Impalen Mountains Dungeon (2)
Meanwhile, one more person had heard the news that Yurin was joining Calix's expedition and wore a grave expression.
"Is it true?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then Madam Hari will tag along too, right?"
"Of course she will. She dotes on the young lady so much."
"I should've kicked that slimy noble brat's ass out last time he showed up…!"
"He must've sweet-talked Yurin into it. Probably fed her some line about making a fortune."
"I've never met a single one of those types I liked. Damn it all!"
"What will you do?"
"What can I do? If we're not careful, she'll get dragged into that dungeon. What the hell is that guy thinking? Dungeons aren't something you clear just by throwing bodies at them…."
"It might actually be for the best. The mood around here hasn't been great lately. Those gangbangers and criminals are bound to clash big-time soon."
"Yeah. Let's use this commission as an excuse to lay low."
"We can come back pretending we knew nothing, sweep up whoever's left, or negotiate. Either way, it works in our favor."
"Heh, exactly what I was thinking."
The Black Wing Mercenary Corps, gunning for Calix.
The Steel Shield Mercenary Corps, targeting them.
And those stepping up to protect Madam Hari as well.
Poznyu swirled in a vortex of tangled desires.
Calix thought the old man at the commission brokerage was more capable than expected.
He'd figured it'd take at least a month, but exactly half a month later, a man in mercenary garb showed up at the salon where he was staying.
"I'm Trias. From now on, handle all matters regarding the mercenaries through me. This is an S-grade credit guarantee issued by the brokerage office. May I assemble the combat personnel and attendants?"
He was a stern-looking middle-aged man with scars wriggling across his face like earthworms.
Not particularly large in build, but sturdy, and dressed more neatly than your average mercenary.
Calix casually checked his status window and let a sly smile creep across his face.
It seemed Yurin had decided to come along precisely to lure this man in.
Hmm, to think a guy worth introducing to Madam Hari would show up this quick… Heh heh heh.
"Young master? Is there something that doesn't sit right with you?"
Trias asked cautiously when Calix just stared without a word.
Worried he might change his mind, Calix quickly nodded.
"Do it that way. But if we need 10 men, hire 13."
"You want to select them yourself, then. We won't get refunds on the advances for those not picked—is that alright?"
"Of course."
"Understood. We'll proceed."
"And prepare these as well."
"What are these?"
"A few items needed to conquer the dungeon. But when buying them, give only one per person. You alone need to know the full list of supplies. Get my meaning?"
"Security measures. Got it."
After explaining, Calix asked,
"Any questions?"
Trias hesitated a moment before speaking.
"May I ask how you found this place?"
"What?"
"Ahem! Did you perhaps take a liking to one of the escorts…."
Well now! Looks like I don't even need to make the intro.
Calix shook his head quickly to clear up the misunderstanding.
"I just asked around for a quiet spot away from prying eyes. A kid I ran into happened to recommend it. Hesitated since it's a salon, but it's surprisingly quiet and cozy, so I borrowed it for a bit. Why?"
"Oh, it's nothing. What I originally meant to ask was…."
"Wasn't that?"
Trias's previously lax expression turned serious.
"Any plans to hire additional mercenaries?"
"We're already at 200 including porters—still short?"
"From my experience, A-rank danger commissions boil down to two things: bait for an unfavorable battle, or dungeon exploration at A-grade difficulty or higher."
Calix smiled, amused.
Someone with Trias's connections could easily learn Calix wasn't gearing up for war.
That left only a dungeon, but he knew nothing about the target one.
"Hire more without knowing the dungeon's scale or rank? Sounds like you're saying we need to prepare for hyenas after the loot, not monsters. Right?"
Trias nodded slowly, face stiff.
"Don't take it lightly. To be frank, if I'd known this beforehand, I wouldn't have accepted. How about hiring extra mercenaries, even if it costs more? Overwhelming force on our side would deter easy attacks."
Calix shook his head.
"No. Sorry, but that's not happening."
"Don't underestimate them. They're no pushovers."
"One of the three major factions gunning for us, huh?"
Trias clamped his mouth shut.
Seeing Calix's knowing smile, he realized it.
This arrogant noble had no intention of listening.
He clearly thought mercenaries couldn't possibly harm nobility.
Pushing harder might even void their contract.
Ugh, if things get dicey… I'll just grab Yurin and Madam and bolt.
"Understood. Confirming contract terms: Hire 1.3 times the required personnel, prepare the listed supplies but distribute one per person for security. Correct?"
Calix nodded slowly.
"Yes. Proceed like that."
Three days later, Trias fulfilled the contract without a single deviation.
For someone who'd tried so hard to dissuade him, his handling was impeccably clean.
Exactly 260 gathered in the open field outside the city gates, as requested.
"You're out."
"You too."
As announced, Calix cut 30% from the expedition.
He'd checked their info and culled those with easily exploitable traits.
They hadn't been told only the chosen would join, so the rejects buzzed with excitement turned to protest.
They didn't dare vent at the noble Calix directly, swarming Trias instead.
After barely calming them, he approached Calix with a complaint.
"The backlash is worse than expected, young master."
"Trias."
"Yes."
"Watch those vocal ones closely from now on. Not all, but most are double-dealing spies."
"How do you know?"
"If they could skip danger and pocket the advance, they'd be thrilled. It's 50% upfront, right? They took bribes elsewhere, now they have to cough it up since they can't go."
"Sounds plausible."
"It's not plausible—it's the truth. Heh heh."
This wouldn't root out every spy, but the intel they could leak was drastically reduced.
Even a couple sneaking messages had limits.
After the ordeal, the expedition set off, heading north along the river.
Calix now handled his horse with decent skill. Yurin in disguise rode up beside him and whispered.
Nice catch, huh?
Calix gave an awkward smile.
He'd thought her just a kid, but she was far sharper than expected.
Like my gift?
Yeah, thaaanks.
Can't let my business partner scream his last in a dungeon, right?
Ugh!
She wasn't wrong, really.
Without her hint, he'd never have spotted the three factions after his head.
She'd even joined herself, gifting him Trias as a shield.
The quick mercenary assembly made sense now—Trias had grudgingly accepted due to his ties with Madam Hari.
Still, you sure? Impalen Mountains monsters are as vicious as Golda Plateau's.
Heh heh, this is basically my backyard.
Backyard? Weren't you born and bred in Szczecin County?
I was a mountain rat here in my dreams.
Dreams? Mountain rat?
Yurin cocked her head, nibbling her finger.
Irresistibly cute and innocent, ignoring that she'd call anyone with money "big bro."
Calix gazed at the endless majestic peaks, lost in nostalgia.
Impalen Mountains… A name that brings back memories.
In Heroes Destiny, new players started as "nameless adventurer"—total noobs.
Pick Lock Kingdom, and the safest route was heading to free city Poznyu for mercenary work.
Back then, I cursed those filthy nobles.
Heroics on the battlefield, yet merits stolen every time for being a commoner.
Rare noble backers would use and discard you.
Unlike other games, Heroes Destiny's world didn't reward effort fairly.
The law of the jungle ruled: might makes right.
That rigid class system was why the game was brutally hard.
But possessing a count's golden heir flipped the universe in his favor.
Bloodline alone changed the difficulty—impeccably realistic, in a way.
Though with one of Poznyu's three powers tailing him now, it wasn't all honey.
Trias approached Calix then.
"Still no final destination? This area's a tangled mess of monster territories. Can't just charge straight."
"I know."
"At least let me send scouts."
"No."
Frustrated, Trias tried Krout nearby.
"Sir Krout, a word?"
The reply was no different.
"I trust my lord. He has his reasons—obey the young master's orders absolutely."
Trias sighed inwardly.
How many mercenaries died due to nobles' idiotic stubbornness.
His eyes hardened coldly.
If casualties mount, we'll pull out.
Sorry to the external hires for this job, but he'd preserve the corps' core at least.
Yet things unfolded utterly unlike his fears.