Chapter 22: The Mercenary's New Resolve
Summary
The president of the Genavis mercenary guild.
In his past life, he had never been in the mercenary guild. He wasnt skillful enough so he never even thought of doing so. It was only after he left Genavis that he attempted to become a mercenary.
Of course.
But he wasnt fazed. This request wasnt just a regular one; there were issues with it. An orc village conquest was an important job for the Genavis guild.
And the issues.
It was probably not fixed by just reporting, and it was directly reported to the president.
14 year old.
Martial artist.
It was common to be a martial artist. Do Sangrang was one himself.
But it wasnt common for a martial artist to be a mercenary.
Your young.
Sungmin heard that as soon as he opened the door. There were cigarette odors permeating the room. A middle age man with a huge build and thick glasses looked from his desk.
Im Dox, the president of the Genavis guild.
...Its Lee Sungmin.
Sungmin said while saying the posture. Dox looked at Sungmins face and asked.
Theres many things I want to ask, but Ill ask one thing first. Why did you lie?
...Yes?
You're not a martial artist.
Dox tapped his glasses that was on his nose.
Do you know about artifacts?
...Somewhat.
An artifact was an object with magic on it. Sungmins interdimensional pocket was an artifact.
These glasses are an artifact. If you wear them, they tell you the persons class. Your class is a No Class. Its hard to believe.
Dox muttered. He was surprised, but Sungmin didnt show it. If he was caught, he was caught. He couldnt be flustered by something like this.
A No Class learned martial arts thats not hard to believe. Arent No Classes popular these days. The martial skeleton from the surgeon and learning martial arts is possible.
...You know well.
Sungmin sighed. He had to.
Why did you lie?
I thought it wouldnt make sense.
Sungmin answered. Dox nodded his head.
That is true. Its true for me actually. You. How long has been since you came here?
...are you questioning me? I dont think I caused a crime to be questioned
Ah, I see. Ill apologize to that. Im not in the position to question you. You're not in the position to be questioned either.
Dox agreed on his mistake nonchalantly. It seemed not of place because of his huge size, but to Sungmin it wasnt. Not all mercenaries are politie. Most of them were, but usually a president was an intelligent man.
There are idiots in the heads of the mercenaries though.
He knew from experience.
I just thought it was strange that you would lie. Well its not something I don't believe so. Well, ill ignore that. Thats not important.
Dox muttered and put his hand under the desk. Then, he pulled out an envelope.
The money is 2,000,000 Erie. But there were troubles. So two survivors. I gave 100,000 Erie to the apprentices and the 1,800,000 goes to you twol. Do Sangrang said. It was because of you that you were able to eliminate those b*stards.
That was surprising. Do Sangrang said something like that. Sungmin never knew that Do Sangrang would emphasize his role in the quest.
Do Sangrang agreed. To give you 1,000,000 while he gets 800,000 Erie. And to the spoils as well. Theres going to be at least 600,000. You can get 400,000 as well.
...Can you do that much for me?
I have nothing to do with it. Do Sangrang said that.
Dox said.
Lets stop this and I want to get to the point.
Yes?
Sungmin pretended that he didn't know. He said that, but he knew why Dox brought him here.
Dont you have any thought of becoming a mercenary?
It was that.
Do Sangrang said. You are between the second and first rate, very close to the first rate. Thats surprising. Much surprising if youre a No Class as well.
Dox touched his glasses.
Youre very young. If you keep growing like this, youre going to be a first rate, and maybe even become a master depending on the effort.
...that is true?
Sungmin answered. He knew that wasnt easy. To Dox who didnt know Sungmin, Sungmin was probably a genius. Even though he wasnt.
If you become a mercenary, were going to give you a D rank. If you complete a few tasks, you will definitely get up to C rank. If you get up to a first rate, you could be a B rank. How is that?
Dox asked. Sungmin stayed silent for a while. It wasnt bad. If he became a D rank, it would give him enough money to live without taking any request.
...Thank you for the offer
But Sungmin refused. He couldnt be a mercenary. He needed the Intelligence Potion that the No Class Fight would give him. He needed that to bring his inner strength up. A mercenary couldnt compete in that.
What a shame.
Dox nodded. He didnt offer anymore and handed the money envelope.
If you change your mind, come back again.
...thank you.
Sungmin put the money in his pocket. Dox muttered as Sungmin walked away.
You're not like your age.
Yes?
You arent like a 14 year old. Well, incidents change your mind. If I was summoned at a young age, I would have gone crazy.
Dox seemed to understand. Sungmin smiled bitterly and left the guild.
I need to grow older.
Everything aside, the acting like a young kid was killing him.
*
Why were you so late?
He heard grumbles as soon as he came in the inn. It was Wijihoyun. She was looking with a mad face towards Sungmin. Sungmin looked at the food on the dishes.
Why didnt you eat?
My friend isnt here, so why would I?
You could
Was that a reason. Sungmin wanted to disagree, but he pushed the thought deep down.
You smell like blood.
Sungmin sat in front of Wijihoyun. Wijihoyun twitched her nose and muttered.
Whyd you kill a person?
Its nothing. Someone tried to kill me.
Really?
Wijihoyun seemed uninterested. She picked up the bread and put it in her mouth.
I thought about it.
Lula gave Sungmin his dinner. Wijihoyun opened her mouth as Sungmin picked up his fork.
It will take about a month for me to fix the High Heavens. I will give you that, and when you seem good with it Im leaving.
Sungmins hand stopped.
...Really?
Why. Is it a shame?
... I dont want to stop you
Sungmin sighed and muttered. The past Wijihoyun only stayed in Genavis for a month. It was only because of Sungmin that she was staying here.
I thought about it.
Wijihoyun said.Visjt n𝒐velbin(.)c𝒐m for new updates
You have a goal. To get the position is your goal. Then you will leave here. I was wondering if I should wait for you and leave together.
Sungmin didnt say. He knew generally what she would say.
But I cant. Why do you think that?
I wont be a help to you.
Sungmin thought. That was true for Sungmin. Sungmin was weak. He had no talent. But what was Wijihoyun. She was a genius. She was learning the techniques that completed a genius.
You're wrong.
Wijihoyun answered. Her eyes turned cold.
I dont like that part about you at all.
Wijihoyun spit out.
...what is that?
Inferiority.
Wijihoyuns voice was cold, and it was a sharp knife. Sungmins correct answer was wrong to Wijihoyun, but Wijihoyuns answer was right to Sungmin. Inferiority. filled through Sungmin's mind.
You dont help me? So thats why Im leaving? Why do you think that?
Its true.
Yes. You are weak. If I stay with you, Im going to have to protect you. But thats not the reason.
Wijihoyuns eyes narrowed sharply.
If I stay with you, you wont grow anymore.
If Sungmin went along with Wijihoyun, she would fix the problems that Sungmin had.
Your past life is holding you back. Its not good. The inferiority is holding you back.
...what do you want to say. Your friend is the Small Pegasus Wijihoyun.
Wijihoyuns voice had some feel to it. Her voice was low, but it delved deep into Sungmins feelings.
Youre learned techniques are one of the best, and the High Heavens that you will be learning is one of the best spear techniques in the world. That technique, I am fixing it for you.
...It was you who said that i lacked talent. No matter how much you fix it, I might not be able to learn it.
Have you tried?
Wijihoyun asked.
Did you past self say? Its impossible. Did it?
..its better to understand your situation than to get your hopes up
That is inferiority.
You wont know. Youre a genius.
Sungmin mocked.
How would a genius know a non genius?
True. I am a genius, so I dont know you completely.
Wijihoyun agreed on that.
But I dont like your attitude of giving up because of your inferiority before even trying it. Do I look irresponsible?
Yes.
You looked well. I am irresponsible.
This b*tch. What was she trying to say. Sungmin glared at Wijihoyun.
Dont think that it will be the same as your past life. You started over, and youre going in the opposite direction from it.
It doesnt change the person I am.
No, people change.
Wijihoyun disagreed immediately.
You changed. I changed. The few months here changed me. Sungmin didnt know the Wijihoyun from her life. But Wijihoyun knew.
Everything could change from your past life. The you before and you now are different, the things that you before and the you now will face are going to be different. How would the same result come out then.
Sungmin couldnt refute what she said.
Talent.
Wijihoyun shook her head.
You cant get something that you dont have...but. You cant do anything with your inferior self. First, you.
Wijihoyun pointed at Sungmin.
You need a goal. I said before. What do you want to do with your life.
You did.
You said before. A life better than before. Yes. Thats easy. Your life is going to better no matter what happens. But you won't be happy with just that.
That was true. Humans were like that without a concrete goal. He knew what happens now and later, so he wasnt happy enough.
You gain strength from opportunities. But, you dont know what to do with that strength. Isnt that you? Youre thinking of how your life isnt going well.
Sungmin tried to refute again, but closed his mouth. It was true.
Of course, you will try. With a general goal. So what you need...is a real goal.
...what goal?
Sungmin sighed. To that, Wijihoyun didnt hesitate and put her hand on her chest.
Me.
Wijihoyun said with strength..
Make me your goal.