Eight hours later, just at the end of Elaina's shift.
Marcus was already waiting outside of the adventurer's guild, waiting for Elaina to come out from the door.
He waited and waited, until Elaina stepped out of the door along with her colleagues.
He approached her and Elaina and her colleagues stopped in their tracks when he was in their way.
"Marcus…"
"That's your boyfriend, the one who killed the wyverns," one of her colleagues said, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and excitement.
The others looked at Marcus more closely now.
Not just as the man from rumors, but as someone standing right in front of them.
Marcus gave a small nod.
"That's me."
He glanced at them briefly, then added with a faint smirk,
"Didn't expect to meet the rest of the staff like this."
Elaina shifted slightly beside them.
"…Marcus."
Her tone carried a warning.
Marcus ignored it.
He looked at her colleagues again, more casually this time.
"Good evening, ladies."
