Chapter 157: Chapter 157: Children of the Desert (2)

“First, release the kids.”

Before hearing the details, I temporarily released the leader since Namir’s whereabouts were more important.

“Ah. Yes, yes. Of course. Please wait a moment.”

The leader nodded hastily and poked his head out through the shattered doorway.

“Ten minutes! Those of you who are still standing, get up and find out Namir’s location within ten minutes! I said, ten minutes!”

The leader shouting at his subordinates looked quite dignified, unlike his submissive behavior just moments ago.

Well, to be the head of a criminal organization in a desert city inhabited by monsters, you need to have that level of determination.

It’s just that Denif and I are exceptionally strong outliers. In any case, there shouldn’t be any problem finding his whereabouts.

I didn’t use excessive force when entering.

Rather than resorting to violence, I simply disarmed them and subdued them lightly.

That’s probably why the leader is being so cooperative now.

Not treating his subordinates cruelly means we have a different purpose than targeting the organization.

“Now tell me in detail about Namir.”

“Ah, well, it’s not really a big deal.”

The leader scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed look.

“Namir had been chasing after a woman for about five years. Her name is Shadara. She’s the daughter of an influential person in Sonora, and her beauty is quite famous.”

“Oh really?”

Denif smiled as if intrigued.

“Yes, but Shadara had been engaged since she was young, and she got along well with her fiancé. They held their wedding ceremony four days ago.”

“Is that all?”

Denif frowned, showing his disappointment. The leader nervously glanced at us.

“Yes. That’s why I said it wasn’t a big deal.”

It was a bit underwhelming. When the usually taciturn Namir who would just say “Let’s kill them” was said to be heartbroken, I thought there might be another story.

I was even considering creating a Sonora love manipulation team. Of course, I wasn’t serious.

If Namir’s romance had been successful and he had gotten married, he wouldn’t have left with us.

Suddenly, another thought crossed my mind. Why did Namir leave the eastern region?

‘Could it be that he killed the fiancé and ran away?’

Hmm. No matter how I think about it, that’s not it. Although Namir often said he wanted to kill people, he wasn’t that kind of person.

His words weren’t for personal gain but directed at those who were causing problems for us.

He was actually quite sentimental in an unexpected way.

There were even a few times when he suddenly brought in a child with nowhere to go and took care of them.

I continued to ask questions about Namir. My knowledge was limited to the information from the game, so I needed to know about Namir’s position, achievements, and reputation in this place.

“We found him! He’s drinking at Pashtun’s shop!”

Just as I was finishing up the conversation, one of the subordinates the leader had sent out came running back breathlessly. It had been about seven minutes.

Whether out of fear of the leader or not, they really found him within ten minutes.

“Where is that shop?”

“It’s a two-minute walk from here. Just exit the alley and turn right into the city. I can guide you.”

“No need for guidance. I think I know where it is.”

It’s a place we passed by on our way here. We’ve finished our business, so it’s time to leave.

As I turned around, the leader quickly bowed his head.

“Please be careful on your way.”

“Sure.”

I waved my hand casually. Denif and Aron followed with triumphant looks on their faces.

“Ahem!”

Although the kids hadn’t done anything, they were puffing out their chests and clearing their throats, probably because of Denif and me.

After walking for about 20 seconds…

“Boss, what the hell is going on? Who are those guys?”

“I don’t know either. Damn, those bastards. What the fuck are they doing at this hour?”

“Should we send some guys after them?”

“Are you crazy, you idiot? They’re on a different level. We’d all die if we did that.”

“I’m sorry!”

“They don’t seem to be from the east, probably from the Empire or the south. But why are they looking for Namir?”

The Winds skill brings their gossip to my ears. I was about to ignore it and keep walking when suddenly my Eccentric Actions skill activated. I want to tease them.

It’s actually fortunate. If it triggers for something this trivial, the chances of it happening during important moments decrease. I immediately turned around.

“What?”

“Wait a moment.”

Ignoring Denif’s question, I walked back with heavy steps.

The subordinates lined up in the corridor watched me nervously. Sensing that something was off, even the leader in the room fell silent.

I poked my head through the shattered door. The leader smiled politely, watching my every move.

“Haha, do you have any more business with us?”

“Not really. I just thought I heard you talking about me.”

“Me? No way, how could I?”

“I think I heard something like ‘what the fuck are those bastards doing at this hour?'”

The leader’s pupils dilated. However, his face didn’t show any signs of panic. Quite an impressive level of acting.

The subordinate next to him glanced back and forth between me and his boss, rolling his eyes. The situation was so amusing I almost laughed.

“Absolutely not.”

The leader said firmly.

“I heard everything on my way here.”

“……”

After I said that, the leader hesitated for about two seconds.

In fact, what I said earlier wasn’t much different from admitting I had heard everything before, but this might have been his last struggle.

“I’m, I’m so sorry! I’ve committed an unforgivable sin.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the leader fell to his knees and bowed his head to the ground.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“I’m just warning you to watch your mouth. Next time something like this happens, wait a while before badmouthing someone. Got it? I’m letting you off easy because it’s me.”

“No, no. It will never happen again.”

“Oh, come on.”

I grinned.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

“Are, are you asking me?”

“Who else would I be asking?”

“It’s Rompart!”

His eyes, glancing at me, were filled with anxiety. I grinned and turned my head.

Honestly, I wasn’t upset about being badmouthed. The difference in our abilities is too great, and I would have done the same in this situation.

I wonder if he learned his lesson just now. The leader didn’t move until I left the alley.

Hmm.

His judgment doesn’t seem bad. He seems to be quite perceptive and quick-witted.

It was a momentary consideration.

If this were a city in the Empire, I might have completely subjugated them and made them a subordinate organization under me. I could just visit occasionally to gather information without revealing my identity. That was my plan for the future.

But it’s a bit troublesome to take someone from the southeastern desert.

Well, Rompart, huh. Maybe we’ll meet again if the opportunity arises.

***

I decided to go find Namir alone. It’s not good to approach in a group for the first meeting.

I could recognize him immediately upon entering the bar. Since Namir was already an adult, his face hadn’t changed much from the game.

Moreover, he was pathetically drinking alone in the noisy bar. I approached and tapped on the table.

“May I sit here?”

Namir shrugged, looking around at the empty tables nearby.

“There are plenty of seats available.”

“I’d like to talk with you.”

Namir stared at me silently with sharp eyes for a moment before emptying his glass.

“Someone was looking for me earlier. Was that your doing?”

“Strictly speaking, I didn’t order it. I just asked for your location.”

“Do as you please.”

I smiled and sat down across from him, calling the waiter to order the same drink as Namir.

“I heard you’ve been through a heartbreaking experience recently.”

Namir frowned.

“That’s right.”

“Are you feeling better?”

“Did you come here to mock me?”

“Not at all. If anything, I came to comfort you. I’ll pay for the drinks today.”

Namir nodded without a moment’s hesitation.

“Is there a price limit?”

“No. Feel free.”

“That’s comfort enough. I’ll say thanks. Levin! Bring four more bottles here!”

“So many at once?”

“I’m not the one paying. Who knows when this person might change his mind?”

I already knew it wasn’t cheap liquor.

Before the waiter who had questioned it could turn around, the boss was already taking out the bottles. His face was full of smiles.

“Here you are.”

He approached with a grin, kindly setting down the bottles.

Namir brought the bottle directly to his lips instead of using a glass, then let out a deep sigh of satisfaction.

“You can drink slowly. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You never know. How many people have said they’d buy drinks and then changed their minds?”

“If you’re that suspicious, you can order more right away.”

Namir chuckled and nodded.

“You don’t seem ordinary. What business do you have with me?”

I had been subtly exuding an aura since meeting Namir. It was because of the first impression.

I needed to bring up recruitment, and if I appeared too weak, the whole feeling would be different.

I could show a surprising side by crossing swords with him, but with Namir, a sincere approach is better.

I poured a drink into his glass.

“I heard there was a good problem solver in Sonora.”

In the southeastern desert, mercenaries are called problem solvers. The name is different, but there’s not much difference.

Namir frowned.

“You don’t seem skilled enough to ask me for anything.” (+)[1]TLN: This is weird. Why is Namir says this but the flow of the story indicating that Carlyn is exuding “stronger” aura. Anyway, it’s probably just my mistake for interpreting this. If you want to know the raw, it’s this: “나한테 무언가를 부탁할 실력은 아닌 것 같은데.”

He must have recognized the difference in strength since I’ve been exuding an aura.

“I’m not here to request a job. I’m here to recruit you. I’m building an organization.”

“An organization? Some kind of criminal organization?”

Namir showed signs of discomfort. He doesn’t seem to like the idea. I shook my head.

“Nothing like that.”

“What kind of work requires you to form an organization?”

“Eliminating devil worshippers.”

Namir tilted his head at the unexpected answer.

“Devil worshippers? Why would you go after them?”

“I have a personal grudge.”

“Not interested. I prefer working alone.”

This was the expected response. The Namir in the game was like this too. However, the solution is simple.

More money is the answer.

There’s no easier way to recruit Namir than this. It’s not even that expensive. Considering Namir’s potential, it’s quite a bargain. He won’t ask for raises as time passes.

And now that I’ve recruited Rina, money is no issue for me at all.

“I’ll offer you treatment as a top-tier problem solver, by continental standards.”

This is a much higher amount than what was offered in the game. It’s natural since I’m doing the same for the others.

Namir looked at me with his mouth open, slightly surprised.

It’s a natural reaction. My companions were the same. They still don’t think their skills are worth that much.

In fact, it’s crazy to offer top-tier mercenary treatment to someone you’ve just met.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Even if it’s true… I’ve heard that such offers shouldn’t be accepted.”

“That’s right. Because it’s dangerous.”

I nodded in agreement.

“But isn’t treatment as a top-tier mercenary by continental standards worth the risk?”

“…You have a point.”

Namir, saying this, seemed to have sobered up a bit from the shock of the large amount.

“Anyway, are you the leader of this organization?”

“Yes.”

I took out a prepared bundle of money and pushed it towards Namir.

“Check it. If you accept, I’ll pay you a year’s worth upfront.”

Namir looked at me and the pouch alternately with slightly suspicious eyes before checking the pouch.

His pupils dilated and his body froze for about a second.

“…If I join the organization, what should I call you?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with. Some call me ‘brother,’ others call me ‘boss.'”

Namir observed me for a moment. He seemed to be studying my face.

Then he straightened his back and corrected his posture. Meeting my eyes, he bowed his head slightly.

“Boss, I look forward to working with you.”

1. TLN: This is weird. Why is Namir says this but the flow of the story indicating that Carlyn is exuding “stronger” aura. Anyway, it’s probably just my mistake for interpreting this. If you want to know the raw, it’s this: “나한테 무언가를 부탁할 실력은 아닌 것 같은데.”

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