"Back off!" I growled and shoved the guy off me, brushing the bug that had landed on me.
What was next? These three looked crazy, but none looked overly strong.
Still, I had been a hero for forty years before all this happened, so I had to start looking at this more along those lines. The biggest problem was that I was a solo fighter, but that was the best way to minimize casualties.
"But I am not the hero," I said under my breath and sighed, looking at the girls and the glaring man.
I needed to look for the Hero, but I had also been told to help people. Is this what that crazy Goddess was talking about?
"Do you have any battle experience? Any of you?" I asked.
"Mrs. Dorthy said you were a hardened adventurer, so we hoped that you could help us out. Most people won't take us out, but we have been in fights!" The dark-haired girl exclaimed and then took a long drink of her coffee, then adjusted her glasses nervously.
"Huh? I am a level one Bard, and my name is Talon. I am nothing special, but I will join you guys for a trip out. What classes are you?" I asked, pointing at the dirty man, narrowing my eyes.
"What?! Don't order me around, you young whippersnapper! I am a Club Warrior! My name is Clint!" The greasy-haired guy shouted at me, and I rolled my eyes.
This one was going to be constant trouble, but maybe the other two might have some redeeming qualities. I turned to the girls, and the girl in the red dress was staring at me.
"I am a Rogue, and I like the curve of a good blade. I like them a bit wider and a good length, so it hits just right when I plunge it inside! My name is Annie, and I am getting excited to work with you, Mr. Talon!" The small girl said as she hopped down from her chair and walked towards me with a cat-like interest, asking, "What kind of blade do you have? How long is it? Can I see it?"
I sensed the danger levels from this girl were off the charts, and I knew that she could clearly see I had no weapon. This one had been suckered by the Charisma, but her personality seemed to outweigh some of it; not sure if that is a good thing.
"I have no weapon, nor do I need one. I am a Bard; my words do my work," I said but felt bitter about it.
"I am a Mage, but I am, umm, not very good. My name is Tracy; I hope that we aren't too much of a burden to you," The woman with glasses said nervously, drinking more coffee, then fidgeting with her glasses.
"Mage? Well, I might be able to help you out a bit with incantations. Fine. Let's go find that Big Benny Boar," I said and started to walk towards the entrance.
"Wait! That is way too strong for all of you! I suggest that you work on killing some small things to start. You don't want to put your party in danger, and there are other things that you can help with. No need to get in a rush; people get killed that way," Dorthy said to me, but something about this woman started to give off very menacing vibes.
I might do well to listen to this one; something told me that she might be a follower of Jessel. That meant that Jessel could be speaking through her, using Dorthy as her medium.
"Fine, I will just follow. Clunk, lead the way," I said, and the group followed me outside.
Everywhere in the small town was covered in mud, but there was a wagon stuck on the road. A man was trying to push it out but was having a slow go.
"Uh, I don't really know the area, so you should probably tell us where to go! I am the muscle of the group!" Clint declared, crossing his arms.
"Eh? I just got here! Fine. Let's just h-h-h-achoo!" I sneezed.
Where the hell did that come from?
"Are you okay, Nakey Boy?" Annie asked.
"I am fine! Now, let's head t-t-t-achoo!"
Oh, this is not funny! Was this that damned Goddess?!
"Mr. Talon, do you have allergies? I have heard that the pollen of flowers can make people sneeze. Is that what is wrong?" Tracy asked, and I groaned.
The wagon was still in front of us, but it looked like I wasn't going anywhere until I helped this person. I swear, if this keeps up, we wouldn't even make it out of town!
"Would you like some help pushing your wagon?" I called over to the traveler, and he nodded.
"That would be great! I can't really pay you, but I can give you some advice if you would like?" The man said, and I nodded.
"Clint, help me push this. Girls, just stay out of the mud for now," I ordered.
"Hey! Don't tell me what to do! I was already going to push that wagon! In fact, I was just about to tell you to help me!" Clint declared, making me want to hit the greasy-haired curmudgeon.
"Woah, you are so nice!" Tracy exclaimed.
"Ooo, do you like a man that dresses like that, Tracy? I prefer him without that twisted cloth!" Annie exclaimed with a burst of cackling laughter.
This group was utterly hopeless, but none of them had the blessing that I had or have. Even with just my Charisma, I should be able to get results.
"Let's get to pushing, and then we will find some weak monsters to fight. I want to talk about something as well after," I said to Clint when the manure pile got close to me.
"Fine, but I know you're hiding something!" Clint growled, and I punched him in the face, making him fall.
"Did you not hear what I just said! I was going to tell you something later! So, of course, I am hiding something! Goddammit! No, stand up and push, or I will hold you down and let Annie carve her name into your forehead!" I shouted.