Chapter 20: New Encounters #2

Chapter 20: New Encounters #2

Thwack-

The elf leaped onto the table.

Her movements were light and agile, like a feather.

“What are you doing? Not coming?”

The men hesitated, unable to charge forward under her cold, condescending gaze.

Certainly, in terms of numbers alone, the group of six should have the advantage, but the scene unfolding before their eyes was entirely different.

It was like a confrontation between a solitary, noble leopard and a pack of stray dogs.

The elf had already completely dominated the situation with her sheer presence.

‘This changes things. This will be interesting.’

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, watching the fight with keen interest.

While the men hesitated, looking like they might charge but not quite committing…

The elf moved first.

Swish-

‘What? Where did she go?’

The elf, who had been on the table, vanished in an instant.

I wasn’t the only one who felt that.

Flora’s eyes widened, and while the men were looking around bewildered…

Only Wagner was looking upwards.

Following his gaze, I saw…

“Hyaat!”

The elf, with her right foot raised high in the air like an axe.

Her posture was both terrifying and elegant.

Then, with her long hair flying, she plummeted to the ground like a streak of red lightning.

BOOM-

Wow, shit.

I thought a bomb had dropped.

A crater about a meter in diameter was formed in the middle of the tavern.

I know that technique.

The power of the fighter’s formidable skill, “Thunderclap Kick.”

I never expected there to be an adventurer in the frontier with this level of skill.

‘She’s quite something.’

One of the thugs was brutally embedded in the center of the crater…

And another, who barely dodged, had his arm twisted at an unnatural angle.

At this moment, the outcome of the battle was already decided.

“What was that? M-m-madness…”

The men’s voices trembled uncontrollably.

After witnessing that impossible aerial kick, they had all lost the will to fight.

“Come on, you bastards.”

Hook, hook.

The elf shifted her stance, stepping in place.

Her burning gaze was that of a true predator.

Meeting that gaze, one of the men dropped his dagger.

“Kch, ugh…”

Whoosh.

When she looked at another man, he too lowered his weapon and backed away.

Is this what they call Conqueror’s Haki?

Once fear spreads, it becomes uncontrollable.

Without a word, the men fled.

“Idiots.”

The elf scoffed, her voice laced with disappointment.

Then, she picked up a bottle of alcohol rolling on the floor, took a swig, and began diligently collecting the scattered gold coins.

‘It’s definitely her. That must be…’

As far as I know, elves are not common in the Garden Frontier.

And an elf who chooses the path of a brawler is even rarer.

Yes, that must be Mitchell.

I approached the elf.

“You’re Mitchell, right?”

Glare.

The elf, who had been picking up gold coins, glared at me with a look that said, ‘Who are you?’

My heart sank for a moment.

With just one kick like the one I saw earlier, my body could easily be split in two.

The elf narrowed her eyes, then reached out and unceremoniously pulled off my hood.

“What’s this, kid? You know me?”

Her gaze was different from the hostile one she had directed at the men earlier.

It was a look of condescension, as if she were addressing a mere child.

“I do. We were supposed to join a party, right?”

“That’s right.”

“I’m Estel, the party leader.”

Mitchell’s eyes widened in surprise.

Then, she immediately began to roughly tousle my hair.

“What a joke. Kid, why are you at a tavern looking so out of place? Go bring your older sister. Estel, I mean.”

“That’s me.”

My hair a mess, I raised my voice.

“Oh, really? Is our little one also an adventurer? Wow, how impressive. Let’s talk again when that baby fat leaves your face, okay? So soft and cute, tsk.”

Oh, I’ve had enough.

Tap-

As I pushed away her hands that were treating me like a toy, the smile vanished from Mitchell’s lips.

Looking at her up close, I realized this elf’s facial expressions are quite varied.

Beautiful, then scary, then beautiful again… mostly scary, though.

Her face is captivating, no matter how much I look.

The next moment, shadows fell over Mitchell’s and my faces.

“What’s this bear doing here?”

As Wagner stood beside me, Mitchell’s attitude became overtly wary.

“She’s Estel, an adventurer.”

“⋯What?”

“She’s not a kid. This girl is Estel. A full-fledged adventurer.”

Wagner said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

“And I’m not a bear.”

“No, but if this kid is really-“

Mitchell scowled, her face full of emotion, and examined me slowly.

At that moment.

“Mitchell, get out here now!”

The tavern door burst open roughly, and armed soldiers poured in.

Trailing behind them were the men who had fled the earlier commotion.

“Hah.”

Mitchell laughed, as if finding the situation absurd.

However, unlike her previous fight, her expression was not one of complete ease.

The soldiers who had just entered were the notorious “Garden Vigilantes.”

They were unrelated to the Imperial Guard and were merely a private organization formed by powerful Garden adventurers…

But they were professional fighters.

They were incomparable to the stray dogs of the gambling den. The quality of their equipment alone was different.

Even the agile Mitchell would find it difficult to perform a solo rampage against the Vigilantes.

“I knew it was you. I’ve always found your arrogant behavior bothersome… and now you’ve finally caused trouble.”

Dawson, the leader of the Vigilantes, said, his brow furrowed.

I recognize him.

This guy is quite strong.

He’s a named character in the frontier.

Although his personality is terrible and I wouldn’t want him as a party member, his skills are undeniable.

‘And that mace.’

I recognized the mace hanging on Dawson’s back at a glance.

“Garden’s Meteor.”

A unique artifact based on an Imperial steel mace.

‘That’s really useful.’

It looks delicious.

I wiped the drool from my mouth, which had involuntarily fallen open.

I absolutely must get my hands on that before leaving Garden.

“If you’re going to sit at a gambling table, you should just gamble quietly. What’s with the disturbance, pointy-ears?”

“⋯!”

At Dawson’s insult, Mitchell’s eyes immediately flared.

It felt like lasers were shooting from her eyes.

This must be what they call killing intent, the kind that can kill with a single glare.

“⋯If you’re openly cheating, should I just stand by and watch?”

Mitchell spat out the words, barely suppressing her anger.

“Cheating? Where’s the proof? From what I hear, it’s just your one-sided claim.”

“Of course. Shit, everyone else is in on it with me.”

“Ah, so you decided to be the judge yourself? How admirable, oh guardian of justice. It must be easy to make money. Just shout ‘cheating’ and beat everyone up, and it’s over. I should learn from you.”

Dawson sneered.

The situation was increasingly unfavorable for Mitchell.

While it’s true that Mitchell lacked proof, Dawson was actually backing the group of cheaters.

This is what those who call themselves vigilantes usually do.

“Mitchell, stop talking and come with me. There are no exceptions for pointy-ears. In Garden, everyone must follow Garden’s rules.”

“If you’re confident, drag me away, you idiot. I’m not moving an inch on my own, so know that.”

“You’re going to be like that?”

Dawson smiled leisurely, as if he had expected this.

At Dawson’s nod, the vigilantes, armed with swords and shields, surrounded Mitchell.

“Ah, humans don’t know how to fight one-on-one? Damn bastards-“

Mitchell gritted her teeth.

Just then.

Wagner stepped in front of Dawson.

This intervention changed the situation.

Mitchell looked at him with a bewildered expression, wondering who this guy was.

Dawson took a step back, feeling intimidated.

“Are you siding with the pointy-ear now? Who are you?”

“⋯Party member.”

“What?”

“Right, Estel?”

Wagner asked, looking back at me.

“Well, for now.”

“So it seems.”

Thud-

Wagner slammed his shield heavily onto the floor, then placed his clasped hands on top of it.

“My duty is to protect my party members. So I can’t just pretend not to see this.”

Wow.

Wagner, this guy is quite decent.

I underestimated him because he wasn’t a named character, but he has a lot of loyalty.

‘However, the current situation is difficult to resolve with loyalty alone.’

A tense, precarious standoff ensued.

Even with Wagner’s intervention, Dawson’s Vigilantes still had the advantage.

“Bear, don’t get ahead of yourself. Did I ask for your help? And why am I your party member?”

“Be quiet and focus on the opponent in front of you.”

“Ah, are you ignoring me right now?”

Mitchell glared at Dawson and grumbled incessantly at Wagner.

At this point, I had to intervene.

It’s too early to fight the Vigilantes.

⋯Not yet, anyway.

I moved closer to Wagner.

The height difference was so significant that it gave off a father-and-young-daughter vibe, which was a bit embarrassing…

“You said everyone in Garden must follow Garden’s rules, right? Dawson, then you should follow those words first.”

“⋯Are you with them too?”

“Think whatever you want. More importantly, let me ask you something. Since when did the Vigilantes take responsibility for handing over criminals instead of the Guard?”

At my point, Dawson’s lips twitched in displeasure.

But he had nothing to say.

No matter how imposing the Vigilantes were, they were merely a private organization without any proper authority delegated to them.

From the Guard’s perspective, they were just an eyesore, acting on their own.

In fact, there were frequent, albeit subtle, clashes between the Guard and the Vigilantes over this issue.

“You’re a little one, talking so casually…”

“That’s perfect timing. I happen to know the Guard Captain. Shall we go ask him together, Dawson?”

“⋯.”

Dawson didn’t reply and just glared at me.

A tense silence followed for a moment.

Then, Dawson scanned me, Mitchell, and Wagner with a chilling gaze.

“You all remember this. Don’t think the Guard will protect you everywhere, all the time. That would be a grave mistake.”

Dawson left the tavern with heavy, rough footsteps, and the Vigilantes followed him.

***

After the commotion subsided.

“Ugh- Kkuek.”

Mitchell downed a mug as large as my face in one go. Followed by a loud burp.

She looks like an elf on the outside, but I suspect a dwarf is inside.

“Well, I didn’t ask for your help-“

Her face was flushed from drinking six consecutive mugs.

However, her characteristic wild beauty remained unchanged even in her drunken state.

“Thanks. Anyway.”

“Forget it. I didn’t help you for your thanks.”

“Ah, you arrogant little thing.”

Mitchell pouted and reached out her hand, looking annoyed.

I quickly pulled my face back.

Here we go again, she’s going to pull my cheeks.

This time, I dodged.

“So, you’re Estel. This lady is Flora. And-“

Mitchell turned around.

Behind the table, Wagner was helping the tavern owner clean up the mess.

“That bear is Wagner. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Right… They’re not very trustworthy, but… you’re my new party members, huh? Alright, I get it.”

“Please take care of us, Mitchell-“

The friendly Flora shook Mitchell’s hand.

Mitchell merely nodded with a reluctant expression.

“So, what’s the distribution?”

Mitchell asked directly.

She probably wants to confirm her share first.

It’s materialistic, but this is actually the normal behavior for an adventurer.

Flora and Wagner, who aren’t very interested in money, are the unusual ones.

When I explained the distribution, Mitchell raised her eyebrows with a displeased look.

“So, we’re splitting it equally. Is that right?”

“Do you have any other opinions?”

“I can understand with that bear. But for you, a kid, and this lady to get the same share… Honestly, I can’t accept that?”

“Are you saying you don’t want to join the party?”

“No, that’s not it. Listen.”

Mitchell said, casually taking a sip of her drink.

“Why don’t you just hand over the party leader position to me?”

“Huh-?”

For some reason, Flora was more surprised than I was.

“But Estel gathered our party-“

“I know, I know. But I’m stronger. The strongest person should be the party leader. Am I wrong?”

“Uh, well-“

“And in return for getting more, I’ll do more work. It’s not a bad deal for you guys, is it?”

I listened to Mitchell’s words while quietly sipping my drink.

The aftertaste of the orange juice on my tongue was slightly bitter.

‘She’s honest. It’s good that she’s straightforward.’

It’s not exactly pleasant news for me, but it’s better to address this now.

If it’s vaguely brushed aside and then explodes later like festering pus, it’ll be irreversible.

I want to include Mitchell in our party if possible.

It’s hard to find such talent in the frontier, and I like her honest personality, which doesn’t hide her true intentions.

Of course, I’ll have to establish the hierarchy first.

“So, what do you say?”

“You’re right. The strongest person should be the party leader.”

“Oh- So you agree with the kid. Then I’m the party leader?”

“⋯You should hear me out until the end.”

I put down my glass and smiled leisurely.

“Mitchell, the strongest person in our party is me. So I’ll be the party leader.”