90 The Destination

The first day was not that bad as everyone in the other groups were enjoying and bragging about what they 'learned' in the village.

Ellis like to practice drawing his blade as he expressed to Dean

"It's one of my weakest points."

That was all he said before starting to spend all his spare time and continuously striking a wooden tree with a fast draw.

Dean was thoroughly impressed when the sword was starting to cut through the air and create a ripple while landing a precise attack against the tree.

He wasn't going to comment about how that may slowly damage the sword but allowed him to do his own business.

Alexander was doing the more responsible part out of their group by maintaining a consistent relationship with most of the other mercenary groups.

However the much more arrogant groups that held a lot of pride tended to be avoided, Alexander found conflict to be useless and striking up hostility with their group will just be meaningless.

But that does not necessarily mean that they would get away scot free if they attempted to harass our group.

It was during the beginning of the journey that they argued our group was far too weak to join them.

To be truthful, it was indeed a reasonable argument.

A bunch of nobodies that aren't famous take part in a job where if you get rid of them you receive an extra bonus.

If the client can pay them, what's wrong with proving your worth and taking it for yourself?

Such greed allowed us to make sure we weren't going to be isolated in this trip.

The formula was really bland.

Some dude with a scar from a mercenary group makes a big scary face and provokes us.

We feel so scared that Alexander had to make an air current slowly tear off the skin located at his neck while Ellis position his blade in front of his chest.

Before any of his peers could help, Dean would encapsulate them with a black circle that had dark arms protruding out of it.

It was poor courtesy if they continued to go any further as the Old Man coughed loudly to settle the fight.

Direct translation: "Stop, otherwise you won't be receiving your paycheck"

There were of course many people with different backgrounds that gave Dean a sense of amazement and jealousy.

One wanted to gather enough money so that he could give his girlfriend a betrothal gift and live a peaceful life after being a mercenary.

Another wanted to make sure their children would grow up with food on the table and become successful in whatever path they choose.

They all had a purpose in each action they did and a result they desired.

Comparing to himself, Dean was saddened at the fact that he had no such purpose.

He was just told by the school that he should follow two teachers and learn.

While there was a sort of bond between them, it was nothing that would make Dean contemplate suicide if they died.

Those thoughts persisted to linger in Dean's head and even when he fell asleep, he was still reminded of it in his dreams.

It was supposed to just be another day but he was finally able to realize why the Old Man was a lot more anxious when they were so close to their destination.

There was an attack.

But the first thought that crossed Dean's head was ridiculous.

'Did my family's house look this glamorous when reflected by the moon'

Carriages were on fire while the horses neighed as a plead to escape the rising heat currently setting their ropes of fire.

Some of those carriages were the sleeping grounds for mercenary groups meaning that they have already suffered casualties.

Dean heard some ruffling in two different locations and used a hand made out of Dark Magic that grappled onto whatever they were and completely crush them.

Bringing the corpses for a closer inspection, they were just scouts after analyzing the composition of the body.

Tossing it away, Dean grouped up with Ellis and Alexander who were already taking down most of the people that seemed like vanguards.

"Take care of the client!"

Alexander first made an order to make sure that what they are prioritizing first is important.

They trusted his capabilities and if there was an enemy who would be able to overpower Dean, they had assurance that he could at least stall for some time.

Dean recounted everything and couldn't help but sighing, remembering how disastrous the night was and how messy everyone was.

It seemed as if they had never discussed the possibility of attacks during the night that made Dean contemplate whether these people really were mercenaries.

The annoyance he felt when morning came was that the stench of decay, blood and burnt matter was horrible and that their food was gone.

We were reassured that we would still be receiving our pay as only consumables were lost in the battle however those with casualties will receive compensation.

He could faintly hearing Alexander curse with sadness while Ellis had to pat his back.

"Dammit! I should've faked an injury"

"..."

It was odd at the very least that Dean didn't know how to feel about some of the mercenaries' deaths.

There was indeed sadness but it felt like it was from a stranger's point of view.

They would just feel sad for them but they wouldn't break down to tears...

Anyways, they had soon reached their destination but Dean was surprised to discover that it was the capital where the Zikel Clan was located.

Their transaction was paid upfront before the entrance of the city and made many of the men cry with happiness when they were able to feel a sack of gold was shaking in their hands.

Ellis and Alexander were shaking with joy when they saw a bunch of gold landed into their hands but cried at the realization they had to give it to the school.