Chapter 6. Travel
Now that his financial situation is solved he doesn't really have to complete the missions anymore and can just travel alone but since he joined Fairy Tail he will try to work at least once a month.
Becoming S rank might trigger a hidden mission like before.
…
Shun planned to immediately go complete the mission however after sleeping in a cave on a bed made of leaves he couldn't resist the allure of real bed.
Early next morning after he used his SSS+ tier skill to cook breakfast, he went to meet the mission client.
In an inn 10 minutes of walk away from his home, he met the client and his two bodyguards. But they seemed more like a servant than bodyguards since Shun didn't sense any magic power from them.
"Hello, I'm a mage from Fairy Tail, here for the escort mission to Crocus town"
"What?! They sent a brat?!" The bodyguards said at the same time.
The merchant was displeased too.
As they were about to start the 'faceslap route' Shun compressed air into a large paw shaped energy. And sent it to the merchant.
The merchant and bodyguards were startled but before they could react. The energy paw touched the merchant's body.
The air decompressed and enveloped the merchant's body.
"It's a shield created from my magic, you can check the durability."
After some hesitation they drew their sword, at first lightly touching then attacked furiously.
"…"
The shield was unscathed.
"I also can make that shield explode, do you wanna test it too?
They quickly shook their heads.
…
After that little testing, they agreed to start their journey immediately.
While the bodyguards or servants did the preparation. Shun talked with the merchant.
'Apparently the merchant's name is Zoltan, his age seems to be around mid thirty to early forty. A tall, flamboyant man with a burgundy coat lined with gold embroidery. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat with peacock weather which he claims it's for good luck.'
"So, why are we going to travel with a carriage when it takes 3 or more days to reach Crocus city from here. Why not just take the train it will take only half a day?"
"Ahh, sir our goods this time is a bit more than usual. The train has a weight limit which can't even cover quarter of our goods." Zoltan said flatteringly.
Inside he thought 'True master merchant's skills are not only in selling, but making connections. This young magician from Fairy Tail is obviously a hidden gem. Though I'm not a magician, anyone can tell this is great opportunity. This kid might be future Gildarts. If I can form connections with this kid or even sponsor him it will be far more valuable than the trade this time'
In Zoltan's eyes Shun was 2010's bitcoin.
"…"
'Though I can probably fit their goods in storage ring and take the train. Let's not announce I that I have 'rare item.'
'Space items in this world is very rare. It will be annoying if I get stalked by thieves.'
…
Time passed, they soon left Magnolia and were travellint through a plain road.
Shun was sitting in the same cabin with Zoltan. While the servants were driving Iron Rhino carriage. It's a guild approved transportation method specifically for heavy transport. They were carrying a heavy wagon.
When the night came, they decided to camp beside the nearby river. They didn't cook and simply ate dried beef.
Suddenly Shun stood up.
Fssht—-THUD.
There was a single arrow shot right in front of Shun.
When they looked around, they were already surrounded by nearly 30 men. Obviously bandits.
The merchant and servants panicked. Huddling together behind Shun.
'Just regular humans with swords and bows. 20 of them with swords and bows. Only the rest of them with simple magic weapons, such as flaming dagger, some cloak that hides presence maybe, and a lantern not sure what it does. I will look at these items throughly after robbing them' Shun thought calmly.
While the merchant trio was trembling. One of the bandits said:
"Hahaha leave everything valuable, then we might consider letting you ali-
*PASHOOO!*
"Guh…?!"
Before he finished his sentence, a paw shaped shockwave went through his body. His body went limp, eyes rolling back.
"HUH?!" Other bandits were shocked by the sudden situation. Just a moment ago they were laughing hysterically about the free buffet"
As they were standing still, trying to comprehend the situation Shun quickly moved through the crowd. Sending shockwaves through the bandits. The paw shockwaves took down 3 to 4 enemies at once.
'This will be good practice for this untested magic'
As there were only the magic weapon using bandits were left. Shun suddenly said.
"If you were to travel… where would you like to go?" Shun said casually, not expecting a response.
But to the remaining bandits it sounded terrifying.
"I want to go ho-"One of the bandits cried.
"…"
Before he finished his sentence, the 'poor' bandit disappeared.
"W-what just happened?!!"
"…"
One by one remaining bandits disappeared.
The merchant trio stood frozen, utterly speechless.
The seemingly chaotic battle that was about to take place ended in less than two minutes…