TheShingPen
The Escort Quest
Silver Tier
Zarin scanned the quest board, his eyes moving from one worn parchment to the next, searching for something to push him to level up. Most of the quests were simple: gathering herbs, hunting small animals—nothing that screamed adventure. Then, in the board's corner, he spotted a fresh parchment with crisp writing that immediately caught his attention.
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Rank: Bronze
Objective: Merchant caravan seeking protection for the journey to Ridgeview City. Bandits and wild beasts were reported along the route. Guard the merchant and ensure the safe arrival of goods. Payment upon completion.
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Zarin’s eyes lit up as he read the description. ‘Finally, something with some action! Bandits? Wild beasts? This is exactly the quest I need!’
He could already picture himself fending off bandits, protecting the caravan with skillful strikes, and perhaps even using his class Skill to unleash some impressive attacks.
Zarin snatched the parchment without hesitation and made his way to the counter. Aera glanced up as he approached.
“Found something?” she asked, her voice as neutral as ever.
Zarin handed her the quest form with a casual nod. “Looks like a caravan is heading to Ridgeview. Should be a simple job for me.”
Aera raised an eyebrow slightly. “A merchant escort?” She examined the form briefly. “This one came in recently. You sure you want to take it on alone?”
Zarin nodded confidently. “I’ve got it covered. A few bandits and wild beasts won’t be a problem. Besides, I need the experience.”
Aera gave a brief nod, stamped the form, and returned it to him. “The merchant is in the south market. Good luck.”
Zarin couldn’t help but grin as he left the Guild. ‘Finally, a real quest. This is my chance to show what I can do.’
---
At the south market, Zarin quickly spotted the merchant. The man, slightly chubby and dressed in a finely tailored coat, stood nervously by his cart. He was fidgeting with a ledger, his eyes darting around as if expecting trouble at any moment. The cart piled high with goods - barrels, crates, and bags stacked precariously, and a few donkeys hitched to it.
As Zarin approached, the merchant eyed him up and down with suspicion and relief.
“Ah, you must be the adventurer from the Guild!” the merchant said, his voice a little too cheerful. “I’m Marlen. You’re here to escort my caravan, yes?”
“That’s right,” Zarin replied, offering a confident smile. “I’ll ensure you and your goods get to Ridgeview safely.”
Marlen hesitated for a moment, eyeing Zarin with concern. “You... you’re the only one they’ve sent?”
Zarin raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I’m handling this solo. Why? Think I can’t do it?”
Marlen fidgeted with his ledger again, glancing around nervously. “It’s just... bandits, and other dangers reported on these roads. Are you sure you’ll be able to manage alone? I’ve had more than one adventurer recommended in the past.”
Zarin crossed his arms, exuding more confidence than he felt. “I’m more than capable. Trust me, I can handle it.”
The merchant’s eyes narrowed slightly, still unsure. “What’s your name again?”
“Zarin,” he replied, standing tall.
Marlen’s face shifted as recognition flickered in his eyes. “Wait... Zarin? As in the new recruit who fought off a succubus? That’s you?!?”
Zarin’s grin widened. “That’s right. I handled that situation myself.”
Marlen let out a long sigh of relief, his posture immediately relaxing. “Well, that changes things. If you’re the one who fought off a succubus, then I suppose you’ll be more than enough. I thought they’d sent someone inexperienced!”
Zarin felt a surge of pride as Marlen’s attitude shifted. “No need to worry. I’ll keep you and your goods safe.”
The merchant chuckled nervously, clearly more at ease now. “Good, good! I heard some wild stories about that succubus encounter—figured you had to be one tough adventurer to survive that. The roads have been rough, but I feel a lot better about this trip with someone like you.”
Zarin nodded. “Let’s get moving, then,” he said, taking his place beside the cart as Marlen climbed onto the seat.
---
The first few hours of the journey passed without incident. The road to Ridgeview meandered through grassy fields and occasional patches of forest, and Zarin kept a careful eye on their surroundings. He half-expected bandits to leap from the shadows at any moment, but the path remained quiet.
Marlen, however, wasn’t calm despite his newfound confidence in Zarin’s abilities. He constantly glanced over his shoulder, muttering under his breath and flinching at every sound—the rustle of leaves or the distant call of birds.
“Did you hear that?” Marlen whispered suddenly, his voice filled with alarm.
Zarin paused, listening intently. “I hear nothing.”
Marlen’s eyes darted from one side of the road to the other. “Bandits, probably. They’re sneaky, you know. Always watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.”
Zarin sighed, trying to stay patient. “If there were bandits nearby, I’d know. Trust me, I’ve been keeping an eye out.”
Marlen didn’t seem convinced, muttering again as he tightened his grip on the reins. “Can’t be too careful… bandits, animals… they’re out there…”
The next few miles were much the same, with Marlen jumping at every noise and Zarin struggling to maintain his patience. ‘I thought this was going to be an exciting quest, not a babysitting job,’ he thought grimly, resisting the urge to roll his eyes every time Marlen glanced back.
---
As the day wore on, Marlen’s paranoia grew worse. At one point, he nearly veered the cart off the road, convinced that a rustling in the bushes was a bandit scouting party. It turned out to be nothing but two rabbits darting across the path.
“Rabbits,” Zarin said flatly. “Just rabbits.”
“Distraction,” Marlen muttered, his eyes wide. “They send animals to make us drop our guard. Then the bandits strike!”
Zarin pinched the bridge of his nose, barely holding back a groan. ‘This is going to be a long trip.’
---
By the time they reached the halfway point to Ridgeview, Zarin’s patience was wearing thin. Every uneventful hour made Marlen’s paranoia harder to bear, but deep down, Zarin couldn’t shake the feeling that something would happen. He wanted to believe this quest wasn’t a total waste of time, that the action he’d been craving was just around the corner. ‘There’s got to be something out here.’
Then, just as they rounded a bend in the road, Zarin spotted movement in the distance. His heart leaped. ‘Finally!’
“Stay here,” he told Marlen, drawing his sword and moving toward the front of the cart. “I think we’ve got company.”