Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Tutorial (4)
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Chris's sword flew toward the opening created by the Goblin Warrior as it turned its gaze.
With a faint glimmer signaling the skill's activation, Chris swung his sword so quickly it blurred into a frenzy.
Having lost all its HP, the Goblin Warrior dropped its weapon, froze, and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"Got it!"
Chris shouted triumphantly after felling the Goblin Warrior.
The mercenaries and goblins, who had been glaring at each other from a short distance, all turned their eyes toward him.
To draw the goblins' attention, perhaps, Chris raised his sword high and yelled at them, mimicking what the Goblin Warrior had done.
The goblins, confirming their leader's death, were instantly gripped by terror.
The goblins, who had seemed ready to charge at the mercenaries just moments before, paled in fear and immediately turned tail, fleeing into the forest.
"Haa..."
"We... we survived..."
As the goblins vanished completely into the forest, the mercenaries, who had watched with tense faces, sighed in relief and lowered their shields and weapons.
"Captain!"
While the mercenaries slumped to the ground one by one, their tension easing, Rin—who had been helping Chris—ran over to Ian.
Her eyes sparkled as she watched Ian directing the mercenaries and holding off the goblins.
"We really won!"
"No big deal. We had the numbers advantage from the start..."
Ian brushed it off casually, but to Rin, it seemed his command had played the decisive role in turning the tide of what had looked like a hopeless battle.
She had heard him say earlier during their chat that he had no mercenary experience, but she couldn't believe it. Her eyes gleaming, she pressed him.
"You must've been a mercenary somewhere else, right? Or maybe city guard?"
"Nah, I just... picked it up somewhere."
Ian wasn't immune to tension either; now that the battle was truly over, a stinging pain shot through his arms from gripping his weapon so tightly.
In the meantime, Chris checked the surroundings to ensure the goblins had fully retreated, then returned to inspect the gathered mercenaries.
Confirming no injuries, he headed toward the firmly shut cabin.
"You can come out now! We've driven them off!"
As Chris knocked and called out, a slight commotion stirred inside the cabin, which had been deathly silent.
The door cracked open slightly, and one herbalist peeked out to survey the area. Soon, several more emerged, sighing in relief.
The herbalists, who had hidden from the goblins, thanked Chris and the mercenaries profusely.
"The goblins have fled, but just in case, you should head back to the city."
The herbalists nodded, then darted inside to grab their herbs and belongings from the cabin.
Finishing his brief talk with the herbalists, Chris turned to the mercenaries.
Noticing him approach, the mercenaries fell silent. Chris's steps halted in front of Ian and Rin.
"Are you two from the same mercenary corps?"
"Ah... yes!"
Chris's eyes quickly scanned the pair.
"What's your names?"
"I'm Ian. This is Rin."
Chris didn't pry further—as if he'd learned somewhere not to—and simply nodded without a word.
Among those who came to such remote places for mercenary work, people without complicated pasts were the rarity.
As long as skilled mercenaries kept joining, that was more than welcome.
"You did well. If we hadn't driven them off right away, the herbalists would've been in danger."
He couldn't have handled the Goblin Warrior plus dozens of goblins alone; if the mercenaries had all fled, even Chris would've had to retreat.
If Ian hadn't stepped up at that moment, that's exactly what would've happened.
Chris committed their faces to memory.
Though they were green rookies just starting out as mercenaries, those with exceptional talent always drew eyes from their novice days—like a needle in a pocket.
"Enough resting. Everyone up. If we dawdle, the sun'll set."
As the herbalists finished preparing to leave, Chris called out to the mercenaries who had been taking a break.
Any more delay, and they'd be trudging back across the plains in the dark.
As the city drew near, Chris turned to the mercenaries following him.
"When you get back, head to the guild for your pay. Normally the captain reports mission results, but I'll handle it all this time."
What would've been a single 'mission complete' button in a game wasn't so simple in reality.
The mercenaries perked up at the word 'pay,' but quickly lost interest when paperwork procedures followed.
Exhausted from their first real fight, most couldn't focus on Chris's explanation, but he didn't mind.
He just shared helpful info loud enough for the captains clustered near him to hear.
Mercenaries had to fend for themselves.
After today, no one would step up to help, so like it or not, they'd have to survive on their own.
Ian, who would soon have to handle that himself, listened quietly to Chris's words.
At the gates, Chris paused and turned to the mercenaries. This was his final message for the day.
"Listen up. Those who ran earlier deserted during an emergency muster—they're headed for the brig. Probably caught at the city entrance."
A brief silence fell among the mercenaries at Chris's shout.
This time things had worked out, but those who had secretly considered fleeing hardened their expressions at the mention of prison.
"If you want to keep working as mercenaries, cut the dumb ideas. Just do like today."
With that, Chris turned and walked off wordlessly.
Behind him rose a murmur of whispers, now laced with extra tension.
"Um, Captain..."
Rin, face stiff from the prison talk, tugged at Ian's sleeve.
"What's an emergency muster?"
"...Didn't you read the terms when joining the guild?"
"There were too many hard words... The clerk said if I didn't get it, just sign at the bottom."
"......"
To work as a mercenary in this city, guild registration was mandatory, and it came with obligations.
One was fighting when the city or citizens were in peril, like today.
Labyrinth City was built to explore an ancient labyrinth.
Monsters inside surged periodically, spilling out, so the city also served to defend against them with its walls.
The reason Labyrinth City lured mercenaries with unmatched perks and policies was ultimately to put them on the front lines against monsters, protecting the city.
Neglect that duty, skip city defense, and you'd lose mercenary qualifications; deliberate dodgers became city prisoners.
Labyrinth City let anyone, regardless of background, work as a mercenary and paid massive gold no other city could match.
But in exchange, mercenaries had to risk their lives defending it.
The guild counter bustled with mercenaries settling their recent mission.
They'd panicked when suddenly dragged into it, but earning pay on their first day—something they'd never dreamed of—brightened their faces.
The guild must have prepared in advance while they were out; soon it was Ian and Rin's turn.
"Ian Mercenary Corps, you two. Show your mercenary badges, please."
The guild staff checked their names against the badges, then handed over prepped pay pouches.
"Ah, one moment."
The staffer, mechanically processing repeats, paused briefly.
Silently scanning a document, they called back Ian and Rin as they started to leave.
Vanishing behind the counter, the staffer returned from the vault with another pouch and offered it to them.
"This is extra pay from Chris."
The pouch felt very light, but it was something not given to the other mercenaries.
"You must've shone out there. He doesn't usually leave notes like this."
"Yeah, well... luck."
Peeking inside, it held small coins stamped with the guild emblem—unlike standard currency.
Rin, assuming money, opened hers eagerly, then made a subtle face at the unfamiliar contents.
But Ian, as if he already knew, thanked them and left the counter.
Rin, about to ask what it was, glanced around and followed him out.
"What do you use this for?"
Rin eyed the mysterious coin, neither standard money nor jewelry.
To Ian, it was familiar.
Guild-issued currency for special mission rewards.
Commonly called 'Guild Coin.'
This coin could be used at guild-exclusive shops or various guild-related services for benefits.
Its convenience made it vital; how many you hoarded determined your play comfort later on.
...In the game, at least.
Unclear how it worked in reality, Ian planned to check details later and gave Rin only a rough explanation.
Her eyes lit up at his words.
"So we can trade it for money!"
"Maybe... but better not. It's more useful than cash."
If things worked as he knew, this coin could buy what money couldn't.
"......"
"......"
The longest day since arriving in this city had passed.
Labyrinth City's walls glowed red in the sunset.
Ian naturally headed to an inn for the night, as usual, but an unexpected snag left him slightly troubled.
In the game, visiting an inn after the day's tasks deducted lodging fees, advanced the date, and bam—morning.
Simple system.
But now it wasn't a game; he'd sleep for real at the inn, and unlike yesterday, Rin was with him.
"......"
Of course, places like this had no separate single rooms.
Same room.