Gaston
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The next day when Johan went to the guild, Gaston was there waiting for him.
His expression was stern.
"I got something to say to you. Let’s take it outside."
In response to words that sounded like those of a thug at a rundown tavern, Johan responded, slightly annoyed.
"I decline. If you have something to discuss, you can say it here."
Johan knew what the matter was about, but he had no obligation to go along with Gaston...that was Johan's mindset.
Gaston's face then turned red as he glared at Johan and said,
"...! You made Maya cry yesterday, didn't you? When she came home her eyes were all red, so I asked her what happened. Maya...Maya said she wanted to apologize to you. She did well, didn't she!? She healed your injuries too! So why are you blaming her?"
Since Johan was already fed up, this interaction just caused his feelings of being annoyed to pile up, making him even more frustrated.
--Well, let me ask you this; if you had to rush out to save your party members while knowing it's dangerous to do so and then sure enough, you fall into an ambush and get injured to the point where you fracture some bones, would you still not have any complaints?
He wanted to say that, but he restrained himself.
"I see, it was my fault. I'm leaving this town. Miss Rachel, you heard that, right? I'm leaving Urbis. Please handle the guild transfer procedures." Johan announced in a somewhat indifferent tone.
Rachel was the receptionist at the adventurers’ guild in Urbis.
"W-Wait a moment! Even if you suddenly tell me to do that..." Rachel responded in a panic.
Rachel had heard about Johan's background from the guild's higher-ups. She knew that him leaving in this manner would likely cause problems later on. However, the situation had developed too quickly, and Johan's quick decision was too overwhelming for her to keep up with.
Anyway, even if she can just come up with some comforting words to prevent him from leaving... As Rachel tried to think back on the numerous words she had used to entice adventurers in the past, she realized bargaining with him was completely pointless as she was pierced by Johan’s dull words.
"According to Article 4, Paragraph 2 of the adventurers’ guild's general rules. Adventurers are allowed to transfer to a guild of their choice of their own free will."
Rachel groaned and hung her head.
As Johan turned around to walk out of the guild...
"Wait!"
Gaston grabbed Johan’s shoulder with one hand.
The other one was a clenched fist.
(I can understand your feelings. I don't really empathize with you, but as an apology, I'll let you have one hit.)
As expected, Gaston swung his fist, and Johan took it on the cheek.
If they were to fight to the death, Johan could turn Gaston into mincemeat in 3 seconds.
That’s how much of a difference in strength there is between them.
However, be that as it may, getting punched still hurts.
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But Gaston wasn’t satisfied with just one hit.
Seeing Johan's expressionless face even after being punched, Gaston thought that he didn’t put enough power in that punch so he started to get a little carried away.
When it comes to getting carried away, Gaston was similar to Johan in that regard.
Johan swiftly took out a fragment of a glass stone from his coat pocket.
He then caught Gaston's fist with his free hand and muttered softly.
—lightning surge
The type of magic Johan was using was the close proximity thunder magic of the Association-style.
Normally, Johan used the Alliance-style magic, but since he was well versed in other forms, it’s not like he was unable to use this kind of magic also.
There were various other types of magic, such as spiritual magic, as well as other styles, but Johan mainly excelled in the Alliance-style and Association-style types of magic.
The impact from the lightning would have instantly killed even a giant bear if Johan used it with a full catalyst. Instead, since this time he only used a small scrap of glass stone as a catalyst, it only caused a slight shock.
If Gaston had drawn his sword, Johan would have likely killed him.
However, Gaston only threw a punch, and Johan understood that Gaston may be foolish, but not malicious. Since he knew it wouldn't escalate to a situation where he needed to kill Gaston, he held back.
"Gyaah!"
Gaston held his arm in pain and glared at Johan, but he didn't make any more aggressive moves.
Gaston had also received instruction from Johan before, so he knew that even Johan’s martial art skills would be too much for him to handle.
Despite that, he still threw a punch out of his feelings for Maya and because he had considered Johan his friend.
Just like Roy, Gaston also felt betrayed by Johan.
Johan moved closer to Gaston, who was still holding his arm in pain, and started to say,
"Didn't I tell you that the key to a good punch is in your hips and back muscles? There are creatures in the sea that can throw a better punch than you. Go find a shrimp-like creature and have them teach you. Oh, and by the way, it’s 5 copper coins for the catalyst.”
Johan rummaged through Gaston's pockets and took out five copper coins from his money pouch before walking away. Gaston was still paralyzed from the lightning and couldn't move.
As he watched Johan turn around and start to leave, Gaston let out a deep sigh.
