Chapter 3. Mint Hero
The three-day deadline passed in the blink of an eye. Ji-hyuk packed his gear and left the inn at the crack of dawn. The deep blue pre-dawn sky was gradually lightening with the promise of daybreak. The streets, still untouched by the sun, were deserted. Chimneys of all sizes belched out puffs of white smoke. A drizzle must have fallen overnight, leaving the dirt roads damp but not turned into a muddy mess. Thankfully.
Ji-hyuk headed toward the east gate, their rendezvous point. A few figures were huddled there. They had that ragged, damn-mercenary look about them. One orc and two humans. Including him, that made four. Looked like they hadn't recruited anyone else in the remaining three days.
As he approached, an older-looking man eyed him sharply. Mercenaries always looked a good five or six years older than they were anyway, but this guy's bald spot right in the middle of his head made him seem even more ancient.
"You Kang Ji-hyuk?"
"...Yeah. And?"
"Isaac. I'm taking temporary command."
Leader Isaac extended his hand. Ji-hyuk gripped it and gave a quick up-and-down shake. The others introduced themselves briefly too. The hulking muscle orc was Gulatan. And the sole woman called herself Alisa. She had light copper skin and a slightly angular jaw, but her nose was straight and pretty. A long scar slashed across her cheek, giving her a fierce overall vibe. Muscular build made her seem a bit stocky, but she was shorter than Ji-hyuk.
"But aren't we short on numbers? Did we just grab anyone? ...Fuck, you look like you couldn't swing a stick."
The female merc Alisa scanned Ji-hyuk up and down with clear dissatisfaction. She seemed the suspicious type about everything. Of course, Ji-hyuk wasn't one to take that lying down. He'd rolled in this shithole mercenary world for years.
"Dunno. Not something I'd expect from a bitch writhing on a skewer."
"...What? You lost your mind, asshole?"
Kuhuhuhu—.
The orc chuckled slyly. Alisa, properly stung, glared at Ji-hyuk.
"You fucking prick... Keep talking shit and you'll really die."
"The one dying won't be me—it'll be you. Say the word anytime. If you want, I'll fuck you till you break."
"Hey, enough already. Client's coming soon."
The leader reined them in. Ji-hyuk grinned slyly. Alisa snorted and whipped her head away. Losing the initial power play like that would've just made him look weak. This world was ninety percent won with your mouth. If your tongue wasn't sharp, even silver-rankers got shit on by their peers.
The four waited for dawn. It wasn't long before the sun slowly rose from the distant horizon. Its brilliant light chased away the darkness in an instant, swallowing the world. Surprisingly, the orc—a sun god worshiper—dropped to one knee and offered a prayer. An orc merc believing in a human god. Yeah, this world had all sorts.
The prayer ended quickly. Then, a caravan of carriages appeared in the distance. The mercenaries instinctively knew it was the hero's party. The carriages halted at the east gate. Several people disembarked. Diverse races. And as expected, the fairy hero Elraim stood out immediately.
"Hero."
Leader Isaac bowed politely. Elraim swept her haughty gaze over the mercenaries.
"Everyone here?"
"Yes. All four."
"...That's kinda few. This all the manpower?"
"Seems the contract scared most off. Not many takers."
"Even with that pay?"
"Silver-rankers get cautious. They don't bite if it smells fishy."
"...Fine. Everyone load up quick. Long road ahead."
"Yes. Hop on, folks."
The hero party reboarded. The mercenaries climbed into the prepared carriage at the rear. Pretty luxurious ride. Alisa bounced her ass on the cushy seat a few times, impressed.
"Fuck, this is nice. Rich folks always roll like this?"
With a jolt— the carriage lurched once, then set off.
Ji-hyuk, who hadn't heard details yet, asked if they were heading to the demon realm.
"Yeah, that's the plan. No abductees in town, so maybe in the demon realm..."
"Demon realm? Why the hell would they go there?"
Alisa frowned at the news.
The orc Gulatan answered for her.
"Someone dragged 'em there. No way they went on their own."
"No, fuck, why drag 'em to the demon realm?"
"How the hell should I know? They're not in town, so we check there too."
Aish, fuck—. Alisa sensed things getting complicated.
"Thought we were just sweeping the city."
Ji-hyuk snorted.
"Then why hire expensive fucks like us? Cheaper ones everywhere."
Made sense, but sitting quiet felt lame, so she snapped irritably.
"Ah fuck, yeah, could be—!"
Ji-hyuk turned away without responding. That fucking prick—. Alisa didn't like him. Pretty face screamed house husband. Real men needed bulging muscles for that solid feel—! ...Not that she liked orcs or anything.
"So, who's behind this shit?"
Ji-hyuk feigned ignorance, though he knew.
Isaac scratched his chin, drawling.
"Dunno... Honestly, I'm dying to know too. Rumors fly—demons, demon cult, witch... Nothing solid yet."
"Heading to demon realm means they suspect something, right?"
"Probably outsiders. That's the guess."
"Outsiders...?"
"Yeah. Witch."
Witch. Devil worshipers.
"Lotsa talk of sacrifices. Numbers are too high otherwise."
Isaac rubbed his palms slyly like a greedy merchant.
"If it's really a witch, baron's in over his head alone."
"So he called in a hero."
"Yep. Heroes and crew are pros at this shit. Regular soldiers won't cut it. ...Look how much baron flailed already."
Alisa, griping moments ago, was hooked on the leader's spiel. She asked him.
"So, witch in the demon realm we're heading to?"
"If not in town, gotta be there. ...Their home turf, basically."
"Fuck..., this dangerous?"
"What, thought it'd be playtime?"
Leader chuckled. Alisa yelled irritably.
"Aish fuck, knew it wasn't safe. But this level? Bullshit."
"Shoulda backed out then."
"Ah, fuck... Yeah, money's the issue. Fuck, money. Aish fuck, might as well die."
The quietly listening orc asked the leader.
"Abductees probably dead already. Why bother demon realm? If witch suspected, just fortify defenses."
"Baron lost his precious kid. Wants bodies at least. ...And best to storm the nest, rip out the root for peace of mind, right?"
"True."
"Why else hire pricey hero? Vow to end it for good."
Talk was cheap, but to Ji-hyuk, it was locking the barn after losing the cow. If baron had worked hard from the start, no youngest son lost. Anyway, witch talk ended. Leader and Alisa dozed off. Ji-hyuk eyed the orc briefly. Orcs were usually savage hotheads, but this one was odd. Worshiping sun god already set him apart.
Gulatan eyed Ji-hyuk back, gaze landing on the sword sheath beside him.
"Sword user?"
"Yeah."
"Rare these days."
"Tough to wield."
"Humans even more. Weaker strength than other races."
Undeniable fact.
"But we're nimble."
"Nimble don't save you from a blade. Cuts deeper."
"Just don't get hit."
Tch—. Gulatan snorted.
"Hope so."
Ji-hyuk closed his eyes without replying. He wanted sleep too. No easy rests once in demon realm. Soon, the carriage filled with snores.
It took a full day to reach the demon realm. Darker than other forests, it felt like monsters could burst out any second. Barely touched by humans, more perilous than most. The air reeked of killing intent. Horses started freaking out.
"We walk from here."
Hero party, mercenaries, and porters dismounted, prepping to move. Hero party totaled six: three humans, one lizardman, one beastkin, one fairy. Beastkin was a werewolf. Six goblin porters. Famous for hard work without complaint, low food needs—perfect.
Sixteen in total headed into the demon realm. Alisa rubbed her arms against the skin-crawling intent.
"Fuck, gives me chills."
Ji-hyuk, following, quipped.
"Demon realm newbie?"
"Always gotta watch your ass there, asshole."
"Rare smart words."
Leader said, orc chuckled gruffly.
Trees, clustered tight from afar, loomed as they approached. Way taller up close. Ji-hyuk's gaze climbed the trunk to the top, head tilting back sharply.
They took a short break before entering. Someone from hero party approached—a gentle-faced beauty with a kind smile.
"Tell me if anyone gets hurt later."
Healer, obviously. Leader grinned wide. As she left, he rambled his tastes.
"I like 'em small and fragile."
Alisa pounced.
"Tiny dick?"
"Hey, mine's big? Wanna see?"
"No hobby peeking old man's cockhead."
Ji-hyuk and orc snickered. Leader waved it off—ah shit—.
"Move out."
The fairy hero commanded. Group stood, dusted asses.
"Report anything suspicious to me. Got it?"
"Yes, hero."
They formed two lines, slowly entering the demon realm. Ji-hyuk paired with Alisa. She had a big axe on back, small handaxe gripped tight. Passing trees, she'd hack the trunks—thunk thunk.
"Fuck, anything jumps, I'll kill it all..."
Ji-hyuk scanned surroundings meticulously. Sun clouded over, light fog cloaking the forest, limiting vision. They trudged over soft mossy ground deeper in. Killing intent strengthened subtly, hard to notice.
...Can I trust that bitch?
Ji-hyuk stared at the fairy hero's back leading the way. She was a hero, after all—wouldn't go down easy. Anyway, if shit hit, he could escape alone. Specialty from fifteen regressions.