Roadside Service After the Rain
Call it a low-pressure system, but that term wouldn’t mean much in this world.
So, let’s just say my gloomy mood was because of the rain. That works, right?
When you’re alone in your room, you end up overthinking things.
At times like these, alcohol… either lifts your spirits sky-high or drags you down into the abyss. It’s a gamble. Best to drink when you’re already in a good mood.
So, the best thing is to throw yourself into something engrossing—distract yourself. If you’re busy, you don’t have time to mope. Might as well drown myself in work for a change of pace.
Not that I’m some kind of workaholic or anything.
“Ah, Mongrel-san! Perfect timing.”
The guild was sparsely populated when I walked in. Most of the guild members had probably already taken jobs and headed elsewhere.
Milene-san wore a troubled expression, clearly short-handed and in a bind.
“What’s wrong, Milene-san? Some urgent request come in?”
“Yes. Actually, early this morning, the Nectar Road near the south gate turned into a muddy mess…”
“Ah, right. It’s been raining nonstop lately. So what? A wagon got stuck?”
“Well, yes, one did. But that part was resolved without issue… The problem is, while trying to forcibly move the merchant’s wagon to the roadside, they ended up sinking even deeper into the muck. Now they can’t get it out. The merchant’s messenger just rushed in with an emergency request.”
“Wow.”
This world doesn’t have anything like tow trucks, after all.
Once you get stuck in a bad spot, it’s a nightmare. Especially for wagons without any fancy propulsion. If you slide into a patch that’s turned into a swamp… yeah, better not think about it.
“I already sent an Iron-ranked party ahead, but I’m not sure if they’ll have enough strength…”
“So you want me to go as backup. Fine by me. I’ll take any heavy lifting jobs close to home.”
“Thank you! I’ll handle the paperwork here. Just take this temporary voucher and head to the site. They said you’ll spot them easily—they’re stuck in a noticeable spot along Nectar Road.”
“Got it. Leave it to me. I’ll make it quick.”
Tough break for the merchant, but hey, walking into the guild and landing a job right away? Lucky me.
Time to rescue a wagon and pocket some coin.
“Oh, so you’re the one helping with that wagon, Mongrel?”
“Yeah. Is it far from here?”
“Nah, from what passersby said, not really. But the Iron-rankers who went to help still haven’t returned. Starting to worry me.”
When I passed through the south gate, a familiar guard relaxed slightly at the sight of me.
Guess they’d known about the wagon stuck on the roadside since morning and were getting antsy it wasn’t resolved yet. Pretty considerate of him to care about stuff outside the city. Not really the usual attitude for a guard here, if I’m being honest.
“Folks who passed by said they tried to help, but it’s stuck bad—definitely not something amateurs can handle. Put that brute strength of yours to work, yeah?”
“UHAHAHA… I AM, HUMAN, HELPER…!”
“GAHAHA! Cut the suspicious act around me.”
“Eek, scary. Well, I’m off!”
“Yeah, be careful!”
I jogged carefully along the less-sodden parts of Nectar Road, avoiding puddles as I headed to the scene.
Since it was still daylight, I passed a few wagons heading toward Legol, but none seemed wary of me. Normally, armed guys like me get treated like criminals,
but I guess seeing the stranded wagon clued them in.
“Whoa… they really went all out, huh?”
After jogging a while, I spotted the sorry-looking wagon—no mistaking it.
It wasn’t blocking the road, but its right-side wheels had sunk deep into the soft soil of an uncultivated field. No way it was getting out on its own.
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“Hey! Backup from Legol’s guild is here!”
“! Ah, thank—wait, Mongrel-san?!”
“Yep. Bronze-3 Mongrel, at your service. And you’re… ah, Frank from The Farthest Sunray, right?”
“Long time no see!”
Turns out the rookie party The Farthest Sunray had been trying to help.
Centered around Frank, their leader with a unique vibe, and his sister Chel, they were a decently tight-knit group for a bunch of rookies.
All five of them were here, busy unloading the wagon’s cargo. Lightening the load to pull it free—only logical solution.
“Ah, another guild member from Legol? Thank the stars. Thought we’d gotten clear of the road, but… well, you see how that turned out.”
“You’re the client, right? Name’s Mongrel, Bronze-3 guildman. I’ve got more muscle than these kids, so once we’re ready, I’ll yank it right out. Oh, and here’s the guild’s voucher. If you’re okay with extra hands, just—”
“…Mm, duly noted. They’ve been working hard, but those wheels are in deep. The horses panicked when we slid downhill, dragged us further in. Passersby tried helping too, but… well, they gave up.”
The merchant, exhausted, stared blankly at the distant grass.
Turns out the horses—once hitched to the wagon—were now chilling in a makeshift pasture, munching weeds. Covered in mud, sure, but clearly enjoying their unplanned break. Cute little freeloaders.
“We’ve unloaded anything fragile or heavy. Mongrel-san, what now? Should we all try lifting?”
“Nah, let me try solo first.”
“Alone? C’mon, we’ll help!”
“Nah, it’s fine. But hey, I’m stepping into this mud—got any water to rinse my feet later?”
“Huh? Uh… sure, we can prep some.”
“Thanks.”
I kicked off my boots and socks (most folks here don’t wear ’em) and stepped into the muck.
Whoa, sinking fast. Cold and kinda gross,
but not quite quicksand. At least I could brace myself.
“Hngh…—HRRGH!”
“Whoa—!”
“It’s… moving?!”
Even lightened, wagons are heavy.
But with my enhanced strength? Piece of cake. No sweat.
“Alright… it’s level now. You guys, grab the sides and back. We’ll pivot it, then back it up perpendicular to the slope until it’s on the road.”
“Got it!”
“Damn, you really pulled those wheels free alone…”
“This would’ve taken us forever.”
With The Farthest Sunray’s help, we finally got the wagon back on the road.
The horses, fresh from their unscheduled grazing, were rehitched with expressions like, “Wait, we’re working again?” Tough luck, guys. Legol’s right there. Push through.
“Ugh, mud’s even under my nails. Gotta borrow hot water at the inn later.”
On the way back, the merchant offered me a ride in gratitude.
Rinsed my feet off, too. All’s well that ends well.
“…Been wondering, Mongrel-san. Your strength’s way above Bronze, isn’t it?”
Frank, walking behind the wagon, called up to me. Always blunt, this one.
He always asks such direct questions. It’s fine, though.
“Skill-wise? Easily Silver or higher.”
“Right? So then why—”
“I’m just too lazy to rank up. No deep reason.”
“…I see. Fair enough.”
“Bronze’s great. Less hassle, fewer weird requests. You rookies keep at it, and you’ll get there.”
“We will! One day, The Farthest Sunray will be known across Legol—no, all of Halperia!”
“Hah! Big dreams. Well, aim for Bronze first.”
We safely delivered the wagon to Legol, mission complete.
After pocketing some quick coin, I wrapped up the day with a city-cleaning gig.
Turns out, drowning in work is a decent distraction.
Next time it rains, maybe I’ll just grind through paperwork. Better for my mental health.
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