[Morning — Westhill Estates]
The sun rose over their farmland, shining on fresh rows of vegetables, fruit trees, and a semi-plowed field courtesy of Takeshi's "truck farming."
The Truck Survivors gathered again after breakfast, energy high.
Daichi (grinning): "Alright, guys — today we head into town and sell our harvest!"
Aya (stroking Ponta the raccoon beast): "Ponta says the cabbages are ready."
Sho (sharpening a kitchen knife): "I'll cook samples. We'll make a killing."
Takeshi (lighting a smoke): "Do we really need a cart when I've got my truck?"
Clarisse (shaking her head): "Sir Takeshi, you are not driving through the market square again."
Takeshi (grumbling): "Tch. Fine."
[Packing Up]
Everyone gathered their produce — bundles of carrots, potatoes, cabbages, wild herbs, and jars of hot spring water Aya insisted was "miracle water."
Mari (lifting a basket): "Man, this is heavier than I thought."
Hiroshi (grabbing two baskets at once): "Good training."
Miki (pointing): "Hey! Ponta's eating the turnips!"
Aya: "Ponta, no!"
[Arrival in Town]
At the bustling town square, dozens of stalls sold bread, weapons, and magical trinkets. The Truck Survivors set up their stall under a simple banner painted by Naomi: "Truck Survivors Fresh Produce."
Daichi (to the others): "Alright — Team 1, sales. Team 2, gather info. Team 3, supplies. Backup Squad… don't get arrested."
Backup Squad (halfheartedly): "Got it."
[Sales Begin]
Shoppers immediately gathered when Sho started cooking. The scent of roasted carrots and herb stew filled the air.
Old Man Vendor: "Oi, what's this seasoning?"
Sho (smirking): "Secret recipe."
Noble Lady: "I'll take ten cabbages!"
Usapyon (counting coins): "Profit, profit, profit!"
Meanwhile, Takeshi snuck off to a nearby stall selling ancient tools.
Takeshi (eyeing a rusty engine crank): "Now this is treasure."
[Trouble Begins]
Just as everything seemed to be going perfectly, a gang of rough-looking adventurers shoved through the crowd. Their leader, a tall man with a scar across his nose, sneered at their stall.
Scar-Nose: "This your stand, rookies? This is our turf."
Daichi (stepping forward): "We're Truck Survivors. Guild rules say public market's open to everyone."
Scar-Nose (snarling): "We'll see what your guts look like after I—"
He never finished his threat.
WHAM.
Takeshi's truck, somehow parked at the side of the square, slipped its brake and rolled forward — knocking Scar-Nose into a barrel of cabbages.
Sho (deadpan): "…Did your truck just solve our problem?"
Takeshi (grinning as he jogged over): "That's what trucks do."
[Cleanup]
Guild officials arrived, scolding the bullies and dragging them off. Takeshi's truck was towed (again). The rest of the day went smoothly, sales booming.
By sundown, they'd made nearly 5000 gold.
[Evening at the Mansion]
Back at Westhill Estates, they gathered around a roaring bonfire, Sho cooking roasted rabbit and veggies as stars lit up the sky.
Daichi (lifting a mug): "To our first harvest!"
Everyone: "Cheers!"
Clarisse (smiling proudly): "You've done well, my lords and ladies."
Takeshi (leaning back): "Man… this life ain't bad."
A breeze rustled the trees. Somewhere in the distance, a pair of glowing red eyes watched them from the forest edge — unnoticed.