episode_0080

“Shit,”

A gloomy wall with a white wolf’s fur pelt hanging on it,

Against that wall, a man’s coarse curse poured out.

It was a curse from Kyle, the second-in-command of the White Wolf Mercenary Corps.

“Bro! How about we just ambush and crush them? Anyway, a full-scale war is about numbers, right? So let’s just kill them all and leave Pangea. With our skills, we can make a living anywhere!”

Kyle, who suffered public humiliation again facing Mina at the Black Hair Smithy,

And the one who inflicted that humiliation was, of course, Eugene Schneider.

Because of that, he’s making pathetic excuses and complaining to his brother, Kasim, after returning to headquarters.

His brother had promised to avenge his younger sibling,

But as the situation is taking longer than expected, Kyle, who loves to show off, is going crazy.

“You immature little brother. Abandon this base? Don’t you want to become the best mercenary?”

A chair located below the white wolf’s fur pelt,

Kasim, sitting there with a slouch, scolded Kyle as if he were pathetic.

Compared to Kyle, who gave off a strong power-character vibe, Kasim was a man of about 178CM in height and of average build.

His listless expression even gave off the impression that he had resigned himself to the world to a considerable degree.

“I told you, didn’t I? The public opinion is like reeds, so the moment we subdue those Red Fox bastards, it will come back with even greater rewards. So wait, you little shit.”

And he uttered a string of insightful remarks that matched his appearance.

“By the way, this is interesting. After hearing about that barbarian woman, I came up with a pretty good item.”

Smirk…!

Then, mentioning Mina, he raised the corners of his lips, as if something significant was happening with a quick turn of his mind.

**********

Evening time,

As planned, the Red Fox Mercenary Corps started a company dinner at the De Gaulle Mercenary Pub.

They took their seats at the corner ‘ㄷ’-shaped table that they always use as their reserved seats.

The executives were located there, and general mercenary corps members were having drinking parties at other tables around them.

“Hmm, I also heard about Kyle’s story from Thomas and the Captain, but I didn’t know he was taking such a wrong path to that extent. Even just hearing about it to a certain extent makes me angry.”

Ivan, slightly drunk, wore a serious expression that didn’t suit his appearance, crossed his arms, and leaned back on the chair.

He had heard roughly about what happened at the Black Hair Smithy from Eugene.

“In this case, shouldn’t we strengthen the security related to the White Wolf Mercenary Corps at the Red Fox Mercenary Corps level? It seems like it won’t be enough to just strengthen security in Eugene hyung’s personal area, even if he has risen to Sword User.”

Then Thomas also said his opinion in a low voice.

The mercenary corps’ bluff is a kind of momentum.

If you show too much of a scared appearance, you will be looked down upon.

So, the Red Fox Mercenary Corps was aware of Kyle and Kasim’s movements, but they had a wait-and-see mindset.

This is because Kyle and Kasim of the White Wolf would use a sensitive reaction for media play again.

However, Thomas thought that it was not something to be judged at that level because he even sneaked into the Black Hair Smithy as a thief to create a foundation for hitting Eugene.

“I’m fine. To be honest, I don’t feel much of a threat. So, I’m saying this as a request that it would be nice to strengthen the security related to our mercenary corps, or if there is a little more leeway, to help the Black Hair Smithy. Anyway, I can see that I have received a favor from that side. If it continues like this, I honestly don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate on other things because I’m worried about that side.”

Eugene shook his hand at Thomas’ opinion.

Thomas’s perspective is obviously correct, but from Eugene’s point of view, he is already a Sword Expert, so the personal threat is close to zero.

The reason why he makes such a public mention,

In his view, Kyle could affect not only himself but also the Red Fox Mercenary Corps itself.

Also, he wanted to help Mina, who was effectively targeted by Kyle.

And at this point, he thought it was enough to make such a request to his affiliated mercenary corps.

“As expected, our Assault Captain! He is full of chivalry and knows how to repay favors! Hehehe!”

Ivan, who heard Eugene’s words, laughed heartily and did not spare his praise for him.

Chivalry, that was the reason why Ivan became a mercenary,

It was the reason why he quit the Bronze-level mercenary corps, and it is the reason why he is continuing his mercenary life until now.

“Then, this Ivan Igor will say a word, Captain. I would like to officially talk about the countermeasures according to our Assault Captain’s proposal, but is that okay? I’m talking about protecting the Black Hair Smithy.”

Afterwards, Ivan looked at Jeanne in a very polite tone, bowed his head slightly, and asked for her understanding.

After all, Mina was an outsider to the Red Fox Mercenary Corps, wasn’t she?

As a mercenary corps that eats knife rice, it is clear that helping outsiders is a sensitive matter even if there is a justification.

Therefore, Ivan is taking clear steps to get permission from Jeanne, the captain.

And he judged that he, as an advisor, should give the order.

“If we receive a favor and don’t repay it, that’s when we lose our mercenary corps’ greatest weapon. After all, the reason why the people around us told us about Kyle’s actions is because we kept our faith. So, of course, our Red Fox Mercenary Corps should protect Mina-ssi.”

Jeanne spoke her thoughts with a serious expression.

Jeanne has been leading the mercenary corps with her own beliefs,

Thanks to that, she gained the Plus level she wanted in a short amount of time.

Moreover, she is experiencing helping hands reaching out from here and there in times of crisis.

Of course, she shouldn’t trust that as it is, but

The fact is that she is gaining confidence that she can go her own way according to her beliefs.

Jeanne wants to look at the situation related to the Black Hair Smithy from that perspective.

“Furthermore, Mina-ssi is our main trading blacksmith manager. From a general cost-benefit perspective, I think it’s right to protect Mina-ssi. This is my opinion. If the advisor has his own plans, please tell me.”

Thus, Jeanne accepted Ivan’s proposal.

“Hahaha! Then, I, Ivan, will tell you what I have in mind, Captain.”

As soon as Jeanne’s permission was given, Ivan returned to his original hearty appearance.

“Positionally, my lodging is not close to the Black Hair Smithy. I will try to pass by that area from time to time to take a look. I think that’s a way to help Mina, the chief blacksmith, efficiently while minimizing our mercenary corps’ movement lines.”

Currently, Eugene is traveling back and forth between the Grand Duke’s family, which is the farthest, and the mercenary residential area.

Of course, other colleagues besides Thomas and Jeanne don’t know that, but they are roughly aware that he is traveling back and forth from a very far place.

Therefore, since Ivan, who has the combat power of an X-User and whose movement line is close, knows that it is difficult for Eugene to be responsible for Mina’s constant care.

“That’s a good plan. Especially since our Ivan advisor has performed security quests at the Bronze-level mercenary corps.”

“Haha! I told you as a resume when I joined the Red Fox Mercenary Corps, but you remembered!”

Moreover, Ivan has performed a number of escort quests.

Jeanne mentioning that,

Ivan, who is sincere about honor, was in a good mood and joked around.

“Thank you, Advisor Ivan. Thank you for helping me with my request.”

“Hehe! What are you saying, Eugene! Aren’t we comrades who run together on the battlefield! And the glory of clearing this quest and entering Plus was mostly thanks to you! It’s a natural reward! Come on, Thomas, what are you doing! Order more alcohol! Let’s fall properly into the barrel of alcohol on a friendly day like today!”

Eugene could not hide his happy heart and expressed his gratitude to Ivan.

Then, Ivan, who was even more proud of his colleague’s gratitude, summoned Thomas with the momentum to drink all the alcohol at this De Gaulle Mercenary Pub.

“Wow…Our assault captain’s skills at seducing women’s hearts are no joke…?”

Thus, at that point in time when the alcohol was served even more and the atmosphere became noisy,

Secular priest Sophia drank alcohol with her cow breasts on the table and clicked her tongue.

“Huh? I’m seducing women’s hearts?”

Eugene tilted his head at Sophia’s words.

Eugene is working hard to seduce Jeanne’s heart,

But that’s because he doesn’t think Sophia is referring to that.

“Even though Mina is easygoing and kind, she doesn’t open her heart to men easily and isn’t the type to try to cross a certain line.”

Indeed, the quick-witted secular priest Sophia was mentioning the relationship between Mina and Eugene.

“She only shows the image she pours out to children. I don’t think she shows such deep inner feelings to me or the Captain. The reason why she has survived as a blacksmith in this mercenary residential district for a long time, despite being a woman, is not something else. She even owns and operates the smithy herself. That means she keeps her distance from men for sure, so she doesn’t get caught up in love affairs.”

Because she is from a vulgar underground city and is a barbarian woman, there are hardly any men who dream of a serious future with Mina.

However, there are many men who are anxious to knock her down because she has a pretty appearance and an explosive body.

And in fact, there are many cases where women in the mercenary residential district use such relationships to make a lot of money.

However, in that case, it is common to set a high target and run away to another area when a problem occurs.

On the other hand, Mina has endured for a full six years, from the age of 20 to 25 this year, and is growing steadily without any curves.

It must be because she has managed her lower body as fiercely as if she only had her skills without any backing.

“Hmm…Isn’t it just because of the special connection of my Great Swordsman Armor? After all, it’s her major, so she’ll be motivated.”

However, because Eugene, who doesn’t know the deep abyss of this world yet,

He did not agree with Sophia’s suspicion.

“Ah…I understand. The feeling of a pure and innocent young master, Mina must have felt like a character in a fairy tale she had never encountered before. Even if she didn’t recognize it on the outside. Then there’s no way around it for women like Mina.”

Sophia, faced with such a clueless Eugene,

Immediately caught the reason why Mina’s heart was seduced.

Mina’s heart, which has always resisted only strong external attacks,

Then, a warm sunlight, not a strong wind, shone on her.

It is a cozy attack that she has never experienced before.

And she is the type who is extremely kind to children, so it’s a sniper for her taste.

If there is no immunity to a sniper for her taste, it is natural that the coat of a traveler named Mina is taken off.

And in fact, Mina was

‘Eugene-ssi…’

Standing in front of the mirror in her dark room, she was thinking of Eugene while standing naked.