Wagon Wheels

Mission Name: Wagon Worries
Rank: C
Mission Location: Outside Villages

Challenges: -

Task: During your travels you come across a distressed traveler and his wagon. He flags you down as he struggles to announce his distress. Letting you know that a bandit had taken off with some of his priceless possessions. Be the good Vagabond you are and chase down the bandit to return those possessions to the traveler. Besides, the possessions have no real value to them.

Word Count Requirement: 2,000
Reward: 4,000 ryo / 20 AP

Character Requirements: Be Vagabond
Character Exclusive: -

Link to Legacy Mission:Return To The Mission Directory

Deeb's Statistics

As Deeb sauntered along the meandering dirt path, his sharp gaze swept across the sky, precisely calculating the sun's position. The warm breeze caressed his face while the scorching sun rays mercilessly burned his skin. As he left the farmers to their work, Deeb came across a stationary horse-drawn carriage. Its front wheel was missing, and the owner appeared distressed. The young Ajin was intrigued and asked the man about the situation. "Hey there, you there. What seems to be bothering you?"

As the traveller struggled for words, his eyes fell on Deeb's dishevelled appearance and a pang of distress shot through him. "O' No. Lord! He took me wheel, an' moi horse. Now, another one's come to take my life. Be merciful. Please, kill me quick." The loss made the traveller focus on arbitrary details while the world's challenges weighed heavily on him. However, Deeb clarified that he would help the man recover his lost possessions. "Hey there! Do not worry; I'm here to lend a hand. Let's work together to track him down. We won't let the criminal get away that easily!"

The man's tense expression eased visibly upon hearing Deeb's reassuring words. However, he remained wary and hesitant about approaching the horned Ajin as if afraid of the potential danger he posed. Deeb accepted the general tension and proceeded to begin tracking the bandit. The man's words were conviction-filled as he assured Deeb that he had always been a cautious traveller. Deeb was all ears, captivated by the man's confident tone. "I admit, I couldn't have predicted the ambush; it's never happened to me before." The horned man nodded in agreement, speaking tersely, "Hindsight is clearer than foresight. " The sympathetic expression they gave each other was one of practised grace, but nothing subtle was conveyed between them.

With a fierce determination, Deeb sprinted towards the direction of the hoof marks that led away from the caravan. The thrill of the chase surged through his veins as he relentlessly pursued his targets. Deeb was not unfamiliar with bandits and highwaymen, and on his travels, he had dealt with many. Their larcenuous actions were often out of desperation. Deeb was fascinated by how poverty and hunger could drive people to their breaking point and make them do things they wouldn't normally do. It made him wonder about the power of these forces and how they can affect people's lives in ways that are hard to imagine.

Hours elapsed, and Deeb's search seemed futile. Deeb had set out soon after them, following the faint trail left by the bandit. The journey was long and quarrelsome, but Deeb persevered, driven by their desire to see justice served. Deeb first saw the stolen horse. It was saddled and kitted for riding rather than for leading a carriage. Alongside it was a thief drinking water at a river, arguing with Buddha about how to ford the stream.

The bandit was entirely caught off guard, and Deeb, a swift and agile young combatant, seized the opportunity without hesitation. The man's preoccupation with his delusion prevented him from noticing the approach of the vagabond, who approached him meekly. Had the two of them engaged in a fierce battle, Deeb's skill and determination would have outclassed the bandit, and The Ajin tribesman would have emerged victorious. But dubiously, the bandit was ignorant of the advancing predator. Deeb's heart was pounding as he crept towards the dimly conscious man. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into an ambush. Every step felt like a potential trap, but he had to keep moving forward. Suddenly, he was within arm's reach of the shadowy figure ahead of him, and without hesitation, Deeb struck the man from behind. To his surprise, nothing happened - the expected ambush never came. As he surveyed the scene, frustration and anger coursed through his veins as he realised how far the bandit had moved the traveller's possessions from their original location.

Without a second thought, Deeb reached into the water and seized a large rock, its surface slick and slippery. Despite the difficulty, he used his strength to lift the weighty stone high above his head, ready to bring it down with all his might upon the bandit's frail skull. However, with a sudden pang of empathy, Deeb hesitated, realising that the people of this land would likely subject the bandit to a far worse punishment. The responsibility for this man's death would not be in Deeb's hands; he would make his own fate.

This bandit wasn't anything special; he was woefully uneducated, and every morsel of him reeked of bad habits. Laudably, the heathen's ability to sincerely convey fear gave Deeb the impression the man wasn't ready to die. From his uniquely circumstantial high ground, the fight was over. Now, it was time to make amends for his grievances - sufferance. Rather than just subjugating the man's flesh, Deeb wholeheartedly intended to command his spirit through temporary enslavement for the sake of atonement.

The ignorant bandit's hands were bound to the caravan wheel in servitude. Periodic rests were granted, but resources and kind words of encouragement were few. Deeb learned about every person introspectively; each deviation from the norm interested him, believing each had a unique story and significance. The bandit broke the silence, "What'cha gon' do with me?" The man asked Deeb. The horned man's reply was contrite, "If you drop that wheel, or after you return it to its owner?" Through sharp teeth, Deeb conferred his feelings about attritional efforts. Dissuading dissension by telling him stories of his tribe. "You are not ready to die. One day, if you are found worthy in this life..." He alluded to his morbid traditions scantly, like he was filling a bag and taking inventory as he went.

As he gazed ahead, he couldn't help but appreciate the intricate details of the bandit's face when Deeb explained his cannibalistic ideologies concerning autophagy. The glistening sparkles on his cheek were a testament to the extraordinary terror the bandit must have felt. It reminded Deeb that every person had a story to tell and that it was essential to look beyond the surface to truly appreciate the value they bring to the world. Before taking the risk of eating immorally, Deeb made it a point to learn the backstory behind every unique feature and minor deviation in the sacrament. These holy rites held great significance to him, and he felt it was essential to understand the history of each morsel he ate.

Desirable qualities in prey bred desirable qualities in hunters. Deeb learnt not just by eating their flesh but also by watching their habits before death. Their sustenance would give him energy, so it was vital to the process that he educated them in the spirit of becoming. Deeb assured the bandit that he had minimal opportunity to ascend to a level of hygiene or intelligence that Deeb would consider ' food.' The duration they knew each other was short. Confiding the truth would only upset the bandit. Committing to autophagy was an intimate experience, the highest conveyable honour Deeb could convey to a friend.

Deeb did not need an unwilling death, a vengefully cunning shinobi ghost haunting his Ajin ancestors and descendants. Leading them astray rather than offering guidance. Deeb required the willing spirit of sacrifice to guide him to triumph. A tainted, unholy meat, cooked and eaten, would only condemn him and his People. Patiently, Deeb led the horse and the bandit along the road towards the traveller. Deeb was frustrated as the wagon wheel thudded heavily on the dirt road, realising that the bandit had reached his physical limits. A worrisome concern was evident on the man's face; his body language conveyed exertion and antagonism. "Oi, I'm nuh goin' a step further. Grill me, et me, put me in a stew."

Deeb shrugged, "Have it your way. Thank you for bringing the wheel this far. " The bandit couldn't believe how polite Deeb was. In frustration, he cursed and spat, "What'cha mean? I'm free to go?" Deeb shook his horns, smiling sadly, "You may leave. But by no means do you ever believe that you are free. " The bandit's face was etched with confusion and disbelief as he realised how effortlessly his captor was letting him go free. Without the wheel or the horse, he knew he couldn't survive, but his life was worth more than any material possession. Even though he couldn't understand why Deeb was so lenient, he absconded into the forests of fire country. The young vagabond, who belonged nowhere, waved after the man. "Until we meet again. "

Deeb guided the horse with one hand while carrying the wagon wheel in the other, eventually leading them back to the traveller and the caravan. The traveller had two companions, who smiled wolfishly upon seeing Deeb. With arms spread wide, the traveller haughtily spoke; with a conceited sneer, he made plain what was hard for Deeb to comprehend. "You fool, the owner fled when we ambushed his carriage. He took the wheel and his horse with him. Now, you've brought both back!" Deeb was deeply affected by this conjecture, which had caught him off guard, leaving him feeling uneasy and full of regret for the misunderstanding that had caused it.

As the sun set, unease settled over the remote backroad. Suddenly, the three men descended on Deeb, their eyes fixed on the lone figure with the wheel and horse. The vagabond seemed hesitant as the men were suddenly upon him, their intentions obvious. What they expected to happen next did not eventuate, however. Deeb immediately dropped the wheel and the reign for the horse. Greeting the first man, who had deceived him, with a self-gratifying pre-emptive strike. Deeb peered lifelessly into the man's eyes, magnifying the personal thematic of the killing intent Deeb reciprocated. Roaring primally, expressing his ire at the deception. The man reacted fearfully as Deeb leant into the debilitating punch that followed with all his malice and anger. Black energy momentarily crackled as Deeb's fist connected with the man's solar plexus.

Dismay encompassed the reactions of the deceptive traveller's companions when blood erupted from the injured man's mouth. The haemorrhage pulsated from the effects of the cursed blow to the man's chest, like a kinetic rhythm knocking around the inside of his ribcage. Calmly, coldly and nonchalantly, Deeb spoke to the two other assailants. "Atonement, through supplication to these men, " he pointed to himself and their convulsing leader. "Is insufficient." Deeb grimly concluded. Justice was not his to administer. But the traveller's companions no longer felt welcome in what was not theirs. Slowly, they lifted their friend from the ground and departed.

Deeb, convinced that the rightful owner would return eventually, settled himself down and calmly waited for their return. He sat on the carriage with unwavering patience, confident its valid owner would claim it soon enough. Upon his return, the man he thought was a bandit visited him to find the apologetic man caring for his belongings. The carriage owner was understandably upset, but Deeb sympathised with the mistreatment, "I am so sorry that you had to bear the burden of carrying the wheel." After commiserating, Deeb elaborated on how the three men had attacked him.

The traveller was relieved after inspecting his carriage, "Great news! You've taken care of my belongings and ensured they're secure." Smiling, the man spoke happily, "We can now relax and enjoy our day without any worries. " And though Deeb did not expect compensation for his efforts, the man gave him a generous amount of ryo for his action in returning his possessions to him. The man with horns said simply, "Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you." After a brief introduction, they exchanged pleasantries and shared directions to the nearest coastline. They realised that they were heading towards different paths. Despite their short encounter, both individuals parted ways with a friendly farewell and a sense of gratitude for their brief connection.

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Total Word Count: 2,014

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Claims: 4,000 ryo / 20 AP
Stats: +20
Claiming Word Count Towards Learning:
Eight Inner Gates (Jutsu) Gate Of Opening 2014/2500

Approved