Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Taking Over the Red Wolves
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Clearly, this was someone's scheme. They were even tying down B-rank mercenaries with money. If things kept going like this, Raitz City would have to fend off the orc invasion using nothing but their own strength—and that was bound to fall short.
What on earth did they develop this time?
On the other hand, he couldn't help but wonder what the research item was that the Raitz Magic Tower had developed. From the flow of events, it seemed like something exceptional, with real money-making potential.
Jake returned to the inn and reported to So Gun-ak. So Gun-ak stopped his breathing exercise and began discussing the matter with Jake.
"Do we absolutely need a B-rank to get to Raitz City?"
"The soldiers are blocking passage for any mercenaries below that rank under the pretext of protection. No way around it."
"What about non-mercenaries?"
"They're even stricter with civilians."
"What if we force our way through?"
"You could probably manage it, Leader, but it would cast a bad shadow on our future moves. A kingdom-wide warrant would go out."
So Gun-ak shook his head. Back in the Central Plains, he'd once been branded a public enemy by the righteous sects. But even then, he'd had the solid backing of the Divine Cult.
Being treated as a criminal in his current situation was far from welcome.
"Hmm. What if we just wait here until the travel ban lifts?"
A slight delay in schedule was no big deal. But Jake, assuming the worst, spoke up.
"It looks like the pressure from the Rosco and Lamie Kingdoms is intense right now. The fact that the Raitz Magic Tower hasn't given up despite this suggests... in the worst case, the tower might fall."
"That would be a problem."
If the magic tower collapsed, the mages researching the crystal's secrets would vanish. He could seek out another tower, but commissioning research from mages required fair compensation.
In So Gun-ak's view, no place was as suitable as the Raitz Magic Tower. Constantly locked in deadly struggles with orcs, what they needed most was martial might.
Something So Gun-ak could provide in abundance.
"Is there no other way to get a B-rank promotion?"
"Well... there is, but..."
So Gun-ak's eyes gleamed.
"Tell me."
"Under official mercenary guild approval, you duel a higher-rank mercenary and win. Three such victories grant you the same rank as your opponents."
"Perfect."
"But very few have ever gone through this promotion path. It's secondary to the main process, really—the rule exists mainly so mercenaries can stake their honor on formal duels. So these duels almost always happen between equals in rank."
"Isn't that easier than completing requests?"
By simple math, it was. Ten requests reduced to just three duels.
"It draws the guild's attention, though. Not a good thing."
Jake didn't know So Gun-ak's true goal beyond finding a way to melt the crystal. He only inferred that the man was highly skilled but preferred to stay out of the spotlight.
"Raitz City is a free city, right?"
"Yes."
"We'll be waiting there anyway while the mages research the crystal. As long as we find out how to melt it, public attention means nothing."
"Then I'll scout some suitable mercenaries."
Less than five minutes after leaving the room, Jake returned.
"We're in luck. The Red Wolf Mercenary Corps is right downstairs, throwing a drinking party."
"Red Wolf Mercenary Corps?"
"Yes. Twenty members. Their leader, Capone, is B-rank, and the rest are all C-rank."
"Perfect."
So Gun-ak headed straight down to the first floor.
The Red Wolf Mercenary Corps had rented out the entire first-floor dining hall for their bash.
Having heard intelligence that the orcs' northern invasion of Raitz City had begun, they'd stopped in Horis City on their way there. In the meantime, they'd picked up an easy, high-paying job and were in high spirits.
"Kuhahaha! Thirty gold just to go to Ganam Territory? Easier than swimming on dry land!"
"Hahaha, that's all thanks to your fame, Leader. How else could we snag such a sweet gig?"
Capone laughed heartily at his men's flattery.
"Kuhahaha! Drink up, drink up. Make the most of it tonight."
Ganam Territory was just three days from Horis City. The route was free of real dangers, yet it paid thirty gold.
The job didn't start for twenty days, and they'd already pocketed three gold as an advance—enough to rent out the whole inn for a night of revelry.
Perfect bandit material.
That was So Gun-ak's first impression of Capone. With his shaved head and thick, bushy beard, the man looked every bit the brigand. The red hair and beard probably explained his nickname, Red Wolf.
So Gun-ak walked right up to Capone.
A few rowdy underlings stepped forward to block him.
"Hey, go party somewhere else. We rented this place out."
"Oi, hold it!"
Whish, thwack!
So Gun-ak's hands flashed out, striking the two men's necks. He'd controlled his strength so their bones didn't shatter, but it was more than enough to knock them out cold.
Thud.
As the two collapsed in an instant, Capone finally turned toward So Gun-ak.
"What the hell?"
"You're the B-rank mercenary Capone?"
"Who the fuck is this lunatic?"
Capone charged without warning. But he hadn't clawed his way to leading twenty mercenaries for nothing—despite his bulk, his movements were surprisingly agile.
His frying-pan-sized fist, the pride of the Red Wolf, flew at So Gun-ak's face.
Whish, smack!
"Wha—?"
Capone let out a dumbstruck yelp as his fist was caught effortlessly. So Gun-ak squeezed, and Capone's eyes bulged as he screamed.
"Aaaagh!"
It felt like his fist was about to crumble.
"I challenge you to a duel at the mercenary guild."
"Agh, what bullshit is this?!"
Duels required guild certification. So Gun-ak released his grip. Capone stumbled back, clutching his hand, as the Red Wolf mercenaries swarmed around him.
Shing, shing.
They drew their swords, menacing So Gun-ak.
"We'll duel at the guild."
Capone grimaced, shaking his throbbing fist.
"Fuck off with that crap. Why the hell would I duel you?!"
Jake's face hardened.
He'd hired plenty of mercenaries in his merchant days. Formal duels were rare. Most settled things with blades sans guild oversight—someone ended up dead or gone.
So Gun-ak realized this path to promotion wouldn't work.
No other mercenary would accept the challenge anyway, especially not those arrogant enough in their skills.
So Gun-ak called to Jake.
"Jake."
"Yes."
"If I join an existing B-rank mercenary corps, would there be any issue crossing the border?"
Jake's mind cleared in an instant. He snapped his fingers without thinking. How hadn't he thought of that sooner?
"Yes! That's a great idea."
"Perfect."
So Gun-ak eyed Capone and the twenty wary mercenaries. No need to hunt down three separate B-ranks by force. The Red Wolves were already a B-rank outfit—no border hassles.
"I'm taking over the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps as of today."
At So Gun-ak's declaration, Capone grabbed his prized axe from a subordinate.
"Enough bullshit. Boys, bury him!"
"Raaah!"
The underlings charged on Capone's order. So Gun-ak had left his armor and weapons upstairs.
Of course, that didn't worry him.
C-ranks might outfight trained elite soldiers, but to So Gun-ak, they looked like children.
Shing, crack!
He dodged razor-sharp blades by hairsbreadths. Each time he struck out, one mercenary dropped.
He could have killed them if he'd wanted, but no need to go overboard.
Thud, smack!
Their blades couldn't even graze his clothes. Swings met empty air; a flash before their eyes, and they were out.
"Hah, hahaha. Look at this guy."
With all his men down, Capone—alone now—put on a brave front despite his frozen face.
In the mercenary world, showing weakness meant defeat. That was Capone's creed.
"Raaah!"
One swing of his axe would kill. Just land it. The axe hurtled toward So Gun-ak, poised to cleave him in two.
Clang!
The mighty axe halted an inch from So Gun-ak's head. He'd blocked it barehanded—no sword, no shield.
"Hurk!"
Capone had never dreamed someone could catch his axe with bare hands.
He gasped in shock.
Whish.
So Gun-ak yanked the blade, dragging Capone along by the haft.
"Wha-wha?!"
The guy was half his size, but his strength was no joke. Only then did Capone face reality. The man before him was no match for him—he was outclassed.
His reviving underlings watched him with pitiful eyes.
Whish, thud.
"Urk."
So Gun-ak's fist slammed into Capone's gut. Capone gritted his teeth against the brain-rattling shock.
Thud.
But it didn't end there. Two more punches followed in rapid succession.
"Hngh!"
Each was a devastating blow, yet Capone glared with bloodshot eyes and endured.
This time, So Gun-ak was surprised.
Tough bastard.
Durability alone didn't measure skill, but to So Gun-ak, Capone felt like genuine B-rank or better.
Whish.
As So Gun-ak cocked his fist again—
Capone's legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees.
"Wh-why are you doing this?! What the hell?!"
At Capone's agonized scream, So Gun-ak replied casually.
"I'm joining the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps."
Capone's face twisted in a bizarre mix of laugh and cry.
"Damn it, you could've just said so. Just said it."
Who'd stop a guy wanting to sign on? Why go through all this crap?
But Capone understood when So Gun-ak continued.
"From now on, I'm the leader of the Red Wolves. Any objections, step up."
"Fuck."
Capone cursed and collapsed face-first. He couldn't even hold himself up anymore.