Demon Beast Mountain Range

Pernok descended the mountain range after a week.

Though caked with dirt and sweat, demon beast blood stuck to his clothes making them look pitch black, a bright smile formed on his lips.

‘Though a small amount, the synchronization rate definitely rises.’

Even low-grade demon beasts contribute to raising the synchronization rate.

How much would mid-grade and high-grade demon beasts raise the synchronization sate.

‘If the synchronization rate continues rising in this state, I’ll soon use Spiritual Law’s attack techniques too.’

If he could deploy Soul Strike, he wouldn’t need to worry about magic reserves.

Pernok entered the association in light spirits.

When he dropped demon beast materials before Ramut, mercenaries’ eyes widened.

“Are those Shadow Wolf fangs?”

“There are Black Snake eyeballs too.”

“Owl Bear hide as well?”

“Don’t tell me he caught those alone?”

Full of materials from demon beasts inhabiting altitude 1,000 meters and above, dangerous to catch unless in parties.

Many mercenaries’ gazes concentrated on Pernok who processed that alone.

“Quest complete.”

Ramut seemed speechless for a moment but soon collected himself and examined the red-rank quests.

“Yes. All six completed.”

“How many more achievements needed to rise to bronze rank?”

“Complete 50 red-rank quests or resolve 10 commissions higher than that.”

“Can I also select quests one rank higher than mine?”

“It’s possible when exceptional cases guaranteed by the association.”

“Then give me quests possible right now.”

Ramut smiled and extended his hand to Pernok.

“Please give me your plate.”

When Pernok handed the red-rank plate, Ramut stamped his first name R on the upper left.

“I’ll give you several more red-rank quests. After finishing those, show this plate to the quest commission window. Bronze-rank commissions will be permitted.”

When Pernok nodded, Ramut handed Pernok quest completion rewards and new red-rank quests.

“The deadline is two months. There was a request to bring materials without damage if possible.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

“But did you do all this alone?”

When Ramut smiled pointing at demon beast materials piled at the reception, Pernok replied composedly.

“Is there a problem?”

“Haha, no. From this quest onward, it’s altitude 2,000 meters and above. No matter how much a level 4 mage, going with guards will reduce danger. Shall the association introduce some?”

“Not an affiliation proposal?”

“A proposal from goodwill. However, if you operate as association-affiliated, we’re willing to provide more conveniences, Pernok.”

Discovering sharpness hidden in the smile, Pernok surveyed surrounding reactions then laughed.

“I’ll think about it. First I’ll try alone and if it doesn’t work, I’ll visit again.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Leaving politely greeting Ramut behind, Pernok gathered his bag and went outside.

On the path to the tavern promised with Rio, a middle-aged man with brown hair and goatee clung beside him.

“That picky old man was completely smitten, wasn’t he?”

The middle-aged man blatantly followed as soon as leaving the association.

“A level 4 mage, moreover physical enhancement type with skill to stay alone at the mountain range for a week isn’t common. Didn’t the association give a good proposal?”

When Pernok stared wordlessly, the middle-aged man grinned and extended his hand.

“But we Sasak promise to give even better proposals. Pleased to meet you, I’m Sasak’s deputy guild leader Homan.”

One of the three A-rank guilds dominating the demon beast mountain range.

Flang.

That place had more affiliated guilds than other A-rank guilds, and among them Sasak was B-rank, a guild like Flang’s right arm.

‘Their recruitment methods are particularly rough, they said.’

The reason strong mercenaries all join guilds is because there are factions trying to recruit indiscriminately.

Among them, Sasak was particularly rough.

A whopping affiliated guild of Flang, one of the three major A-rank guilds dominating here.

‘Other mercenaries are only watching.’

Eyes that had followed since Pernok left the association began departing one by one.

They seemed to judge they couldn’t covet Pernok now that Sasak contacted him.

He could tell Sasak’s status here and Flang holding them under wing.

“So?”

Though not much threat to Pernok.

“Ah, you said you first started mercenary work here? I understand being indifferent to guilds. So maybe I can kindly explain and help your mercenary life go smoothly—how about having a drink somewhere?”

He lightly shook off Homan’s smiling extended hand.

Though he tried exchanging handshakes, Pernok was uninterested.

“I have a prior engagement, so I’ll postpone to next opportunity.”

“How about tomorrow?”

“Two years of appointments are scheduled.”

Though withdrawn Homan’s mouth smiled, his eyes were cold.

“You’re rejecting a senior’s kindness too coldly.”

“I don’t think those who suddenly blocked the path should say that.”

Pernok passed Homan.

“Sasak processes work faster than others—at least I remember that.”

“Don’t bounce too hard. The demon beast mountain range is where tongues get cut for reckless talking!”

Pernok just shrugged shoulders and hurried steps again.

* * *

Rio was drinking beer in a secluded tavern corner.

When Pernok sat opposite, Rio sent an interested gaze.

“You already got a nickname, Lord Pernok.”

“Nickname?”

“It’s like a symbol attached to strong or unique mercenaries.”

“What do they call me.”

“Beast. Praises were loud calling you a beast-like person who devours demon beasts covered in blood.”

“So flies stuck to me.”

“You received recruitment proposals?”

“Sasak.”

“As expected, diving headfirst without considering front or back is just like them.”

Pernok composedly asked while receiving and drinking beer.

“Persistent?”

“Because parent guild Flang released them to recruit talent freely, Sasak is rampaging more. Those bastards don’t know normal procedures. If they like something they take it, otherwise they break it. Extreme yet tenacious.”

“Don’t other A-rank guilds have affiliated guilds?”

“They at least watch. But Sasak rampages arbitrarily.”

“Acting drunk on atmosphere, they’re exactly like greenhorns.”

Rio wordlessly watched calm Pernok and asked.

“Did your plan get disrupted?”

“Hm?”

“Though you intended to clash eventually, now wasn’t the timing. It seems you slightly changed course after getting noticed by the association—isn’t that right?”

“Did I ever say what I’m trying to do?”

“No. But I can guess.”

Pernok set down his beer mug.

“Someone trying to hide skill suddenly showed off their prey at the association when mercenaries patrol most. It’s not simply acting clumsy from not knowing circumstances or expressing superiority.”

“You’re saying I tried to draw others’ attention without any profit?”

“Doesn’t it create justification.”

“Justification?”

“You waited for bulky greenhorns like Sasak to contact you, Lord Pernok. Only then will they annoyingly stick around, and repeatedly refusing, when the moment crosses the line arrives, you will clean them up. Securing image while gaining substance and establishing a nest here—three birds with one stone.”

“Hm.”

“There are many mages here. I wonder if you plan to select quality guys among them to raise new forces.”

Pernok and Rio’s eyes met.

Seeing Rio’s confident expression, Pernok laughed.

“There’s a reason Ruin recommended you.”

Like Rio said, Pernok didn’t decide to stay here long simply for summit conquest.

A place countless skilled people pass through.

No better soil for making powerful forces.

Initially he planned to hide skill and understand this place’s circumstances first, but after receiving Ramut’s attention, he rather tried to use that to build justification.

He waited for massive guild tyranny called crushing sprouts to enter.

Sasak hooked first and now he just had to prepare for the storm that would blow.

If showing capacity of level 5 and above to those who know him as level 4, he judged they’d move easily according to plan.

And Rio saw through this.

‘As expected.’

Rio also wanted something from him, so he began revealing hidden claws.

“What did Lord Ruin say about me?”

“He said to take you as a follower if useful.”

“Completely irrelevant to my will.”

“Don’t back out now. You also have something you want from me, so you quietly waited here, didn’t you?”

Pernok moistened his mouth with beer and continued calmly.

“Shall we be more honest. How much do you know about me?”

“I only heard you’re a promising mage.”

“I’m Illumina King’s illegitimate child, and I plan to jump into the throne competition with Ruin. If I conquer the mountain range within two years, I can go to the kingdom immediately, but if I fail, I’ll be caught and must train for long.”

“You’re saying Lord Ruin will accompany regardless of success or failure.”

“Right. But there’s too much lacking to go trusting only Ruin. Especially talent. I need forces I can use immediately.”

Rio nodded.

“Certainly even mercenaries climbing altitude 3,000 meters and above are all seasoned veterans. Even if not necessarily mages, composing forces with experienced ones will make very solid foundations.”

“A very good place to select talent.”

“In that sense, Sasak as a first foothold isn’t bad.”

Those who have envy and are jealous of those who shine.

Or use and discard them, or appease them and kill them the moment they fail.

That’s the life of those who have, and mercenaries are far more vicious in this spirit.

Their hunting grounds are limited and positions are saturated.

To prevent other bastards from squeezing in, they must recruit and use excellent talent.

Guild logic was very simple.

‘Pernok knew and prepared all this.’

Whatever the method, Pernok is someone who’ll get noticed here.

Yet he’ll continue highlighting himself.

To use guilds trying to appease him like Sasak.

‘Sasak will do something at the hunting ground to appease Pernok again. And if Pernok has power to overturn all this?’

Striking Sasak moves Flang.

Fighting Flang makes other A-rank guilds notice.

When this process repeats like a tail, war begins before you know it.

‘Does he has confidence to win the war.’

Pernok already threw his hand.

Though it looked reckless to walk alone, strangely interest sparked.

‘If successful, Pernok can become the mountain range’s ruler.’

Rio licked his lips.

“The moment tight balance breaks, accumulated desires will all burst out.”

“If they’ve been circulating for long, they should know how to share now. Those without skill must be weeded out. Wasn’t that the mercenary rule.”

“That requires the prerequisite that Lord Pernok must be stronger than Lord Ruin’s explanation.”

“Confirm it.”

“Then how should I offer admission fee?”

Pernok answered while filling Rio’s empty glass.

“I also became curious why Ruin recommended you. Will you try convincing me?”

“What should I help with?”

“You must find yourself what to do in the board I set. Is there a reason I should take in an idiot who can’t even find his own work?”

Rio wore a faint smile.

“Good. Since something comes to mind, I’ll prepare too.”

“Let’s discuss what each wants after work finishes.”

Rio nodded.

“How long do you think it’ll take to finish this work, Lord Pernok?”

“One year.”

“If you don’t finish, the discussion becomes void?”

“Let’s do that.”

“I’ll have to move busily.”

“Look forward to it.”

Pernok extended his beer glass forward. Rio silently clinked glasses.

The two people emptied beer in one gulp and stood up.

The contract was concluded, and the path ahead was busy. Each turned around and began moving busily.

* * *

Pernok finished preparations to enter the mountain range again.

Unpleasant gazes were felt on the path walking to the entrance.

‘They’re fairly clever bastards.’

Groups inviting Pernok to guilds or trying to pressure after failing.

Their sequence was so utterly natural it was easy to predict.

‘Crushing sprouts. Once started, they don’t stop until seeing the end, they said.’

Talent evaluated as excellent before Pernok were all affiliated to guilds through this process.

This logic of power continued accumulating so A-rank guilds could maintain solid forces.

Pernok planned to throw a large stone into this simple system.

‘Are you bastards worth enough to be under me.’

Pernok laughed and entered the dark mountain range.

It was the beginning of earnest talent recruitment.