Gauss's arrival, of course, wasn't something that could be kept secret.
Grayrock Town might be remote and not exactly a hub of commerce, but as one of the staging points for adventurers heading into the Jade Forest, information moved fast here.
Over the past few months while Gauss was away, locals had been bringing him up often—the adventurer who'd walked out of Grayrock and made a name for himself. Quite a few of them had even met him in person.
To traveling merchants and hired hands passing through, the story might sound exaggerated. But the locals? They wore it like a badge of honor.
Gauss's vibe had changed a lot, but his most obvious features—black hair and green eyes—were still the same. After a quick look, plenty of people could guess who he was.
Even so, nobody in the dining hall rushed up to interrupt his party mid-meal. If anything, people instinctively lowered their voices—either not wanting to bother them… or wanting to catch what they were saying.
At the table, while they waited for food, Gauss was telling Albena and Shadow about his past in Grayrock.
He didn't think his old life—scraping by under the poverty line—was anything to be ashamed of. Those memories, painful and bitter as they were at the time, had turned into… just stories now.
Not long after, the dishes were brought out.
"Sit and eat with us," Gauss said, waving Sophia over to join them.
He wanted to hear how her life had been over the last year.
From what he'd already seen—the expanded storefront, more staff, renovations—Sophia was clearly doing well. But it was different hearing it from her directly.
"No trouble lately?" he asked.
"Couldn't be better. What trouble would I have?" Sophia laughed. "Thanks to you, people keep coming to 'take care' of my business."
"And you, Gauss—are you doing okay?"
Sophia's gaze shifted to his teammates.
She was just a small-town local; she didn't know much about adventurer life. But even she could tell Gauss and his party were nothing like Grayrock's usual crowd.
Their gear was better. Their bearing—how they held themselves, how they spoke—carried a clear difference.
Because a person's presence changes with experience and horizons.
Less than a year might seem like nothing…
But Gauss's crew had endured a beast tide at the Lincrown Town outpost, handled a Black Forest treant rampage, blown up a goblin cave nest, sunk a goblin "mothership" at sea, done "rural tutoring," subdued a drake, executed an evil witch, fought the Dragon Cult, met two gods, and heard a prophecy.
Most adventurers wouldn't see that much in a lifetime.
After surviving that many close calls, they'd gained a calm, grounded composure—like nothing could shake them anymore.
Gauss only shared the fun parts with Sophia: Coral Bay's scenery, the Blue Lake festival at Lakeside Town, the tiefling situation in Longflute, and so on.
Sophia listened, quietly relieved—and genuinely happy for him.
The boy she'd once watched struggle had become something the average person could only call a legend.
After lunch, Gauss's eyes flicked toward several mounted riders waiting by the inn's entrance.
They'd arrived halfway through his meal and hadn't interrupted—just waited until he finished.
When their eyes met, the leader nodded and walked in.
"Sir Gauss. Guild Master Eberhard would like to invite you and your party to the Adventurers' Guild hall when you're free. He wants to meet you."
"I understand. I'll come by this afternoon," Gauss replied, nodding.
He wasn't surprised.
Ever since the "Red Dragon Knight" title and the "killed a Transcendent Dragon Priest" feat spread, he'd been getting invitations from Guildmasters whenever he passed through towns.
Some just wanted to meet him. Some wanted to throw impossible commissions his way.
But he'd been rushing to the snow mountain and then back—no time to linger.
Grayrock, though… this was his "hometown." He couldn't treat it like some random stopover.
Besides, he'd met Eberhard a few times before—so at least the name wasn't unfamiliar.
In Gauss's mind, though, it had been one-sided back then.
He'd been a nobody—just a level-one adventurer during the Winter Hunt, more interested in drooling over Eberhard's Griffin Mount.
Now?
He was so far ahead in the "mount" category it was almost funny.
Gauss shook the thought away.
He didn't head straight for the guild. Instead, he took his party back to his house not far from the inn.
After being gone half a year, it was coated in dust.
He checked the traps he'd left behind—no one had entered while he was away.
Then he cleaned the place in minutes with magic, restoring it to spotless.
Serandur stayed with him.
Shadow and Albena temporarily used Alia's house nearby.
After a short rest and washing up, they went back out.
Esvel's wind-and-snow blessing was honestly incredible—especially for adventurers who lived outdoors.
Not only did it massively boost cold resistance, it also wrapped them in a subtle field that made snowflakes curve away before touching them.
Gauss knew the route to the guild like muscle memory.
Crossing the town square, he glanced at the sword–shield–staff emblem above the entrance and stepped into the hall.
"…Huh?"
The scene inside surprised him.
Normally, once winter set in, Grayrock's guild hall would empty out fast—most adventurers weren't locals. They'd go home for the season and come back after the thaw.
But the hall was still packed.
Gauss lifted a brow, thoughtful.
"Gauss! Long time no see."
A familiar blonde guild staffer—short, sweet-faced—lifted a hand and waved.
"Petra. It's you," Gauss greeted, waving back. "Still doing reception work?"
"Nope—I got promoted. I'm a guild steward now."
Petra puffed up proudly, showing off her uniform and badge.
"Congrats."
"But compared to you…" Petra smiled wryly. "My little promotion doesn't even count."
"I've worked here for years," she added quickly, then gestured toward the stairs. "Guild Master Eberhard is waiting for you in the third-floor reception room."
Because she knew him, she'd been assigned to greet him at the entrance.
"Alright. Let's go."
Gauss started up the stairs.
On the first floor, at least 90% of the eyes were on him. Whispers chased his back.
The second floor was quieter—only actual professionals hung out there.
But their attention was no less intense.
As Gauss's gaze swept the room, he suddenly spotted a few familiar faces.
"Laevin… Meva… Oliver?"
He looked genuinely surprised.
He hadn't expected to see his old teammates from the second party he'd joined—the Night Owl Squad.
Laevin, the Shield Bearer and team leader. Meva, the rogue. Oliver, the archer.
He didn't see Doyle the swordsman or Daphne the cleric.
"G-Gauss…?"
Laevin stiffened the moment he recognized him. He looked awkward, then raised a hand in a clumsy greeting.
"Welcome back to Grayrock," Meva said more smoothly, her eyes drifting to Gauss's current teammates—quietly assessing them.
Oliver, as always, stayed silent.
Gauss noticed the badges on their chests.
They'd crossed the threshold—officially bronze adventurers.
Night Owl really had deserved the "elite squad" label back then.
Even without counting Gauss, three of the five had become Level 1 professional.
Of course, Laevin and Oliver weren't young anymore—breaking through was more "time finally caught up" than miracle.
"Congrats on becoming professionals."
"Thanks."
Laevin was proud of that.
But standing in front of Gauss now—Gauss and his crew—made his pride feel… small.
It hit him: they weren't living in the same world anymore.
Gauss glanced at Petra, who was still politely waiting for him to finish chatting.
"Sorry—I've got something to handle. If you're free tonight, let's eat together."
"Y-Yeah. Sure," Laevin nodded quickly.
"Then it's a deal."
Gauss waved and followed Petra to the third floor.
Once he was gone, Laevin finally exhaled, shoulders loosening.
"…Is Guild Master Eberhard meeting Gauss about something big?"
After all, the third floor was the Guild Master's territory. Normal adventurers didn't go up there.
Meva seemed to catch the complicated look in his eyes and cut in smoothly.
"Don't overthink it. Let's submit the commission."
…
Inside the third-floor reception room, Guild Master Eberhard and an aide were already waiting.
Eberhard stood, shook hands with Gauss and the others, exchanged a few polite greetings, then gestured for them to sit around the round table.
"What does Guild Master Eberhard want with my party?" Gauss asked directly.
He didn't actually know Eberhard well.
Among the official staff in Grayrock, besides Petra, he'd mostly dealt with Vice Guildmaster Shirley. This was the first time he'd really talked with the man at the top.
"I wouldn't call it an 'order,'" Eberhard said, waving it off.
But he was clearly serious.
He could feel that faint pressure coming off Gauss—subtle, but unmistakable.
At minimum, Gauss wasn't weaker than him.
Maybe stronger.
That meant the rumors weren't exaggerated.
A year ago, the young man Eberhard had quietly watched was now a powerhouse who could sit across from him as an equal.
And judging by Gauss's growth rate…
In another year or two, Eberhard might be the one needing honorifics.
Adventurers didn't care about age or seniority.
Only strength.
Only results.
Eberhard straightened a bit, eyes sharper.
"I want to ask about your plans for next year."
"Next year…" Gauss paused.
Privately, they'd already discussed options: head east to the Forest City Barry, revisit Coral Bay and the Talna River region, or go north to the Provincial Capital, Falrim.
Now that Gauss had crossed into the master tier—and had terrifying combat power even for that tier—his team's range was about to explode.
They could start clearing denser monster territories, not just nibbling around the edges.
One reason: Gauss needed monster kills to grow.
With his mana pool and AoE kit, as long as he stayed cautious, most threats were manageable.
Another: reputation and resources—big monster tribes meant big loot.
But it also meant he'd eventually need a logistics network to sell and distribute materials and spoils.
He didn't have time to personally manage that kind of "business."
"We're still discussing our route," Gauss said, keeping it vague.
Eberhard's expression grew heavy.
"If possible… I hope you can stay around Grayrock early next year."
"Has the Jade Forest situation changed?" Gauss asked immediately.
"Yes." Eberhard nodded. "According to our informants inside the forest, one of the Green Dragon Queen's Major Tribes—an Ogre Tribe—has begun moving near the forest edge."
"Last year's Winter Hunt was only a rehearsal. We believe they're planning a large-scale raid."
"We don't know which town they'll hit."
As Grayrock's guild Guild Master, Eberhard desperately wanted Gauss's party to remain nearby.
Grayrock's defenses were stronger than before, sure—but having Gauss's squad stationed here would raise the safety level dramatically.
Provincial support would come, but the front was long and resources were limited.
Grayrock might not get enough.
"I understand," Gauss said after a beat.
A Real Ogre-led wave would be far worse than the beast tide they'd fought at Outpost 11.
"I'll try to stay in town for a while."
For him, it wasn't even a hard decision.
He could take local commissions, and if a monster wave really came… that was prime "monster mass spawn" territory for his manual.
No more hunting nests across endless wilderness.
Just monsters… coming to him.
And he could use the time to start building that logistics network.
Hearing Gauss agree, Eberhard visibly relaxed.
It was like someone finally handed him a shield.
"On behalf of Grayrock's residents, thank you."
"No need," Gauss replied. "I'm Grayrock too."
He glanced inward at the monster counter in his mind.
Total Monster Kills: 11,896.
If a wave came…
That number might start climbing fast.
He looked out the window, past the town, toward the distant green line of the Jade Forest.
He felt unease.
But beneath it…
A faint, dangerous eagerness.
~~~
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