15
Chapter 15
Am I screwed?
That was my first thought upon waking up.
The memory of choosing a perk in my dream yesterday was still fresh.
And I could immediately see the result.
[Enhancing the range of Blue Magic: Water Shield.]
The result of the random selection was a range enhancement.
As someone hoping for durability or secondary effects, it was rather disappointing.
[The defensive radius of Blue Magic: Water Shield has expanded.]
[Blue Magic: Water Shield has evolved into Blue Magic: Water Barrier.]
But seeing the message that followed gave me a glimmer of hope.
Above all, Water Barrier. The name sounded as grand as an ultimate magic spell.
There was nothing to do but check it myself.
I called upon my mana without hesitation.
[Water Barrier]
Swoosh—
Moisture underwent condensation, beginning to take shape.
A moment later, the completed Water Barrier floated before my eyes.
It was definitely different.
Unlike its previous rounded shape, it now had sharp edges.
At a glance, it was significantly larger than before.
Not just my upper body, but from my head down to my lower abdomen. The defensive area was noticeably wider.
It reminded me of a Roman soldier's shield.
Moreover, the phrase range enhancement didn't just mean a simple expansion.
The magic, which could previously only be manifested on the back of my hand, could now be summoned at a distance from my body.
Literally, as long as I had the line of sight and intent, I could even suspend it in midair.
"Crazy, isn't this amazing?"
It was far more useful than expected.
The mere fact that it was no longer restricted to my hand increased its potential applications exponentially.
I had been disappointed by the random perk, but this was definitely a success.
Honestly, if this was how good it was, I couldn't help but wonder about the others.
'Well, a person needs to know when to be satisfied.'
I raised my hand and lightly brushed the edge of the barrier.
The veil of water rippled like a surface, reacting to my movement.
It would become even clearer once I used it in actual combat.
I quietly withdrew my mana.
The veil of water slowly dispersed, lightly flowing out the window.
After the water droplets I habitually drank and spilled faded away, I got up from my seat.
...I'm hungry.
I gave my stiff body a good stretch, opened the door, and stepped out into the hallway.
Step, step, I walked down to the lobby with light steps.
I sat at a table, ordered a meal, and blankly looked around.
I didn't have a single penny to my name, but thankfully, Barret had covered my lodging and food expenses.
Thanks to him, I wouldn't have to worry about starving for a while.
'What should I do now.'
I didn't really have anything to do until Barret brought a new request.
I wouldn't even have a single coin in my hand until I received my pay from him.
Practically my entire livelihood depended on Barret.
"...Should I look around the city."
I muttered to myself, making a half-hearted plan, when my meal finally arrived.
The person who brought the food was Calea, a middle-aged woman and the owner of this inn.
The name of this inn was also Calea Inn. She must really love herself..
She set down the utensils with practiced movements and gave a brief smile.
I gave a slight nod and looked at the warm plate.
It was comfortable when people did things silently like that.
Having someone cling to me annoyingly like Barret didn't suit my personality.
The breakfast menu was oatmeal, black bread, and a boiled egg.
By this world's standards, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call this a feast.
In particular, the oatmeal here had a strangely deep flavor.
As if mixed with cheese, a rich, savory taste lingered on the tip of my tongue.
I scooped up a spoonful of porridge and was slowly savoring it when I felt a presence approaching from behind.
Why do they always come when I'm eating?
...No, come to think of it, I don't go outside unless I'm eating.
Looking back, contrary to my expectations, it wasn't Barret.
Wait, it was definitely a face I had seen before.
"Are you Riv, sir?"
"Yes, I am."
"Um, Captain Barret sent me."
Ah, so he was from Barret's Mercenary Group after all.
No wonder he looked familiar.
The man seemed a bit nervous, bowing halfway as he continued speaking.
"Captain Barret headed out right away, but he asked me to pass this on if you were awake. He said there will be contact with a client sometime this morning..."
I paused with my spoon in hand and looked at him.
As expected, peace never lasts long.
"A client... What kind of request is it?"
As soon as I finished my question, he gave a small shake of his head.
"That isn't exactly... The Captain said he would tell you himself. However, he did mention, 'it would be best to prepare for combat'..."
Damn it, combat again. Just hearing those words makes me feel suffocated.
I nodded my head.
"Understood. Do you happen to know where we're meeting?"
"He said to meet at the Mercenary Guild. I'll take my leave now."
He hurriedly stood up and left the Inn, and I turned my attention back to my porridge.
I can at least have one more bite, right.
Shoving the rest of the porridge into my mouth, I lifted my head slightly.
At this rate, my hopes for a quiet day are already ruined.
***
As I opened the door to the Inn, dusty air rushed in to greet me.
People were already out and about.
Merchants pulling carts, street vendors shouting from the early morning, and foreigners haggling in unfamiliar languages.
Mondak was a city that never had a moment of silence.
I quietly squeezed through the crowd and walked along the street.
The buildings were all uniquely designed.
They were built with similarly colored bricks, but none of their patterns or decorations were the same.
The most eye-catching structure was a massive, grey stone building located in the city's central Square.
A simple crest was carved into its front, and lanterns burned quietly on either side of the entrance.
It must be a Church.
An old woman was kneeling in front of it, praying in silence.
What kind of god do they believe in?
The people here might worship a specific deity of their own.
It could be a god of agriculture, or perhaps an entity like a Guardian Deity that protects the city.
A huge Mansion situated directly across from the central Square was lined with Guards, making it clear that someone important lived there.
They all wore similar armor, and their movements were highly disciplined.
Is it a Government Office, or the residence of a noble?
I turned my head away and continued walking down the street.
It would be exhausting to get in trouble for showing unnecessary interest.
Didn't they say the Guild was to the left of the Square?
I changed my direction to the left from the Square.
Merchants and Porters bustled back and forth along the sunlit stone path.
I turned toward the Square. Merchants and Porters bustled back and forth along the sunlit stone path.
Didn't they say the Guild was to the left of the Square? After walking a little further past a well, a large building caught my eye.
'Is this the Mercenary Guild?'
The signboard with a sword painted on it was faded by the sun, but as expected of a Guild in a large city, the stream of people never ceased.
I took a short breath in front of the door before stepping straight inside.
I slowly made my way further in, taking a look at my surroundings.
Befitting a massive city, one side of the wall was covered with recently posted requests, and several Mercenaries stood in front of it with their arms crossed, putting their heads together.
A long line had already formed in front of the reception desk, and I could even see an argument breaking out.
"We saw that one first!"
"Does laying eyes on it first make it yours? Besides, you guys botched it last time!"
A Receptionist with an exhausted face was struggling to mediate the dispute.
Avoiding the commotion, I took the stairs up to the second floor.
The second floor was a little more rowdy.
Mercenaries sat at large tables, eating or drinking while sharing information, and some were speaking directly with a Merchant.
It was a rather familiar sight by now.
No one paid me any attention, and I had no intention of making myself stand out either.
In a place this large, it would honestly be much weirder if someone walked in and people started going, 'Huh? A newbie?'
I found an empty seat by the wall and sat down.
'Has he not arrived yet?'
Barret was nowhere to be seen among the chatting Mercenaries.
For now, I had no choice but to wait here until he arrived.
Perhaps it was because I was sitting alone, staring blankly.
People kept bothering me, asking to form a party.
Moreover, perhaps due to my scrawny appearance, all the requests they shoved in my face were trivial.
I worried they might get violent if I refused.
But I hadn't encountered a single person lacking that much common sense yet—maybe they had all already died off.
"Excuse me...."
What now, another party invitation?
I glanced up and saw a familiar face.
"It is you, Riv! Were you waiting for me?"
"Ah, Barret. Yes, I was."
Next to Barret stood an unfamiliar face in an awkward posture.
Given the circumstances, he must be the client.
"What kind of request is it?"
I asked quietly.
Barret grinned and gave the man next to him a light shove.
"It's better to hear the details directly, right? Ah, this is Doroen. He's here to post a Carriage escort request."
The man called Doroen bowed his head, seemingly a bit self-conscious.
He was a middle-aged Merchant; his clothing was modest, but the coin pouch at his waist looked quite heavy.
After a brief introduction, he quickly got to the point.
"It's from Mondak to a village on the southern border. It should take about... a two-day journey."
He continued cautiously.
"They say Thieves have been appearing lately, so I'm a bit reluctant to travel alone."
At those words, I groaned inwardly.
Are these Thieves causing trouble here too?
They were absolute scumbags who made me shudder in disgust.
"What are the goods being transported?"
"Dried food and miscellaneous goods. They're valuable items in that village, so...."
Phew... At least they aren't expensive items.
High-priced goods have a higher chance of being targeted, so that was a relief.
Actually, that wasn't the important part.
"Um, what about the pay?"
Doroen hesitated for a moment at my question, but Barret answered instead.
"Five silver coins. According to Guild regulations, two coins are paid upfront, and the rest upon arrival."
Was there such a rule? I hadn't known since I had just been roped in by Taren last time.
Anyway, that seemed like a decent request.
Of course, I didn't have many past requests to compare it to.
I pondered for a moment before nodding my head.
"I'll do it."
Doroen bowed his head with a relieved expression.
Barret laughed cheerfully and lightly patted Doroen's shoulder.
"I knew it! Ah, if you need one more Companion, just let me know."
I brushed it off with an awkward smile.
Not only did I not know anyone, but bringing an unfamiliar face along would only make things exhausting.
"When do we depart?"
"I'd like to leave as soon as possible, but due to some circumstances, we'll probably set off the day after tomorrow."
The day after tomorrow... I'll have to get my gear ready with the remaining time.
Actually, among the gear looted from the Thieves, there were things like Leather Armor, and the Merchant Guild Master had even offered to hand a set over to me.
However, wearing the gear of the people I had killed still felt too uncomfortable.
For now, merely holding their weapons was my absolute limit.
I'll just take the money and find my own gear.
By the way, when are they going to pay me?
When I subtly hinted at it to Barret, he pulled a small pouch from his chest and handed it over.
"I almost forgot. I've packed it all without leaving anything out."
I peeked inside the pouch and saw five silver coins.
If I exclude the upfront payment for this request, does that mean I got three silver coins? They still gave me quite a bit.
I wasn't sure if it was a fair price, but this was more than enough to satisfy me.
"I'll be going now. I'll see you the day after tomorrow, then."
Thinking about buying gear, I quickly said my goodbyes and left the area.
***
The commercial district wasn't too far from the central Square.
'How can it be a trade city without a sea?' I had thought, but coming out here definitely made it feel like one.
The sight of various races from different regions mixing together, trading, and soliciting customers was the very definition of a trade city.
The streets were filled with the voices of countless Merchants and the sound of people's footsteps.
Colorful silks, unique spices, unfamiliar fruits, and even rare equipment.
Everything was so fascinating that it felt like I was visiting a tourist attraction.
People bumped elbows, sometimes trying to talk over one another.
"Take a look at this! This is a very special item!"
"You'll know it just by looking at it once! This is top quality!"
Various races were selling different goods, and the sounds of haggling could be heard from time to time.
What stood out the most were the Dwarves. Short in stature like Baldic, it was impressive to see them effortlessly carrying and handling heavy metals.
One of them was even running around, boasting about the sword he had made.
"This is the best sword I've ever made! It's expensive, but it's well worth the price!"
Even to a layman like me, the weapons looked quite high-quality.
Do Dwarves have an artisan image here as well?
However, what I needed was cheaper and more practical gear.
I stepped into the first shop I saw on the commercial street.
Luxurious-looking swords and Axes were displayed on the shelves, and the Owner loudly boasted, 'Our swords are even supplied to nobles.'
But I needed practical armor rather than such flashy weapons.
"Is this all the armor you have here?"
When I asked, the Merchant thought for a moment and narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
"We don't have any more armor; we only sell weapons. You don't wear good armor often, anyway. Swords and Axes are used much more frequently."
He wasn't wrong, but I hadn't come here to buy an expensive weapon.
"Then I'll have to look around at other shops."
I backed away and moved on to another place.
I checked out a few more shops like that. However, everywhere I went was full of high-end weapons, and there wasn't any proper armor.
They were all either too expensive or lacked practicality.
After wandering through several shops, I finally discovered a small street stall tucked away in a corner of the commercial district.
Unlike the other Merchants, the equipment here was haphazardly piled up on the display stand.
"Hey, what are you looking for?"
A middle-aged man standing in front of the stall called out to me.
His gaze looked sharp, and he seemed like someone accustomed to dealing with equipment.
"I'd like to get some armor. Something cheap and practical."
I said honestly.
The man nodded and pointed to a wooden display stand in one corner.
"There are a few decent ones here. The prices are good, and they're sturdily made, so take a look."
I peered into the display stand. A few pieces of armor were laid out there.
From worn but sturdy-looking Leather Armor to Cloth Armor that looked like it would be hot to wear.
But the first thing that caught my eye was a cloth breastplate studded with rivets at regular intervals.
I reached out and lifted the armor.
Unlike its appearance, iron plates were sewn inside, making it heavier than I expected.
"What kind of armor is this? It looks to be in good condition."
The man nodded and said.
"It's a Brigandine made of wool. I maintained it myself. I treated it with Oil a few times so its waterproofing is good, and the weight is just right, giving it excellent mobility. It's important to be able to move comfortably during combat."
The man grinned and said.
"Try it on."
I tried the armor on.
It was a little big, but it didn't restrict my movements at all.
It didn't look too bad, either. I should buy this.
"Alright, I'll take this one."
I made my decision and asked for the price. The man nodded and gave me a price.
Three silver coins. It was cheaper than I expected.
Curious about the secret behind the low price, I casually asked, to which he replied.
"This is what I put up for sale when I retired as a Mercenary. It should go to someone who needs it now."
Was this some sort of loyalty between Mercenaries?
I nodded at his words and finished the transaction.
After I bought the armor, the man handed it over and added one last thing.
"A Mercenary... needs to know the right time to retire."
As he spoke with a bitter expression... I noticed he was missing a few fingers on his hand.
"...I'll put it to good use."
I quietly bowed my head in thanks and left the place.