We suddenly got promoted to Blue-ranked adventurers—Great!
But there was one thing that had been bothering me. After putting away the reward money, I finally asked the question.
"Ms. Sylvie, why do they keep staring at us?"
Honestly, they had been watching us ever since we returned. Now that I finally voiced it, it was Wiley who answered.
"Because they want to thank you two for teaching them how to use Storage Magic and control Water Balls. But they're a bunch of idiots who don't know how to express their gratitude."
So they did want to thank us… but only Wiley, the guild master, could call them idiots so casually.
"I thought they were targeting us for something."
The moment I said that, Wiley suddenly shouted:
"HEY! Stop staring at them like that! If you want to thank them, then go do it! Don't stand around like shy kids trying to confess their first love!"
Wait! That comparison…
So it's like they're too embarrassed to say thanks?!
The entire room flinched. Don't tell me it's actually true…
I stared at Wiley in disbelief while Lina touched her chin, muttering softly:
"Confess…"
People around us exchanged glances, pushing one another forward as if saying thanks was some unbearable challenge.
Well… maybe it really was. A bunch of adults trying to thank two children—yeah, pride wouldn't allow it. I kinda understood.
Suddenly, one man stood up and yelled:
"Stop dragging it out! Everyone just say it together! Hurry up!"
Others immediately rose to join in.
"He's right! If we all say it, it won't be embarrassing!"
"Alright! Everyone together!"
One by one, they all stood up until the whole guild was on their feet.
"""THANK YOU!!!"""
"Yo…You're welcome."
I responded to them with a polite smile, while Lina seemed lost in thought just moments ago and was startled by their loud voices.
After that giant outburst, they relaxed all at once.
"Ahh—finally said it."
"It's not so embarrassing when we all do it together."
"Well, it's a bit early, but let's drink! Wiley's treating!"
"""OOHHH!!"""
That last shout came from the dismantling room's uncle, who had walked in from the back. Only a good friend would dare to announce Wiley was treating.
"Hey, hey, I didn't agree to that. Fine, but only one drink each!"
Wiley sighed but still gave in.
"""OOOHHH!!!"""
Free drinks made everyone twice as excited.
The atmosphere instantly turned festive—laughter everywhere.
But Lina seemed a little upset.
"Lina, why aren't you happy? Was it because they startled you earlier?"
"No."
She said no, but she still looked a bit down. Halfway through thinking about how to cheer her up, an idea hit me.
"Let's go shopping later. We haven't explored this town yet."
We had earned a lot of money now. Time to buy clothes, necessities—and most importantly, seasonings!
For the past five years, cooking had become my hobby. I had so many recipe ideas but no spices to bring them to life. I wanted Lina to eat delicious food and show that satisfied smile of hers.
"Mm."
Just then, Wiley called out to us, holding two glasses.
"Karen, Lina, you're underage. Juice for you."
"Thank you."
We accepted the juice. The familiar sweet fragrance immediately hit my nose.
One sip—yes, watermelon juice. Sweet but not overwhelming.
Suddenly, someone already drunk began sharing his inner thoughts.
"They're still just kids, but they suddenly surpassed us. The younger generation really has outdone the older one."
"Maybe they'll reach Rainbow-rank someday."
"Hahaha! Could be!"
Why are they talking about us now?
Felt a bit exaggerated… and of course, Wiley decided to jump in at the worst possible moment.
"Karen, tell me—how exactly did you defeat the Orc King?"
There it was!
The question I absolutely couldn't answer in detail. Annoying.
But I had a plan.
"We just kept casting magic to interrupt it, then struck when it showed an opening. Oh, right—the Orc King carried a greatsword. Not sure what it was made of, but it was incredibly tough."
My plan is give a vague explanation, then change the topic.
Perfect chance since I really was curious about that greatsword too—it even blocked ancient magic.
And it clearly belonged to a former adventurer. No monster could forge something like that.
Since it was heavy, I only pulled half of the sword out of my storage hole for Wiley to see.
His reaction was instant—eyes widening, body leaning forward in shock.
"That's—Karen, give me that sword! Name your price, I'll pay anything!"
Wiley's expression made me take a step back in shock—he was so eager and excited, willing to pay any price just to possess the sheer presence of that greatsword.
"Why?!"
My curiosity exploded, my voice rising.
Wiley paused, then his expression turned serious.
"I was once a Red-ranked adventurer. Eleven years ago, my party and I slew a dragon that had lived over 200 years. I forged a greatsword from its body. I even named it—engraved it on the hilt. The name is Black Iron."
Wiley was a former Red-rank? And he hunted a dragon?!
That's insane!
I looked at the hilt. Though worn, I could still make out the letters—Black Iron.
It really was his sword.
Wiley continued:
"Six years ago, during my travels, I came to this town. One morning, I woke up and the sword was gone. I never found the thief, but I believed the sword had to still be in this town. So I settled here."
So it was stolen.
His whole life plan ruined because of it.
Whoever stole it… unforgivable.
And Wiley was getting more and more fired up.
"I still don't know who took it. But if it ended up with the Orc King, someone must have accepted the quest years ago—and failed. Sylvie! Check the old records! Find anyone who took Orc–related quests and survived!"
"Yes, sir!"
Sylvie bolted into the back room check the records, startled by Wiley's explosive voice.
Dragon materials explained the hardness. But I still had questions.
"Guild Master, I understand this sword is yours. But I want to know about its durability."
"Dragon materials are top quality—naturally tougher. But that's not the main point. Look at the magic core embedded in it. That's the dragon's magic core. It gives the blade a 200-year mana barrier. Anything weaker than that can't break it."
A 200-year-old dragon's magic core…
Lina's ancient magic was 120 years power. No wonder it couldn't cut the blade.
Mine was 290 years—one shot hit but bounced off, must've weakened the magic, so the sword didn't break.
"I understand. Here—you can have it back."
"Finally…! My beloved sword—oh, how I've missed you!"
Wiley hugged the greatsword with a disturbingly affectionate expression.
Yeah. He was definitely drunk.
Then dismantling room's uncle staggered over, eyeing the sword.
"Ohh, Wiley's sword is back. Is the Greatswordman making his comeback?"
They must've adventured together. Was he a Red rank too?
But something else caught my attention.
"Greatswordman?"
"That was the nickname people gave him back when he was an adventurer—big body, big sword."
Wiley overheard and jumped in immediately.
"Shut up, Fokko! I hated that nickname."
So the uncle's name was Fokko.
And he shot back instantly:
"It's better than the ones you gave yourself. Sword Giant? Explosive Blade Warrior? Horrible names."
Okay, that was unbelievably cringe.
Wiley's chuunibyou was terrifying.
"Like yours is better—Libertine Ronin."
At that jab, Fokko exploded.
"AAAAHHH!!! Don't say that! That's my dark past! You wanna fight?!"
"Bring it on, you drunk!"
The two of them immediately started brawling.
I couldn't stand watching two grown men fight over embarrassing nicknames.
I glanced at Lina. She wore the exact same helpless expression.
"…Lina, let's go."
"…Okay."
We stepped out of the adventurers' guild.
Inside, several people were already passed out from drinking, the whole place reeking of alcohol.
Others were happily betting on whether Wiley or Fokko would win the fight.
Good thing we left.
Terrible environment for kids.
Time to go shopping instead.