The Mercenary Who Doubted His Instinct
“――Ugh……”
Gia groaned, her head throbbing with a dull ache as she opened her eyes. Her foggy vision gradually sharpened. This wasn’t outside. It was an indoor space, musty smells rising from below. Thin rays of light filtered through cracks in the ceiling, streaking down to the floor. Otherwise, the place was utterly empty.
I think I know where this is…
It looked like one of the abandoned warehouses no longer in use. There were several such derelict buildings a bit further out from the village outskirts.
The light coming in is weak… Is it just before sunset?
As she tried to gauge the time and raise her hand, something caught at her jaw, followed by the metallic clank.
――Clang, clang!
“…Ah.”
Looking down, she saw handcuffs clamped around her wrists. A chain extended from them, solidly connected to a pin driven into a boulder about the size of a person behind her. Pulling that pin out from a rock that size seemed impossible.
Cold sweat began to bead on Gia’s face. That grating metallic sound she’d heard far too many times in her past life. The heavy drag of chains she never wanted to hear again—it brought nausea and fear surging up as she turned her gaze forward.
That big guy…
Screeech.
The door opened. The man who’d struck her neck and unhesitatingly swung a club at her head entered, brushing off his hands.
“Heard a noise, and sure enough, you woke up right on cue. Good thing I held back so I didn’t crack your skull.”
The man, Aik, approached Gia with leisurely steps.
“Y-You…”
“I’m the bad uncle who’s gonna package up our precious little demon girl nice and tight and take her away.”
Aik stuck out his tongue and smacked his lips. Eyes brimming with greed. The familiar gaze that saw her not as a person, but as mere merchandise. Grasping the situation from that alone, Gia twisted her face and glared at him.
“…Let me go, mister. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
“Oh ho, sweating bullets but still got a mouth on you? A demon brat from some orphanage.”
“I’m not lying. If you drag me off like this――Mmph!”
Aik seized her jaw with two fingers and yanked it up roughly.
“Better shut up with the bullshit and answer my questions nice and quiet. Whether I take you intact or just keep you barely alive to drag around? That’s up to me.”
“Kuh…”
Gia trembled, grinding her teeth. A chilling glint slipped from between her eyelids. In that gaze—mingled fear, hesitation, anger—Aik instead stared back with approval.
“…You know how lucky you are that I’m not doing shit to you even with eyes like that? If your face or body had a single flaw, I’d have carved some scars already.”
“……”
“Gonna shut up now? Suit yourself. If you don’t listen, it’s the other brats who’ll suffer for it.”
“……Ha, haha.”
Even as Aik mentioned the other children, Gia showed no anger. The chains evoking old memories, the situation this man had created. Everything terrified her, yet she let out a small, incredulous chuckle.
“Laughing? This fun for you? Typical demon spawn. Don’t give a shit if the humans you know die, huh?”
“…That’s not it.”
Gia stopped chuckling and glared at Aik. Her demon-split eyes sharpened with a keen edge. A venomous smile curled her lips. What gathered in her eyes now was neither fear nor terror.
It was pity for the fool who didn’t know the fate barreling toward him.
“It’s just… you’ve screwed up this bad, but you still don’t get it. That’s what’s funny.”
“…What?”
“Are you acting alone? If so, you’ve still got a chance. Let me go and run. I won’t say anything about you.”
“…Ha, what nonsense are you――.”
Aik paused, glancing down at his feet. A bad chill crawled up his spine, making him step back unthinkingly.
He couldn’t understand himself. Looking at Gia again. Something flickered in her eyes for an instant. He didn’t know what. Had he just imagined it in the haughty demon’s bravado?
But that uncomfortable sensation that had briefly gripped his body was no illusion.
“…You’re not alone, are you?”
His instinct screamed a warning. The demon bitch in front of him was far more dangerous than imagined.
“――So what?”
But.
“Listen up. My men are already heading to that annex you live in.”
So what? Aik decided to ignore his instinct’s warning. This was just scooping up scattered gems in the woods and bolting. Grabbing some well-cooked meat and eating up. The demon girl before him was all bark, no bite—couldn’t even deal with those cuffs. Everything was going perfectly. Why feel scared?
“You think I look like some street-thief thug? Me and my men have all eaten our share of steel. Whatever’s there that makes you so cocky… that pretty face’ll change quick in front of the other brats.”
Words spat to bring despair. Instead, Gia calmed her anger and fear, closing her eyes and settling comfortably.
“…I see. Then I’ve got nothing more to say.”
Like facing someone already dead, she fell silent.
“…Fucking annoying demon bitch.”
Not even bothering with his questions, Aik turned with a disgusted face and left the warehouse.
What the hell? Should’ve slapped her till she submitted. Getting played by one demon brat like this!
He berated himself inwardly. The sun had fully set, darkness settling. If things were on schedule, his men should be returning soon. Looting valuables and grabbing kids worth ransom wouldn’t take long. He’d ordered speed, back before sunset—this was right on time.
Leaning against the wall, Aik pulled a thumb-sized cigarette from his pocket and lit it. A precious item he couldn’t smoke often on a mercenary’s budget, but he forgot to ration it. He lit up and inhaled deeply.
――An hour passed.
The sun had long set. But not a single footstep from his men who should’ve returned ages ago.
Five masked men moved swiftly through the forest path.
“…But seriously.”
One man in the group spoke up. It was the guy who’d been floored by Aik’s thrown beer mug.
“Do we really gotta go this far?”
“…What’re you on about, Bamil? You some saint? We’re past the age for guilt over raiding orphanages.”
Lightly dressed, armed only with a longsword and dagger at their waists, yet they conversed without a hitch in breath while moving fast—hinting at their skill.
“Idiot, that’s not it. Obviously it’s about the money.”
Bamil slowed his pace slightly, venting his discontent.
“The demon girl’s pretty with nice tits, so she’ll fetch a good price—no complaints there. But going outta our way to raid the orphanage too? Looks bad.”
“Looks? What’s that to mercenary trash like us?”
“Boss Aik’s got a plan. His gut’s always spot on. Ever seen things go south when he says so?”
“…Well, yeah.”
“That half-decent demon’ll make bank sold south. Still, splitting with this headcount? Worth getting greedier.”
Bamil nodded at his comrade’s words, saying no more. It wasn’t life-risking hard work anyway—greed was natural for mercs. Who knew, maybe another demon. Jackpot if so.
“…What’s this sign.”
Soon, a sign appeared before the men. Nothing special at first glance. Big letters saying the annex was deep ahead. But the line below was eerie.
[Unauthorized intrusion and illegal acts will not be tolerated—your life is not guaranteed. If that's your plan, this is your last warning: turn around and fuck off, you bastards.]
“Kinda brutal.”
As Bamil spoke, a comrade exchanged glances.
“We’ve got time. Better play it safe. Sun’s not fully down—spread out, harder to spot anyone.”
Bamil shook his head—why bother with our numbers?—but the majority agreed. They fanned out, advancing cautiously toward the orphanage.
Shit, was gonna kill what needs killing, loot and bolt quick. Drags on, I’m the one who gets it.
Bamil’s grudges piled up—he took more beatings than the others. Even now, hanging back furthest. Probably ‘cause he shook his head earlier.
Why build an orphanage deep in woods like this… Kids living where wild beasts roam?
Glancing up, he sensed faint light ahead. Building not visible, but closing in…
“――Hey, mister!”
“……?!”
The sudden voice from behind made Bamil whip around.
“Sun’s almost down—whatcha doing here?”
A pale blonde kid smiled brightly, waving. Boy? Nah, voice said girl. Androgynous look, but over 10 for sure—hard to tell more. Probably orphanage kid.
Too focused ahead? Should’ve heard her approach.
Clean face, no grime—prime slave material. Found her myself, big cut. Lucky.
Bamil grinned greedily.
“Whatcha doing? Little miss, what’re you doing out here this late?”
“Waiting for my big sis! She’s super late, director went looking, but I was worried so I’m watching for her!”
She chattered excitedly, loving the talk.
“…Aha, gotcha. Must be worrying.”
Bamil turned fully toward her, hand creeping behind to his waist—rope coiled with his sword, out of sight.
“You hunting beasts, mister? Didn’t see the sign? Private property—no going deep!”
“Oh, that sign? Saw it coming.”
Grinning viciously, Bamil slowly drew the rope aside.
“Kids don’t get it—that warning don’t scare real men.”
She tilted her head.
“…Huh? But everyone follows it. Grocery grandpa, food auntie, bar lady too. So why’re you here?”
As if answering, Bamil uncoiled the rope with a shhwick and smiled.
“‘Cause mister’s a bad guy. Got your big sis nice and safe with us.”
These moments always thrilled. He anticipated her despair, bolting—catch in steps, tie tight――.
“Ohh, got it!”
“…?”
“Thought it was weird. You kidnapped my sis? Gonna grab me and the others too!”
She beamed delightedly.
“You’re not bad—you’re a super evil villain! Wow, been ages!”
It didn’t compute. She got it—why the happy smile, standing still?
“Ignored the sign, kidnapped my sis—total heavy crime! Don’t you know at your age?”
“…Course I know, idiot. Your sis too—you’re never coming back. Gonna package you pretty and sell.”
Why the nausea now? Bad food?
“Unauthorized slave trading’s illegal! Here and up north—big punishment for kid trafficking!”
“Sigh, I know, you damn brat. What’s a kid know? Just get caught qui―.”
Done listening, moving to grab—
“――So, no choice then?”
Blinked—she was gone from right in front. Bamil startled, scanning around.
Where!? No sound?!
“What the fuck! Where’d this bitch go――.”
Cold touch on crown and jaw. Shoulders suddenly heavy. Impossible, but something riding him, small hands gripping tight――.
“――Round and round~”
Crack!
Muscle and bone twisted grotesquely with a rupture. Bamil’s world flipped 180 degrees.