Chapter 2 - Section 1: Missing Forces I

The great battle was over and the adventurers flush with their kills made them back to the town ready to make a killing, selling their spoils to the Guilds, and then throwing down a good portion of their payment into the bars.

Satou and his party were among the minority as their entire journey back to town was spent discussing what they would do next.

"So uh boss? What's next do we continue with the shop here or do we move on once again? I mean we did gather quite a reputation in this town even if it wasn't for combat merits"

"Indeed milord the young miss is quite right, though it won't attract outside attention, it has surely made us a target for the unsavoury sort in skulking in the shadows"

"Mmm you are right so perhaps it is time to move on again we've done what we meant to do by laying low and it doesn't appear like anyone was following us so we should be in the clear to head off, and preferably in a direction opposite to that of the summonsed heroes, those kids can only cause problems."

"Well since we can't go back south since that would make us reenter the territory we just escaped from, our only choices then are to head West into the outskirts of Joquet, and beyond into the wilds till we cross over to the adjacent country, or go north through the mountains"

"Well if I were going to choose it would have to be the mountains they seem more fun than travelling through more forests and fields."

"The mountains huh?"

"In that case, we'll need supplies before we set out Milord, we might have a carriage now but theirs no guarantee of there being a road in the mountains we can take so it's best to assume we'll be hiking and any significant increase in altitude will require heavier gear to protect us from the cold."

"I'll also do some crafting for new tools we can use as well on the trip, who knows we might even find an ore vein we can mine"

The conversations continued as the party discussed their options what they'd need and how long they'd have before leaving to head off on a new adventure into the mountains.

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Getting back into town Satou settled into his workshop happy to be in a place where he was more relaxed than he'd been the last few days as there was a sense of pride in knowing this was his workshop where he could craft anything of his choosing all thanks to the power of his Extra skill.

Opting not to work at the moment and just sit in a corner of the forge meditating, practicing for the first time in a while the art of manipulating the mana within himself.

The muddy liquid swirls around within him, getting compressed further and creating a more solid substance that became that much harder to move around within him.

A knock came on the back door of the forge workshop.

'Knock Knock Knock'

Breaking his stance, ceasing his training, getting to his feet and dragging his heels over to the door.

As he opened the door he was greeted by a scene that could only be seen as that of a local mob boss coming to shake them down.

The shorter man dressed up in what looked like a reproduction of a suit or what someone had told him a suit was meant to look like, flanking him on both sides were a pair of musclebound giants who shared identical looks.

A mobster and his bodyguards greeeeaaaattt

"You the kid they call Satou"

"Nope sorry no kids here"

saying his piece before shutting the door in the man's face

'Boom Boom'

Two thunderous knocks sounded, probably the bodyguards doing.

Opening the door once again

"Welcome to the shop, we're not open right now so please come again later"

He put on his best businessman smile as he said his pleasantry before attempting to once again close the door on the trio.

This action was stopped as the blade was thrust through into the shop floor preventing the door from closing any further.

Looking down at the blade a look of mild despair showed on his face, not because trouble had once again found him, but that these ruffians had just ruined his sacred workshop's perfect flooring.

"You will talk to the Master, you don't have a choice punk"

"Fail to do so, and my blade will find its way into opening your mouth for you"

He lifted his chin to look straight at the guards who were now puffing out their exposed chest almost boasting that they were bullying a young man, or in their eyes a child into doing their bidding.

The third man in the suit however calmly watched the situation and made no moves, to help or hinder either side's actions.

Giving a tiny sigh of derision at the bodyguard's choice of actions and words Satou changed his view back to the main man glaring at him ever so lightly.

"Well, what is it you want, or are you just here to intimidate us like a bunch of thugs"

His voice raised slightly enough so that those walking by on the road out front would overhear

"Wha!"

"The hell you say!"

The third man this time raised his hand to stop his guards from reacting further.

"You're him then I take it?"

"Does it matter, for those without manners, introductions are worthless"

Casually throwing out a remark insulting the manners of the three who demanded to speak with him after throwing out insults and threats of their own.

"You will come with us to the Guild since it's clear it is a discussion that can no longer be held here"

After speaking he took glances to the side seeing a small crowd gathering and watching their interaction.

"I will, will i? Well sorry to say but that's not possible see"

Pointing to the hole in the floor

" I need to complete some repairs for the wanton destruction caused and pay for it myself I assume"

Glaring at the guard who'd thrust the sword to begin with

Murmurs were now spreading through the crowd, and the mood of the crowd showed they favoured Satous's side

All possible momentum was no longer in their favour.

'Tch'

"Fine have it your way, but you are summoned to the Adventurers guild today, failure to attend to this summon and you will be dismissed from the guild"

The three left but the two guards walked the whole time glaring back at him veins bulging out of their foreheads.

The crowd dispersed before he finally closed the door, quickly performed a fast repair of the floor, and went inside to discuss with the girls about the summon, and whether it would be better to just lose his license.

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