This fight wouldn't last long. One of the girls tried to cast a magic on Hetzer. Most probably to restrain her, while the other was about to attack Hans with her bow.
Garrick, the man just stood back. Waiting. Hans pulled out his gun, ready to shoot them both. But before he could, Hetzer casually brought out her MG and fired at the three of them.
The MG34's muzzle flashed like a strobe in the late-afternoon sun. A single, disciplined three-round burst cracked across the market square.
The bow-girl's arrow never left the string. The first 7.92 mm round punched through the bow's riser, splintering it into kindling; the second clipped her shoulder and spun her half-around; the third buried itself in the cobblestones at her feet. She dropped, gasping, more from shock than pain.
The mage girl tried to cast some magic and yet it didn't work. Garrick looked at her, "Oi Ailina, what are you doing? Your magic is supposed to restrain her." He hissed.
But then, a bullet pierced through his thigh and the right hand, making him lose his balance and his sword. It was fired from Hans' pistol. He was going to shoot him but Hetzer had shot the other girl first startling him for a second as well.
The mage-girl's half-formed spell unraveled in a shower of violet sparks. Hetzer had pivoted the barrel a hand's breadth to the left; the burst stitched a neat diagonal across the girl's leather bodice—center-mass, but only deep enough to bruise ribs and ruin concentration. The staff clattered from numb fingers.
All three of them cried in pain. Hetzer quickly hid her MG-34 while Hans walked up to them. Looking down at them, "Stay away from my partner or the next time, you'll not survive with light wounds."
Some people who gathered nearby whispered, "Isn't that Garrick?!" The whispers rippled outward like rings in a pond.
"Isn't that Garrick?" "The A-rank wyvern hunter?" "The one who bullies rookies and steals their girls?" "Looks like the rookie just stole his dignity instead!"
A baker's wife cackled, wiping flour from her hands. "About time someone shot the swagger out of him!"
Ailina and the other girl looked at each other. They felt ashamed. They had also came to become adventurers with their partners but betrayed them to be with Garrick the A rank wyvern hunter.
Garrick looked at the two of them, "Oy you two good for nothing pretty faces, help me get up. I don't want to stay here anymore." But neither Ailina nor the other girl were at all capable of moving.
Hans had heard the whispers and all he could feel was disgust at Garrick to be that kind of a guy who abused his powers. He didn't want to associate with him anymore than he had already.
He turned to Hetzer, "Let's go. We still have to pay that inn lady our dues." But as they turned towards the inn where they were staying, Ailina spoke up, "How-how did you move even after I cast a freezing spell on you?" Her question was directed towards Hetzer.
Hans looked back and so did Hetzer. "What do you think she is?" Hans spoke. And then turned away. Hetzer followed him swiftly.
"Oy lazy girl, if you have strength, then help me." Garrick hissed again. But Hans or Hetzer none of them cared.
"Is it true she cast a spell on you?" Hans couldn't help but ask. He wouldn't believe it was magic if someone said it even two days ago. But now after the time he spent, anything could happen.
Hetzer skipped a step to keep pace with Hans, then glanced up, eyes wide and earnest.
"Ja, Commander! Hetzer felt a little tingly—like when the crew chief forgot to ground the battery. But then…" She puffed out her chest. "Hetzer's frontal glacis said 'NEIN!' and the tingly went poof!"
Hans snorted despite himself. "Magic versus 60 mm of Krupp steel. Poor spell never stood a chance."
Once back at the inn, Hans and Hetzer were able to pay off their other days bills. And now with the extra amount they stole from the thieves, they basically had no reason to go adventures any time soon.
Now their first task was to get rid of this way too inconspicuous dress that they have been wearing since coming to this world. They needed more. So of to a clothes store they went.
Well they had to ask the lady receptionist for direction. Which she did provide. This turned out to be the first date between Hans and Hetzer.
Though Hetzer was more than willing to cling on to Hans while Hans was a bit distant. To him it felt that this tank girl is too much bold. Still he didn't really mind because after all, she was a tank.
So Hans and Hetzer wandered around the streets of Golgz for the rest of the day.