Chapter 14
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 014
Chapter Title: Golden Beetle Wolf
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I figured that once I could sense mana, everything else would fall into place pretty easily. Boy, was I wrong. It was a pretty arrogant assumption.
"Okay, look here. This is the interesting part. When drawing the outer frame, you have to adjust the shape considering the interactions between the rune letters..."
"Hold on. I still don't get what you said earlier."
The pace was too fast.
Claire was explaining everything kindly and clearly, but the principles of magic were as baffling as the schematics of some complex electronic device.
Woojin hadn't cracked a book in over ten years. His rusty brain wasn't functioning properly—it was just overheating. He pressed a hand to his throbbing forehead and glared at the book.
Claire watched him with a sly smile, as if she'd expected this to happen.
"Now you see why so few mana users actually learn magic, right? Even I struggled a lot when I first started. If it's too tough, want me to teach you something else?"
"Like what?"
"Mana Arts, obviously."
Claire picked up a twig from the floor. It soon became enveloped in a hazy glow, identical to the technique Hector had used.
"It's a technique that reinforces your body or weapon by wrapping it in mana like this."
"You can do this stuff too?"
"I'd love to say I'm pretty good at it... but honestly, I only know the basics. It's basically just a trick."
Claire snapped the glowing twig with both hands. She hadn't even put much strength into it, yet it broke cleanly. Flashy to look at, but apparently not all that effective.
Mana Arts were an advanced skill that only martial experts could master. All Claire knew was the theory behind it.
"Jin's got great reflexes. You're good in a fight too. So once you grasp the principle, you might pick up Mana Arts in no time."
"How does it work?"
"They say you burn the mana inside your body like firewood, then channel that heat into your sword."
...Of course, that explanation didn't help me get it at all. Honestly, it didn't appeal to me either.
"I'd rather learn magic."
"Why?"
"It's... more versatile. And cooler."
What Woojin needed was a skill that could enrich his life. He could already beat most beasts to death without fancy Mana Arts.
Claire grinned mischievously at his response.
"If that's what Jin wants, then we'll just have to study harder."
"...Yeah, guess so."
Studying magic was tedious, but once he had something to really focus on, time flew by.
Six days later.
Woojin and the Black Marlin Mercenary Corps arrived at their destination: the 4th Pioneer City. It was the largest city he'd seen so far, encircled by a double layer of high stone walls and wooden palisades.
The 4th Pioneer City was the second largest settlement outside the Barrier Wall. It owed its size to the nearby large bloodstone mines and its status as an outpost built through collaboration between the Pioneer Group and the Church Alliance.
Of course, he couldn't bring a wolf inside there.
"Rex. Go play around nearby."
At Woojin's words, Rex darted into the forest without hesitation. It seemed the past few days traveling with people had gotten on his nerves.
Claire watched Rex's retreating figure with a worried gaze.
"I'm concerned. He won't go hungry out there, will he...?"
"He'll be fine. That guy's freakishly good at looking after his own bowl."
Worrying about him was a waste of energy. Among all the beasts Woojin had encountered, this wolf's cunning was top-tier.
He entered the city with the mercenary corps. After securing rooms for the night, Jonathan gathered the members.
"I've gotta head to the guild and catch up with some friends. I'll be back tomorrow morning, so until then, eat, drink, and have fun on your own! If you get drunk and cause trouble, be prepared to die by my hand."
Free time.
The mercenaries cheered raucously as one, splitting off into small groups of friends and scattering across the city.
Claire naturally gravitated toward Woojin.
"What should we do?"
"Let's check out the area first."
He wanted to see what the inside of the city looked like.
Woojin and Claire strolled along like they were out for a casual walk. Plenty of other people were milling about the streets too.
This struck Woojin as odd. Even for a big city, there were too many people.
"Is it always this crowded here?"
"It's usually busy, but not like this. Probably because everyone's gathering for the Golden Beetle Wolf's commission."
"Wolf? Who's that?"
Claire looked flustered at his question.
"You... don't know Wolf? He's the most influential merchant operating in the pioneer cities."
"Never paid attention to that stuff."
"Then I suppose I should explain."
Wolf. The man commonly known as the Golden Beetle.
The nickname came from his exceptional business acumen. Like beetles drawn to grain, wherever gold coins flowed in abundance, Wolf was always there staking a claim.
Most of the liquor and luxuries entering the Demonic Realm passed through his trading company. He was the wealthiest merchant in the Demonic Realm by far.
"But lately, there's been some bad rumors about Wolf."
"He get into some shady business?"
"Well, that's par for the course with him—no rumors there. Bottom line: people say he's lost his mind."
For some reason, Wolf had decided to live as a recluse. He hadn't shown his face at any public events in months.
That wasn't too surprising. But what came next was the problem.
Wolf liquidated all his businesses at rock-bottom prices. He'd sold off the trading empire he'd built practically for free. Once word got out, rumors spread among the merchants.
The Golden Beetle had abandoned a thriving business. Something like that could only happen if he was insane.
"That enough background? Now, about Wolf's commission..."
"Hold on."
Woojin suddenly cut Claire off.
"Wh-what? Is something wrong...?"
"Nah, just think it'd be more comfortable sitting down. Let's grab a table somewhere and order drinks."
"There's a nice restaurant right nearby."
Following Claire's lead, they soon entered the eatery. After sitting and ordering food, they resumed their conversation.
"Where was I?"
"You were about to talk about Wolf's commission."
"Right, almost done. It's simple. We said he wrapped up all his Demonic Realm businesses, right? So what do you think he's planning next?"
It was an easy question.
"Head back inside the Barrier Wall. No reason to stick around the Demonic Realm anymore."
"Exactly. But his operations are so massive that he's got a mountain of wealth piled up. To transport it safely inside the wall, he needs mercenaries. That's the commission."
When big money moves, hyenas always come sniffing around.
That's why Wolf was seeking reliable mercenaries. To escort the cargo safely, he needed ones with top-notch skills and unwavering loyalty.
The Black Marlin Mercenary Corps had been hunting Mad Skulls to build their record and catch Wolf's eye.
"Though we got unlucky and I nearly died... but hey, thanks to that, Jin and I got this close."
Claire raised her glass slightly, and Woojin, reading her intent, clinked his against it. They toasted.
The liquor in the glass was surprisingly strong.
"...Wasn't this supposed to be mead? Why's it taste nothing like honey?"
"You ordered it knowing that? Mead is strong liquor. The honey ferments, the sugar vanishes, and the alcohol content shoots up..."
"Wait. I need to order something else."
Woojin grabbed the menu, looking a bit flustered. Seeing this, Claire teased him with a grin.
"What a shame. If we'd finished this bottle, you and I could've gotten even closer tonight."
"Getting too close too fast isn't good."
He ordered a bottle of apple juice while replying. The server soon brought it over in a glass bottle and set it on the table.
Liquor bottle and juice bottle side by side. Claire stared at them for a moment, then pointed alternately with a gesture.
"Check the labels. Both have golden beetle drawings, right? That's the logo symbolizing the Golden Beetle."
"Both made by his company?"
"Yep. Even the beer we had last time was theirs. From production to distribution to sales—they monopolized it all and raked in the cash."
Claire muttered curiously.
"Why would Wolf abandon this business and retire? It's structured to make money on its own."
"...Yeah."
Woojin pondered it too. It really was suspicious. No wonder the rumors of madness were flying...
After spending some time with Claire, Woojin returned to the inn and turned in.
The next morning arrived. Early as it was, Jonathan gathered the members again. For some reason, his expression was grim.
"Wolf is dead."
Jonathan blurted it out. The unexpected news threw everyone into confusion. Murmurs spread.
"Quiet, quiet! I ain't done yet."
Once he silenced the group, Jonathan continued.
"Don't freak out. There've been nonstop rumors that Wolf's health was failing lately. His death isn't that shocking. What's important is our commission."
Wolf might be dead, but the cargo escort job wasn't canceled. Plenty of people could fill his shoes.
Wolf had three children under him.
Two sons and a daughter. The eldest and second son were staying in the 4th Pioneer City, itching to move the Golden Beetle's fortune inside the Barrier Wall.
"So our job hasn't changed a bit: transport the Golden Beetle's wealth inside the wall. The problem is, this commission's too big for one mercenary corps to handle."
It took at least a full month to trek from the 4th Pioneer City to the Barrier Wall. Who knew what enemies they'd face along the way.
To safely transport the Golden Beetle's fortune, they needed more manpower.
"Three mercenary corps are teaming up. One's ours; the others are the Red Horn Mercenary Corps and the Iron Shield Mercenary Corps. They're pretty big names in the business."
Of course, Woojin had never heard of them. He knew zilch about the mercenary world.
He glanced around. The members seemed mostly positive. Comments like "I trust those guys with my back" floated around.
It looked like they were partnering with some highly reputable groups.
'Things are working out better than expected.'
Woojin's ultimate goal was the Alliance's Barrier Wall anyway. Traveling with armed mercenaries would be safer, and he could pocket some cash from the escort gig to boot.
...But one thing nagged at him.
'Why did Wolf die?'
Something felt off.