Chương 16: Journey to Craiovia

After two full weeks of resting and enjoying each other's company, I trained whenever I had a moment alone. The epic duel between Galer and Husher made me want to catch up more quickly to their immense power. I didn't want to be left behind any further. I was driven to improve because in their battle I could not see all of their skills being utilized, owing that to my still low Animo level.

I practiced new lines of attacks late into the evening, pushed my body until my muscles screamed, and tried to imitate the blinding speed and precision I had barely witnessed... in vain. Yet every time I thought I was closing the gap or at least getting better, the truth hit harder, I was still very far behind. Both of them kept reminding me gently that I had a long way to go and should not measure myself against them yet.

I knew strength didn't come without sacrifice: time, pain, sweat, and the willingness to keep going even when every fiber of your being begged for rest. I was ready to offer all of it, just so one day I could reach Siegfried, whom has turned more and more with each passing day to my ultimate goal. After that period of recovery and training, the three of us decided to head back to Plew together in search of a big score of a job. On the way, Galer turned to Husher with a curious look.

"Why are you coming all the way to Plew with us this time?" Husher scratched the back of his head, then suddenly stopped walking and dropped into a deep, formal bow. His usual cocky attitude was completely gone.

"I want to join your group permanently," he said, voice sincere and steady.

"The time we've spent together… it's been the best part of my life. Growing up in this region, I only knew betrayal and my own weakness that kept me going as a mercenary. Having comrades you can fully trust, banter with, and a rival to fight against, that makes a man truly shine. I truly found that, when we had our battle. I lived as a scammer, got stronger by betraying others and topping up some coin. You know how far that got me, Galer. But when you beat my ass… it wasn't just the loss that hurt that day.

It was the disappointment in your eyes. That look made me see how meager and empty my life had been so far. So I trained like hell... not only to beat you, but to overcome myself. The time we've spent fighting and traveling together proved something important to me: a man needs comrades by his side. Therefore I want to join." Galer stared at the bowing man for a long moment, then reached down and pulled him up firmly.

He gripped Husher's hand in a powerful handshake, both of them squeezing hard enough that their knuckles turned white and their faces tightened from the pressure.

"This is a no-brainer," Galer said through gritted teeth.

"Before now I would have told you to scram, you scamming bastard."

"But… I enjoyed the time together too. And you made me see something in myself I appreciate more than you know after our duel. Now I want a chance for a rematch one day. Can't let you be Number 1 for too long or your hubris will be end of me..." Husher looked confused and in pain at the same time, but he accepted the handshake with full force. I jumped in, clapping their shaking hands loudly with my one hand.

"New mercenary joined! I also concur... welcome to the team! Though Galer stays leader, bah!" I stuck my tongue out playfully. Husher immediately kicked my butt in annoyance. I laughed, and just like that, the friendship officially turned into a solid comrade bond. Before entering the city, we stopped at the Mercenary Registry to register Husher as another C-rank member into our group.

While doing the paperwork, Husher tried to flirt with the registry lady, a 25-year-old white woman named Elena with perfectly straight posture and an emotionally flat face like a wooden board. His smooth lines landed on ice-cold ground. Galer giggled quietly beside me. I didn't really understand what was happening or why Galer was giggling. Husher tried again, still landing on cold ground, but he grinned confidently and said, "I'll try again and again. I want to turn her frozen land into a spring valley."

We moved to the job board looking for a good score. An older man in his 40s approached us with purpose who looked like, an rugged old man, muscular Caucasian with weathered pale skin, a long flowing white beard, and messy gray hair. He is dressed in simple, worn garments consisting of a sleeveless earth-toned tunic with leather straps, a sturdy belt with a satchel attached on his left side, loose grayish trousers, and rugged leather boots..

"You guys are the ones who took down the mantis swarm and destroyed that one bandit den, right?" Galer and Husher answered together, "Yes." The man nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. I need your services. I was about to post a job, but if I can get trusted hands like yours, it won't be trouble." He extended his hand.

"My name is Gordin, from Clementica." Galer's eyes widened slightly.

"Clementica? That's quite far north-west from here."

"Ah, you know it?" Gordin asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I've been there twice in my life." I stayed quiet, not wanting to pry too much into their current discussion. We sat down at a nearby table, and Gordin began explaining the job.

"I have a big job. It's in the Dacram region." Both Galer and Husher almost stood up to leave immediately. I wanted to ask why they were rejecting the offer so fast, but before I could speak, Gordin raised his hands and insisted we stay.

"It's not about the known King's riches. We all know where those are, and they're still cursed, they can ruin entire regions. This neighbor of a region got hit second-hardest and still hasn't fully recovered, so that's not what I want to drag you guys into." He paused for effect, then continued.

"What I'm after is under the Castle of Craiovia... the one they now call the Castle of the King of Ruin. It's been abandoned for over a thousand years, taken over by monsters and beasts. Everything that was easy to loot has already been taken… but there are hidden under-caves that haven't been fully explored. That's where the Nibelungen was supposedly found and where the battle with the king took place for his wish." Galer stayed in a thoughtful pose.

He knew the Nibelungen stories were mostly fairytales, but the mention of hidden under-caves intrigued him.

"If you really intend to go where they supposedly fought, whether physically or in wits... then I'm curious. Erumes and I want to improve anyway. We'll take it." Gordin's face lit up with excitement.

"Perfect! You will be well compensated." Husher looked like he wanted to object, Nibelungen were fake, the battle was probably a waste of time but when Gordin offered half payment upfront (40 gold coins each), his eyes changed quickly and he spoke a different tune." Coin is the rightful king in my world. Count me in." We were supposed to meet the rest of the group at a tavern six kilometers north of the city in five days. Gordin said we weren't the only ones joining.

During those five days we prepared replacing our weapons with new ones or repairing what was bend or broken. I trained lightly while the others prepared mentally. On the meeting day we arrived at the tavern. Gordin came from the side, looking annoyed.

"Ah, guys!" anger in tone of his "You're late!" We all looked confused.

"You said 12 o'clock."

"No, I said 11: 30!" Husher shrugged casually.

"Take it lightly. We are here now. That is better than never showing up at all.." (In truth, I had reinforced the time as 12: 00 and they had forgotten. I lied and said a random number... oops, seems we 3 did not know the right time.) We went outside and found seven other people waiting. Gordin introduced us as "the lazy late corps," in angered jest. We took the jab on the chin and said nothing. Then one of the mercenaries immediately turned to Gordin with a frown.

"Gordin, are you serious? You're letting a child join this? He can't be more than ten. And what rank is he looking at my Mercenary tag... D Rank? That's insane for a job like this." The others chuckled or shook their heads. Gordin simply shrugged.

"I don't mind more people, the better, honestly. He's been traveling with Husher and Galer, whom both, I personally looked for. Galer: I can vouch for him personally. I am currently mentoring the boy." Husher nodded in firm agreement. The group quieted down, though a few still looked skeptical and others didn't look too happy either. After things calmed down, everyone properly introduced themselves, since this was going to be a tough expedition. • Mitsumare (A-rank, 29 years old): A man from the land of Wa.

He had dusk-warmed skin, long dark hair tied back in a warrior's knot, and a sharp, neatly trimmed mustache that gave him an air of disciplined manner. He wore lightweight lamellar armor reinforced with steel plates at the shoulders and chest, dyed in deep blue and silver traditional Wa styling that allowed for great mobility. Thunder attribute. • Rachina (B-rank, 30 years old): From Dacram. She had striking bright red hair that fell in wild waves and a confident, curvaceous figure.

She wore sturdy earth-toned scale armor with reinforced leather and metal plates across her torso and thighs, designed for durability in rough terrain. Earth attribute. • Justine (B-rank, mid-20s): From Clementica. A strikingly handsome man with sharp features, golden-blond hair, and an easy, roguish charm. He wore sleek, dark leather armor with subtle silver accents and flowing black cloth, perfect for blending into environments. Darkness attribute. • Theodoros (B-rank): A huge man from Helenia.

A towering, tanned southerner standing 1. 89 meters tall, completely bald with a thick, well-groomed mustache that curled at the ends like the warriors of old seafaring tales. He carried the strongest aura among the B-rankers and wore heavy bronze-and-leather armor with a lion-embossed breastplate, built for raw power. Wind attribute. • Mariana (B-rank, 19 years old): A young woman with light skin kissed by a slight olive tan, 1. 77 meters tall, and striking white hair that framed her face elegantly.

She moved with the refined poise of low nobility and wore ornate crimson with gold plate armor with flame motifs, a daughter of a Graf from Latiume, city of Agritento. Fire attribute. • Ursen (A-rank, recently promoted from B, 32 years old): From the Hun region. Tall and lean at 1. 80 meters with long, flowing dark blue hair. He wore practical but high-quality light plate armor with glowing silver runes, still glaring at Husher with clear lingering resentment. Light attribute.

• Olafigum (B-rank, 25 years old): A quiet man of 1. 79 meters with a calm, unassuming presence. He wore simple, well-maintained chainmail under a dark green cloak, practical and unflashy. Soul attribute. We introduced ourselves in turn. When Husher's name came up, Ursen made a pointed remark: "Be careful with this one. That's the scamming type." Gordin quickly explained what had happened, and Ursen decided to let it go for now, even while holding an objection in mind and staring at Husher like a beast at its prey.

Gordin, now calmer, explained the plan: We would ride a big carriage designed for heavy goods all the way to the old Castle of Craiovia in the Dacram region. Our task was to clean up the area and explore the hidden under-caves that hadn't been fully searched. As we rode, the group talked. The huge man from Helenia asked me how a young one-armed boy like me was joining such an expedition with such a high ceiling of danger. I answered confidently, "I can pull my own weight, don't worry.

I want to grow stronger faster, and with the support from my comrades, I know I will be fine in this expedition." He laughed heartily.

"Little boy full of himself. I like that. I'll keep an eye on you, if you truly can pull your weight when things get dangerous." The carriage, pulled by two strong bulls and one small, fast Minotaurus (a transport breed, not built for fighting), moved swiftly. The journey took only 3 hours and 22 minutes. We arrived at the huge, overgrown castle. Grass and trees had claimed the ancient stone walls, giving it a wild, forgotten beauty.

Yet the low growls and distant roars echoing from within made it clear that danger still ruled these ruins. I stepped forward with burning eagerness. I wanted to grow stronger, catch up to my rivals and mentor, and prove once again that this one-handed boy would keep up and not be sidelined in this mission or future expedition. A new challenge would begin for all of us.