I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 112: Loan and Celebration

The skill purchase just now cost 4 Gold Coins and 65 Copper Coins, leaving him with 9 Gold and 70 Silver on hand.

Even if he sold all the other odds and ends, he could only gather at most 19 Gold and 20 Silver.

Still some distance from the required 25 Gold Coins.

He hesitated for a moment, preparing an excuse in his mind to politely decline.

However, before he could speak, the sales assistant bowed slightly and smiled.

"If you’re currently having difficulty with funds, there’s a method here that can provide you with a temporary sum."

"What method?" Gauss immediately asked.

If possible, he naturally wanted to obtain the Small Storage Bag sooner.

The Small Storage Bag was indeed convenient— the sooner he bought it, the sooner he could enjoy its benefits.

"According to the guild regulations, a Bronze-rank Adventurer can apply for an interest-free professional development loan under the 'New Professional Protection Policy'."

"The maximum credit limit is 20 Gold Coins, with a repayment period of six months."

There was such a good deal?

Gauss pondered for a moment.

Twenty Gold Coins, interest-free, to be repaid within six months.

He didn’t think, at his current pace of earning, that he wouldn’t be able to repay such a sum in that time.

It was just that the amount was a bit of a coincidence:

Twenty Gold Coins, plus the previously issued five Gold Coins, added up exactly to the price of a Small Storage Bag.

But the opportunity was rare, and he didn’t overthink it. After a brief contemplation, he nodded.

"Then I’ll trouble you. How do I apply?"

"Please follow me."

The sales assistant led Gauss out of the shop and headed toward the administrative hall.

With the assistant’s help, the professional development loan application went very smoothly.

Gauss handed over his Identity Badge and unfurled a sheepskin parchment with gilded patterns on the peachwood counter.

This parchment wasn’t some high-level magic contract, just a plain document with nothing special about it.

After carefully reading through the clauses and confirming everything, he signed his name at the end.

During the process, the staff briefly explained a few points to him.

The parchment itself wasn’t important.

What truly mattered was the loan application record submitted to headquarters via his Identity Badge.

This information would be synchronized across all branches of the Adventurer’s Guild. In other words, if he defaulted, all services at other branches would be restricted, and mission rewards would be forcibly used to repay the loan until the debt was cleared.

After completing the short procedure, 20 shining Gold Coins were handed over to Gauss.

He then counted out another 5 Gold Coins from his money pouch, making up the total of 25 Gold.

From the shelf of Small Storage Bags, he picked the one that looked the newest and asked the assistant to take it down.

Once it was in his hand, he couldn't wait to try it out.

Magical Energy seeped into it.

A wondrous space far more spacious than it appeared unfolded in his perception.

Magical Energy flowed freely like a stream, and the Small Storage Bag seemed to respond to him, absorbing a portion of his Magical Energy.

Moments later, a subtle yet profound connection quietly formed between the two.

This is my Storage Space?

He took out the Adventurer’s Handbook from the pack in front of him and tried to store it.

A slight thought.

In the next moment, with the idea of “store it” flashing through his mind, the remaining Magical Energy in the bag rippled, and the Adventurer’s Handbook disappeared from sight.

Focusing again, his view shifted to the interior of the bag, where the vanished book lay quietly inside.

Retrieve it!

Instantly, the book reappeared in his hand.

The operation was quite intuitive. Even though it was his first time using it, there wasn’t any complexity.

Gauss felt he had already fully mastered how to use the Small Storage Bag.

He then stuffed all his belongings into the Storage Space in one go.

After finishing, he stretched a bit, feeling completely relaxed.

The over 200-kilogram capacity was enough for now.

Next, Gauss casually browsed a few other shops on the second floor.

As the golden sunlight poured through the glass windows—

Gauss walked slowly down the stairs under the envious gazes of many Adventurers, returning to the first floor.

"He looks so young. Is he even twenty?"

"Already a Professional?"

"Don’t think I’ve seen him before..."

"When will I ever reach his level..."

"I heard you can buy many amazing Magical Tools on the second floor..."

These murmurs drifted into his ears along with the evening breeze.

Gauss remained expressionless, but a subtle joy welled up in his heart.

Perhaps he would get used to this feeling in the future, but at this moment, as a newly promoted Bronze-rank Adventurer, he still couldn't completely resist the satisfaction of being admired by others.

Becoming a Bronze-rank Adventurer— really did feel good.

At the inn.

"Why go out to eat when everything's fine?" Sophia put down the cloth she was using to wipe the counter, eyes filled with mild confusion,

But she obediently packed her small personal pouch.

Gauss had mysteriously told her yesterday after returning from a mission that they’d be going out to celebrate today.

She had no choice but to ask the girl next door to help watch the counter a day in advance.

So now she was able to get away.

"Winnie, I’ll leave the shop to you."

"Go enjoy yourself, Sister Sophia."

Winnie watched Sophia follow Gauss and, for some reason, a blush crept up her cheeks.

The two walked along the gradually lit streets, and Sophia asked again,

"It’s not your birthday today, is it?"

"Ahem."

Gauss cleared his throat.

"It’s not my birthday, but something good happened— worth a celebration."

Sophia tilted her head slightly, looking at the young man’s face.

The warm light from the shops outlined his profile clearly.

His usually quiet features were now relaxed and bright, as if touched by some inner emotion. In his deep green eyes, there flowed joy and a trace of subtle pride.

His entire aura seemed to have undergone some sort of transformation, exuding an indescribable confidence and ease.

He seemed... a little different again.

Sophia found herself a little dazed.

Gauss had changed a lot lately—both in appearance and demeanor.

The scrawny young man who always returned from the wild caked in mud and dust now seemed like a distant memory.

Becoming an Adventurer... could really bring such a big change? she wondered silently.

"So what are we celebrating?"

"Well, everything’s done. I won’t keep it a secret."

Gauss took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "The good news is— I’ve been promoted to a Bronze-rank Adventurer. So I thought I’d treat you to a nice dinner to celebrate."

He waited for a response.

Turning his head, he saw Sophia standing still.

"You got promoted to Bronze-rank Adventurer?"

She focused her thoughts, trying to recall.

She remembered seeing those people in town— each wore a blue badge on their chest and exuded a strong presence. They looked intimidating, and commoners instinctively avoided them.

Those were real big shots... and now Gauss was saying he had become one of them?

"Yes." Gauss stopped and pulled out the small badge from his clothes to show Sophia.

The badge was finely made, shimmering indigo under the light.

Sophia was a little dumbfounded.

"It’s actually real? You... when did this happen?" she asked in disbelief.

"Today."

After a brief silence, Sophia’s eyes lit up as she processed his words, her tone excited.

"Oh my, congratulations! Yes, this definitely calls for a proper celebration— we must eat something good!"

Although she didn’t know how Gauss had achieved it, she understood what becoming a Bronze-rank Adventurer meant.

It was a complete change in fate— becoming someone others looked up to! A big shot in the eyes of the common folk!

Though it had little to do with her, it didn’t stop her from feeling genuinely happy for Gauss.

"Right, there’s a senior coming later. I’ll introduce you."

"A senior?" Sophia immediately grew self-conscious and tugged at the hem of her clothes. "Should I... head back? I’m not dressed properly..."

Though clean, her clothes were nothing more than a commoner’s everyday wear.

"Relax, she’s really nice." Gauss chuckled and tried to reassure her.

They arrived at Firefly Kitchen.

Gauss had come earlier in the day to make a reservation. After confirming with the front desk, he led Sophia upstairs.

"Eating here must be expensive, right?" Sophia asked softly.

"It’s just a small family-style eatery." Gauss closed the door and brushed it off, not wanting her to feel burdened.

Sophia rolled her eyes at him.

Running an inn and serving food herself, she could easily tell the difference in class just from the decor.

Not long after, the private room door opened.

A petite figure walked in.

"I’m here! Gauss! Congratulations on the promotion!"

Andini pushed the door open, speaking casually.

But when she saw another unfamiliar lady in the room, her curious eyes flicked between Gauss and Sophia before nodding at Sophia.

"And this is?"

"Sophia. Someone who’s taken great care of me..." Gauss introduced.

"Oh, hello, I’m Andini. I run a general store." Andini sat naturally on Gauss’s other side, confident and friendly.

"Hello." Sophia was a bit nervous. Even though her first impression of Andini was that she was cute—

She realized this was a senior in the Adventuring field, surely a remarkable person, and immediately felt awkward.

"My treat!" Andini grabbed the menu. "We agreed on this last time. Besides, you’ve almost spent all your money, right?"

She glanced at the Small Storage Bag at Gauss’s waist.

"I still have some." Gauss smiled. "The Guild’s benefits are way better now than in your time. And anyway, tonight’s my treat to celebrate the promotion. No way I’m letting a senior pay."

"Oh?" Andini blinked, clearly interested in the improved "benefits," and couldn’t help but ask for details.

"...So that’s how it is." Andini rubbed her chin, deep in thought after listening.

Taking advantage of the lull, Gauss quietly chatted with Sophia, introducing dishes from the menu to help ease her nerves.

After a while,

Sophia gradually relaxed.

Mainly because Andini’s appearance and demeanor lacked any sense of pressure. She was easy-going. Once Sophia realized there was no intimidating "senior aura" and that she and Gauss were on very familiar terms, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She had been truly worried about embarrassing Gauss.

"The food’s here— let’s eat."

Gauss beckoned as the dishes were served.

Delicious food was indeed the bridge that brought people closer.

After a few dishes, the once-strangers Sophia and Andini began to chat softly.

Seeing this, a trace of comfort flashed in Gauss’s eyes.

He had deliberately brought Sophia to meet Andini.

Sophia was, after all, just an ordinary person. Though Gauss, now a Bronze-rank Adventurer, could offer the inn some “protection,” he would often be away on missions. If the two could grow familiar, Andini could help watch over her— which could only benefit Sophia.

"Gauss, how about ordering some wine?" Andini seemed in great spirits and suggested.

"Can you handle it, senior?"

Andini slapped the table.

"Hey, what’s that supposed to mean? Underestimating me? Back when I was adventuring, I was the best drinker on the team!"

Once the wine arrived,

Apparently to prove her prowess, Andini gulped down several cups in a row, her cheeks quickly flushing red.

Surprisingly, the usually reserved Sophia, after a few cups, only showed a light blush and didn’t seem drunk at all.

Gauss’s alcohol tolerance was also strangely high.

Or rather, the moment the wine entered his body, some innate power swiftly broke it down and absorbed it.

Thanks to his [Energy Storage Gland] talent, even alcohol was treated as a food substance and digested rapidly— giving him a constitution that couldn’t get drunk no matter how much he drank.

The soft orange light bathed the private room as the atmosphere gradually turned warm and lively.

Looking at the scene before him, warmth quietly rose in Gauss’s heart.

Being able to dine and celebrate with people close to him— was a joy in itself.

At the very least, he was not alone at this moment.

He couldn’t imagine— if even during such joyful times— there was no one to share the happiness with, how unbearably sad that would be...