Is That My Alter Ego

7 – Blooming Hearts

“Everyone must be prepared. As you all know, this mission is going to be a bit challenging.”

“”Yes! Captain!””

Before setting off on the mission, Seris watched the captain and the mercenaries gathering their spirits.

No. In fact, she was only watching the captain.

“….What on earth happened that day?!”

Even though several weeks had passed since that day, Seris was still in turmoil.

That night, after completing her first mission. She had gotten drunk on beer for the first time.

It was clear that she had woken up the next day in her own bed with a splitting headache….

‘I vaguely remember… but I definitely didn’t walk to my bedroom on my own.’

Among the sporadic memories she had, there was no recollection of her walking to her bedroom by herself.

With her head still in a daze and not remembering properly, she had a conversation with the commander… and then she suddenly felt a warm presence….

…A warm presence?

“….Commander.”

“…Eh…. Eh?”

She distinctly remembers the warmth, something that couldn’t be felt from a mere touch.

“Hmm. Is that what you’re talking about? Let’s just keep it between us. I made sure Seris Deputy Commander was asleep before I left.”

The commander had definitely said that the next day.

‘That.’ And to quietly let it pass.

…He stayed until she fell asleep?

‘Co… Could it possibly…!!’

Seris had grown up around the mercenaries of the Skar Mercenary Group, where her father had been the founding commander since her childhood.

Most of them were rougher, more forthright, and less prone to embarrassment than ordinary people.

Therefore, their conversations invariably included lewd jokes. Seris, who had grown up listening to them, knew everything there was to know.

“…Commander.”

“I… Did I just…? With the Captain…?”

Seris, lost in her own world, was unable to hear anything, consumed by her turmoil.

No… That can’t be. The Captain, who seems devoid of such emotions…?

Ah… No. Father and my mercenary uncles used to say that some people change completely when they drink… The Captain..?

“…Vice-Captain Seris!”

“…Huh! Yes… Yes! Captain!”

“Are you unwell? I’ve called you several times but you didn’t respond.”

Startled by the voice suddenly close by, Seris looked up to find the Captain, still maintaining his impassive face, yet with a hint of concern, and the bewildered looks of the other mercenaries.

“Ah… No! I was just lost in thought…”

“Hmm. Are you really not ill? If so, you may rest. This mission is far more dangerous than our last monster subjugation, so it’s alright.”

“I’m really fine! I feel even more energetic than usual!!”

“…If you insist. Very well.”

Swoosh-swoosh-swoosh-!

As Seris swiftly swung her sheathed sword in the air to demonstrate her well-being, the Captain finally relaxed his expression and turned his attention to the other mercenaries.

Regrettable.

“………?”

What did I just think? Regrettable?

It was just the Captain shifting his gaze away from me.

It’s simply the surprise of seeing someone, who is always expressionless, showing a sliver of emotion. That’s all it was.

‘Yes. That’s right. It must be.’

“Then let’s get going!”

“Yes, Captain!”

Seris rationalized to herself, watching the captain and the mercenaries shouting their last rallying cry.

Unaware that her gaze was fixed on only one spot, Seris shouted loudly as well.

“Yes, Captain!”

***

Chuk-chuk-chuk-

We vigorously moved our feet and set off for the new mission, once again leaving the village of Leria.

“What kind of tasks await us this time?”

A few weeks ago, after successfully, no, overwhelmingly completing our first mission as the Scar Mercenary Corps, the Iron Claw Monkey, we were flooded with numerous requests.

There were plenty, but the requests themselves were quite disappointing.

Scouting around Leria Village, escorting carriages to neighboring towns, subduing level 1 monsters.

In fact, most of the requests were at a level where only a few members of the mercenary corps needed to be sent.

That’s why the ‘Uncharted Dungeon Exploration’ assigned to us now is even more exciting.

Dungeons. They exist in this world. It’s the same dungeons that appear in countless webtoons, web novels, games, and so on.

The form of dungeons is not predetermined. And there is no set inhabitant inside.

Well, generally, dungeons have monsters. And dungeons filled with traps. Most dungeons have powerful monsters called ‘bosses’.

“And in most dungeons, there are rewards, almost certainly.”

What’s this? There may be rewards at a small level, but there are also dungeons that offer rewards that make a ‘wow’ sound, rewards that would astonish the entire empire.

In other words, it’s gambling.

But what can I do? I really love things like gacha draws as if I’m crazy about them.

If you’re really lucky, they say you can get magic artifacts or outstanding weapons! How can I resist that?

‘Of course, it’s not like I head to the dungeon without any thoughts.’

Even though I may be a crazy gamer, it doesn’t mean I don’t value the lives of the mercenaries, the sub-commander Ceris included.

Unlike me, a disposable clone who doesn’t care even if I die, their lives are the real deal. Because they are real.

And when I play simulation or nurturing games, I can’t stand to see the characters I choose and nurture getting hurt or dying.

I loved games so much. If the ones I raised were to die, it felt like my own children were dying.

So, although it didn’t happen often, if it did, I would either start the game from the beginning or quit playing altogether.

“Commander. It would be good to set up camp today.”

Anyway, while continuing such unnecessary thoughts during our march, Ceris spoke to me.

“Well, indeed.”

It was clearly still midday when we left Leria Village, and the sun was shining brightly, but it was already starting to darken.

There’s no helping it then. The request deadline is still far away.

“All units, prepare for camp.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Following my orders, the mercenaries began to move busily.

Even though it was still a vaguely lit time, we had to quickly prepare for camp before darkness dominated the world, as we had to be on guard against monsters lurking in the pitch-black, ready to spring out at any moment.

Thud- Clank.

Fortunately, our mercenary unit’s camping preparation skills were truly top-notch in the Empire.

Why is it so fast? It’s only been a few minutes, and it’s almost done.

It felt like watching construction workers swiftly erecting houses and buildings with just one ‘click’ in a game.

“Captain! Camp setup, complete!”

“Good. Get ready for the meal right away.”

“Yes! Sir Birong!”

“Yes~”

As Hans called for Birong, the nimble Birong rushed over and started preparing the food.

‘Talent discernment.’

[Name: Birong / Age: 32 / Gender: Male]

[Unique Ability (Culinary King’s Qualities): You were born with the qualities of a Culinary King that can command the entire empire! All the food you create gains taste adjustments, and you possess a god-given sense for seasoning and measuring!]

[Unique Ability (Knife Master): You have significant aptitude for knives. All actions involving knives are adjusted.]

With brown curly hair and distinctive pupils, Birong possessed an innate talent for ‘cooking.’

As our mercenary group took turns in daily cooking duties, it was the day that Birong’s turn had come around again.

Birong, who had never cooked before that day, revealed the taste of paradise to us with his inspired hands and culinary skills.

After that, well, Birong became our exclusive chef and a member of the mercenary group.

Despite being advised several times that he didn’t need to go this far, he personally stepped forward because he enjoyed seeing us savoring his cooking.

Tap-tap-tap-tap-!

“Next, carrots and potatoes!”

“Okay!”

Look at that. On the wooden table and cutting board produced on the spot, he showcased a Michelin chef-level performance.

I’ve never tasted Michelin-starred cuisine in my past life, but perhaps it was something like this? It was truly an amazing flavor.

“Preparation complete! Let the feast begin!”

Rumble-!

At Biron’s call, all the mercenaries hurriedly lined up in front of Biron.

“We’ll enjoy it again today, Biron!”

“Kya. Biron is the best as always!”

With beaming faces, all the mercenaries received Biron’s special stew and began to devour it eagerly.

Slurp-

I also received my portion and sat on a log in the corner, taking a sip of the stew.

‘…Wow. This is damn good.’

It’s a taste that can only be admired. Even though I’ve had it several times, it feels new every day.

Is this a talent bestowed by the gods? With just carrots, potatoes, cheap meat, a handful of weeds, and salt brought along as ingredients, this was the result.

“Hiya. Biron’s food is truly the best.”

At that moment, Ceris sat beside me, sipping Biron’s stew and sharing her thoughts.

“I agree. No matter how much you eat… you never get tired of it.”

“hahahaha. I’m really happy. Look at them enjoying it.”

I looked around the bonfire following Ceris’s gaze.

-Chuckles. Biron, this is seriously delicious.

-You’re the best.

-hahahaha. I’m glad everyone enjoys it.

Mercenaries jesting and passing delicious food around. Without exception, it was a truly harmonious scene.

“In a mercenary group, internal strife is common. But we… have never had any divisions so far.”

It was true. Most mercenary groups, relying solely on individual prowess, often included those with problematic personalities.

Put a bunch of overly self-confident people together, and what do you get? The expected. They’d be fighting every day, creating utter chaos.

Frequent occurrences of them killing each other said it all.

“Well then. I must be a really lucky person.”

Even though I meticulously selected each mercenary, they were all exceptional individuals.

Not a single one had a twisted personality, and everyone worked together in harmony.

The Ska Mercenary Group, though not formed for even a few weeks, already considered each other family, if not more.

I had anticipated some discord at least a few times. But really… I seemed to be a lucky person.

“I also… seem to be a lucky person…”

Ignoring the barely audible words of Seris, our warm night passed by.

***

“Vice-captain… Sir!!”

“Damn it… Why now…!”

“Vice-captain Seris! Damn it all…!”

“Cap….tain…”

We, who had safely reached the dungeon without any accidents.

We thought our days of peace would continue as always.