Chương 18: Jackals

Going outside once more, now bathed and fully suited, Leroy started heading towards Burning Drinks Tavern. It was almost the biggest Tavern in SteelBurn with only Iron Drinks being bigger.

Walking down the street, Leroy thought back to his last few decisions.

'Is it really the right thing for me to become a Mercenary? Am I just going to waste my life away?' Leroy thought and then decided to remove those thoughts immediately

'If I don't do this, then I'm either going to be a beggar or a gang member.'

Finally, after a while, Leroy arrived at Burning Drinks Tavern, which was located very close to the center of Mercenary Street.

There was a wooden signboard outside that showed a beer mug with flames inside of it, as well as the name Burning Drinks written underneath.

Leroy stared at it momentarily and then decided to head inside immediately.

'No point in contemplating my choices now,' he thought as he opened the door. It was wooden and made quite a lot of noise, but it was all hidden by the mass laughter and voices coming from inside.

'It sure does remind me of the slums tavern.' Leroy thought, his face barely showing a smile, which got flattened out not a second later.

Inside the Tavern, there were multiple tables, all filled with what looked like drunk mercenaries as they seemed to talk about their homes or their adventures while on missions.

'Used to be disgusted by them, and now look at me, becoming a mercenary myself,' Leroy thought as he finally arrived at the bar counter.

He sat next to a man with auburn hair that had started graying out. The man had a small scar over his lips from what looked like a blade wound.

The Bartender came to Leroy and asked him what he wanted.

Leroy looked young, maybe even younger, but in the Mercenary life, there was no age limiter, and if you underestimated someone because of their age, then you could be lying dead on the ground the next moment.

'That's what old man Jack said, at least,' Leroy thought, and he really hadn't been discounted as just a little kid on this road, not even once besides when he went to the Inn, but Whitney was just nuts by Leroy's standards.

"Just give me the cheapest Ale you've got," Leroy replied to the Bartender.

He nodded as he went to get Leroy's drink.

Leroy decided that this was the best time and turned towards the man on his left.

"You're the captain of the Jackals, right?" he asked the man.

Lifting his head up from where he was staring at his drink, the man faced Leroy, his eyes calculative as he observed Leroy up and down.

"Yes, I'm Harry. Captain of the Jackal mercenaries. Now, what would you have to talk with me, young man?" Harry asked Leroy, lifting his eyebrow.

"I'm planning to join a mercenary group, and Jack recommended me here," Leroy replied to Harry.

Finally, the Bartender returned as he gave Leroy his beer mug and turned around, already having other customers to serve.

Bringing the ale to his mouth, Leroy drank a few gulps.

'Disgusting,' Leroy thought and his expression showed his opinion about it as well.

"Jack? That old man still running around, eh?" Harry asked, his expression much more calm and his eyes less wary.

"I met him while coming from Vigonna. He seemed to be doing fine," Leroy replied as he decided to set the beer mug away from him.

"Good, well then, you still haven't introduced yourself, have you?"

"I'm Leroy. I came here from Vigonna to start over, that's all," Leroy replied as he turned his head towards Harry, who was now staring at him eye to eye.

"Well then, Leroy, if Jack recommended you, then I can take ya, but are you good enough to survive out there," Harry asked him.

"I'm good enough. If I'm not, then I'll just become good enough," Leroy answered Harry without missing a beat.

Harry stood silent momentarily and then burst out laughing while hitting the table with his hand.

Finally, after a while, he stopped as he looked at Leroy and said:

"You've never held a sword in your life, have ya, kid? But sure, I'll take you and even train you so you can survive."

"When and where do I meet you?" Leroy asked the man, his expression still as calm as the sea, with not even the smallest waves on it.

"Thought you'd be more eager, Leroy, but calmness works out better in this line of work either way. Meet me at the Singing Iron Inn tomorrow morning at seven am."

"All right," Leroy said as he turned to call the Bartender over so he could pay and leave.

Paying for the trashy ale had cost him 4 copper.

'They said that robbery doesn't happen outside of the slums, then what's this? Plain old robbery is what it is.' Leroy thought as he headed towards the Inn, hoping that the useless Whitney could serve decent food.

Arriving there, it was already afternoon. Having not eaten anything for almost an entire day, Leroy's stomach was grumbling like some mythical beast.

*DING*

"Whitney, you around here," Leroy said as he came inside.

"I'm here, ya punk whatcha want?" Whitney said, his head held down as he read some kind of newspaper.

"Do you have any food I can buy?" Leroy asked as he grabbed a seat at a table next to the stairs.

"I can make you some eggs with sausages. It'll cost ya five copper." Whitney replied, his eyes now suddenly excited at the prospect of earning money.

"Sure, make me some," Leroy said as he brought up his sword on the table, checking it over once again.

'I can't believe it. My own sword and armor. Tomorrow, I'll be going to officially join the Jackal Mercenaries, ' Leroy thought as he remembered his journey until now.

'The past four days, since I woke up, were my resting period. From tomorrow, I have to give it my all and survive in this hell hole we call our world, no matter what.'

Clenching his fist, Leroy once again reaffirmed his determination.

After a while, Whitney came back with a plate filled with food, a knife and fork, and some brown bread on the side.

"Here, come pay me when ur done eating," Whitney said as he put the food on the table and almost ran to his newspaper.

'That's not a newspaper, is it' Leroy thought as he watched the Lecherous grin on Whitney's face.

'Whatever, let's just eat.'

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