"You're the one who offered to treat me. I didn't force you," Andeni said casually.
"Of course. You've given up a lot of your time today, senior. I'd feel bad if I didn't at least treat you to a meal."
"It's no big deal. I don't get many visitors anyway."
Andeni closed the door of the Thorn Cottage.
Unlike her usual loungewear around the house, she was now dressed in a deep green, elegant dress. The hem stopped just above her knees, revealing her slender calves wrapped in soft brown leather boots.
"You don't go out much, do you, senior?" Gauss asked curiously, noticing how she kept adjusting her outfit, clearly fussing over how she looked.
"Not really. After retiring, I rarely leave the house. Most days, a tavern I know just delivers food to me." She adjusted her skirt one last time and finally looked satisfied.
Even though she tried to dress maturely, with her petite frame—under five feet tall—she still looked like Gauss's much younger sister, walking beside him.
Gauss noticed, but didn't say anything.
He could tell she was a bit self-conscious about her height, especially in a human-dominated town.
Of course, it might also just be that, as a retired adventurer, she wasn't used to going out anymore.
"Let's go. I heard about a good place earlier this morning."
While most taverns in Grayrock were cheap joints serving bottom-rung adventurers, a few upscale restaurants did exist, catering to professionals and the occasional wealthy merchant.
When Gauss used to go drinking, he hardly ever saw Bronze-ranked adventurers. This time, he'd asked around and found out about a place called "Firefly Kitchen."
A discreet, high-end restaurant, only frequented by pros and visiting merchants with deep pockets.
He led Andeni through the side alleys.
Tonight, the sky was clear and the moonlight spilled across the cobblestone paths. Even without torches, visibility was decent.
Eventually, in front of a row of houses, Gauss spotted a firefly-shaped lamp.
This was the place.
From the outside, it didn't even look like a restaurant. The front door on the first floor was closed, and only warm light glowed through a second-floor window.
A small courtyard was lined with neatly trimmed shrubs, and little white flowers scattered a sweet fragrance into the air.
He opened the door.
Inside, at the reception counter, sat a mature woman in an apron.
"Welcome. Table for how many?"
"Two."
"Perfect timing. We've got a private room available. But if you enjoy the food and want to come again, please make a reservation next time." Her tone was gentle and kind, but her eyes scanned the pair—Gauss and Andeni.
She lingered on Andeni for a moment longer.
She'd seen halflings before—Grayrock had a few—but this one had such a delicate, refined look, it made you want to stare just a little longer.
"Second room on the left, upstairs."
Gauss walked up the elegant spiral staircase, running his hand along the wooden banister as he admired the decor.
There wasn't much ornate artwork, but the entire restaurant had a warm, homely feel.
"That woman downstairs? She's a professional too," Andeni said suddenly.
"Really?" Gauss was surprised.
The gentle, soft-spoken woman at the counter hadn't given off the slightest hint of danger.
"Probably retired years ago. Like me." Andeni yawned.
"How'd you figure it out? Magic?"
"Of course not. You shouldn't cast magic on strangers in town. That's basically an insult in adventurer culture."
"Unless you know for sure you can crush them. Otherwise, it's just reckless."
"Got it." Gauss nodded.
"I figured it out with my eyes," she explained smugly. "If you looked carefully, you'd see the skin on her shoulders and collarbone is rougher and darker than elsewhere. Her hip bones are slightly sunken. Her thumb and palm, though well-maintained, still show signs of calluses."
"That means she spent years wearing armor, wielding a sword, or handling reins."
"Noted, Master Andeni."
"Gauss, you may be progressing faster than most, but you've still got a lot to learn." She gave a mock huff, satisfied to reclaim a little authority after being repeatedly shocked by Gauss's growth.
On the second floor, most rooms were closed. Only one private room was open.
Thick wooden doors muffled all sound—Gauss now understood why professionals liked places like this.
It was nothing like the noisy taverns.
Through the window, he could even see the gentle glow of the town's night lights.
He sat down at the table. A menu and order form were already waiting.
"Want to order first, senior?"
"You go ahead."
Gauss nodded and picked up the menu—only for Andeni to lean over his shoulder, curious as ever.
So much for politeness.
Then again, most adventurers were the same: if there's food, they're in.
No one who burned this many calories could pretend to be above indulging. If you could resist food, you were probably a monk, not an adventurer.
As Gauss scanned the menu, his eyes lit up.
The dishes here were way fancier than anything he'd eaten at a tavern.
Moonlight Onion Oysters with Vinegar Reduction
Grilled Mushroom Platter
Charcoal Grilled Silver-Scaled River Fish
Slime Gelatin Fruit Tart
Baked Walker Mushrooms
"Slime gel? People eat that?" Gauss blinked.
He immediately thought of those disgusting slime creatures that jumped on your face and clung like leeches.
"It takes a lot of processing. I've had it—it's tasty. Very chewy, but not sticky." Andeni licked her lips.
"Who do you think's been buying up all the slime gel lately?"
"Guess I'll give it a try..."
"Ooh, and this one too—"
The dishes arrived one after another.
Gauss had felt a bit of sticker shock looking at the prices earlier—but once the aromas hit his nose, all hesitation vanished.
Each plate shimmered under the warm lantern glow.
Expensive things only have one downside: they're expensive.
If he couldn't afford to eat like this often, he figured that was his fault, not the food's.
"Let's eat!"
They weren't big on etiquette. Each dish disappeared quickly under their coordinated assault.
After the feast, the two slumped in their chairs, rubbing their stomachs.
Neither had eaten this well in days.
Gauss was thoroughly satisfied.
Sure, it was pricey—but coming here once in a while to relax felt totally worth it.
Munching on the after-meal blueberries Andeni had asked for, the two sat there in silence, soaking in the view outside.
"Moonlight onions, specialty mushrooms, Walker Mushrooms..." Gauss mentally noted several ingredients.
Even if he didn't eat them himself, he could hunt and sell them.
Andeni explained that Walker Mushrooms weren't common on the forest outskirts. You usually found them in narrow caves deep inside Jade Forest, where they grew in groups.
Many monsters had them on their menu too.
Back in her adventuring days, her favorite prep method was simply roasting them over charcoal. Peel, roast, eat—amazing.
They couldn't be farmed either. For some reason, monsters like them couldn't be domesticated, so supply depended on adventurers.
Back on the first floor, Gauss paid attention to the shopkeeper as they checked out.
Looking closer, he really did notice the subtle details Andeni had mentioned.
The shopkeeper didn't avoid his gaze—in fact, she smiled warmly.
"Total comes to 31 silver and 60 copper."
"I'll round it down to 31 silver for you."
Even with the friendly tone, that price could knock out most low-rank adventurers.
Gauss hesitated for half a second—then sighed and handed over the coins.
There went his plan to take Sophia here sometime soon. His current budget couldn't handle repeat visits like this.
He'd come back to celebrate—after earning his Bronze badge.
"Come again soon."
…
Outside the restaurant.
Andeni must have noticed Gauss's slight pause while paying.
She looked a little guilty.
For someone her size, she sure could eat.
"Gauss... next time, my treat."