Chapter 161: Dragon Blood
The meeting chamber was buzzing with murmured introductions as adventurers sized each other up. Names, titles, and badges glinted under the lanternlight, each one a quiet statement of pride. Ethan listened absently, arms folded, until a familiar laugh rolled through the room.
"Heh—well, if it isn't the brat himself."
Ethan turned, and there he was. Brad. The man's broad shoulders and thick arms were as he remembered, he had a few more scars and a thicker beard than previously, most likely gained when he crossed the monster infested forest. Brad's grin stretched wide when he spotted Ethan's badge, and his eyes nearly popped.
"Damn, kid! You really grew up fast!" he barked, clapping a meaty hand against his thigh. "A-rank already—and not even two months have passed? Hah! If that doesn't make me jealous, I don't know what will!"
