Silent. The examination room was silent.

After making a racket over how I should address her, Vanessa-neesan left with Kurt, the guildmaster, and Rina-san to continue their discussion. And so, silence returned to the room.

「Grey, are you alright?」Yuna

「Yeah... But I can use a few minutes of rest...」Grey

It really was pretty tiring to deal with Vanessa-neesan. Now I know how Yuna felt when she was paired up with Vanessa-neesan during the raid.

「In that case, I'll be joining you.」Yuna

Yuna said as she sat in the ground, a few inches beside me.

Come to think of it, Yuna was being doted on by Vanessa-neesan this entire time. It must be pretty tiring.

Having rested for a few minutes, Yuna and I proceeded to the reception counter to process our promotion. When we arrived there, Tilda-san greeted us as usual.

「Is your discussion with the guildmaster finished?」Tilda

「Yeah, and by the way, he told us to give this to a receptionist.」Grey

I retrieved the letter Rina-san handed me from my 『Storage』and gave it to Tilda-san.

「A letter...? Don't tell me...」Tilda

Tilda-san looked at the letter with suspicion before reading its contents silently. And when she was done reading...

「Haah... I knew it.」Tilda

... Tilda-san heaved a lengthy sigh with an exhausted face.

Now that I think about it, the only two times Tilda-san received a letter from us were when we received a lot of points from the Fang Wolf incident and when we were promoted to C-rank. And now, the third time, is for our B-rank promotion.

An equation like "letter = a lot of additional points" must have already formed on the back of her mind.

「Seriously, it hasn't even been a month and a half since you registered as adventurers and you two are already promoted to B-rank. Haah... just hand me your guild cards and I'll finish it quickly.」Tilda

After seeing Tilda-san's reaction, Yuna and I handed her our guild cards without saying a word.

Speaking of guild cards, when we first registered, it was color white, then when we were promoted to D-rank, it became bronze plated, then silver at C-rank. Now that we're going to be B-rank adventurers, the guild card must be gold-plated.

No, not just "must", it really should be gold-plated. After all, that much is imprinted on my 『Memory』.

「Hey, did you hear that? The Grim Reaper is getting a promotion again!」

「Are you serious? It hasn't even been three weeks since they became C-rank, and they're getting a promotion again!?」

「No, it's the Grim Reaper we're talking about, this much should be expected.」

「Yeah... It's the Grim Reaper after all.」

After Tilda-san left to process our promotion, the receptionists started talking about it. A few moments later, the talk spread to the adventurers, and it became a large topic in the guild.

I wonder why, even though I could clearly hear the voices of other people even when they're whispering, when it comes to Yuna mumbling, I couldn't decipher a single word.

Strange... It really is...

Anyway, what's this deal with this "Grim Reaper"?

「Hey, Yuna, do you know anything about this Grim Reaper thing?」Grey

「Nope, no clue.」Yuna

As expected, Yuna doesn't know as well. Well, we've been together almost all of the time after all. I should probably ask Tilda-san about it.

After a few moments of waiting, Tilda-san returned to us with our brand new gold-plated guild card. It was great and all but...

「It's really true! The Grim Reaper is now a B-rank!」

「Not only him, but his partner too!」

「I really don't want to get in their way.」

「Only those who are insane enough would.」

「I agree...」

... when we received our guild cards, the turmoil in the guild grew larger. Now should be the right time to ask Tilda-san about this matter.

「Tilda-san, do you know anything about this Grim Reaper thing?」Grey

「Ah, that... That's a nickname the adventurers decided to give you.」Tilda

Eh!? What the heck!

「Grey, it sounds cool.」Yuna

No, Yuna, it's not cool! It's embarrassing!

Ugh... I really want to say that to Yuna, but with that sparkling face of hers, I don't think I have the courage to.

「I think that nickname started spreading when you confronted Jako and his crew. The amount of bloodlust you released that time was just amazing. Everyone in the guild though it was the end of them. Honestly, if I didn't know you beforehand, I would have not talked with you ever again out of fear for my life.」Tilda

「That time, huh... Eh!? That was almost two weeks ago! How come we haven't heard anything about this?!」Grey

「Ah, that must be because they're too afraid to talk about it when you're around. Well, your promotion is a pretty big thing, that maybe the reason why they were not able to hold themselves back.」Tilda

「Ugh... How troublesome. Is there any way I can clear that nickname?」Grey

「None. But don't worry, even if you didn't acquire that nickname at that time. You would still earn one after some time.」Tilda

That doesn't make me feel better at all! And what's with that smug face!?

「I wonder when I'll get one myself?」Yuna

Yuna, this isn't something you should be looking forward to!!

Anyway, now that it has come to this, I need to find a way to clear this embarrassing nickname. If worst come to worst, I could make them forget it forcefully with brute force... No, if I do that, another nickname will stick around.

Ugh... Is there really no other way around this?

「Come to think of it, Kris-san and Aria-san also have their own nicknames. I think everyone at B-rank and above does.」Tilda

Kris-san and Aria-san's nicknames, huh...

「Tilda-san, please tell me about them.」Yuna

I don't know why, but Yuna is strangely enthusiastic about this topic. She was like a child who just discovered a new hobby.

「Then it'll be my pleasure! First, Kris-san's nickname, it's Aー」Tilda

「Ahem!!」Kris

Before we even noticed, Kris-san had appeared behind us. And Tilda-san's reaction when she noticed Kris-san was really noteworthy.

「You're conversation seems interesting, I wonder what you're talking about.」Kris

Kris-san said with a large smile on his face, but his eyes weren't smiling. And seeing his expression, Tilda-san tried her best to avoid eye contact.

「Umm... It was nothing...」Tilda

「What's wrong? Please continue with your conversation.」Kris

「Umm... Ah...」Tilda

Hey, Kris-san you're really scary right now! Tilda-san is already tearing up!

While this was happening, Aria-san and Yuna gave their greetings to each other and talked about another topic.

Moments later, Tilda-san gave up and apologized to Kris-san. Honestly, I felt pity seeing Tilda-san like that even though there are times that she teases us...

「Anyway... Grey-san... Yuna-san... Now that you're B-rank adventurers, your party is also of B-rank now... Please decide a party name.」Tilda

Tilda-san said with teary eyes.

Now that she mentions it, there was that condition in which your party needs to be at least at B-rank before you can create a party name. And since we have reached it, this means that it's time to finally decide for one.

「Grey, please think up of a cool party name.」Yuna

Yuna... Are nicknames and party names really that big of a deal for you? You're really different from your usual character...

But a cool name, huh... Like hell I could think up one in an instant!! It would take days of extreme focus and concentration to think of onー Ah...

「How about "Blizzard"?」Grey

「Why?」Yuna

「Because our main attributes are wind and ice. That's all.」Grey

I know it's lame, but my mind is too tired to think of a cool one. I just hope that Yuna will think that it's cool...

Who am I kidding!? There's no way Yuna wouー

「I like it.」Yuna

Hearing her words, I froze up for a moment and my mind stopped working. I thought Yuna was just joking, but when I witnessed her eyes sparkling brightly, I instantly abandoned that thought.

Seeing her sparkling face, I gave up on changing her mind and settled with the party name, "Blizzard". It was really embarrassing.

「Blizzard, huh? Doesn't sound bad for something you thought up in a short amount of time.」Kris

Was that a compliment? It doesn't make me feel better at all.

「Ah...」Grey

「Something wrong?」Kris

「No, I was just wondering what your party name is.」Grey

「Urk!」Kris

When I said such a statement, Kris-san flinched and sweat started trickling down his forehead.

Ah, I hit the spot. It must be something embarrassing too.

Hehe... I won't let myself be the only one going to be embarrassed. Kris-san, come... share my pain.

「Ahh... Come to think of it, we have something to do, let's go, Aria.」Kris

Kris-san tried to escape, grabbing Aria-san by her wrist. Too bad for him, I have a simple yet effective plan.

「Then I guess I'll have to ask Tilda-san about it then.」Grey

With those words, Kris-san stopped on his tracks, turned around, came back to where he originally stood, and grabbed my shoulder.

「Grey, it would be best to not ask about it.」Kris

Kris-san tried to threaten me, but too bad for him, my rank is one higher than his. Even if tries to release his aura with all his might, it still wouldn't affect me in the slightest.

「So it's "Black Silver", huh?」Yuna

「Aaahhhh!!!」Kris

Unbeknownst to us, Yuna already asked Aria-san about their party name, causing Kris-san to go into a state of panic.

「So cool!」Yuna

And unsurprisingly, Yuna was amazed by it.

「Not really, if you hear about how it came to be, you would be laughing like there's no tomorrow.」Aria

「Please tell me more.」Yuna

「Aria stー」Kris

Kris-san tried to stop the conversation from progressing, but before he could, Aria-san already started storytelling. Doom was painted on his face.

Apparently, when Kris-san and Aria-san's party reached B-rank, they were asked for a party name out of the blue. Coincidentally, Kris-san was grabbing a silver coin out of his black money pouch. And because he was panicking, Kris-san created a party name out of his black money pouch and the silver coin he was grabbing, thus resulting in "Black Silver".

When I heard the story, I couldn't hold myself from laughing. The reason for their party name was even more stupid than ours.

「Haah... Alright, stop with that already. So, Grey, Yuna, are you going?」Kris

「Going where?」Grey

「Huh? Didn't you hear? The Labyrinth of Gale is opening up soon.」Kris

Labyrinths, large dungeons which spread for tens of kilometers, and are home to a plethora of monsters. But unlike dungeons, labyrinths don't revert when cleared, rather, they stay open for more than a month, then become inactive, only to open up again after another year or so.

Although labyrinths are places full of dangers, it also provides a stable source of income for adventurers, and so, many gather in the times these labyrinths become active. Whether it be fame, wealth, or the thrill of adventuring, the labyrinths can provide it all.

Come to think of it, God reincarnated me in the Great Forest of Haltea for the sole reason that the Labyrinth of Gale was nearby.

「So, are you going?」Kris

「What kind of question is that, aren't we called adventurers because of that very reason?」Grey

And also, I still have to fulfill that promise I made with God. There's no way I'm backing out from such an opportunity.

「Haha, I thought so. Well then, we'll be seeing the two of you there.」Kris

「See you, Grey-kun, Yuna-chan.」Aria

「Yeah.」Grey

「Un.」Yuna

After saying the news, Kris-san and Aria-san left as suddenly as they arrived. As for us, we also left the guild, and then headed back to the Rabbit's Den to prepare for our journey.

「You're back already? It hasn't even been lunch yet.」Helen

「Ah, sorry, something came up so we got home early.」Grey

「Umm... Is it perhaps about the opening up of the Labyrinth of Gale.」Helen

「How did you know?」Grey

「Is Helen-san perhaps a psychic?」Yuna

「No, silly. I heard the adventurers talking about it this morning, so I thought that was the case.」Helen

I was plenty surprised when Helen-san guessed the answer right in the first try. But it turns out it was only because she heard it from others. I guess this just means you can't underestimate a receptionist's ability to sniff out rumors.

「Then does that mean you'll be checking out tomorrow?」Helen

「Sadly, yes.」Grey

When I gave my response, Helen-san froze and shortly after, tears started flowing from her eyes.

「Uwaa... Please don't go! I'm going to miss the two of you! You're my only source of entertaー I mean you two are like family already!」Helen

Yeah, no, I'm pretty sure you meant entertainment.

「Liar. You were going to say entertainment.」Yuna

And there it goes, Yuna's bluntness. Although it has been becoming rarer as the days pass, Yuna still shows her blunt attitude from time to time.

「No, Yuna-chan, it isn't like thatー」Helen

「Helen, what's with all the noise?!」Selia

Hearing the Helen-san "crying" loudly, Selia-san checked up on the reception counter if there was any trouble.

「Oka～a-san, hear this, Grey and Yuna-chan are checking out tomorrow. Please tell them to stay.」Helen

「Haah... So it was like that... Yuna-chan, Grey-kun, I apologize for Helen bothering you.」Selia

「Eh? Butー」Helen

「No buts! Knowing you, you were probably teasing Yuna-chan and Grey-kun again, no, not probably, I'm sure of it!」Selia

「Urk!」Helen

Before Helen-san could even explain herself, Selia-san already figured out what was happening and lectured Helen-san.

Without a doubt, I'm sure I'm going to miss this inn and the people here. Well, it's not like we won't be coming back again.

Haah... I wish Helen-san won't be like this when we leave. I really do.

CHAPTER 27 END