◈ Episode 261. The Names of You and It (1)
Red mark (√)
Contains memories.
Anyone who has completed the Shadow Mercenary Corps' initiation ceremony can read the memories contained within the mark. It means they can witness the process of how a particular request reached success.
“…….”
Kichi scratched his head.……
When was it?
The last time he had read the memories of a mark.
The hidden request ledger could be perused by only one person.
Because there cannot be two leaders in the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
As long as the “Ranking Battle” exists, that is.
Just as the members have their rankings.
The seat of the Mercenary Corps' leader is also determined solely by strength.
Want to ascend to the leader's seat?
It means you must behead the previous leader.
Kichi himself had been no different.
“It always feels like shit.”
Regardless of the reason.
In the request ledger, the former leader he had beheaded.
His requests were recorded too……
How should he put it.
It was like reading the diary of a person he had killed.
No, even more than that.
Peeking into those memories as well was, as expected, not a pleasant matter.
However.
“Hoo.”
Everything was a weight that must be borne as the leader.
The reason memories were deliberately engraved into the request ledger was also consistent with that.
By leaving behind memories, experience and knowledge could be passed on to the next leader. That was the reason the Shadow Mercenary Corps had been able to continue its legacy even within the cruel system known as the “Ranking Battle.”
Kichi moved his fingers.
──────Claudi Assassination √──────
A Demon Lord manifested in the world of adventurers.
The name that devil had shouted.
Claudi.
To read the memory of the request, he placed his finger on the mark.
Squirm─ The red mark melted.
It became a crimson liquid like blood and seeped into his skin.
At the same time, an illusion rose before Kichi's eyes....
-“A demon's request. We've really gone to the end. Us too.”
A sneering tone.
Kichi remembered that voice.
From when he had first joined the Shadow Mercenary Corps. It was Berami's voice, who had held the 3rd seat at the time.
Judging by how her face was fresh and youthful rather than elderly.
It seemed the request had been completed quite some time ago.
-“It's no ordinary demon.”
-“Huh? Aren't all demons the same? Scum that cling to weak humans to survive. No matter how notorious they are, when Akshan rises, they tremble like newborn puppies, don't they?”
-“I agree with Berami. Only Akshan goes around blabbering about archvillains and Demon Lords, right? It's obvious why the old geezers spout nonsense not even they believe—it's for their livelihood, that's what!”
The seniors' intuition had been sorely lacking. ‘If he's watching the Arcana Continent from hell…….’ Perhaps he's trembling with shame?
Well, they died because they were so clueless, after all.
But the leader had been different.
-“Demon, archvillain, Demon Lord. What's the difference?”
-“……Leader?”
-“If you received the reward, carry it out.”
The one who had engraved the mark.
The memory flowed from the leader's perspective.
Thanks to that, Berami's change in expression was visible vividly.
How strictly had he maintained discipline normally?
Even though he had merely uttered a single word.
Berami's face turned deathly pale.
-“That is the only reason trash like me and you can survive on this continent. Purpose? Don't you dare try to know. We are alive because we are trash that moves only for money.”
The reason the Shadow Mercenary Corps had been able to continue its legacy for so long?
Some cite their strength.
But that is wrong.
The Arcana Continent is wide, and there are many strong individuals.
While carrying out every request that came without discrimination.
While accumulating countless grudges.
The reason they could survive as the Shadow Mercenary Corps was, as the now-deceased leader had said, because they were trash swayed solely by reward.
The Claudi Assassination must have been the same.
-“Bear this in mind. This is no common opportunity.”
The leader lowered his voice.
Thanks to that, Kichi focused a little more on the flowing scene.
Soon, he could encounter the target of the request.
At that moment, Kichi flinched.
What entered his vision was something radiantly shining.
It was silver hair.
Put differently…….
‘……The same.’
Yes, the Supreme Commander of the Holy War Allied Forces.
At the same time.
It was the same hair color as Hoyeol, their employer.
Instantly, a rumor circulating in the world of adventurers came to mind.
If it was Hoyeol.
Might he know something about Claudi as well?
Those who poured out all sorts of speculations.
Kichi shook his head.
‘……He wasn't someone who merely knew something.’
The Supreme Commander, he was a person related to Claudi.
To the extent that he shared the same hair color as the target, Claudi, he had a deep connection.
Perhaps he might even be of Claudi bloodline…….
It was the moment Kichi continued his speculation.
Stiff── “-!”
The silver-haired woman noticed the Shadow Mercenary Corps' approach. Judging by her gorgeous noble attire and the fact that she didn't even carry a weapon, she didn't appear to have any knowledge of martial (武)
arts.
-“She saw through our concealment?”
-“As expected, great bloodline is truly remarkable.”
-“Chase her.”
She had detected the Shadow Mercenary Corps' concealment with purely innate senses.
Let me say it again…….
Reading the memories of a mark was a dogshit experience.
Kichi bit his lower lip.
‘This is why I killed them.’
After Kichi assumed the new leadership.
The Shadow Mercenary Corps' activities had diminished unlike before.
As long as the Ranking Battle and the ledger existed.
The more time passed.
The Shadow Mercenary Corps was an organization whose combat level inevitably rose.
The reason their activities had become infrequent was simple.
Because the leader, Kichi, did not want it.
‘If it were me, I wouldn't have even glanced at such a request…….’
He wouldn't have even looked at it.
But Kichi did not avert his eyes.
As long as he was part of the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Because this too was a weight he must bear as the leader.
Kichi did not avert his eyes from the target's final moments either.
-“Tempest!”
The target shouted a name.
Then from somewhere, a hound appeared.
From its noble appearance to its grand name unbefitting a dog.
It was a hound that clearly received precious treatment.
Perhaps it was aware of this fact itself?
-“You damned dog bastard……!!”
As if trying to repay a kindness.
Even as its flesh was torn apart, the hound rushed at the Shadow Mercenary Corps to protect its master. It inflicted a fatal wound on the lowest seat and left a scar on Berami's forearm as well.
‘So that scar was from this time.’
A scar large enough that Kichi would recognize it later.
But.
That was all.
-“Noble lady of a great house. Do not hope for help, do not hope for a miracle.”
An archvillain's request.
A request that had come down to the Shadow Mercenary Corps since long ago.
The reason it was carried out in Berami's generation was simple.
Because the timing was right.
-“We are not the only ones targeting you.”
He had suspected.
It was merely the assassination of a single person, not even a family extermination.
And a simple noble lady at that.
How a target no different from breathing for the Shadow Mercenary Corps could have remained uncompleted for so long.
It was surely because of that name's value, which made even the indiscriminate Shadow Mercenary Corps know their place—the Claudi family.
‘……Wait.’
Kichi prided himself on knowing the underworld of the continent better than anyone.
But he couldn't even guess.
If they had entrusted merely a noble lady to the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
At the same time.
‘That family head or successor…….’
Just what forces were targeting them?
Naturally.
Kichi could not find the answer to that.
Sss─ The illusion fades.
Because they had mercilessly eliminated the target.
The Shadow Mercenary Corps' request ended with that....
“…….”
What came back into view was the ledger.
The red success mark (√).
It was a hideout wrapped in pitch-black darkness.
Kichi, who had been silent for a while, opened his mouth.
“Really.”
Suddenly, Harcon's voice came to mind.
-“Do you regret the past?”
“Truly.”
At the same time, he thought of Hoyeol.
‘……I didn't know it would be this tangled.’
He had forgotten, but was made to feel it anew.
That they were trash.
Because they had lived like trash.
In the end, this was the price they had to pay, wasn't it.
But, but you know…….
“……If I bear it, it's fine, isn't it?”
Kichi intended to bear that fault entirely alone.
The daily life in Yusra that flashed by.
Spending all day drinking at the tavern, living mixed among ordinary people.
Those guys, though they didn't show it, had all been enjoying themselves.
“I'll bear it completely alone.”
The original sin of the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Bearing it was the leader's—his own—role.
Of course, he didn't know how Hoyeol would take it, but Kichi had something to say as well.
A bitter smile flowed out.
“……Just as you have done all this time.”
He didn't plan to grandly call it “pride.”
For trash no different from himself, such a noble word?
Because he knew it didn't suit him.
Then, what would be appropriate…….
After pondering, Kichi opened his mouth.
“……A voluntary action for one's employer?”
At the same time, atonement for Claudi.
Having finished his thoughts, Kichi closed the ledger and left the hideout.
What he had to do from now on was simple.
“I may not look it, but this is my specialty. This kind of thing.”
Claudi.
A great house.
It was to find the reason they had vanished without a trace in history.
Specifically, the day the request was undertaken.
To find out which forces had participated in the annihilation of the Claudi family.
And to tell Hoyeol everything he had found out.
“……It's already cold.”
At the thought of facing that cold expression.
Kichi already felt his tongue twisting.
So…….
“I don't think I'll be able to keep the promise to meet in Antorium.”
*A promise and common sense in RPG games.
The later you acquire a skill, the better its performance.
From that perspective, [Guardian Spirit of Akshan] did not betray me.
Swish!
I had even ridden on the back of the dragon, Yunakseus.
The Akshan wolf was no less fast than Yunakseus.
No, the standard for being fast was slightly different from the start.
If I were to compare, it felt like running through space?
See, its appearance wasn't a simple summoning either.
It had truly heard my call.
After even responding with a howl.
It seemed it had run all the way to Sisley.
‘Certainly extraordinary.’
The face of Akshan.
It was worth praising that ability.
I said shamelessly.
“You still have much to learn.”
Geez, picky as ever by Claudi standards.
Even with mobility speed alone, it would be lacking to say I couldn't ask for more.
How on earth does this guy's personality know no satisfaction?
As a listening wolf, it would have reason to feel slighted.
“Awoo─”……
Instead, it likes it?
Not wagging its tail mischievously like a cat or tower lord.
Unable to control its joy, or so it seemed, its butt was wiggling too.
Watching it, I felt a bit sorry for it.
‘Did it miss people that much.’
After Akshan's annihilation.
This must be its first encounter with a human.
It must be happy about anything.
Of course, my emotional thoughts didn't last long.
I soon realized.
That it was the Guardian Spirit of Akshan.
Just like Akshan's demon hunters.
It was a species crazy about grind quests and training……!
I learned the truth thanks to Agentress.
An elf.
A being who can commune with nature.
Thanks to that, understanding the wolf's words, she spoke to me.
“It is eagerly awaiting something.”
At that moment, the faces of Akshan seniors overlapped with the wolf.
Yes, I know the restless body and mind, but.
Shall we postpone training for a bit?
Why, we have the weighty quest objective of “Tracking the Primordial Evil,” don't we?
From Sisley back to the Arcana Continent.
[You have entered the Arcana Continent, where legends stir.]
This message is grand no matter how many times I see it.
Anyway, thanks to the rampaging Legend of the Black Dark Dragon, the demons' presence remained faint. However, [Natural Enemy] activated without fail. Moreover, at this moment, I was not alone.
When it came to hatred toward demons.
None would dare call themselves second.
Since the Akshan wolf was with me.
“Awoooooo─!!”
A howl echoed across the continent.
At the same time.
A message appeared before my eyes.
[The Guardian Spirit, Akshan Wolf, activates ‘Natural Enemy’.]
You really are Akshan to the bone!
The effect of [Natural Enemy].
When fighting demons, combat power increases dramatically.
As if to prove that effect.
The Akshan wolf's momentum soared ferociously.
So much so that.
Agentress swallowed dryly and spoke to me.
“May I ask one thing?”
It was a polite question.
I had no reason not to answer.
And above all, I was extremely satisfied right now.
Because, obviously?
Not to mention [Legend, Black Dark Dragon], now that I've even acquired [Guardian Spirit, Akshan Wolf].
My heart had never felt this secure.
However, I was overlooking something.
“Your name.”
Look at my mind.
I had forgotten to even introduce myself.
And.
“The name of the wolf you are riding.”
The fact that I had not given the Akshan wolf a ‘name.’
……
Oh no.
Before I could even falter, Granfel opened his mouth first.
He uttered the wolf's name.
“Tempest over the Horizon (Tempest over the horizon).”
No, seriously.
Really.
Don't name our kids without consulting me first?!