Chapter 15 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

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The Bounty Mission

 

 

"I told you—it's yours." Rex said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

 

"But I really can't accept it…" Simon's voice grew quieter under Rex's cold gaze, his hands nervously twisting the fabric of his shirt.

 

Seeing that Rex had no intention of explaining, Ge Yan took it upon himself to speak. "Once he gives his word, he never takes it back. Just keep it. And if you're worried about those eyeing your gold, rest assured—the ones who followed you have already been dealt with. No one will bother you anytime soon."

 

Simon's expression shifted slightly. Hesitantly, he glanced at Ge Yan. "Big Brother, could I ask you a favor?" he asked, stealing a cautious glance at Rex, who he had quickly judged to be the one not to cross. Though he wasn't sure about Ge Yan, he figured it was worth a try.

 

"Tell me what it is," Ge Yan replied, willing to oblige so long as it wasn't something unreasonable.

 

"Would you help me deposit this gold at the Mercenary Guild?" A child carrying so much gold to the guild would draw far too much attention.

 

"The Mercenary Guild accepts deposits?" Ge Yan asked in surprise, drawing a puzzled look from Simon. Of course, the guild could take deposits—after all, nobles couldn't be expected to haul heavy bags of gold around on every journey.

 

In the end, Ge Yan helped Simon deposit the thousand gold coins into the guild, earning him a copper card, the lowest level; at the highest level was the crystal card, followed by silver and gold.

 

Simon finally felt a weight lift from his shoulders. His dust-streaked face beamed with a childlike joy he hadn't shown in a long time. Bowing deeply to both Ge Yan and Rex, he turned and dashed home with a light heart. The next day, he packed up and, with his mother and younger brother in tow, left Tris Town to begin life in a new place.

 

"Are we headed to Tasha Forest, too?" Ge Yan asked. The Black Wolf Mercenary Corps had already learned that Carlos and the others had last been seen heading there, and Captain Locke would surely follow. Though Carlos and his friends had indeed died in Tasha Forest, Ge Yan couldn't see why Rex would lure them there.

 

Rex suddenly stopped, turning to say the longest sentence since they'd met. "Carlos and his friends are dead, but you're still alive. That leaves you two options: either you abandon Jimmy's identity and become someone else entirely, or keep the story where three died and only you survived. Which one do you prefer?"

 

If it were his choice, Ge Yan would certainly pick the first; anyone would want to live as their true self. Besides, Jimmy's situation was rather complicated, but forsaking Jimmy's identity might also be risky. If anyone else had seen or knew Jimmy's real appearance, their lie could unravel, giving others a hold over them—a risk neither he nor Rex would tolerate. Rex had surely chosen the second option already. Ge Yan, taking the opportunity to curry favor, expressed his unwavering loyalty.

 

Rex cast him a glance but said nothing.

 

Later, at the mission board in the guild, they noticed a bounty related to a Sacred Beast. Both mercenary groups and anonymous individuals had posted there, with the Black Wolf Mercenary Corps offering the highest reward. Only high-ranking swordsmen or mages could take on the quest; everyone was vying for the rumored Sacred Beast, sparing no expense.

 

Ge Yan realized they had one distinct advantage: knowledge of the Sacred Beast's location. Though they hadn't known initially, Jimmy had noted it on a slip of paper, which now worked in their favor.

 

Rex purchased provisions in town, mostly bread and magic beast meat, along with a few bottles of fruit wine. They stepped into an alley, and when they emerged, the food was gone from their hands.

 

Storage rings were rare items; simpler storage bags or belts were more common, though their capacity was often limited. For instance, Captain Locke of the Black Wolf Mercenary Corps wore a storage belt with only twelve slots, each holding a single type of item in limited quantities. This was still considered a superior storage belt.

 

Ge Yan also owned a storage belt—Jimmy's—containing a small stash of coins. It had only five slots and a mix of odds and ends that he had since sorted, discarding most of it to make room for food.

 

Tasha Forest was vast, inhabited by powerful beasts. Only those with significant strength—at least a mid-level swordsman's ability—could hope to last a day there.

 

Before long, they reached the entrance of Tasha Forest. Much of the bloodstains on the ground had been covered by sand and footprints, and the blood on the stones had turned dark. Only faint traces remained of the brutal battle that had occurred here, yet no one would have guessed that the grand young masters of Carlos's ilk lay buried here.

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