Bonds (2)
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"Cacti Town arriving in a few minutes!"
The conductor's voice echoed through the train, the same phrase repeating again for emphasis.
"Cacti Town arriving in a few minutes!"
Just as the announcement ended, the train gave a soft screech and slowly came to a halt. I stepped off, boots hitting the dusty wooden platform. The sun was already blazing, and the heat radiated from the ground beneath.
I wore a loose white shirt, unbuttoned halfway down to let the breeze in. My gray pants hung baggy around my legs, and sturdy leather boots completed the look. My saber was strapped securely across my back, its green hilt poking slightly above my shoulder. I carried a small satchel, nothing flashy—but it was special.
A magic-engraved bag, one with Storage Magic embedded into it. Lightweight, durable, and capable of holding more than it appeared.
Cacti Town was just as its name implied—a frontier town near the edge of a desert. Dry winds blew in from the west, and the air smelled faintly of sand and iron. The sun was harsh here
I adjusted my bag and started walking. From here on out, there wouldn't be any easy transportation. The terrain was too rough, too unstable.
So that meant I had to walk to the place.
This job was different. It wasn't your typical guild request—it had been issued directly by the Magic Council. So, I hoped it was at least interesting.
But I also hoped that the mission should not be too dangerous.
But before heading out-
Of course, there was the usual process to go through before heading out: meet the local contact, confirm the job, and get the details.
"I heard it's the mayor this time," I muttered to myself.
It was usually a mayor or a local magistrate in small towns like this. The Council always had someone in charge of keeping things orderly in remote areas.
I walked deeper into town, not bothering to acknowledge the curious stares I received. Outsiders in these parts always drew attention—especially ones dressed like. But I'd long since gotten used to people looking.
Shifting my focus, I scanned the buildings until my eyes landed on the largest one in the area. A modest yet official-looking structure near the town center. The wooden sign hanging at the entrance swayed lightly with the breeze. It read: Mayor's Office.
"Found it," I murmured.
I knocked on the office door twice before stepping in. The place was old but clean. Behind a wooden desk sat a balding man with a wrinkled forehead and tired eyes.
"You must be the one from Fairy Tail," he said, standing up and offering a firm handshake. "Name's Morick. Mayor of Cacti Town."
"Shanks Clive," I replied. "I read the quest brief. Disappearances… Slads involved."
Morick nodded grimly. "Yeah. That's what makes this whole thing strange. Slads aren't known for eating people."
"I know," I said. "That's why the Council's alarmed."
He leaned on the desk, his voice dropping a little. "Fifteen gone in the last month. We found tracks—clawed, deep impressions, and green blood near the outskirts."
"Slads," I said again, mostly to myself.
"We've dealt with beasts before," he continued, "but this… this is something else. I don't know what changed, but they've turned vicious."
I nodded. "I'll handle it."
"Here is the map for the whole area, the X marked area is where it is mostly seen and all the disappearances are generally there."
I nodded my head to Morick's word.
Morick gave me a long look, then just said, "Good luck, kid. If you need anything, I'll be around."
I nodded my head to the older man.
"Sure man. I will be back with its head. Don't worry."
The mayor nodded and I left the room, heading straight to the place.
.
..
...With a slash of my sword, I cut its head off. Instead of a clean slice, there was the presence of destruction in the slice. It was used in conjunction with Destruction Magic.
[Destruction Magic]
Using my other hand, with a flicker I fired a wave of destruction at its body. Destroying it completely.
I walked over to the head. I opened its moth as I had expected it had problems in its tooth which made it a cripple. It could not hunt its traditional preys due to its wound.
'I half expected it.'
...Since the Quest was over, I have to complete the system's mission.
'Mission'
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Mission Name: Venturing!
Objective: Hidden in the desertic areas, there is an unknown place. Find out what is there!
Reward: One Random Passive Skill
Do you wish to accept this Mission?
[Yes/No]
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'I will just accept this! It's not like I get a punishment or something stupid like that.'
'Yes'
I thought and got to work.
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Author's Note: Let's Reach 10 Reviews! Go and Review right now! (please) and this will be the last short chapter so yeah, from next chapters the chapter wc will be at least 1000.
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