Seems like no one could catch up... well, the guards probably had a hand in that.

But still, to think they helped out just because of Radio's voice made them think I was a girl... that was weird.

I wasn't really sure why someone put a bounty on me, but that wasn't good. If there were mailmen running around, they were probably sending the requests to hunt me down to various adventuring guilds. Did someone want to capture me to study or something? Weren't machines considered pretty normal because of the dwarves?

I looked at the map and tried to look around. Maybe if I travelled far enough, the people there wouldn't be after me. I decided to head in the direction of a few towns surrounded by snowy mountains. Not sure if they had roads for me to go up, but honestly, I was just sort of curious and it seemed far away enough.

For an area of the map to be drawn as covered in snow, did it snow year-round there for some reason? Probably some fantasy nonsense I didn't understand. Seeing nothing but grasslands was starting to get boring anyway, so I figured I might as well just head there for a change or something. Besides, what sane person would go to such a place to look for me?

[New Quest!]

Oh, Tablet was finally doing something with the quest system!

[Quest: Crystal]

[Difficulty: 1 ☆]

[Hold onto a superior mana crystal for 2 hours.]

[Rewards: the crystal]

Wait, what? If an inferior crystal gave 200 EXP, how much would a superior one give? No way Tablet was this generous. There had to be a catch to the quest!

[Just accept it. Now.]

I don't trust you.

[Accept.]

I don't accept-

[Quest Accepted!]

[Timer: 1 hour 59 mins]

What the hell? I didn't even agree to it!

A dazzling crystal instantly materialised inside me, landing gently on my driver's seat. It shone with a brilliant purple-pink radiance; I could practically sense the immense power wafting off it.

Biggie who was on my head yelped.

"Unbelievable! Overpowering, such an immense aura! Wherever could it emanate from?"

I dunno.

Just as I was trying to think of how to explain the crystal to Biggie, I saw a figure from afar running towards me.

Oh, it was just a mailman. I almost panicked for a second.

Wait... he was practically zooming. How can a human run so fast?

Biggie who was just about to investigate the source of the aura raised its fur and growled at the sight of the man.

The mailman's blue uniform was covered in dirt and his yellow-blonde hair looked like it was getting sucked away by a vacuum cleaner from the sheer speed he was running.

The box strapped to his back was thrashing wildly in the air and the stretched out straps looked like they were about to break! Did he not care about the mail at all?

He ran past me and leaned back, skidding to a stop around six metres from me. He stared at me as he panted, wiping off the mud from his face. Then he tossed the box onto the grass with little care.

Wait, it was the same mailman from before! He was wearing a hat earlier but I guess it probably got blown away by the wind.

"Sto-stop right the-there criminal scum!" he struggled to speak.

Sheepy was really doing a good job, huh? I thought it would just translate the sentence straight instead of adding breaks too to account for his panting.

Wait now was not the time for that. He was after me!

"What did I do?" Radio asked.

By now, the mailman seemed to have recovered.

"Doesn't matter. You're under arrest or something!" he said. "Get out of the vehicle and follow me!"

"I can't. I have no legs."

I didn't really have the time to tell Radio what to say so I just let it decide on what to ask Sheepy.

Tablet, engine burst!

[Engine Burst innitiated]

[+50% STR & SPD]

[-1 HP / 3s]

As I got further away, the man ran in front of me with blinding speed.

"Stop!" he shouted.

Did people in this world just have a tendency to run in front of vehicles? I can't even stop in time. If he dies, it's not even my fault!

He leaned forward and bent his legs, reaching his hands out to stop me. I slammed into him. Biggie howled as it tried not to fall off from the recoil.

[-4 HP]

Ow! His hands were really hard! I sent him tumbling away though.

"Bastard! Are you trying to kill me?" he shouted. "Look at my hands!"

His hands were purplish and bloody. Some of his fingers looked like they were pointing in the wrong direction.

"You ran in front of us- me! I couldn't stop in time!" Radio retorted.

"Whatever! I can just heal!"

Immediately, the purple began to fade, almost as if there was a skin coloured brush painting over his hands. In less than five seconds, his hands were fine again. Did he just cast a spell or did he somehow have crazy regen? That was unfair!

"Eh?! Then you're fine!"

"Anyway, stop or I will destroy your vehicle!" said the mailman.

"I said my legs are broken!"

How long was Radio going to keep using that excuse anyway?

"Nonsense! Show me your legs then!"

"Uh... the door is stuck."

"I'll pry it open."

"No! You'll have to pay for damages!"

"Then open the door!"

"No!"

This really was going nowhere. I had a really crazy idea. What if I just grabbed the box he tossed at the side earlier? Maybe I can threaten not to give it back if he doesn't stop chasing us?

[...]

What the heck is that reaction, Tablet?

Biggie, what are you doing? Attack him!

"With reluctance."

Biggie pounced on the mailman from atop me. He screamed and raised his arms to block the wolf.

I took the chance, driving backwards and headed towards the box before he could stop me. Then I stuffed it into my inventory.

"What the hell! Give me back my box!"

He punched Biggie in the head, knocking it out cold. Poor wolf.

"I'll give it back if you stop chasing us!"

"I'll break this dumb machine down first!"

He ran over to the side and started punching me repeatedly.

[-1 -1 -1]

That asshole was leaving dents all over my body! His fist started bleeding but he just healed himself again.

"Stop!"

"Then open the door!"

"No!"

Finally! All the tasks for the morning were done. The police-dwarf smiled at the thought of finally filling his growling stomach.

As he sat down to eat at a nearby restaurant, a realisation suddenly hit him.

He forgot to mention they should try to capture the machine unharmed! Those brutes might have taken it wrongly and started to whale on it.

Oh well. The dwarf decided it probably didn't matter. Not his problem!

"Enjoy your meal!" said the waiter as she placed his order on the table.

"Thanks."

He proceeded to eat his meal merrily.