Chapter 27. South Continent.

The Hero team left the city of beginnings, Eretoria, early in the morning. Looking at the receding city walls, Ji-hyuk was reminded of when he first saw Selly.

He couldn’t remember exactly if it was the 13th or 14th playthrough, but he had a faint memory of seeing her in passing. Their conversations were limited to simple greetings, but he often heard that she was a skilled psychokineticist.

…Will she accept?

Since the Red Hawk Guild was one of the top 10 guilds, there was no guarantee that they would readily accept Ji-hyuk’s recruitment offer. Moreover, he had even said that if she was thinking of profiting, it would be better to look elsewhere, so if she was a money-loving person, the chances were even lower.

Right now, he couldn’t be sure until he saw the results. Like Schrödinger’s cat.

*Sseups sseups*, Gid, who was scratching under his nose with his finger, asked Ji-hyuk in a subtle tone.

“Captain, how strong is that Cheonma-nim?”

Ji-hyuk looked at the bald giant. His eyes were full of curiosity. Well, for guys who have lived in the mercenary world for a long time, the topic of who is stronger is the most interesting topic. It was a group that clearly divided the hierarchy through power struggles, so it was only natural that such curiosity would arise.

The Hero spread his palm wide open and showed it. At first, everyone didn’t know what it meant.

“He’s in the top five on this continent.”

“Really? …That old man-ssi?!”

Ludovine was even more surprised than Gid. That kind-looking, next-door neighbor-like person was that strong… It was hard to believe. But since the one who said it was the Captain-nim, they couldn’t not believe it either.

The lizardman Kayak nodded as if he had roughly guessed it. The chain-smoking healer thought to himself, what does it matter who’s stronger-, and nonchalantly puffed on his cigarette. Such comparisons were outside the interest of Grace, the healer.

The carriage was filled with excited chatter about who was stronger. Ji-hyuk also turned his attention away from it and looked back outside. The city, illuminated by the dawning light, was further away than before.

“Ssiibal, anyway, I don’t know about anything else, but when it comes to fucking, it’s me-!”

In the end, Gid suddenly boasted about his stamina at the end of the conversation. Ludovine, who already knew that Gid and Bruce were similar guys, glared at him disapprovingly and started pointing her finger.

“Why are all bald bastards like that?”

“I’m saying this because I’ve handled five women in one night-!”

“Just die from syphilis, already.”

“Huh? Captain-nim, Ludovine, you know, she told me something like this.”

“Hey, Captain-nim is…. Hehe, it’s nothing.”

Ludovine glared at the bald bastard as if she would kill him, grinding her teeth. Gid made a silly face and teased the red-haired freckles.

“I’m really going to kill you.”

“Dwideundah Zzeentzah.”

“Don’t copy me.”

“Ddeureuheujeh Meureu.”

At that time, Kayak cleared his throat. It was a signal to stop around there.

Ludovine glared at Gid’s sly face and turned her head away with a *hmph*. When she was feeling troubled, watching the Captain-nim was the best.

Captain-niim….

She unfolded another lewd fantasy. Maybe she was a bit sexually frustrated these days, she had been having such fantasies more often lately. …Actually, she secretly masturbated last night too.

The carriage became quiet again. Everyone started yawning widely as if it were an epidemic. The day outside was slowly dawning, but inside the carriage, it was becoming night.

Everyone fell asleep or was lost in thought.

· · ·

The Hero team traveled for a full ten days and finally arrived in the central city of Pesonomia.

Perhaps because of the rumors that the Demon Cult had appeared, the city had an eerie aura. There was a hint of anxiety in the faces of the passersby on the street.

“Ssiipal, it’s a bit spooky, isn’t it?”

Even though there were people, it felt like a ghost town. It was even more so because the weather was gloomy.

Eventually, raindrops began to fall one by one, *ttuk ttuk*, and before the carriage arrived at the inner castle, the sky began to pour rain, *sswaaaa*-.

Ji-hyuk lightly warned his subordinates after the carriage had just passed through the inner castle.

“The mission has practically started now. So don’t let your guard down.”

“Yes, Captain-nim.”

It was a matter related to the Demon Cult. They couldn’t let their guard down because they didn’t know when or where those bastards would do something crazy.

The carriage broke through the rain and soon stood in front of the Count’s castle. As soon as the team members got out of the carriage, they covered their heads with their hands and quickly ran into the palace.

Someone had already heard the news and was waiting for the Hero team in the hall. It wasn’t the Count, but his wife.

The dignified middle-aged woman warmly welcomed the Hero. It seemed that they had been eagerly waiting for the Hero to come from the Empire.

“Welcome to Pesonomia, Hero-nim.”

“I am grateful that you have welcomed me so grandly, Madam.”

“You have come all this way without hesitation, so of course we must welcome you. Rather, I am worried that there may have been some shortcomings.”

“Your heart alone is enough.”

The two exchanged light greetings. The Madam provided the Hero team with a splendid lodging and meals. And it seemed that she intended to postpone the work talk until tomorrow since it was already late today.

The Madam seemed to have taken quite a bit of care, as each team member was assigned two maids. Gid’s face immediately lit up, saying that he would be able to receive intimate bathing services.

Ji-hyuk was guided to the largest and most splendid room. The maids were also exceptionally beautiful compared to the others. It seemed to be an assignment that took into account night services as well.

The Hero received the utmost bathing service from the two maids. There was a subtle touch that touched around his crotch. But he didn’t touch the maids.

He had to think that the mission had already started from the moment he entered the city. At least Ji-hyuk, as the leader, couldn’t let his guard down even in this cozy atmosphere.

Ji-hyuk took a bath and changed into clean, new clothes, then headed to the dining room. He finished a simple dinner and returned to his room.

*Ureureung*-.

Outside, it was still pouring rain. On top of that, there was thunder and lightning. Ji-hyuk stood by the window and watched the night scenery with the pouring rain. The outside, where only rain was falling without any people, had an eerie aspect.

He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea. His mind was quite complicated.

Demon Cult, Street Boss, Stone of Mystery.

Since this was the first time he had directly involved himself in this mission, he didn’t know the detailed contents well either. He only knew that those words were connected.

If he heard about the current situation of the city directly tomorrow, he would be able to roughly understand what was happening.

Ji-hyuk watched the outside for a long time and then lay down on the bed. A cozy feeling enveloped his whole body. However, the eerie aura that permeated the entire city spread even to this place and sharply licked his skin.

…It was a comfortable lodging, but he couldn’t spend a comfortable night.

· · ·

Late morning the next day.

Ji-hyuk finished preparing and went to see the Count. But he was sick and unable to have a conversation. So, the Count’s wife had a conversation with him instead.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes, I slept well.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried about what to do if you were uncomfortable.”

The middle-aged woman smiled and sipped her tea. There was a brief silence. Ji-hyuk’s eyes scanned every corner of the woman’s face.

“Can you tell me exactly what’s going on?”

“Of course, I have to tell you.”

She put the teacup down on the table and licked her lips slightly with her tongue.

“It was about half a year ago.”

The story that started like that was roughly like this.

– Half a year ago, the Raven Army of the Demon Cult began to attack villages.

– Knowing the seriousness of the situation, the Count mobilized his private soldiers to track them down, but eventually failed.

– After three or four more attacks like that, the Demon Cult finally infiltrated the city itself.

– Missing persons cases occurred frequently in the city, but they couldn’t catch their tails at all.

And the Madam added a final remark.

“They must have joined hands with the Street Boss. Otherwise, how could they have infiltrated the city? …Because it’s a matter involving the Demon Cult, I requested help from the Empire, fearing that stirring things up would cause a big problem. If the Street Boss joins forces, it could become really difficult.”

“Yes, you did well.”

The Demon Cult was a large-scale heretical group. Since the Street Boss was also involved, it wouldn’t have been easy for the Count to handle it alone.

It was a wise choice to call the Hero, who was a specialist in this area, as they could be attacked in reverse if they touched it wrong.

“Can you handle it quickly before things get out of hand? I will provide as much support as possible with the Knights and private soldiers.”

“I can’t move without investigating. There’s still no evidence that the Street Boss has joined hands with the Demon Cult. Isn’t it just a hunch?”

At that time, the Madam’s gentle tone changed a bit.

“No, why do you need an investigation? It’s obvious that the Street Boss bastard did it. If you just deal with that bastard, you can go back to the original state.”

“Madam, the important thing is the Demon Cult. That’s why I came. If the Street Boss is involved in it, he will be punished additionally. …Do you understand?”

“It’s a bit hard to understand.”

“Just leave it to me. Then I’ll take care of it myself. …Please prepare the Knights and private soldiers right away. So that they can move whenever I give the order.”

“…Okay.”

Ji-hyuk smiled and reassured the Madam.

“I understand the Madam’s concern for the city. Don’t worry too much. If I determine that the Street Boss is a problem, I will deal with him immediately.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The two got up from their seats and bowed lightly to each other.

And the face of Ji-hyuk, who was turning around, hardened in an instant.

…Strangely, something felt off.