Chapter 18. Mercenary Leader

“You caused quite the commotion.”

“Ah, yeah, you heard?”

The day after my first walk.

Lowell came to me, chuckling, and said those words.

He already heard the news, huh?

Well, considering I dismissed the security squad that showed up with my seal, it's not strange that Lowell knows.

“How could you cause trouble on your first day out?”

“Hahaha, consider my background.”

Did he really think a guy who was at the top of that brutal Colosseum wouldn’t cause a little trouble outside?

“...It seems the Young Lady put a leash on you better than I thought.”

“No one was seriously injured.”

No one died or broke any bones.

I didn’t even start the fight. In a way, it was self-defense.

A bit excessive, perhaps, but isn’t this level of violence considered tame in this world?

“Yeah, well… Just don’t kill anyone.”

“Is that all?”

“...If possible, don’t cripple anyone either.”

“Ugh, alright.”

I'm not great at controlling my strength, but I'll try my best.

“So, why did you go to the Mercenary Guild?”

“I was curious about Adventurers.”

“Adventurers? Are you interested in that side of things?”

“A little?”

Since this is a Fantasy world, after all.

Wouldn't it be romantic to go on adventures and explore the mysteries of Fantasy?

If I ever get the chance, I'd like to go on a real adventure.

“Hmm, that's unexpected. I thought guarding the house would suit you.”

“A person has more than one aptitude.”

Well, it's not like I want to abandon my current life and run away to become an adventurer.

It's just something I'd like to try before I die.

“And you got into a fight with the mercenaries there?”

“That happened, and I also wanted to test something.”

“The mercenaries’ skills?”

“Yeah, I was curious about those who make a living by the sword.”

Besides, mercenaries are practically one of the core elements of military power in this world.

I heard that hiring mercenaries is practically essential for minor Nobles when they engage in Territorial Wars.

There are many cases where the outcome is decided by which mercenary group they hire. Some Nobles even marry their daughters to the leaders of famous mercenary groups, making them their sons-in-law.

“So, how were they?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure.”

A pretty famous mercenary group got flattened by me in 3 minutes.

But they were all drunk and didn't even draw their swords.

If they had fought me in a sober state…

Well, if I use Aura, they’d be flattened in 3 minutes again.

There’s a huge difference between Aura Users and non-Aura Users.

The leader used a bit of Aura, but his proficiency was nowhere near mine.

“Still, I think I'd struggle quite a bit without Aura.”

But if neither side used Aura, it would be tough.

Aura is just broken.

Even the old man here is healthy thanks to Aura.

It’s impossible to guess his real age, considering his skills and how old he looks.

“Silver Rank is quite high.”

“Yeah, I’m planning on checking again later.”

I called out the leader for a rematch in a few days, so I can properly check again then.

“By the way, you gave gifts to the maids.”

“Ah, yeah, I bought them while I was out.”

I stopped by a high-end ornament shop on my way back yesterday and spent all my Silver Coins.

It seems I don’t have much to spend money on, so I figured I could splurge.

The maids were very happy when I gave them the ornaments.

“Hmm, you know your manners.”

“Huh? Ah, yeah, well.”

But then.

Lowell suddenly says that and glances at me.

“What are you looking at? Creepy.”

“No gift for your master?”

“Have you ever seen a trained dog give a gift to its owner?”

He was calling it training earlier, and now I’m his student?

Lowell's face scrunches up at my words.

“...It seems I haven’t socialized you enough.”

“My wild nature is just too strong.”

Did he think he could correct this body, a born lion, with such simple training?

“Come out. We need a refresher course.”

“...That’s a bit scary.”

But then.

This old man actually holds a grudge.

Still, it's training, so I sighed inwardly and came out of the doghouse.

“Let’s start with Vision Guard.”

“Ugh, you’re totally planning on hitting me.”

“Take your position, sandbag.”

So, that day, I got beaten up while training my Guard.

*

After my first outing.

I went out the next day and the day after that, too.

“We’ll dress you up again today!”

For two days, after receiving the gifts, I couldn't resist the increasingly enthusiastic maids and went out all dressed up.

“...I’ll go in casual clothes today.”

“Aww, you looked so cool yesterday.”

Today’s destination requires it, so I declined and wore the casual clothes I wore before.

“I’ll ask you next time.”

“Alright!”

Well, at least now.

It seems their goodwill won’t decrease just because I refuse a few times.

The gifts were really effective.

It was worth buying such expensive things.

Although I still haven’t given the Young Lady her gift, which was the most expensive.

Anyway.

“Have a good day.”

“Yes.”

I received the gatekeeper's greeting again and went outside the mansion.

“Huu.”

This scenery is familiar now that I've seen it for four days straight.

The feelings I felt the first time are gone, and now it just looks like a forest and a mansion.

…My emotions seem to wear off quickly, but what can I do? It’s just how I am.

So, I walked through the streets at a slightly faster pace.

I quickly passed the high-end commercial district where I wandered around yesterday and the day before.

And headed straight to the Mercenary Guild in the common commercial district.

*Clank*

I arrived at the Mercenary Guild a little earlier than last time.

The inside was similar to before.

The faint smell of iron and the scent of spices from the tavern.

But one thing was different.

“....”

“...You’ve arrived.”

Before, the mercenaries were raising a ruckus.

Now they sit in heavy silence.

These bastards, they all came.

I thought only the leader would show up.

“You’re right on time.”

And they’re all fine after getting their asses kicked by me.

Guess they’re Silver-Rank Adventurers for a reason.

…Are they all here because they’re planning to jump me?

I guess, since they were drunk when I beat them…

If they’re sober and fully prepared, they might try something.

Since I didn’t show them my full strength, I kept that possibility in mind, ready to use Track at any moment, and sat down.

But….

“So… what do you want us to do?”

Judging by the mercenary leader’s expression and tone, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

This heavy atmosphere wasn’t them getting ready to fight, but them being cautious.

“Why so polite? I figured you’d have a change of heart once you sobered up.”

“…Before a seasoned Aura User? Never.”

“Aha.”

He noticed, huh?

Well, he uses Aura too, and I completely wrecked him.

He probably thinks I’m a hidden Aura User or a Knight in disguise.

“So that’s why you’re all so respectful.”

“Yes…”

Having mercenaries, some twice my age, acting so politely was surprisingly familiar.

After all, even the old Gladiators in the Colosseum groveled before me.

This mansion is the weird one.

Me, the Colosseum’s youngest Champion, reduced to a house dog.

It really shows the power of the Void Family.

“Leader, your name is Jebeon-i, right?”

“Yes…”

“Alright, Yeongyeok’s Jebeon, come here.”

“You don’t have to use my title…”

“Got a problem with it?”

“No, sir…”

My natural condescension made Mercenary Leader Jebeon-i flinch.

But he obediently came over to me.

“Take this.”

I handed him the Silver Coins I’d gotten as an advance from Lowell yesterday.

“This is…”

“I have something for you to do, and I figure you’ll need the money.”

“What kind of job requires this much…”

There’s a specific reason I called Jebeon-i over.

It’s nothing other than…

“You know how to forge identities, right?”

“Huh?”

“You must have connections in the underworld.”

I’m going to have him make me a backup identity, separate from Slave Rain.

“Why an identity…?”

“Don’t ask questions. Make the identity and put it down as the newest member of your Mercenary Group.”

It’s better to have it prepared in case I need it, right?

Plus, having my name listed in a renowned Mercenary Group like this will make the fake identity even more effective.

“This is so sudden…”

“Can’t do it?”

“No… I can do it, but…”

However,

Jebeon-i clearly looked uncomfortable with my proposal.

Well, yeah.

He probably doesn’t like some kid half his age bossing him around just because he can use Aura.

Especially since it’s something that could affect the Mercenary Group he worked so hard to build.

“I’m not asking you to do this for free.”

Actually, you shouldn’t ask someone who holds a grudge against you, especially one earned through whippings, to do important tasks.

You have to offer a carrot to get the job done right.

“You know you can’t use Fleet properly, right?”

“Yes…”

“Want me to teach you?”

“…Huh?”

And it’s even better if the carrot makes the previous whippings feel like trials to earn a reward.

“A-are you serious…?”

“Basic Fleet, at least.”

Jebeon-i stared at me, seemingly unable to believe I’d teach him Fleet.

Aura Users are basically Knights.

As such, Fleet is a basic technique all Knights learn, but since Knights usually don’t associate with mercenaries, I understand his reaction.

“Don’t worry about whether I *can* use it.”

I said, holding up the badge I’d just taken.

“Wh-what?”

A shiny gold badge shaped like a sword and shield.

That’s right, it’s Jebeon-i’s Gold Badge, the symbol of a Gold-Rank mercenary.

“When…”

“*This* is true Fleet.”

Even among Aura Users, there’s a huge difference between knowing the basics and not.

Just like Jebeon-i, who couldn’t even react, let alone resist, when I took his mercenary badge.

“If… if I make the identity, will you really teach me?”

“Yeah, as long as the identity is good.”

Jebeon-i gaped, his eyes shining.

He looked like he’d just grabbed a golden opportunity.

He’ll do the job properly.

“Of course, if I cross-check it and find anything wrong…”

Still, I should have some insurance.

I made a gesture of slicing my neck with the badge.

“Then you’re out of luck.”

“…Yes, sir.”

“See you later.”

With that, I got up from my seat.

“W-wait, but my mercenary badge…”

“I’ll give it back when you bring the identity.”

I heard this is like an ID card for mercenaries.

Apparently, it’s a huge pain to get a replacement, so they can’t lose it.

“Huh?”

“What? Just make it.”

I’ll give it back when he brings the identity, simple as that.

I won’t need this badge in the Capital anyway.

If I need authentication in a hurry, I can use my subordinates.

They're all Silver-Rank, so they should be enough to vouch for Jebeon-i's identity as their leader.

They were a bunch of drunks who got beaten up by me, but…

Seeing them sober now, they seem more capable than I thought.

The fact that none of them have even a single bandage after I beat them up shows how tough this Mercenary Group is.

I tend to hit pretty hard.

“Alright, see ya. Let’s meet in a week.”

With that, I set our next meeting and left the Mercenary Guild.

“Hmm.”

Once outside, I examined the Gold Badge.

It looks pretty good, should I keep it?

I’ll see how he makes the identity next week.

As I’ve always thought,

This is a connection, so I won’t let it go easily.

I’ll make good use of it.