A rge magic device, a siter in Grey's hand, two idle figures and silehose four were the only things to be found in the spacious examination room. There was no disturbanor any sort of distra.

  After making a racket over how Grey should address her, Vanessa left with Kurt, and the guildmaster to tiheir discussion prior to Grey and Yuna's arrival. The only ones left in the room were Grey and Yuna.

  The letter Grey held in his hand romotioer given to him by the Guildmaster, and like usual, it was to be delivered to Tilda so that the procedures for their promotion be pleted.

  "Grey, are you alright?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah... But I use a few minutes of rest..." ［Grey］

  A tired expression loomed rey's face as he answered Yuna's question and recalled the event of dealing with Vanessa's random and persistent whims. He was sitting on the ground silently.

  Although Vanessa is not a bad person, her energy is a double edged sword. She cheer up those who are feeling gloomy, but at the same time, she also make others exhausted because of her mischief. She was good in both ways.

  "In that case, I'll be joining you." ［Yuna］

  Yuna said as she sat on the ground, a few inches besides Grey. Her face revealed a little blush as she warmly gazed at Grey who was hanging his head down with his eyes closed.

  As she looked at the silent figure of the man who had captured her heart, she subsciously reached out her hand and patted his head. She was trying to cheer Grey up the way Grey always did to her.

  "... Thanks, Yuna." ［Grey］

  "Un, you're wele." ［Yuna］

  While Grey was a little surprised, he didn't find it unfortable being forted by Yuna. Rather, he felt at ease from the warmth aleness of Yuna's hand. He was happy.

  Yuna was also smilily as she tio stroke Grey's head. Even if it was only a few pats, she was able to touch Grey. Little by little, she was making progress in closing the gaps in their hearts.

  A few minutes have passed since Vanessa and pa. Yuna and Grey decided to head towards the reception desks and process their promotion. There, Tilda greeted them with a wide smile as soon as she saw them.

  "Did your discussion with the Guildmaster go well?" ［Tilda］

  "Yeah, and oh, by the way, the Guildmaster told us to give this to you." ［Grey］

  As soon as Tilda saw the letter Grey has, her expression didn't even ge a little. She was still as calm and posed as ever. It was terrifying how she could trol her expression.

  Inside of Tilda's mind, aion of "letter = a lot of points or promotion" had already formed. With the rate Grey and Yuna got promoted, she wouldn't even be surprised if they get another promotion within the same month.

  Tilda calmly received the letter from Grey and as soon as she read it, she had firmed that her suspis were right. It was indeed a letter tellihe news of the two's promotions.

  "You never cease to amaze me, Misteー Umm... Your Excellencies...?" ［Tilda］

  Tilda gratuted Grey and Yuna, but ended up making the situation awkward in the sed half. She didn't know how to address the two now that they have been promoted to B-rank adventurers.

  While she tio address Kris and Aria as "Mister" and "Miss" respectively, it was only because she had their permission. As frey and Yuna, she didn't know how to refer to them.

  The reason for Tilda's uneasiness was simple. It was because there are egoistic people who love funting their authority and power to everyo was especially prevalent in an aristocratic society.

  "Miss Tilda, you just refer to us the way you are most fortable with... Actually, since we're about the same age, you just fo the honorifics." ［Grey］

  "That's right. I'd also like it if you treat us just how you normally would. We've known each other for more than a month, after all." ［Yuna］

  The ones who diffused the awkward situation were Grey and Yuna. They already sider Tilda one of their close acquaintances. One could even call the three of them friends.

  "I see... Then, I'll be in your care once again, Misー Ah sorry, force of habit... I meant, let's get along, Yuna, Grey." ［Tilda］

  Tilda initially tried to refer to Grey and Yuna the way she usually does, but after she realized she was still being formal, she immediately ged into a more casual tone. A smile was blooming brightly in her face.

  "Same here." ［Grey］

  "Un!" ［Yuna］

  A warm atmosphere ensued upohree as they talked like little children and were friends. Although it was a little embarrassing for their age, it py embarrassment.

  With their small issue settled, Grey and Yuna haheir guild cards towards Tilda and what were once silver-colored have beeuro them ione of gold. They were the B-rank guild cards.

  In all guilds, other than the rank, the color of the card also ges after getting a promotion. A brownish card at apprentice-rank, dirty white at G and H ranks, pure white at F and E ranks, bro D-rank, silver at k, gold at B-rank, ptinum at A-rank, and for S-rank guild cards, it was a bck card with gold engravings.

  With their gold-colored cards in hand, they couldn't help but draw the eyes of the other adveowards them. Most of the adventurers had eyes full of surprise and fusion.

  After all, B-rankers are by no means on. There are only a little more than 400 in the whole world. And in those 400+ B-rankers, a little over a hundred are affiliated with the Adventurers' Guild. The others were in the military or other fas.

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

  "Are you serious? It's only been a month sihey were promoted to k, and they're getting a promotion again!?"

  "No, it's the Grim Reaper we're talking about, at least this much should be expected."

  "Yeah... It's the Grim Reaper after all."

  Chaos quickly ensued in the guild as the news of Grey and Yuna's promotion spread like wildfire to the adventurers and guild staff that were present at the moment. Not one could stop talking about it.

  The people who were once minding their own business were now unanimously talking about ohing, they were gng at Grey and Yuna from time to time, trying their best not to get caught looking.

  But even when such chaos ehere was ohing which kept b Grey. It was the first he heard the term, but somewhere inside his heart, he couldn't hide the feelings of uneasiness.

  "Hey, Yuna, do you know anything about this 'Grim Reaper' thing?" ［Grey］

  "No... It's the first time I'm hearing it as well." ［Yuna］

  Grey asked Yuna but the tter was just as clueless as he was. The two were still holding their cards as they tiheir versation.

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

  "Not only him, but his partoo!"

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

  "Only those who are insane enough would."

  "I agree..."

  As more and more people saw Grey and Yuna's guild cards, the otion in the guild became even livelier and louder. There were even some exaggerated stories flying all over the pce.

  After all, uhe other ranks, B-rank, along with E-rank, and Camity css are a special case. They acted as walls with specific requirements that aren't easily achievable by normal people.

  To reach E-rank, one should have at least "Intermediate" mastery on their attribute, css, and physical enha. Then for B-rank, all should at least be "High" mastery. Lastly, for Camity-css, one must have at least one "Superior" mastery with the others being at least "Advanced" mastery.

  The rate of mastery goes from Basic (1%), Low (10%), Intermediate (25%), High (50%), Advanced (75%), Superior (90%), and Ultimate (100%). The higher one goes, the harder it is tress.

  This is also the reason why the ranking system could be grouped into 4 stages. H to F ranks are called "Low-rankers", E to ks are called "Mid-Rankers", B to S ranks are called "High-Rankers", and those in Camity css and above are called "Transdants".

  With Grey and Yuna receiving their B-rank guild cards, they are officially reized as "High-rankers", hehe otion in the guild. They have surpassed a wall that eveerans couldn't.

  "Umm... Tilda, do you know anything about this 'Grim Reaper' thing?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, that... That's a niame the adventurers decided to give you." ［Tilda］

  Shock. That was what Grey felt after learning that he was actually the ohe adventurers were referring to. Although it wasn't bad, it was an embarrassment to him. It souoo much like what middle-schoolers would hemselves.

  "Grey, it sounds cool!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna oher hand was mesmerized by Grey's new niame. Her eyes were even sparkling as she repeated it over and over in her head.

  The adventurers and staff members were also unfazed about such a seemed like people of Merusia didn't think it was embarrassing at all. Rather, it was a name which oozed an intimidating vibe.

  "I think that niame started spreading when you frohe group of drunk adventurers after the Orc Horde Subjugatio. The amount of bloodlust you released at that time was just incredible. Everyone in the guild thought it was the end of them. Holy, if I didn't know you beforehand, I would have not talked with you ever again out of fear for my life." ［Tilda］

  Tilda tio expin the in of the term, and Grey's face during the expnation became paler by the moment. He had finally realized the sequence of his as.

  "That time, huh... Huh!? That was already a month ago! How e we haven't heard anything about this?!" ［Grey］

  "Hmm... It must be because they're too afraid to talk about it when you're around. Well, your promotion is a pretty big thing, that may be the reason why they were not able to hold themselves back." ［Tilda］

  "Ugh... How troublesome. Is there any way I clear that niame?" ［Grey］

  "None. But don't wrey, even if you didn't acquire that niame at that time. You would still earer some time. You're now a B-ranker, after all. Yuna would probably earn some after some time passes." ［Tilda］

  "A niame..." ［Yuna］

  The mrey thought about it, the more his head ached from how troublesome it was. Tilda tried to cheer her up, but it didn't help at all, it only made him even more depressed. And Yuna was excited at the thought of getting her own niame.

  Sihere was no way to remove the niame, a sudden thought of forcefully erasing their memories with a few strikes to the head came to his mind, but he quickly dismissed such a dangerous thought.

  After all, if he tried to beat up the adventurers, he would most likely get another niame. His "Grim Reaper" might ge into "Berserker" or "Lord of Madness". Both of which sounded just as intimidating as the current one.

  "Anyway, Grey, Yuna. Now that you're B-rank adventurers, your party is now also B-rank. Please decide a party name." ［Tilda］

  Just as Grey thought it couldn't be any worse, aopic reted to names has popped up. Now, they have to decide a name for their party.

  With the fact that there are a lot of parties in the Adventurers' Guild, it had been long decided by the higher ups from previous geions to only give o outstanding parties. This is to avoid fusion from too many names.

  "Grey, please think of a cool party name!" ［Yuna］

  The moment Yuna heard the words "party name", her eyes lit up even brighter. She obviously wao have a "cool" party name like Kris and Aria's party which was named "Bck Silver".

  'Hahaha, look at this girl. Her eyes are even brighter than stars.... Hm?' ［Grey］

  Just as Grey thought that Yuna's eyes were sparkling like stars, a word suddenly popped up inside his head. It was just a simple world which could both mean a "star" and a "flower".

  "Then... how about 'Aster'?" ［Grey］

  "Aster?" ［Yuna］

  "It is a word which means "star", but is also the name of a certain flower. So, what do you think?" ［Grey］

  "Flower... Star... Aster... I like it!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna answered with a beautiful smile blooming on her face. She seemed to like the meaning behind the name Grey chose for their party. It became a really special o her.

  While Grey decided on that name because of pure ce, he decided to stick with it because it was a word which describes his adorable partner. A beautiful flower with the brilliance of a star.

  "Then, Tilda, we'll be going with 'Aster' for our party name." ［Grey］

  "Aster... What a beautiful hen, just wait a few minutes, I'll register your party names in a jiffy." ［Tilda］

  With Grey's ailda quickly worked istering the party o the guild's database. She was doing so while talking casually with Grey and Yuna to pass the time.

  A few mier, the party name "Aster" has been officially registered in the guild's database. It was a name which will be engraved in history, but that's a story for aime.

  "Ah, right. Grey, Yuna, will you also be going there?" ［Tilda］

  A suddeion came out of Tilda's mouth as she fihe registration, leaving Grey and Yuna puzzled as to what she was talking about.

  "There...?" ［Yuna］

  "You know, The Labyrinth of Death. It is opening up soon and many adventurers are going there! It's a big event!" ［Tilda］

  Thanks to Yuna's question, the two's bewilderment was quickly answered. It was finally time frey to keep his promise to God.

  Labyrinths, rge dungeons which spread for tens of kilometers underground, and are home to a plethora of monsters. But unlike dungeons, byrinths don't revert when cleared, rather, they stay open for more than a month, then bee inactive, only to open up again after another couple of years.

  Although byrinths are pces full of dangers, it also provides a stable source of ine for adventurers, and so, many gather iimes these byrinths bee active. Whether it be fame, wealth, or the thrill of adventuring, the byrinths provide it all.

  The Labyrinth of Death was also the reason why Grey's reination took pce at the Great Haltea Forest. It was because it was a secluded area with a Labyrinth just a couple hundred kilometers away.

  "Grey, do you want to go?" ［Yuna］

  Yuna asked Grey meekly with puppy eyes. She clearly wao go but didn't want to get separated from Grey if Grey ever decided not to go. They were eyes which Grey couldn't resist.

  Of course, Grey's answer was already obvious. Other than the fact that it was to fulfill a promise he made to "God". It was also a good time to explore the world. He was still an adventurer, after all.

  "Sure, let's go." ［Grey］

  As soon as Yuna heard Grey's agreement, a bright smile quickly showed on her faot only because she explore further ahead, but also because Grey will be with her along the way.

  After finishing up all the things they o deal with in the Adventurer's Guild and headed back to the Rabbit's Den, their figures still attracted the attention of the adventurers even as they left.

  Along the way home, Grey and Yuna also bought some things from the market. They were mostly ents and some ables they will need along the way. It was just in case those goods weren't avaible in their destination.

  "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 Death." ［Helen］

  "Yeah, how did you know?" ［Grey］

  "Is Helen a psychic?" ［Yuna］

  "No, silly. I just overheard the advealking about it this m, so I thought that was the case." ［Helen］

  As per usual, the moment Grey and Yuered the inn, Helen was there at the receptioo greet them. And as usual, she seemed like she had all the free time in the world.

  Grey was initially surprised when Helen guessed the answer right in the first try. But as it turns out, it was only because she heard it from others. It made Grey realize how amazing a receptionist's ability to sniff our rumors were as the same thing happened back at the guild.

  "Thehat mean you'll be cheg out tomorrow?" ［Helen］

  "Sadly, yes." ［Grey］

  When Grey gave his response, Helen froze a little and became crestfallen. She was a little dowed to hear Grey and Yuna were going to depart the day after.

  Even if they only knew each other for a little more than a month, sihey were essentially living on the same roof and have eaten together multiple times, the three have a pretty close retionship with one ahey were already close friends.

  "It's going to get lonely here without you..." ［Helen］

  Helen voiced out as her eyes became even more crestfallen. After all, apart from her parents, Grey and Yuhe one she ied with the most.

  "Don't worry, we'll be ing bace the byrinth closes." ［Grey］

  "Un! This is already our sed home, after all." ［Yuna］

  "Really...? You promised, alright? No, takesy backsies or else I'm really going to get mad." ［Helen］

  "Un! We promise! Right, Grey!" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. We'll be back before you know it." ［Grey］

  It wasn't just Helen who was saddened from parting ways. Grey and Yuna will also be missihe moment they head towards the Labyrinth of Death. Helen was one of their few friends, after all.

  The childishness of making promises reminded Grey of the se ba the guild when he and Yuna talked about friendship with Tilda. Childishness may be a little embarrassing, it is an aspect which bring people together.

  That night, Grey and Yuna had o diogether with Helen, Gerd, and Selia. It was a moment which served to cheer up Helen and give a temporary farewell to their sed home. It was a moment full of smiles and happiness.

  CHAPTER 34 END