Chapter 15: Adventurer Rankings
At a high-class restaurant, Salina-san and I were enjoying a meal.
Salina-san, she’s beautiful…
Usually, she wears her guild uniform, but today she was dressed in a form-fitting dress.
I also made sure to dress formally enough not to be out of place.
“Salina-san… you look beautiful.”
“Loin-san… you look different from usual, somehow wonderful.”
I took Salina-san’s hand and escorted her to her seat.
Although Salina-san had invited me to this meal, I planned to secretly pay for it later.
Fortunately, I have plenty of money.
“Loin-san, thank you so much. Thanks to your efforts, the guild is more secure than ever.”
“No, no… you’re exaggerating.”
“That’s not quite the case, you know…”
“Eh…?”
“Regarding that giant Golem incident… thanks to you, Loin-san, we found out about it early, which was a great help. Originally, investigating and understanding these kinds of mutated species is the guild’s responsibility. We were truly saved by finding out before major damage occurred… The Guildmaster also expressed his gratitude, saying we were on the verge of getting a huge scolding from the Adventurers’ Association.”
“I-Is that so… It was a bigger deal than I thought…”
I thought I had just defeated a Golem, but…
So that’s what was happening behind the scenes.
Anyway, I’m glad I was helpful.
Being part of a guild seems quite tough.
We enjoyed delicious food and drinks while talking about such things.
“The adventurer rankings… I’m looking forward to them.”
“Eh? Ah… yes, that’s right.”
“Is it because… you don’t want Ghuftok-san to find out…?”
“Well… yes, that’s true.”
It seems Salina-san sees right through me.
There was a part of me that still couldn’t genuinely be happy about the adventurer rankings.
“In that case, it’s alright now, you know? Well, it’s a bit of a difficult topic to bring up, but…”
“Eh…? What do you mean?”
“Ghuftok-san was quite seriously injured when you rescued him, Loin-san.”
“Ah, I imagine so…”
If I recall what I heard from other adventurers, he broke his arm or something like that.
What a coincidence, it’s just like how Ghuftok broke mine.
“But, because his treatment was delayed… well, the wound isn’t healing very well…”
“Well, that can’t be helped…”
“So, I don’t think Ghuftok-san will be able to come to the guild for a while, you see?”
“Ah, I see. I understand. Indeed, in that case, I can rest easy.”
I feel bad for the injured Ghuftok, but it’s convenient for me.
I wish he’d just forget about me while he’s recuperating.
“So, with that said, I’ll be waiting for you at the guild tomorrow, okay?”
“R-Right… I’ll definitely be there.”
I made that promise and finished my meal with Salina-san.
After finishing the meal… I left the restaurant, my heart feeling like it was about to burst.
Of course, I smoothly took care of the bill.
“Loin-san… um, even though I was the one who invited you… I’m sorry, and thank you.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m also grateful to you, Salina-san.”
The problem is what comes next…
Can I… invite her…?
“U-U-U-U-UM!!!!”
“Y-Yes…!”
But, it was Salina-san who spoke first.
No way… no, it can’t be…
“Loin-san… where are you staying…?”
“Heh…!? U-Uhm… at the White Knights Hotel.”
It’s the most luxurious hotel in town.
“Um… after this… is it, alright if I go there…?”
“…………!?”
Suppressing the urge to jump for joy on the spot, I silently nodded yes.
For me, who had been troubled by not even being able to defeat a Slime, this felt like a reward that was a bit too much.
◇
Starting today, the calendar turns to a new month, and the adventurer rankings will be updated.
Of course, my ranking until last month was dead last.
That Ghuftok guy is usually around the upper-middle ranks.
“Ugh… I’m nervous… No, maybe I should just skip it…?”
I paced back and forth in front of the guild.
The concern about running into Ghuftok had been resolved, but now I was hesitating to enter for another reason.
I can’t face Salina-san…!
“Aaaah! After what happened yesterday, how am I supposed to act around her!?”
While I was worrying about such a trivial thing…
“Ah, Loin-san, good morning. Yesterday was fun. Thank you very much.”
“…………H-Hyes!?”
Salina-san spoke to me from behind.
It seemed she had left the guild for some errand and had just returned.
“Um… aren’t you going in…?”
“Eh, ehh…!? No, I’m going in…! Of course, I’m going in!”
As for Salina-san herself, she acted as if nothing had happened yesterday.
Could it be… that she has far more romantic experience than me, and that’s why she’s so calm…?
Or… is she deliberately trying not to show it…?
“Th-Then… shall we go see the rankings…”
“Yes… let’s.”
Saying that, we both reached for the guild door at the same time.
And then, my hand and Salina-san’s hand bumped at the doorknob.
It’s natural; if two people reach out at the same time, they’ll bump.
“Ah, s-sorry…!”
“N-No…! My apologies…!”
When I happened to look at Salina-san’s hand, I noticed it was trembling.
Moreover, from that brief touch, Salina-san’s face started to turn redder and redder.
Huh…?
Could it be that Salina-san is also conscious of what happened last night…!?
“I-It really is… nerve-wracking, isn’t it…”
“Y-Yes, it is…”
“Ahahahahahahaha.”
We looked at each other and laughed.
Once we acknowledged the tension, it naturally eased.
After what happened yesterday, it would be impossible not to be conscious of it.
“Loin-san, from now on… please take care of me, okay?”
“Yes, Salina-san.”
Yes, last night, Salina-san and I…
Just remembering it brings a smile to my face.
It feels like if I make even the slightest mistake, I’ll wake up from this dream.
“Alright… I’m going to check the rankings…!”
I finally steeled my resolve.
From now on, as an adventurer, I’ll take on challenges with higher aspirations!
“…………!?”
As I approached the guild’s board, the surrounding adventurers all looked this way at once.
No way… am I drawing attention…!?
“H-Hey… Loin is here…!”
“Seriously… that guy is Loin…?”
“That guy… was he that strong…?”
Judging by the reactions of the onlookers, have I risen that high in the ranks…?
I pushed my way through them and approached the board.
And then, I checked my rank, but—
“Not there, not there, not there…”
――――――――――――――――
《Adventurer Rank》
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1678th Yogso Sohman
1679th Bonabo Nabonsky
1680th Dan Sylvester
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Even looking from the bottom, my name wasn’t written anywhere.
No way, am I that high up…?
Me, who was dead last…?
“There it is…!”
Scanning from the top, I finally found my name.
And it was in an unbelievable position.
“Seriously…”
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《Adventurer Rank》
1st Alester Lyos S Rank
2nd Elena S Rank
3rd Geord Lark S Rank
4th Momoka S Rank
5th Loin Canberras S Rank
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“F-Fifth place…………!?!?!?!?!?!”
I was speechless.
I glanced back at Salina-san behind me.
She was already at the quest counter.
However, when our eyes met, she gave me a gentle smile.
I am… so incredibly happy…!
“I did it…!”
Even while feeling it was unbelievable, joy welled up inside me.
The scene that had seemed like a dream gradually seeped into my being.
I’ve finally… come this far…!