I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 8: Mage Effect

The sudden voice startled all three of them.

Especially the short-haired girl, who visibly trembled all over.

The female archer, on the other hand, observed Gauss with a scrutinizing gaze, wary of this stranger.

She didn’t respond.

However, judging from her slightly resistant expression, it was clear she was on the verge of refusal.

To her, Gauss didn’t look competent.

Aside from the cheap small round shield at his side, he had no proper armor—just a linen shirt so worn it had turned pale, with frayed hems full of holes that let the wind in, and his only weapon was a broken dagger at his waist.

Calling him an adventurer felt like a stretch; he looked more like a young man desperate enough to risk it all for a meal.

The only redeeming quality was his fairly clean and delicate appearance—black hair and emerald eyes, not exactly handsome, but those bright eyes compelled a second glance.

She did like those emerald eyes, but that alone wasn’t enough reason to bring in a “vase” lacking combat power.

She said nothing for now, just thinking about how to politely turn him down.

A few seconds of silence passed, and the atmosphere grew tense.

At that moment, the young swordsman leaning against the pillar finally spoke up in response to Gauss.

“We’re newbies too. If you’re trying to gain adventuring experience, it’s probably better to team up with veterans.”

He spoke lazily, but his words were honest and carried a hint of goodwill.

“It’s fine. My goal is also goblin-related quests. I just haven’t found one suitable for solo completion yet, so I thought I’d try temporary teaming.” Gauss wasn’t exactly eager to partner with old-timers scraping by at the bottom of the adventurer ranks.

“I need to discuss with my teammates,” the female archer finally spoke.

“No problem,” Gauss nodded.

He wasn’t insisting—he was just trying his luck by asking.

If rejected, he could always look for another suitable quest.

“Wait a sec.”

Just as Gauss was about to step aside to give them space to talk, the archer suddenly stopped him like she remembered something.

“Is your main weapon the dagger? Or do you have any other skills?”

She didn’t expect a useful answer—an adventurer always carried their best weapon.

She only asked to leave a conversational thread, planning to decline later by saying the team already had someone proficient with daggers and didn’t need more melee fighters.

But Gauss’s answer surprised her.

“For melee, I use a dagger and a wooden spear. As for skills, I used to be a hunter, so I won’t get lost outdoors. Also... I just learned a spell.”

“A spell?”

As Gauss finished, all three of them looked over.

Their eyes held a hint of “someone like you knows magic?”

“You’re a mage?”

“I don’t know if I qualify, but I’ve indeed learned a spell.” Gauss didn’t try to hide it.

Since he was already asking to join their team, there was no need to be secretive.

Thinking it was better to show than tell, he immediately cast Mage Hand.

The air slightly twisted, and an invisible ghostly hand formed under the shaping of magical energy.

He handed over his dagger.

Mage Hand grabbed the hilt and waved it twice in the empty air.

“It really is... magic!” The archer girl’s eyes lit up as she watched the floating dagger slashing the air!

She actively stepped closer to ask Gauss,

“What spell is this?”

“Mage Hand. It forms an invisible hand,” Gauss gave a brief explanation.

Though he wasn’t hiding the skill, he didn’t elaborate either—who knew if they’d accept him into the team.

Saying too much now would be a waste if he got rejected.

“Mage Hand... hmm, sounds really cool.” The archer nodded repeatedly, still visibly excited.

She seemed quite fond of magic and spells.

“Then we’ll go discuss. Please wait here, don’t leave.” She quickly pulled her two teammates to a corner for a chat.

They didn’t go far, and although Gauss had no intention of eavesdropping, their voices carried over clearly.

“Are we really teaming up with this stranger?”

“But he’s a mage!”

“Having a mage on a temporary team might make things safer. First quest and we’re up against seven or eight goblins—we better be cautious.”

“...”

After a short meeting, the trio returned to Gauss.

“My teammates and I have no objections. Welcome to our small team—let’s work well together on the upcoming quests.”

The archer led the welcome and reached out her hand to Gauss.

“Mm, pleased to work with you.” Gauss shook her hand. “How should I address you three?”

“I’m Hailier. My weapon is the bow—I provide ranged support... oh, and I can cook.”

“I’m Mia. I use daggers.”

“Bell. Longsword.”

Each of the three had distinct personalities—Hailier was the most enthusiastic upon learning Gauss was a “mage,” Mia was the shy short-haired girl, and Bell was the lazy-sounding swordsman.

Despite their differences, Gauss had a gut feeling that they were all good people.

“You’re not locals, are you?”

Gauss had been living in town for over a year but had never seen them before.

“That’s right. We’re all from Barry. We’ve been friends since childhood.”

...

On the first day of joining the temporary team.

Hailier, as the team leader, generously treated everyone to a meal at the tavern to celebrate.

The three from Barry City indeed came from well-off families—maybe not nobles, but certainly without financial worries.

Roast meat, malt beer, salted sturgeon, venison sausages...

Gauss enjoyed the most lavish meal he had ever had since arriving in this other world.

The sizzling chunks of roasted meat were drenched in a house-special sauce—at the first bite, the juices and savory flavor burst across his tongue.

The sliced venison sausage had a unique flavor—strongly salty like beef, with a strange smoky fruit aroma.

The chefs in this world weren’t bad at all, and after several days of eating black bread, oatmeal porridge, and pickled vegetables, the contrast made this feast feel even more luxurious.

However, when it came time to pay, the price reported by the server made Gauss, who was rubbing his full belly, secretly click his tongue.

“A modest total—3 silver coins and 40 copper coins.”

One meal had cost him his entire savings.

He almost suggested they split the bill, but swallowed the words back, his face a bit awkward.

Having just paid the registration fee for adventurers, he truly didn’t have enough money to split the cost.

“No need to be polite with Hailier. Her family’s in business—they’ve got a bit of money,” Bell said quietly.

Gauss nodded, suddenly aware that wealth disparity in this other world was no joke.

All of them were young people just starting out, yet when the original Gauss left home, he had only 30 copper coins, a change of clothes, and a pound of black bread.

Even after working hard for over a year, saving more than 3 silver coins, it was only enough for a single meal.

He shook his head.

He felt the contrast keenly but wasn’t discouraged.

After all, the future was his.

Though his pockets were empty now, he knew this was only temporary.

Once he had money, he’d return the favor.

Gauss rubbed his flat money pouch and followed the three out of the tavern.