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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 119: Little Runts Mercenary Group
With the contract officially signed, Yoojin immediately issued his first order.
"Kim Mijeong, you're the advisor for the Little Runts Mercenary Group."
Kim Mijeong's face contorted upon hearing her first order.
"Advisor?"
"That's right. You heard me."
"You want me to babysit those snot-nosed brats?"
"You'll be advising them, not babysitting."
"Same difference!"
Bam—!
A massive footprint was imprinted on the ground.
Reinforcing her body with mana, the impact of her landing, combined with the subsequent release of power, sent a shockwave through the surrounding area.
"Wow. You even express your anger in such detail."
"Don't give me that crap."
"I'm not asking for much. Just keep anyone who tries to overstep their bounds with the mercenary leader in line."
"To think I'd be reduced to this—babysitting a bunch of snot-nosed kids."
No matter how much she grumbled, she couldn't refuse, having written her name on the Self-Geas Scroll.
Yoojin led the Little Runts team, who had finished their preparations in the building that now served as the Black Company headquarters, and introduced them to their new advisor.
"Oppa, is an advisor someone who pinches you until you scream?"
"They're there to give you advice when you're having trouble running the mercenary group."
"Oh, uh... that's a bit..."
Kang Minyeong's face paled at the thought.
Kim Mijeong snorted in displeasure.
"You should be grateful. Do you think it's easy to find a hunter like me to be your advisor?"
"I can see why it would be difficult."
"Your mouth's still working fine, even after all this time."
The two women glared at each other.
Although Kim Mijeong's murderous intent made her flinch, she didn't back down an inch.
Yoojin, who had taken a step back to watch the spectacle, quietly whispered to the twin siblings who were observing the scene.
"When did she get so bold?"
"I think she's relying on you being here, hyung."
"Wasn't she always like this?"
"She'd have to be crazy to do that. She's not brave enough to mess with that infamous Mad Dog."
‘That "brave" person seems to be your twin sister.’
Yoojin thought.
"She hasn't even been told about the Self-Geas Scroll yet. She's got some nerve."
〔I don't know if it's bravery or recklessness.〕
Even Kronos, for once, gave a realistic answer instead of spouting nonsense about a hero's attitude.
Ahem—
Yoojin cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
"Advisor Kim."
"Eww. That feels so weird."
"Keep a close eye on them. It'll be interesting."
"Are you serious? They're just a bunch of greenhorns who haven't even broken through the wall."
"By your standards, I'm a greenhorn myself."
Stung by the insult, Kim Mijeong started to curse, but then abruptly stopped, her mouth twitching.
"Hey! What is happening!!!"
"No swearing in my presence."
"Are you kidding me? That's insane!"
"It's in the contract's conditions. Oh, right—it's already activated and gone up in smoke."
"This is bogus!"
That's why you should always read the terms and conditions carefully.
A less forgiving boss would have slipped in all sorts of crazy clauses instead of just a simple "no swearing" rule.
"Consider yourself lucky I'm so lenient."
"Ugh... Damn it... Argh! This is infuriating!"
While Kim Mijeong was fuming and unable to even curse, the hunters who had joined the mercenary group at its inauguration ceremony began to trickle into the building.
"Everyone, watch your language. Let's try to keep things civil."
"Says you, hyung."
"What? I'm always civil."
"Right. ‘Always’."
Lee Seongmin, tread carefully.
Giving him a light glare, Yoojin looked at the mercenaries filling the room.
"A mercenary group operating within Ground Zero, huh?"
"So? It's not like what we do is exactly squeaky clean."
"Hmm, yeah, I guess not."
The mercenaries didn't express much dissatisfaction with the position of Black Company and its subsidiary, the Little Runts Mercenary Group.
While "hunter" was a general term for those in the anti-monster profession, "mercenary" was a broader term.
The most common form was a PMC (Private Military Company), but their actual area of activity ranged from private detectives to information brokers.
It was difficult to find a hunter/mercenary who hadn't been involved in some kind of illegal activity.
If anything, they were probably thrilled that they had the power to establish a territory within Ground Zero.
"I heard they took down the Red Spider."
"Even if only half the rumors are true, it's better to stick with Black Company."
"The Rakshasa Guild won't be able to move for a while, either."
The mercenaries had gathered with high hopes.
When the pre-arranged time arrived, Yoojin stood before the mercenaries with the Little Runts team.
"Welcome. I'm Cheon Yoojin, and this friend here is the mercenary leader."
"Uh, hello. I'm Kang Minho, the mercenary leader."
Kang Minho gave an awkward greeting.
The room went instantly silent.
＊ ＊ ＊
"What? Not Cheon Yoojin, but some nobody I've never even heard of is the leader?"
"Who is that guy, anyway?"
"I think he was with them during the Double Dungeon incident."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Curses erupted from all corners of the room.
Like cracking ice, the once-broken silence shattered into countless fragments, creating a cacophony of noise.
The formerly frigid atmosphere instantly reversed, igniting into a raging fire.
Observing the scene, Yoojin subtly shifted his gaze to the side.
'They're not as rigid as I thought.'
Yoojin glanced at Kang Minho who stood silently, his lips pressed tightly together, his gaze fixed on the room.
‘Impressive.’
He usually acts deferential towards Yoojin when they're together, so it's easy to overlook, but before the regression, he was a powerhouse who reached 8 Star.
A lofty realm that cannot be attained without a strong will and conviction.
He simply hasn't fully revealed his potential yet.
'I guess that's why they say you can tell a promising tree from its sapling.'
〔Contractor, how long are you going to keep observing?〕
'I'll step in soon enough.'
Yoojin wasn't pleased with Kang Minho being insulted.
Their connection was one of the first he made after the regression.
At the time, he recruited him based on his potential, but over time, he'd grown fond of him.
〔You knew this would happen. Why did you do it?〕
'Because it was necessary.'
Things are different now than when they were grilling meat at Shin Joonseok's workshop.
The war with the Rakshasa Guild.
From the moment they defeated 150 combatants and 100 mercenaries, it was inevitable that Black Company would become known to the outside world.
Yoojin didn't just fail to stop the rumors; he even used Madam's information network to amplify them.
'I couldn't miss the opportunity to make Black Company known.'
〔However, these small humans don't seem to be ready.〕
'Do you really think so?'
The Little Runts team.
Their connection began after a chance encounter in the [Ancient Garden] after the regression and has continued until now.
The twin siblings would later become legends in the mercenary world, earning the title "Mirror Hunters."
Lee Seongmin also possesses incredible potential, with a unique trait identical to the second-in-command of the Romanov clan.
'I didn't just push these guys out based on potential alone. Kang Minho has a disposition as firm as a solid rock. Like a mirror image, Kang Minyeong is nonchalant and relaxed. And finally, Lee Seongmin, despite his perpetually timid appearance, harbors an unwavering determination… Look. None of them are averting their gaze.'
〔Indeed. It seems I underestimated these small humans.〕
Kronos calmly acknowledged his misjudgment.
Of course.
Just being able to stand their ground while enduring the insults of dozens of mercenaries is commendable in itself.
'Still, it's unpleasant.'
〔How surprising. Why do you feel this way when you foresaw this entire situation?〕
'I don't mind being insulted, but I won't allow others to insult them.'
〔...Hmm?〕
"You think yelling is going to solve anything? Why are you all making such a racket!"
A hulking figure rose from his seat and strode to the front of the platform.
The grumbling mercenaries immediately fell silent at the sight of the middle-aged man.
"Min Sangjin?"
"It's Black Wolf."
"He was at the recruitment last time."
"Wow. He actually came."
The Black Wolf team, who had earned some renown (or infamy) in the mercenary world.
Min Sangjin pointed at Kang Minho, who was standing on the platform.
"Pleased to meet you, Mercenary Leader."
"Uh... Yes?"
‘That couldn't be…’
Yoojin thought.
They had met before in the border region, when Yoojin's Blood Golem had briefly tangled with Min Sangjin's Black Wolf team.
They definitely recognized each other.
Before Kang Minho could say anything, Min Sangjin suddenly shouted—
"I came here for Cheon Yoojin, not some nobody. It's a joke that this guy's supposed to be the leader."
"Ah, about that..."
"So, how about you show us some skills? That'll convince us. Got it?"
‘Hmm.’
Yoojin, who had been observing the situation, understood the hidden meaning behind Min Sangjin's words and began to stroke his chin.
＊ ＊ ＊
The atmosphere inside the hall grew chaotic.
Yoojin's bombshell announcement, the appearance of a rookie mercenary leader, and finally, the protest from Min Sangjin, leader of the Black Wolf team.
"Black Wolf has a point."
"A mercenary leader should prove their skills!"
"Fight! Fight!"
Min Sangjin's proposal resonated with the mercenaries.
A hunter who hasn't broken through the 'wall' cannot represent them!
If he demonstrates sufficient skill, they will accept him.
"That's a good suggestion."
"Does CEO Cheon agree?"
"This is a mercenary group that will be under Black Company. As the leader, he needs to have skills that everyone can acknowledge."
"Heh, I'll decide on the test. I hope you'll understand."
Min Sangjin smirked, and the mercenaries behind him laughed heartily, adding their voices to the clamor.
〔Are you going to let this continue?〕
'I'm helping Minho. There's no need to interfere yet.'
〔It looks to me like he's inciting those small humans.〕
'He's acting like a rookie to distance himself, but he's actually pushing Minho to prove his strength.'
He must have emphasized "rookie" for a reason.
He's clearly trying to orchestrate a situation where Minho can showcase his abilities.
"My teammate is a 4 Star hunter."
"So?"
"A fair and square showdown with the strongest among us. That should satisfy everyone."
Min Sangjin looked back, and the mercenaries, who had been chatting amongst themselves, quickly agreed.
No one present was unaware of the huge difference between those who had crossed the 'wall' and those who hadn't.
"How can he handle mana if he hasn't even broken through the wall?"
"He's lucky if he doesn't get sliced to ribbons."
"If he can pull that off, I'll give him my respect."
Seeing that they were in agreement, Min Sangjin snapped his fingers.
A man rose from his seat.
As soon as he pulled the sword from the scabbard hanging at his waist, a blue aura enveloped the blade.
"Go."
"Yes, hyung. I won't disappoint you."
Kang Minho walked down from the platform and faced the man who was emanating mana.
They were 5 meters apart.
A single leap could close the distance in an instant.
"One last confirmation. If the mercenary leader can withstand the attack, we'll accept him. Does everyone agree?"
"We agree."
"He'll be lucky to survive."
"Maybe coming all the way to Ground Zero wasn't such a good idea after all."
Min Sangjin glanced at the grumbling mercenaries and then gave Kang Minho a sly grin that only he could see.
'So, the "rookie" line was a lie after all.'
Huff—
Kang Minho took a short, deep breath and steeled himself.
For some reason, the intimidating mercenary he had faced in the border region was giving him a chance.
And Yoojin was watching him with expectant eyes.
'I won't let you down.'
His first step as the Little Runts team, no, as the mercenary leader.
He didn't want to disappoint Yoojin, who had believed in him.
〔Minerva's Owl cheers you on.〕
‘Thank you, Goddess.’
Kang Minho took a deep breath and simultaneously activated his skills
[Moveable Fortress]
[Strong Blow]
[Athena's Protection - Aegis Lv1]
A blue aura and a white flash erupted at the same time.
Thud—!
The huge gust of wind caused by the explosion shook the entire hall.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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