Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Branch Point (1) - What Do You Think?
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"Right this way."
Following the man's guidance to the village hall, I found the area around it meticulously cleaned up. Music and laughter drifted from beyond the wooden door.
'Doesn't seem like a trap.'
As I pushed open the door and stepped inside, a wave of hot air hit me, carrying the scents of food and alcohol that tickled my nose.
The fairly spacious room was packed with people. Excluding those on guard duty outside, it looked like everyone was here.
With tables and chairs in short supply—probably all used for barricades—only a few were seated.
"I've brought him."
Trailing the man, I spotted the mercenary I'd met earlier grinning at me.
"Ah, there you are! Sit, sit! Come on, take a seat!"
He patted the chair in front of him insistently, so I sat down. He sprang to his feet from his spot.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!"
He clapped his hands, and the singing and music cut off in an instant. All eyes turned our way.
"Our hero who saved us has graced us with his presence! So, what should we do about that?"
"A toast!"
"Yeah!"
"Exactly. That's the way!"
Suddenly, a wooden mug appeared right in front of me. Peering inside, it held what I assumed was beer.
"What do you say? Want to give a toast?"
"Not really my thing. I get embarrassed."
When I turned him down, he chuckled and raised his mug.
"Our hero's feeling shy, so I'll do the honors. To the Karoi Mercenary Group—let's get along great from here on out! To our hero, and to our bright future!!!"
"To that!"
A roaring cheer erupted as everyone noisily downed their drinks. Caught up in the moment, I tilted my mug back too.
'Yep, beer.'
The cheap barley flavor and thick bitterness assaulted my tongue without mercy. Grimacing, I hurriedly shoveled some stew from the bowl in front of me.
Slurp—
It was stew with no chunks, just a faint musty smell. Back in the day, I'd have been grateful for it, but after the noble's feast earlier today, my tastes had apparently shot up.
"How's it going? Great atmosphere, right?"
As I pushed the bowl away, the mercenary—Karoi, that was his name—struck up a conversation with me.
"Yeah, it's good. But that toast was pretty short."
"The whole point is eating and drinking. No need to drag it out."
"Fair enough. Speaking of, Karoi Mercenary Group? That's a new one?"
He shook his head with a laugh.
"Formed it yesterday after the goblin fight. Needed some solidarity, especially for those who lost family or friends."
"Hmm."
He was sharp, no doubt. Though I was sure there were less noble motives mixed in too.
"So this party's to celebrate the group's founding, then."
"You got it. And to mark that we survived yesterday."
"Then why invite me to something like this?"
"I just said it. You're the hero who saved us."
I said nothing and just drank my beer. Water would've been better, but this fit the vibe.
'There has to be more to it.'
It could be genuine gratitude. But something felt off, nagging at me.
'Might as well play along for now.'
"Man, yesterday was a shock. I knew you were strong, but not that strong!"
"Yeah?"
"Obviously. With skills like that, I figured you'd be famous in mercenary circles. But nope, nobody's heard of you."
"Common name."
I shrugged it off vaguely. Sensing I wasn't keen to chat, he switched topics on his own.
"Well, I'll go mingle with the others. You just drink and enjoy."
"Sure."
"Hey, Alina! Come over here and pour our hero a drink!"
The blonde woman smiled and sauntered over to me, plopping down in Karoi's vacated seat.
'She stinks.'
She was attractive enough, but the stench from not bathing in ages ruined it. Nothing like the pleasant scents from Amelia or Anne.
"Hello, hero?"
She pressed right up against me with a grin, rubbing her chest against my arm in a blatant move. It wasn't bad, but every whiff of her odor killed the mood.
"Let me pour you one."
I held out my mug, and she filled it—while planting a hand on my thigh. Nearby guys shot jealous glances our way. Some even glared.
"What the hell does he have?"
"Pardon? Did you say something?"
"Nah. Mind giving me some space?"
I scowled and shrugged her off my shoulder. Her face hardened, but that was it—no further reaction.
'Why's she suddenly all over me?'
As I started pondering, her whisper slithered into my ear. I couldn't make out the words, but it grated anyway.
"Shut it and sit still."
I grabbed some random food from the table and stuffed it into her mouth. She pulled back a bit farther after that.
This was more comfortable.
'What's their angle?'
Recruiting me into the group? That made sense. But for that, this party? Or was that exactly why they threw it?
'No clue.'
I sighed heavily and chugged the beer. The lukewarm swill did nothing for my frustration.
'Just wait it out.'
I quietly nursed my drink while opening the shop.
Current Gold: 3,327G Gold had piled up nicely since the goblin and zombie fights. Where to spend it to make a good impression?
'What's my biggest gap?'
Plenty of options came to mind. But stats could cover most.
If only I had a knight for advice. Unfortunately, only dead weight around me.
'Living mostly outside the village means senses would be top priority.'
You never knew when or how death might strike. Even knights could fall to a blind arrow.
'Nah, probably not.'
A real knight would slice an arrow mid-flight. That's what made them knights.
I flicked my finger to search 'Sense'. Odd looks from beside me? Whatever.
Search results for 'Sense'. No results found. 'Figured.'
No way they'd sell something that good on the cheap. What then? Idly scrolling, one caught my eye.
Crude Mana Manipulation 4,000G Allows crude handling of mana. 'Mana, huh...'
I'd steadily eyed it but never invested—no real use for it.
'Might as well try it out.'
Needed to gauge its power before deciding whether to raise it.
'Buy it once I save up.'
I closed the shop window just as a man plopped down beside me.
"Hey, Hanson. Having fun?"
Turning, I met Karoi's flushed, drunken face.
"Eh, somewhat."
"'Somewhat'? And you just let the girl go? If you were that desperate, we could've lent you a house."
"I'm good."
I wasn't that horny yet, and anyway, hooking up with her screamed STDs. Even without that, the stench would've killed it.
"Fair enough, to each their own. Cheers anyway!"
I clinked mugs and chugged mine.
"Now that's drinking!"
After that, Karoi and I downed a ton of beer. By volume, we'd probably emptied a whole keg between us.
'And I'm still sober.'
Not the cheap beer—Karoi was wasted next to me. My Good Recovery must've been working its magic here too.
"Hey. Hanson."
To avoid suspicion, I swayed a bit and slurred lightly. It might even loosen his tongue if he dropped his guard.
"Yeah?"
My voice made Karoi's eyes gleam—like he'd snagged his chance.
'Knew it. He had an agenda.'
No way he'd invited me purely out of the goodness of his heart in this world.
"I've got this great idea. What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Can't say yet."
"What bullshit is that?"
I scowled, and he waved it off.
"No, no, not messing with you. It's just that good an idea—if I tell you, you'll have to join in."
"What if I say no after?"
"Then... well, nothing to be done."
His words said one thing, but his eyes screamed murder.
'Now I'm even more curious.'
I thought it over, then spoke up.
"Why tell me?"
"Plans have conditions, steps, right?"
"Sure."
"Everything's lined up perfectly for my idea... except one thing. And you're the one who can fill it."
"Me."
He grinned and nodded.
"So, you in? Won't cost you a thing."
"...Lay it out first."
Taking that as a yes, he exhaled deeply.
"You know the noble and knight upstairs?"
"Yeah."
"Thinking of killing them. What do you say?"
"What?"
This guy was way crazier than I'd imagined.