"Store Manager Gron, we've got an important guest!"
Gron Bates walked out from the forge.
As usual, he wore a black hardened leather apron over his chest; his left eye was covered by a black eyepatch, and only his right eye, sharp as ever, was visible.
When he saw who had arrived, a hint of surprise flashed across his usually flat expression.
"Long time no see, Gauss. You're already a Bronze Adventurer?" His gaze landed on Gauss's chest. "And a two-star..."
"That's right, Store Manager Gron." Gauss nodded with a smile. "Didn't Senior Andri tell you?"
He had thought Gron already knew about his promotion.
After all, it was Gron who had first introduced him to the Thorny Hut, where he later met the Halfling Mage Andri. Andri and Gron had been teammates before, and Andri had known about his advancement as a Professional long ago.
"That one... hasn't gotten in touch for a long time." Gron didn't seem to care much.
