Mercenary Disguise and Fitting Room Hugs
Principal Han Myeong-sin laid out a bunch of different options.
But every single one lacked any real plausibility.
Merchant... A merchant who doesn't sell anything and just travels with two women? No way that makes sense.
Adventurer... A freshly registered adventurer with no party members, just two non-combatants in tow? Ridiculous.
Mage... A mage who can't use magic? Come on.
Noble... Impersonating nobility means game over if you get caught.
In the end, the most realistic option shot in like a comet: a brand-new rookie mercenary band.
"So, you're saying I have to become a mercenary, huh."
"That's the best bet. If you're the mercenary band hired by Lady Latynia, no one will bat an eye."
A royal hiring a mercenary band, and nobody suspects a thing?
No matter how I thought about it, something felt off.
But with Latynia right there beside me, I couldn't exactly say it out loud.
"Alright, let's go with that. But... I'm not exactly combat personnel. That okay?"
"Say it's a long-term contract—no issues there. Mercenaries can't take double contracts anyway."
"Still, if a fight breaks out..."
"Most things should sort themselves out at Olivia's level, right?"
"Leave it to me! I'm confident in a scrap!"
Olivia jumped in with gusto.
Her combat prowess was definitely trustworthy.
Or at least, it used to be.
"Didn't you get totally owned by Latynia's guard?"
"Urk, that was just 'cause I was low on vital energy! At full power, that's nothing!"
If Olivia said so, then fine.
"You realize Latynia's right here, right? You cool saying that?"
"Ah!"
Olivia started glancing nervously at Latynia.
Latynia herself seemed too shocked by Olivia's true nature to have heard a word.
As Olivia and I bickered, the principal wrapped things up.
"I'll take that as you joining as mercenaries, then. Once you cross to the Imanitus Continent, you can pick up your band's name, crest, and certification."
"Got it. Thanks."
"I've also arranged a separate villa in Appelheim for you. Not under my name, but no issues using it. Contact me once you're ready."
"Thank you, Principal."
"Think nothing of it. Consider it repayment for looking after Olivia. And a request to protect Lady Latynia."
We said our goodbyes to the principal and left the dean's office.
Time to head back, but...
I wanted to bring Olivia along if possible.
I grabbed Olivia, who was already oozing into the floor to follow.
"Olivia. Come with us?"
"If I get caught, my life's over?"
Come on, it's not that bad...
Still, she hated the idea so much, maybe we needed a better plan.
"Fine, hide and follow for now. I'll figure something out."
"Okay, got it."
Prism's gotta have clothing stores.
Buy her something to conceal her identity, and we're good.
"I'm heading to the shopping district. What about you, Latynia?"
"Pardon? What'd you say?"
"...What's up? Olivia's personality hit you that hard?"
"Oh, no, it's not that... You two just seem really close."
"Olivia might come off cold, but she's got a good heart."
A bit immature, sure.
Really immature...
"That's not what I meant..."
"Anyway, I'm going to the shopping district to grab some cover-up clothes for Olivia. Wanna come? Or I can go alone if it's a hassle."
"I'll come! Please let me join!"
"No need to beg like that..."
The shopping district was farther than I'd thought.
We ended up walking for quite a while.
I wanted to hold hands, but knowing Olivia was tailing us in hiding meant playing it cautious.
So we trudged to the district maintaining an awkward distance.
The shopping district itself was pretty deserted when we arrived.
"Most places are closed..."
"Yeah. Still, a few are open."
Even with vacation, plenty of cadets stuck around Prism. Didn't expect this many closures.
Options were limited.
We wandered a bit and ducked into an open clothing store.
"Welcome! Looking for anything specific?"
"Uh... just browsing for now."
"Of course. Call if you need help."
I shook off the clingy clerk and scoped out the store.
They carried otherworld clothes too—quite the variety on display.
For hiding identity, something with a hood seemed best.
Cloak wouldn't suit her vibe...
Robe it is, then.
Not too long to avoid tripping—something mid-length.
I picked one out.
"Latynia, mind doing me a favor?"
"Sure? What is it?"
"I'm gonna go into the fitting room with Olivia and come out. But if the clerk sees one guy go in and two come out, it'll raise flags. Signal me when she's not looking."
"Ah... okay..."
I grabbed the robe and slipped into the fitting room.
Tried it on just in case—fit me perfectly.
Olivia was smaller than me, but with those overwhelming breasts, this size should work.
Now to call her...
"Olivia. You hear me?"
I whispered to the floor, and it bubbled blood-red. Olivia popped up.
Midnight horror movie material—anyone would scream and bolt.
Why does she always show up like this...
"You called? What's up?"
"Got something for you."
I took off the robe and draped it over her.
Size was a perfect, precarious fit.
Pulled up the hood, and it mostly hid her face.
Her signature red hair was covered—should be fine.
"Olivia. How's it feel?"
"..."
She hung her head, no response.
Doesn't like it?
"Not your style? Want me to grab another?"
She shook her head no.
Not that, then why the reaction?
"Uncomfortable?"
"Yeah..."
"Alright, let's head out. Hang on a sec."
I waited for Latynia's signal.
Then Olivia wrapped her arms around my waist.
Her robe-covered breasts squished against me.
"Olivia?"
"Thank you... thank you..."
Guess she loves the robe that much.
Or does this count as a gift?
Witches place big meaning on presents, after all.
"If you like stuff like this, I'll get you more."
She nodded.
Her breasts rubbed against me with the motion.
Don't panic.
Olivia's basically a minor. Innocent as can be.
Even if she's in her twenties...
Eons seemed to pass before Latynia's signal came.
*knock knock*
'Do-jun, you can come out now.'
"Olivia. Time to go."
She shook her head again.
Please, enough already.
At least she's self-aware or something!
"I'll buy you another later. Come on out. Yeah?"
"Okay."
But she didn't let go.
In the end, I exited the fitting room with Olivia glued to me.
"Do-jun? Who's the one clinging to your waist..."
"It's Olivia—she's not feeling great. Be right back after paying."
Thankfully, checkout went smoothly.
Hood slipped once, drawing suspicion, but we sorted it.
Outside, Olivia finally unlatched—too embarrassing in public, I guess.
Instead, she gripped my hand tight.
Two on the way there, three on the way back.
Different company, different vibes.
Olivia seemed thrilled at the lower risk of getting spotted.
"Olivia, your hood's slipping."
"Ah. Thanks."
I pressed it firmly back down.
She liked that, grabbing the edge and grinning like an idiot.
Knowing her situation now made even this cute.
Not bad at all.
Latynia, though, looked grumpy.
"Latynia. Something wrong?"
"This situation is what's wrong."
"This one?"
Awkward distance from Latynia, hand-in-hand with Olivia.
"That's what bugged you?"
I closed in and snatched Latynia's hand.
She flinched, then relaxed her grip.
"If you wanted to hold hands, just say so."
"N-no, not really..."
"Should I let go?"
"No!"
She squeezed tight.
Still weaker than Olivia's casual hold—easy to shake loose.
"Come on! Chin up—we solved a tough problem today!"
"Which you caused in the first place... Ah! Wait up!"
I dragged them both home by the hand, Olivia and Latynia in tow.
Vivian spotted us and pouted—a minor hiccup, but Vivian gonna Vivian.
No big deal. Probably.
After dinner, I retreated to my room.
Couldn't stay in the parlor after Vivian rejected my hug attempt—hurt my feelings too much.
I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Mercenaries, huh...
Principal said no real fights, but I disagreed.
Otherworld mode threw endless random events.
Some insane, unimaginable trigger was coming for sure.
To prepare, I needed basic combat chops.
Outside powers didn't work in the Great Labyrinth anyway, so I'd ignored them...
Who to recruit?
Only now did I realize my circle was way too magic-heavy.
Set Vivian aside, and Jia used shadow magic, Olivia's a witch, Latynia's magic-lineage.
How'd this happen?
Lamenting my narrow network, Ruphus popped into mind.
Come to think of it, hadn't seen that guy since he brought me here.
Did he head back to his tribe?
Dunno, but as a beastman, he'd be combat-savvy.
He'd called me talentless back then, but things were different now.
Totally different.
I headed back to the parlor to find Latynia.
Only Jia remained.
No Vivian, Olivia, or Latynia.
"Jia? Where'd everyone go?"
"Instructor Olivia went up to remodel a room or something. Lady Latynia's out on a call. Vivian... probably has stuff to do."
"Busy bunch."
"If you're looking for Latynia, try the back garden. Saw her head that way."
"Thanks."
Sure enough, Latynia was in the garden—still on her call, voice carrying clear.
"Yes! That clothing store in the shopping district! What? The same outfit's sold out? No way! I checked before we left—plenty in stock! Double-check!"
She was chewing someone out over the phone.
Her real personality? Kinda new.
I snuck up quietly.
"Sold out in the meantime? Then... any other colors...? What've you got?"
"Latynia's dazzling platinum hair would suit achromatics best—like white or black."
"Black it is, then... Kyaa!"
She reflexively answered, then whipped around in shock.
But she hung up properly first.
That call guy's gonna misunderstand now...
"Wh-wh-where'd you hear from?!"
"Latynia, won't the person on the line get the wrong idea if you scream and hang up?"
"That's not the point! How much did you hear?!"
She got right in my face.
Her flushed, fuming cheeks were striking.
Suited her way better than her usual prim act.
I grinned and dodged the question, teasing her.
I kept at it until a thrown dagger whizzed from somewhere and embedded right in front of my nose.