I Am Not Goblin Slayer
Chapter 91: Return

Gauss clenched his fist.

With every movement, power and magic surged within his body. He felt that even if several of his former selves stood before him now, he could defeat them with relative ease.

It was worth remembering that even during his apprentice stage, his combat ability had already been extraordinary.

If facing ordinary apprentices, the number he could handle simultaneously would be even greater.

No wonder he had felt such overwhelming pressure when encountering those professionals in town before.

Professionals possessed physical attributes far superior to apprentices. Moreover, their consolidated Ranks could further enhance the essence of their power, allowing their skills to unleash their full potential.

By comparison, the skills mastered at the apprentice stage were like castrated versions.

For apprentices, professionals represented absolute superiority in both life essence and power.

"Finally advanced to professional status."

The bustle outside flooded into the secret chamber - distinct layers of sound waves, wheels rolling over cobblestones, vendors hawking their wares, children playing...

Observing the lively street scene, he felt a surge of emotions.

It was that profound sensation of "suddenly feeling the vastness of heaven and earth."

To be honest, ever since transmigrating to this world, he had always carried an uneasy sense of caution and wariness.

Only now, having officially stepped into the professional level and risen above the common masses, did he finally feel a preliminary grasp on his own destiny.

His mind had become remarkably calm.

Even his temperament had grown more composed and steady without him noticing.

After gazing at the street scene for a long while, he finally withdrew his gaze.

Turning around, he first took a cold shower in the chamber's bathroom and changed into fresh clothes.

Then he pushed open the heavy chamber door.

A waiting staff member outside was startled by the movement.

Seeing Gauss emerge, the person visibly froze.

She had seen Gauss before.

But the Gauss before her seemed like a completely different person - his temperament radically transformed, shedding the youthful immaturity and suddenly becoming restrained and introverted, exuding a unhurried composure like jade revealing its inner glow after polishing.

"Mr. Gauss... you... you succeeded in advancing?" The staff member's voice carried a trace of reverence.

"Yes." Gauss nodded with a peaceful smile.

The staff member's expression grew even more respectful.

"How long was I inside?"

"It's been five days."

"Five days?" Gauss was somewhat surprised.

No wonder waking up earlier felt like emerging from a long dream.

To think he'd been immersed for a full five days - that explained it.

"Is Lawrence here?"

"The vice president is present. He instructed me to inform him immediately when you emerged." The staff member bowed before hurrying toward Lawrence's office.

Watching her excessively cautious demeanor, Gauss couldn't help shaking his head.

He didn't dwell much on her drastically changed attitude.

After all, this was precisely the status professionals enjoyed.

Even employees of civilian organizations fully understood the power professionals wielded.

These humans wielding formidable strength each required careful handling.

Ordinary people could never predict a professional's temperament - while unlikely, offending a volatile professional might invite disaster.

As Gauss pondered this, hurried footsteps approached.

It was Lawrence.

The moment he saw Gauss, his pupils constricted sharply.

As a spellcaster apprentice, he could perceive more keenly than ordinary people the powerful aura emanating from Gauss - that mental pressure higher existences exerted on their inferiors.

That superior's presence made him stiffen noticeably, becoming involuntarily awkward.

The hand he'd initially raised to clap Gauss' shoulder rubbed against his clothes before ultimately failing to complete the motion.

"Long time no see. I didn't expect this cultivation session to last five days." Gauss broke the silence first.

Seeing Gauss initiate conversation, Lawrence subtly relaxed.

"Not that long really. Some apprentices remain in this stage for weeks or even months - that's normal. You've progressed quite quickly, G-Gauss."

"Is that so... By the way Lawrence, how much for the chamber rental? I'll pay you." Gauss glanced back at the chamber.

"No need. These are benefits all Mutual Aid Association members enjoy - public welfare services with no charges." Lawrence shook his head repeatedly. "Besides, we're friends."

"Alright then. If you ever need help with anything, just ask."

Seeing Lawrence's determination, Gauss knew he wouldn't accept payment and simply stated this.

During his time in Absinthe Town, Lawrence had provided considerable assistance. Without him, Gauss' professional advancement might not have proceeded so smoothly.

He wasn't an ungrateful person.

"Look at you talking like that... That's not why I helped..." Lawrence complained verbally while grinning internally.

Truthfully, he didn't really need Gauss' promise - if anything came up, he'd likely hire Adventurers Guild members first, solving problems with money where possible.

But Gauss' attitude still made him feel valued.

Warm feelings blossomed in his heart.

This was friendship from a genius spellcaster - something money couldn't buy.

"Let's eat first. Parker Tavern? Go?"

"Go."

......

In the gently rocking carriage compartment,

Gauss lifted the canopy cloth to observe the scenery outside.

Grayrock Town had arrived.

When the carriage gradually stopped, he hopped out and followed the crowd waiting for checkpoint inspections.

Perhaps it was his imagination,

but the inspection seemed quicker than usual this time.

After brief consideration,

theoretically ordinary guards shouldn't detect his status -

he'd completely concealed his aura these days.

Perhaps it was the effect of his Charisma reaching 7?

After all, humans were visual and perceptual creatures.

Between a handsome, distinguished young man and a fierce-looking brute,

which seemed more dangerous and required closer inspection was obvious at a glance.

So high Charisma did have its benefits.

Gauss entered Grayrock Town.

Grayrock Town marked where his adventuring journey began.

Even now as a professional, this was far from the endpoint - merely arriving at a new starting line.

Many splendid adventures and journeys still awaited him.

Of course, most pressingly,

to qualify as a Bronze-rank adventurer,

he needed to return to his registration location.

This badge representing Adventurers Guild recognition held significant utility.

On one hand, it served as direct proof of professional rank -

even ordinary people would immediately recognize a professional upon seeing it, avoiding many hassles.

On the other hand,

only with a Bronze-rank adventurer badge could one access more diverse missions.

Moreover, the Adventurers Guild's internal exchange shops and benefits would then become available.

Gauss had no intention of disguising his strength -

he simply wanted to obtain status matching his capabilities promptly.

Besides, the missions available to low-level adventurers were too "simple and trivial."

While he might still accept these "simple" missions short-term to complete bestiaries,

that didn't mean he lacked curiosity about higher-level assignments.

If a single commission involved eliminating forty or fifty goblins,

the efficiency would surely surpass handling ten or twenty at a time.

After all, one must account for substantial time costs spent traveling.

Arriving at Grayrock Town's Adventurers Guild,

Gauss surveyed the hall briefly.

Among several counters, he spotted a familiar figure -

Petra was on duty today.

After queuing patiently at her counter,

his turn came quickly.

"Next."

Gauss stepped forward.

Petra looked up to see a black-haired, green-eyed, strikingly handsome young man.

Unfamiliar yet familiar.

She hesitated momentarily before recognizing who stood before her.

With tentative tone, she spoke:

"It's you... Gauss?"

"Long time no see, Petra."

Seeing his response, Petra exhaled in relief.

She hadn't seen Gauss for quite some time,

even fearing some accident had befallen him.

"It has been a while."

"I recently visited Absinthe Town." Gauss smiled faintly.

Yet Petra grew increasingly unsettled -

her golden eyes scrutinizing Gauss up and down,

sensing some indescribable change about him.

Almost like...

like those professionals she'd encountered before.

But soon she laughed at her own unrealistic notion.

How could that be possible?

She'd personally registered Gauss' adventurer identity,

giving her some understanding of his circumstances.

For a rookie registered mere months ago

to directly advance to professional status

was simply unbelievable.

Such speed -

even the genius professionals in the capital

with resources and talents far exceeding ordinary people

rarely achieved this.

Let alone some hunter boy from a remote town?