Episode 228
“Who are you?”
“Do you want to know who this old man is? Hehehe.”
The man laughed along with a cliché line, then got up and walked towards me.
And he sits down at our table with his big body.
“Buy me a drink. “Then I’ll tell you my name.”
The way he talks, he seems like a small child.
I nodded roughly, and just then the clerk came out with the food we ordered.
Perfect timing.
This girl clerk was not at all intimidated even as she walked among the rugged mercenaries, and she seemed to have the guts to work at the inn.
thud!
The clerk who placed the food on the table rather roughly looked around and said.
“If you cause trouble here, I’ll call the vigilantes.”
“ah… Of course we are gentlemanly guests.”
“… … .”
The clerk gave me a glance and nodded.
I’m not sure what it means, but it seemed to mean not to worry.
Of course, I wasn’t particularly worried.
“Give me some alcohol.”
“yes. “How many drinks would you like?”
“a drink.”
I had no intention of drinking, and neither Evan nor Mir liked alcohol, so I said that.
Soon a glass of foamy beer arrived.
I held out my beer glass to the man in front of me.
“He’s a kid who can communicate well.”
The man accepted the beer glass with a flirtatious look on his face, and the moment he brought it to his mouth… … .
I grabbed the big guy by the back of his head and slammed him down on the table.
Clink!
The beer glass broke and the table cracked. Even though I applied quite a bit of force to it, it didn’t break, so I thought it was a sturdy table.
“older brother!”
“You bastard!”
“Are you trying to attack me? “If you want to be like this idiot, come.”
When I spoke with a genuine smile, the people around me hesitated. Maybe it’s because he’s a mercenary who makes a living by being quick-witted, but he’s also quick to realize strange things.
Aside from that, I thought that the empire was definitely large.
We’re a few cities over, and no one recognizes us.
In the archipelago, you had to cover your face even when walking down the street, but in Tefer, a little further away, there was no need to do so.
“This bird-!”
I slammed my heel down on the head of the large man who was trying to get up.
In that state, I leaned back against the chair.
I ended up having a bad posture with both legs on the table, but I didn’t really care.
Of course, I was planning to reimburse for all the broken beer glasses, plates, and tables.
I myself don’t like to form things like this, but… … .
What should I do?
These southern mercenaries are mostly just ignorant bastards, so they don’t get scared unless it’s a straightforward performance like this.
I said as I picked up the meat that was still intact on my plate and ate it.
“Does this kid seem immature for talking about Heros’ B-class hero?”
“… … .”
“But what should I do about this? Even if all the old mercenaries here came at us, they wouldn’t be able to touch a single hair of ours.
“Your young friend is overly confident.”
A low voice was heard.
It was a man sitting on the side where the large man had walked, and although he was small in stature, his mood was quite sharp.
I feel like the prayer is reminiscent of a snake.
‘This guy is going to be a bit of a problem… … .’
Of course, it means that it is difficult to deal with not me, but the current Mirna Evan.
In the past, I also avoided mercenaries who had that kind of vibe in the south.
This is because most of them were people who routinely killed one or two people.
Of course, there was no need for that now.
“Do you think I’m not worthy of mentioning Class B?”
“Do you know what Heros’ B-class position is?”
I knew it, but somehow I didn’t think I knew any better than this man, so I threw the meat back into my mouth.
While I was mumbling and chewing the meat, the man said.
“The lowest D-class hero. Although they are treated as apprentices within Heros, they are two levels higher than mercenaries who share the same rating system. This means that a D-class hero has similar strength to a B-class mercenary.”
The man continued speaking with an expressionless face.
“And I don’t know about you, young master, but a B-class mercenary is-.”
“It can’t just be said to be strong. Only mercenaries who have successfully completed more than 20 missions over a period of at least 3 years can become Class B… Right?”
“… … .”
The man glared at me.
His eyebrows narrowed as if he was trying to hide his true feelings, but his mouth was open as if he was slightly surprised.
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I’m sorry, but I know the mercenary life very well.
Even more so than Heros.
“… Yes. This means that Heros’ apprentice heroes are on the same level as veteran mercenaries in terms of strength. “It means that the higher level C level is almost equal to the A level, and the B level means that it is almost equal to the S level mercenary.”
Although it is not an accurate indicator, this perception is generally deeply rooted in mercenaries.
It is not without basis.
Due to their nature, mercenaries do nothing as long as they are paid well, and surprisingly often perform joint missions with Heros.
And of course, due to the nature of mercenaries, they fight in joint missions to kill the other side’s spirit… … .
I saw it several times too.
A class A mercenary with a swagger – the idol of mercenaries in the South who could walk around with their shoulders straight wherever they went… … .
At best, he was cruelly defeated by Heros’ C-rank mercenary.
“From class B heroes, depending on their performance, they can even occupy the position of head of a branch of Heros in various places. It is actually the core strength of Heros, and because of that, there is a large difference in skill level among B-classes even if they are of the same rank. “There are quite a few heroes who have spent decades as B-rankers.”
“… … .”
“It means that it is not something that a brat like you can talk about lightly. Do you understand?”
This man was unusual in many ways.
Even though he was a mercenary, he seemed to harbor envy towards heroes… He is not young, nor does he appear to be of noble birth.
It was a rare case.
The mercenaries had no respect for Heros. Instead, he treated me like an idiot.
This meant that if he were that strong, he would have given up being a hero a long time ago and started working as a mercenary.
Although the money given by Heros was not small, it was definitely less than the money earned by high-level mercenaries.
“What is your name?”
“… Lorcan.”
“Rokhan? Lorkhan of the Chainscythe?”
“Do you know me?”
I think I was really surprised this time.
Instead of nodding, I looked at Lorcan with a puzzled expression.
In his previous life, he was a fairly famous mercenary. He was talented, but his actions were unusual.
A former mercenary who joined Heros and rose to A-level status was quite a remarkable man named Lorcan of the Chain Scythe.
I put down the foot that was crushing the big guy.
“Aaaah! You bastard! “I thought I died today.”
“stop.”
“yes? Ha, but… … .”
“Stop it.”
“Yes, yep…” … .”
The big man closed his mouth and slowly retreated.
Lorcan looked at me and said.
“You look like a nobleman, but you know me and the ecology of mercenaries. “That’s fun.”
“That was fun too. “Please be kind to me when I encounter you in the test.”
“You will never run into me.”
Rokhan spoke to the end and stood up.
“hmm?”
Isn’t that guy taking part in a test?
I was curious, but I couldn’t follow Lorcan.
“Hey, Sonnie~?”
This was because I saw a clerk glaring at me with a veiny smile.
I immediately took out the money and paid for it.
* * *
After eating, I headed straight to the reception desk.
First, apply for ‘The Origin’ in the names of Mir and Evan… … .
I showed the hero badge to the receptionist and asked.
“oh? that… … .”
“It’s a hero plaque given to me by my family.”
“I see! “Excuse me, which family are you from?”
“It’s Badknicker.”
“ah.”
The receptionist said with a grin.
“Meet Badniker’s young hero. Luan, you are the hero, right? “His performance in the system was impressive.”
I guess it’s because he’s an employee of Heros.
It seems like we hear rumors about this and that quickly.
“I also want to participate in The Origin, is that okay?”
“ah. That’s a bit difficult. “Actually, the regulations have changed a bit starting this year.”
“uh… So does that mean I can’t participate?”
“The Origin is like that.”
What are you talking about?
“The reason Hero Luan wants to participate in the exam is because of his promotion, right?”
“Yes?”
First of all, you have to become a B-class before you can enter the Utgarde camp.
“Then Hero Luan, please participate in the promotion battle.”
“A promotion match?”
“That’s right. However, you will have to be prepared. The promotion battle for the main office is famous for being harsh. He could get seriously injured on the way, or in the worst case scenario, he could die.”
“Ohh… … .”
Imperial Academy.
Hearing that I was in a safe place made me feel like I was exposed to the harsh winds of the world.
Seeing the receptionist’s attitude of mentioning death reminded me of Badniker’s retreat.
“I will apply.”
After saying that, I asked:
“Is it possible that in this promotion match, depending on the performance, I will immediately be ranked B?”
“no.”
“hmm?”
said the receptionist.
“Depending on your grades, you can achieve up to A level.”
It’s more unconventional than you think.
Of course, that’s just what they say, how many people in history have actually achieved from D level to A level?
“Would you like to participate?”
“Okay.”
“great. “You’ve come to the right place.”
The receptionist said with a bright smile.
“The promotion match starts tomorrow.”
“… … !”
“To be more precise, it starts at midnight.”
There was no time to breathe.
* * *
After returning to the inn, I completed the minimal preparations and headed straight to Heros’ main building where the exam was being held.
Before leaving, I spoke to Mir and Evan, who would be separated for the time being.
“I heard this promotion match can take up to several weeks. The Origin takes about a week, so there may be some confusion. “For now, let’s decide that whoever finishes first will wait at the inn for the time being.”
“OK.”
Since the inn is closed on a monthly basis, it would be okay if these guys finish first.
Mir said, clenching his hands.
“Be sure to get promoted, Luan… … !”
“You can do it. “Be careful.”
“You guys, cheer up too.”
After leaving the inn, I headed to Heros’ headquarters.
Heros headquarters was a large building reminiscent of the main academy building, and it looked just like the Colosseum.
The building appears to be at least 10 stories tall, and is not just tall but also wide.
In fact, this building had such an overwhelming presence that it was clearly visible from the moment I first set foot in Teper.
‘Is this the headquarters of the hero agency Heros?’
I felt a different sense of intimidation from Hwangseong.
Even though it was close to midnight, that is, in the middle of the night, flames were leaking through the window.
It seems that there is no such thing as day or night for those who work there.
“Luan Badnicker. Am I right?”
A man standing at the entrance to the main building called me.
Is it a test tube?
He seemed quite strong. Even now, I am an expert to the point that it is difficult to guarantee victory or defeat.
In other words, it means that he is at least a class A hero.
I nodded and he said.
“It’s too late. “Follow me.”
What kind of test will begin from now on? I followed the man, hiding my doubts and expectations.
After entering Heros’ headquarters, I walked down a well-maintained hallway and arrived at… … .
It was a shabby room.
“… … .”
However, the atmosphere inside was unusual.
There were nine people in the room, ten in total including me.
Among them, there was one familiar face.
“you… … ?”
This is Rokhan of the Chain Scythe.
‘ah. This guy was already a hero.’
That’s why he got angry because he ignored the hero, and he was so arrogant that we wouldn’t see him in The Origin.
I nodded my head and pretended to know, then looked at the test takers as a whole.
Five men and three women.
Just by looking at the outside, it is overflowing with personality.
Mercenaries, knights, nobles, merchants… There was even a guy who looked like a wizard.
Of course, I wasn’t surprised because I knew that the heroes of Heros had diverse looks.
Except for the wizard.
This wizard was wearing a conical hat, and was slightly surprised to see a glimpse of his face underneath the hat.
That’s because she’s a girl who looks about my age.
“Sit down.”
The examiner who guided me gave a short voice, and I went to an empty seat and sat down.
Coincidentally, I was sitting next to Lorcan.
“… … .”
This guy looked like he wanted to say something, but he ended up closing his mouth, perhaps because of the test tube.
“The first test will begin. There are two conditions. Do not leave this room, do what is written on the paper. The time limit is one hour. Then I wish you good luck.”
The examiner left without leaving those words alone.
I slowly lowered my head.
Now that I think about it, there was a piece of paper on the table.
I open it slightly and check.
[There is a church member hiding somewhere in this room.]
[Search.]
“Oh… … .”
An exclamation like a sigh naturally came out.
Am I screwed?
fantasy,