Chapter 61: Mercenaries
"Guys, after twenty miles we should reach human civilization, so hang tight." Cush told the group as they made their way through the Wastelands.
Ben and crew travel of the great wasteland after the journey into the Badlands. Throughout the journey Ben kept trying to know what the Black Rock was. The only thing he noticed was that the purple and silver veins kept pulsing with more energy and vitality. The more he looked at it the more he felt that whatever the rock was it must have some kind of living thing in it. But what and why? What could have survived is such a place filled with such baleful aura. Well, it looks much better and vibrant than when he brought it out of the Badlands.
***
"Guys, do you know which direction to go, I don't think the Ice Boar went this way." a young man of about 24 years or so asked the men who looks more experienced moving around the woods tracking a beast. These groups of people were mercenaries that are currently in a mission. Wherever men in fiery red uniform passed they were always looked at in fear and awe.
"See that patch of water? Where do you think it came from? The Ice Boar forms ice patches as it walks on the ground or any surface of anything or touches, so when it walks forward it naturally melts away." said one of the Hunters still answering the young man's questions.
"Oh, didn't think of that." he replies scratching his head.
"Hanan, you have to pay more attention if you want to become a powerful mercenary, not dallying around on useless things." the leader of the group who had been listening to the ongoing conversation said in annoyance at the young man's lack of seriousness.
"Yeah, like drinking isn't useless too." Hanan muttered under his breath feeling wronged for being scolded.
"What was that?" the leader questioned.
"Nothing." Hanan quickly replied.
***
"Guys there are a few dozen people heading our way." Ben told the group when he heard a large amount of off notes up ahead. "I don't think it should be a problem to us, they must be hunting."
"But still, we have to be careful when we meet them." Cush warned.
***
"Captain, there's a group of four Hunters that were spotted heading our way." Young man in the vanguard squad reported.
"Hmm, four you say? well then let's go 'see' our new friends." the captain said while grinning.
The large team of mercenaries went on with their way until they eventually bumped into smaller group of two men and two women. The men in the group had their eyes glued on both Evelyn and Zoe's body with lustful gazes.
Despite having a few ladies in their group, they couldn't be compared to the two in the other team.
"Halt! Stay your ground!" an imposing voice followed by an even more imposing aura came from the rear. "I am captain Saks, who are you?" captain Saks requested.
"I am Cush Xynda, leader of my team. We only ask that we pass without any troubles."
"Oh, a Nictavian and a Hunter. Haven't seen Nictavians in a long while. You are quite far from your lands, Nictavian. Returning from a mission perhaps?" asked Saks.
Cush frowned at his question. In a world where you can't trust anybody, sometimes not even your own family, Cush started to feel apprehensive about their situation. Forget about their number, the other group's captain is already a Fourth-level elemental swordsman with four Second-level Spellcaster. If they should attack Ben's group it would be as easy as killing ants.
"Yes, we are." Cush answered. Right now he has his guard fully up. The atmosphere was tense to the extent that it could be tasted.
"Hahaha. What do you know? We were on our way on a mission as well, but we would taking a rest for now, care to join us? You must be tired yourself. Come on, don't stay hanging." Saks in seconds changed his attitude towards them.
Cush turns to look at Ben who gave a silent nod. This little gesture didn't miss captain Saks eyes. Ben for the first time ever since leaving his father's land felt a threat coming from this captain Saks.
The truth was both Ben and Cush were forced to join captain Saks and his crew when Saks pressed them with his aura. Even Evelyn their wizard was suppressed. And remember, a First-level Spellcaster is stronger than a Second-level elemental swordsman and on par with a Third-level elemental swordsman with enough distance between them. But in the face of a Fourth-level elemental swordsman, this were different.
Ben's group picked a quiet place and sat down, they didn't feel like having any rest at all. In fact they were really restless, with the amount of wealth they currently have on them, it was like suicide to walk on the streets with them on your waist.
"We shouldn't be far from the nearest city from here. It shouldn't take us long." Cush said trying to calm the team.
"No matter what you all need to be careful around them. Something is different about them." Ben said, he was faring better than the rest.
"That's because they are not Hunters but mercenaries." Evelyn whispered to Ben.
"That's why we're feeling apprehensive about them." Zoe added from the side.
Ben knew they were in a tight spot. There are three classes of missioners. The Adventurers, Hunters and Mercenaries .
Adventurers are more of the free living people who simply go for adventures in ancient sights and the rest. Hunters focus on more legit businesses that are not against humans well-being or conduct such as hurting, kidnapping... or killing. For mercenaries it's the opposite. They do quest like Hunters but sometimes don't care about the type of job as long as they are paid, there are some who have limits but they are rare.
Less than thirty minutes later a young blonde haired man walked towards where Ben's group sat. He wore clothes indicating that he was a wizard proficient in both Fire and Light element with his red robe and 'Light' Medal.
"Well met, I was thinking, why don't you guys come over for a chat, if you don't mind." the blond haired spoke with a charming smile that would dazed most girls.
Because no one moved Cush said aloud. "It's alright if y'all wanna go. I won't stop ya, cuz I ain't interested lad." he added to the blond before sitting back on his stool.
"I might not be fit to follow as you can see," Ben said pointing towards his injuries that was yet to heal. "hope you don't mind?"
Despite their refusal the blond was actually glad by the result. Won't having less competition be better!
"Even though I ain't comin', you got two hours to return." Cush ordered both girls since they had no choice but follow the charming blond haired, Second-level Spellcaster.
Ben and Cush were left and did nothing but chat, mostly thinking of an escape plan. They didn't talk much until a group of buff mercenaries came to invite Cush for a drink, asking to test the Nictavian prowess on a table of ale.
Receiving a good-to-go nod from Ben, and his reason saying he didn't mind, he was tired, not strong and other stuff, Cush was allowed to go for a drink.
The three knew Ben wasn't their captain, leader or whatever, but because of his strength and the things he's done over and over again, they just listen to him.
Ben was now alone, second turned to minutes and he did nothing. Ten minutes later Ben bent over and picked a smooth pebble on the ground where he was. Running his fingers on it a few times to get a feel of it, he aimlessly threw it high up into the air that it was going to land in the bushes behind where they took for their spot of rest. However, something funny happened, he didn't here the pebble fall on the ground and crushing dried up leaves. It wasn't like he wasn't expecting it.
"How long do you intend to stay there?" ten minutes later of total silence Ben spoke out of the blue. "or do you intend to keep staying there and watch the view?"
A figure in black stepped out of the bushes behind Ben in a graceful manner. The figure was in a cloak yet it couldn't hide the features of a matured lady with devilish curves, almost looking like an hourglass. The cloak only covered the top of her head and face, while her chin was exposed.
"Saks was definitely right about you. Able to sense me when even your captain couldn't, I'll give you credit for you 'luck'," while stressing the word 'luck', not wanting to believe he found her so easily, he even threw a pebble directly on her head. Because she didn't sense any real threat from the pebble she only took a slight step back, which resulted to... to the pebble hitting her breast. The woman's face was turning red from anger but was quickly masked. She walked in front of Ben and added. "I would ask you some question and you'll answer truthfully. If you cooperate I might as well treat you well."
Weekly Power Status
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