Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Mercenary Registration (3)

“Hyung, me too!”

Theo suddenly held out his mercenary badge.

Thanks to that, my dazed mind snapped back to attention.

I could see Cream beyond the translucent Status Window.

“Theo's registration is finished too, so I'll continue the explanation. Requests are divided into brokered requests and private requests.”

Brokered requests were those arranged through the guild.

Private requests were received directly from the client.

For reference, Wood Badge Mercenaries could not accept private requests.

“It’s a system made for Wood Badge Mercenaries, so don’t feel unfairly treated.”

“Yes.”

A life worth less than military equipment issued to a Republic of Korea Army sergeant.

If the situation had deteriorated enough to mobilize even Wood Badge Mercenaries, then whatever the problem was, things were already beyond saving.

Cream continued.

“The promotion requirements for Copper Badge Mercenaries are completing at least five brokered requests…”

Only after giving several more explanations did Cream finally stop talking.

“If you have any questions, ask just one.”

“I want to create a mercenary company.”

“A mercenary company?”

The name of this game was [Mercenary Company Management].

Without a mercenary company, I couldn't use the mercenary named ‘Theo.’

The same applied when accepting quests or clearing dungeons.

Every element that made up the game revolved around a [Mercenary Company].

“Ah.”

Cream nodded as though she finally understood what I meant.

“Do you have money?”

“Money?”

“The founding fee is five copper coins.”

“……”

Without a word, I pulled out the coins from my pocket.

“……Is there any chance of a discount?”

“That’s a dangerous thing to say.”

Cream clicked her tongue as she spoke.

“There’s no such thing as discounts in the mercenary world. It’s the same as demanding that I hand over my wealth.”

Mercenaries risked their lives for even a single coin.

If they lacked the money to buy what they wanted, they gambled their lives to take it by force.

If they lacked the strength to protect their possessions, they prepared themselves to lose them.

That was the mercenary way.

“Don’t say something like that elsewhere. Consider it advice and a warning.”

Unless you want to die without anyone noticing.

At Cream’s added remark, I swallowed dryly and nodded.

“Anyway, I’ve received the money.”

Cream held up two fingers.

“A mercenary company starts with two members.”

“Huh? Is there a member limit?”

“Of course. If you want to increase the number of members, you have to pay.”

“……How much?”

“To increase it to three members, one silver coin. To increase it to four members, two silver coins. Once the cost exceeds a gold coin, it becomes fixed at one gold coin.”

“That's insane.”

Some streamers I had seen on broadcasts commanded hundreds of mercenaries.

Just how much time had they sunk into this game?

I could only click my tongue in amazement.

“What’s your mercenary company’s name?”

Cream, who had taken out some paperwork and begun scribbling on it, asked.

A company name, huh?

I hadn't really thought of one.

“Don’t have one?”

As I hesitated, Cream asked again.

I scratched my head and gave a short answer.

“Earth.”

“Earth?”

“Yes.”

“Short and simple. Good.”

The reason was simple.

‘Because I want to go home.’

After roughly completing the paperwork and finishing her signature, Cream handed the document to me.

“There’s no separate rank for mercenary companies. Anyway, congratulations.”

Then a message appeared.

[You have founded a Mercenary Company.]

[You have acquired 1 Bonus Point.]

=============

Earth Mercenary Company

▶ Members (1/2)

* Kim Iseo (Captain)

▶ Mercenary Company Skills

* None

▶ Exclusive Equipment

* None

▶ Shared Funds

* None

=============

It was a rather pitiful information window.

‘I’ll fill it up one step at a time.’

Thinking that, I spoke to Cream.

“Thank you. Then, about a request…”

“Business is closed for today.”

“Huh?”

“Blame yourself for taking so long.”

“B-But—”

“I’m busy.”

Cream stood up from her seat and stretched.

“U-Um, Senior?”

Even if she was leaving, couldn't she at least give me one request

“Come back tomorrow.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I lowered my head deeply.

*

I was practically kicked out of the guild and trudged along the road.

After walking silently for a while, Theo tugged on my sleeve.

“H-Hyung. Th-Then d-does that m-mean we're m-mercenaries now?”

“Yeah.”

“Th-Then d-does that m-mean we'll w-work t-together and e-earn m-money together?”

“Yeah, that's what we'll do.”

“Th-Then d-does that m-mean we'll t-travel t-together too?”

“Travel?”

Someday, I would leave this village.

I had to hunt demons and capture the servants of demons.

Could that journey really be summed up with something as romantic as travel?

More importantly, I had no intention of continuing this damned game.

The logout function no longer worked, and both customer support and interface functions had disappeared, so I was only playing because I had no other choice.

‘There's not a single thing about this that I like.’

My attachment to the game was fading in real time.

The moment I was rescued, I planned to sell the device immediately.

And when that happened, I'd be saying goodbye to Theo as well.

“Hyung?”

But not right now.

Looking into those eyes filled with anticipation, I didn't want to shatter that expectation.

“Yeah. Let's travel together too.”

Apparently in a good mood, he swung our clasped hands back and forth as he walked energetically.

Beside Theo, I merely swallowed my true thoughts with a sigh.

[James Inn]

It was a little early, but after a simple dinner, I went up to my room.

“Theo. Play by yourself today.”

“Yes!”

I flopped down onto the bed and took out my wooden badge. The familiar Status Window flashed before my eyes.

=============

Name: Kim Iseo

Rank: Wood (木)

Affiliation: Earth Mercenary Company

[Strength: 9] [Speed: 9]

[Health: 8] [Durability: 8]

[Mana: 5] [Mental Strength: 8]

Bonus Points: 1

Mercenary Points: 1

▶ Unique Ability

* ???

=============

The only things that had changed were [Affiliation] and [Bonus Points].

As I looked through the other stats, my gaze stopped at [Mana].

‘Mana, huh.’

What exactly was mana?

It was an abstract concept.

Since it had a numerical value, it meant that I possessed something called mana as well.

Was it the ability to manipulate the so-called ‘qi’? I couldn't even begin to guess how to use it.

‘Let's give it a try.’

I stretched out my hand and concentrated, trying to feel something.

Like meditation, I regulated my breathing and attempted to gather it at my fingertips. It felt as though something coiled deep inside me was moving—or perhaps it wasn't.

Then, at the moment I felt the time was right—

“Hup!”

I widened my eyes and exerted all my strength.

My entire body stiffened.

I had put in so much force that my fingers had turned white.

And the mana

“H-Hyung. Wh-What are you doing?”

I couldn't feel anything.

“It’s nothing, Theo. Go play.”

“Yes.”

Ignoring Theo's gaze, I turned onto my side.

‘I'll have to figure out the mana thing later.’

Next, I lowered my gaze.

‘Bonus Points and Mercenary Points.’

Bonus Points were points required to increase the abilities of players or mercenaries.

But what were Mercenary Points?

[Mercenary Points]

[Awakens a mercenary's latent abilities.]

There had never been anything called ‘Mercenary Points’ in the game.

‘If I don't know, I'll learn by trying it myself.’

A beginner like me had no choice but to experiment firsthand.

As luck would have it, there was a mercenary nearby.

No need to look far.

‘In virtual reality, players are also classified as mercenaries.’

Which meant I was a mercenary too.

I immediately targeted myself and tried using a Mercenary Point.

▶ Would you like to use a Mercenary Point on Kim Iseo? [Yes/No]

Without hesitation, I selected ‘Yes,’ and a bright flash filled my vision.

[Kim Iseo's latent ability is awakening.]

[Unique Ability, ‘Review Viewing,’ has been awakened.]

‘Review?’

It was a familiar word.

I hurriedly checked the newly acquired ability.

[Review Viewing]

→ Allows you to view the reviews of a desired target.

→ Currency: Player Coin (PC)

→ Owned Coins: 1

※ How to obtain Currency (PC)

1. Obtain 1 coin every day at midnight

2. Hunt demons

Only after reading through the description did I nod in understanding.

‘So that's what it was.’

The ability that had allowed me to view the reviews of the broker at the recruitment center, Theo, and Cream.

In a way, it was probably the ability I needed most.

I examined it further.

‘Looks like I get one coin every midnight.’

Since a day had already passed, I currently possessed one coin.

Other than that, the only way to obtain coins was by hunting demons.

In other words, the only thing I could use right now was [Review Viewing].

‘Is that all?’

My enthusiasm deflated.

Of course, being able to see evaluations of specific characters would be extremely useful.

I would be able to distinguish which mercenaries to recruit and which ones to avoid.

But

‘It doesn't actually help me in combat.’

If a battle broke out, I'd be too busy running away.

It meant I'd have to find a safe place and wait for the fighting to end.

And that was assuming I could even find mercenaries capable of fighting.

‘Until then, all I have is Theo…’

I glanced at Theo.

“Uwaaaah. Uwaaaah.”

There was no way I could send that little guy into battle at the front.

More importantly, Theo was a debuffer.

His physical abilities were terrible.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

In the end, it meant I would have to fight myself.

Combat, with a body that had never even been in a real fight.

Could I even kill a single beast, let alone a demon?

Above all, I didn't know what would happen if I died here.

Would I wake up in reality?

Or would I be trapped in this game forever?

One thought led to another.

As my thoughts piled up, all of my complicated feelings surfaced.

“Ha…”

“H-Hyung? A-Are you okay?”

Before I knew it, Theo had walked over and asked cautiously.

The way he was clutching his wooden badge tightly with both hands made him look like a squirrel.

My gaze drifted to his name.

Unlike yesterday, it was shining brightly.

[Owned Coins: 1]

The reason Theo's name was flashing was probably because of the coin.

It likely meant that I could use ‘Review Viewing’ on him.

Though I wasn't sure what good it would do.

It felt as if something heavy was weighing on my chest, and I let out a deep sigh.

“I seriously want to cry.”

“H-Hyung. D-Don't c-cry.”

“I’m not crying.”

Theo made a dejected expression and held out the wooden badge he had been carefully keeping on his person.

“Here. I-I'll g-give this t-to you, H-Hyung.”

“Why?”

“C-Cream n-noona s-said so. If a m-mercenary e-entrusts t-their b-badge to someone, i-it's a s-sign of t-trust.”

The way he chattered like a squirrel was surprisingly cute.

I momentarily forgot my complicated worries and tilted my head, encouraging him to continue.

Theo added,

“S-So… w-we s-share y-your w-worries a-and c-concerns t-together.”

What would you know about it?

These were worries that I couldn't share with anyone.

Even if I shared them, nobody would be able to understand.

Still, I appreciated the sentiment, and a laugh escaped me.

“Yeah.”

The moment I took Theo's mercenary badge into my hand, a message flashed before my eyes.

[You have acquired Theo.]

[Mercenary Point +1]

=============

Name: Theo

Rank: Wood (木)

Affiliation: –

[Strength: 3] [Speed: 3]

[Health: 3] [Durability: 3]

[Mana: 5] [Mental Strength: 10]

▶ Skill

* Ghost Wail

=============

‘What?’

At the same time, another message appeared.

▶ Would you like to use a Mercenary Point on Theo? [Yes/No]

I blinked and alternated my gaze between Theo and the message.

“P-Please a-accept it.”

“…Uh.”

Apparently, Theo handing over his mercenary badge had triggered some kind of mechanism.

▶ Would you like to use a Mercenary Point on Theo? [Yes/No]

The message flashed insistently, as if urging me to make a choice.

The flashing light helped me regain my focus.

‘What should I do?’

The first thing I felt was conflict.

‘Should I use it on myself, or on Theo?’

There was no telling when or how I might obtain another Mercenary Point.

This opportunity might only come once.

‘There's no guarantee that using it on myself will give me combat abilities.’

The hesitation didn't last long.

If I ended up with another abstract ability like Review Viewing, I'd be in trouble.

In that case

[Name: Theo]

[Rating 4.5 (★★★★☆)]

I remembered the Theo from the game, the one who had inflicted debuffs on thousands of enemies.

It seemed better to strengthen Theo's abilities instead.

I decided to trust that 4.5-star rating.

Having made up my mind, I reached out and ruffled Theo's hair.

“Uwaaaah.”

“Theo.”

“Y-Yes?”

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes!”

[Using a Mercenary Point on Theo.]

Bzzzt.

At the same time, space distorted.

The surrounding area crackled like static from a stereo.

Theo's Status Window disintegrated into particles.

Flash—!

A gray current erupted outward.

Within it, I saw Theo rising into the air.

“Theo!”

The moment I reached out toward him—

[The Tower Keeper who was cast out from the Tower awakens.]

The entire area was swallowed by darkness.

Crackle. Crackle.

Then a white radiance emerged.

An indescribable presence descended upon the room.

My entire body stiffened.

Unable to move, I could only stare blankly at the being manifesting before my eyes.