The moment I heard the word “<Yellow Dragon>.”
【Conditions met.】
【 Opening a part of <Black Wolf>‘s memories!】
A vivid system window popped up, and <Black Wolf>‘s memories surfaced as clearly as my own.
This place, where my opponent and I sat side by side, was the center of a forest that had turned into a chaotic mess.
– So, what do you plan to do now? Or rather, what do you plan to do, Captain?
I calmly opened my mouth as I stared at the broken-down shack now reduced to fragments.
– Your mercenary name was <■■>, wasn’t it?
– That’s correct, but…
After a moment of deliberation, I gave my answer to the burly middle-aged man with white hair.
– Then, I’ll go with <Yellow Dragon>.
– Phah! Isn’t that a bit too much following?
– <Yellow Dragon> will guard the sun, and <Black Wolf> will guard the moon.
– Wow, you really only say what you want, huh?
From that day on, I started mercenary work with ■■ as the fifth member.
Starting from F-ranked mercenaries, tackling significant events, and eventually reaching S-rank in just a month.
I received the mercenary badge with the awkward congratulations from the guild branch manager.
And that very day,
– I heard rumors. Thus, I wish to issue a somewhat difficult request.
– The strongest <Yellow Dragon> accepts the mandate of the sun.
It was the beginning of <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon>‘s journey to safeguard the sun.
“…Damn son of a bitch, you lived a damn colorful life.”
Eh? Captain?
Ignoring Ruby’s confused voice, I tightly suppressed the rage that had welled up for the first time in a while.
I wanted to grab onto something and throw a punch, but every time it ended badly.
– Brother Han?! Did you fight again?
– No.
– Sip. Didn’t we promise not to lie?
– Sorry. I actually fought, but that piece of shit started trouble by dissing orphans, so I smashed his shin to pieces with an aluminum bat.
– Ah! So that’s why this month’s medical bills fell short?
– …Sorry.
– No, no! You should’ve just died sooner!
– A, no, I’ll somehow…!!
Since the outcomes had never been good, I managed to calm down this time too.
It was then that I finally noticed the faint blue glow of a status window hovering in front of my eyes.
【Until the next Bad Ending <6.???>, a grace period of <7 days> remains!】
Stay calm,
I’ve got plenty of time.
“One step at a time.”
Regaining my composure, I turned my gaze to Ruby standing frozen.
“Ruby.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Right now, I needed to assess my strength, understand the contents of the <Original Work> and <Setting Book>, and figure out upcoming events and accidents.
In addition to that, I needed a plan for how to handle situations as both <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon>, and how to utilize the <Black Wolf Mercenary Group>.
With the mountains of things I needed to do immediately, what I needed the most now was…
“I’m going for a walk from this moment.”
“Ah! Again with me…!”
“No. Alone.”
To Ruby, “going for a walk” was slang for acting as <Yellow Dragon>. Ruby frowned upon realizing this and asked.
“Whaat? For how long?”
“A week should be enough.”
“Whhaaat?!”
The instant I finished speaking, Ruby stepped forward and grabbed my hand.
“Without the Captain! Do you know how dangerous a pack of unleashed mad dogs can be?!”
Of course, there’s no way I would remember that.
“Last time when you left for two days for <Yellow Dragon> activities, the vice-captain took three members and wiped out a kingdom, don’t you remember?!”
Oh, that really was tough.
‘Wait, how did you clean up after that?’
Ruby,
you could be more useful than I thought?
“Anyway.”
Thanks to Ruby’s whining, I realized one certain fact.
‘Let’s set something up beforehand and move forward.’
I had originally planned to leave the base under the pretext of secluded training to wander around, assess my strength and information, and devise future plans.
“Our mansion was sold because of the cleanups!”
Losing control over <Black Wolf>, the mercenary group was now like mad dogs themselves.
Then here’s the question…
‘What should I order them to do?’
If I tell them just to stay put, wouldn’t they ignore such an order?
“Then, let’s issue an order. Just stay still.”
“What do you mean if you told us to stay still? The last time I did that in the hideout, I sent some kids to raid the mercenary union, don’t you remember?”
“…Ruby, you’re talking about yourself.”
“Hehe, got it.”
Ruby, please.
‘Then what do you want me to do?’
Just lock yourself in the hideout, learn what you learn, and plan while waiting?
No?
If I’m suspected of anything?
And considering I need to operate as both <Black Wolf> and <Yellow Dragon>?
My temples throbbed as I absentmindedly stared at the dim dawn.
Ruby then smiled coyly, swayed her long red hair, and tilted her head toward me.
“Anyway, Captain.”
With thin, white fingers, she gently pushed me backward toward the stairs.
“You know, don’t you? If it weren’t for Captain, all of us <Black Wolf> members would’ve died.”
Thud.
My tired body leaned against the stairs, and a wave of drowsiness spread through my entire body.
Within the dim hideout,
through the cracks between the walls, where the wind blew,
accompanied by a strong scent of roses,
I instinctively followed the fragrance and raised my head to find a red woman standing there, who leaned in with a smile and whispered in my ear.
“So, please don’t leave us.”
Even though,
“Even for just a moment.”
“…….”
“…….”
Deep affection.
A lurking madness hidden within.
As I gazed into her profound eyes, twisted like the center of a red rose,
“Ktch.”
Ruby stepped back from me, planted her feet, and laughed, shaking off her madness.
“Anyway, just think about it, Captain. Can’t you hold out for a mere week without getting into accidents? No matter how far away you are from us, you’ll always come back and embrace us, won’t you?”
…Right, Captain?
Despite the slightly unsettling tone, I nodded and stood up.
“Anyway, the most crucial thing right now is to assess my strength, organize the information I have, and fulfill the job entrusted to <Yellow Dragon>.”
Assessing my strength and organizing the information wouldn’t take more than half a day, so the job entrusted to <Yellow Dragon> was the real issue.
But,
“<Black Wolf>‘s fifth member, ■■, could finish it in less than a day, couldn’t he?”
Considering all, I decreased the period as much as possible and added a day for rest when informing Ruby.
“I’ll reduce the absence to three days.”
“Even though it’s shortened, …still three days?”
“Enough. No more objections.”
“…Understood, Captain.”
Ruby deeply bowed, accepting that this was the final decision.
“And the members don’t need to worry. I’ll issue commands to keep them in line for at least three days before I leave for my walk.”
“…!”
The dim eyes of Ruby, which were fading into despair, started sparkling red again.
After much thought, I informed her of the order I had decided on.
“Cleaning and repairs.”
I would also like to live in a cleaner house for once.
Looking around the hideout, Ruby nodded seriously.
“Indeed, it’s time for a proper cleanup. Sorry, Captain. I should’ve attended to this before… Ah, so last time was also thanks to you?”
Recycling?
I nodded immediately.
“Right. They waited quietly until I gave the order, but the place is still dirty.”
“Captain is correct. Cleaning and repairs need consistent attention. The blame lies with the members.”
Damn, Ruby…Ruby…
It was finally touching to meet a member who appreciates the importance of cleaning.
“I’ll pass this on to the members. Don’t worry, and return safely from your walk.”
“Right. I’ll leave with peace of mind.”
“…!!”
The insult about “no-good women” is canceled. Anyway, just as I was about to leave the hideout,
“Ah.”
I remembered the rock sugar I had prepared before sleeping to replenish my energy and turned back.
Back in my old world, snacks were abundant, but in this world, even small pieces of rock sugar were considered a luxury item.
I gave it to her happily, meeting someone who finally understands the importance of cleanliness.
“…What’s this?”
Ruby caught the square piece like a squirrel and asked with sparkling eyes.
I smirked slightly and answered.
“Take your time and let it melt.”
“Could it be…? … Yes, I fully understand.”
“…?”
Taking your time to let it melt shouldn’t be that hard to understand, right?
“Anyway, it seems I managed to handle it well…”
【List of Held Skills – <Yellow Dragon>】
-Passive: Sun’s Favor (EX).
-Skill 1: Solar Obliteration (EX). (New!)
-Skill 2: (Access Denied).
-Ultimate Skill: (Access Denied).
Should I go check how much stronger I’ve become?
2.
A few hours after Naham left the <Black Wolf> mercenary guild’s hideout.
“Ugh… It’s time for lunch…”
“Urgh, sis, I really can’t move…”
“Don’t exaggerate, Luna. I’ve given enough leeway.”
As usual, the members of the <Black Wolf> guild gathered for breakfast, but instead of the usual warm morning, they were greeted by a bloody woman.
“You’re late.”
“Where’s the Captain?”
“Take a seat first.”
Ruby, trying to hold back rising madness, offered a seat while Lac Tea, seemingly ignoring Ruby’s existence, questioned again.
“Where’s the Captain?”
“Ah… So, you see—”
Swish.
Before the words ended, a sword slashed through the air, grazing Ruby’s cheek.
“!”
“…Heeek. I really let you off easy.”
The startled Han Ryang and Luna watched in silence as Lac Tea asked again.
“Where’s the Captain?”
Thud.
A thin tear from the wound dripped blood down Ruby’s cheek.
Gradually, the blood-streaked gaze of Ruby began to waver and deepen, but,
“-I’ll leave with peace.”
That voice calmed her down, making her smile again as she answered.
“He’s out.”
“How long?”
“Three days.”
That was all the necessary information.
Lac Tea rose from her seat.
‘Let’s go find him.’
This time, unlike yesterday, I won’t lose him and will be with him through every moment until the end.
“He said he’s going alone.”
I’ll put up with the noise and bother, but I’ll wait.
“-Guard the <Black Wolf>.”
That was our promise.
Click.
Wearing the mask presented by the Captain, I tried to leave the old hideout when,
“Cleaning and maintenance has been ordered.”
Again, that irritating voice.
“Even after waiting patiently for his instructions and the reminder, he still said it’s too dirty.”
A content that can’t be ignored.
“…Han Ryang. Luna. Didn’t I mention this before?”
Lac Tea’s cold golden eyes slowly moved toward Han Ryang and Luna.
“If the Captain is disappointed again, I’ll kill all of you, and then myself.”
She meant it.
Overflowing death aura.
“Wait! Enough already!”
“I am absolutely not dying.”
“Hehe… That’s what I said, Captain. Three days is too long.”
All the members, except for Lac Tea, instinctively stood and moved away.
Glug.
Ruby swallowed, thinking.
‘Ah, judging by her expression, she still wants to scratch, but if she does, they might really die.’
Swish.
Pulling something from her bosom, Ruby slowly placed it on the table.
“The Captain was also feeling quite frustrated, so he gave us this clue before leaving.”
Rock sugar.
The part touched by her fingers had slightly melted, the sharp edges worn down, a pure white and sweet cube that had been crushed into powder.
The scattered gazes of the members, which had been all over the place, sharpened and turned to it, and as Ruby picked it up again and grinned, she added.
“Take your time and let it melt.”
Confusion appeared on Han Ryang’s face,
Pale shock was forming on Luna’s face,
And the expressionless face of Lac Tea started to change.
““”…Take your time.”””
A creepy smile began to form.
