Congratulations, Mr. Shroud.

　I had to deal with the various aspects of the banditry until well into the evening.
　Later, when I was called into the Adventurer's Guild, a smiling Natalie said that to me.

''Congratulations... what do you mean?''
It has been decided that Mr. Shroud's adventurers will be upgraded in rank.
What?

　Suddenly, I spill out a goofy voice.
　I'm up in the ranks?

Mr. Shroud will be promoted from a grade of F to a grade of E.
Is that so?
Oh, you did it, Rain. Congratulations!

　Kanade blesses me with his innocence, but I'm not sure I'm feeling it.
　The only thing I've done since I became an adventurer is to collect herbs.

　Natalie seems to understand my doubts, and she explains to me.

What you need to do to improve your rank is to complete a certain number of requests. Shroud-san hasn't completed the required amount of requests yet, but a special exception has been granted.
How did that happen?
'You did this to yourself, and you forgot?　It's about the jet black fangs.
Yeah.

　Somehow, I understood the story.

''The destruction of the Jet Black Fang, which other adventurers were also having a hard time with, is largely due to Shroud-san's achievement. Or rather, it's entirely thanks to Shroud-san.''
No. I just paralyzed those guys, I didn't do that much.
'Humility. I heard that King Lizard showed up and confronted you and Mr. Kanade to get everyone out of there.
'Well, that's...'

　Once again, it was a bit embarrassing to be pointed out to me by others.
　At the same time, I remembered something I didn't like and felt bored.

　I was so self-conscious at the time.
　If someone asked me to do the same thing again, I might say no.
　That's how hard it was.

''Our guild has determined that Shroud-san has made a great contribution to the destruction of the Jet Black Fang. Therefore, we have decided to raise Shroud-san's rank in honor of his achievements.
Well thank you.
'Don't say thank you. By nature, we owe you an apology.
What do you mean?
''The Jet Black Fang is a request equivalent to a C-rank. Having achieved it, Shroud-san is judged to be as good as a C-rank.
Yeah?　Isn't it strange then that you were promoted to an E grade?　Shouldn't you be promoted to a C grade?

　Kanade interrupted me from the side, seemingly in doubt.
　I had a similar thought, so I didn't particularly restrain myself.

''That's the problem...''

　Natalie makes an apologetic face.

''There's a rule that says 'adventurers must be ranked up by one level'.......I'm sorry. It's true that Shroud-san did the equivalent of a C rank, but rules are rules. I'm sorry.
Oh, no. You don't have to apologize. That's just the way it is. I'm not complaining or complaining about anything either.
It would be nice to hear that.
I'm just glad it's so easy to move up.
....
What's going on?
'Chuckle. Mr. Shroud is kind, isn't he? You care for me, don't you?
I don't think so.
If you say it's not, let's pretend it is.

　Natalie is beautiful, smiling, and I can't help but admire her.

'Ow!
Meow....

　For some reason, Kanade stomped on my foot.



----------



　It's been a lot of things, but I've risen in rank and earned my reward.

''Wow, that's a lot of money.''
''I can't move up in the ranks, but they've offered a special reward for that.

　Three gold pieces.
　That's the reward for the whole affair.

　Kanade looks pissed off and....
　Next, he makes a face as if he just remembered something and his tail goes squishy.

''Nya-uuu.....
What's going on?
I'm hungry...
"Haha.

　You can't help but laugh at what Kanade says.

Nyaaah, laughing is terrible! I worked so hard!
Sorry. I know, Kanade worked a lot of hard, didn't he? Let's get some food.
'Ooh, food, food, food!　I'm going to eat a lot of food!

　Kanade smiles and gets a big smile on her face.
　He was a little slobbery.

　She's a cash boy.
　But maybe this kind of cheerfulness is the charm of Kanade.

Rain, Rain!　I want fish!　I'm drooling just thinking about it!
It's already out.
'Oops ... hehe, I've been caught embarrassed. Rain, let's go home now!　Today's meal is fish!