Choosing a car took almost no time at all. Most cars designed for rough terrain were made-to-order. So there were only 2-3 models in the dealership.
And only one was in a position that could be driven out. Rin tried out a few keys and finally found the right match.
He walked toward the car but Teressa stopped with a concerned expression. She looked at Rin, then at the car and then back at him.
"Are you sure this is safe to drive? I don't have a license to drive and you don't look 21—"
"Don't worry. I know how to drive. I have a license as well."
"And that's not illegal?"
"I got it in a country that allows anyone over 16 to apply for a license, found the right key."
"Isn't that…illegal?"
"Yeah. But who's going to stop us? Our destination is too far away to travel by foot. So unless you have a solution, this is the best we've got."
Teressa looked conflicted, but she decided to get in the car with him. Her eyes kept drifting to him the whole time, and he felt like he was like a specimen under observation.
Rin kept his composure and despite Teressa's doubts, he easily got the car out of the lot and started to drive toward the last destination for this task.
The trip that should have taken two days only took a few hours and Rin made it to the artefact with a few hours to spare.
This artefact did not involve any trials or monsters. All Rin and Teressa had to do was dig it out from underground.
It took in their exhausted state an hour to dig up the capsule. But Rin felt a sense of relief as soon as his system lit up.
[Sacred relics found: 3/3]
[You have completed the 'special task'. A reward is being prepared for you.]
Rin relaxed against the car seat and his eyelids grew heavy due to exhaustion. The past three days were tough and his body needed rest. Teressa's sleeping face lulled him further into drowsiness.
But just when he was about to fall asleep, the system ruined the moment.
[User, what a magnificent performance. I did not expect you to complete this task—ehm…I mean, the system expected nothing less of you. The higher ups were really impressed by your skills. So they have decided to reward you extra.]
[A new shop feature will be open to you—selling. You can now make a profit from selling enchanted items. But, don't get too excited. No one wants to buy a rookie craftsman's work.]
[But don't let this bring your mood down. The system and higher-ups have prepared a special reward for your efforts. You will soon get to have a long-awaited reunion. Doesn't that sound thrilling?]
[Please prepare your pen and leave the system a five-star review]
The system started its nonsense again and as usual, Rin ignored it.
Still, he felt courteous about the system's 'reward.'
The only reunion he could think about looking forward to was with Shelly. But it was too soon for that.
If things followed the original timeline, then Rin still had a few more months before he could meet Shelly. It was something he was looking forward to, but he also did not want to become the reason Shelly's growth slowed.
'Ah, I am sure the system will do something if things go south. I am sure it will be fine.'
Rin sighed and focused back on driving. His body protested and reminded Rin that he needed to sleep. But the adrenaline of driving kept him awake long enough to keep going.
Finally, his settlement came into sight and Rin forced himself to stay conscious to keep going.
__________
'Ugh, this is so annoying. Just how long will I have to play nice? My face hurts because I am smiling so much.'
Shelly complained inwardly but her face showed none of that. She forced her smile into something more natural as she faced her 'saviour'.
The man in question didn't seem to notice anything wrong and continued to smile at Shelly. Not only that, but he subtly kept trying to touch her and put her in a compromised position.
What was worse was the fact that he was doing this intentionally and Shelly was not the only victim.
"Shelly, why don't you try this? It is really good. You should try this as well, Amelia. I am sure you will like it."
Albus promised as he passed her the food. Shelly felt disgusted by him, but she pretended to accept the food.
She carefully put that food back on Albus's plate when he was not looking and instead, watched as he flirted with Amelia.
Unlike Shelly, Amelia responded to him better. She blushed at his words and hung on his every word. But she also got an odd look in her eyes at times.
Shelly had also seen her ask Albus questions about whether he was the one who 'saved' her or not. And Albus always assured her that he was.
But doubt still lingered in Amelia's mind.
Not that it was any of Shelly's business. All she wanted from Albus was a way to get to the next town.
Unfortunately, he was being a bitch about it and it dampened her mood as well. Smiling at Albus felt like a chore that Shelly did not want to do.
She waited until both Albus and Amelia were asleep before walking over to Albus and grabbing his collar. He didn't wake up despite that and Shelly smiled.
'Ah, lacing the food was a good idea. The only time this man manages to stay quiet is when he's asleep. Maybe I should make sure he stays asleep forever. Just a small amount of medicine will do the trick.'
Shelly's hands itched to wring his neck and her fingers crept toward his throat. But she pulled back at the last second.
"Tsk, be grateful that you are my only ticket to finding Rin. Your luck is the only reason you are still alive."
The man who had just been spared shuddered before sinking deeper into sleep. He didn't even realize he'd been spared because he was useful to Shelly.
Morning came sooner than expected and her patience finally paid off. Albus finally said what she had been waiting to hear.
"Let's head to the next city. I have something to do there."