BATTLE OR ALIVE
Chapter 06: Second Quest

Morning sunny.

As usual, the guild was quiet from the visitors as the time showed the time at 6am. There were only a few adventurers and guards preparing, and also Jell and Mai joined the small horde.

The reason they went to the guild at the time was because Yinn told Jell to challenge the next quest. And if at first glance Yinn is still not there, it seems he is late or there is another reason.

Long waiting while sitting on the dining bench, Jell and Mai waited for Yinn while eating breakfast voraciously. About five minutes after eating, Yinn came tiredly towards Jell, looking at him Yinn eagerly wanting to deliver the next quest, given the quest sheet and today's mission of guarding.

Their mission this time was to guard a merchant from the capital to the village of Selatan, the village of Manyur. One of the 3 villages close to the capital, the village of Manyur is the furthest among the three, with a distance of 8 Km travel. The quest begins tomorrow and meets at the front gate of the capital.

Jell looked in detail at the quest, and at the wages given were also large and hefty. The quest was mandatory for yellow adventurers and since Jell and Mai were ranked yellow, Yinn suggested the quest.

The salary given from this quest was 10,000 Rumiah, for Jell who had just spent money to rent an inn, they intended to collect money to be able to buy a house or an apartment.

Out of the guild, Jell and Mai went to buy some preparations. That is, swords and armor. For her sword Jell wanted a larger one than her current one, and Mai wanted a special armor or adventurer outfit that could support her movements.

Jell and Mai split up to get their own wishes, Jell to the hardware store and Mai to the Clothing store.

In the clothing store that Mai left, Yinn had already recommended from the mini map, and the place was not far from their inn.

Arriving there looks almost the same store as other stores that are beside it, not forgetting the same as the butcher shop at that time, this store also has an identifier in front of the store, which also has an identifier, written “AdvenBeauty” on it.

Entering the store, Mai can see a variety of items and especially clothes for adventurers, lined up and displayed through the front glass of the store giving the impression of a typical clothing store. Looking around the adventurous clothes Mai was moving towards the hanging clothes, many choices and many kinds of there.

Starting from formal clothing to clothing for adventurers. For Mai who first went to the clothing store in this world made herself a little nervous.

Mai looked puzzled and momentarily startled at something extraordinarily deadly, a 2-meter-long monster with a human body, thinly mustached and wearing lipstick on her lips, which she had been given to her, do not forget also tight clothes to show off his muscular body shape.

Walking towards Mai who was currently still in shock with the scene, calling her a human-bodied monster, was really disrespectful to her, but her form and appearance were not in doubt.

Towards the whereabouts of Mai who looked at her, the monster walked over and grasped both of Mai's shoulders, “Kh!” It was Mai's reaction when her two shoulders were held by the monster, in an instant the tense atmosphere turned strange as the monster started to make a sound and shout.

“Ahaa! it's pretty! Welcome to my adventurous clothing store dear!”

“Eh..”

The monster owned a clothing store, was a depiction that was beyond his mind, and this person was unmistakably the owner of this store.

Her grip became stronger as she wanted to show off some of the clothes in her shop.

One by one he took her out of her place, and she told Mai to choose whatever she wanted. Mai began to understand the circumstances and considered this as common. Might as well.

Mai took some suggested clothes and the results were even out of expectations, the clothes that came out were only clothes with tassels, fabrics, and excessive parts that were very fashionable.

There are also clothes that resemble a dress with some differences there.

For Mai the clothes did not match her and tried to ask for a slightly more tomboyish outfit for her. “Ara~” reaction of the store owner with the request of Mai, she looks disappointed that Mai's beauty will be reduced by manly clothes, but for Mai such clothes are her fondness without basis.

Removed from the other part of the room, it seemed to be a male-only place, the guard brought the clothes that Mai asked for and gave some recommendations. And from the clothes that are recommended there are two clothes that attract his attention.

The first outfit is a dress that looks like an ordinary adventurer outfit, but there is a robe on top as a decorator, and the model is almost the same as the MC outfit from Anime Kon**uba. And the second is the clothes that are open and also cool, the clothes that the abdomen is shown and shorts as a complement.

Mai seemed confused because the money she had could not afford both and only one had to be sacrificed.

The store owner who looked into her spirit eyes instantly buzzed “Ya's mercy” while smiling sweetly at Mai because of her dress sense. The guard gave advice to Mai, namely by combining the two clothes and only had to pay for one shirt. Mai who heard that opinion seemed to sparkle in her eyes like a Star.

Out of the dressing room, Mai tried and asked the shop owner's opinion. The clothes he was wearing were the basic combination of the two clothes, a dress with a short t-shirt covering the stomach, shorts, and a red scarf.

Mai's long-sleeved t-shirt keeps her entire hand from being exposed to the sun directly, shorts up to 1/3 of her thighs and a red scarf hanging over her shoulders. Mai's glowing face did not stop radiating and the guard looked pleased as his customers were satisfied with his wares.

Bidding farewell to the shopkeeper, Mai ran towards the equipment that Jell had visited, as well as she wanted to replace her Dual Knife. Until and met with Jell who was looking around, Mai went in and greeted him and while looking at the equipment on sale.

There are many shows on display, ranging from Long Sword, Mini Sword, Shield, Knife, Armor and various other combat tools. For the first time to see it, Mai with her mouth open while making a sound “Uwaahh..”.

Mai browsed through the collection of the Dual Knife on sale, and found the one that she thought was suitable for her, the Dual Knife she chose was, a Dual Knife shaped like a kunai, which she had a shape for, but it has a slightly different shape. It was black-striped red on the blade, and it had incredible skill.

Towards Jell while carrying the Dual Knife, Mai saw Jell was watching one of the swords there. The curious Mai joins Jell's conversation with the shopkeeper's uncle.

From his explanation, the sword that Jell saw had special powers that other swords lacked, its ability to increase elemental power by 10%, and the effect of the skill increased by 10%.

However, not only is its form and strength extraordinary, but the price is also extraordinary, 10,000 Rumiah. The sword was copper white, with gold streaks on the blade. And there are beautiful red crystal-like stones.

The sword actually depicts the sword of the hero, the nickname holy knight can be given to the person who has the sword.

Mai was thinking whether Jell wanted to have the sword to give the impression he wanted to become a holy knight or a hero? But it doesn't seem to.

Jell has this kind of thinking “ The best option is the most profitable option.” And if his thinking was so, Jell had clearly only admired the effects of his sword rather than the shape of the sword itself.

With Jell's negotiation skills he begins bids with guards, negotiating is Jell's skill, because Jell is able to distinguish one's attitude from just looking at one's eyes, dress style, face and body position. If only Jell's ability was known to many people then he might often be on TV as a starter.

Negotiations were over with Jell getting the sword. From their negotiations, Jell got a discount of 30%, due to the bargaining result of his ranking as a yellow rank. The remaining 7,000 Rumiah went into debt for Jell and paid using the guild name of Yinn, Mai who noticed her behavior showed an unhappy and disgusting face, “Uwwa-” Out of her mouth.

Returning from the equipment store, Mai did not end up buying the Dual Knife they liked, because the money they had was not enough to buy it. It was true that they still had some left over and enough to buy the Dual Knife, but Jell did not allow it because the remaining money was for additional purposes.

Heading to the inn Jell and Mai wanted to prepare everything and leave tomorrow morning. After going to the inn they wanted to go outside the gate to practice in the forest around the palace.

Their goal is to prepare for all the possibilities, starting from Jell who practices special remote skills and Mai trying special skills to paralyze the enemy without killing him.

But the reality remains the same as what they expected, every skill that they both put out always has an extraordinary effect. There was damage to the ground within 30cm and a length of about 6 meters beside them, it was one of Jell's long-range attack attempts.

Not only the impact of it all, Jell and Mai who had about 2 days of hunting to raise the level did not go to any development, because the skill column on the Status Plate they did not change, he said, and plus the hexagon diagram shows no development in their strength, this is their biggest mystery since coming to this world.

The next day, at exactly 5am Jell and Mai went to the gate. It could be seen there were quite a few people there, it was right near the wagon that they could have guessed to be their client, and the rest were probably some adventurers who were at work as additional guards.

They approached and met a 30-year-old man named Olokoto. What a strange name? It is true that they both agree.

He was the one who ordered the adventurers and from the quest sheet was indeed the one. His clothes were tight and also fat, well dressed with a small beard, not to forget the 3 large gold and silver rings that were on his finger.

The fat man bowed elegantly like a noble, and introduced the people beside him.

They are not adventurers, but their trading friends, from the description that they are traders of food, so the goods they bring are in the form of food ingredients from the store.

He seemed friendly towards Jell and her friends, it seemed that this person was not what Jell had seen, indirectly he was already prejudiced against his client.

But he thought it was only natural, because the portrayal of Olukoto was completely complete for a jerk nobleman, but for the case of Olokoto, he looked very polite and did not look down on them.

Starting the journey, Jell and Mai were on their respective horses, with the carriage moving slowly, so that the horse they were riding could go around the carriage for inspection.

In addition there are 5 train cars, so it will be a little difficult if there are people attacking from various directions simultaneously. But that fear will not happen because of the yellow-ranked Jell and Mai guarding them.

The trip will take about 3 hours, but if you calculate the innate and speed of the horse it will take more time, so they decided to rest every one hour, not to forget also Jell and Mai who will keep at all times, including at rest.

“That's a good person” that's the buzz in Jell's heart when she saw Olokoto bring food for her and Mai.

While eating Jell and Mai stand guard and Olokoto approaches to inquire about the situation, telling her the condition, Olokoto's reaction is bright and she starts telling Jell about some things.

Olokoto started the story, which is about the reason why she made this long journey. The reason for all this was to distribute food to all corners of the kingdom.

From the further explanation that, the kingdom experienced a decrease in food in 50% of the kingdom, starting from the worst that is found in the border area to the capital area.

He had already made contact with the Manyur village and the villagers would buy it, but the reason for the chaos was not told to him, the curious Jell tried to ask him, but was cut off by time.

The journey has almost reached the end, the journey has traveled about 6 Km and a little more will reach the destination if there are no obstacles.

But what was feared came at the last moment, it was a barrier that surrounded them, it was human or it could be called they were bandits.

The current condition was the five carriages surrounded by the bandit hordes, their number was up to dozens of people, and from their formation it seemed that they already knew of the whereabouts of Olokoto and his horde. “For this many people wouldn't it be better to attack the village?” the question came from his head because this condition seemed strange to Jell.

The bandits carry a variety of weapons and if seen the quality looks good and if sold will be able to reach 1,000 rumiah.

But they took actions that could be said to be unfavorable to them, but the statement would be different if the person they attacked was Olukoto with a cart containing goods that were expensive.

They seemed to be not anticipating resistance from Jell's side, it was because the guards only numbered two people and were ranked yellow.

For them, they want it black and they are not daunted, but they are the wrong opponent and are unlucky this time. Olokoto looked frightened with cold sweat filling her face, Jell saw her looking displeased because a person as good as her looked disgusting as that.

Jell frowned and shouted, Olokoto was told by Jell to hide in the wagon with his friends.

“Mai! How's things going there? you're not afraid, I'll give you a cue and follow it to not have a negative impact, ok.”

“I understand!”

Jell confirmed Mai's current condition, from this condition Jell wanted to give an attack directly and quickly, the cue needed so that when he and Mai make a movement, Jell wanted to give the attack directly and quickly, the cart behind would not receive any damage and or at its worst, the bandits would instead directly attack Olukoto and the others in the carriage.

Jell took the horses with a little down, with a position that if described can make the rear leg thrust higher with the help of the next leg in front. But the reaction of the bandits who saw Jell and Mai put up a fight made them laugh and play around.

“Oi oi oi.. look at them, have seen the reality still want to fight yes, well we will cut your body slowly.”

The mockery of one of the pandits, if seen from their formation, might be their boss. Jell looked at the person sharply while doing the calculations of their movements.

And…

“Now!”

In a moment, in that time everything seemed slow from ordinary time, a movement that slowed down time was used with the special Jell “Slow Watch” skill that he learned during training before this time, and seen in the position of Mai he also did the same thing by using the special skill “Slow Watch” assassin version.

It didn't take long, Jell and Mai moved towards them through the shoulders to aim for the base of the neck to render them helpless, one by one at an incredible speed knocking down the bewildered bandits, who were all confused, and there were some hand fractures caused by Jell to give them additional pain.

The time needed is not up to 10 seconds, all the bandits are unconscious and some are in pain because their hands are not in the right position.

Only the remaining bandit chief could not believe what he had witnessed. Our numbers are more.., we have surrounded peacock.

Jell approached him and the bandit fell with his butt back while screaming in fear Jell was standing in front of him.

“Who has leaked this information?”

Jell asked the bandit leader something, surprised at his question he looked shocked, Jell noticed his reaction and asked him again and again, but the man just roared in fear.

For a moment his patience reached the limit, but that person was not Jell but Mai. He went towards that person and held his head while also holding one of his Dual Knifes pointed at his neck.

“You pissed me off. Jell asked me something and why you just roared Haah! Where was your laugh earlier.Let's laugh now before this knife slices your neck..Take it easy I won't kill you right away, I will slice it slowly.”.

Olokoto and the people were frightened while holding their necks. Jell who saw Mai's behavior started scratching her head and approached her, rubbing Mai's head she told her to leave, Jell wanted to tell her about it with that person.

“You got that information from the villagers instead. You made a deal with the village chief to attack us, in exchange for 50% of the robbery you will get as payment.”

Jell tried to guess and put a heavy pressure on the person. Because of the detailed information Jell knew, he began to pale and began to rebel more violently, he tried to unbind from the rope that bound his hands by rolling and comparing his body.

But it was useless, not only was his bond strong but if he succeeded, there would be Jell and Mai ready to stop him.

Jell put on a face as if watching the man thrash around, and said something more than enough for an information from amateur bandits like them.

“If your reaction is like that, maybe my guess on this one might be true as well. And if you have succeeded in conquering us, you plan to destroy the village and take their treasure and another 50% of the loot, right? If you have this many numbers then attacking the village will not be impossible.”

That person seemed to have been fixated on Jell's explanation. He looked at it with trembling eyes, and for a long time his mouth finally made a sound.

“K-why do you know that much..?”.

The question seemed resigned, Jell just looked at it and told it.

“If I were you, I would do it.”

The man never looked at Jell with trembling eyes, and Jell decided to take him to the village, for the rest of the people he planned to tie them up with, by hanging one by one of them on a tree

***