But soon, Loffan’s gaze swept past Gray and was immediately drawn to the Mages' Association badge on Gray’s chest.
The rank of this badge... didn't look like something an ordinary member could wear.
Looking up—
“M-Mr. Gray! What brings you here?”
Loffan discarded all airs of a guild secretary and hurriedly greeted him with a warm smile.
As everyone knew, the Adventurers' Guild and the Mages' Association in Wingen Town had always maintained a close partnership.
After all, most tasks commissioned by villagers were just clearing low-tier monsters like goblins and slimes around the village, which didn't generate much commission for the guild.
Thus, the Adventurers' Guild's primary source of steady income actually came from the mages of the Mages' Association.
Mages had a massive, constant demand for monster materials and contributed a substantial amount of commissions to the guild.
And the man before him was an exceptionally major client of the Adventurers' Guild. Naturally, Loffan didn't dare be negligent.
Gray smiled and pointed at Lynn. “This is a new member of our Mages' Association. I'm accompanying him on a walk.”
Loffan pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
This adventurer... actually had a close relationship with President Gray?
Why didn't he say so earlier?
With Gray present, reporting the news became much simpler.
Lynn and the Monk briefly summarized everything, reporting all the anomalies they encountered on this trip—including the inexplicably appearing skeleton tide, the Tier 2 monster, and the “black mud” that drove monsters insane.
The more Loffan listened, the more alarmed he grew.
Especially when he heard that Lynn and the Monk had joined forces to slay the Tier 2 monster, he could hardly believe his ears.
Loffan turned to Gray.
It was only when Gray nodded in confirmation that Loffan was convinced this adventurer wasn't lying.
Such a brilliant adventurer...
Looking at Lynn, Loffan felt even more strongly that youth produced great heroes.
Too bad he was a Mage.
Generally speaking, even if Mages registered as adventurers, it was merely a temporary phase during their apprenticeship.
Once they officially unlocked their class and could learn magical crafts like alchemy and enchanting, they wouldn't continue as adventurers.
After all, adventuring was a high-risk profession. Working tirelessly to kill a few Tier 1 monsters might not earn as much as an alchemist brewing a few bottles of Life Potions.
So, to adventurers, Mages were rarely considered “one of their own.”
However, Loffan wouldn't ignore Lynn's intelligence just because he was a Mage.
“The Graveyard... Understood. We will send people to investigate shortly.”
...
Meanwhile, in his castle, Moni was enjoying breakfast when a sudden wave of panic washed over him.
Could Gray have returned to cause him more trouble?
Ever since Gray had paid a visit to the castle, Moni constantly felt as though invisible mages were lurking in the shadows, leaving him unable to rest easy.
In the end, he had the maid close all the windows before feeling slightly at ease.
Yet Moni couldn't help but feel that his troubles were only just beginning...
...
Back in Wingen Town, Lynn had already led his party out of the Adventurers' Guild.
Lynn had no idea that his report had brought immense trouble to Moni's grand ambition of rebuilding his skeleton army.
Upon exiting the guild, the busy Mentor Gray parted ways with them first.
After Gray left, the Monk looked at Lynn with an exceedingly complex expression—a mixture of envy and relief.
The Monk had never expected that in just one month since arriving in town, Lynn would get connected with such a prominent figure—one who clearly doted on him so much.
Back when he discovered the rogue and realized Grote was spying on them, the Monk had intended to take Lynn to Whiteport to lay low for a while.
He had never imagined Lynn could bring along such a powerful backer, before whom even Moni Grote, a former noble, acted completely submissive.
The Monk couldn't help but marvel at the unpredictability of life. The greenhorn who adventured alongside him seemed to be growing far faster than he had ever anticipated.
However, this complex emotion didn't linger for long.
After all, this was a great thing for Lynn.
The Monk had originally worried that Lynn was too obsessed with hunting monsters and would run into danger sooner or later.
Now that a big shot who commanded deep respect even from the guild secretary was looking out for Lynn, the Monk was naturally happy for him.
Besides, the Monk had gained quite a lot from this commission himself.
Not only had he earned a massive fortune, but he had also become an official class-holder—something he had once thought out of reach for the rest of his life.
Good news brought high spirits. The Monk originally wanted to invite Lynn and Lupa to celebrate at a tavern.
However, Lynn's mind was consumed by eagerness for the Moon Fungus Cake, so he politely declined the Monk's warm invitation.
In the end, both sides agreed that the next time they adventured together, they would definitely find a good tavern to celebrate properly after the mission.
With a wave of his hand in farewell, the Monk departed as well.
Judging by his beaming smile, he was likely off to share the good news of becoming a class-holder with Hal and Solon.
Meanwhile, Lynn and Lupa arrived at the Wingen Town potion shop.
Besides selling finished potions, this shop also sold common herbs and ingredients, including the red cap mushrooms and blue umbrella mushrooms required to make Moon Fungus Cake.
Red cap mushroom was one of the ingredients used in making Life Potions.
Because this mushroom possessed a property that placed a severe strain on the mind, Life Potions couldn't be consumed at short intervals.
This interval was dubbed “potion cooldown” by wealthy adventurers who used potions lavishly.
As for blue umbrella mushroom, it was apparently used to brew potions that accelerated mana recovery.
The shop assistant brought over the materials Lynn requested and offered a sweet smile.
However, her words caused Lynn to freeze in place.
“One pack of red cap mushrooms and one pack of blue umbrella mushrooms. That will be six gold coins, please.”
How much?!
Six gold coins!
That was enough for a normal adventurer to buy eight longswords, enough for Lynn to buy a cantrip skill book, or buy the mount he had been longing for!
And now, two bags of mushrooms were costing him six gold coins?!
Though his heart bled, Lynn still counted out sixty silver coins from his cloth pouch and set them on the counter.
Seeing that Lynn couldn't even produce actual gold coins, the assistant didn't show any disdain, maintaining her professional smile. Once she finished counting, she used a short stick to sweep the silver coins into a drawer.
Watching his silver coins clink noisily into someone else's pocket, Lynn's heart twinged with pain again.
He could only hope that the effects of the Moon Fungus Cake wouldn't disappoint him.
Beside him, Lupa leaned over the counter, glaring at the red and blue mushrooms handed over by the assistant like a hunting tiger.
Sniffing the air, Lupa unconsciously wiped the corner of her mouth at the scent.
Clearly, she was also looking forward to the Moon Fungus Cake.
Seeing Lupa's eager state, Lynn chuckled helplessly.
“Alright, let's head back to the inn and have Aurora make us the Moon Fungus Cake.”
“Yay! Moon Fungus Cake!”
Rate on N.U.
