Chapter 101: Go Chase Your Own Life! (Request Subscription!)

After dealing with those thugs, Mo En returned to the village, carrying several boxes—valuable loot, another source of income for missions.

Of course, he also brought down several of the bandit leaders; he believed in delivering results—villagers might lack the courage to verify the situation deep in the woods, so he brought them out himself.

Thud.

He tossed the bandit leaders’ heads onto the ground and handed the list to the village chief, who took it with trembling hands.

He was genuinely frightened—this child, always smiling so warmly and brightly, had just unleashed a ruthless approach!

These bandits could’ve been captured and imprisoned, but this child went straight for the kill—not that it was wrong.

“A bit of a contrast, isn’t it?”

Mo En noticed the chief’s shifting expression and asked with a smile.

“Well, this is better—saves trouble.”

The chief’s forehead glistened with sweat; he hesitated, then gave an agreeing reply.

“Exactly—it saves time. Waiting for someone to capture them is a waste.”

Mo En nodded seriously; his reason for going so hard was precisely this. Some might not have deserved death, but once they chose banditry, arguing about it was pointless.

“That’s right! That’s how it should be!”

The chief signed the form and earnestly echoed the sentiment.

He’d only been startled at first—deep down, he felt no sympathy for these bandits. Murderers and thieves deserved to be wiped out.

“Here’s your mission reward, Master Mo En. Will Itachi take it now, or wait until the next one?”

The chief had already prepared the reward—no intention of delaying payment. This weathered middle-aged man was reliable, as evidenced by how he handled Jubia’s situation.

“Keep it together.”

Mo En declined. He left the looted goods at the chief’s house—not at Jubia’s, fearing greed might tempt someone to steal. The chief’s place was safer.

Though nervous, the chief agreed. He couldn’t let Mo En lug all that gear off to hunt beasts.

“What kind of beast is it?”

Before leaving, Mo En casually asked.

Sure enough, he saw the chief’s blank expression.

“We don’t know. Just that it’s a humanoid monster, huge, with sharp claws, loves meat. Many have died inside—bodies were torn apart.”

The chief shared what little he knew—information gathered at the cost of many lives. They’d had no choice but to hire a mage.

“Understood.”

Mo En nodded and left the village to find the beast.

He’d made a point to visit Jubia before leaving, spoke a few words to calm her. These past two days, she’d slipped back into self-torment—the village rain had grown heavier.

Seeing Mo En again, bathed in his sunlight, Jubia’s gloom lifted slightly; the storm clouds above the village thinned a little.

It was kind of fun having such real-time feedback.

Cough cough, of course, it wasn’t fun for Jubia—something had to be done quickly to fix this.

Otherwise, back at “Fairy Tail,” if it rained constantly around the guild, they’d be flooded.

As Mo En thought this, he entered the forest. When he emerged, he held a wolf’s head.

“Damn. Worthless.”

He muttered, shaking his head in frustration. Information in remote areas was always unreliable—he’d expected a fearsome beast, but it was just a roadside wolf he’d kicked to death. No wonder it teamed up with those bandits like a pair of useless fools.

Frustrated, he cleared out a few more beasts. In such isolated places, monsters were genuinely dangerous—any one could make life unbearable.

But monsters wouldn’t leave the forest unless provoked. Staying inside to hunt animals was far safer than attacking humans—they only struck when humans intruded on their territory, just to taste flesh.

“Done. Next time, just hire a nearby small guild—no need to travel all the way to Fairy Tail.”

After submitting the mission, Mo En kindly advised the chief. Technically, as a Fairy Tail member, he shouldn’t meddle—they didn’t earn more from it.

But he still warned: Fairy Tail was too far. For small problems, a nearby guild would arrive faster and handle things easily.

“Oh! So that’s how it is!”

The chief blinked, stunned. This was their first time hiring a mage—they’d only thought of big names like Fairy Tail or Phantom Lord.

But truth was, distant, low-reward jobs weren’t popular. No one showed up quickly.

“Don’t travel so far next time.”

Mo En nodded. He’d checked before coming—there were mage guilds in nearby cities, though obscure.

“Got it! Got it!”

The chief nodded eagerly. He saw Mo En meant well—this young Fairy Tail mage left a strong impression: skilled, kind, even if ruthless toward bandits.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take Jubia with me.”

Mo En took the signed mission form and prepared to leave. Jubia stood inside, clutching her small bag—meager belongings, barely enough clothes.

“Wait! Master Mo En, here’s your reward for both missions!”

Seeing Mo En and Jubia about to depart, the chief grabbed his arm—he thought Mo En had forgotten the reward.

“I don’t need the reward. Keep it. Just visit Jubia’s parents’ graves occasionally.”

Mo En waved it off. His words stunned both the chief and Jubia.

“That’s my duty!”

The chief insisted firmly.

He wouldn’t accept it for that reason alone—Mo En had helped them; they owed him the reward.

“Then consider it compensation for the damage Jubia has caused the village over the years.”

Mo En smiled. Honestly, he didn’t care about the money—only 300,000 J total. To this village, it was a fortune; to him, it was nothing.

Leaving it behind was a way to seal a good bond—Jubia’s parents’ graves remained here; the chief should watch over them.

The chief fell silent, then sighed.

“Master Mo En, others may not understand, but I don’t believe Itachi don’t—what has Jubia ever owed this village? It’s the village that owes her.”

After his silence and sigh, the chief spoke seriously. Jubia stood frozen, bewildered, trying to grasp the meaning of his words.

“Itachi truly understand.”

Mo En smiled. The chief had a good heart and sharp mind—he protected Jubia out of morality, and because he knew her power had shielded the village.

“So, Itachi’ve solved the beast and bandit problems, and now Itachi’re taking Jubia away—I’m overjoyed. Now we won’t have to rely on her to protect us. And Jubia can finally live in the world that truly belongs to her.”

Looking at Jubia, the chief smiled warmly, proudly—but his words made Jubia’s eyes widen in shock.

“Protect the village? Me?”

Jubia pointed at herself, face filled with disbelief. It felt like a dream—why was the chief speaking so strangely? Was this really about her?

“Yes, Jubia. Your power has protected this village from bandits and beasts. They should thank Itachi.”

Mo En smiled and confirmed it, explaining why. Jubia’s expression turned utterly stunned.

“Of course, it did cause damage—years of rain, after all. But every protection has a cost. This was the price of your protection.”

Mo En continued. The village had suffered losses from the endless rain—but compared to being slaughtered by bandits or devoured by beasts, those losses meant nothing.

Jubia’s mouth hung open, still unable to believe it.

“Jubia, Itachi’ve never owed anyone anything. Go in peace. Chase your own life. Become a mage as outstanding as Master Mo En!”

The chief smiled at Jubia.

(End of Chapter)