Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Dismissed Elf
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"Tsk tsk, I knew it would turn out like this."
"How long did it last this time?"
"Who knows. A week at most, I bet."
The commotion at the Mercenary Guild drew reactions from the crowd that suggested they were all too familiar with such scenes.
"Hmm."
Woojin's curiosity piqued at the sight, and he casually glanced toward the back of the guild hall.
"Sir, I apologize, but if you cancel the contract, there will be a penalty fee..."
"I don't care—just take it. You expect me to use this garbage for anything?"
"The guild has provided full disclosure on the mercenary's information..."
Thwack!—!!
The man kicked the contract sheet on the floor toward the staff member.
"Enough! I don't give a damn about the penalty—just cancel the damn contract now!"
"Understood."
The staff member picked up the flying contract, giving a wry glance to the man slumped dejectedly on the floor.
"Contract termination at the client's request. The penalty fee will be automatically deducted from your inventory. If insufficient funds are available, a 10% overdue interest will accrue."
"I have plenty of money—just take it."
The man grumbled all the way through signing the contract handed back by the staff.
"Newbie-zone mercenaries are all trash anyway. You'll never catch me hiring one again."
Ptui!—!!
The man hurled the canceled contract back at the person sprawled on the floor, then shoved the door open roughly.
"Sigh... Humans these days. Are you alright?"
Once the man was gone, the staff let out a quiet sigh and helped the fallen person to their feet.
"Acting all generous when it's time to pay up... If levels were as high as in the Central Continent, no one would pull stunts like this over a penalty. Tsk tsk."
The staff flinched involuntarily at the sound.
"W-Welcome!"
Turning cautiously, they confirmed it wasn't the troublemaker from before and bowed brightly to Woojin.
"This way, please. Looking for a mercenary?"
"Just... thought I'd take a look around."
"Ah. I see."
Woojin's response elicited a noticeably cooler attitude from the staff compared to moments ago.
"Mercenaries waiting inside are over there, and profiles for those currently unavailable are posted on the bulletin board against the wall."
Following the staff's guidance, Woojin glanced past the curtain into the back area.
"You're welcome to browse, but I do have one request."
"A request?"
"Yes. This is a mercenary guild, not a slave trader or brothel."
"What are you implying?"
Woojin showed a flicker of displeasure, causing the staff to hesitate before speaking.
"...Please don't contract mercenaries on a whim."
Woojin gave a wry smile at the implication.
'I get the picture.'
The reason for the earlier commotion, that is.
He looked up.
Sitting on a chair by the wall was the mercenary whose contract had just been terminated.
A hood shrouded them from head to toe, hiding their face, but a pair of wary green eyes gleamed from within.
"......"
The cloak wasn't particularly long.
Even huddled up, it covered their entire body—probably no taller than 150 cm at most?
A diminutive frame.
And the long, pointed ears peeking from the hood were clue enough to identify the race.
'An elf.'
"I'd like to hear about that one."
He pointed at the huddled elf and asked the staff.
Swish—.
The elf looked up at the pointing finger, and the hood slipped down from her face.
Golden hair that sparkled dazzlingly.
And verdant green eyes.
Even the stoic Woojin found himself momentarily entranced by her beauty.
'No wonder.'
He gave another wry smile.
The staff's gaze toward him mirrored the one they'd given the previous man.
[Evil Tail] was a virtual reality.
A virtual space where anything possible in reality could be done.
In the Central Continent, you could even buy slaves, and at night, pleasure districts lit up the streets.
That was likely the intent behind the staff's warning.
People who hired mercenaries for reasons other than their skills.
"Why was the contract canceled?"
"Well, I can't say what the previous employer had in mind... But to be frank, I can't recommend her as a mercenary."
"What do you mean?"
"She's an elf of Ulldin. A rare race with high mana affinity and spirit compatibility."
The staff leaned in closer, whispering.
"We had high hopes too, but..."
They glanced sideways at the elf, then cupped a hand to Woojin's ear.
"She's a dud. Can't cast any proper magic. Tops out at 1st-class spells. The only spirit she can summon is a broken low-grade water spirit."
The staff sighed.
"Mana Vein Disease, they call it? Something about narrow mana veins... Anyway, we scouted her for her lineage and took a huge loss."
'Hmm.'
Woojin eyed her.
"She's decent with her hands and can shoot a bow somewhat... but we've got way better archers inside. Why not... take a look around?"
The staff blocked his path.
"Hey. Stop eyeing me like that."
The elf's voice came from behind. The staff sighed with a resigned expression.
"You understand. It's just how she is."
"How she is?"
"I mentioned it earlier. Elf of Ulldin."
"So?"
"You don't know Ulldin?"
The staff looked shocked, turning the question back on him.
"Is it that surprising?"
"Of course. Ulldin founded the now-fallen Elvenheim. Royal bloodline."
'Royal lineage...'
Now the ridiculously high Faith stat made sense.
Born of a great founding dynasty.
Yet, despite that pedigree, her magic was limited to 1st-class.
Practically trash-tier trash.
"Dozens of contract cancellations already. She's the only elf here, so people get tempted... but her skills are lacking."
Woojin glanced at her glaring daggers.
"...Filthy human scum."
"Looks to me like the filthy one's you."
"What?"
Her cheek twitched in disbelief.
Woojin chuckled and picked up a board from the counter with a straight face.
The Board.
A status window-like panel displaying mercenaries' stats.
'Faith is sky-high.'
Her Total Points were higher than expected for her level, thanks to the abnormally high Faith.
Arrogant elf pride?
Or something else? Hard to say.
But her weaknesses were glaring, even if strengths were vague.
'Mana at a measly 10 points.'
Embarrassingly low, as the staff said.
"Yeah... definitely..."
No reason to recruit her.
Except...
Woojin couldn't shake a nagging feeling.
He wasn't one to take interest in others unnecessarily.
So why her?
His vision shook lightly as the alert sounded after scanning the board.
Something began appearing on the stat board.
"...Huh?"
Suddenly?
Stunned by the unexpected skill trigger, Woojin stared in shock at the new values.
"This is..."
The previously blank section was now filled.
'Aptitude means... level cap?'
Central Continent mercenaries came maxed at their level caps upon recruitment.
Community said the highest recruitable there was level 60.
All classes unlocked 3rd skill trees at 99, so Central mercs topped at 2nd trees.
Beginner zone mercs were growth types.
Potential for more, but unknown limits.
Could reach 3rd tree—or stall before 2nd.
Clear pros and cons between regions.
'Once I'm high level with spare time, I could experiment with beginner mercs...'
No one clearing Labyrinth Tower floor 10 had that luxury yet.
But...
'I can see the level cap?'
Woojin was speechless.
'"Reveals the hidden" does this...'
He'd had no clue when first acquiring the trait.
Practically forgotten.
'It's incredible.'
'Two more effects locked?'
A sly smile crept across Woojin's lips.
'Whatever they are, seeing secrets only I can...'
Meant he alone knew the game's hidden truths.
"Mana Vein Disease, huh..."
He met Luen's wary glare.
'A level cap of 99 is huge.'
Undervalued now due to the rare disease lowering her stats, but if cured...
'She could unlock 3rd skill tree and even 2nd class change.'
Gulp—
Woojin swallowed dryly without realizing.
'The issue is finding a cure for Mana Vein Disease.'
[Ancient Mana Stone can cure stage 1 Mana Vein Disease.]
[Proceed with healing?]
"Melton!! No matter how much money you offer, I'm done contracting with humans—got it!!"
She yanked her hood back over her head and yelled at the staff.
"What're you gonna give me?"
"...Pardon?"
"Feels like I should be the one getting paid."
Woojin smirked, fiddling with the mana stone.