"Congratulations on becoming an Iron-Ranked Adventurer," Cinder told me with a poker face.
I couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed, maybe because Cinder delivered the news without much enthusiasm or due to our earlier conversation. However, Ember's sudden departure still weighed on my mind. Should I go after her and have a conversation?
"You don't look very happy," Cinder interrupted my thoughts, noting my expression.
"Hmm… I don't know; there's something else on my mind," I told Cinder.
"Are you worried about Ember?" she asked with a sly grin.
I was surprised by her keen insight. "How do you know about that?" I asked.
She chuckled. "Fu fu fu… You're very easy to read. By the way, tomorrow is Ember's day off," Cinder informed me, still wearing that sly grin.
"How do you know all that?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Because I am the Guild Master," Cinder replied matter-of-factly.
Well, that certainly explained it. Cinder continued to share more details.
"Ember's favorite flowers are Pyrose, her go-to snack is spicy skewered meat, and she loves dining at Cafe Bella Vita which is one of the best Cafe in Random Town, which offers fantastic food at an affordable price. But I don't think money is an issue for you. Also, there's a charming little flower field near the town that Ember adores. After lunch, take her there," Cinder provided me with all this information.
"Wait a minute, how do you know all this?" I asked her, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Because I am her sister," Cinder told me with a poker face.
I felt a bit foolish for asking a question to which I already knew the answer. Cinder's poker face had a point; I might be more predictable than I thought. While I was lost in thought, she started speaking again.
"Oh, and you should consider getting some new clothes. Your armor is suitable for combat, but I don't think it's appropriate attire while going out with a lady," Cinder instructed me.
Hmm... now that I think about it, the only clothes I have are this armor and my delivery uniform. Wait, that's not important. What does she mean by "going out with a lady"?
"What do you mean by 'going out with a lady'? Are you referring to Ember?" I asked her, genuinely puzzled.
*sighs*
Cinder let out an exasperated sigh and said, "Figure that out yourself." She seemed a little irritated. Then, she continued, "Wait here. I'll update your guild card and give you the reward money." Cinder took my guild card and left the room. After a few minutes, she returned with a huge bag, placing it in front of me.
"Here's your Guild Card, and this is your reward money. There are around 50,000 coins here," she informed me.
"What, 50,000 coins?" I asked, my surprise evident.
"Yes, yes, that's what you get for killing half the Verdant Grove and the Ruler of the Verdant Grove, Monkey Kong. I also added a little extra for your special day tomorrow with Ember. Now, get lost; I have other things to do," she said, her irritation showing.
I got up, ready to leave, but she stopped me with a warning, "Oh, and if you hurt Ember's feelings, I will make you regret it a hundred times over. I don't care if you're a hero, a fiend, or something else."
As she spoke, the room's temperature began to soar. Within seconds, it felt as hot as a sauna. But that wasn't all; she exuded a fiery aura that was both beautiful and terrifying. Her eyes blazed like a powerful flame that could incinerate anyone with just a single glance.
"Ye-yes, ma'am. I will make sure to remember it," I replied, standing at attention before quickly exiting the room.
I let out a sigh, my thoughts racing. That was very scary. What am I going to do tomorrow? Well, let's think about that later. For now, I'm very tired. Let's go back and sleep.
And so, I did just that. I returned to the inn, went to my room, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
…..
As the sun began to rise, its morning rays crept through the window and gently illuminated my face.
"Ugh," I groaned, feeling still tired. I wondered what time it was. I needed to get ready and do some shopping.
After a quick refresh and getting dressed, I decided to skip breakfast and head straight to the shopping district. My goal was to find a good clothing store. As I strolled through the bustling streets, something caught my eye.
It was a small yet very elegant store called "Elysian Attires." The name was written in golden letters on a frosted glass door. When I stepped inside, I felt like I'd entered a place of luxury and style.
The store's interior was impressive. There were racks filled with carefully chosen clothes in beautiful colors and fancy fabrics. A small crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, giving the whole place a warm and inviting atmosphere.
When the store owner noticed me entering, he hurried over and greeted me, "Good morning, sir. Is there something I can help you with?" He wore a friendly smile, but his eyes scanned me from top to bottom as if assessing my appearance.
"Yes, I would like to buy some fancy clothes," I told him, a little irritated because I was wearing my delivery uniform, and he was clearly looking down on me because of my current attire.
"Well, you've come to the right place then. What's your budget?" he inquired with curiosity.
"Money is not an issue, so give me your best clothes," I told him, still a little irritated.
He looked shocked and asked me, "Sir, if it's alright with you, can you tell me what your profession is?"
*sighs*
I sighed and said, "I am an Iron-ranked Adventurer."
For some reason, he looked pleased with my answer and started talking, "I know that adventurers make a lot of money, and if you are an iron-ranked adventurer, then you must be a veteran adventurer, so the best we have is for nobles. Is that all right with you?" he asked me.
"Hmm… Nobles' clothes are a little too much for me, do you have something else?" I questioned him.
"Certainly, please come this way," he guided me inside the store.
He showed me various clothes, and I carefully picked an outfit that brought out the best in me. I chose an azure blue linen tunic, which blended perfectly with the serene landscape. With it, I wore sleek black trousers that were not only comfortable but also added a touch of style to my look, allowing me to move gracefully.
On my feet, I opted for supple black leather loafers that added a touch of elegance to my outfit. I completed the ensemble with a simple braided cord bracelet.
"They look good on you, Sir," he told me, his tone now completely different, likely because he knew I had a lot of money.
I wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible because I hated the atmosphere here. While I was thinking that, something caught my eye: a delicate sapphire pendant necklace. It looked simple but elegant.
I pointed to the necklace and told the store owner, "Can you pack that necklace for me? And make sure it looks like a present."
"An excellent choice, sir. I will ensure it's presented as elegantly as possible," he told me and took the necklace, disappearing for a moment.
After a short while, he returned with a small but beautifully crafted box. Inside was the necklace. He handed it to me, and I thanked him before inquiring about the total cost.
"Thank you. So, what's the total cost?" I asked, curious about how much I would be spending.
"Sir, for your clothes and the necklace, the total is about 5,800 coins," he informed me.
It was a bit expensive, but with my current funds, it wasn't a concern. I retrieved the money from my inventory and handed it over.
"Thank you for your patronage, Sir. Please come again," he said with a big smile, bidding me farewell.
I left the store and continued to stroll around town. Eventually, I came across a charming little flower shop. I stepped inside and greeted the attendant with a warm smile.
"Good morning! Do you have any Pyrose?" I inquired.
The attendant returned my smile and replied, "Good morning! Of course, we do. How many would you like?"
"Could you please arrange a bouquet with those flowers?" I inquired politely.
"Of course, that's not a problem at all. Just give me a moment," she responded with a cheerful demeanor, skillfully crafting a beautiful bouquet.
A few minutes later, she presented the finished bouquet to me and said, "Here's your bouquet. That will be 200 coins."
I handed her the coins and then inquired, "Could you tell me the current time?"
"Just a minute let me check", She took something out of her pocket that resembled a pocket watch looked at it, and told me, "The current time is 9:45".
I thanked her and left the flower shop. Then, I headed straight to the Firebrand Smithy. Upon entering, I began, "Hello, Mr. Owen, is Ember..." but before I could finish, a huge fist swung straight toward me.