Following the address Makarov had given him, Lu Chongwei made his way to a grove on the edge of town.
He clutched the job request worth 400,000 J in his hand, feeling so happy he could have flown.
But when he stood before his destination, his excitement was instantly replaced by incredulous bewilderment.
Before him stood a small wooden hut.
It could hardly even be called a "house." It looked more like a shed that could collapse at any moment. The wooden boards were badly damaged, dry grass stuffed into the gaps. The roof sagged at an angle, as if a strong gust of wind could blow it away.
"Is this... the home of the guild's strongest mage?"
Lu Chongwei's mouth twitched.
He looked around. Aside from a few wildflowers and weeds, the place was so desolate it was almost frightening—more ramshackle than some vagrants' shelters.
"This is way too austere. Where did that old guy spend all his money?"
Lu Chongwei shook his head and approached, full of questions.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
He pounded on the wooden door, which looked ready to fall apart.
The door groaned in pain, and dust showered down, making Lu Chongwei cough twice.
A long while passed before the sound of dragging footsteps came from inside.
The door creaked open.
Gildarts appeared in the doorway.
His hair was a bird's nest, his eyes half-closed, and sleep crust clung to the corners. He wore a wrinkled shirt with its buttons done up wrong.
"Ha... yawn..."
Gildarts let out a long yawn, loud enough to startle several birds into flight from the grove.
He rubbed his bleary eyes and looked at Lu Chongwei, his expression blank.
"Oh, it's you... kid... What are you doing here so early...?"
Gildarts mumbled.
His speech was slurred. He was clearly still half-asleep, with none of the dignity one would expect from the "strongest mage."
Lu Chongwei raised the job request in his hand and waved it in front of him.
"Hey, wake up. The guild master approved me taking a job, but the client specifically requested you lead the team."
Lu Chongwei raised his voice.
He tried to rouse the man who seemed to still be sleepwalking. After all, time was money—and this job was worth 400,000 J.
At the word "job," Gildarts' face immediately fell.
"Huh? A job?"
He ran a hand through his hair in anguish, looking thoroughly unwilling. He even started backing into the house.
"Give me a break... I just got back from a long-term job. All I want is to sleep for three days and three nights..."
Gildarts grumbled.
He leaned against the doorframe, looking ready to collapse and go straight back to sleep. His laziness was practically tangible.
"No can do. The guild master told me so himself."
Lu Chongwei played his trump card.
He knew that in this guild, Makarov's word was law. Even Gildarts wouldn't dare openly defy him.
"He said I can't take the job if you don't go. And he also said that if you slack off, he'll cut off all your drink money next month."
That last part was something Lu Chongwei had made up.
But it worked immediately.
Gildarts stiffened.
At the words "cut off your drink money," his sleepiness vanished, and his eyes became crystal clear.
"Tch, that old geezer..."
Gildarts gritted his teeth and cursed.
He was still complaining, but his body was already moving. He turned back inside, grabbed an old cloak, and threw it over his shoulders.
"Fine, fine, I get it! Let's go, let's go!"
Gildarts grumbled.
He stepped outside, slammed the rickety door shut, then shoved his hands into his pockets and followed Lu Chongwei with a sour expression.
Lu Chongwei snickered to himself.
Watching the man who'd been a lazy lump just moments ago now forced to work, he figured this trip wouldn't be boring.
When the two returned to the guild, the hall was still as lively as ever.
Makarov saw Gildarts' listless expression and knew Lu Chongwei had succeeded. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
With their strongest fighter on board, he naturally gave his tacit approval to the mission.
Lu Chongwei finished packing his things and was just about to leave.
Suddenly, someone dashed out from the side and blocked his way with both arms outstretched.
It was Gray.
He was still bare-chested. The bump on his head had shrunk a little, but it was still conspicuous. The anger from earlier had vanished from his face, replaced by urgency and pleading.
"Take me with you!"
Gray shouted.
He looked at Lu Chongwei, then at Gildarts beside him, his eyes full of longing for adventure.
"I want to come along and see what it's like! I promise I won't cause trouble. I'll just watch from the side!"
Gray clasped his hands together, putting on a pitiful expression.
For a boy who had always wanted to prove himself, following Gildarts on a job—even as a mere observer—was an enormous temptation.
Lu Chongwei was taken aback.
He hadn't expected the kid who'd been shouting about fighting just moments ago to have such thick skin, already trying to tag along on the mission.
"Well..."
Lu Chongwei wasn't sure what to do.
He turned to Makarov. It was his first job, after all, and bringing one more person meant taking on more responsibility.
Makarov looked into Gray's hopeful eyes and softened.
It would be good for the younger generation to get some exposure to real combat. Even just watching could help them grow.
"Go ahead."
Makarov waved a hand.
He looked at Gildarts, his tone turning stern with the solemnity of a parent entrusting a child to someone else.
"Gildarts, since you're going anyway, you may as well take one—or two. Make sure both boys come back safe."
Gildarts shrugged indifferently.
"Sure, sure. It's just a little outing anyway."
With permission granted, Gray leaped into the air in excitement.
"Awesome! Don't worry, I'll make sure we complete the job perfectly!"
Gray pumped his fist as though he'd already trampled the monster underfoot.
Lu Chongwei glanced at him and couldn't resist dousing his enthusiasm.
"It wouldn't make a difference whether you came or not. You still go down in one hit."
Lu Chongwei's voice wasn't loud, but it hit hard.
Gray froze mid-motion.
He stood there like a statue, fist still raised. His excited expression hadn't even had time to fade before it stiffened into awkwardness.
"You...!"
Gray was about to lash out when Lu Chongwei patted him on the shoulder.
"Enough posing. Hurry up and keep up. Don't hold us back."
With that, Lu Chongwei strode out of the guild.
Gildarts followed behind him with a yawn, leaving Gray behind to grind his teeth in frustration. In the end, he could only stomp his foot and hurry after them.
The three headed north toward Volk City.
The city was renowned for its food, and even before they reached the gates, the air was already filled with the aromas of all kinds of dishes.
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