Chapter 11
The rendezvous point for the special task force was a quiet clearing nestled in the mountains. By the time we arrived, parties from the other guild branches were already there, waiting.
Gazes turned toward us, the latecomers, laced with thinly veiled irritation.
Including us, there were three parties gathered—matching the number of branches participating in this special request.
"Well, look who finally showed up—the stars of the show."
"The last party's here at last."
"Why'd those closest guys show up dead last?"
Sneering voices drifted from one side. The leader of that party—a woman—shot her comrades a warning glance.
"Ugh, cut it out, you guys. They could've had something come up. Shit happens, right?"
But she didn't exactly shut them down hard, making it clear she shared their quiet resentment over our tardiness.
And our party had just the hothead who couldn't let that slide.
Bella was the first to bristle, growling from behind me like she was ready to charge and beat the smirks off their faces.
"Hey, Ian. I memorized those muttering fuckers' faces. Just say the word—I'll go smash 'em right now."
"Smash what, you psycho? We are late, that's a fact."
"Fuck that—being late is one thing, but sneering it loud enough for us to hear? That's straight-up disrespect. Hey, even in the mercenary guild, I never got treated like this."
Even as I tried to calm her, Bella kept griping. Left with no choice, I resorted to emergency measures.
"...Cheong-ah. Put Bella on booze lockdown for a week."
"What?! No, hey! What the hell?!"
"Yes, darling. Got it."
"Ah, come on. You were pissed too! Huh?! You were just about to draw your sword!"
"That's that, and this is this. Darling said no, so we stop."
"Ah, fuck. You sneaky bitch!"
In the end, with Bella clinging and begging, I nodded magnanimously.
"Fine! I'll hold it in, okay? Ian? Please? Call it off."
"This time only."
"Phew... Thanks. Hey, Cheong-ah, you heard? It's off. Off."
"No? Bella's still on booze lockdown for a week."
"Ah, why?!"
"Who knows?"
"Ah, seriously...! Why?!"
"Beats me."
"Aaaargh! Fuck!"
I left the fuming Bella behind and approached the assembled adventurers. First things first—an apology for being late.
But I wasn't about to grovel. A party's leader is its face. Sure, I'd bend a little for myself, but right now I represented Cheong-ah, Bella, and Dina. Chest out, I bowed my head politely, conveying my regret.
"We're the party joining from Tronen. Sorry we're a bit late."
My words softened the scowls that had twisted their faces moments ago, if only slightly. In daily life, admitting fault with sincerity goes a long way—people pause, their anger deflating.
Of course, some twisted types bite harder once you apologize, but most folks aren't like that.
The first to accept was a burly man flashing a friendly smile. His face was buried in a thick beard from muttonchops to chin, giving him a cuddly bear vibe.
"No worries at all. You're not that late. Herald here, from the Einz branch."
"Thanks for understanding. I'm Ian, leader of the Ian Party."
His kind looks put me right at ease. But his next words made me doubt my ears.
"Ah, I'm the leader of Meat Between Bread."
"...Pardon?"
Had I misheard? What kind of party name—?
As I blinked in confusion, voices from his comrades behind him carried over.
"See? Told you that retarded name needs changing."
"But it sticks in your head, doesn't it? Not bad."
"Everyone reacts the same way, though."
Herald breezily ignored them, extending a hand with that same warm grin. I shook it awkwardly.
"Herald of Meat Between Bread. Nice to meet you."
"Er... That's a pretty unique name."
"Hear that a lot. We kinda picked it on a whim. Haha. Fun, right?"
His crew had a point—it did lodge in your brain.
"Yeah, not bad."
"Speaking of, Ian from Tronen... I've heard rumors. You wouldn't be that guy...?"
"...Yeah. That's me."
"Haha... What an honor. Meeting the luckiest bastard alive."
Uh, honor? Sure.
As Herald and I chatted, the leader of the last party—a woman—approached with a greeting.
"Don't hog the convo, you two. Mind including our party? Someone might think you're the only ones teaming up."
"Oh, Hain. Sorry. Ian, this is—"
"Hain from the Lien branch. That's our crew over there—Blade Vane."
She jerked a thumb at her group, standing a bit apart. They scowled when our eyes met—the same ones who'd grumbled about our lateness earlier.
We were late, our bad, but separately... those guys seemed like real assholes. Still, decent party name. Blade Vane. Wonder what it means.
"Ian."
"Heard. So, what's your party's rank? Kinda curious about who we're working with. I run into Meat-Bread guys often enough to know theirs, but Tronen's far off."
She eyed my comrades behind me, probing for rank to gauge superiority. Herald shook his head with a 'here she goes again' look and stepped back—he knew our rep, figured no need to intervene, and maybe even hoped she'd get owned.
Fine, let's toy with her a bit. I smiled sweetly.
"Me first—Iron Badge."
Her brows shot up. She dug in her ear with a finger, as if doubting her hearing.
"...Huh? Iron Badge? Did I hear that right?"
"Yep, loud and clear. I'm Iron rank."
"No fucking way—what Iron Badge bullshit is this? What the hell, Tronen sends an Iron scrub to work with us? And you volunteered? I'm baffled."
Her face twisted in disbelief bordering on rage. Before more curses flew, I pressed on.
"Hey, quit your bitching and take your party home."
"My party's got two Platinums. One just hit Gold a few days ago."
"What? Say that again?"
Her profanity cut off mid-stream. She glanced behind me.
"Platinum and Gold? Bullshit. Why would they party with an Iron...?"
I grinned and beckoned them over.
"Guess I should introduce you. Better get familiar if we're cooperating."
"Uh, w-wait... Hold on..."
Three figures sidled up. Hain's expression shifted oddly.
"What's up, darling?"
"Something wrong?"
"What is it?"
"J-just a sec."
I pointed them out one by one. Cheong-ah first. She blinked—what's this about?—but played along instantly.
"This is my, uh... wife, Cheong-ah. Goes by Hojab. Got your badge, Cheong-ah? Show her—she won't believe you're Platinum."
"I'm Ju Cheong-ah. Pleased to meet you."
She drew her Platinum adventurer badge from her bosom and bowed gracefully. Hain nodded dumbly, accepting it.
"Y-yeah... Hain here. H-huge honor meeting a Platinum."
"Likewise."
Next, Bella. Hain's face froze cold at my words.
"This is Bella. Nicknamed Princess of the Smackdown."
"Ah...? Smackdown Princess? Y-you mean that Smackdown Princess?! From the mercenary guild?!"
Terror hit her at "Smackdown." Her voice quavered in shock. No wonder—rumors hadn't reached Lien yet.
"Yeah, she switched to the adventurer guild recently from mercenaries. Missed that?"
"I-I never heard...!"
What kind of life had our Bella lived? Why did everyone blanch and tremble at her name? Adorable to me, baffling otherwise.
Hain stole a glance at Bella, met her eyes, and muttered.
"R-red hair... one-eyed. One-armed... massive greatsword... Why didn't I recognize...?"
Bella, tilting her head at the pale face, nudged my side.
"Hey, what're we doing?"
"Just say hi. I'll explain later."
"Fine. Got something to say myself anyway."
She shrugged, sauntered over, and slung an arm around Hain's shoulders.
"Looks like you know my face. Nice?"
"M-meeting you is an h-honor..."
"Honor my ass. Hey, though—those punks bitching about us being late... yours, right?"
"Th-that's... n-not on purpose..."
"Whatever."
Dismissing the stammer, Bella leaned in close, face hardening coldly.
"...Watch yourself."
"Eek!"
Hain looked ready to foam at the mouth and faint. I yanked Bella back by the scruff.
"Enough, Bella. Keep it up, and you'll get punished."
"F-fuck. What punishment? Already banned from booze by Cheong-ah bitch—nothing scares me now."
"Really?"
Her eyes wavered wildly at my question. She stammered.
"Wh-what're you gonna do?"
"Dunno. Something even better than last time?"
"Ugh. You pervert."
"So, hate it?"
I snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her close. Her cheeks flushed pink.
"Shut up, asshole. L-let go...!"
She whipped her head away in embarrassment, shoved off my arm, and stormed off in a huff.
"God, she's cute."
"Wh-what...? Who the hell are you?"
I chuckled softly, ignoring the mutter, and turned away. Moments later, our Tronen branch manager Hopkins arrived, signaling the start of the extermination.