Who Says I'm Not a Proper Adventurer?
Chapter 40: Preparing to Resign

Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Preparing to Resign

’Knowing this guy’s style, even after stealing the spotlight this time, he’s definitely not going to start accepting missions that require charging into a horde of Demons.’

’He’ll most likely shrink back and continue taking on those inconspicuous gathering requests.’

’Those are the dirtiest, most tiring, and most thankless jobs.’

’Pushing through bushes, digging in muddy ponds, identifying Magical Beast dung.’

’It’s a match made in heaven.’

’It’s the perfect opportunity to let my old pal’s precious apprentice get a real taste of life as a bottom-tier Adventurer.’

’Let’s just toss this delicate little violet into the mud pit and see what happens.’

A wicked smile tugged at the corners of Necros’s mouth.

’Let’s have this Raven go and utterly ruin that young lady’s pristine white skirt.’

He couldn’t wait to see the priceless look on his old friend’s face at the end of the internship, when he saw his dear apprentice all disheveled and dirt-stained.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

His hearty laughter echoed through the early-morning office.

The old man picked up his quill, and on the internship roster, solemnly noted the name of the independent Adventurer, Raven, next to Cecilia’s.

All that was left was to wait for this Adventurer to come accept his next mission, and then call him in for a nice little chat.

...

Lance slept very soundly that night and even had a bizarre, vivid dream.

In the dream, he was no longer a Copyist at the town’s Guild, but a renowned Legendary Adventurer.

His footsteps had taken him to every corner of the world.

And he was surrounded by female companions of all different personalities.

There was a cute girl from the Catman Race, with a pair of fluffy ears and a long, gracefully swaying tail.

Her unique vertical pupils changed color with the intensity of the light, and when she smiled, the two small fangs she revealed were cute, but also seemed a bit sharp.

There was also a Snow Lady with a cool and aloof temperament.

She had long, silvery-white hair with faint hints of ice blue, and she always watched him with gentle, cyan eyes.

Just as these two beautiful girls of the Alien Race were arguing endlessly over who got to stand by his side...

Lance suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He turned around to see a girl with long white hair standing behind him, her head lowered.

He couldn’t see her face, only the Magic Staff she held in her hand, its icy tip pressed firmly against the small of his back.

"Go... die... scum..."

"Hiss!"

Lance sucked in a sharp breath and shot up from the bed.

The aching pain in his lower back was crystal clear.

He turned his head and saw the culprit lying quietly on his bedsheets.

It was the brick-thick copy of the *Basic Guide for Professional Employment*.

He had been reading late last night, and it must have accidentally slipped off his desk, jabbing him in the back.

"What a messed-up dream..."

Lance grumbled, rubbing his aching back.

’No wonder it was a dream. The real me would never be caught so easily.’

After a quick wash, Lance looked at his energetic face in the mirror and spit out the foam in his mouth.

He had two clear plans for the day.

First, he needed to find Flora and check on the hemostatic ointment situation.

If the Potion’s sales were going well, he was prepared to submit his resignation to the Adventurer’s Guild.

He had originally applied for the Copyist position purely to make a living while he was still weak, and to seek the Guild’s protection.

Now that he was strong enough to protect himself, if the Potion business could generate a steady cash flow, then the clerical job would seem rather pointless.

He was never the type to just hide out in the Newbie Village grinding until he hit max level before venturing out.

He much preferred to experience a life that was vibrant and full of unknowns.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made the grand vow to go see the bustling city of Ostrara right after arriving in this world.

Of course, all of this was contingent on ensuring his own safety.

As his horizons broadened, a corner of the mysterious world of Professionals had been unveiled before him.

When the day came that he was strong enough, he really wanted to personally measure the vastness of this world with his own eyes.

Maybe even achieve what he did in his dream...

’I’m getting ahead of myself.’

Lance shook his head, changed into a set of comfortable, everyday clothes, and pushed the door open.

Before heading to the potion shop, he made a special detour to the most famous dessert shop in town.

Nearly two hours had passed by the time he reached Mowenna Potion Shop.

The desserts he bought today were all freshly made and in limited supply.

Competing with a group of town girls for sweets had been more difficult than he’d expected.

’No matter the world, desserts really can make girls go crazy.’

Mowenna Potion Shop was located on the east side of town.

An oak sign hung from a thick iron chain above the entrance, swaying slightly in the morning breeze.

In the display window next to the main door, two small blackboards were hung conspicuously.

Promotional information was written on them in neat and elegant handwriting—clearly the work of Flora.

One read: [Adventurer’s Special: Insect Repellent Powder, Buy Two Get One Free]

The other read: [New Arrival! Special Hemostatic Ointment, Effect comparable to Giant Blood, only 25 Copper Coins!]

Lance couldn’t help but smile as he read the words.

This was the pricing strategy Lance had casually mentioned yesterday when he stuffed the ointment into her satchel. He hadn’t expected the girl to be so efficient.

’Looks like she successfully convinced Auntie Mowenna to at least let her put it in the shop for a trial run.’

JINGLE.

He pushed open the wooden door, and the copper bell above it chimed crisply.

"Welcome!"

Flora, who had been reading with her head down behind the counter, immediately shot up by reflex, a professional, sweet smile on her face.

However, when she saw clearly that the person who entered was Lance...

...that sweet smile instantly froze, then visibly collapsed.

The girl’s fair little face instantly puffed out, her lips forming a high pout.

"Hmph."

She let out a soft snort, plopped back down into her chair, and once again raised the thick book to hide her face.

Yesterday, she had been busy running around for the task Lance gave her, had finally managed to persuade Auntie Mowenna, and had even waited in the shop until closing time.

And the result?

She didn’t see a single sign of Lance by the time the shop closed for the night.

Later, she heard from Auntie Mowenna that someone had seen Lance ducking into a bookstore.

’That guy completely forgot about me!’

And to think she had even saved room, looking forward to that promised feast.

This feeling of being stood up made the usually good-natured Flora extremely unhappy.

"Please feel free to choose a Potion yourself, customer. They’re all on the shelves."

The girl’s muffled voice came from behind the book, her tone so perfunctory she couldn’t even be bothered to pretend otherwise.

Lance found it rather amusing as he looked at the figure deliberately ignoring him.

But he didn’t rush to explain. Instead, he feigned interest, walking over to the display rack, picking up a few potions to examine them, and making soft "tsk tsk" sounds.