The sun was high, the air smelled of fresh grass, and the town square buzzed with adventurers ready for work. The giant quest board outside the guild was plastered with parchment quests — goblin subjugation, herb gathering, delivery runs, and even one about a haunted outhouse.
The Truck Survivors gathered around.
Ms. Sato: "Alright everyone — we'll split and tackle different quests. The more we finish, the faster we earn coin and experience."
Aiko: "We should pick something safe. Like gathering herbs."
Takeshi: "Safe is for people who don't own a Fuso Shogun 510."
He grinned, slapping the side of his truck parked in the middle of the square. Several townsfolk gave the massive vehicle a wide berth, whispering.
Rina: "People are staring, old man."
Takeshi: "Let 'em stare. It's called envy."
The groups split up, each picking their quest fliers.
Team 1 chose to clear a goblin nest.
Team 2 took an herb-gathering job in the south forest.
Team 3 — Takeshi's team — grabbed a delivery mission.
Cargo: a large crate of preserved demon boar meat to Dross Village, 20 kilometers west.
Reward: 500 silver coins.
Nobu: "Simple delivery job. Should be easy."
Jun: "Unless there's bandits."
Takeshi: "Bandits? I wish. Let's roll, people."
He climbed into the cab of the Shogun, cranking the ignition.
VROOOM!
The powerful diesel engine roared to life, birds scattering from rooftops.
Miki: "It still baffles me how you got this thing isekai'd with us."
Takeshi: "Truck's loyal. Unlike ex-wives."
They loaded the heavy crate into the truck's flatbed, tying it down. Nobu climbed onto the back with his greatshield, while Jun, Miki, Aya, and Haru hopped into the cab.
Aya: "Feels weird to be riding a truck in a fantasy world."
Jun: "Beats walking."
And with a final honk that startled a merchant's horse, they rolled out.
Out on the Road
The dirt road snaked between rolling hills, with scattered woods and sparkling creeks. Haru leaned out the window.
Haru: "I feel like we're breaking some ancient rule."
Takeshi: "Rules are for cowards."
They made good time, the truck's suspension handling the rugged path surprisingly well thanks to Takeshi's custom bubble enchantments from the God of Transport.
Halfway through, a group of bandits appeared, blocking the road. Six of them, armed with rusty swords.
Bandit Leader: "Oi! That's our road toll! Hand over your goods or—"
Takeshi floored it.
The Shogun surged forward, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Bandit Leader: "W-Wait, what?!"
The front bumper smashed through the wooden blockade like wet twigs. The bandits scattered, diving into bushes.
Miki: "Problem solved."
Nobu (on the flatbed, raising his shield): "That's not how you deal with roadblocks!"
Takeshi: "Sure it is."
They left the confused bandits coughing in their dust trail.
Dross Village
By afternoon, they arrived at Dross, causing yet another scene as villagers gawked at the metal beast rumbling into town.
Villager: "What the hell's that?!"
Takeshi: "Delivery."
They offloaded the crate at the village storehouse. The village chief, an old man with a bent back, handed them a heavy pouch of silver.
Chief: "Never seen a carriage like that. Moves faster than any horse."
Takeshi: "Ain't no carriage. It's a Shogun."
On the way back, they picked up a quest to slay a giant horned rabbit terrorizing a farm. Takeshi grinned.
Takeshi: "We can fit it in the back if we bag it quick."
Jun: "I'm starting to worry about this old man."
Back at the guild, Team 1 and Team 2 returned, bruised but alive. Everyone traded stories. Hiroshi had punched a goblin so hard its head lodged into a tree. Usapyon found a rare herb that glowed purple. Ms. Sato healed a man's broken leg.
Daichi: "And what about you guys?"
Nobu: "Bandits tried to toll us."
Hiroshi: "What'd you do?"
Takeshi: "I tolled them."
Everyone groaned.
Aiko: "Of course you did."
As night fell, the Truck Survivors raised mugs in the inn, celebrating their first successful quests.
Takeshi: "To more loot, fewer rules… and long live the Shogun!"
Everyone: "CHEERS!"
The adventure had only just begun.