Chapter 9: Compensation (1)

 

“Vice-captain Berg!”

 

As I placed flowers on the graves of the fallen members of the Red Flames, I turned around upon hearing a voice calling me.

 

Approaching me was my aide, Baran.

 

When our eyes met, he spoke.

 

“Captain Adam has returned.”

 

“…”

 

I remained silent for a moment, then nodded and gently set down the last flower.

 

The time of remembrance came to an end here.

 

"Is there anything special?"

 

I wiped the dirt off my hands.

 

"Nothing, except that captain is looking for the Vice-captain."

 

Adam Hyung had left our hideout for a while two weeks ago to accept a new request.

 

All I knew about this client was that they were a noble.

 

I had no information about who they were, their race, or how high-ranking of a noble they were.

 

However, based on my intuition, it seemed likely that a significant battle was on the horizon.

 

In the first place, it was rare for Adam Hyung to meet the client in person.

 

The fact that he had gone to meet them indicated the importance of this particular individual. And clients of such stature didn't offer easy contracts.

 

As we entered the cemetery, Baran handed me the sword I had set aside. 

 

Without hesitation, I secured it around my waist and turned towards Baran, who walked beside me.

 

"What about the recruits' training?"

 

“…”

 

There was no immediate response. I gave Baran a sharp look and repeated my question.

 

“What about training?”

 

"Well... it's not yet..."

 

“What?”

 

A sudden surge of heat rose in my head.

 

Baran continued his excuses without even meeting my gaze.

 

“…Vice-captain, you need to understand…”

 

“…”

 

"The members haven't even recovered from yesterday's intense training... and the families of the members are getting restless..."

 

"Ignore it. Training comes first."

 

"You should also consider the morale of the members! Haven't we been training them too harshly since Captain Adam left?"

 

“…”

 

"Vice-Captain, instead-"

 

"If there are casualties because you neglected the training, will you take responsibility?"

 

“…”

 

"Get ready. You will handle it on your own."

 

Leaving Baran standing still, I move forward.

 

After a while, Baran followed me belatedly.

 

A refreshing breeze swept through the air as I walked, slowly taking in the scenery surrounding me.

 

It had been five years since the founding of Red Flames.

 

We had set our roots in the expansive plains of Stockpin—a beautiful place adorned with lush meadows and towering trees scattered throughout.

 

As compensation for hunting the nearby monsters, it was a rightful land borrowed from the lord who managed Stockpin.

 

For a mercenary group like us with hundreds of members, it was always challenging to wander around.

 

Establishing ourselves in Stockpin was also for our benefit.

 

We built a shelter on this plain. Houses where we could rest, stables, warehouses, tombs, and so on...

 

As time passed, our stronghold unknowingly transformed into a small village. Occasionally, we would purchase goods from nearby villages to fulfill any shortages.

 

With the establishment of the village, many mercenaries settled down and made their homes here.

 

Some brought their partners to Stockpin and even had children.

 

This was all possible because Adam Hyung had a strong and stable mercenary corps with discipline.

 

However, on occasions like today, family became a source of disturbance. Members would sometimes lose sight of their true nature as mercenaries and become complacent. 

 

Of course, since Adam Hyung valued such scenes, I couldn't openly criticize them in front of everyone.

 

With a slight sense of frustration, I made my way toward Adam Hyung's residence.

 

The closer I got, the more I could sense the commotion in the air.

 

I saw the faces of the mercenaries who had left with Adam Hyung.

 

Every time they noticed my presence, they bowed their heads and greeted me.

 

“Vice-captain.”

 

"Vice-captain, it's been a while."

 

I lightly nodded in response to their greetings.

 

The gathering resembled a joyous family reunion, with the wives and children of the returning members beaming with delight as they reunited with their loved ones.

 

Soon, I saw Adam Hyung. He smiled broadly and spread his arms.

 

“Berg!”

 

“Hyung.”

 

We exchanged a brief handshake.

 

"Did everything go smoothly? Any issues?" 

 

"No issues."

 

"Good. Let's go inside and talk. There's a lot to discuss. Everyone, go back and rest."

 

Hyung placed his hand on my shoulder and began leading me toward his residence. I exerted some force to halt his movement.

 

"We still have training remaining."

 

“…”

 

Adam Hyung gazed at me and then glanced questioningly at Baran, who stood behind me.

 

A silent exchange of looks occurred between Hyung and Baran.

 

Then, Hyung smiled and patted my back.

 

"...Let's forget about it for today. We've all returned after a long time, so let's have some fun and enjoy drinks together."

 

“…”

 

"Come on, Baran heard it too, right? We'll pretend that Berg never issued the training order, and you can go rest as well. Let's have a feast."

 

Instead of answering, Baran briefly bowed his head.

 

Although he didn't give a clear response, he seemed to naturally accept Adam Hyung's words.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

With a sigh, I entered Adam Hyung's house.

 

Considering Hyung's status, it was a small house, but compared to a commoner's house, it was quite large.

 

Until Hyung closed the door, I suppressed my annoyance.

 

No matter how long I had spent with Adam Hyung for the past seven years, in places where there were watching eyes, I showed respect towards him.

 

The door closed, and a momentary silence enveloped the room.

 

Soon, I gathered the emotions I had been holding back and asked him.

 

"...Did a difficult request come in this time?"

 

Taking a seat on a nearby chair, I awaited Hyung's response.

 

He shrugged his shoulders and replied, "Yeah, that's right. It seems we won't be able to complete this one without casualties."

 

"But why cancel the training?"

 

"...Well, there are days like this-"

 

"Are you the leader of training or am I the leader?"

 

“…”

 

A brief silence followed. Unlike the gradual brightening of the atmosphere outside, the inside of the house remained quiet and chilly.

 

Instead of answering, Adam Hyung picked up one of the bottles that were lying neatly on one side of the wall.

 

– Pop!

 

Opening the cork, he filled two glasses with alcohol.

 

He handed me one of the glasses and forced a weak smile.

 

"Why are you so moody? Aren't you glad to see me?"

 

“…”

 

"Is it because of the mans who died on the previous expedition? It wasn't your fault, you know?"

 

“…”

 

I calmed my emotions and clinked my glass.

 

My throat, which had been dry, became moist with alcohol.

 

"Let's take it easy, Berg."

 

“…”

 

"After all, we started this to live freely. How can you be strict with yourself even now, when we've achieved a certain level of success? When will you let yourself enjoy?"

 

I closed my eyes and lightly massaged my forehead.

 

Considering his reaction, I wondered if I was too intense.

 

“…”

 

"I know, man. You're worried about the guys getting killed. But let's have a little more relaxation, huh? Rest is important."

 

As he continued pouring the alcohol without saying a word, he wore a mischievous smile.

 

“Do you know why you are so sensitive?”

 

Seeing his expression, I could already anticipate what he was going to say.

 

“That again-“

 

“-It’s because you don’t have a girlfriend. Hehe.”

 

“…Ha.”

 

Adam Hyung looked at me, amused by my exasperation.

 

It was a tired remark I had heard hundreds of times before.

 

But even I, who was annoyed by it, eventually chuckled at his endless laughter.

 

-Drrrk, thud!

 

Adam Hyung pulled out a chair and placed it in front of me.

 

"That's beside the point, but hey...!"

 

He sat down, positioning himself so closely that our knees nearly touched.

 

"Why are you like this?"

 

As I asked, he also clinked his glass and settled into a relaxed posture.

 

"Do you ever think about quitting the Head Hunter Unit?"

 

Adam Hyung asked.

 

Being in the Head Hunter Unit means being in the squad that took part in killing the boss monster.

 

Monster packs revolved around their leader or in short boss monster, and when that boss monster was eliminated, the less intelligent monster in the vicinity would scatter.

 

Therefore, by hunting only the boss monster, the monster pack would disperse.

 

Naturally, it was the most dangerous task and resulted in the highest number of casualties.

 

The success of a mercenary unit hinged on the abilities displayed in piercing the boss monster deep with a spear.

 

Since the establishment of the Red Flames, I had always taken on the role of assault boss.

 

“…No.”

 

I gave the same response once again.

 

There were various reasons for it.

 

Among them, the biggest reason was the thrill I felt when hunting the boss monster.

 

The reasons behind that thrill were also complex and deeply rooted within me.

 

Another reason was the sense of responsibility that made me feel like I should be leading.

 

I didn't want to later regret seeing numerous casualties.

 

Adam Hyung let out a sigh, seemingly giving up, and asked about my well-being.

 

We engaged in a comfortable conversation for a while.

 

"Oh, right."

 

During our conversation, Hyung raised his glass, drawing my attention to it.

 

“Berg. This is an expensive drink.”

 

He suddenly blurted out something absurd.

 

It didn't take me long to understand his intention. Whenever he had a difficult request for me, he would treat me to expensive drinks like this.

 

"Damn it..."

 

I thought he handed me the drink to calm my annoyance, but there was a trick hidden underneath.

 

I had no choice but to blame the drink that had already gone down my throat.

 

'No wonder it tasted so good.'

 

"What is it this time?"

 

Hyung laughed mischievously and slowly began to speak.

 

"But before that, let's talk about this recent negotiation. It was quite challenging, to be honest."

 

Glancing at the glass once again, I suppressed my appetite and followed his lead, shifting the topic accordingly.

 

“Who was the client?”

 

“Do you know the Blackwood family?”

 

The Blackwood family was a name I couldn't be unfamiliar with.

 

It was a famous family that even a lowly mercenary like me knew about.

 

"They're a noble family of the werewolf race, right?"

 

Hyung nodded his head.

 

“A prestigious branch.”

 

Personally, I had encountered the werewolf race or wolfman quite frequently during my time in the mercenary corps.

 

In fact, I had a lot of personal experience fighting them in the slums.

 

Generally, the werewolf tribe held to honor and combat sacred.

 

As a result, they had deep military tactics, advanced healing, and shamanic magic for recovering from wounds.

 

So, I was even more curious.

 

“The werewolf asked for help?”

 

Werewolf tribe with their strong sense of self-esteem rarely sought assistance from others. They saw dangerous situations as opportunities for honor and turning the tide.

 

I knew many Werewolf who died while trying to accumulate achievements, so I was certain about this aspect.

 

The fact that they requested assistance meant...

 

"It seems like they've completely given up hope. It looked serious when I took a closer look."

 

In response to the shocking news, I broke my glass once again.

 

The glass quickly revealed its bottom.

 

Since I was already drinking an expensive drink, I decided to make the most of it and stood up from my seat.

 

While refilling the empty glass, I processed Adam Hyung's words in my mind.

 

There were rising questions in my mind.

 

"Are there more requests from nobles lately?"

 

Adam Hyung's continued with the explanation.

 

“There must be some things we are doing well, and there must be things where everyone is reaching their limits. It’s been almost 7 years since the monsters ran rampant. Blackwood’s overpowered first. Like werewolves, I wonder if I was stubborn and led the situation that far.”

 

"Have you confirmed the size of the monster horde?"

 

“Approximately. The scale seems substantial. This time, I plan to take all of the Red Flames members.”

 

"What's the situation with Blackwood?"

 

“There were not enough soldiers to fight, and food was running out. I don’t think we can ask for much support. No money, of course.”

 

“…?”

 

I furrowed my brow at his words. Setting aside the danger, there was something that needed to be confirmed first.

 

"Wait a minute, they have no food or money?"

 

“Yes.”

 

"What about our compensation?"

 

If they had nothing to offer us, we had no reason to move.

 

We weren’t doing charity work.

 

We were in the business of risking our lives and extracting compensation in return.

 

Especially for large-scale battles like leading the entire Red Flames members, a significant price was necessary.

 

Adam Hyung didn’t make eye contact with me.

 

Turning the glass round and round, he spoke softly.

 

“I decided to take it.”

 

“With what.”

 

“…”

 

“Hyung, with what.”

 

With another sip of his drink, he finally uttered the answer.

 

"Ner Blackwood."

 

"...What?"

 

Adam looked at me and said.

 

“I decided to take the youngest daughter of the Blackwood family.”