The morning sun spilled over the rooftops of Reindale as the adventurer guild's bell rang out. Inside, the Truck Survivors gathered around the job board with varying degrees of enthusiasm.
Daichi (scratching his head): "Alright, listen up! I talked to the receptionist. We need nine more Bronze quests before we can apply for Silver rank."
Takeshi (deadpan): "Nine. NINE. I feel personally attacked."
Hiroshi (cracking his knuckles): "Let's get it over with. The sooner we rank up, the sooner we fight bigger stuff."
Usapyon (eating another bun): "Bun Lord ready."
Mari (sighing): "I still don't understand how buns are your thing…"
Kaoru (petting her wyvern hatchling): "Let's pick easy ones."
They stared at the quest board.
[Eliminate 10 Giant Rats]
[Escort Merchant's Cart]
[Gather 50 Healing Herbs]
[Eliminate 5 Forest Boars]
[Find a Lost Cat]
[Clean the Guild Storage]
[Help Harvest Turnips]
[Chase off Goblin Scouts]
[Guard the Village Fence Overnight]
Rina (pointing): "Ugh. All basic grind jobs."
Sho (grinning): "Hey, I'm down for harvesting turnips. More ingredients."
Yumi: "You would."
Ms. Sato (cheerfully): "Let's split like usual. Three quests per team. Backup Squad, help out with gathering herbs and chasing rats."
They quickly grabbed the request papers and headed out.
Quest 1: Rat Extermination
Team 2 was already deep in the storage cellar.
Naomi (freaked out): "They're HUGE!"
A fat rat the size of a medium dog scurried out.
Ken (punching it mid-air): "Get wrecked."
Usapyon (throwing a bun): "Exploding Bun Technique!"
The bun exploded, sending a puff of flour everywhere. Rat squealed.
Mari (using Wind Magic): "Gale Burst!"
Three rats went flying into a wall.
Ms. Sato: "Don't forget to collect the tails!"
Quest 2: Forest Boar Hunt
Team 1 waited in a clearing.
Daichi (greatsword drawn): "Incoming!"
A boar charged.
Hiroshi (smirking): "Leave this one to me!"
He met the beast head-on with a fist to the snout, sending it tumbling.
Aiko (chanting): "Arcane Bolt Barrage!"
Yumi (firing arrows): "Left flank!"
Rina (leaping down): "Got its neck!"
Sho (readying a frying pan): "Tonight's dinner is boar stew!"
Quest 3: Goblin Scouts
Team 3 loaded up in the Fuso Shogun 510. Takeshi slammed the door shut.
Takeshi (grinning): "Seatbelts, kids. We're goin' goblin huntin'."
Jun: "Seatbelt?"
Takeshi: "Figure of speech."
They sped down the dirt road, the truck somehow navigating the uneven path with ease. A trio of goblins appeared.
Aya (pointing): "There!"
Haru (readying his spear): "Go left, I'll flank!"
Miki (fireball ready): "Light 'em up!"
CRASH
The truck plowed through two goblins.
Nobu (deadpan): "Overkill."
Takeshi: "Tactical vehicular strike!"
Later that evening
Back at the guild, they reported their completions.
Receptionist Ruki (smiling): "Great job, Truck Survivors. That's three down, six to go."
Groans echoed around the room.
Daichi: "Nine's too many."
Ms. Sato: "Stay positive. We're stronger already."
Takeshi: "Can't believe we flattened goblins with a truck and it still counts."
Mari: "Everything counts if you file the paperwork right."
Everyone laughed.
Levels went up slightly:
Daichi: Lv 7 → 8
Aiko: Lv 6 → 7
Hiroshi: Lv 6 → 7
Yumi: Lv 6
Rina: Lv 6
Sho: Lv 6
Ms. Sato: Lv 6
Kaoru: Lv 5
Usapyon: Lv 5
Mari: Lv 5
Ken: Lv 5
Naomi: Lv 5
Takeshi: Lv 15
Takeshi's Truck: Indestructible
Daichi (raising a mug): "To six more quests and freedom from Bronze hell!"
Everyone: "CHEERS!"