NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26
Chapter 26: The Samurai Becomes a Mercenary
“Cross, won’t you reconsider this after all?”
This morning’s breakfast was crafted by Black Beard himself—a mushroom congee made using the meager supply of brown rice left in the ration bag. With each spoonful, a rich broth extracted from some mysterious mushroom, similar to the purple wetlands fungi, filled the mouth with an incredible flavor.
“Hey,”
In this country, chopsticks don’t exist; instead, it’s common to use utensils like “spoons” and “forks.” Initially, it was annoying to be thought of as a country bumpkin so, despite some difficulty, he adapted to their use. However, once accustomed, they proved to be quite convenient.
“Hey, I’m talking to you!”
In a land where rice is rare, this special dish drew some disapproving frowns from Mauri and Pamela, but after tasting it, they admitted it was quite delicious, providing some relief. Coming from a man who’d lived off rough food seasoned only with coarse salts, this was a first experience in cooking for others—yet he took pride in having made something decent despite unfamiliar ingredients and seasoning…
“Hey!!!”
Black Beard had been ignoring Franz’s words and continuing his meal quietly, but when Franz shouted in his ear, his hand froze mid-action.
“… I’ve already made my decision. You agreed last night, too.”
After the mock battle with Nenet last night, Black Beard announced a significant decision to his companions. Although Franz and the others were highly drunk at the tavern and seemed to have nodded along then, now, sober after a night’s rest, they were trying to persuade him to change his mind.
“I’m registering as a mercenary. To keep fighting humans, this is the shortest route.”
“… Does that mean you’re quitting being an adventurer?”
Pamela looked at him with a face full of worry, but it wasn’t as she thought. He had explained this last night, hadn’t he? Though she might’ve fallen asleep midway…
“I’m not quitting. I’m considering doing both. As someone on a warrior’s journey, I cannot neglect the challenge of fighting humans. Mercenaries are specifically trained for fighting humans, right?”
In the simulated battle with Nenet, he’d felt a bloodlust he hadn’t in a long time. Though initially disappointed to be paired with a young-looking female martial artist, his judgment had been wrong. Even though it was a mock battle and neither fought to their full potential, the level of skill was something extraordinary rarely encountered. The exchange of honed techniques was the charm of such duels.
Simultaneously, it gave him a sense of impending danger. He was thrown by Julius’s kicks and marked all over by Nenet’s strikes. Both were masters of their craft, but he hadn’t emerged unscathed, and blaming it on them being beastmen wouldn’t justify his failure.
A samurai must overcome any obstacles. He needed to gain more experience so that in the future, he could triumph without injury. There was still room for improvement.
“Besides, is holding both roles even allowed?”
“Yes, there are such people, but usually, one doesn’t last long enough to live decently on both. Eventually, most choose one path.”
“For our team, it’s doable, but after what happened about that fight… I’m worried if someone won’t stir up trouble.”
“Naw, I’m actually worried that this guy will act out instead. We already have the Guild Master’s eyes on us.”
“Cross, no matter what happens, absolutely no killing! I’ll allow grievous hurts, though!”
—Recently, his companions seemed unusually worried about everything.
His brothers had often pointed out his short temper, but… did he really come across as reckless?
“I’ll handle it carefully.”
…
“Then, your registration is complete. Are there any other questions?”
He accepted a small board similar to an adventurer’s license and hung it on the cord around his neck.
Unlike the Adventurer Guild, this mercenary Guild had reception staff that were much less friendly. They explained only the essentials regarding registration, nothing about the rules or ranking system. However, he’d heard from Franz and the others that these things are the same for adventurers, so it was fine—but…
“Can I ask a quick question?”
“Sure.”
“Is that hostility directed at us deliberate?”
“… Oh, you noticed?”
This receptionist had been directing hostility toward their arrival. Even after calmly observing, Cross sensed similar glares from the mercenaries around. It seems they weren’t welcome.
“Did you think we didn’t know about you, Cross — the Guardian of the Wilderness?”
They had only provided basic registration information, but it seems his identity was known from the start. As if timing their move, the gathered mercenaries began closing in.
“To the Mercenary Guild, face value means more than just being a handyman Guild. After that incident, do you have any idea how many commissions we lost? Without any proper resolution, the Guild’s reputation will never clear. Though I’ve heard the Guild Masters reconciled, many aren’t satisfied with that.”
The receptionist smirked with an almost gleeful expression.
“So? What happens now if dissatisfaction persists?”
“The Guild has a rule: assault on civilians warrants expulsion. But ‘training’ among members raises no issue. Shall we proceed?”
Before he could move, weapons were drawn from behind him by the surrounding mercenaries.
“I’m not one to hold grudges. Fine, I’ll follow wherever you want me to.”
As much as I am sorry for ruining their fun… this kind of situation is exactly what I’m looking for.
…
“I’ll handle it. Hands off, everyone else.”
They were led to a Guild training area, where they surrounded mercenaries. Among them emerged a spear-wielding man.
“I’m Grand, leader of the B-rank Mercenary Group, the Morning Star. There’s no complaint about real steel weapons, right?”
“I’m Cross, an E-rank adventurer. There’s nothing wrong from our side, but expect some incidents in this so-called ‘training.'”
“Ho! You don’t have to tell me! They lost because they underestimated you… but I’m hitting you with everything I’ve got!”
Grand charged forward with a fierce spearing advance.
“Right-front stance”
Typically, one should hold a weapon with the dominant hand leading forward, yet skilled spear wielders often avoid exposing their hearts.
This seemed like a warrior experienced in sword combat…
Guiding his sword along the spear’s length, he severed the protruding right thumb in a single smooth motion.
“Arghh!”
Such a half-hearted advance with the front leg wouldn’t phase an amateur. Spear fighters must pay attention to distance.
“Next, it’s my turn! Here I come!”
As one opponent fell, the next eagerly approached. He efficiently dispatched them one after another. Overall, they were competent but lackluster in skills.
If they had tried a simultaneous assault, he would’ve killed them all without hesitation. Still, they held a minimal pride in single combats, so they lined up to face him like obedient children, which ironically made the whole scene somewhat comedic.
“Oi, oi. Is this –?”
“Ah… that guy, he’s targeting only the right thumbs. Shit, is this some kind of proof?”
The display of strength through these cruel attacks was turning into a slow poison of fear that consumed their minds. By the time of the tenth cut, evident fear began to creep into their expressions.
This was fundamental military strategy when dealing with large numbers. When the morale breaks, even the most skilled group becomes an untrained mob. Once they lost their fighting spirit, they were simply numbers.
“Shit! Next, you, move!”
“I-I… I’m not going to!”
“Oi, hurry up. Who’s next?”
Just as expected, the mercenaries began showing signs of hesitation, reluctant to step forward. Yet his goal had been to instill fear. He didn’t predict how quickly and completely they’d be intimidated.
“Nobody? Then it’s you next.”
Cross pointed to the receptionist. Despite being at the front initially, he was now trying to hide at the rear. This hadn’t escaped his notice.
“W-WHAT!? I, I am –?”
“You spoke so boldly just now, weren’t planning to back out now, were you? Besides… you directed hostility toward me, I won’t let it slide.”
Presumably, he’d planned to just spectate. Now, the sight of him panicking was truly pitiful. What a contemptible coward. As he refused to move forward, Cross stepped closer, and with a slice from his sword, cleanly severed the right wrist.
“AAAHHH!!!”
These clever fools need stern warnings. Though bound by his promise to Pamela, he wouldn’t kill them, but it was crucial to break their spirits. There was a reason these men needed a lesson.
“Who’s next? No… it’s getting bothersome. Come at me all at once.”
There were only a handful remaining. Having seen the defeat of the fiercest warriors, their fighting spirit was almost entirely sapped, but it mattered little now.
“Stand in line and snap out of it! I will come to you if you don’t?”
This battle was desired by these men. Once started, retreat would not be tolerated. He’d crush them entirely and utterly.
“Those guys before… you people, too, misunderstood the very essence of carrying a sword. Swordsmen, meaning martial artists, dedicate their lives to taking others’. Provoking someone like that carries the utmost risk. It’s too late to realize the weight of death mid-fight. Those unwilling to stake their lives with their words should never hold a sword. With shovels or hoes, they might’ve lived peaceful lives without this mess.”
Black Beard intended to sever the thumbs of everyone present. Without a thumb, they’d never be able to hold a sword again.
Suddenly, the training entrance erupted with a loud bang.
Thinking the commotion strange, Cross saw a tall woman with beautiful white hair reaching her waist standing there.
“Such a racket… what’s all this about?”