Chapter 10: Request for the guild.
Hajime, Cloud, Yue and Shea were spending some time in Brooke. They were taking a look across the village.
"Since we got time to look around, might as well go and see if we can get some info. In the mean time, we can enjoy our time but don't start causing trouble." Hajime said.
Cloud nodded as Shea soon held the swordsman close, much to his flustered expression.
"Hey, it's not like I'm separating from you." Cloud said.
He grunted as Shea giggled, holding him close. The group began looking around the village, enjoying their time at the sights around them.
'I know this world has little to no concern for me, but this village somehow feels at peace… Did I grow up in a village like this before?' Cloud thought in question.
After some time had passed, Hajime and Cloud regrouped. They were now in the village square.
"So, any luck on finding our next place of interest?" Cloud asked.
"We got nothing as well." Hajime admitted.
"Sadly, no set destination other than the Guren Desert. There is a request that was being made by the Adventurer's Guild that seemed interesting." Yue revealed.
"A request from the Adventurer's Guild?" Hajime asked.
Yue provided a slip containing details of the job in question. Hajime began reading the details carefully.
"So we have to escort a merchant to the town of Fuhren. Sounds like a decent escort mission." Hajime agreed.
"Plus, there was also another request. A request to find a few missing adventurers with a noble's son. Apparently they went missing not long before our arrival." Cloud said, holding a slip revealing the details.
Hajime began reading the slip, knowing it will test the group's strength. He did find the job to be praiseworthy to perform.
"Looks like we got two jobs and they're on the way to Fuhren. We should pay the Adventurer's Guild a visit so we can discuss with them." Hajime said.
The group arrived to meet with the guild master in Brooke. They remained silent as they met with the person in question. He appeared to be a young adult man reaching his mid 30s with blonde hair slicked back, leaving a single strand. He was wearing a brown business suit with a white dress shirt, brown pants, white socks and black boots. He had blue steel gray eyes.
"Good day to you all. I'm the head of the Adventurer's Guild in Brooke, Guil Standford." The man named Guil introduced.
"Straight to introductions then… I'm Hajime." Hajime introduced.
"Cloud…" Cloud followed.
"Yue." Yue joined in.
"I'm Shea." Shea concluded.
"I can see that your group is praiseworthy of their strengths, especially Cloud and Shea. I can see that you and Shea harbor untold strength as well." Guil responded.
"We're here to take the requests that we now hold." Hajime spoke, providing the request slips to Guil.
"Ah, the one with the escort job. Excellent. The other one of finding lost adventurers… I'm afraid I have little authority to let adventurers take the requests here. Luckily, you guys have to make your way to the town of Fuhren to meet with a friend by the name of Ilwa Chang. He's the head of the Adventurer's Guild in that area and will provide the details and permissions you need." Guil explained.
"Sounds simple to escort the merchant. I'll take your word for it. Before we do, I have to make a request. Provide Yue and Shea with status plates and register us all as adventurers." Hajime requested.
"We may need some proof that we've spoken to you when we arrive in Fuhren when speaking to the guild there. Best to be ready for any scenario." Cloud said.
"It shall be done. Once you've escort the merchant to Fuhren, I'll forward the request of the status plates to Ilwa so he can complete it. I'll have the registration done from here. Just sign your names on these documents and you're now registered." Guil acknowledged, providing slips of paper for the group to sign their names.
The group provided their signatures and gave them to Guil. He soon had a hawk delivering the message to his friend that relayed the details in a scroll. The leader soon provided a letter containing proof of the discussion they had, hidden in an envelope. Hajime watched as the hawk was sent to its destination, thinking of a new gadget he could make.
"Now that we have that cleared up, I hope you guys have a safe journey to Fuhren. Just be careful out there though. From what I heard, that place is a hot spot for illegal dealings of slavery for the beastmen. Watch your backs." Guil warned.
"Thanks for the heads up. We'll be careful." Hajime said.
[]
The group was now awaiting their client to arrive at the guild. They were waiting in the guild hall for the person in question. Yue was holding Hajime close while Shea decided to hold Cloud close to her, much to the swordsman's flustered state.
'I can tell Shea must have felt left out since she has her sight on me… I'll unwind for once and let her be comfortable.' He thought reluctantly.
He shifted his seating position, allowing Shea to lean on his right shoulder. The rabbitgirl smiled jovially as she held Cloud in a warm embrace. It made him blush in response. Hajime and Yue smiled, seeing Cloud with someone he can care for. The swordsman in question felt the stares of his friends, causing him to comically pout.
"Like I said, remind me to interrupt your moments…" He comically spoke with an embarrassed tone.
It was a comical time for the group till they heard footsteps approaching them. They turned to see a merchant moving to them. He was an old gentleman whom had expensive clothing to wear.
"Greetings. I'm More Nos. I'm a merchant across Tortus, whom was requesting bodyguards for my travel to Fuhren." The man named More introduced.
"Hajime. We took up the request to lead you to Fuhren." Hajime responded.
"It's a few days of traveling to reach to the location. I must say, that rabbitgirl is quite a beauty. Are you planning to sell her? I can buy her off from you if you want." More offered.
"I refuse to sell her. She's already a companion to my friend, whom wield that large sword on his back. I'd take precaution not to treat her as an object." Hajime warned.
"My apologies. I'm a merchant in heart and soul. Still, the place called Fuhren is rife with beastmen being sold as slaves in that town. Reaching it by horseback will take a day at best." More spoke.
"Who said we're getting there by horseback?" Hajime smirked in question.
He soon used his Treasure Trove to summon his Humvee. Hajime and the group hopped in as he drove the vehicle across the vast lands.
Across the vast lands of the plains reaching to Fuhren, More was amazed to see the vehicle. He offered to buy it from Hajime, but it made the Synergist sigh with annoyance.
"My items are not for sale. Please calm that merchant spirit of yours for your life… I'm only escorting you to your destination. Nothing more." Hajime reminded.
More relented, knowing he was striking a nerve on Hajime. Cloud held his hand to Shea, guarding her with a fierce gaze to the merchant, much to his intimidation. Soon, a group of five bandits blocked their way, much to the boys' frustration.
(Play Metro Exodus OST - Forest Brotherhood)
"So we got a merchant and a few females to boot. I want the rabbitgirl." Bandit #1 demanded.
Cloud, in silent rage, drew his sword out, dashing with incredible speeds and pierced the bandit with Yaeko. The blade pierced the bandit's body through his abdomen with efficient brutality.
"Who's next?" He spoke with anger.
The other bandits were riled and attempted to take him down. Cloud soon performed a huge leap with Aerodynamics, before pointing Angeal and Zack to the bandits. He fired three shots from both of them. The bullets killed three bandits with ease, causing them to shed a great deal of blood and guts. Hajime also followed, firing Donner and Schlag to kill the last two bandits. One of them was barely alive, prompting Yue to finish it with a fire spell, turning him into ash. More was now frightful of the group's brutal tactics in dispatching the bandits. He wisely chose to keep quiet, not wanting to pester his merchant spirit to the group.
(Forest Brotherhood OST ends here)
Cloud and Hajime reloaded their guns. They didn't care about the carnage they caused to the bandits. All what mattered was getting to Fuhren to be finished with the task given to them.
Their journey continued in a nearby forest leading to Fuhren. More was now interested in the weapons the boys wielded, much to their annoyance.
"Say boys, are you interested in selling your weapons? I never see anything like them and they are in top quality too. How about a price negotiation to ensure some business?" The merchant offered.
"Again, our possessions and our companions are not for sale. You do well to remember that. We're well aware that we shouldn't share this particular weapon to anyone, even the Holy Church. It could end in disaster that we don't want to deal with. I would suggest in keeping your hands to yourself, since you're trying to reach my friend's gun." Hajime refused, warning him.
More noticed the large thick blade, ready to cut his hand off if he dared to steal Cloud's gun, Zack. This got the merchant to settle down, frightened of the boys.
"I won't attempt to sell your weapons. If you're all aware that the Holy Church will ask you to make these weapons then I don't need to inform you anything about them. Ever since the demons began their raiding to human settlements, the Holy Church will acquire any weapons needed to take them down. The war between humanity and the demons has since became a turning stalemate for both races." More explained.
"It's fairly easy to see that the conflict between the races is not of anyone's doing in Tortus. Rather, it's someone else behind the scenes." Hajime noted.
"How could that be?" More questioned.
"We're not exactly from this world. We were marooned here by a 'god' whom brought us here against our will. Our only concern is to make our way through the lands to find our way back to the world we came from. As far as we're concerned, that same god is the reason as to why the history of fighting here in this world has sprung about. All for his twisted amusement." Cloud explained.
More remained silent, knowing he was treading on dangerous grounds. He processed the story told to him by the boys.
The group arrived on Fuhren. It was a fairly large town. The outer sections seemed to be quite a shady place with rundown shops and black markets, while the center of the town was luxurious, with high quality, but expensive shops. The town was surrounded by a stone wall with a moat. They were now in the fringe of the town's center.
"Fuhren, at last. Thanks for your transport. Here's your reward as promised. You guys be mindful in this town. There are several people here whom will not hesitate to take your companion away at a moment's notice. Stay close to each other and you'll be fine." More warned, looking to Shea.
Cloud understood the message and reluctantly thanked the merchant before going their separate ways. The group was now in the town, though they now felt a sense of hunger creeping in their stomachs.
"Might as well hit the nearby cafe to grab a bite." Hajime said.
"I'll say… Better to have a meal to prepare ourselves for the next destination." Cloud agreed.
Yue and Shea nodded happily. The girls got close to their boys with glee. Both boys were bashful, but Cloud looked more so than Hajime.
The group soon found themselves a cafe to eat a meal at. Using the money they earned from the merchant they escorted, the group had various plates to eat.
"Hard to believe this place has a deep luxury here." Cloud commented.
"Tell me about it. Still, the outer areas near the exits of the town are suspicious to me. If that merchant, More, was true to his warning, we best keep our guard up." Hajime noted.
"I agree." Yue followed.
"It does feel a bit creepy, but I've seen worse." Shea said.
"Good. We should keep watch of our backs in case." Cloud agreed.
While they ate in peace, a nearby nobleman noticed Shea eating with Cloud near her, along with Yue, whom was near Hajime. He had an obese appearance. His face was greasy and his nose was squished. He had blond hair that is slicked with oil. Overcome with lust, he approached the group.
"You there. I wish to buy that rabbit girl and have that other girl as my concubine. I can offer one million Luta in exchange." The man spoke.
"We have no interest. Leave us." Hajime responded.
The man refused and soon grabbed Yue and Shea. This got the boys riled with anger, casting a powerful intimidation aura to the man. The presence was more than enough to make him collapse and wet his pants in response, feeling the overwhelming pressure.
"So, you're gonna eat your words now?" Cloud asked, his anger now evident.
"How dare you defy me, Poom Min! Reganid! Kill those two and take those two girls!" Poon demanded.
"I'm not one for brutal killing in daylight, Poon, since it'll bring unwanted attention to us. I can however maim them if you wish." The man named Reganid spoke.
The man was tall with a muscular build. He had red hair that was short. He was wielding a large claymore, equal in size to the one Cloud wielded. However, he could tell the weapon the swordsman held was much thicker than his, owing to how wide the blade was, much to his chagrin.
"So you're wanting to fight? I'll play your game then." Cloud spoke, holding Yaeko with one hand.
Yue held out her hand to stop Cloud and Hajime from fighting Reganid.
"You wish to fight him?" Hajime asked.
Yue nodded, alongside Shea, whom held her war hammer, Drucken.
"Alright then. You two have fun with the guy." Cloud spoke, knowing they can handle him with little problems.
"Oh? Sending out your woman to fight me? I find it rather touching and hilarious." Reganid spoke with humor.
"I think you'll need a reality check." Hajime commented.
Yue soon channeled a magical wind blade, cutting Reganid's left cheek. A small trickle of blood was shown flowing out.
"That was a warning. If you wish to continue, I can't guarantee your survival or pride." Yue warned.
Reganid was now cautious. He didn't step down as Shea was ready to fight him.
"Shea, go all out to your heart's content." Yue spoke to the rabbit girl.
"Okay." Shea responded.
She held her war hammer and charged to Reganid, much to his surprise. He attempted to swing his sword at the rabbit girl, whom merely leaped up in the air. This got Reganid in surprise before Shea soon swung her hammer hard on his left arm. He tried to cushion the blow, but Shea's monstrous strength proved too much. He was sent flying to a nearby wall, impacting hard with an indent of his body. His arm was now broken and limp, causing him to grunt and yell in pain.
"Augh…!!! What strength…" He exhaled.
Reganid had to pull himself out, albeit painfully. The man was clearly weakened from Shea's attack. He was barely standing.
"I can take him, Shea. You did well to cripple him." Yue said, stepping forward.
The rabbit girl moved back, allowing the vampire girl to unleash bullets of compressed air to Reganid. The man was knocked unconscious. However, Yue's sadistic torture to the man didn't stop. She swiped her hand in a violent manner, creating a gale force of wind that sliced Reganid's genitals off, snapping him back to consciousness and screaming at the loss of his genitalia.
'Yeesh… It may seem inhumane, but that bastard asked for it the moment he thought he could take our female companions as his harem.' Hajime thought.
'Nasty, but Hajime and I felt worse… I almost feel sorry for that fool.' Cloud thought.
Poom was now afraid of seeing the brutal display from both of the girls, realizing too late the fatal mistake he was getting in. The boys redirected their attention to the man, whom was now afraid.
"Hiiiieeee…! How dare you desecrate my guard! Do you have any idea who you're messing with!? I'm a nobleman of this city and messing with a member of the Min family is a death sentence!" Poom spoke, hoping to use his nobility to stifle the boys.
"You think that matters?" Cloud asked.
"Like we give a shit about you and your fucking nobility." Hajime followed.
Both boys performed a roundhouse kick to his face, causing him to land on the pavement hard. He didn't die as the boys held their strength back. His face now swelled with the injury with blood leaking from his nose and mouth.
"Aaaaahhhhh!!! My face…!" Poom screamed.
The boys soon walked up to the fallen nobleman. Their anger didn't stop. Hajime went first and soon began pummeling his face with punches. Poom begged for mercy till Hajime decided to let Cloud have his chance in beating the man up.
"Stop… Please…" Poom begged.
"You think that matters after what you've almost done?" Cloud questioned with anger.
He began throwing his punches with increased anger, shattering the limbs of the nobleman. The pain was so searing, he couldn't fall unconscious. He was left a whimpering mess, along with a foul smell coming from his pants.
"Bastard soiled himself. Nice way to get him to all scared of us, Cloud." Hajime admitted.
"Stop the torture! I admit I was wrong! I'll never come near you nor your female companions again!" Poom begged, hoping for relief.
Hajime, in a dark frown, used transmutation to form spikes on his boots. He violently stomped on the man's face, piercing it with the spikes, causing him to scream once more. The altercation resulted in a young man arriving in the scene. He was a slender man with glasses. His hair was combed back with a blonde color. His choice of clothing was a robe with a gray neckerchief, a white shirt with brown pants and matching shoes. There were several guild assistants with him. He looked peeved upon seeing the result of Hajime's and Cloud's carnage.
"What happened here?" The man asked.
"This son of a bitch nobleman attacked us with his bodyguard and we were forced to defend ourselves." Hajime spoke with venom.
"While I could believe that, I needed to hear his side of the story. However, they're knocked unconscious, which puts you and your group under suspicion. I'll have to ask you all to come to the adventurer's guild for questioning." The man spoke.
Hajime's and Cloud's annoyance was evident with a dissatisfied growl. Seeing Reganid and Poom in such a morbid state, he knew not to provoke them. Reluctant, the group decided to follow the bespectacled man.
Inside the adventurer's guild in Fuhren, the group were waiting with annoyance. They noticed the guild assistants watching them. The boys crossed their arms while waiting. The girls sat near the boys, keeping them in check. Soon, the bespectacled man came by.
"While I wish we could get anything from the two men, they're unconscious so we can't get anything from them till then. Until they wake up, we will have to detain you here. If you're adventurers, provide your status plates to me." The man requested.
Hajime and Cloud provided the status plates to the man in question.
"What about your female companions?" The man questioned.
"They don't have them yet, and we're not inclined to reveal their stats openly due to today's conflict. However, we did request for them to have their status plates back in Brooke. Surely you have the letter from Guil?" Cloud questioned.
"Yes, it was delivered by hawk not long ago. Do you have proof of this?" The man asked.
Cloud provided the letter to the man. He read it carefully and was now convinced the group was innocent.
"My apologies then. I'm somewhat glad you managed to apprehend Reganid the Gale and Poom Min. They were shady individuals whom have caused trouble in this town. I'm Dott Crow, chief assistant of the adventurer's guild here in Fuhren." The man named Dott introduced.
The group introduced themselves to Dott. After realizing the group's request, he soon provided new status plates to Shea and Yue. The process was left unhindered.
"Before you guys leave, I also noticed you've taken a request from Brooke to find missing adventurers. Ilwa Chang wishes to meet you all in his chamber." Dott informed.
"Very well then. Let's meet with the guild master." Hajime reluctantly agreed.
"Also, we'll keep this incident off the hook since you found a wanted criminal for his shady actions. Try to stay out of trouble." Dott said.
"We intended to, till someone tries to make an enemy out from us." Cloud responded.