Chapter 95: The Mercenary Trap
"Wait here for a bit. I'll be right back."
Saying that, Matilda dashed into the house alone.
She doesn't seem like a bad person...
Of course, that didn't mean I could let my guard down. She might just be pretending to be nice to lure me into a trap. Calming my mind, I slipped between the houses away from prying eyes and spoke.
"Elena, summon."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than the golden-haired beauty, Elena, appeared before me.
"Master~."
She let out a coquettish whine and threw herself around my neck. I chuckled softly and pulled her waist close.
"Have you been well?"
"I've been so bored. Don't leave me in that dark void again, okay?"
She wiggled her hips seductively as she spoke.
"Sorry I couldn't check in on you."
"If you're sorry, call me out more often from now on."
"Got it. Oh, and Elena, I have one favor to ask."
"What is it?"
Her curious tone made me chuckle again as I replied.
"In a little while, I'm heading out to explore the dungeon with some others."
"Oh! Am I going too?"
"No, I'll be going alone. But the people with me aren't exactly trustworthy... If I seem to be in danger, come save me right away."
"Just save you, that's all?"
"Yes. I'll handle the rest."
She nodded, then let out a soft hum and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"You'll hug me after, right?"
"Of course."
With my firm promise, Elena's eyes curved into happy crescents as she beamed.
"...And I have something for you, Elena."
"What?"
Her face lit up with anticipation, wings fluttering excitedly.
"Enchanting Whip, summon."
The whip materialized in my hand—a long, sleek thing that made me feel faintly entranced just looking at it. Its slippery, snake-like surface evoked the texture of a luxury bag made from the finest alligator leather.
"...Use this."
"Huh? Y-You're giving this to me?"
"Yes. You need a weapon too, don't you? I have other staves, so I don't need it."
I held it out, and she took it with an expression of overwhelming gratitude, caressing its length before speaking in a rapturous voice.
"Amazing. I've never felt such pure magic before!"
Beaming ear to ear, Elena hugged the Enchanting Whip tightly.
Glad she likes it.
I patted her shoulder with a soft laugh.
"Then follow us carefully without being seen. You still have that cloak I gave you before, right?"
"Ah, that... I left it behind."
"Understood. I'll summon it again. Elena, unsummon."
I nodded and unsummoned her. After a brief pause, I summoned her again, and there she was, draped in the cloak.
"...Perfect. Keep your distance and follow."
"Yes."
She nodded slightly, pulled up her hood, and vanished behind a building.
Now I've got insurance.
Chuckling softly, I returned to where I'd spoken with Matilda moments ago. She hadn't come out yet—still preparing, it seemed. I pulled out my smartphone to check my items.
"Hm?"
As I did, a new notification popped up on the screen.
Elena's Loyalty +12
A reward system, huh?
Great news for me. Elena's loyalty was already low, but this bumped it up a bit.
...From 29 to 41, anyway.
At least her affection was a solid 67. If that had been low too, she probably wouldn't cooperate.
While I'm at it, maybe open a bunch of random equipment boxes and give her the extras?
Not a bad idea. The quickest way to boost her loyalty.
"No guarantee it'll keep working, though."
I clicked my tongue, waiting for Matilda, when the house door suddenly opened.
"Sorry to keep you waiting?"
Matilda emerged first, now clad in leather-reinforced armor unlike her earlier look. Three men followed her.
"No problem. And these guys?"
"Our crew. Hey, introduce yourselves. Kim... whatever. This is the guy joining us for the dungeon run."
At her words, the three men approached and greeted me.
"Name's Tom."
"Reddick."
"Hasen here. Nice to meet ya."
Tom and Hasen flashed friendly smiles and offered handshakes, unlike Reddick. I shook their hands one by one.
"Kim Yuhyun. Looking forward to working with you."
Introductions done, Matilda patted the sword at her hip.
"Alright, let's move. Gotta get inside before sundown."
I nodded in full agreement, as did the others. With everyone on board, we hurried out of the village.
The dungeon they were scouting was in the mountains where I'd first arrived, so Matilda led us confidently along the bumpy cart path toward them. Glancing back discreetly to check on Elena, I saw no sign of her—either she'd lost us or wasn't following.
Betrayal after all?
A bad feeling flickered, but I shook it off. Elena was just insurance. I trusted my Goblin Summon skill most, and worst case, I'd abandon the quest.
Taking a deep breath, I followed the four mercenaries into the mountain foothills.
"You look scrawny, but you walk pretty good."
Matilda smirked at me.
"Climbed a lot of mountains back in the day."
Military service had drilled that into me—this was nothing. No heavy boots or rifle this time, either.
"Where you from, anyway?"
As I chatted with her, the burly guy who'd introduced himself as Tom approached.
"From the east."
"East? Hapon Kingdom?"
The unfamiliar name made me sweat.
"No, farther away. You probably wouldn't know it."
"Mysterious one, eh?"
Tom laughed heartily, swatting branches aside.
"...So where's your weapon?"
"Pardon?"
"You ain't keeping that secret too, right? We're heading into a dungeon—not kid stuff. Dangerous work, so spill: what do you use? See? I got this longsword."
He drew his blade, its white edge gleaming beautifully in the sun—but it looked heavy. His arms were twice as thick as mine.
"Ah, screw this! Sis, let's call it quits. I've been watching—he ain't got shit for weapons!"
Suddenly, Reddick drew his sword and yelled.
"You sure?"
"Positive. Hey, Kim whatever! Show your weapon!"
Reddick snarled and swung at me viciously, like he meant to cleave me in half. Startled, I leaped back.
"What the hell? That's dangerous!"
Whoosh!
The blade whistled past, making my heart drop.
"See, sis? No weapon!"
"For real?"
Reddick preened triumphantly. Matilda grinned wickedly and approached, sword drawn like the rest.
Realizing the mood had turned sour, I clicked my tongue bitterly.
Trap after all...
I'd suspected as much, so no shock or injustice—just a hollow laugh.
"Strip."
Matilda pointed her sword tip at my clothes.
"Strip?"
"Don't wanna die? Take it all off! God, you're dense."
She swung threateningly, and I instinctively stepped back again.
"Sis, just kill him."
"Idiot! You see those clothes and say that?"
"..."
"Ever seen stitching like that? Fuck, best I've ever laid eyes on. Show it to nobles? They'd go feral. Heh, wonder how much it'll fetch."
She cackled, already counting imaginary coin.
The clothes, huh.
That explained it. Not just clothes—my smartphone use was too blatant too.
...Gotta be more careful.
Sighing, I looked around.
Where's Elena? Not saving me?
A twinge of disappointment crept in.
"Hey, no one's helping you, so strip already. Let's keep it civil? Don't wanna get blood on good fabric."
"..."
"Oh, and that thing you had earlier. Hand it over."
I raised both hands.
"Nothing else? Like my shoes, or something special? Any critiques?"
"What the fuck? You lost it?"
Matilda's baffled yell made me smile wryly.
"Just the clothes and smartphone, then. Good to know what to fix. Thanks."
"...?"
"My mood. Hand over the Mana Stone Fragment quietly, and I won't harm you."
"This guy's nuts! Gah!"
Roaring, Matilda charged with a massive swing. At that instant, a whip cracked through the air, coiling around her neck.
Too late.
I frowned at Elena's belated aid.
"Sis!"
"Fuck, she has backup!"
"Come out, you bitch!"
The whip's arrival had the three men raise swords toward the source. A woman emerged from that direction.
"Sorry I'm late, Master."
Elena smiled sweetly, apologizing before uncoiling the whip from Matilda's neck and eyeing the men.
"Gahk... Kill her! Kill that bitch!"
Freed, Matilda spat venomously.
"S-Sis... she has horns?"
Tom's voice trembled. Matilda finally noticed, gasping as she scrambled up and snatched her dropped sword.
"D-Don't freak! Fuck, demons got chased out ages ago—no way one's here!"
She advanced on Elena. Suddenly, Elena shrieked dramatically and fled to me, burying herself in my arms with whiny sobs.
"Master, that woman's so mean! Punish her!"
Chucking wryly at her antics, I raised my hand.
"Goblin Summon."
Twenty-four goblins materialized.
"...Ebony Staff, summon."
A deep black staff appeared in my grip.