Chapter 6: Mercenaries and the Dark Knight (1)


    After the emergence of demons, the ce that enjoyed the greatest prosperity was probably the mercenary guild.


    The world was overflowing with situations that required military force. However, the elite soldiers of the nations were too preupied with maintaining the frontlines.


    As a result, mercenaries took charge of everything, from minor tasks to important ones that were time-consuming.


    Naturally, the social status of mercenaries also rose.


    In the past, these people lived miserable lives wandering from one battlefield to another and merely awaiting their end. Now, however, with skill and fortune, they could even attain noble status.


    The danger remained the same, but the potential rewards had significantly increased.


    Today too, various groups of humans who harbored grand dreams were knocking on the door of the mercenary guild office.


    Dale was among them.


    The office of the mercenary guild was located in District 7 and it was quiterge.


    As Dale looked up at the six-story stone building that was sprawling wide, he opened the door.


    The interior was quiet.


    Most mercenaries would have been out on requests by this time, and those without work would be off drinking.


    On the first floor of the guild office, only a few mercenaries were idly milling about.


    Dale walked past them and continued on his way.


    Then he identally bumped into a mercenary who was walking backwards.


    Damn it, who the hell is this bastard? Looking for a beating


    The mercenary turned around as he kept swearing, but his face stiffened upon seeing who it was that he bumped into.


    Dale who was d in a full suit of ck armor looked down at him and his intimidating presence was overwhelming.


    The mercenary muttered to himself unwittingly.


    Huh, why is a dark knight in here?


    Dale looked down coldly.


    Keep talking.


    Huh?


    Say what you were about to say if you want some thrashing.


    The mercenarys face turned pale white. After a moment of hesitation, he raised his right hand and struck his own cheek hard.


    <em>Smack!</em>


    Hey, you dumbass! How dare you bump into the sir knight? Want a beating? Only a beating will bring you to your senses, right?


    <em>Smack! Smack! Smack!</em>


    The mercenary kept scolding himself and pping his own cheek.


    Dale turned his head indifferently at the funny skit.


    Be careful.


    Yes, yes! I will be very careful!


    Dale moved on. Behind him, he heard the mercenary letting out a sigh of relief.


    Even with their elevated social status, mercenaries were still mercenaries.


    As they were people who lived on the edge of death, they were rough and had a crude edge.


    It was always important to show them who was in charge.


    At this point, everyone inside turned their attention to Dale.


    Wherever he went, Dales appearance drew eyes.


    The mercenaries murmured among themselves.


    Thats a dark knight, isnt it? Ive never seen one directly before.


    I saw one of them once on the front lines Its better not to get too close.


    Why is he here at the guild?


    Ignoring these gazes, Dale headed straight towards the reception desk.


    There were three receptionists, all of whom looked at Dale nervously.


    <em>Which reception desk should I approach, huh?</em> Dale was worried.


    All the receptionists wore expressions that pleaded for him not to choose them.


    Dale headed toward the one who appeared rtively calm.


    We-wee to the Irene branch of the mercenary guild.


    The nervous receptionist straightened her back.


    As Dale looked at her intently, she stammered.


    Ho-how may I assist you?


    I would like to register as a mercenary.


    Oh. Uh. I see.


    The receptionist was taken aback. A dark knight suddenly appeared and now he wanted to register as a mercenary.


    It was surprising because dark knights were originally knights.


    Knights were known for their pride and arrogance.


    They would rather be bandits, preying on travelers, than degrade themselves to the status of lowly mercenaries.


    Dark knights were a bit different from knights, but they too were not typically suited for mercenary work.


    Although the receptionist was flustered, she did not forget her duties.


    She asked Dale in a kind tone.


    Do you have any proof of identity?


    No, but I do have a guarantor.


    Could you please tell me their name?


    Esther. She is an apprentice priestess of the church.


    The receptionist furrowed her brows. It was not only a name she didnt recognize, but the idea of a priestess from the church vouching for a dark knight was hard to believe.


    However, she couldnt voice her doubts because the dark knight before her was too intimidating.


    <em>I bet hell kill me for the slightest annoyance and consume my soul.</em>


    Though her thoughts were heavily biased, she couldnt help it.


    The receptionist held her trembling hand and opened her mouth.


    Co-could you tell me your name sir?


    Dale.


    So you are Sir Dale. Let me first exin the mercenary ranks to you. In the guild, we categorize mercenaries into five te levels based on their achievements: wooden, iron, bronze, silver, and golden tes. Do you understand?


    Dale nodded his head.


    He was already aware of this, but he still listened attentively in case there was something new.


    As youplete missions and umte achievements in the guild, you can increase your rank. Starting from the bronze te, you are eligible to enter District 3, and upon reaching the golden te, you will be granted the title of a bar by the imperial family.


    The receptionist seemed to be less nervous the more she spoke, and she spoke softly without stammering during the lengthy exnation.


    <em>Eligibility to enter the upper districts of the city and the title of bar.</em>


    Irene was divided into a total of seven districts, but entry to District 3 and above requires certain qualifications.


    One bes eligible upon attaining the bronze mercenary badge.


    Of course, the fact that there are benefits implies that its not easy to reach that position.


    <em>Considering the privileges avable in the higher districts, I need to upgrade my rank quickly.</em>


    It was clear that Dale needed to be proactive in the future.


    Dale then spoke to the receptionist.


    I understand. So, I will be starting with the wooden badge, right? Register me for that.


    Um theres a problem with that.


    ?


    As Dale red, the receptionists speech hastened.


    W-we have an entrance test in our guild. Its a procedure to check if the person is trustworthy and to assess their basic credibility.


    And?


    We usually assign a few simple tasks. Like gathering herbs or cleaning sewers


    Get to the point. What are you trying to say?


    The receptionist swallowed nervously and cautiously spoke up.


    We cant just casually assign tasks to Sir Dale. The clients might not like it.


    Why is that?


    Well


    She hesitated and looked at Dale from head to toe.


    From her reaction, Dale deduced what she was trying to say.


    <em>Its because Im a dark knight.</em>


    Dale, finding the situation absurd, questioned further.


    Do herbs picked by a dark knight lose their potency? Or does a sewer cleaned by me differ from one cleaned by others?


    Its just that theres a risk of breaking the trust between the guild and the clients.


    In essence, there were no clients willing to entrust tasks to a half-undead like him.


    If Dale had a solid identity or undeniable achievements, the situation might have been different.


    But Dale had only recently arrived in the city.


    No one was willing to entrust tasks to a suspicious and unfamiliar heretic.


    <em>Hah. This is why I never yed as a dark knight in the game.</em>


    He came to face an unexpected hurdle.


    After thinking about it, Dale decided to change his strategy. He had gone so far as to be too human, so he decided to act more like an actual dark knight now.


    Dale spoke while deliberately ring at the receptionist with a sinister look.


    Then just issue the badge without a test.


    He adopted an upromising approach.


    The receptionists eyes widened in shock.


    Wha, what?


    Isnt it your fault that I cannot have an entrance test? Why should I suffer for it?


    Well, thats


    <em>Bang!</em>


    Ahh!


    Dale mmed the desk hard, causing cracks to appear on the wooden surface.


    The startled receptionist stepped back in rm.


    Sometimes, a single threat is more effective than a hundred words.


    The cold aura characteristic of a dark knight spread around.


    The receptionist now began to sob. She waspletely terrified and at a loss for what to do.


    Uh, uh.


    I have no intention of harming you. All you have to do is engrave my name on the wooden que.


    I-I understand.


    Good. Youre doing well.


    The terrified receptionist was unable to make a sound decision.


    With trembling hands, she attempted to engrave Dales name on the wooden que.


    Dale happily thought to himself.


    <em>Operation intimidation: Sess.</em>


    Its not something to use often, but it works well against people with weak hearts.


    Just then, a deep voice sounded from behind him.


    Please stop trying to subtly obtain a mercenary badge by frightening our staff.


    Dale turned around.


    Arge, middle-aged ck man with a sword scar on his cheek was smiling bitterly.


    It was a face Dale remembered.


    Gand.


    Gand was a retired golden-te mercenary. He was a legend who rejected the title of bar, the head of the Irene branch of the mercenary guild, and a man harboring a special secret.


    He was a character Dale often encountered while ying the game.


    Garand looked surprised when Dale recognized him.


    You know me.


    Just happened to.


    Just happened to, huh Ah, you can go now.


    Yes? Yes


    With Garands permission, the receptionist blushed and hurried away from the reception desk.


    Gand then took the empty seat.


    So, I hear you want to register as a mercenary?


    Thats right.


    Hmm. We always wee new talent, of course.


    Gand stroked his chin as he continued speaking.


    The issue is the same one mentioned earlier about Sir Dales trust problem. Its difficult to find clients willing to entrust tasks to Sir Dale at the moment.


    As Gand reiterated the earlier point, Dale began to feel increasingly irritated.


    <em>Should I just threaten him?</em>


    Gand had a secret, and Dale knew it. If he were to make use of it this could easily secure him a mercenary badge.


    But then


    <em>What a waste.</em>


    It seemed too precious to use for such a trivial matter. Besides, starting their first encounter with a threat?


    That would surely set a negative tone for his future rtionship with Gand.


    <em>I should just wait and see for now.</em>


    Dale asked in a deliberately disgruntled voice.


    So, what now? Youre saying I cant get it?


    Hmm.


    Dale exuded a menacing aura, but Gand was unfazed.


    Instead, he looked at Dale with curious eyes.


    Ive heard Harkins report. He said that you escorted the people here. Is that correct?


    Had Harkin already made his report?


    Taken aback by the sudden change of topic, Dale merely nodded his head.


    Gand continued.


    Quell and Harkin. They are a trustworthy duo, though they are not a duo anymore Anyway, if Harkin spoke highly of you, there must be a reason. I have a task for you.


    Do you have a request for me?


    Its an assignment from the guild itself.


    The guild as the request giver?


    Such matters often spelled trouble.


    Garand added with a meaningful smile.


    To be more precise, the client isnt the guild but me. Will you ept it? It might be quite dangerous. No, it will be dangerous.


    A dangerous task?


    All the better.


    Without hesitation, Dale epted.


    Ill take it.


    ***


    Gand immediately began to exin the details of the task.


    Theres a vige two days away from here that requested monster subjugation. Apparently, an owl bear migrated from somewhere and settled near the vige.


    Arent owl bears known to seldom leave their territory?


    Gand looked a bit surprised as he responded.


    You seem to know a lot about monster ecology! Yes, thats right. Usually, they stick to their own territory. But the main concern here isnt that.


    The guild had dispatched a team for the request. It was a mercenary team known as Miles Team,prising one bronze te and five iron tes.


    It was a force more than capable of handling an owl bear.


    However, they were wiped out. All were killed except for the team leader. ording to the reports, it was a variant owl bear.


    So, what is it that you want to say?


    This time, a new team has been formed for the subjugation request, but Im a bit uneasy about it. Id like Sir Dale to join them.


    Exterminating the owl bear.


    Dale thought to himself.


    <em>An owl bear, huh? Doesnt sound like too tough a task.</em>


    Even though it was a variant, it didnt seem to be a terribly dangerous creature with other mercenaries involved.


    Is that everything?


    Yes. Oh, and would you retrieve the badges of the fallen mercenaries? Its also the guilds duty to inform the families and arrange for the funerals.


    I understand. Ill retrieve as many as I can.


    Yes. If this task ispleted safely, we will issue you a mercenary badge.


    Gand was busy filling out the documents as he spoke. He could have asked the receptionist to do this, but he seemed morefortable doing it himself.


    Suddenly, Gands expression turned bitter.


    Given that even mercenaries were killed, the nearby vigers must have suffered the same fate. What a shame.


    In a world where the disappearance of a small vige goes unnoticed, such tragedies were all toomon.


    Gand looked directly at Dale and said.


    I hope you can avenge them on behalf of those lost.


    Leave it to me.


    As Dale stood up to leave, Gand suddenly remembered something and spoke up.


    By the way, to register as a mercenary, we need a sketch of your appearance. Could you remove your helmet, please?


    Dale obligingly took off his helmet.


    Garand, who was looking closely at his exposed face, muttered.


    If you had removed your helmet from the start, the receptionist would have beenpletely charmed, you know.