Ch.13: The Oath

Calix wipes away the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth and stares blankly at the middle of the battlefield.

Kwaaang!

"This crazy... Keoreok!"

The old mercenary who lost his memory, Gregor, is in the middle of tearing, crushing, and slashing enemies.

The enemies' countless sword strikes either bounce off the center of his shield or lose their target and slice through empty air, and as a result, when they lose their bodily center... Conversely, several necks are pierced by a couple of counterattacks.

Seogeok, puk!

"Aaaaak!"

"Keok, keoheok!"

And his long experience emanates right from those sword strikes. As if there's no need to pierce through the opponent's body, he incapacitates them by cutting arteries or severing tendons.

In less than a minute, dozens of bandits die while trying to stem the blood gushing from their own bodies.

Overwhelming force, combining masterful shield techniques with clean one-handed swordsmanship.

'Are all purple-tinged people at that level?'

Calix watches Gregor without taking his eyes off him, along with quiet admiration.

'I have a long way to go. I need to become like that too.'

Indeed, he nearly died facing just a blue-tinged bandit leader. If he hadn't awakened in time, it really would have been dangerous.

Uueop, eueok! Keulleok!

However, before that, the side effects of excessive ability use come again. His lungs seem injured, as bloody coughs and dry heaving continue from the corner of his mouth.

One of the bandits sees this and approaches to cut his throat, swinging down a sword, and immediately teoeoong- the sound of metal clashing against metal rings out.

"Stay where you are. The leader seems to have arrived, too, so there's no need to overdo it."

"...Yes."

Were Gregor's green eyes always so vivid?

Tuweoong!

But what's even more impressive than that is his skill in handling the shield.

The fierce-looking bandit swings his sword horizontally, but the old mercenary deflects it at an oblique angle just before the sword and shield collide.

Then, without giving the opponent a chance to retrieve his weapon, he swings his left hand along with the shield to strike the jaw powerfully.

Peoeok! Kung.

Suu-uuk.

As the bandit falls unconscious like a puppet with cut strings, Gregor leisurely lowers his one-handed sword and thrusts it into the throat.

At this, Calix makes one resolution.

'I must learn that shield technique somehow.'

In the midst of this, as the bandits sense something ominous in the situation, explosive purple light bursts from Gregor's nape again.

"It seems they won't come any closer. No, are they too busy running away?"

"..."

"Marik!"

"Gregor, you called for me."

"I'll handle the cleanup. Please take care of this fellow. I owe him a life debt."

"Yes."

Just then, cheers can be heard from the village outskirts as well.

The leader who went out to the forest has returned.

That was exactly the last scene Calix remembered.

***

Calix regained consciousness on the second day after the battle ended.

'This place... Inside a tent? My whole body aches.'

Even lying on a makeshift bed, he could easily tell that the side effects of the neural accelerator had put serious strain on his body.

Not only his muscles and joints, but his mouth also had a metallic taste.

In the midst of this, Volga was immersed in conversation with Hadiya, not even knowing he had awakened.

"No, so you just took money and donkeys from the villagers and that's it? You should make them pay the price for betrayal."

"Listen here, you have to think about our reputation as mercenaries, too. Extorting money and roughing up clients are completely different matters."

"Even so..."

"Besides, honestly speaking, it wasn't entirely unexpected either. Why do you think the saying 'there's no death more meaningless than wandering around outside' is commonly heard? In any village, if you starve for a few days and pick up a pitchfork, that becomes banditry. Mercenaries are no exception."

In reality, most of it was sharp questioning rather than conversation. For Volga, there were many aspects that were difficult to understand in the process of carrying out the request.

Since this was also the complaint of newcomers, it soon led to another question.

"Then just one more thing. Why did you deliberately lure them to fight?"

"...You mean how the leader surrounded and annihilated the enemy?"

"Right. We split the group into two, and ten people died. We could have just attacked the bandits' hideout directly."

At this, Hadiya gives a bitter smile and provides an answer. If it were just someone who had entered, she wouldn't know, but having fought one battle, she could answer in detail.

"Because we can't fight in the forest. That's the area where the bandits operate."

"What's the problem with that?"

"Well, getting ambushed would be a problem. Especially, arrows are the problem."

"Arrows? Arrows are only used when hunting beasts. Who would die from getting hit by an arrow?"

Newcomers are always like this.

They're not accustomed to death, so they respond emotionally to everything.

"If you had the neural accelerator turned on, it wouldn't be a big deal. But do you know when a fight will end? Are you going to keep it turned on continuously until you repel the bandits? This time too. Volga, you didn't even fight for half a day, but you couldn't regain consciousness because of the neural accelerator's side effects. Right?"

"That's..."

"I guarantee, if the leader had chosen to attack the hideout, not ten but at least thirty would have crossed to the afterlife. If you want to live as a mercenary for a long time, remember this. 'Don't overestimate yourself and don't underestimate the enemy'. It's an old maxim."

However, the serious advice is interrupted by Calix's coughing sound. It wasn't intentional interference, but his respiratory organs had swollen, and he couldn't endure it any longer.

"Calix!"

"You're awake. Wait a moment. I'll bring Lady Ella."

Having been unconscious for two days, the inside of the tent becomes busy. Volga brings his face close and examines Calix's condition.

There were bloodshot eyes, but nothing seemed seriously wrong.

"...Volga."

"Yes, Calix. It's me, Volga!"

"You're loud. Step back and talk."

"..."

Why did I worry about this guy?

However, Calix forces himself to sit up.

"Hey, stay lying down. The healer-"

"I'm fine. There's no big problem."

"How do you know that?"

"Neural... Anyway, there's something like that."

What he was about to say was honest for a moment. He quickly concludes his words as he realizes that his neural accelerator and Volga's are fundamentally different.

In fact, his neural accelerator clearly indicated that there was no major problem.

Name: Calix

Age: 19

Biological Indicators

Strength: 3/10 [Growth delayed due to injury]

Agility: 4/10 [Recovering from muscle and joint damage]

Endurance: 3/10 [Recovering]

Reality Acceleration: 1.6x [Limited output]

Maximum Oxygen Uptake (VO2 max): 7/10 [Temporarily decreased state]

Vision: 7/20 [Partially damaged, recovering]

Physical Recovery: 6/10 [Recovery complete]

[Mental State]

Mental Contamination: 41% [Continuously improving]

Neural Network State: 97% [2% decrease]

[Physical Development]

Muscle Development: 44%

Bone Density: 79%

Although various explanations were attached, the result was that nothing like 'permanent physical damage' had occurred.

"The fight is completely over, right?"

"Yes. All the bandits are dead. While the old man was causing a ruckus, Commander Royce came charging in too... He completely massacred them."

"How many of ours died?"

"Um, ten. One of the wounded is in really bad condition, but I don't know what will happen."

"...I want to go outside. Help me up."

"Oh, okay. Sure."

Soon, Calix walks out of the tent with Volga's support.

Village outskirts.

The mercenary company camp clearly shows traces of the recent battle. The supply wagon bears traces of being scorched by fire and gives off a faint stench, and inside it, spoils of war are piled up densely.

"That? Those are things we stripped while disposing of the bandits' corpses. About half of them were taken after finding and raiding the hideout."

"Those donkeys?"

"The price of betrayal. We got them from the villagers. Many couldn't escape from the flames... We need to pull the wagons, right? Oh, I heard we also got double the mission completion fee. Anyway, it's regrettable. They say you shouldn't touch the clients."

However, the two people's gaze soon reaches the center of the camp. Something was happening as veteran mercenaries were gathered together in one place.

"...So in the end, it's difficult to do anything about it."

"Yes. The toxin has spread throughout the body through the mana in his system."

Commander Royce sighs at healer Ella's answer.

Various minor injuries resulted from the aftermath of the battle, but the biggest problem was Kenta, one of the veteran mercenaries.

The man who favored using hand axes had been stabbed in the back of his waist with a poisoned blade, and his condition was worsening as time passed.

"Can't he hold on until we reach the city? The nearest place would take 4 days to reach. I understand that forcibly activating combat enhancement functions helps with endurance."

"As I mentioned, the poison has spread through his mana. If we activate combat enhancement functions, it would spread even faster. The pain would only increase."

"..."

As silence falls at the cold answer, Calix asks Volga about the woman's identity.

"That's Lady Ella. She always wears a hood, so I found out for the first time, too. They say she's a healer and a priestess."

"A priestess?"

"Yes. A priestess of the Kriya Order. She seems to be on a pilgrimage outside. She's the one who treated you, too."

At this, Calix looks at the other person attentively.

She was a woman just past thirty, her long brown hair neatly tie,d showing off her elegance, and her skin slightly tanned by sunlight bore traces of a long journey.

Also, in her gently rippling eyes, inner strength and the unique serenity of a priestess shone through.

When such a person informed them that there wasn't much time left, all the mercenaries of the 'Mountain Rabbits' showed sorrowful expressions.

"Ericha."

"..."

"Ericha!"

"...Yes, leader."

"Withdraw the oath."

"But..."

Then suddenly, the woman wearing leather armor shows signs of hesitation. At this, leader Royce reminds her of the 'Mountain Rabbits' promise.

"Ericha, you promised. That you wouldn't let anyone depart alone. Sorrow belongs to those left behind, so you would go to meet those who depart. Therefore, you-"

"... Will stay by your side and watch over death."

"Right. It's time to keep the promise. Bring him."

"...Yes."

That was truly an indescribable scene, Calix thought.

Vice-Captain Marik and the dwarf Basim, combat specialist Zahira, and Gregor with clear eyes, even Hadiya, who had gone to call healer Ella. Regardless of whether they were company officers, veterans, or newcomers, everyone was overwhelmed by the atmosphere and looked at only one person.

Teobeok teobeok.

Ericha.

The veteran mercenary, who mainly used short spears and daggers and was praised for being skilled at distance control, bit her lips tightly and entered the tent, soon returning with a man in her arms.

Seureureuuk.

What was laid down in the center of the group was Kenta, who had suffered fatal injuries. Fortunately or unfortunately, he seemed conscious even while breathing heavily ssaek ssaek- due to high fever.

"Kenta."

"Has... The time has come."

"..."

"I knew it would be like this someday."

What was happening?

Kenta smiled calmly, but Ericha couldn't easily continue her words as she was shedding tears drop by drop.

"Ericha, you were a really unlucky bitch. Damn it. You never lost to me even once when I only used axes. You were really fucking good at distance control."

"The only one who talks to me like such a fucking... Bastard is you."

"Hehe, look at that temper. But you know what. I'm a bit sleepy right now. My stomach is nauseated. I guess my given time is all up."

"..."

"Ericha, I'm ready."

And Calix naturally came to understand what withdrawing an oath meant.

Seureureureuuk.

Ericha drew a dagger from its sheath and placed it on Kenta's chest. Biting her molars tightly to suppress her tears, the next step was to put it into action.

"We are... Mountain Rabbits. Insufficient as one, we form a complete whole as two, and relying on firm faith, we face our enemies. We do not turn away from each other in the face of crisis and will never let anyone depart alone. If our given time is different, then staying by your side-"

"I will watch over death."

Surprisingly, Kenta smiled faintly.

It was an emotion Calix could never understand.

"So, as I swore, I will guard your end. As we promised, I will deeply engrave your name and memory and continue walking the path you left behind. Kenta, Kenta, Kenta... I won't be able to forget you."

Kwaak!

As the blade soon pierced his heart and a horrible sound echoed, the newcomers flinched involuntarily, while the veteran mercenaries only shared their sorrow in silence.

And after a while, after even holding a brief funeral, Calix and Volga properly learned what the 'Mountain Rabbits' oath was through Zahira's explanation.

"That's... The process of becoming a member of the Mountain Rabbits. When you think you can definitely trust each other, you make the oath. 'As a mercenary, it would be absurd to rush in to save someone, but I will somehow save at least you. If that's difficult, I will at least watch over your final moment'. When you find a partner like that, you gain the qualification to act as a member of our mercenary company."

"I see. I... Actually thought the two of them were lovers."

"In some ways, it's more binding than that. Unless you're a crazy bastard like your friend, there are no cases of rushing into the middle of a battlefield. Even ordinary lovers couldn't do that."

"..."

"Don't misunderstand. It's pure praise."

As the evening glow set, Calix pretended not to hear the conversation between the two. However, Volga seemed to be completely absorbed in that thing called an 'oath'.

"Hmm, then if Calix and I make that oath, can we become 'Mountain Rabbits'?"

"No. Unless specially recognized by the leader, one of the two must already belong to the mercenary company."

"Damn."

"Don't even think about pestering Ericha to receive an oath. You'll really get stabbed."

"I'm not that tactless, you know?"

However, despite her warning, a person who wants to make an oath appears shortly after, causing inevitable commotion.

"Royce."

"Gregor, what's the matter?"

"I want to make an oath."

"...You?"

"I know the timing isn't good. However, it's rare for me to be in my right mind."

"Hmm, you've been firmly refusing until now... Then who are you thinking of doing it with?"

"Gallix."

"Gallix?"

"...Probably a name similar to that."

Gregor had pointed to Calix.

Chapter 13