Chapter 16
The moment we stepped into the back alleys of the Red Evil Mercenaries' turf, I trailed after Dina, who marched ahead with her limbs swinging rhythmically—chick-chick-chick.
"Dee, Dee-na ride. Dee, Dee-na ride."
She hummed her little tune, brimming with inexplicable joy. Listening to that adorable song, I almost forgot she was older than me sometimes. Where the hell did she even pick up a ditty like that?
"Dina, how far are we going?"
She'd said we were heading to the Thieves' Guild, but once we hit the alleys, she just kept pushing deeper without turning off. Curiosity got the better of me, so I asked. She tilted her head back just enough to glance up at me, flashing a cute grin.
"Hee hee, not much farther, Yeonja."
Not much farther... I was still puzzled when a gang of thugs blocked our path.
"Hey, you two. Hold up a sec."
There were five of them. They scowled as fiercely as they could, trying to look intimidating, but it didn't faze me much. No weapons, no burly builds—just scrawny frames with ugly mugs and what looked like tattoos. I could've handled them solo, no problem.
Dina gave them a quick once-over, then turned to me with smug pride.
"See, Yeonja? They came out just as I said."
"What did?"
"Hee hee, the Thieves' Guild."
"Huh...?"
These guys are the Thieves' Guild? How the hell did she know? I stared in confusion, unable to make sense of it, when the apparent leader stepped forward.
"Your clothes and vibe scream outsider. You from out of town? What's with barging around our turf? Here to toss some charity coins?"
"Heh heh... nice threads on that one."
"Yo, that little girl's kinda cute too. Bet the pervs who like 'em young would pay top coin."
"Hear that? Hand over the clothes and the brat, lanky bastard, and we'll let you walk away in one piece."
He fished a tiny dagger from his pocket for emphasis, but it was rusted to shit—looked like it'd give you tetanus just from a nick. Hell, maybe he kept it that way on purpose.
"Hey, Dina."
"Worry not, Yeonja. This one shall handle it."
"No, it's not that... Are these guys really the Thieves' Guild?"
In fantasy tropes, weren't they supposed to be some powerhouse outfit? These looked like run-of-the-mill street trash.
"Watch closely, Yeonja."
Dina ignored their threats entirely, stepping forward cool as ice.
"This one has business with the Thieves' Guild. Care to guide us?"
"Thieves' Guild? Ha, what're you on about, you little—"
Oh no, he didn't. That fool uttered the forbidden word—no one in their right mind said that to Dina. Survival odds? Slim to none, unless you were a precious comrade like me, Bella, or Cheong-ah. Even then, Bella tossed it around casually, but after the third time, Dina snapped—yanking hair, getting physical. Me and Cheong-ah? Never dared. Point was, no one walked away unscathed after calling her that.
And now? Dina's aura flipped 180 degrees the instant she heard it.
"...What did you just say?"
Her voice froze cold, thick killing intent rippling off her. I couldn't see it—my skills weren't that sharp—but Cheong-ah had clued me in once.
"Hubby, when Dina hears 'little one,' she gets mad and her killing intent surges."
Only someone like Cheong-ah could've sensed it. These third-rate punks? Clueless. They doubled down on the dumbassery.
"What? This little one's ears already go—"
Another one chimed in from the leader's side. Didn't matter to Dina. Two strikes of "little one" had hit her ears.
"You filthy rats... I sought to resolve this peacefully, but I cannot abide."
In a flash—poof—Dina vanished, reappearing before them.
Crack!
Too fast for them to react, her kick sent the last "little one"-spouter flying into the wall.
"Guh...?!"
He crumpled before he could scream. His buddies panicked.
"R-Roy...!"
"Wh-What the— This little one did wha—Gyaaah!"
Another "little one." Dina's fist smashed the offender's arm—snap—snapping the forearm clean in half. Bone jutted out, arm dangling like a ragdoll.
"G-Gyaaaah?!"
Oof, bones shouldn't break that easy.
From there, it wrapped up quick. Back-alley thugs were classic bullies—strong against weak, weak against strong.
"M-Mercy... We didn't mean...!"
"Sorry! Forgive us!"
"Waaah, our bad!"
They dropped to their knees, begging under Dina's discipline.
"Very well."
Of course.
"This one is merciful. I shall forgive you... with your teeth."
Words spoken couldn't be unsaid.
§
Short skirmish later, they led us to the Thieves' Guild building. Toothless but alive, they scampered off like roaches under light at Dina's dismissive wave, thrilled to bits.
Inside the guild...
"What the hell? Who're these punks?"
"Oho, that little one's got some—"
More of the same crap. Dina rampaged again, yanking teeth one by one till she regained composure. Still, teeth were had.
"That's how it went down."
"I-I see. Ha ha..."
The Soboro branch guild master—Yam, he'd introduced himself—wiped cold sweat as I recapped our alley trek. Quick on the uptake, not some hack who'd lucked into the chair. No reckless charges or bullshit; he knelt straight, asking our business without prying identities.
"My men grievously erred against honored guests."
"Eh, mistakes happen. They paid the price, so water under the bridge."
"Y-Yes, th-thank you for your mercy."
"Mercy? Yeonja, I could pluck his teeth right now—"
"Eek...!"
"Dina, enough. Our Dina's a good girl, right?"
"Uuu... Fine, okay."
"There, all good. No need to shake."
"Y-Yes..."
I stroked her head myself to rein her in, impressed by his politeness. No need for his teeth over poor subordinate management.
"Anyway, enough chit-chat. We're looking for a mercenary band."
"Mercenaries...?"
"Yeah. Recent civil war here in Soboro over succession, right?"
He caught on quick, eyes darting cautiously—Red Evil Mercenaries.
"Ah, yes... Indeed. So, the band you're seeking... Red...?"
"Yep, Red Evil. You know 'em."
"Of course. That succession mess was huge here. The previous lord handpicked his daughter—the Soboro countess's lady—as heir, but her uncle, the current lord, usurped it."
"Huh."
"Most retainers inexplicably backed the uncle, leaving her cornered. Then the Red Evil Mercenaries stepped up—the only ones offering aid."
Their prowess kept the fight tight, apparently. Bella's handpicked vets, each a beast. I'd never seen 'em fight, but her pride in them meant they weren't scrubs.
Stalemate dragged... until the uncle's hired gun showed.
"Hired gun? Who?"
"Not sure. Heard he looked like an assassin... but unconfirmed."
"Assassin, huh?"
"Yes. Once he appeared, the tide turned fast. Red Evil couldn't touch him. Their captain baited him personally, buying time for the mercs to retreat with the lady."
"You know your stuff. What next?"
"Well..."
He hesitated.
"Spit it out."
"Th-This intel was premium—we planned to sell it to the current lord for big coin..."
"Nice payday if you'd offloaded it."
"Y-Yeah, heh heh."
Greasy rub of hands, sly glance. Money ask incoming.
"So, you want payment?"
"Just a little..."
Money, huh. Cheong-ah gave me some, but...
"Dina."
"Mm? What is it, Yeonja?"
"This guy's still not getting it. Handle him your way?"
"Eh? Truly? Very well, then..."
No way I was paying. That'd buy a magic tool. Dina was payment enough.
"W-Wait! I must've lost my mind!"
"What?"
"On second thought, this intel's worthless. Free for honored guests—my bad brain, ha ha... Sorry!"
"So you tried selling me trash info for cash?"
"Th-That is..."
Sweat poured; eyes spun.
"Kidding. Laugh."
"A-Aha ha... J-Joke, got it. Witty one, ha ha."
After prying the Red Evil Mercenaries' and Behena's hideout from him, I headed to rendezvous with Cheong-ah and Bella.