I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 109: Newcomer Benefits and Ascending the Stairs

"Please come in."

The two walked into the office.

Shirley recognized the visitor—none other than the newcomer Professional who had piqued her interest last time—and couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Whether man or woman, when faced with a good-looking member of the opposite sex, people instinctively took a few more appreciative glances.

As a Warlock, affected by the supernatural factors in her bloodline, her desires in this regard were stronger than those of ordinary people.

"Lady Shirley, Adventurer Gauss has completed three Examination Missions. Please verify."

"That quickly?"

Shirley received the Record Crystal, held it in her hand, closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment, then reopened her brown eyes.

She looked at Gauss with evident interest.

"No issues confirmed."

"Congratulations, Adventurer Gauss. From this moment forward, you are a Bronze-rank Adventurer."

Hearing the Warlock's words, Gauss suddenly felt a sense of calm settle in his heart.

Not the excitement he had expected.

At this moment, he felt unexpectedly peaceful.

Gauss analyzed it—it was likely because his strength far surpassed that of ordinary newcomer Professionals. He had always been certain that he would pass the examination and be promoted to Bronze-rank Adventurer without a hitch.

Everything had gone smoothly, so there was not much excitement to be felt.

Still, he felt happy.

"Gauss, come over here for a moment." Shirley stood up, twisted her waist, and walked to a nondescript little pedestal in the corner of the room.

"Place your hand on it."

"This is?"

"To register your information and receive your Bronze-rank Identity Badge," Shirley explained. "This is a special Magical Tool that can recognize your spiritual fluctuations and upload them to the Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters. From now on, no matter which branch you visit, by presenting your Identity Badge, you can enjoy corresponding benefits."

After listening, Gauss placed his hand on it.

The smooth pedestal flashed with light the moment it touched his palm, then quickly returned to calm.

It felt... unremarkable.

"All done," Shirley said.

Gauss lifted his hand, and the next moment, a delicate badge appeared on the surface.

It was a small token, about the size of an egg.

Its shape was smooth and round, displaying an indigo gradient hue, with a small six-pointed star in the center, surrounded by green phosphorescent light.

A simple yet refined Identity Badge.

Quite pleasing to the eye.

That was Gauss’s first impression.

"This is your Bronze-rank Adventurer Identity Badge. Please take good care of it. If you lose it, the replacement fee is 1 Gold Coin."

"1 Gold Coin? That expensive?" Gauss immediately turned to look at Shirley.

Such a small token cost that much?

"Yes. The price is the same no matter which branch reissues it."

After confirming he hadn’t misheard, Gauss quickly gripped the Identity Badge tightly. At that price, he better take good care of it. Losing it once would hurt for days.

"The Identity Badge also records the history of all your completed missions."

"Right, don’t forget to collect your 1 Gold Coin and 30 Silver Coins reward for the commission you just completed."

"Thanks for the reminder."

"In addition, the Adventurer’s Guild also provides a newcomer gift pack for all Bronze-rank Adventurers. You’re lucky, Gauss—this is a recently implemented Benefits Policy started just in the last ten years. We didn’t have it back then."

Under Gauss’s fixed gaze, Shirley retrieved a few items from midair and placed them on the table.

She introduced them to Gauss one by one.

"First, this is a ‘Meditation Method.’ Though I’m not sure what your exact Professional Class is, most spellcasting-related classes rely on it. The Meditation Method helps stabilize and enhance Magical Energy through subtle influence."

She began by introducing a book.

Gauss nodded.

Andini had mentioned the Meditation Method to him. It was a Magical Tool that recorded the cultivation method of Magical Energy.

At the apprentice stage, where one’s mind was not yet stable, ordinary people reading its contents would suffer more harm than good—at best, dizziness; at worst, brain death. Hence, such resources rarely circulated in the market.

Only upon reaching the Professional level, when one's spiritual strength had greatly increased and stabilized, could one gain access to the Meditation Method through various institutions.

Andini had recommended he purchase one after becoming a Bronze-rank Adventurer. Its price wasn't particularly high.

Perhaps she had been out of touch for too long and her information was outdated.

Who would have thought the Meditation Method was now given out for free as a newcomer benefit?

Senior, the "version update" has arrived.

A more newcomer-friendly "version" just saved him some expenses.

"Next is the Monster Encyclopedia, compiled by the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s an illustrated guide to common monsters. As an Adventurer, you need to familiarize yourself with its content—the habits and weaknesses of various monsters—so you won’t be caught off guard when facing new ones."

"Here’s another book—the ‘Adventurer’s Handbook.’ It contains answers to likely questions: how to advance in Class Rank, division of realms, Adventurer level upgrades, basic guild benefits, and more."

"Lastly, 5 Gold Coins as a cash reward."

"That’s all."

"Thank you very much." Gauss received the newcomer gift pack, unable to suppress the joy on his face.

Every reward was just what he needed.

The Meditation Method would help him enhance his Magical Energy. The Monster Encyclopedia expanded his knowledge of monsters. The Adventurer’s Handbook would clarify his future Professional Path and Adventuring career. And the 5 Gold Coins were a timely blessing.

He was about to make purchases—these coins came just in time.

And 5 Gold Coins weren’t a small amount.

The total reward from his three Entry-level Missions didn’t even add up to 5 Gold Coins. Now, he received this amount for free.

A rare moment of joy from getting something for nothing.

"Then I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you have plenty to do now." As Gauss’s newcomer guide, Shirley didn’t linger for small talk this time, though she was interested.

But she also knew that every newly promoted Bronze-rank Adventurer faced a busy period.

"I’ll take my leave then."

Gauss expressed his thanks and left the office with Petra, eager and excited.

"Heading to the second floor next?" Petra clearly knew why he was in a rush.

"Yes." Gauss nodded.

In the past, he had always watched other Bronze-rank Adventurers ascend to the second floor.

Now, he could finally see it for himself.

Not to mention, he had a clear goal in mind, something he had long anticipated.

As they stepped out of the hall—

The noise immediately grew louder.

"I’ll help you collect the commission reward from earlier."

Petra took Gauss’s Identity Badge and headed to the counter.

She then handed him a pouch of coins.

Gauss counted the amount.

After confirming it was 1 Gold Coin and 30 Silver Coins—

He nodded goodbye to Petra—

Then strode toward the staircase facing the main hall entrance on the first floor.

Two Town Guards in armor stood on either side of the staircase.

Gauss showed his Bronze-rank Adventurer Identity Badge, and the guards saluted respectfully and allowed him through.

Inside the hall, other Low-level Adventurers who witnessed the scene quietly memorized Gauss’s figure.

Young man, black hair and jade-green eyes, armed with a Rapier—not someone to provoke lightly.

Gauss stepped onto the broad staircase draped in a red carpet, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening.

The staircase was a double-run. After completing the first flight, either mirrored side led up to the second floor.

One step, two steps...

Finally, the view of the second floor of the Guild entered Gauss’s eyes.

With its open and airy height, it felt far more spacious than the first floor. For a moment, Gauss almost believed this was the ground level, and the first floor was just the basement.

Unlike the crowded and narrow first floor, this area was bright and sunlit. The moment one stepped into the second floor, the noise from below vanished as if silenced. Not a single sound could be heard.

At the center of the second floor was a glass skylight, offering a clear view of the deep blue sky, lifting one’s spirits.

All around the central hall were a dazzling variety of shops, a mission hall, rest areas with tables and chairs scattered about, and groups of well-equipped Adventurers engaged in quiet conversation.

Each one exuded an air of expertise—at least, in this environment, they certainly appeared so.