章節 16: Unity

"I see... a very powerful ability, if I may say so."

Genken was scratching his chin.

"And you're sure about the condition's wording?"

"Yes, I've experimented a lot with my ability."

Genken did a slight nod in agreement.

"Very good. Getting to know your own capabilities is an important step in training. It's important that you always remember the exact condition."

Genken pointed at Locus' pocket.

"By the way, what's the quest you took?"

Locus pulled out the sheet of paper with the mission inscribed on it and handed it to Genken, the man who might end Locus' life today.

"I'm supposed to deliver a box for a merchant. The guy behind the counter said that I could get promoted to rank D if I manage to complete this quest."

"Then do you want to start right away?"

"Sure."

Locus took back the document.

"I'm supposed to meet her at her shop down the 5th Street."

Genken raised his eyebrows.

"Her?"

"Yes, it's a female merchant. Is there a problem with that?"

"No, no."

Genken shook his head.

"Then let's go."

About 20 minutes later, the two of them were standing in front of a big window, looking at dozens of people in the store that lay behind it.

Mere seconds after entering, the two of them were greeted by a woman who looked as if she was in her early 30s. She had black hair that reached down to her shoulders and quite the considerable chest size.

But Locus had no time for any kind of romantic thoughts.

"Are you the adventurers who accepted my request?"

Locus nodded and showed her the paper from the guild.

"My name is Locus, and even though this man is an unofficial member of my party, I'll be the only one who'll help you with this matter."

Locus pointed at Genken, who proceeded to slightly bow his head to the merchant.

"My name is Genken Ingrim. Would you kindly allow me to ask how I might adress you, miss?"

Locus hadn't expected the guy he met in a bar and who fell asleep while watching his student risk his life to be so chivalrous.

Judging from her expression, neither did the merchant.

"My name is Isabelle Souvent. Even though I usually work in the shadows, I am the owner of this shop."

She gently smiled.

"I'll go get the box that I need you to deliver."

Her voice was sweet but determined.

She turned around and walked through one of the doors that covered the walls of the room.

Locus turned to Genken.

"Why don't you talk to me like that?"

He was mocking him.

Without moving an inch, Genken replied.

"Because you are not a lady."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry, I'll teach you the gentlemen code once you manage to complete this mission."

"You mean making me look uncourtly was what a gentleman would do?"

"Oh no, that's why I didn't kiss her hand."

Both of them chuckled. Then Isabelle returned, carrying a light brown box that measured about 4 cubic feet. She handed it to Locus. The box was sealed, so there was no way of opening it without making it obvious.

"I need you to deliver this box to Mr. Hether, who lives about 4 miles south from the southern city gate. But don't open it."

"Consider it done."

"I already deposited the reward at the guild. You just need Mr. Hether's signature."

That's how it worked. When you created a quest, you gave the money that adventurers would be rewarded with when they completed the quest to the guild so that they could pay the adventurers directly after receiving confirmation that the quest was completed.

Locus and Genken left the shop in the direction of the southern gate, which was already in sight.

"What if I don't need my ability on this mission?"

"Then that's fine with me. I just want you to complete this without using any kind of item to help you."

Locus was relieved. There was no way that anything could go wrong on a mission like this. He guessed they had already covered about 2 miles of ground while walking on the road leading from the city.

Just after this thought occurred to him, four people came forth from behind some of the trees that were standing by the road.

Two blocked the road by standing in front of Genken and Locus, while the other two stood behind them.

All of them wore long and brown cloaks, as well as a dagger around their hips.

Locus knew that those people wanted to rob them.

"Why does this always happen to me?"

One of the guys in front of Locus walked up to him.

"Hey buddy, do you have any spare change you might lend us?"

The guy touched his dagger.

Locus feared for his life. Not just because of the bandits who were confident enough to approach an armed man and who might have backup watching closely from the other trees, but mainly because of Genken, who would kill Locus in an instant if something were to happen to the box in Locus' hands.

Locus reached for his pocket and took out his pouch.

"There are some gold coins inside of this. You can have them."

Locus deemed the gold worth less than his own life right now.

The bandit smiled.

"And what about that fancy box you're carrying there?"

He pointed at Locus' hand that was still holding the wooden crate. Locus felt that his attempt to divert their attention had failed.

"That's a delivery for someone. It's probably not worth much."

"How about you open it and find out?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to do that."

The guy came one step closer.

"Come on, don't you want to help us poor citizens?"

Locus' thoughts started racing. How could he get out of this situation? Just then, something that Genken said earlier came back to him: Locus should remember the condition of his ability.

Just like always, without giving it much thought, Locus grabbed the bandit's hand and bit it. He had finally understood what happened back on the clearing during his first mission.

While the bandit was reaching for his dagger, Locus thought back to what he had done on the clearing... no, what he had done for his whole life.

"Let go of me!"

The bandit drew his dagger and pointed it at Locus, but it was too late. Most of his body had already turned into pumice.

Locus pushed the man away from him so that the now incapacitated bandit was now lying on the ground before him.

The other bandits were still in shock, so Locus used the opportunity.

"I don't want to kill you. This was but a fraction of my power. I can turn any of you into stone, including your weapons."

He picked up the dagger and changed its material to pumice.

"You can't win this fight."

He thought back to what Genken had said.

"The moment your daggers touch me, I can turn them into stone, leaving you completely defenseless, so that I can touch you and turn you into a cliff."

Nailed it.

"Chill out, we got it."

The three slowly backed off and then scrammed.

Genken smiled.

"So you got the hints."

"Which hints?"

Then suddenly, Locus realized what was going on. This wasn't a test of his fighting skills. It was a test of his learning skills.

Genken had shown him ways to intimidate an opponent and was now trying to find out whether Locus could use them.

"Ohh, right! The hints, yes, of couse!"

"Ahahaha!"

Genken laughed. It was the first time that he didn't look like he was falling asleep. His laughter was loud and contagious, so that Locus couldn't stop himself from joining in.

It was the happiest moment since the incident in Condre Village.