Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: One Step Towards Senior Karin (1)
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The moment we returned to camp, Squad Leader Pior led me and the rest of the squad straight to where the camp merchants had set up shop.
The camp merchants had erected stalls in front of their wagons, piling them high with food, booze, and all sorts of goods for sale.
"Hard-working mercenaries, fresh from the battlefield! Come one, come all. Congratulations on making it back alive today. How about some pork and a mug of beer to celebrate?"
"Beer for 5 silvers a mug! 5 silvers. Grab a cold one and wash away the woes of war!"
"King sausage, so good two guys could eat it and neither notice if one drops dead—1 pound for 15 silvers! Just 15 silvers!"
"Step right up, pick your poison! From 1 silver to 10 gold, we've got it all. Sword dulled on the field? Can't head back out with a busted blade. You're too valuable for that, sir. We've got sharp new steel at fair prices—stock up while you can!"
In the game, there'd often be commentary about surviving a day of war and heading to the camp merchants for drinks and good times. Sometimes it'd trigger a heroine event with a purchase scene...
Seeing them in person, their wares were way more varied than I'd expected—food, weapons, armor, daily necessities. It was actually fun just browsing.
The only problem? The prices were so absurdly inflated, you couldn't help but blurt out how ridiculous they were...
What kind of warped logic made a single mug of beer five times the price of what you'd pay at a decent city inn? Fuck.
"Jack, give us a mid-grade keg of beer for the rookies and the squad leader here, plus 10 pounds of your best-roasted pork leg."
Jack must be Pior's regular spot.
Hearing that, he flashed a welcoming grin like it was a miracle, then switched to his usual snarky tone.
"What the hell, Pior? The cheapskate skinflint pulling this stunt? They say people die trying new shit. Fuck, is it your time to kick it? The bastard who never even springs for a round suddenly playing the big spender?"
"Ah, fuck off. Not in front of the newbie, asshole. Keep bitching like a girl and we'll take our business elsewhere."
"Fine, fine. 10 pounds pork leg and an 8-liter keg—60 silvers total. Anyone else, it'd be 80, but for you, fucker, it's a deal."
"Yeah, yeah. Only my hometown buddy's got my back. You little cheap bastard."
Moments later, Jack handed me a massive wooden tray loaded with pork leg and a midsize oak keg.
The original owner of this body, Martin, had decent strength, so I hefted the tray one-handed and grabbed the keg with the other.
"Hey, rookie, that ain't too heavy?"
Pior had acknowledged me as a full squad member over the past month, but he'd dumped every chore on me just 'cause I was the newbie.
Now he was acting all buddy-buddy out of nowhere, dropping 60 silvers in one night—totally out of character. Made me wonder if he was on his last legs.
And yeah, 60 silvers was over half my monthly pay. Even for Pior, who made ten times mine, it wasn't chump change. Why was this miser footing the bill? Didn't make sense...
'Ah, right. I pulled off that stunt on my first day. He's greasing me for a cut of the glory.'
"I'm good, Squad Leader. Ain't I the maknae?"
"Fuck, what's good about it? You take the meat—the beer's for you, Anton! Anton, where's that greenhorn punk? Fuck, making the rookie lug it solo. You brain-dead? Wanna get bent over behind the barracks till the rain turns to dust?"
Pior suddenly ripped into him, and Anton—who'd been here three months before me—shuffled over with a sour face, snatching the heavy keg like it offended him.
He shot me a glare on the way and muttered loud enough to hear, "Fuck, fuck... why'd I get stuck with a hotshot rookie..."
Best to play deaf.
Back at our barracks, Pior tore off about a fifth of the pork leg and shoved it my way.
"Alright, a toast to our squad's rookie Martin Meyer's big debut!"
With that, the whole squad clinked mugs, then tore into the meat and chugged beer.
"Hah, fuck. This hits the spot. That's why we pay extra to those conscienceless camp merchant bastards buried in their hometowns' back hills, right?"
"Like Veteran Mercenary Miller says—even if the camp scum charge an arm and a leg, the grub's legit. Think I'll hold off on smashing their wagons for now."
"Heh, you punk. Feels like you joined as my rookie half a year ago, but your mouth's gotten bold. Fuck, done with merc life already?"
"Got three juniors under me now. Give me some face."
Maybe 'cause I'd bonded with these guys over the month, or 'cause we'd scrapped till we dropped...
Whatever it was, the lukewarm, flat beer tasted better than Korea's ice-cold brews. And that roasted pork leg? Crispy, chewy—first bite like grilled pig's feet. Damn good.
"Whoa, fuck. This is the stuff."
I muttered it without thinking, and Pior—arm slung over my shoulder—laughed.
"Hahaha, eat your fill, kid. Tradition in our merc corps: squad leader stuffs the newbie silly if they survive their first battle. Want more? Say the word. Jack's pork is killer, but Wilson's sausages and cheese next door? Next level."
No matter how well I'd fought, this sudden chumminess had me choking mid-bite.
"I'm fine, Squad Leader. This is plenty. You've hooked me up with 2 pounds already—stuff more and my gut'll burst."
2 pounds of roasted meat was 800 grams. A solid haul.
Pior topped off my mug, grinning.
"That so? Wanted to treat you to Wilson's sausages too, but fuck—forcing more down a full gut ain't right. Fine, we'll call it here."
He sounded disappointed, then launched into loud, raunchy tales for the squad.
"Sitting here pounding drinks... my back's aching. Fuck, going nuts thinking about Sara's tits. Massive."
"Squad Leader only eyes the rack, never the face? Sara's got huge ones, sure, but her mug's meh. Me? Piola's the queen. Tits smaller, but pretty face—and that pussy's tighter than Sara's."
"Agh, Veteran Mercenary Miller. I've banged like 100 chicks—tits beat faces every time. Fuck, just groping 'em chills the soul."
"Tits are great just to squeeze. Size don't matter—pretty face does. And Piola's got that snug fit."
Never heard talk this raw in Korean army days. Mercs were mostly roughneck dudes—conversation went off the rails.
My total experience in real life or Korea? Zilch. Listening made my head spin.
And Karin? Seemed uncomfortable too—off with the mercs, quietly flipping through a book while picking at her meat and beer.
The archer who'd darted around the field sniping foes now looked all intellectual. Eyes just gravitated her way.
Zoned out staring, Pior smacked my back.
"You into Karin or what, fucker? Our corps don't kick you out for dating. But give up on that bitch. More rejections than fingers can count."
In a merc group mostly dudes, a hot strong elf like her? Bound to draw confessions. And idiots like that moron whose name I couldn't recall—charging in blind.
"Bet she's a virgin. Other girls in the corps hook up sometimes, but Karin stonewalls any hand that tries."
...From day one, I'd clocked her as a knockout. Cold demeanor screamed no experience. Hoped so, anyway.
Real deal?
Wanted to crack that iron wall with my dick. Already felt the blood rushing south—boner incoming. Or here already.
Pior glanced down, smirked.
"Rookie, to celebrate your debut, your squad leader's hooking you up with a smoking hot pro. Wanna lose the V-card?"
Didn't despise whores personally, but over them? Nah. Preferred building my own harem, frolicking exclusive.
Knowing the bitch I wrecked last night—or even an hour later—took another guy's load? Nauseating.
"Appreciate the thought. But my first time? With a girl I like."
Pior clutched his gut laughing.
"Fuck, virgin guys rot and mold if they wait. C'mon, I'll show you paradise."
He grabbed to drag me, but as the newbie who'd proven himself day one? I could slice this invite clean.
"My preference. Respect it, Squad Leader."
Pior looked miffed his good intentions got shot down.
"Fuck, change your mind later, holler. I'll intro a girl who'll blow your dying-brain mind."
Then he sauntered off with the other mercs.
Karin scooted over once they split, asked me,
"Rookie, you sure you don't wanna go with Squad Leader Pior?"