Chapter 82
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: 18. Chapter 2. (4)
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...Why the hell is this bitch here all of a sudden...?
Red hair, reckless behavior without a care for consequences, brutal scars etched all over her body, and that provocative outfit to boot.
Allen didn't need to check her status window to instantly know who she was.
The leader of the 10th strongest corps, the younger sister of the quack peddler Dagon Kelpri. Red hair—Dana Kelpri.
As expected of a named character, she had stats befitting an A-rank. Sure, the numbers were a tad ambiguous for a leader of the 10th strongest, but with not just [Genius] but also the incredible trait [Keen Instincts], her combat sense was extraordinarily sharp. ...Of course, the downside was all those negative traits.
True to her crazy bitch reputation, her behavior and speech were utterly unrestrained, making her a love-hate figure among players. And with her heavy dose of perverse traits, she was especially popular with the uncles who were into that sort of thing. Whenever she appeared in doujinshi, it was a guaranteed rape fantasy. Probably the thrill of conquering a strong-willed woman.
Amusingly, despite her personality and traits suggesting her pussy had seen more action than a streetwalker—hell, a total slut—you'd be surprised to learn the redhead was actually a pure virgin who hadn't had a dick inside her. All because her brother Dagon had an extreme hatred for any man touching his sister. ...In short, her pussy had been forcibly sealed off.
The number of guys Dagon had killed just for getting too close to his sister was already well into the double digits—a fact widely known across the continent. That's why everyone said to steer clear of the redhead if possible. Touch her, and you're dead meat since she's Dagon's sister. And Dana herself feared her brother Dagon so much that she couldn't defy his orders.
The siblings were definitely quirky characters. ...But that was it. Any player who enjoyed [Guild Master] knew the best policy was to avoid getting tangled up with that redheaded pair. And if you did cross paths, staying as indifferent as possible was key. Just like Viola the Mercenary Leader.
Allen had a rough idea of how this redhead had ended up coming to him. Probably heard the rumors about him and Viola the Mercenary Leader and got curious. It was a famous anecdote that Dana's brother, the quack peddler Dagon, was head over heels for Viola.
Honestly, he'd love to tell the Blind Saintess to give the holy maiden a good smack and send her packing... but for now, it was wiser to avoid trouble with the Dagon Mercenary Corps.
No helping it, even if it felt dirty and underhanded. She was one of the top 10, after all. That's why even Viola, who despised drug peddlers, had no choice but to pretend to keep ties with the Dagon Mercenary Corps.
Allen switched his expression in an instant, flashing a gentle smile. Hiding his true feelings was one of his specialties. He'd treat her with extra kindness, like giving an extra rice cake to someone you hate.
"Odd Eyes, stand down. She's a guest. ...No way the esteemed Dana Mercenary Leader would attack a fledgling like me for some gain. It was just a hearty mercenary greeting, right, Dana Mercenary Leader?"
Dana's piercing gaze, fixed on the Blind Saintess's face, slowly turned to Allen the Mercenary Leader. Her feral intensity subsided gradually, and a cheeky grin spread across her lips.
"You know me?"
"I just realized. With red hair and beauty like that, who else but Dagon Mercenary Leader's sister, Dana Mercenary Leader?"
"Guess your eyes aren't just for show."
Dana sheathed her dagger again. The Blind Saintess stuck close to Allen's side, bracing for any potential attack. Seeing this, the redhead spread her hands wide as if to say she posed no threat.
"It was just a greeting. Sheesh, what a scaredy-cat."
Allen chuckled lightly, clasping his hands together and resting his chin on them atop the table.
"So, what brings a distinguished figure like yourself to this humble abode...?"
"Nothing much. Heard there's some guy Viola-sis is totally into, so I came to check him out. That's it. No other agenda."
Just as Allen had predicted—rumors about him and Viola the Mercenary Leader.
"Unfortunately, we're just business partners. No way a top 10 Mercenary Leader would have feelings for a nobody like me. It's all just her skillful way of keeping the alliance stable."
Dana's smile deepened.
"You sure can talk. Almost had me believing it."
"Haha. I know my place. That's the truth."
That attitude, that vibe, that tone... Dana was smiling, but somehow it all felt like it was weighing her down. He was clearly a powerless, dickless nobody, but there was something eerie about him in another way.
Normally, other Mercenary Leaders got super tense around a top 10, but this guy showed zero signs of it. Like it was no big deal. If anything, the more they talked, the more she felt herself getting drawn in.
In this harsh, cutthroat mercenary world, seizing the initiative was the most crucial virtue. That's why she'd swung her dagger threateningly just moments ago—not without reason.
And she'd thought her initial power play had worked perfectly... but somehow, the mood had flipped at some point. No wonder Viola the Mercenary Leader had taken a shine to him.
"What business did you have with sis?"
"Not really business—more like I'm the one begging Viola Mercenary Leader for all sorts of favors. With my meager skills, it's the only way to survive in this line of work."
Talking to this Mercenary Leader felt less like dealing with a fellow soldier and more like facing a seasoned merchant or a sly politician. ...His demeanor was polite, yet something felt off.
Especially those eyes, like they could see right through her. ...It reminded her of that one time she'd met the Sword Emperor Magnus. Felt like she shouldn't stick around here too long.
...Though their encounter was brief, Dana's conclusion was clear.
Best to avoid dealing with this fucker.
No matter how recklessly she acted, she was still a top 10 Mercenary Leader. She had a good eye for people.
This Allen guy was the type who'd become a pain in the ass if you got involved. Assholes recognize assholes. It wasn't the same vein as Viola the Mercenary Leader, who simply found the Dagon-Dana siblings annoying.
"...Got it. See ya."
The redhead shot up abruptly, as if ready to leave.
"Why not stay for a meal at least?"
Casually offering food to the person who'd just tried to attack him—this guy was a riot.
Dana didn't like faces that smiled like that. She did the same when hiding something. ...Instinctively repulsed by her own likeness.
"Nah."
The redhead spun on her heel and marched straight out of the building.
She'd come just for a bit of fun, but it had soured her mood instead.
"Fuckin' hell—"
Dana spat a thick glob of phlegm in disgust and swaggered off down the alley.
...She finds me uncomfortable, huh...
Allen smirked wryly, having read the redhead Dana's inner thoughts. He didn't know where she'd gotten that vibe from, but his calm handling had apparently worked.
Looked like they'd avoid trouble with the Dagon Mercenary Corps, thankfully. For Allen, who still needed more growth, that was paramount. If those druggie bastards started nitpicking and meddling, it'd be a headache like no other.
No matter how much Viola favored him, he couldn't assume she'd shield him forever. He had to handle his own survival.
"Who was that woman?"
The Blind Saintess, still short on mercenary knowledge, asked about Dana's identity.
"Leader of the 10th strongest, Dagon Mercenary Corps."
"Ah."
That explained why she seemed like a big deal.
The Blind Saintess had sensed from that single clash that the woman was no ordinary foe. And sure enough, top 10.
"Especially them—you don't wanna mess with those top 10. They're the druggie bastards."
"Drugs?"
"You know, the stuff that makes you go poof."
Allen knew better than to blur the lines between what's profitable and what's off-limits, no matter how tempting the money. Especially the drug trade—it was absolutely untouchable. Forget morals; dipping into drugs would ruin ties with most mercenary corps. Viola Mercenary Leader went without saying.
And no, the Dagon Mercenary Corps didn't look out for fellow dealers in the trade. If anything, they'd try to kill you first.
Anyway, after that commotion, Allen's mindset shifted. The leisure he'd been enjoying evaporated in an instant, replaced by urgency.
...The road ahead was still long—could he really afford to lounge around like this?
Allen downed the rest of his beer in one gulp and called out to Odd Eyes.
"Sister."
"Yes, Mercenary Leader."
He slammed his glass on the table and said,
"Let's go. Time to buy a house."