Chapter 35. Newbie

The mercenaries' nerve war grew more and more ominous as time passed.

“Do you all really want to die today?”

“Try me! Just because you’re a little famous doesn't mean you can get cocky….”

Even amidst all this, they only raised their voices, not their swords.

Huh, what kind of fight is this?

It might look tense to those around, but to me, it didn't seem like they’d actually fight even if time passed.

At most, it’d end in a fistfight.

Damn mercenaries, they sure do protect themselves.

Well, I get it. If they get into a pointless fight and lose an arm, their lives are ruined.

Still, it's disappointing for a spectator like me.

“Here’s your food…”

“Ah, thank you.”

Just in case, I watched while tearing into the grilled sausage the waiter brought me.

“Should I just fucking drown them?”

“Everyone, get your weapons ready.”

“Oh ho, you think we won’t?”

Just kept talking about fighting or not fighting…

Drawing weapons or not…

What a joke.

If one side was drunk, they would have started a fistfight already.

But that wasn’t the case.

“It was delicious.”

“Ah, yes…”

I put down the sausage and stood up.

Meanwhile, the waiter, probably scared a fight would break out, kept standing next to me.

Did I look somewhat safe?

He’s pretty perceptive.

Anyways…

“Seriously… Bunch of pussies. No wonder you’re just a little kid’s lackey…”

Figuring it was the perfect time to butt in, I walked closer.

“What’d you say about the kid?”

“Huh?”

Speak of the devil.

As I interjected, Jebeon’s gaze turned towards me.

…That bastard, he was aware of me, huh?

No wonder he was so quiet.

“You’re…”

“Got a problem with me?”

Ignoring Jebeon for now, I approached the leader of the opposing group.

“Hey Jebeon, who’s this?”

“...He’s the leader of the Azure Bird Mercenary Group.”

“He usually operate around here?”

“He recently came to the Capital.”

Azure Bird Mercenary Group, huh…

Glancing at the other mercenaries' badges, I saw a mix of Silver Rank and Copper Rank.

At least there are quite a few of them.

“No wonder you’re so puffed up.”

I said, stepping closer to the guy wearing a Gold Badge, obviously the mercenary leader.

He’s a bit young, maybe mid-30s?

Right in his prime.

“Th, this bastard…”

He was muscular, but…

He faltered after seeing me up close.

Well, I’m much bigger than him.

And the obviously expensive-looking Buff Coat and the Garret’s Longsword at my hip, without even a scabbard…

Plus, I actually styled my hair today, so I must look pretty intimidating.

“I asked if you had a problem with me.”

From what I overheard earlier, it seemed like Jebeon was being looked down on because of me, so I figured I should make an impression.

*Thump, thud.*

I lightly patted his shoulder, and he trembled, unable to do anything.

He was probably trying to size me up.

Sorry, but I wasn’t planning on waiting.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

*Whack!*

“Ack!”

I kicked his shin, and he dropped to his knees.

“Uh, ugh…”

Maybe this is too much, but…

Well, it’s fine here.

Strength is power in this place.

Plus, I have backing.

I can wield my power as I please.

Just because I play the role of a guard dog in the Mansion doesn't mean I have to act like one outside.

“I said, speak.”

After all, I’m a butcher who’s been a Gladiator for over six years.

Being a bastard is in my blood.

“N, no problem…”

“Then why’d you start shit?”

“Th, that’s…”

But…

It seemed like they were fighting for a different reason.

The 'kid' comment was probably meant to provoke Jebeon.

“Hey Jebeon, why were you fighting?”

“...They started it.”

“So why did they start it?”

I turned to look at Jebeon.

It’s not like he’s slow, so why beat around the bush?

“...Come out.”

Unable to withstand my gaze, Jebeon finally spoke, and a hooded man stepped out from behind his men.

The newbie I saw earlier. Was the fight because of him?

“Take off your hood.”

At my command, the newbie removed his hood.

“Hm?”

I was surprised by what I saw.

An Asian?

“He’s a friend from the East.”

“Nice to meet you, big friend. I come from a faraway land.”

A rather handsome Asian man with long hair tied back.

To see a fellow Asian in this world full of Westerners…

“He doesn't speak the language well?”

“...His skills are certain. He’s gained quite a reputation recently.”

It’s nice to see another Asian, but… I wonder if we’ll be able to communicate.

He does seem like a decent fighter.

The fact that he came all the way from the East means he must be skilled.

“Well, nice to meet you. So, did this guy start trouble because of him?”

“...Yes, since he’s a foreigner.”

“Then why’d you rise to the bait?”

“His skills and credibility are assured. He’s better than the others.”

This guy’s a meritocrat, huh?

He seemed to be watching my reaction, worried I might dislike this foreign worker from the East.

If he’s so worried, why did he even hire him?

“I don’t care, so don’t worry. More importantly…”

*Whoosh-*

I pulled my foot back.

And then…

* * *

Thwack!

A dagger slammed into the ground right where my foot had been.

This little shit. I’d noticed him fidgeting while I was talking, thought he was up to something cute. Good thing I dodged.

“Y-You…”

His face was beet red. Seemed pretty pissed off.

“Is this guy a bit slow?”

I said, swinging the foot I’d pulled back.

Wham!

“Oof!”

I’d kicked him pretty hard, sending the Mercenary Leader sprawling.

“Seems like a hothead. And rude, too.”

“He's still alive, surprisingly.”

“He seems pretty skilled, though.”

Oh yeah? Well, he *did* stab at my foot pretty quickly.

He stumbled, but got right back up.

“Needs a lesson.”

Seeing that, I walked towards the wobbling idiot.

Then…

“Hey, stop.”

Some big lug, probably one of his underlings, blocked my path.

“Yo.”

Looking at the musclehead, I raised my hand high.

Naturally, even though he’s big, I’m taller.

“T-To the Leader…”

Seeing me, already tall, stretch my hand even higher seemed to intimidate the lug. He flinched.

Slap!!

“Gah!”

My raised hand connected with his face. Unable to withstand the impact, he tumbled to the ground.

“Bastard, blocking my way?”

Crunch—Crunch.

“Ugh…”

I stepped right over the rolling lug, stopping in front of the now-composed Mercenary Leader.

This is kinda reminding me of Jebeon-i.

At least Jebeon-i was drunk. This guy? Real man, gotta admit.

“This little shit…”

He’d moved past the dagger and now had drawn a sword from his hip.

“Put the sword away.”

“What?”

“Put the sword away, or your mercenary group disbands today.”

I didn’t want to make a big deal out of this. If he swung that thing, a mid-sized mercenary group would be gone by nightfall.

“Decide quick.”

It was his choice, so I waited.

Then…

“Ugh…”

He seemed to regain his senses, sheathing his sword.

“Why’d you draw it if you’re just gonna put it away, asshole?”

Thud!

“Urgh!”

I kicked him again and looked around.

His fallen underlings glared at me, but they looked scared.

The onlookers surrounding us remained silent, watching.

Not a bad atmosphere.

“Hey, take this guy and get out of here.”

I jerked my chin at the downed Leader for the nearest guy.

He was clutching where I’d hit him and couldn’t get up, but he was a pretty tough mercenary, so he wasn’t seriously injured.

“Y-Yes…”

Just like that, along with the lug I’d knocked down, the mercenaries Jebeon-i had been facing earlier ran off.

“Phew.”

I settled onto a conveniently placed, abandoned chair.

Beckon.

Then, I gestured to the newbie who’d been on my Mind.

“Hey, Samurai, come here.”

“You… know Samurai?”

“Of course I do.”

I wondered, but he really was a Samurai?

Well, this world has knights, why not Eastern Samurai?

“Show me your weapon.”

“Need… Leader permission.”

The Samurai said in broken Common, looking at Jebeon-i.

Seemed like he valued orders.

“…Just do whatever he says.”

“Understood.”

After Jebeon-i gave permission, the newbie Samurai drew a slender sword from his hip.

“Oh, a katana.”

Seeing it, I was impressed. A real katana.

“Not katana. Katana.”

“Right, Katana.”

There probably wasn’t a Japan here. Still pretty cool.

“You know Samurai?”

“Yeah, I read about them.”

Jebeon-i looked at me curiously, surprised I knew about Samurai.

Well, I probably look pretty clueless most of the time.

Still, there’s no way I wouldn’t know about Samurai.

“On… back…”

“Naginata. Spear from my home.”

“Aha.”

Some kind of Japanese spear?

More importantly, looking inside the hood that had been revealed when he drew his sword, his armor also had a strong Samurai vibe.

Did he bring all of this from his homeland?

He must be skilled, judging by the fact that no one stole that special-looking armor.

“Jebeon-i.”

“Yes.”

“See that open space back there? Ask if we can borrow it.”

“Huh?”

A skilled Samurai… couldn’t resist.

“Hey Samurai, let’s spar.”

“Fight? Good.”

“Hey, Hans! Bring a wooden sword.”

He seemed interesting. Had to spar with him.

Had to experience this world’s Eastern martial arts.