Journey to the City (4)
Journey to the City (4)
Until now, the journey had been nothing but peaceful.
The unexpected happened the next morning.
Perhaps it was because we'd be arriving in the city by evening—everyone had let their guard down.
As if mocking our carefree atmosphere, bandits suddenly appeared.
"Halt!"
The two carriages came to an abrupt stop as the group's attention snapped forward.
Men who looked unmistakably rough and vicious were blocking the road.
"Well, well. Ain't that a familiar face? Seyron-hyung, wasn't it?"
"...Long time no see. I thought you'd quit this business by now."
"What can I say? Times are tough. This is the only trade I know."
Seyron, the leader who'd been driving the front carriage, stepped down from the coachman's seat.
They seemed acquainted, but there was no warmth in their exchange.
"No need for long talks. Same as before—1 Arshen per person. Fair?"
"You're squeezing blood from a flea."
As expected, they were highwaymen.
Still, they seemed willing to let us pass if paid. Seyron handed over the toll rather than risk bloodshed.
The bandit counting heads paused when his finger pointed at me.
"Wait. What's with her?"
"She's with us. I gave you five coins' worth."
"No, no! You never mentioned a woman!"
The man who appeared to be their leader scraped out an irritated growl.
He was exceptionally large, with a long sword hanging at his waist.
"Ah, skip the chatter. 20 Arshen. Pay up."
"...What? That's not what we agreed!"
"Don't like it? Then hand over the girl. Not a bad deal, eh?"
5 Arshen was already no small sum.
Four times that amount—20 Arshen—was practically a fortune to commoners.
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Sensing the situation turning dangerous, the group grabbed their cudgels.
The bandits drew hand axes with menacing expressions.
Our side had five, including me. They had four.
But Seyron stood defenseless before them—that was the problem.
If taken hostage, fighting would be impossible.
Even if we abandoned him and fought, another issue remained.
Tir might manage with his sword, but would the other two laborers be any help?
Against bandits who made a living through plunder, it'd be hopeless.
In the end, I'd have to handle most of it alone.
I slowly assessed the situation.
The three underlings weren't particularly large or muscular.
Only their leader posed a real threat. Decision made.
"...Alright. Just taking me will suffice, right?"
"Huh? Noona! You can't!"
"I'll be fine, Tir. Nothing's more important than life. Gentlemen, I surrender—please spare the others."
Raising both hands, I exhaled a bitter sigh.
Tir called out in shock, but I ignored him, trudging toward the bandits.
"Now, now! No need for that!"
"Hey, old man. Shut it. She came willingly—what's the issue?"
I naturally positioned myself between Seyron and the bandits.
My sword remained hidden beneath my robe's folds.
Their attention was wholly fixated on my face and chest.
"Been a while since we had some fun."
"Damn right, boss. This bitch is smoking hot."
Ignoring their chatter, I slipped a hand into my robe.
One breath later, my blade flashed out like lightning.
Tensed muscles exploded into motion.
The sword cleaved through empty air—then through the bandit leader's neck.
"Ghk...! Gah...!"
His nearly severed head lolled as his body crumpled.
Not a clean decapitation, but the deep gash ensured instant death.
"The fuck?! Shit!"
No time to wipe sprayed blood.
I swung at the bandit beside him.
He barely blocked with his axe's shaft.
"Grah...!"
I pressed down with brute strength.
My superior force gradually drove the blade through the wooden handle.
He resisted, but soon I'd cleave through—then his life.
But the contest ended there.
Axes swung at me from both sides.
I yanked my sword free and kicked the bandit in the gut, sending him sprawling.
Leaping back, I dodged one axe and parried the other.
Fighting multiple opponents was always troublesome.
Some torn clothes were acceptable—better than taking wounds.
Then a crossbow bolt thudded into one bandit's thigh.
"Covering fire!"
Seyron had retreated and fired.
As the hit bandit shrieked, I plunged my sword deep into his belly.
Two left.
I retrieved my blade and blocked another axe strike.
The kicked bandit was scrambling toward me again.
"Raaah!"
Tir charged in, swinging wildly at that bandit.
Perfect timing. I could leave one to him.
Now one-on-one.
An untrained, poorly armed bandit thug.
No chance against me in a straight fight.
Pressing forward while blocking his axe, I shoved him bodily.
He staggered off-balance.
My sword flashed.
His throat opened, blood gushing.
"Ghk... ugh..."
Too soon to relax.
I spun and stabbed the bandit fighting Tir.
"Guh...!"
A sickening sensation traveled up the blade.
So this was how it felt to pierce a human heart.
I pulled my sword free. It was over.
My first life-or-death battle. My first kill.
Yet all I felt was mild exhaustion.
Perhaps from enduring too much already.
Maybe part of me had broken long ago.
I tore cloth from a bandit to wipe blood off my sword and clothes.
Couldn't forget the spoils either.
The leader's coin pouch held 13 Arshen and some coppers.
Decent compensation for the effort.
But more valuable than silver was:
- Pain (328pt)
Eliminating the bandits gained me about 250 points.
Enough to boost a stat or two.
Killing them swiftly probably limited the points earned.
I took the leader's sword too.
Not quality, but scrap metal had value.
Surveying the four corpses, I reflected.
Had I not struck first, I might've bled too.
Neutralizing their leader immediately decided the fight.
"Tir."
He stood panting, sword still drawn.
Still riding the battle's adrenaline.
Calling his name brought him back.
I flicked him an Arshen coin.
"Good work."
"Ah, thank you!"
He'd risked his life too—he'd earned it.
Returning to the group, I offered Seyron five Arshen.
"Your toll returned. Fine crossbow work."
"Not as fine as your swordplay. Keep the coin."
"If you insist."
No point refusing free silver.
"And... thank you. You saved my life."
His deep bow conveyed genuine gratitude.
As a merchant, he calculated quickly.
He'd known hostage-taking was likely.
Even paying 20 Arshen wouldn't have guaranteed safety.
"...Just repaying meals."
I'd received undue hospitality for an unproven mercenary.
Food and lodging had been provided—this was mere repayment.
After disposing of the bodies, we resumed travel.
The journey proceeded smoothly, soon leaving the mountains behind.
As dusk fell, we finally reached the city.
"So this is Rivaid."
"First time, Noona? I was amazed too as a kid."
"Yeah. Never seen a city this big."
My rural hometown Chevika paled in comparison.
The overwhelming city walls. The sprawling main road.
Countless people and carriages coming and going.
Truly worthy of being called the eastern gateway—a hub of trade and transport.
"Time to part ways, regrettably. You've been a great help."
"The help was yours. Made for an easy journey."
Past the gates, we prepared to go our separate ways.
Handshakes and farewells exchanged after five days together.
"You mentioned becoming a mercenary? Best of luck."
"Thanks. Our paths may cross again."
"I'll look forward to it."
Seyron's straightforward personality made for good company.
Next, I bid Tir farewell.
"See you around."
"Absolutely, Noona!"
The boy who'd accidentally become intimate with me.
No harm done—we'd both enjoyed it.
Though I did feel slightly guilty taking his virginity without romance.
"Ah, Tir."
Turning to leave, I called back.
"My name's Rene. You probably already knew."
"Whoa! Finally! Rene Noona! Remember this Tir, okay?"
"Will do. Bye."
Hearing a name directly carried different weight than secondhand.
I raised a hand to match his enthusiastic waving.
Unlike our unpleasant first meeting, he now seemed just a sincere youth.
After parting, I walked west along the main road.
Turn right at the intersection, wasn't it?
Seyron's directions led me straight there.
Rivaid's Mercenary Guild.
My new workplace awaited.