Of Robbers and Old Men

[Haruto]

It was a bit strange, but lately, Haruto has been exploring what seemed to be most of Eastern Fiore. First it was Magnolia, next was Clover, then Onibus, and now Hargeon. He felt as if he was hopping all over the place, similar to that of a kangaroo or a rabbit. However, he couldn't really help wanting to see new sights, it had always been an aspiration of his to explore all of Fiore. This was just taking a big leap towards that goal. And so, here the young boy was in Hargeon, a small hum escaping his lips as he walked towards the Marketplace. The reason for visiting the marketplace of all areas? Well, he was hungry, and there wasn't any better place to buy a few things to eat. It was also the closest place which made everything easier. After he arrived at his destination, Haru did his best to evade bumping into people while he walked. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in doing so for he was quickly pushed out to the side. If it wasn't for the stand he kind of crashed into, he would've taken a pretty rough fall.

His head snapped in the direction that the push originated from, but he couldn't spot the culprit anywhere. He guessed it wasn't too big of a deal, though. Haru allowed himself a quick stretch before walking again, but was stopped by the sudden sound of complaints...
"Damn..." the voice said out loud, "I need to get these goods to Clover ASAP, but those Lamia Scale wizards are taking far too long..." At this, the youth's ears perked upwards before returning to their previous state. It seemed like this man required assistance, and Haruto wasn't the type of person to just ignore a plea for help! Such a thing was shown when he encountered that festival manager and successfully found all those children. He turned his head in the direction the voice originated from and rose an eyebrow upon seeing an old man. Well, the guy didn't necessarily seem old, but compared to Haru...he kinda was. A determined expression took over his face while he marched up to the man who apparently needed help. It was a bit weird, the closer he got to the man he could sense a trader-like aura coming off him. It was safe to assume that he was one, the fact he had goods for a different town practically sealed that "theory."

Once he made it behind the trader-man Haru tapped the guy's shoulder which immediately caught his attention.
"I can help you out, sir," the boy chirped with a small smile on his face. A look of slight confusion was evident on trader-man's face. However, it was quickly replaced with one of amusement. Oh no, it was coming...
"You? You're just a kid and I need someone who's powerful enough to protect me from robbers and the like. It's nice of you to offer though, kiddo." he then proceeded to release a small chuckle, one which made the young male frown. This sort of thing just had to come sooner of later, even if he was lucky enough to evade it for this long. The underestimation was strong with this one.
"Well, I decided I'm still going to help you," Haruto countered quickly, which made trader-man's eyes widen in surprise, "Nothing is going to make me change my mind!" Now trader-man could only sigh at his current situation...

577/500

[Haruto]

A small groan managed to escape Haruto's mouth as he pulled the Wagon forward, using its neck yoke to do so. For some reason - for some ridiculous reason most likely - the animals Rovan had to carry his wagon disappeared. He wasn't told how or why, but that was because not even the man knew what happened. Fortunately - or maybe unfortunately - Haru still went against giving up on assisting the trader-man and decided to take matters into his own small hands. So now he was pulling the wagon filled with goods, and another human being, by himself. Surprisingly it wasn't that difficult to push along which made the boy believe there wasn't many goods. However, after pushing for what felt like an hour, his body was beginning to "feel the burn." He couldn't stop now though, Clover just had to be close by...
"Good news! At this rate we'll be in Clover in around...two hours!" Rovan declared using that rough voice of his. Meanwhile, Haru almost dropped to the ground in utter defeat. Almost. It wasn't in his nature to give up or abandon anything. In fact, the word "abandon" wasn't even in his dictionary, so the author of this post should most likely stop using such a term. Despite this, the youth made an abrupt stop and leaned his hands on his knees, sweat dripping down the sides of his head. He turned to see Rovan in the corner of his eye before he began to speak.

"Don't you have a water bottle? I'm a bit exhausted..." to confirm that comment, he released another groan, this one being louder than the last. However, Rovan merely seemed to be get upset with this action and shook his head in extreme disappointment.
"I knew it," the man said, "I knew a child like you couldn't possibly get me all the way to Clover town. To think I actually put my hopes in you...well, I'll just have to travel the rest of the way by myself-" Rovan couldn't have possibly finished his last sentence, not when the wagon suddenly began to move forward again. But, there was a difference here, for the wagon was moving faster than ever before. The culprit? Why, it was none other than Haruto who was dragging the wagon by using almost every muscle that was in his small body.

"Listen here you old man," Haru spoke through gritted teeth. It was obvious that Rovan's words actually managed to annoy him, something that occurred once every blue moon. "Haruto Fukuimoto never gives up after he sets his mind onto something! Do you hear me?! Never!" With a mighty shout he put more energy into pulling the wagon filled with goods and another human being. Rovan's eyes widened considerably at the change in behavior before he allowed a small smirk to appear on his lips. This might turn out to be an eventful ride, especially with this kid escorting him.

1069/500

[Haruto]

Before long, two hours came and went by, leaving the duo only 2/3s of a mile away from Clover town. So far, Haruto still had a small amount of gas left in his body, but it was quickly diminishing into nothing. Although he took a small break every hour that they've been traveling, he was still feeling the consequence of pulling a wagon...by himself. He prayed that no monsters or robbers would come after them, he wasn't sure how he'd be able to fight them off. In fact, he probably wouldn't even be able to lift a finger against them...despite how weak they usually are. They're actually very, very weak most of the time, especially animals. What was he doing being worried about the topic?

"Alright we're close enough. You can stop and take another break...but, for only five minutes this time. Then it's full force ahead." trader-man called out to Haru, however the boy was already dropping the neck yoke and lying face first in the dirt. The surprisingly cool and nice dirt felt pleasant against his skin, oh so pleasant, which was a bit strange. He only stayed there for a few seconds before sitting up and staring at the blue sky above. He apparently got lost in the blue for a moment since Rovan began to call out his name in alarm, yet he wasn't able to pay attention to the man. It wasn't until the sounds of evil cackling reached his ears did Haruto look down...and what he saw didn't sit too well with him. Actually, if felt as if the universe set this up intentionally, which only made a small frown appear on his face.

There were two men, both who were wearing black masks, but neither seemed to be carrying any weapons. No weapons only made taking care of them easier...however, he wasn't sure in his current condition...
"Alright, you guys know the deal. Give us all your money, and goods, and no one gets hurt." the taller one of the two stated. The frown that was on Haruto's face only deepened as he pulled himself to his feet, using the wagon as support. There was a strange glint in his deep brown eyes, one that practically screamed defiance. The boy took in a deep breathe before shaking his head repeatedly and then sticking his tongue out.
"No way. You should just go back home, things like this always play out with the hero winning." as he said this, the frown that was previously on his face turned into a confident grin. Just because he was tired, just because he felt slightly winded didn't mean he was simply doing to lay down and let these robbers win. He would do anything but that. A growl had erupted from the the main robber's throat which made Haru eye them cautiously. Suddenly, the duo aimed their palms at him with strange laughs coming from their mouth. There was sweat running down Haruto's head, not in exhaustion, but in slight worry...

"Aero Cut!" they called out in unison before releasing a large blast of wind at the boy. They were sending wind at him. Well, he was definitely going to have a field day with this. While Haruto had a giant grin on his face, there was a look of fear on Rovan's. In the same minute the robbers came, the man had moved to hide behind the wagon, so he was safe from harm. There was doubt in his eyes, it said that he didn't fully believe in Haruto going against these two and winning. There was the underestimation again. But, back to the main event!

The blast of wind was moving very quickly and managed to reach Haruto in only a matter of seconds. However, he was ready for what to come. The minute it was within his range, the boy opened his mouth semi-wide and sucked up the wind, "eating" it. Trader-man was left bugg eyed, the two thieves gawked at the sight, and Haru simply kept a grin plastered to his face after he fully consumed the air blast. Now he felt refreshed, completely re-energized! The youth took a threatening step forward which made the enemy duo take a step back. It seemed like he was a bit terrifying to them...oh well, that didn't give them any free pass to escape. He crouched down and waited a few seconds...one...two...three, before shooting forward with an uppercut aimed for the first robber in his path. That just so happened to be the taller one's sidekick, who unfortunately got hit with the attack and was sent tumbling towards the ground.

"Why you...!" the main thief growled out while aiming his palm at the dragon slayer, "Aero Cu-" Sadly, he was cut off from finishing that word and launching his technique, all due to the young lad who shot his own air blast at the man. The attack sent the robber into a tree that was near by, effectively knocking him out. Haruto then released a long sigh and brought down his glowing blue hand with a large smile on his face. For a moment, he turned to face the one still on the ground, before grabbing his collar and merely tossing him to where the other thief was: in the tree.

"...You can come out now." he called out to the hiding Rovan who was...well, hiding no longer. Trader-man had a look of relief evident on his features as he walked up to Haruto, soon stopping at an arm's length away.
"I have misjudged you..." Rovan spoke loud and clear, "I've come to realize you are a very...capable young man. I believe I owe you an apology." The boy stared at Rovan blankly for a few seconds until his entire frame seemed to brighten. He lifted up his hand and waved, as if waving off the apology, which is what he was aiming for.

"It's no big deal, really," he said with a toothy smile and the sunlight bouncing off his pearly whites, "Let's just get you to Clover!"

2094/500

90/100 MP:

[Haruto]

After Rovan returned to his seat in the wagon, and after Haruto continued to drag said wagon, they eventually arrived in their destination: the great town named Clover...not really great, but...you know. The boy took the last few steps he needed until he finally dropped the neck yoke, this time for the last time. Luckily it didn't take too long for them to arrive, they had already been pretty close once the robbers attacked them. He immediately stretched his arms, placing them high in the sky and practically soaking in what the sun had to offer him, while trader-man came out of the wagon with a very satisfied smile.
"Well, would you look at that..." he said out loud, "We actually made it in one piece..." At that, the youth could only chuckle in slight amusement. It couldn't really have been that bad...was it?
"You'll be able to take care of yourself from here, right?" he asked the man. Once he received a nod of confirmation, he continued to talk, "Then I guess I'll be going now. My work here is done!~" He gave Rovan a thumbs up before walking in the opposite direction, prepared to make the trip back to Hargeon...sigh.

But, he was stopped by a loud "wait." The dragon slayer twirled around to face trader-man with confusion written clearly on his face. He could only wonder what else the old man needed from him. If it involved dragging the wagon around some more, he was going to have to refuse, unfortunately...
"Here." Rovan said while holding out something that caught Haru's eye: jewels, "This is for assisting me in getting to my destination. If it wasn't for you, I don't what I'd do...you may be a kid, but you're a good kid. Thank you." Haruto was grinning like a fool as he looked at Rovan and was handed the jewels.
"Again, it's no big deal. I just wanted to help, so I did. Anybody else would have done the same thing..." he mumbled while scratching the back of his head, but a single hand by trader-man silenced him. A final smile was sent in Haru's direction before the "old" man returned to his wagon and began pulling it. Without the added weight of another person, it must have been pretty light...but, that was just going off topic. He watched his..."client" he guessed, disappear after only a few minutes. It seemed about time he took his leave as well. So, the youth turned around once more and walked towards Hargeon. Hopefully he'll be able to make his trip a quick one.

[Exit.]

2534/500
(+10 due to consuming that D-Rank(?), 100/100 MP)

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