After the assessment at the Adventurer’s Guild concluded, Yggdrasil and Balin stepped out of the guild’s main gates. The sunlight was pouring softly over the stone-paved streets. Balin turned his head toward the dwarven youth beside him, a hearty smile curling the corners of his mouth.
"Hard work pays off! Yggdrasil, this is a moment worth celebrating." Balin’s tone was brisk as he patted his own thick, large belly. Before Yggdrasil could respond, Balin pulled him along into a spacious stone building by the street. The interior was teeming with people, yet the atmosphere was warm and lively, filled with the scent of wood and roasted meat. Balin walked toward a wooden table against the wall with the ease of a regular, pulled out a chair, and patted the empty seat beside him.
"Here, sit by me," he said with a laugh, his black beard swaying slightly. His fleshy, large belly accidentally brushed against Yggdrasil’s arm as he moved.
A jolt ran through Yggdrasil; that touch—soft yet carrying an underlying power—sent a wave of numbness through him. He sat down gently, still unable to hide the fluttering in his heart. His gaze instinctively fell upon Balin’s rounded, bulging belly—the exact ideal physique he had always dreamed of being close to.
After they ordered, Balin leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "I saw how incredible you were during the test today. Even that old evaluator was stunned. But don't be nervous; around here, if you’re strong, people will respect you."
Yggdrasil offered a small smile, his eyes secretly scanning Balin’s thick, sturdy arms. He tentatively moved his own hand closer to the back of the other man’s hand, pretending it was an accidental touch. Balin didn't pull away; instead, he remained there comfortably, a hint of a smile appearing in the corners of his eyes.
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"This body of yours looks very strong. Have you been training specifically?" Balin looked down at Yggdrasil’s chest and arms, his tone filled with a mix of admiration and curiosity.
Yggdrasil’s face flushed slightly, but he struggled to maintain his composure. "You could say that. I’ve longed for a physique like this since I was young... You look amazing too, truly."
Balin let out a hearty laugh and suddenly slapped his own belly. "This? I didn't exactly train for it; it just grew out on its own."
"I... I think it looks very good. It feels very secure," Yggdrasil said, his voice dropping slightly, but Balin heard it loud and clear.
The two locked eyes for a moment, and the atmosphere suddenly turned thick with a quiet tension. Just then, steaming dishes were brought to the table, breaking the budding intimacy. Roast meat, stews, hot soup, and ale filled the space between them.
"Come on, let’s have a proper meal!" Balin raised his mug, laughing joyfully, and took the initiative to pour a glass for Yggdrasil. "Tonight, don't worry about a thing. I’m here."
Between bites, Balin kept serving Yggdrasil food and telling him interesting stories about the town, his tone always carrying that warm, honest kindness. He even casually draped an arm over Yggdrasil’s shoulder. Several times, their bodies were pressed so close there was virtually no gap between them. Though Yggdrasil’s face was hot and his ears were red, he felt an unprecedented sense of groundedness and joy.
After the meal, Balin let out a satisfied belch and patted his belly. "Ah, I’m stuffed. By the way, do you have a place to stay?"
Yggdrasil froze for a moment, only then realizing he had forgotten to ask the guild for lodging recommendations.
Balin stood up immediately and took Yggdrasil’s hand. "Let’s go. I’ll take you to a good inn nearby. Since it’s your first time in Kagurem, let me, the Vice-Captain, take care of you."
Yggdrasil gazed at Balin’s broad back, feeling the warmth radiating from his palm. Somewhere deep in his heart, ripples were quietly forming—as if destiny were leading him toward a brand-new chapter of emotion.
