"As promised, I will give you 500 Gold as well as the extra golds," Mok-Rang replied and pulled out several gold coins from his storage ring on his fingers before handing it over to Jessica.
Looking at what happened, Jessica’s eyes widened slightly before it returned to normal. She was surprised by the storage ring. But not for Leo. He had read about it before.
"Please allow me to count it first." She pushed her glasses and began counting, eliciting a wry smile from the old man.
No one had dared to show such disrespect in front of him before, but he didn’t get angry at her. He watched her count the money before giving him an answer.
"Please get used to this." Leo decided to explain it to the Heavenly Demon. "We, Mercenaries, love money very much. That being said, we are satisfied with your pay."
"No, it’s fine." Mok-Rang shook his head. "In fact, I think that I am lucky to have met you. I was sure that I would die here today." He chuckled, amused. He looked at the group once again and narrowed his eyes. "But you put yourself in a dangerous situation by helping me. Now, the Poison Sect will see you as their enemy."
"About that, I think we’re okay." Leo responded calmly as if he was not in a life-and-death situation anymore. "As we said before, we’re on the side of those with higher offers."
Meaning, if the Poison Sect paid him more than what Mok-Rang was able to afford, he and his subordinates would immediately change sides, like insects that smelled food.
"I see." Mok-Rang paused for a moment, understanding what Leo was trying to say. "And if I cannot afford it?"
"Then we’ll accept their job and get paid by them instead." Leo shrugged his shoulders and chuckled darkly. "But besides what’s written or agreed, we will be no one’s enemies. Of course, if they attack us, we will retaliate. But we won’t bother anyone who doesn’t seek conflict with us."
Seeing how fearless he was, Mok-Rang couldn’t help but chuckled bitterly. He guessed that he must have judged them too early after seeing them helping him.
’They are crazy mercenaries who are willing to accept a huge payment and sell their services to anyone as long as it benefits them.’
That being said, it seemed like these people were willing to go against the entire Murim Alliance if they wanted to. Or went against the Unorthodox sect if paid enough money.
Leo turned his attention toward Jessica who finished counting the money and gave him a nod. Then, he turned his attention back toward Heavenly Demon.
"The amount is correct. Thank you for using our service. If you need us, please do contact us again."
"Please wait." Mok-Rang lifted his hand up and stopped them from leaving immediately. "Before you leave, I want to hire you again for a different matter. Can you do an escort mission?"
"It’s my duty as your secretary." She flashed her smile happily as she stood behind him.
A few seconds later, Shui and Chiaki appeared. They returned from patrolling around the perimeter. They stopped in front of Leo and the former reported.
"There is nothing unusual around this area. We only found a tower-like building that’s locked by something I can’t understand. I tried to forcefully open it by slashing the door and wall, but it’s useless. Of course, I didn’t use my full strength."
"A strange symbol is drawn on the door... Leader, maybe it’s a kind of lock." Chiaki added while showing an image to Leo using her smart database. "I tried to look it up in the database but no result."
The image showed something like two intertwined dragons over a pentagram star. It was difficult to explain what it was since it didn’t exist in their world. But he understood it.
’It must be the seal used by Mok-Rang by burning his lifeforce so the students of Demon Sect can escape. Shui said he didn’t use his full strength, that means he used half. Hmm, the seal is strong enough to keep even Shui from cutting it, huh? People in the Murim world are way stronger than expected.’
"Good job, Chiaki. That’s valuable information." Leo praised the short-haired girl, causing the corner of her lips to tug up slightly.
"It’s my job, Leader," she responded modestly before taking her position near Shui, before Leo.
Following them were Jack and Anya who approached them. The former caressed his gun, praising it endlessly while the latter had a large grin on her face while her body was drenched in blood.
"Leader!" Anya waved her hand excitedly and ran toward him like a cat. "I have finished my job perfectly. There are many nasty poison users hiding in the forest, so I decimated them all. You should have seen how they begged me to spare them..."
"Nice job," Leo commended her and smiled wryly. He felt bad for the Poison Sect people who fell into Anya’s hand.
’They must be scared. She can be a bit... sadistic and unhinged sometimes."
"Hehehe. Leader praised me." Anya’s smile widened further and looked like a Cheshire cat who just stole a fish from a fisherman.
"Anya. That’s enough."
A low voice echoed around them. Everyone’s attention turned toward the source, including Anya’s who was fawning over Leo earlier. Jessica let out a sigh when she saw her acting like this in front of Leo.
"I will explain the mission in detail."
When the secretary said that, everyone went silent. Leo nodded to her and gestured for her to start.