Chapter 87

(1/2)

　I woke up in a spacious hotel room and slowly stretched my body.

　Although I dozed off halfway through, the excitement of the auction yesterday was incredible.

　The auction starts with items that have the lowest reserve prices.

　Perhaps because of this, most of the highlight items I submitted for yesterday's auction were scheduled towards the end. As a result, I ended up falling asleep before I could see them all through.

　However, I was able to enjoy the auction from the beginning to the middle. In the early stages, the set of "Silk Worm Cocoons" sold for 20% more than expected.

　The "Golden Chalice" is still awaiting results from the research institute, so it hasn't been listed yet. But I don't think the report will come easily. ...However, I'll probably have to go there again soon, so maybe I should give the institute a couple of them for free and tell them it's okay to break them?

　Another point of concern is that the price of "Swift" didn't rise as much as I thought it would. This might be due to the main items coming later, but there's also the matter of the branch manager's "favor." Since multiple major customers have placed advance orders, it's understandable that the price didn't rise.

　It was fun to watch the value of my items increase, but I hit my limit around the "Adamantine Wall."

　I wonder how the remaining "Adamantine Force" and "Adamantine Armor" fared.

“Did everything sell in the end?”

　Surprisingly, the "Adamantine Wall" sold for nearly double its initial price.

　According to my sisters, the Adamantine series might not be a third-tier skill but a different type of skill. Well, the effect duration is unusually long, so maybe that's why the price was so high.

　I suddenly looked at the expensive antique clock in the room. It was just before 7...

　It was the same time I usually wake up, but this is a hotel near the dungeon. Maybe I could take it easy today.

　Just as I was thinking that, my phone rang.

“Hello?”

"Good morning, Shota."

“Ah, Aki. Good morning. Is it your turn today?”

　Right, the morning call.

　I could also hear Maki and Ayane's voices, though they were a bit quieter.

“Yeah. Did you sleep well last night?”

“I slept soundly. But I dozed off halfway through, so I couldn't see the auction to the end.”

“Okay, okay. I'll tell you the details of yesterday's auction later, but everything sold. So, part of the proceeds went to the guild and us. Thanks to that, your rank has been significantly promoted. I've already submitted the application, so we can hold the promotion ceremony as soon as you arrive. Can you come about 30 minutes earlier today?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks~”

　I hung up and recalculated the time.

　...It looks like I'll be leaving at the same time as usual.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

　Feeling a bit of freshness from taking a different route, I arrived at the guild. At the entrance, a vertical sign was set up, boldly stating "Congratulations! Promotion Ceremony for Beginner Dungeon Affiliated Adventurers!!" I had heard that it would be a grand event, but it wasn't just for insiders...

　Inside, there were banners and flowers from multiple guilds. It was too well-prepared to have been set up overnight. It was probably planned well in advance. Other adventurers who were also being promoted stood in the center of the entrance. The rest of the people were standing to the sides, so I was at a loss about what to do until Aki came and grabbed my arm.

“Shota, come over here. Stand at the marked spot.”

　I was led to a spot marked with a colored tape X and stood there.

　Looking at the other adventurers standing with me, there were young men who seemed to have shed their beginner status and others who had the air of intermediate adventurers.

　In front of us, several receptionists were standing. Aki and Maki were in front of me, and it seemed that dedicated or similar receptionists were assigned to each of us. Hana was serving as the emcee.

“Now, we will begin the promotion ceremony for adventurers who delve into the ‘Beginner Dungeon’! When your name is called, please come forward.”

　So this is what a grand event means.

　I didn't know about this, but apparently everyone knew it was happening today. I checked the guild app later, and it was clearly listed in the announcements.

“Next, those promoted to E-rank—”

　The ceremony calls names starting from the lowest rank.

　Three were promoted to F-rank, two to E-rank, and the adventurer next to me was called for promotion to D-rank.

　It's the ‘Beginner Dungeon’ after all. D-rank is the fourth from the bottom and the rank where adventurers start being called intermediate. In a sense, being promoted to this rank is like graduating from the ‘Beginner Dungeon’.

“Next, Amachi. Please come forward.”

　I thought it was my turn, and I was called directly by the branch manager, not Hana.

“Yes.”

　I obediently stepped forward and took out my adventurer rank badge.

　It's usually stored inside my armor, but even when I looked at it again, the F-rank badge was made of copper and had a very dull color. But it was something I had seen for over two years and had grown accustomed to.

　I'm saying goodbye to this today.

“Amachi Shota. You have made significant contributions to our guild in a short period. Not only did you discover new rare monsters and new skills, but you also listed numerous skills in the auction, which made the first guild's auction more exciting than ever. I hereby grant you a rank befitting your achievements.”

　Maki quickly appeared from behind the branch manager and replaced my badge with a new one.

　It was a golden A-rank adventurer badge.

“I hereby recognize your promotion from F-rank to A-rank. Continue to strive without becoming arrogant. Additionally, I declare your engagement to ‘Amachia Aki,’ ‘Amachia Maki,’ and ‘Hozuoin Ayane.’”

　The guild fell silent at the branch manager's words. The adventurers were stunned, but the receptionists were glowing with excitement.

“With that, the promotion ceremony is concluded. Thank you all for your participation.”

　As the branch manager turned to leave, Aki and Maki ran up to me.

“Shota!”

“Shota!”

　As I hugged the two of them, thunderous applause, cheers, and shouts echoed throughout the guild.

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