CH 8

Tense Encounter

Hugh chuckled, “Is that so? I also have tea if you’d like.”

“Nah, it’s fine. It’s not that I hate it from the bottom of my heart, I just don’t understand the appeal.”

“Then don’t drink it,” I muttered, looking off into the distance. Both Gold and I were sitting at the counter, with an empty seat between us.

“You can’t refuse a treat, you know. You have no sense of gratitude.”

“Since you sat down, Hugh hasn’t mentioned anything about it being a treat,” I said, glaring at the seat next to me.

“Heh, I didn’t ask for it. This coffee just appeared in front of me.”

“Really… It’s my treat. Sword, Gold, stop your pointless bickering. We finally have the three of us together after so long.”

“Hey, Hugh. Since we’re all finally here, why don’t we make a pact to kill a person?” I averted my gaze from the blond hair and made a proposal to Hugh.

“Haha, that’s a good one. Who are we going to kill? I’m in.”

“Sword, I don’t understand what’s so special about this occasion, and your proposal seems like it could cause damage beyond our group, so it’s better to withdraw it.”

Apparently, our relationship wouldn’t change even if our mercenary group disbanded.

“Did you come here for a reason, or you just came to drink coffee you don’t even like?” I frowned and asked Gold.

“Hey, be careful what you say, Sword. I came here to give you some good news, after all.”

It was Hugh who was the first to show interest in the news. “Good news for Sword? Is it a job referral or something?”

Gold proudly held up a finger. “You’re spot on, Hugh. I knew you’d get it.”

I furrowed my eyebrows suspiciously. “A referral? For what?”

“Yep, as a kind-hearted person, I’ve come to offer a job to a poor unemployed person like you.” Gold’s expression was full of pride, as if to say “be grateful.” He was a presumptuous guy, imposing favors without being asked.

Gold nodded in agreement, “Well, it’s a loophole in the law.”

“But,” I objected, “is it even practically feasible to do such a thing? Wouldn’t one have to take on all the burden that the union was previously handling?”

Hugh provided an answer to my question. “Certainly, if someone chooses to become a mercenary as a sole proprietor, they would have to handle everything from business development to accounting. Finding work would be especially challenging. Without a certain level of connections from the outset, it would be almost impossible to continue the operation.”

“It’s not a loophole in the law, it’s a thorny path,” I grumbled. “Unless you have such connections, Gold?”