Like usual, after a long journey, I came back to the guild to receive my rewards. It was still morning, so there were only a few people coming in. It was still quiet, so I felt a little more relaxed than usual when talking to the guild staffs.
Just as I got my coins, my eyes met with a person I know very well. He's one of my few acquaintances here in this guild. The red-head adventurer, Gilbert.
Like a few adventurers, he and his party rent rooms in the guild. The guild doubles as an inn, but they only allow adventurers at a certain level to stay. Living in the guild is a dream for most adventurers, it's more convenient to live in the same place you're working at after all.
With heavy breaths, Gil seems to be coming back from training. He's not wearing his usual gear and his sword is missing as well. He's full of sweat, and it looks like he has a bit of scratches on his body. Just what kind of training was he doing?
With that being said, when he's like this, he does look like a male model you would see posing in magazines. His muscular chest and tight abs outlined on his soaked shirt were what women would crave to look at.
I'm impressed.
"You're early... are you looking for a quest?"
His eyes stumbled on the small pouch on my hand when he asked that question.
"No... you're back from a quest?"
"I didn't do anything difficult, so I finished early," I nodded and replied.
"Is that so?" he scratched his chin and observed me more.
He must be thinking I don't look like I went out on a quest at all. Most adventurers come back from a quest dirty and tired, so a fresh look on me must've peak his curiosity.
When I go alone to complete a quest as usual, I always wash myself before I go back. Unlike most adventurers, I hate being dirty, so I go back to the inn first to clean myself before I go and take my rewards.
"You really like to stay clean, huh?"
"Eh?" I was taken aback, so I stutter, "Y-yes... it bothers me when I get dirty."
Or worse, when I get monster blood on me.
"Fufu... it's common for people with decent upbringing to hate being dirty... specially when they're women. As for men like us, we don't mind it that much."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, we don't mind being dirty that much. That being said..." as if he was thinking deeply, he tilted his head sideways and put on a finger on his chin. "It's selfish of us to say, but we prefer when women don't follow on our lead... after all, a dirty woman is not attractive."
He's not wrong... but I feel like that is not something he's supposed to say out loud, specially in the guild.
"By the way, do you have plans after this?"
"Mm? I don't..."
No, it's unlikely, but Julian might come waiting for me in the inn as usual. If that's the case, I might get swayed to get along with his shenanigans again. I'm getting tired of him...
"No, I'm actually thinking of buying a new sword."
"What a coincidece! Then, if you're not tired, can you tag along with me? I'm going to the shopping district."
So he's going to shop as well? I thought they leave this kind of job to Riget, but I guess Gil also do work other than killing monsters and appealing to the crowd.
"I'm not tired... but aren't you?"
Looking at him, he does appear to be tired. He just came back from training, so he might still be exhausted.
"No, I just need to catch my breath for a moment," he replied, wiping the remaining sweat on his forehead. "How about it?" he asked again.
"Mm... I'll go," I nodded.
"Great! Wait here."
In a rush, Gil went back to his room and change clothes. When we met again, he was already wearing his gear. He also did not forget to bring his signature great sword. He can go outside in the public on casual clothes, but that might ruin the strong image the people have on him, so even when not doing work as an adventurer, he's wearing his equipment.
"I'm going to buy supplies for our next quest. We're tackling a much harder quest this time, so our party needs to be prepared."
With that said, we stopped at alchemy shops and smithing shops. Healing potions are the most important supply a party should have, other enchantment and utility potions are needed as well, so Gil bought many of them. He also bought a sack of arrow heads for Jessica.
There were no better swords in the shopping district than Gil's sword, so he did not bother on looking for another weapon. Me on the other hand, bought a single sword and two short daggers. I feel much faster using shorter swords, so I picked the smallest sword I can find. I also threw in a pair of throwable daggers.
"Daggers? You use those too?"
"Yes. They don't take too much space and they're easy to swing around."
I don't really use them much, but they're there for when I break my sword, like that one time we fought a wyvern.
"You're even more versatile than I thought..."
It was noon already when we finished shopping. Despite me protesting, Gil still took the time to see me off to the inn I was staying at. Fortunately, Julian wasn't there to cause a scene.
"Thank you," I thanked Gil for the final time.
"Uhh... wait, Eria-san!"
"Mm?"
Just as I was about to enter my room, Gil suddenly stopped me. I was confused, so I ask what's wrong.
"Eria-san... no, Eria...! I'm telling you now, I'm the man who will become a hero."
"Eh?"
Why is he saying that now?
"I know I said before that I won't asked again, so..."
All of a sudden, the look on Gil's eyes became intense and he slowly walked closer towards me. I was cornered to the wall, not knowing what's happening at all.
"G-Gil? What are you doing?"
With a loud thud, he slammed his hand on the wall behind me and speaks again. This time, his tone was even more intense.
"I won't asked you to join our party again. No, we don't deserved you yet. That's why, I'm asking you this time to come with me."
"What are you saying?"
What he's saying don't make sense at all...
"Eria!"
Calling my name, he went in even closer. Then he took my hand and said:
"Come with me, not as a party member... but as my woman."
"Huh...!?"
I-is he stupid!?