It had been a few weeks since the wild stray joined the mercenary group, and just as everyone expected, Ran had not proven to be of much help.
Instead of becoming the meat shield Kelt envisioned, he had become quite a burden.
Kelt's disappointment was obvious. Geld's wasn't any less visible. Ran noticed their frustration long before they said anything. So he made a choice.
He volunteered to become a porter.
As a young master of the bloodrune estate, it was too humiliating but he had to accept reality.
He was too weak. Even low-tier monsters like goblins and forest bears were beyond his capability now.
So all he could do was carry bags. But even that was challenging because of his slow deteriorating health.
The Moonwrath Mercenaries had set up base camp for the night. The flickering campfire lit the tired faces of men who lived and died by coin. Ran was resting near the supply crates when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the guild hall's entrance.
A presence entered.
A presence so out of place, so unnerving, the air turned cold.
A mysterious figure stepped in—cloaked entirely in flowing blue garments, like some drifting ghost out of a horror movie.
His body was hidden. Only pale hands slipped out from the sleeves, and his dark unreadable eyes emerged from the hole from his blue cloth.
The mercenaries tensed instantly.
The unsheathed their weapons pointing toward the mysterious figure.
That mysterious dark aura he was emitting was so frail and weak but somehow Ran's instincts screamed he is dangerous.
But as the figure stood motionlessly, it became clear he held no intent to fight.
Still, no one was relaxed.
He walked towards Geld who was also wore tensed expression. His hands were on his back ready to unsheathe his axe.
"I need a mercenary group. An emergency commission."
Before Geld could speak, Kelt stepped forward, sword already unsheathed halfway.
"We don't take commissions at night. Scram!", he said sharply.
The figure did not flinch.
"I will pay twenty gold."
Every mercenary froze.
It was an absurd amount for a night request.
Even so, Geld remained silent. Kelt pressed his lips into a straight line and insisted again.
"Leave."
"Thirty gold."
A murmur spread slowly. Kelt began to hesitate.
"Fifty."
The camp fell dead silent.
Greed flickered like fire in Kelt's eyes. He swallowed, turned stiffly, and finally asked.
"What's the commission?"
The hooded figure's dark gaze shifted slightly.
"I need to cross the Leior Forest. My destination is the land of Necrosia."
At that name, Geld straightened. Kelt's grip tightened. Ran felt his heartbeat spike. Even the senior mercs behind them instantly raised their guard.
Necrosia.
A cursed land where life itself eroded. It was the last place someone would want to go. Just being their is so suffocating it feels like the very air is trying to drain their vitality.
It was a difficult place to survive even for seasoned warriors. The fact that this mysterious person was trying to reach there was too suspicious.
"Are you... a member of the demon cult?"
Geld asked in low deep voice. He was ready to strike him any moment.
His suspicion was growing each passing second. Why would someone so 'fragile' looking wants to go there unless he is a cultist hiding his powers?
Several mercenaries reach for their weapons following Geld.
"..."
The man just smiled, he did not answer.
"Answer me!"
But he was still silently watching them. Kelt lost his patience and broke the silence. However, he did not care whoever he was. He was interested in coin.
"Are you insane? Why would someone who looks as fragile as you want to be escorted there?"
The figure tilted his head.
"I do not need escorting. If I sought an escort, I would have gone to a high-ranking guild. I only need the path cleared.
Travelers and merchants have disappeared along the outskirts of Leior Forest. Rumors claim a presence is lurking on the outskirts. I must pass through by dawn. I want confirmation before I go."
Geld folded his arms, suspicion deepening.
"The outskirts are quiet. Only low-tier monsters wander there."
"That is precisely the mystery. And precisely why I require clarity."
Geld's mind raced.
'50 gold is like a fortune. Why would someone wants to go there so desperately. Besides, he does not seem to be a noble. I need to report to the patriarch tomorrow.'
He made his decision.
"No. We won't take—"
"We accept." Kelt cut in loudly.
Geld snapped his head toward him, glaring daggers. Kelt ignored him completely, eyes locked on the cloaked stranger.
The figure… almost seemed amused.
"I will wait outside. Do not take too long."
He turned and drifted out of the hall like a fading ghost.
Geld hissed under his breath.
"Have you lost your mind? That man is trouble."
But Kelt was not having it.
"I don't care whoever the fuck he is. We are getting money. It's none of our concern who he works for or what's his agenda. We will report to patriarch tomorrow but first, let's grab this opportunity. We can't let fifty gold slip away."
The other mercenaries exchanged glances. Fear warred against greed. But greed… won easily.
When the mysterious man returned, he placed a pouch in Kelt's hand.
Twenty-five gold upfront.
Gasps spread. The greed pot in every man's heart shattered completely.
The mission was set.
"This is advance. The rest will be given when you return."
"Thank you very much."
Kelt bows deeply and exchanges glance with his brother.
"If you are not going, I am going alone with my team."
As absurd as it sounds, as an older brother, Geld had no choice but to relent. With heavy reluctance, he barked orders to move immediately.
Ran stood, tightening his grip on his cloak. He couldn't explain it.
But something felt wrong.
Tonight… was not going to be peaceful.