Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 6: The First Expedition (2).

Gradually, dawn broke. It was like a silent scream. Watching the sun tearing through the darkness and being born, people harbored their own hopes in their hearts.

The four mercenary groups entered the demon lands as the sky lightened. The hard, long-neglected dirt path was already settled with yellow, dead leaves like decorations. The sound of the leaves crunching underfoot pierced through the eerie air and drilled into people’s ears like an awl.

The demon lands were clearly different from an ordinary forest. Unlike the cozy dawn forest, this place was filled with sticky, dark energy.

…Death. It was clearly a vivid death. Allen felt death here, for sure. Like the dizzying despair of standing on a cliff with a thousand-foot drop visible.

Just by stepping into the demon lands, he clearly realized with his skin that game and reality were different.

The virtual realm was not merely a place to come and go with a few clicks of a mouse, like an outhouse. It was a terrifying death land where one had to advance with the blade of death at their throat.

Born timid, Allen’s body found it difficult to endure the brutal air. …However, Ji-hoo endured it. He opened his eyes wide, straightened his back, and tensed his legs.

‘Endure. I must endure it. Now, I too, must go out.’

He recalled his life on Earth. Shrunk by repeated failures. Trapped in a tiny room, avoiding reality. Wanting to escape yet ultimately unable to leave. Himself-.

Allen, Ji-hoo, stepped forward step by step. Without stopping.

The dark sky soon brightened.

However, the dense trees of the forest allowed only the minimum light necessary for survival, thoroughly blocking the rest. Because of this, even in the morning when the sun was up, the forest remained dark and gloomy. Still, the ominous energy had somewhat dissipated.

“Break—!”

With Charlotte’s booming shout, a flag resembling a blue butterfly fluttered. The four mercenary groups stopped marching at that signal and sprawled out on the spot.

“Damn it, no matter how many times I come to the demon lands, I just can’t get used to this forest.”

Bald Dolkin pressed his large, flat buttocks into the dirt floor as he muttered. Everyone seemed to agree, adding their own comments.

Captain Aiden quickly scanned the porters who followed and then quietly sat next to Allen.

“It seems there are no problems.”

“Really? …That’s a relief.”

“Is Group Leader, alright?”

A noble, like a flower grown in a greenhouse, surely couldn’t easily endure the air of the borderlands that even the worn-out mercenaries find hard to bear. The captain’s voice already harbored such thoughts.

However, Allen waved his hand lightly as if it was nothing significant. The captain was relieved, thinking that Allen wasn’t as cowardly as the rumors had suggested. He had been quite worried that he might have to play the role of a nanny in the demon lands, but fortunately, it seemed that wouldn’t be necessary. …Of course, it was still too early to be certain.

“I should improve my stamina next time. I didn’t expect to be out of breath just from this.”

As Allen muttered to himself, the bald man with a loose tongue couldn’t help but chime in.

“The best way to build stamina is actually through sex. Khehheh.”

Dolkin’s joke eased the tension that had risen to the back of his neck.

“Then, if three do it together, is the efficiency tripled?”

“Fuck…, are you a genius…?”

“Idiot.”

After hearing a few rounds of such banter, the short break was over. This time too, Charlotte loudly announced the end of the break. People, already feeling their bodies heavier, groaned as they got up and lined up again. And soon, the march resumed.

They walked and rested until the sun was almost at its zenith, finally reaching near the entrance of the mine.

Of course, there was also a fortress built of stones, similar to the entrance. However, the surroundings were as quiet as a mouse. Not to mention any sign of people, there wasn’t even the usual sound of birds.

The subjugation force entered the fortress slowly, maintaining a perimeter watch. Everyone moved stealthily, even silencing their footsteps.

The fortress attacked by the monster was in complete disarray. Not only the carts loaded with goods but also the copper smelting facilities were almost destroyed. Moreover, faint bloodstains that had not yet been erased were sporadically visible among the debris on the ground.

“Phew, it’s been completely ransacked.”

The murmur of one of the members flew like an arrow and lodged in the ears of his colleagues. As he said, the mining fortress was completely ransacked by the monster.

After confirming that there was nothing left inside the fortress, the extermination team finally relaxed and straightened their bent backs. Allen also calmed his pounding heart and looked up at the fairly high stone wall.

‘…Did those things jump over this.’

The height of the stone wall was roughly estimated to be thirteen or fourteen meters. With such a height, most monsters wouldn’t dare to approach, but unfortunately, they happened to be caught by a pack of demon hounds wandering the demon lands….

Given their intelligence, they must be secretly hiding nearby, waiting for humans to enter this place again.

Allen pondered, ‘Would it be better to fight them from the fortress or outside….’

Considering their jumping ability, it seemed better to fight with the fortress at their back. The combat power bonus of the fortress in Guild Master is as much as 3, after all.

Of course, there’s a chance of ending up like a rat in a trap if things go wrong, but there was also the risk of being picked off one by one outside the fortress. In that case, it’s better to at least receive a combat power bonus. To the higher-ranking mercenaries, a 3 might not be much, but it’s certainly a significant figure for the lower-ranking ones.

…It wasn’t for nothing that they followed, right?

Allen suddenly felt a surge of fear when he imagined fighting the monster. It wasn’t the kind of emotion that could be easily overcome by just mustering up courage.

Primitive fear—. Ji-hoo, who had lived on an Earth without such crises for over thirty years, found it difficult to easily accept a situation where he could actually die.

But, but—!

He had to overcome it. There was no other way. To survive, he had to pull himself together. Because if he was consumed by fear, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

Allen barely managed to calm himself. He continuously reminded himself of the weight of his position as the group leader.

If I fall, everything falls apart—.

Then, there was a call for someone. Allen quickly turned his head towards the direction of the sound. It seemed Charlotte was gathering the group leaders and the captains, probably to discuss the future plans.

“Aiden, come.”

“Yes, Group Leader.”

Allen walked briskly with Captain Aiden towards where Charlotte was. Despite the soles of his feet burning from the march, he did not show it. It was like the pride of a South Korean reserve force sergeant who had gone through much tougher military life. There was also a considerable mix of noble pride in it.

Charlotte still regarded Allen with disdain. However, she did not overtly show it. She needed to present herself as a wise and generous leader.

Two group leaders and two temporary group leaders, along with four captains, a total of eight, gathered around. Of course, in terms of experience, Charlotte was far behind the captains, but her position as the lord’s granddaughter gave her the strongest voice. She led the conversation from a dominant position.

“What should we do? Does anyone have an opinion?”

Everyone just looked at each other, keeping their mouths shut. They probably didn’t want to stick their necks out and end up being blamed.

Reading their minds, Charlotte seized the moment to express her opinion.

“I wonder if we really need to fight them outside the fortress.”

Then, one of the captains spoke up with a tone of concern.

“According to eyewitnesses, the monster that attacked this place jumped over the stone walls. If we’re not careful, we could end up isolated here, right? Then we might lose any chance to escape….”

The commander who spoke noticed Charlotte’s unusual demeanor and trailed off, glancing around.

“A way to escape…? Without even fighting, you’re already thinking of running away, are you?”

That’s where the fundamental difference between an employer and an employee was revealed.

The employer had to complete the mission by any means, while the employee had to save their life by any means.

“No, well, still, shouldn’t we consider the worst-case scenario, I mean, that…”

Upon hearing this, Charlotte’s voice rose slightly.

“There are thirty mercenaries here, thirty. But if you get scared first, what are you suggesting? Then even a battle we could win becomes a loss.”

‘Oh—’

Allen, though brash, admired Charlotte’s courageous attitude. Truly befitting of a [Talented].

‘…Looks like there’s no need for me to step in.’

He, sharing the same opinion, chimed in to strengthen her right to speak. There was absolutely no other intention.

“I too share the Lady’s opinion.”

Then, Charlotte’s sharp gaze landed on him. Realizing his mistake belatedly, Allen corrected his form of address.

“No, the opinion of Group Leader Charlotte. …I think there’s no need to go out and face enemies from all sides. Rather, the limited space inside the fortress will restrict their movements.”

Charlotte was somewhat annoyed by Allen, who had supported her opinion. It felt as if he had completely taken over her idea. So, she emphasized her point once again.

“That’s exactly what I meant. It may seem like we are trapped, but in fact, we can control their movements. As long as we don’t get scared and fight well.”

“…Listening to it, you’re right. I will do as the young la…, no, as Group Leader Charlotte wishes.”

Everyone but Allen bowed their heads slightly and agreed.

Fortunately, it seemed the ball was in Charlotte’s court, just as she wanted.