Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: 9. Viola. (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With some members leaving on short-term contracts, the gathering of the Allen Mercenary Corps felt a bit sparse. Allen gave a quick scan of the group, now half its usual size, and nodded lightly.
Even so, this level of strength wouldn't be sneered at anywhere. Plus, thanks to the Red-Haired Mage, people would rate them even higher. After all, mages were rare unless you were dealing with top-tier mercenary groups.
...Well, considering she cost over fifty gold coins just to breathe, she better be worth it!
Fixed expenses alone ran about fifty-five gold coins. Factor in food, lodging, and the rest, and it was nearly a hundred gold vanishing every month.
Just thinking about it had Allen clicking his tongue and shaking his head side to side. ...Mercenary life was no joke. One big slip-up, and you were done for.
In that sense, this major commission was like rain in a drought. Even if the lifeline they grabbed wasn't the sturdiest, they had to swallow it whole.
"The next job is a dungeon."
Dungeon. The word made the members' eyes widen in surprise. Dungeons were just as mysterious and unpredictable as the Demon Realm.
"No need to worry too much. It's a major commission, so we won't be going alone."
"Phew... Honestly, I got a little scared there for a sec."
Captain Aiden let out a light sigh and grinned. Even if the members had leveled up a bit, tackling a dungeon solo was still way beyond them.
"It came down from the city up north. They were digging a mine tunnel and hit a dungeon passage."
It happened sometimes. Deep mining in those massive mountains, and you accidentally breach a monster den.
Once it was breached, sealing it back up didn't do much good, so the mine owner would want it thoroughly cleared out.
"The miners took a big hit because of it. ...It's a request straight from the lord of the city."
"Sounds like the payout will be pretty hefty, then."
"At least five big ones, minimum."
Five hundred gold at the bare minimum. A solid sum.
That's when Allen, watching his crew, threw cold water on their excitement.
"...But don't get too thrilled yet."
All eyes turned back to their leader.
"If it's a major commission, the dungeon's probably way bigger than expected. That might make 'major' sound like an understatement. Crowding together would be inefficient anyway."
The quick-witted Kallisman caught on right away.
"Meaning we might split up and cover separate zones."
"Exactly. ...Still, they won't send us out in groups smaller than four. It's a dungeon, after all. ...Probably."
That wrapped up the mission briefing. Plenty of time before departure, and they'd only arrived that first day, so time to take it easy.
"Drink up, everyone. Drinks are on me tonight."
"Hell yeah! Let's drink till our noses twist off!"
"...At least think about my wallet."
"Wooo, free booze! Chug it down, fuckers!"
...These bastards, playing dirty.
And the lightweight Allen passed out after three beers.
Viola finished breakfast and headed to the lounge for tea time. This morning ritual of gazing at the beautifully manicured garden and the sun-glistened river was as sweet to her as honey.
She'd just taken a single sip when someone burst into the lounge. Viola whipped her head around to glare at the intruder daring to disrupt her peace without permission.
A hairy brute who looked like a bandit. Vice Leader Palmer.
"Sis! What the hell is this? A dungeon? Weren't we done with those? The kids are out on missions, we're short-staffed, and you pull this now?"
"Calm down. We've got temps. Perfect timing. Let 'em get some experience. Roll 'em in. ...You think I decided without thinking that far?"
"But still, sending just them feels iffy..."
She turned her gaze back to the flowing river and replied nonchalantly.
"I'll go. So slot me in. Mostly the green ones. ...Not total scrubs, though. You know the ones I've had my eye on. Like that Emersi kid."
"...Should we consider up to the third squad?"
"Yeah. Compile the lists."
"Well, if you're going too..."
The vice leader nodded right away. With Leader Viola stepping up, even heavy shortages wouldn't be a big deal. The hairy guy who'd been eyeing her slipped into the seat across from her.
"By the way, what made you change your mind? You don't hit the field much. ...Something I don't know about here?"
The bandit-like Palmer wondered if there was some hidden agenda he wasn't privy to.
"There is. ...Eh, nothing much. Body gets stiff if you don't use it. Gotta hit the field now and then. ...Old man Kalim's still at it at his age."
"Ah. ...Oh, and there's a recommendation letter too? Uh..."
Palmer glanced at the paper he'd brought.
"Allen Mercenary Corps? These guys. You handle this one personally, sis? Or pass?"
The leader took a gulp of tea and answered casually.
"Kalim asked me to check 'em out. They weren't bad. Figured I'd give 'em a shot."
"What'd they score?"
Viola paused for a moment. But not for long.
"Didn't look."
Numbers were always there to see, but she downplayed her abilities to others. She'd seen too often how exceptional talent drew overwhelming enemies.
"...Got it. Well, you're not the type to start something without a plan."
"For a guy who trusts me that much, your face earlier didn't show it."
"That was, uh, just dying to hear your answer quick."
The bandit grinned, showing his teeth.
"Cut the crap and go. I need to think."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll bring the roster later."
"Good."
The lounge fell quiet again. She lifted her teacup, took another sip, and gazed wistfully at the scenery outside.
She'd given various reasons, but the real one was wanting to keep an eye on the Allen Mercenary Corps. On that handsome young man's ability with its whopping 522 score...
...If I were ten years younger...
Viola chuckled at the thought. Feeling a bit embarrassed after indulging in such sentimentality for the first time in ages.
It was just a fantasy. Men think it seeing a pretty woman; women do the same with handsome men. Especially one with a guaranteed future...
But her life had long since built a wall against romance. Probably never change.
The reverie dragged on, breeding stray thoughts. Viola downed the rest of her tea and stood before weirder ideas crept in.
Allen checked the guild house for vacancies, but they said over twenty were already waiting. Rentals were insanely pricey too.
In the end, he had to settle for street-side space outside. Even that, the good spots had fierce competition.
The piggishly obese street manager blatantly offered Allen—a fine-looking guy—a prime spot if he'd bend over. Allen shut it down flat and got bumped to the farthest end.
Harsh reality here. No real gripe, though. No connections, cash, or skills? Use your body. That's the rule.
Vermandua, city of mercenaries, wasn't brimming with dreams and hope. For the have-nots, it was an infernal pit of endless competition, straight to ruin.
So claw your way in, secure a spot, or lose everything you have.
Still, "major commission" drew a decent crowd to his recruitment notice. Compared to other street spots buzzing with flies, Allen's was booming.
Most were lowlifes probing for a shot. Occasionally okay mercenaries showed, but they demanded absurd pay. Haggling still left it excessive.
After a full week of grinding, he scraped together four. The healer—one Allen snagged after haunting temple grounds all day—was a scrawny kid with [Timid] trait. But with steady coaxing to avoid panic, it'd work.
Total of eight now. Allen had eyed ten, but funds made it tough. ...Vermandua's labor costs were steeper than elsewhere, for sure.
Departure day loomed close.
Imagining his first dungeon, Allen's heart raced. Excitement mixed with worry.
With a large group, no major issues likely. Play it smart, contribute just right. Not too forward, not too back.
The overthinking leader tossed and turned before finally drifting off.