Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Treasure Hunt (2)
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Demian's impression of Juan David could be summed up in a single word.
Benefactor.
In his previous life, during the days when he had been chased out of his family, become a beggar, and wandered the streets.
Demian had first realized his talent by taking down more than ten thugs with a rusty dagger he happened to pick up.
To put an end to his beggar life, Demian headed to the mercenary hiring hall. At the time, the only job that came to mind where he could make a living with a sword was as a mercenary.
But no mercenary group would take in a beggar like Demian. Even when he begged them to test his skills, they just ignored him.
-Young fellow, how about showing us what you've got?
The only one who didn't treat Demian with disdain was Juan David.
-...Hah, your swordsmanship is downright ghostly, nothing like how you look.
-With skills like that, you won't die anywhere. Congratulations on joining our mercenary group.
As soon as he confirmed Demian's skills were the real deal, Juan David hired him.
-First things first, we need to wash off that filth.
Juan David even dipped into his own pocket to get Demian cleaned up and bought him new clothes.
And so, Demian joined Juan David's mercenary group.
After that, there were nothing but fond memories.
He trained alongside the others and grew close with his fellow members.
In moments of crisis, he shone brightly and earned their recognition.
His abilities were acknowledged, and he learned swordsmanship and mana cultivation methods from Juan David himself.
He prevented the group's annihilation during a knight's attack and gained everyone's trust.
To Demian, the mercenary group was like another family. He thought there was nothing they couldn't achieve together.
Until he met Dorgo, and everything fell apart.
'Was Juan in the Longghost Mountains at this time?'
Demian didn't know everything about Juan.
He had no idea what Juan and his group had been up to before he joined.
"Hey."
Perhaps finding Demian's silence odd, Juan David waved his hand right in front of his face.
"Don't think I'm unreliable just because it's me. All the members under me are top-notch."
Juan David's habit of speaking this way was exactly the same as in his previous life. He always praised his members over himself.
"......I'd like to decide after seeing the members."
"Follow me. They're all gathered here right now."
Juan David led Demian to a corner of the hiring hall.
Five men were seated at two tables.
"You lot, get up right now. This might be our new employer."
At Juan's words, the five men shot to their feet.
Their movements seemed a bit clumsy at first glance, but their eyes were clear, and their bodies were well-trained.
"From the left: Brad, Bolt, Fish, Leg, and Bob."
Even without Juan David saying so, Demian already knew all five names.
How could he not? They were comrades he had shared joys and hardships with for over a year.
"I'll vouch for their skills. ......Though Bob here's still a rookie. But he's got the size, so he'll be useful."
Bob was the largest among them. Despite that, his eyes were huge, giving him an innocent look.
In his previous life, he had followed Demian around like a puppy, calling him "big bro."
"They look good. I'll hire you."
"You won't regret it. As for the pay......"
"I'll pay one gold coin per person."
Juan David jumped in surprise at Demian's words.
"W-Wait a minute...... You wouldn't happen to be unaware of the rates, would you? We're just low-tier mercenaries. One silver coin per person would already be too much!"
Demian swallowed a laugh that threatened to burst out.
If the employer seemed naive, they'd try to take advantage. But here he was, blurting it out straight.
Even in his previous life, Juan had been a fool who couldn't even look after his own bowl as a mercenary leader.
That's why he got cursed at by other mercenaries and even his own members sometimes.
Though his members stuck with him precisely because of that foolish personality.
"I know how much mercenaries cost. Consider it a bonus for taking good care of you—no need to worry."
"Even so, one gold per person is......"
"If you guide us properly, I'll pay two golds each."
The reason Demian was offering such generous pay was because of their past connection.
Of course, it also included knowing just how trustworthy they were.
His subspatial pocket was overflowing with reward gold from the duke anyway. This expense wouldn't even make a dent.
"Don't worry about the guiding. We've got that covered."
Juan David said with a face full of pride.
Even in his previous life, Juan had been a coward, but he never lied.
"Then we should work out the details. Whether we're heading into the mountains in a few days, which areas we'll focus on—tell me, and I'll......"
"Well now, looks like something shady went down while I stepped away?"
At that moment, a group of mercenaries approached Demian.
There were eight in total, all reeking of blood. That meant they had killed plenty of people.
"Hey, if you hire those losers, you might end up dead in the mountains. Why not go with us instead?"
A scruffy blond man thrust his head toward Demian and said.
"Griffin! What the hell do you think you're doing!"
"What's that? I'm just recommending better talent to a client offering one gold coin."
The man called Griffin said with shameless impudence.
"You're looking for guides for the Longghost Mountains, right? Our mercenary group is perfect. We know the terrain like the back of our hands, and we're tight with the guys living there."
Griffin said in a confident tone.
"Hire us instead of those losers. It'll be better for you."
"You bastard!"
Juan grabbed Griffin's collar.
Griffin's members put their hands on their weapons. Juan's members didn't back down and drew theirs too.
Tension crackled between the two mercenary groups.
"Juan, don't get ahead of yourself. You might end up dead."
Griffin sneered. Juan shoved him back and yelled.
"Get outside right now! Time to teach you a lesson!"
At Juan David's shout, Griffin smirked.
"Fine. How about we sort out the pecking order this time?"
The two groups headed outside. Soon, the sounds of blows and clashes rang out.
The commotion didn't last long. When it grew quiet outside, Demian went out.
"Ugh......"
"Urgh......"
Juan and his members lay on the ground, groaning.
"Bunch of weaklings, thinking they can act tough."
Griffin spat on the ground.
Griffin and his men were all unscathed. Not a mark on them.
'Pathetic, looking at them again.'
With skills no better than a ragtag bunch, Demian could only give a wry smile.
Come to think of it, Juan's mercenary group weren't great fighters.
Juan, being a former knight trainee, had trained them in various ways, so their individual physical abilities were quite high.
But they were all innately far from fighters, so they never shone much on any job.
In contrast, Griffin's group was made up entirely of brawlers.
Rough personalities, and no hesitation in using violence.
"See? How weak these guys are."
Griffin turned to Demian and said.
"You're lucky. You met us before signing with these vermin. So, shall we draw up the contract? We're premium talent, so a bit more than one gold each......"
"No need. I have no intention of hiring you."
Demian cut him off flatly. Griffin scowled.
"What bullshit is that? We won, didn't you see?"
"I never said I'd hire the winners. You fought on your own accord."
Demian wasn't hiring mercenaries for their combat prowess in the first place.
He just needed guides for the Longghost Mountains.
"This guy's not getting the picture......"
Griffin sauntered toward Demian.
"You think I'm asking? Shut up and contract with our group. Or things'll get ugly......"
Griffin's words cut off. A blade was pressed to his throat.
Demian had drawn his sword in an instant and held it right against Griffin's neck.
"You crazy bastard!"
"What the hell are you doing to the boss!"
Griffin's men cursed. He raised a hand, and they fell silent.
"So you're no pushover, huh? But if you're banking on that sword skill to show off, you'll regret......"
Demian unleashed his Aura. It coated the surface of his steel sword.
The Aura lightly touched Griffin's skin. His neck split open, blood trickling down.
"A-A-Aura?"
Griffin's smug demeanor crumbled. His face paled, and he began trembling all over.
"Getting the picture now?"
Someone of Demian's caliber could kill all these mercenaries here and face no consequences.
He was a noble, and a unique mid-class resource at that.
But right now, Demian was hiding his identity. Drawing attention was the last thing he wanted.
Above all, meeting Juan and his men had put him in a great mood.
"You're lucky bastards. Get lost—I'll let you live."
With that, Demian sheathed his sword. Griffin and his men fled in a panic.
Once they were gone, Demian turned to Juan.
"Let's go draw up the contract. Same terms. One gold per person."
"W-Why'd you choose us?"
Juan asked, his face full of confusion.
"You seemed more trustworthy."
Demian was on his way to a black mage's hideout right now. Naturally, he needed tight-lipped people.
He knew from working with them in his previous life just how tight-lipped Juan was.
Even if he hadn't known Juan, he would've made the same choice.
Griffin's mercenary group reeked too much of bloodlust. Utterly untrustworthy.
Mercenaries were basically savage, rough types by nature. Some weren't much different from bandits. Plenty extorted extra pay by threatening clients.
"Hah...... You've got a good eye for people. Those guys have a mountain of bad rumors."
Juan stood and asked.
"Come to think of it, I don't even know your name. What is it?"
Demian thought for a moment.
He couldn't give his real name, so he needed a fake one.
"It's Victor."
Juan nodded.
"Victor, looking forward to working with you."