Chapter 31: The Anxious Mercenaries
Xanli Mittel, a senior mercenary, once single-handedly killed a second-level monster during the intermediate [Harmony] phase. She is a highly anticipated newcomer, yet now she walks the streets of Sis City with a sense of unease.
Because she just received orders from the Mercenary Division, stating that five mercenaries, including her, are needed to assist a very likely Intermediate [Broken Army] level strongman. The target of their assistance is the notorious King of Ogres, Meme, who is infamous among mercenaries below the Iron rank.
Xanli is not afraid of death; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so enthusiastic about the mercenary profession. As a woman, she wields her weapon against monsters just like men. It’s because she needs to support her three younger siblings and bedridden mother. With some innate talent in combat since childhood, she naturally became a mercenary, where the mortality rate is as high as the pay. Fortunately, she possesses rare dedication, a bit of luck, and a determination to protect those in need. These factors have made her what she is today, a super rookie known as the “Butterfly of Sunflowers.”
However, she was extremely nervous about meeting the intermediate [Breakthrough] level expert for the first time, a realm she had dreamed of reaching. Moreover, this individual was capable of killing dozens of monsters in an instant with tree branches.
“I hope I can perform well in front of the senior.” Xanli murmured with a trembling voice, feeling suddenly the urge to use the restroom as she clutched her stomach.
“Hmm… feels like running away.” Even Xanli, who could smile in the face of monsters, had forgotten how to leave a good impression with a smile in front of that senior.
Lost in her thoughts, Xanli had already arrived at the entrance of the mercenary division.
“Ah!” Xanli exclaimed, looking at the figure in front of her with some surprise.
“Isn’t this Emerald Star?”
The girl who was called turned back to look at Xanli and smiled with a somewhat stiff face.
“Hello, Butterfly of Sunflowers. It’s been half a year, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, but I usually don’t see you at the division. Why are you lingering outside the door today?”
“Ah, that’s a good question. I’m so nervous I can’t even move my legs properly.” Emerald Star waved her hand, trying to appear natural, but to Xanli, she seemed to move like a puppet.
“Don’t you know? A super strong individual equivalent to the [Breakthrough] or even [Emperor] level has arrived at our Sis City branch. This time, they’ve assigned me and four other mercenaries to assist this person.”
“You too?!”
“What do you mean? Were you also chosen? Ah! Right! It’s Harrytu, that colorful-haired guy, on duty this week! He must have recommended us!”
“Um, let’s not gossip behind others’ backs. Besides, this is also an opportunity to perform in front of our senior.” Xanli looked at Emerald Star, who seemed even more nervous than herself, and felt a sense of balance in her heart. Her attempt to comfort her was also a way to encourage herself indirectly.
Emerald Star took a deep breath.
“Yeah, that’s the strong individual who can tear apart dozens of second-level monsters bare-handed in an instant. Since we’re here to assist, we must demonstrate our worth. If we can impress the senior with our abilities, even better.”
“Yeah,” Xanli echoed Emerald Star’s words, but she couldn’t help but wonder, how could someone tear apart dozens of monsters bare-handed?
“Alright, let’s go in. It wouldn’t leave a good impression if we keep the senior waiting.” Emerald Star stiffly stepped forward, while Xanli muttered behind her. She had arrived an hour early, but even then, she was much slower than Emerald Star. It seemed that Emerald Star had probably arrived two or three hours early, indicating a much more nervous attitude than her own.
In comparison, Xanli, who originally had a stomach ache, now feels much better.
The mercenary branch, which they had entered and exited hundreds of times, now appeared unfamiliar to the two of them. Inside, there were still many mercenaries dressed in black robes, but Xanli and Emerald Star were too preoccupied to pay attention to these people.
“Oh! Are you here, Butterfly of Sunflowers, Emerald Star, this way!”
The one speaking is the bald man, Harrytu. He’s a lecherous fellow who has propositioned Emerald Star several times in the past, only to be violently rejected each time. Yet, Harrytu persists in expressing his love to Emerald Star, as if some kind of attribute within him has awakened, finding joy in it.
“Harrytu! Was it you, you jerk, who recommended me here?” Emerald Star came up and gave Harrytu a solid slap on the head. The loud noise attracted a lot of attention, and what was surprising was that Harrytu, who theoretically should be angry, instead rubbed his head with a very enjoyable look, answering nonchalantly.
“Yeah, after all, with the strength of advanced mercenaries, my dear friends and lovers, there are only you four!”
“Who’s your lover!” Emerald Star gritted her teeth and glared at the jerk, but Harrytu just waved his hand.
“I didn’t say it’s you. Why jump to conclusions?”
Emerald Star, who knew she had been tricked again by this lecherous bald man, was furious, but a middle-aged man standing nearby with his arms crossed quickly stopped her with his voice.
“Alright, Emerald Star, this time we’re all assistants to that senior. Don’t embarrass the senior.”
“Ah!”
Upon seeing Harrytu, she forgot her nervousness in anger, but now she regained the atmosphere and said somewhat anxiously.
“Shating Iron Sword, so you’ve come too.”
“Yes, after all, he’s such a powerful figure. Even if I can only offer meager assistance, as long as I can witness a move or two of a Warbreaker or even an Emperor-level expert with my own eyes, this trip won’t have been in vain.”
“Mr. Shating Iron Sword is still as obsessed with martial arts as ever!” Xanli felt more reassured as more people arrived. As long as she wasn’t facing them alone, even encountering such powerful individuals wouldn’t make her lose her composure.
“Oh~ Have you all arrived? It seems Harrytu, it’s really your doing!” The newcomer was a flashy and handsome young mercenary, with both earrings and tattoos indicating his rebellious nature. However, being a mercenary, such behavior was not unusual.
“Harrytu, come clean. Did you make up a lie to gather us all here for some secret business?”
“A lie?”
“Yeah! It must be a lie. After all, this is a city of merchants. Where would we find powerful individuals stationed in this city? Although there might be Emperor or even Sovereign-level figures in the city center, they must be affiliated with the kingdom’s military. As for mercenaries, even the branch leaders seem to only possess Emperor-level strength. How could there be individuals equivalent to Warbreaker or even Emperor-level here in such a weak spot for mercenaries?”
“But there really is.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll call him out now. Just wait a moment.”
“W-wait, hold on!” The rebellious mercenary honestly admitted defeat, patting his chest and taking a few deep breaths before speaking.
“Alright, go ahead and call him.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect Wind Slasher Ghost to also know what nerves are.” Xanli couldn’t believe she was seeing this rebellious mercenary so nervous for the first time. Though he had been skeptical before, seeing Harrytu’s expression must have made him realize the gravity of the situation and feel uneasy.
“Wait a moment, weren’t there supposed to be five assistants? It seems one is missing.”
“This… Actually, the additional person is on par with Mr. 123, possessing considerable strength, but because of registering as a mercenary for the first time, they aim to become an iron-level mercenary in one go. Well, that’s also what the division head intended. With the two of them working together on missions, things should be much simpler relatively, and your pressure should also ease up a bit.”
Harrytu’s words immediately increased the pressure on the three people other than Shating Iron Sword, making them even more distressed. This was far from being a little lighter pressure; it was like having a Beiyuan dog placed on their heads!
