Havoc's forty winks after lethal techniques

I almost stumbled on my steps. Reaching for a seat, I occupied an empty table and sat there for a while, letting my limbs gradually regain their strength back.

People awkwardly resumed their eating as they saw the 'young man' that caused a ruckus casually took a nap at the table.

After a few minutes, I looked up from my light sleep and was taken aback when I found a few weaponed men towering over my table.

There was slight panic in my heart.

Did I just doze off in a public place full of men...? I thought I just blinked but how long was I knocked out? And why are these men staring at me? Did I already blew my cover? Or perhaps, they're initiating a fight?

Then, one of the man extended his hand and grinningly said, "Comrade, will you join us in our venture to the Devil's Belt? We need someone as strong as you on our team."

I was dumbfounded.

Venture? Devil's Belt? Those words that implied danger were an enticing combination to my ears.

I couldn't help to suppress my smile.

Venturing the Devil's Belt was an operation intended to increase the kingdom's resources, reduce the monstrous beasts population surrounding the safe area of the kingdom, while potentially expanding the kingdom's territory. It was a noble campaign for all men to partake once a year.

Before I could reply, a taller man butted in and said, "What took you so long, we've been waiting for you."

We all turned to see a distinguished fine-looking gentleman wearing white commoner clothing.

He intercepted and looked at me with hints of concern on his eyes. He must've saw how I was tempted to join the four hooligans.

He looked like one of my past suitors.

But of course, I must be mistaken. It had been years since I was forced to entertain one after all.

He looked at me intently, as if telling me to play along.

However, inexplicably, seeing the tall man's well-defined aristocratic face somehow made me want to run from him rather than put my trust in him.

I shifted my attention back to the group and firmly shook the hand of the first man who seemed to be their team leader. I curtly raised a brow towards the fine gentleman in such a way that provoked him.

Dark aura emanated from him, expression completely unfathomable. I know, it must humiliating enough to casually offer a kind hand to a stranger only to get rejected and ignored.

But I dare not to trust anyone, especially a man with such an intoxicating gaze.

These charismatic people are usually the ones who usually harbor hidden agenda ultimately as they were frequently hired as spies back in our military.

At least with these four men, I expect less.

Finally, the team leader of the group broke the tension burbling between us. "I'm John, the team leader of the group. What should we call you, strong comrade?" he asked.

I had to stop my mouth before I could open it. Her name 'Vera' was on the tip of her tongue, but that name rather sound feminine. It would also be very troublesome if someone recognized my disguise.

I wracked my brain up to immediately come up with a name, but my nervousness caused me a mental block. I quickly looked around to look for inspiration but there were only a few wrecked chairs, shattered bowl, sticky floor, and confused nosy people scattered—it was as if I wreaked havoc in this small diner.

Thus, the word consequently popped in my mouth.

"...Havoc. Call me Havoc."

---

In an archipelagic continent, three kingdoms arose namely; the kingdoms of Zorun, Zayas, Midan.

In every kingdom, all capable men were bound to risk their lives at least once every year to venture the Devil's belt as their mandatory service.

Despite their level of cultivation, men are recruited in teams and are assigned with tasks within their capabilities. The campaign usually takes a few months, while some return within just a few weeks.

---

At a local inn near the central borders of the kingdom, several groups rounded up to discuss their strategies while locating possible areas with densest beast population and the safest areas to camp on.

The group that recruited me originally consist of four members; two swordsmen and two crossbowmen.

Although the two swordsmen each have a spare sword for me to borrow, they hid it away from me under the guise of further testing my strength while in fact—hence, I had to fight bare, assigned as a mere fist combatant.

But, I was no fool. I knew what they were up to.

They merely felt inferior in terms of battle prowess compared to me.

However, the impending sense of dread and unease about their non-tactical lineup was still in my mind. Hence, I suggested to recruit at least one medic on the team.

To my surprise, upon suggesting John said, "Medics? You mean healers?"

They looked at each other then laughed in unison.

"What are they even gonna do during a fight? Cry? Cheer for us?" Jack, the team's another swordsman, burst out.

"They'll just spectate and do nothing. We don't need mooches in our team," June, the team's crossbowman, scoffed.

Jakob, the second crosbowman, waved his hand and said, "They'll just be a drag when we fight. Man, this new recruit is hilarious."

Then, John tapped my shoulder as he explained, "Yeah, you see, we don't do that here, kid. Healers  are not allowed to go inside the Devil's Belt. They only wait near the borders for the scouts to return. Besides, they have all these beds, bandages, random herbs and other huge stuff they need to bring while travelling—they can't even carry those on their own. It's just way too inconvenient for both parties."

"But you must realize, medics are crucial inside the battlefield. They are a must especially between life and death situation," I argued.

They scoffed. "We've been venturing for years now, never needed them. Just trust us, we know the ropes around here," John said, with slight impatience on his voice.

I was profusely taken aback by their brazen confidence. It was as if I was talking to the same arrogant cadets during my trainee days back in the military.

Although, the substantial knowledge on surgery and medicine I had on her past life was still present on my mind, I didn't dream of holding any scalpel nor bandages anymore, much less being combat medic for these fools.

It was no longer a profession of my interest. It was a chore that demanded a lot of service ethic and stamina, while putting the interest of the patient ahead of our own.

I had dedicated my past life towards medicine before. This was my second life, and I wished to spend it for something more for myself, than prioritizing other people over my own.

If only these people knew how a combat medic managed to save 75 lives without ever carrying a gun.

But then, I realized how there was not a single team that included a medic on their lineup.

My gaze instinctively swept to her peripheral vision and saw the brooding tall man also glanced at towards my direction. I wondered about the man's team lineup in hopes of switching to a more reliable one, but saw no one but the female hybrid beside him.

They're venturing with just two people on their party?

Upon seeing the actual preparation of the groups of men to the Devil's Belt made them seem more irrational and reckless.

And men have the audacity to point out that women don't use their logic?

———

———

———

Eloi fleered upon seeing Havoc (Vera) argued with his team at their table. He reckoned that the young man was, perhaps, regretful of joining that team of hooligans instead of his.

"Your High--" Kat cut off herself mid-sentence before calling his attention. "Sir Eloi, you must rest now. We still have a few hours before we travel later."

"Mm." He replied cooly.

The man then raised a brow seeing Havoc stared at them. Then, he turned to Kat and asked, "Before we go, doesn't that young man seem familiar to you?" he pointed at Havoc.

Kat scrutinized her eyes to study Vera from afar and said, "No, Sir. But if you recognize him, then he must be part of the nobility."

Eloi hummed deep in thought. He might had been busy attending to his royal duties since his coming of age, but he was never the one to easily forget people's name. Perhaps Kat was right, he must be part of the nobilities that they had visited before. However, questions kept bugging him as he can't recall where, when and whose noble family did he belonged to.

He shrugged off. 'If one was so insignificant, then perhaps, he must be from a family of ordinary nobility.'

———