A Stuffed Cheonma in my Head - Chapter 14



Only Noblemtl

Episode 14. I’ll make you drink a lot

* * *

Silence fell.

The mercenaries who had been giggling all looked at the fallen giant with a stern expression as if they couldn’t believe it.

“… …Dogon fell down in one blow?”

“No matter how much I let my guard down… … .”

“What is that sound… … . Is that a mana user?”

They looked back and forth between the fallen Dogon and the red-eyed man who had slapped his cheek.

Ashvan smiled broadly and looked around at the mercenaries who had become mute, then shook Dogon’s cheek and high-fived him with his hand and asked.

“Who wants to say hello to me again?”

“… … .”

“doesn’t exist?”

“Ahem.”

They went back to what they were doing, avoiding Ashvan’s eyes.

Fabio, who had been watching without returning to the inn, blinked at the fallen Dogon, then looked up at Ashvan with wide eyes.

There was a strange longing in those eyes.

“Sir. You’re really strong, aren’t you?”

Ashvan felt good all over again.

‘When have I ever been told I was strong?’

It was the first time since I heard it from the stray dog ​​Bangul in my dream.

No matter what anyone says, the weakest person in the Sherwood Mercenaries is himself.

It was like a wolf cub living in a tiger’s den.

If you think about it, it’s no wonder how someone like me ended up joining the Sherwood Mercenaries.

Having always lived with the monstrous Sherwood Mercenaries, I was used to being called weak, but hearing that from a brat was quite a new experience.

Ashvan smiled at Fabio and walked over to the reception desk.

A middle-aged man who looked to be in his mid-30s was leaning his chin on the reception desk and staring at Ashvan with interest.

As Ashvan approached the reception desk, the man said:

“How do you want to come here? How may I help you?”

Ashvan answered.

“I want to make a mercenary pack.”

“You want to register as a mercenary?”

“yes.”

“To register as a mercenary, you have to take a ranking test.”

“See, what? How long will it take?”

“Not really.”

Each branch of the Mercenary Guild has a different testing method.

There are even cases where people deliberately go to a far away branch to take the test.

‘How do I take the test here?’

Ashvan looked at the receptionist with a slightly pounding heart.

“… … .”

Colin, the head of the mercenary guild branch of the Akhenaten branch who had been occupying the receptionist’s seat simply because he was bored, stared blankly at the red-eyed man… … and then stood up from his seat.

“Follow me.”

* * *

I followed the receptionist out to the backyard of the guild.

Fabio followed behind him, and the other mercenaries also came rushing in with curious eyes.

I stood facing the receptionist in the large open space in the backyard.

He asked, his throat cracking.

“What’s your name?”

“Ashvan. What about you?”

“Colin. I haven’t seen your face before. Where are you from?”

“I came from far away.”

“So where.”

I answered honestly.

“The Kingdom of Maya.”

“The Kingdom of Maia? It must have taken a long time to get here from Maia. How did you get here without any ID?”

“How did you know I didn’t have any ID?”

“If a guy I’ve never seen before says he’s forming a mercenary group, his intentions are obvious. Judging from the atmosphere, he seems to be someone who used to work here. How did he come all the way from Maia to this place without any ID?”

I answered nonchalantly.

“It was quick once I got down the cliff.”

Colin chuckled.

“This guy is crazy.”

“It’s sharp.”

Colin shouted to one side.

“Bring me two wooden swords!”

Then a woman who looked about ten years younger than him came in, muttering and holding a wooden sword.

Colin took one and threw the other to me, saying:

“Take it.”

chin.

I asked while receiving the wooden sword.

“What? You said you were taking a grade test.”

Colin explained, swinging his sword around as if to relax his body.

“The mercenary rank test is administered by the branch manager of the relevant guild.”

I opened my eyes wide.

“Oh. Were you the branch manager?”

“It just so happened.”

Colin shrugged and answered vaguely.

“You’re amazing at your young age.”

“It’s nothing.”

I nodded.

“somehow.”

The momentum was different.

A loosely laid-back atmosphere.

And the aura of a strong person naturally comes out.

It was a characteristic that many geniuses had.

He maintains an indifferent attitude, as if he is uninterested in anything, lethargic, and finds everything trivial.

Indeed, that skill cannot be ignored.

Because he was born with an overwhelming talent that everyone envies.

The branch leader of a mercenary guild is usually someone of gold rank or higher.

The gap between silver and gold grades is large.

From the gold rank up, it is the realm of those who manipulate mana and use mana to ignite their swords.

You can fight a B-class demon alone, and with several people you can fight up to an A-class demon.

I swung the wooden sword I had received after Colin and asked.

“So, what’s the test like?”

“You exchange swords with me. After mixing the swords, the rank will be determined by the branch manager’s judgment.”

I tilted my head.

“What, that’s all? No magic beads? No shock meters?

Colin replied, scratching his cheek.

“I don’t do that because it’s annoying. It costs a lot of money.”

“Is it really okay if we just fight?”

I chuckled and muttered.

“This is a bigger mess than our neighborhood.”

Colin spoke to me reassuringly.

“It’s a wooden sword, and it doesn’t use auras. I’ll do it gently, so don’t worry too much.”

“What are you worried about? I really like it.”

“Really? Then that’s good.”

It’s good because it’s simple, but I didn’t really have the heart to fight hard and get a high rank.

All I need is an ID and some money.

I was just thinking about making that and leaving this place right away.

Before the rumors catch up.

There was no reason to make an unnecessary fuss.

“I’m not asking for much. Just give me the medal.”

Colin said, pointing his sword at me.

“How can I give a mercenary card to a suspicious guy like you? No need to say anything else. Prove it with your skills.”

Unlike knights who valued honor, there was a culture in the mercenary industry that skill was everything.

So, as long as you had good skills, there was an atmosphere where they would acknowledge you regardless of your origin, status, or past.

That’s why I went to the mercenary guild to make an ID card.

I followed Colin’s lead and lifted my wooden sword, answering.

“Well, let’s do that.”

I guess it’ll be okay if we just clash swords a few times and then give in.

Just as the test was about to begin, I could hear the mercenaries’ voices occasionally in my ears.

“Three Coopers for Colin.”

“I have 5 Cooper.”

“Who are you going to bet on?”

“I am Colin.”

“Me too, Colin.”

“What? Isn’t there anyone who’s betting on Red Eyes? He’s a new face who blew up Dogon in one shot. Can he beat Colin? Just go for it.”

“Idiot. I know Colin is an Aura user. How can you compare a mana user to an Aura user?”

“This kid. You’re talking shit while walking around with Colin.”

Colin is a man who seems like he’s a sloppy guy, and he actually seems to be.

He was the branch manager of a mercenary guild.

Gold-ranked mercenaries were not something you saw very often.

“That guy could be an Auror user too.”

“Idiot. How could that be possible?”

“Then don’t open your mouth and bet on yourself first, you idiot.”

I listened to what they were saying in silence, then raised a hand to Colin.

“Oh, wait a minute.”

I apologized to Colin and walked towards the mercenaries.

“what?”

“Why, why are you coming this way?”

The guys were so surprised that they quickly stepped back.

But I didn’t even pay attention to them and just walked up to Fabio, who was watching from the side, and said:

“Kid. How much money do you have?”

Fabio rummaged through his pockets, took out coins one by one and put them in his palm, and said.

“8 Cooper.”

“Hey. Why is that the only thing?”

I scratched my neck and whispered to Fabio.

“Listen carefully, kid. Bet all your money on me winning. I’ll make you a big winner. That’s no debt, is it?”

Fabio looked at me intently and nodded.

“yes.”

Huh.

I thought he would be a little more suspicious, but surprisingly he accepted it easily.

I looked at Fabio for a moment and then chuckled.

“You punk. You have a good eye for people.”

I patted the guy on the head and then went back to Colin.

On the way back, I overheard Fabio talking to the mercenaries.

“Eight coppers. I’ll bet on the red-eyed man.”

“What? Hey, Fabio. This isn’t a joke. If he loses, you’re out of luck.”

“i know.”

“Oh, dear. It’s a bit much to take money from a little kid’s nose.”

“So what? Fabio is also growing up like this. I thought it was a good idea.”

“You little brat. Do you want to steal my money?”

“If you lose money, you shouldn’t go and tell your father?”

I returned to my seat and stood facing Colin.

“Are you done with your business?”

“okay.”

I raised my sword.

I have defeated thieves who know how to use auras, and I have defeated knights who know honor.

It didn’t seem like I could lose even against a gold-rank mercenary.

I know how to use it now too.

“Phew… … .”

I took a deep breath and looked across at the other side.

Originally, I was going to give in moderately, but… … .

I changed my mind.

I’ll knock you down.

You cocky genius.

I said, twisting the corner of my mouth.

“Come on, genius.”

* * *

Colin looked at the red-eyed man before him.

Once you reach a certain level, you can gauge your opponent’s skill level through the mana energy you feel from them.

But… … I couldn’t feel any mana from the man in front of me.

And then he knocked down Dogon with one blow.

He was a strange man.

Colin was intrigued by the man with the unique aura before him.

‘Let’s go somewhere.’

Colin seemed to bend down slightly, then immediately rushed towards Ashvan.

It was a rush so fast that those watching could see afterimages.

Colin decided to start the duel with a classic stab.

‘hmm.’

Ashvan took in Colin’s overall posture.

I could read Colin’s attacks before they even landed, through the movements of his toes, his waist, shoulders, elbows, and wrists in sequence.

‘Center. Stab.’

The opponent’s sword path was visible.

Ashvan calmly watched the flying sword.

A stab is a straight, strong attack that focuses all of its force on one point with little shaking.

But with any sword strike, there are times when the tip of the sword shakes slightly during the flight.

I realized this through countless clashes of swords and fights in Barranquilla, and I learned the timing with my body.

‘now.’

When the power contained in Colin’s sword is momentarily at its weakest.

Ashvan aimed his sword at that exact moment and deflected it.

Taaak!

Colin’s wooden sword bounced off so easily.

His expression turned bewildered.

‘Huh?’

Ashvan deflected Colin’s sword and smoothly turned his body, shifting his weight in the direction it struck.

At the end of the movement that was as smooth as water, there was a violent explosion.

Boom!

Ashvan’s flowing back kick hit Colin’s stomach.

Colin pulled his shoulder in to block Ashvan’s kick aimed at his stomach.

Then, unable to withstand the shock of the kick, he took a few steps back.

The arm that blocked the kick was cold.

‘… … Where did that guy suddenly appear?’

Colin looked at the man in front of him with new eyes.

‘Ashvan.’

If he was this strong, I’m sure he’d been mentioned somewhere in some way, but it was the first time I’d heard his name.

“What are you doing? Don’t attack me.”

Ashvan flicked his sword.

Colin shook his cold arm a few times and then raised his sword again, aiming at Ashvan.

But, the guy’s posture was strange.

The basic and common sense of normal swordsmanship is to hold the sword upright and close to the body so that one can attack or defend at any time.

But isn’t the man in front of me just hanging his sword as if he’s given up on defense?

Colin tilted his head… …and charged again.

Anyway, I had to stick with it to find out the reason.

And that thought was right.

As soon as Colin ran in, he could see why Ashvan had his sword hanging down.

Although I didn’t expect it.

Crunch!

Ashvan’s wooden sword scraped the clean ground.

The raised dirt and sand flew up.

“What!”

Colin was surprised, as he had not expected that dirt would be thrown so openly.

It was a choice between getting dirt in your eyes or closing your eyes altogether.

Whichever one you choose, you’ll lose sight of it for a while.

“Huh!”

Colin decided not to choose either.

He focused his mana into his toes, then with superhuman reflexes he jumped up, kicking the ground hard before the dirt splashed up to his face.

‘oh.’

Ashvan was amazed when he saw it.

His quick judgment and superhuman reflexes are what make him a gold-class player.

‘Indeed. That’s what it should be like if it’s gold grade.’

Ashvan chuckled.

‘But, that left a gap.’

If it had been anyone other than himself, Colin would have evaded them with flying colors.

After successfully dodging, he would continue attacking from behind as if it was his original plan.

But the opponent was Ashvan, who possessed the talent of a heavenly horse.

Ashvan saw a gaping hole.

Ashvan reached out his hand menacingly towards the gap.

He grabbed Colin’s ankle, which had jumped up to his eyes, with his other hand that wasn’t holding his sword.

“… … ?!”

“Hehehe!”

And then he just threw it into the ground.

Boom!

Thud.

Clouds of dust rose up.

After a while, the sight of the dust cloud clearing was shocking in itself.

The tip of Ashvan’s sword was at Colin’s neck.

“… … This is nonsense.”

The mercenaries who were watching opened their mouths wide.

While everyone was quiet, Fabio alone shouted in joy.