Kays Translations

Chapter 27: “Unwanted reunion”

"Yes! Now, we'll conclude the written exam. If you've been following the rules and acting as an adventurer normally would, there's no need to worry too much; you should pass without any issues. ...Well then, the results will be announced after lunch. Please check the notice board for the updates~"

With these words, Terrine collected the exam papers from the desks.

The examiners had multiplied unnoticed, and they assisted Terrine in collecting the exam papers.

"Hey, Klaus! Wasn't that kinda anticlimactic?" 

"...Yeah."

Merim, who had been overly familiar since earlier, approached Klaus right after the exam ended.

"Hehe. I'm sure I aced it. Hey... hey, what about food?"

"Huh? I'll eat downstairs... I could go home, but I'm short on time."

Saying this, Klaus quickly left the second-floor meeting room and headed downstairs to the tavern-cum-dining area.

Normally, he would eat at home, but he was too preoccupied with the exam results and the afternoon's plans to think about that now.

"I'll have the set meal."

"Sure thing~"

As he settled into a worn-out chair, Merim naturally sat down in front of him.

"Oh, I'm having the same thing, by the way."

"Sure thing~"

...Hey.

"Hmm?"

What's with this guy, Merim? That's the expression Klaus was wearing, but seriously, what's going on here?

"What's the deal with you since earlier?"

"Hehe. Didn't I tell you? We're friends, right?"

Huhhh?

"Don't you know? You can take the exam together with your friends, it's allowed, you know?"

...I know.

"So, I tried to take the exam with my friends, but... there wasn't anyone suitable,"

Suitable... seriously?

"...In other words, you noticed the lone wolf vibe in me and decided to latch on?"

"Hehe."

Hehe, no way!!

"Sorry, but I'll take it alone... There's no point in forming an impromptu party with someone who hasn't trained or coordinated with others."

Moreover, I want to use the "Auto Function Mode" alone as much as possible.

If there are people around, I don't want them to see the unconscious movements I make.

──like rolling my eyes,

...going "Auu Auuu," and drooling while collecting resources... Definitely don't want anyone to witness that!

"What's the deal?! Don't be stingy! I said I'll help you out!"

"I don't need it. Geez, I can eat alone."

Klaus received the set meal brought to him on a tray and quickly moved to a corner seat at the counter.

Here, he wouldn't be disturbed.

"What's the deal?! Besides, I don't have much money!!"

So what?

"Hey, buddy. Pay for your companion's meal."

...

Wait, what?

"Set meal. Five copper coins each. Ten in total for both of us."

"Wait a minute, why me?"

I really don't get it.

"We ordered together, didn't we?"

"Grr...!"

That kid...

Reluctantly, Klaus paid for both meals, but he felt annoyed, as if he had become stingy since before the exam.

Moreover, he paid ten copper coins for a mediocre meal that wasn't even that good...

"What's the deal with this already!"

Black bread, smoked cheese.

Dried fruits soaked in water, and a soup with salty preserved meat, flavored with bone marrow and a strong odor.

(Oh, damn it. Should've just eaten at home.)

Even though he dug in, he couldn't help but be disgusted by the taste, which was at least ten levels lower compared to the meals Liz prepared.

That kid, Merim, was happily devouring the food, but hey, Klaus paid for it, you know?

How disappointing...

　※ ※

*slurp...*

Sigh... That was terrible.

After finishing his meal, Klaus passed the time with cheap post-meal tea. Merim continued to cling around him persistently, but Klaus completely ignored him.

Usually, Klaus would have taken on requests and gone hunting by now, so he felt idle and restless.

"Alright, everyoneeee! Exam takers, your written exam results are out! Please check the notice board~"

With Terrine's enthusiastic announcement, the examinees gathered around the notice board, feeling a bit nervous...

However, there were hardly any adventurers without their names listed. Instead of outright joy, there was a subtle sense of relief among them.

The exam fee of ten silver coins was certainly not cheap.

"Alright, then! Those who passed will now proceed to the practical exam! Let me explain the details."

And with that, the afternoon exam began...

After receiving the instructions, while other examinees hurried back to their respective companions and allies, Klaus was also preparing to take the intermediate rank promotion exam.

At that moment,

*clang clang!*

The swinging doors of the guild were pushed open, and a party with a grand presence entered the guild.

The entrance area instantly became lively and noisy.

"Ah-hahaha! It's been a while, but this place still smells like the countryside."

"Hey, hey, stop being rude!"

With voices that could be heard clearly, several men and women entered the guild.

...?!

"Huh! T-Those people are..."

Klaus widened his eyes in shock.

The entire guild was buzzing and agitated, as if it were a living creature.

Commotion erupted!!

Commotion!!

"Hey, look at that!"

"Huh? Isn't that...?"

The adventurers and examinees throughout the guild began to murmur with a bewildered tone, their voices rippling through the crowd like waves.

Then, ripples of agitated voices flowed through.

"Could it be... are they the rumored...?"

"Yeah, no doubt. It's Clan... they've been gaining quite a reputation lately. That special party of theirs."

"A reputed clan? Is that special party... could it be those guys with the 'Unique Skill Holders' and 'High-Level Adventurers,' the ones made up entirely of mercenaries!?"

Noisy

　Noisy

"Hey, hey. Why would someone like them come to this rural place with only lower and intermediate-ranked adventurers...?"

"How should I know? Normally, they should be active in high-level dungeons, unexplored fields near the capital, or at the northern frontline, right?"

Klaus couldn't help but look up at the restless atmosphere in the guild.

He spotted the conspicuous group of four from a distance, and his face twisted as if he had come across something unpleasant.

"W-Why are they here...?"

The person I saw ahead of me was... Yes, a familiar face.

And, if possible, a face I never wanted to see again... It was someone I had met so many times before that I had grown tired of it.

"...Hm? Could it be that you're over there──"

And then, did they notice Klaus's gaze?

Or perhaps he had noticed from the beginning, a faint smile appeared as the person approached.

Clack, clack, clack!

The sound of sturdy boots echoed on the guild floor,

Naturally, the crowd parted, and Klaus and they confronted each other.

"Hey, Klaus... Long time no see! How've you been?"

The seemingly frivolous man greeted Klaus, who brushed aside his distinctive red hair.

(…Ugh…)

Internally, Klaus felt the urge to sigh and slightly contorted his face.

However,

In the next moment, he erased his expression and faced him.

"...Ah, it's been a while, Gain."

Klaus responded promptly, as if he didn't want his inner thoughts to be known. He turned expressionless.

Of course... his heart was stirring painfully...

He couldn't forget...

Those memories from several years ago.

"Gain?!"

"It's Gain?!"

"So, it's that... Gain Cash!"

"Special party leader of 'Special Bond Special Force,' Gain...?!"

*Rustle rustle rustle!*

*Rumble rumble rumble!!*

The guild became incredibly noisy, reaching a point where it was out of control. Merim, too, widened his eyes in surprise.

"What? Hey, Klaus. You mean, Gain is... that?! The leader of the super famous party composed of adventurers with unique skills and high levels! Moreover, the advanced party 'Special Bond Special Force' that rose to Class A in just three years?!"

"Yeah"... Thanks for the explanation.

Merim, like other adventurers, had wide eyes in surprise.

(...Ah, yes. This guy's name is Gain. Gain Cash.)

As Merim had said,

They were an exceptionally skilled party that had rapidly risen to Class A in a very short period.

And, they were Klaus's contemporaries,

...Once, they had been companions—they had been part of the same party.

Yes... the one who had mocked Klaus's skill by calling his 'Automatic Function Auto Mode' a useless skill and had easily given up on him.

"What a coincidence, Klaus... I never thought you'd still be here?"

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