4 – Unexpected Results (1)
“Are you the great magician we’ve heard about?”
Sarcasm flowed from the lips of John, the leader of the adventurers’ party. He was upset that Swan was being so stubborn when things were going quite smoothly.
‘He’s picked up some wandering magician…’
John did not believe that a single magician had eliminated the monsters that were following Swan. He thought they must have stopped chasing and scattered elsewhere instead.
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‘The merchant’s boasting isn’t new. It’s a lie to gain some advantage. It’s obvious they ran away since we were the ones clearing them out.’
The Forest Wolves were famous monsters known for communicating with each other through howling. John judged that the pack, which had been chasing Swan, had hidden themselves as soon as his party started to take action.
‘I want to go back to the camp first.’
At first, he thought it was just an uneventful escort mission. The predetermined route had been confirmed safe several times. However, the situation changed abruptly when the Forest Wolves attacked. Although the party members were slightly injured, they were still able to cope.
‘Anyway, we weren’t heavily injured.’
There was some bleeding, but it wasn’t a critical injury. If they spent some money on potions or were lucky enough to receive healing from a priest, it would be sufficient. In fact, the upper-level staff members who were not wearing armor were more injured.
‘Still, I made sure to tell them to rest in the camp.’
While the party members rested in the camp for a few days, claiming injury and safety concerns, John planned to renegotiate with his employer.
‘Compensation for the extension of the request, hazard pay… There are plenty of reasons. Come to think of it, I have to dig up some information about the upper-level boss search earlier.’
Such psychological warfare with employers was common.
While planning in his head, John took a glance at the approaching mage. Until now, the mage had been far away and wearing a robe and hood, so he hadn’t been able to see him up-close. Now, he intended to size him up properly.
‘Such a young one.’
Young. He wouldn’t have a high level of magical prowess at this age. His face was bland and innocent-looking. He seemed like someone who would only study magic in the corner of a room.
‘He doesn’t seem to have any background either.’
The robe he was wearing looked worn-out. It was undoubtedly cheap, as there were no embroideries or patterns. The mage didn’t have the staff that mages usually carry, nor any necklace or ring-shaped items.
John prided himself on having met many mages during his adventures. From mages active on the northern frontlines to those party members who lived in the middle of it all.
And according to his experience, the mage in front of him was a trivial one.
‘He’s clearly not a mage that has been rolling on the frontlines… Was he left behind from a party? In any case, I should be assertive.’
Eren, who had heard the explanation from Reina, also decided to deal with him decisively.
“I am that great mage.”
“…?”
Did he say that himself?
John had a dumbfounded expression at the unexpected behavior from the beginning.
“Are you the party leader?”
According to Reina, the party didn’t need to make a good impression on the upper level. They were hastily hired due to some circumstances, so there was no problem even if they terminated the contract immediately.
‘It’s better to get rid of these guys, anyway.’
Eren had experienced numerous episodes like this while playing the game. When such a situation arises, you should quickly brush it off, thinking you’d stepped in something unpleasant.
‘The equipment is average, and I don’t see any familiar faces. They’re just extras.’
From the moment they sent the party members to the camp, it was clear that they had no intention of carrying out the escort mission. Completing the quest took precedence over wasting time arguing.
‘My points!’
Of course, besides the points, Eren believed that it was better to follow the quests. Although he had only received a handful of quests so far, he had the intuition that the ‘system’ was trying to lead him in a beneficial direction.
“Ahem, I am the party leader, but…”
Before the fully focused John could finish his answer, Eren interrupted him.
“Please decide immediately whether to cancel the request, return to the camp with the party members, or head to Arctos right now.”
“What… No, wait a moment. Don’t you need an escort?”
No matter how skilled a wizard is, they can’t help but need an escort. It doesn’t matter how many circles one has, if an arrow pierces their heart or a monster bites their neck, it’s useless.
Of course, there were rumors of perverts who simultaneously wore body-enhancing magic and protective magical shields, but they were a minority exception. And as much as he thought about it, the wizard in front of him didn’t appear to be that famous.
It was common sense in fighting for one’s companions to protect them while the wizard cast their spells.
Meanwhile, Swan, who had the same thoughts, looked at Eren as well.
‘…Such determined eyes. Does he mean that he doesn’t need our consideration?’
If another wizard had said the same thing, Swan would have doubted it. But Swan had personally witnessed Eren’s skill earlier. With that level of casting, he might not need an escort at all.
However, even if one has skill, the mental pressure can make a big difference. Most wizards need to feel safe before they can fully concentrate on casting, right?
‘I guess he would have accepted if we asked for a separate escort, but…’
However, asking for an escort would have added another burden to the benefactor. Swan didn’t want to make an unreasonable request to someone with whom he wished to maintain a good relationship.
Moreover, Swan was already feeling indebted, so he tried to persuade the adventurers.
“We don’t need it.”
When Eren confirmed, Swan decided to support his statement.
“I’ve been saying from the beginning that we have to head to Arctos. You adventurers can choose whatever you want, but the caravan will leave now.”
The employees of Mersen Caravan whispered quietly. They wondered if it was okay to go without an adventurer’s escort, but seeing the determination in their caravan leader’s eyes, they decided to keep quiet. That’s how much faith they had in Swan.
John glanced back and forth between the wizard and the employer, studying their expressions.
‘…Damn, is he really a skilled wizard? In this kind of undeveloped land?’
With his keen observation, John finally made up his mind.
“…Ha! It’s obvious that the forest is dangerous right now, so this is ridiculous. Do as you please!”
***
As the caravan procession left, the adventurers whispered quietly.
“Hey John, is this okay?”
“Wait and see. Once there’s some distance, we’ll quietly follow them.”
“What? Are we going to attack them?”
“Are you crazy? We have to follow the law. Do you want to be subjugated by the royal knights?”
“Then what’s the plan?”
“I’ve got something in mind.”
Eren sat atop the moving carriage, occasionally dealing with approaching monsters using magic.
-So that’s how swiftly magic could be used?
-They’re casting it so easily.
-That’s impressive.
-No wonder the merchant had such confidence in them.
As Eren swiftly dealt with the approaching enemies, even accurately shooting down flying monsters, the employees’ suspicion towards him had long been dispelled.
-Where did you hire this person?
-It was said that they met by chance while being chased earlier.
-A recluse mage or something like that? Where was that mage tower that was built last time?
-Sensia Mage Tower?
-Yeah. Perhaps someone like Sensia, an incredibly powerful archmage, but living in seclusion?
-From what I heard, he was a mage who was active on the front lines in the north.
-Oh… That’s incredible.
And alongside points, misunderstandings about Eren were piling up as well.
‘How many have I collected?’
With no monsters approaching for a while, Eren decided to check how many points he had gathered.
[Current Points: 8560 P]
‘I can learn from several magic books in my inventory.’
The magic books were useful items that he could carry and use whenever he wanted. Eren planned to save up points, and learn the necessary magic immediately depending on the situation.
“Eren, thank you so much. If you ever need anything, we’ll definitely help you at our store.”
As no signs of battle could be seen, Reina tactfully spoke up.
“That’s reassuring. Thank you.”
“By the way… how can one become a mage like you, Eren?”
Following her father, Reina had been walking down the path of being a merchant, and she always imagined herself as one in the future. It was both an expectation and an inertia.
However, Eren’s performance this time made Reina reflect on the path of wizards and magic once again. The magic unfolding under his command invoked awe, and his modest and nonchalant demeanor aroused admiration.
“Um…”
What about that…?
Eren decided to answer Reina’s question to the best of his knowledge.
“You should study hard, right…?”
Eren knew absolutely nothing.
“Oh…”
However, Reina nodded her head with an expression that indicated she had gained some insight.
‘She can’t be convinced that easily?’
The effect of the improvised response was more significant than expected.
At that moment.
-Boom!
Without any order, the group turned around simultaneously.
-Boom! Boom! Boom!
Nothing was visible between the trees of the forest yet, but the sound was growing louder. Something was quickly approaching from beyond the forest.
-Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
“What is that?!”
“Isn’t that a mountain turtle?!”
“Why is something like that here?!”
What appeared was a monster as large as a hill. No, it was a walking hill itself. A 10-meter-sized mound with four legs was approaching.
The ground trembled. The snow piled on the trees fell to the rhythm.
“Please save us!”
In front of that monster, the adventurers from earlier were running toward the party with all their might.
“Damn those bastards!”