. Well, it's fine. If I get stronger and level up, maybe she'll believe me someday.

"So, Al-kun, are you going on a quest now?"

"No, I just finished one. I was going to report my quest completion."

"Already finished? Then let's go through the procedures."

Following Sierra, I stood at the quest completion counter.

"The 'Defeat 10 Slimes' quest, right? Can you submit 10 slime cores?"

I took out 10 slime cores from my pouch and placed them on the tray at the counter.

It's common practice to show the items dropped by monsters when reporting quest completion.

Sierra opened the pouch, counted the 10 coin-sized spheres, and nodded deeply.

"Confirmed. And if you have any additional drops from monsters, I can take them, but that's probably a bit early for you, Al-kun."

"No, I do have some."

"Eh?"

I took out another large pouch that I had hidden in my pocket and placed it on the counter.

The first pouch was for the 10 required cores. This one was for the additional items.

"It's quite full. What's in here!?"

"Slime cores... I think there are more than 100. And one goblin skin."

"Wha, wait!?"

Sierra, a bit flustered, stared at me intently.

"W-What are you staring at?"

Her eyes, clear and emerald green, were so captivating that I felt my heart racing even though they were a bit narrowed.

"Al-kun, did you do something bad?"

"No, I didn't! Really!"

"Y-Yeah, I know. I know you're serious, Al-kun. But what happened? Did you hunt slimes all night?"

"No, I collected them in about 4 hours."

"4 hours!?"

Sierra was surprised again. Of course, she doesn't know about my rapid growth.

"You've always been a bit mysterious, Al-kun, but today you're especially so."

Sierra closed the pouch and handed me a piece of paper.

"I'll go exchange this for money. In the meantime, read through the purchase agreement. If you agree, sign it too."

With a dissatisfied expression, Sierra went into the back room.

After this, I would be holding an incredible amount of money in my hands.