Chapter 34

The Red Eye Mercenary Band.

Based in Cambria, their activities were not just confined to the City of Opportunity. Their reputation was partly due to the high caliber of their mercenaries, but more so because of their leader, a significant figure.

One of the five Whites of Cambria.

A Sword Seeker-level swordsman.

Roselin Ascalo with red eyes.

A legendary figure in the mercenary world, known for owning a masterpiece weapon. A mercenary band led by a Sword Seeker-level fighter was rare even across the inland, so the fame of the Red Eye Mercenary Band extended beyond Cambria.

They had an exclusive contract with the Garchea Commerce, one of the top three commerce houses in Cambria, and were renowned both inside and outside the city.

Therefore…

The Red Eye Mercenary Band was a dream workplace for adventurers entering the City of Opportunity.

[Red Eye Mercenary Band Commission.]

[Clearing operation in Dochzenberg Forest.]

[Minimum quest rank: Blue.]

They periodically issued a quest: clearing the monsters in Dochzenberg Forest, used by Garchea Commerce as a trade route.

A task repeated every few months, it seemed ordinary, but…

Amongst adventurers, the ‘Dochzenberg Forest Clearing’ was known as:

The entrance exam for the Red Eye Mercenary Band.

Those who proved their worth in this quest caught the eye of Roselin Ascalo and were recruited into the band. This was how Barger, now the vice-captain, joined.

‘A chance to prove oneself and climb higher.’

An opportunity that drew the attention of many.

For some, it was a chance to prove themselves.

For others, a chance for advancement.

“Shall we go?”

And for some…

“Merlin.”

It was an opportunity to make a mark.

The Dochzenberg Forest Clearing.

Many adventurers gathered at the edge of the forest.

Most were Blue-rank, with some wearing Green-rank badges.

Black, Purple, Blue, Green, Red, White.

Among these six ranks, belonging to Blue and Green meant being seasoned adventurers of the city. They had amassed accomplishments and proven their worth.

Yet, they were also stagnant.

Advancing to Green rank was tough, but from Red rank, one needed to be ‘extraordinary.’ Most who survived in the city for long remained at Blue or Green rank.

Thus, this quest was a chance for them.

If they caught the attention of the band’s leader, they could break their stagnation and rise higher. A rare opportunity, the atmosphere among the gathered adventurers was tense. Normally they would be wary of each other, but…

“……”

Today was different.

Their gazes weren’t scattered; they focused on one point. There stood a young man with a Black badge.

Black rank.

The most common rank in the City of Opportunity. They were the novices among novices, lacking both accomplishments and experience.

“…Tsk.”

Someone clicked their tongue.

The adventurers murmured, obviously mocking. It was ridicule and reproach. Naturally, no kindness was expected.

To participate in this quest.

To qualify for it.

Everyone had put in grueling effort. They accomplished numerous quests, struggling to raise their rank. They brightened their badges to Blue and Green through relentless effort.

But what about this young man?

Without any accomplishments or effort, he brazenly displayed his Black badge here, simply because of Dieta Commerce’s endorsement. His Black badge was like a mockery to the gathered adventurers.

“It’s infuriating.”

“What does this make us?”

More than enough to stir resentment.

The sharp gazes and clicking tongues of the senior adventurers. Their mockery and complaints. The man himself must have felt it.

-This is intense.

‘Indeed.’

Najin felt it.

The hostile atmosphere and the sharp gazes of the senior adventurers. He understood their emotions.

‘It’s only natural from their perspective.’

Their anger was justified.

They must have put in countless efforts to reach their rank. They painstakingly climbed from the bottom. Naturally, Najin wouldn’t seem favorable in their eyes.

-So, why not bow your head?

‘That’s not it.’

Najin smirked.

‘That’s one thing. This is another.’

He understood their feelings but saw no reason to play along.

Najin had no intention of being mindful of them.

Nor of apologizing.

Or even shrinking back.

From the day he left the underground city and swore under the starless sky, Najin was prepared.

‘To reach the top means…’

To trample upon countless others.

To dismiss their efforts and life’s work in a moment, soaring higher than them.

The resolve one must have to aim for the top.

He wouldn’t have started this path without such resolve. Far from bowing under the senior adventurers’ gazes, Najin stood tall, defiant.

-Let them stare if they want.

Merlin chuckled in satisfaction at Najin’s attitude. As Merlin’s laughter echoed, something happened.

Kuwoong.

The air turned heavy.

An oppressive force, as if something gigantic was pressing down from above, enveloped them. Not only Najin felt it but all the adventurers gathered at the forest’s edge felt this crushing force.

Some collapsed on the spot.

Those standing couldn’t lift their heads, only staring at the ground.

Najin knew what this was. The aura of a powerful person. He had felt it before from Ivan. But this was far more intense, signifying the source was stronger than him.

‘But.’

Najin exhaled.

He slowly lifted his head.

‘I’ve experienced this.’

Stronger than Ivan’s, but when compared to what Najin had recently encountered, it was significantly lighter.

Merlin’s first encounter.

Najin had withstood the oppressive aura emanating from Merlin with his bare body and shook it off. Merlin later claimed he hadn’t been serious, but…

Having overcome even a constellation’s aura, this was manageable.

Gripping his fist, Najin lifted his head. As he prepared to face the source of this aura, a voice sounded close by.

“Hey, quick reaction there.”

The voice was right in front.

A woman with black hair braided into one strand met Najin’s gaze. Her red eyes curved like crescents.

“So you’re that guy?”

The blackie vouched for by that snake Dieta.

She smiled and lifted her arm. The crushing aura that had engulfed all adventurers suddenly vanished, now only directed at Najin.

“Wow, still holding your head high. What are you?”

The woman, curious, stared at him.

Najin knew her name. He had seen it at the guild. A black-haired, red-eyed swordsman… one of the White-ranked mercenaries.

Leader of the Red Eye Mercenary Band, Roselin Ascalo.

“Doesn’t seem like you’ve accumulated much mana, and by your mana quantity, you’re not a Sword Expert… What is it? You hiding something?”

Her red eyes sparkled with more interest.

Roselin sensed that the young man before her was concealing something.

Crackle!

Sparks flew. As Roselin’s mana pressed down on Najin, sparks erupted. In that moment, Roselin saw it. Mana from all around being sucked into Najin’s body.

An incomprehensible flow.

Distracted by this flow, Roselin was caught off guard.

Clasp.

Najin moved. His hand, quick and precise, grasped Roselin’s wrist as she reached towards him. Roselin, realizing this too late, widened her eyes in shock.

“What are you doing, what is this?”

Najin retorted sharply.

He instinctively knew he couldn’t allow her hand to touch him. Though unsure if this was the best course of action…

“Wow.”

Roselin exclaimed in admiration, realizing that Najin’s reaction wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Wow!”

She kept exclaiming, then quickly turned to Barger, the vice-captain of her mercenary band, showing him her wrist caught by Najin.

“See, Barger? He grabbed my wrist!”

“I see it clearly. Despite my advice against rash actions, why…”

“Hey, what was that just now?”

Cutting off Barger’s words, Roselin turned back to Najin with a question. Najin didn’t answer, and Roselin smiled. She casually shook her hand, freeing it from Najin’s grasp, and then touched her chin thoughtfully.

“Well, that snake wouldn’t have vouched for nothing. Interesting guy… I like this…”

Roselin was intrigued.

She flicked a coin towards Najin, who instinctively caught it. In his palm lay a platinum coin, a substantial sum even for a Blue-rank adventurer working hard for months. Nonchalantly giving such a sum to Najin, Roselin smiled at him.

“Sorry about that. Let’s call it even with this.”

Having withdrawn her mana, Roselin patted Najin’s shoulder a couple of times and turned away, walking towards the stage set up at the forest’s entrance. Najin watched her leave silently, as if a storm had just passed.

At the same time, he felt it. The gaze of the other adventurers had changed. They all saw him resisting Roselin’s overwhelming presence.

A White-rank adventurer.

A Sword Seeker’s aura.

Najin had confronted it head-on, even grabbing Roselin’s wrist. The adventurers, previously filled with contempt and anger, now looked at him with astonishment and wonder.

A Black-rank adventurer, the lowest of the low, had stood up to a White-rank, one of the city’s pinnacle figures.

Shocked by this, the Blue and Green adventurers watched Najin’s retreating figure, while Roselin, turning away from Najin to ascend the stage, licked her lips. Her red eyes glinted.

As if she had found new prey.

Despite the minor disturbance, no adventurer dared to openly challenge the White-rank’s actions… With Roselin promising an increased reward for the quest, there were no complaints.

“Well, that’s that.”

After a brief explanation, Roselin stepped back, pushing forward Barger.

“The quest details will be explained by him.”

“…I am Barger, vice-captain of the Red Eye Mercenary Band.”

Pushed forward, Barger sighed and began speaking.

“The quest is simple. Our mercenary band will handle the center of the forest, where high-rank monsters gather. You need to hunt the monsters that stray to the forest’s edges.”

He explained, pointing to a map of the forest.

“Each participant must hunt at least ten monsters. The count varies by monster type, so refer to the payment method listed in the quest details. For every monster hunted beyond the minimum, we will pay extra.”

He outlined several precautions and special conditions. As Barger stepped back, Roselin came forward again.

“It’d be boring just like that.”

She spread three fingers wide.

“The top three hunters will receive an additional bonus, and the one who hunts the most will get a special reward. I, Roselin Ascalo, promise you won’t be disappointed with the payment.”

Roselin smiled.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

She crossed her arms and spoke.

“I understand some rivalry for competition, but don’t cross the line. You know what happens if you get caught, right?”

Her red eyes gleamed ominously.

The adventurers nodded repeatedly. Roselin glanced once more at Najin before stepping down from the stage, accompanied by Barger, and headed towards the forest’s heart.

As the quest began and the adventurers dispersed, Najin started warming up. Regulating his breath and securing the sword at his waist.

-What’s the goal?

Merlin’s voice echoed in his ear.

Responding with a shrug, Najin replied.

“What kind of question is that?”

He started walking towards the forest.

“Obviously, to be first.”