The trade road stretched endlessly before us. Hills rolled in the distance, dotted with wandering travelers and wagons loaded with goods.
I walked beside Elira, Lyra, and Bran, trying to act casual. Casual, of course, meant not crushing anything with my new strength or running faster than a horse.
"…This is going to be tricky," I muttered.
Lyra glanced at me. "You've only managed to nearly level half the forest and shred a wall in your sleep. How is this going to be tricky?"
I waved a hand. "Perspective, my dear analyst. Perspective."
---
The group spotted a lone merchant with a colorful cart filled with exotic fruits, glimmering trinkets, and… oddly shaped bottles.
"Ah! Fresh produce, magical herbs, and… rare tonic elixirs!" the merchant shouted, bowing excessively. "Care to try oh! Protector!"
Everyone froze. The merchant had heard of me already.
I scratched my head awkwardly. "Uh… hi?"
Bran muttered under his breath: "Great. Fame travels fast."
The merchant beamed. "Ah, I knew the rumors were true! You've defeated the corrupted Alpha at River Fen? And… survived? Incredible!"
I smiled weakly. "Yeah… somehow."
---
He eagerly presented a small, glowing vial.
"Here, Protector! This tonic can..."
Before he could finish, I sneezed (the road was dusty) and… knocked the entire cart over.
Fruits tumbled everywhere. Bottles shattered. Some tonic spilled, bubbling mysteriously on the ground.
The merchant screamed. "My merchandise! Nooooo!"
I froze, eyes wide. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean..."
Lyra groaned. "Protector, seriously…"
Elira smacked me again. "IDIOT."
Bran just facepalmed.
---
The merchant, surprisingly, laughed nervously. "Ah… fear not! If you're the Protector, surely a little spilled stock is nothing. Perhaps… a demonstration of your strength?"
I blinked. "…Uh, sure? Demonstration?"
He tossed a small, enchanted training dummy toward me.
"Just… punch it lightly, okay?"
I nodded. "Got it."
I swung my fist… too hard.
BOOM!
The dummy flew ten meters into the air, landing in a cart of hay, which collapsed, spilling even more supplies.
The merchant gawked. "Incredible! You… you truly are extraordinary!"
I bit my lip. "…I think I broke my quota of subtlety."
[Observation: Host remains incapable of subtlety. Ecchi flag inactive.]
Lyra muttered: "You're lucky he's not dead."
Elira glared. "You're lucky we didn't kill you first."
---
Despite the chaos, the merchant clung to me. "Ah… Protector, forgive my persistence! If you'd allow me, I wish to join your journey, offering guidance and wares!"
I blinked. "Uh… sure? If you don't explode anything else."
He bowed so low I thought he'd faceplant. "I live to serve the anomaly!"
I groaned. "I need a drink."
---
That night, by the campfire, I inspected the few vials that survived. Some glowed with mana, others shimmered with unknown energy.
"Perfect," I muttered. "Healing, boosting, maybe… accidental explosions."
Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm going to regret this."
Elira just muttered, "I already do."
I smiled, tapping my status.
[Body Evolution Pending… Progress: 11%]
Something told me… meeting the world outside River Fen was going to be far more chaotic than I imagined.
---