The Apex

Dahlia removed her grip from the man. 'Mercenary, Huh?'

It wasn't like the man was too weak to yelp from her grasp. No. It was because her grip was very strong it could break any bone in the body. Good thing he has strong bones for it didn't seem to break.

The mercenary glared at Dahlia. He planned on stealing from Dahlia then selling her as a slave.

However his plan was for naught. Dahlia immediately sensed his ill intention and stopped him before he could do it.

Dahlia decided not to kill him. Since he was from the Lawless Region, he could help her get there safely. And she could ask him a few questions related to that place and how she'll find the witch.

The mercenary then realized that it was futile to fool someone like her, since she seems very strong. Like his mood made a complete turn, he took out his hand asking for a handshake.

"The name's Finn, sorry 'bout that." he said like nothing happened.

Dahlia looked at him suspiciously. ' This shamelless... Little! 'A moment later she took his hand and shook it.

"What's your name then?"

Dahlia shook her head. She didn't want to answer his question.

"How old are you by the way. I assume you're at least 18, am I right? " Dahlia was still unresponsive.

Seeing that she didn't want to answer him he asked a different question.

"May I see your face?... Since friends should be able to recognize each other, am I right?" he said shamelessly.

'This man really has thick skin, doesn't he? ' She thought.

"No. " she replied.

"Oh come on! What are friends for anyway?" he said exaggeratedly. He was quick to have a change of heart. A while ago he thought about swindling Dahlia and now he was acting like they were best friends.

"Stop asking meaningless questions and lead the way. " she commanded in a cold voice.

"Woah, easy there!" his eyes widened and he distanced himself. "It's completely necessary for someone to know identity of their new friend."

Dahlia was speechless.

"Shut up.. I didn't pay you to have a chitchat."Dahlia was starting to get annoyed with this man. He was a very talkative one for a mercenary.

He reminded her of those young maidens from noble families who attend social gatherings just to gossip with one another. Dahlia couldn't help but frown.

"Alright! No need to be so hostile." Finn turned on his heels and lead the way.

As they walked, he began to bombard her with questions.

"You seem very strong.. Who are you? Are you also a mercenary, or perhaps a bounty hunter? Or perhaps an assassin?" he asked wiggling his brows. He was interested in his so-called friend's identity.

"Neither of the three.." Dahlia answered lazily.

"Oh! So how'd you become strong then?"

"I don't know.."

Finn looked at her hidden face with puzzlement. What she said didn't make any sense. Surely, one would know what methods they used in order to become stronger.

"Well. If you didn't want to answer the question you could've just said so." Soon, he kept quiet and continued his pace.

They walked through countless alleyways until they reached the back alley of Dovk.

They stopped infront of a wagon. It was relatively big and there seemed to be people already inside. Finn stopped by the wagon's entrance and was greeted by one of his fellow mercenaries.

"What took you so long Finn? I thought you were just gonna rob someone on your way—" the man stopped his speech when Finn took out five pouches from his waist and held it infront of him.

"Oh. I see you got a lot." the man said.

Finn nodded and seemed to be searching for something. The man seemed to know what he was looking for.

"I hid it with the others." he said and Finn's eyebrows shot up.

"What if it mixed in with the others?" Finn asked.

"You could always check of course.." the man then laughed.

"Milby, you! —" Finn narrowed his eyes.

Dahlia cleared her throat. She didn't want to just stand there and watch a friendship reunion.

Milby, the man who Finn was talking to, peeked out the wagon and was surprised to see Dahlia. He gave a questioning look to his friend.

"And he is?"

"A client... Well actually, she's my new friend." Finn answered.

"A she?"

"Yes. A she.. Be careful though, she's very strong." he warned.

Milby thought Finn was joking but he didn't plan on picking a fight with Dahlia so it was fine.

"Trying to kill someone?" Milby asked as he looked suspiciously at Dahlia.

"No, we're taking her to the Apex."

Dahlia raised her head when she heard what Finn said. She didn't know what that meant or where Apex is, so she was confused.

Finn, upon noticing her confusion, whispered to her something. Dahlia seemed to understand so she nodded her head.

'Apex is another name for Lawless Region. Huh?'

Apex was another name for Lawless Region since it was located at the South's border line, meaning its the last town and the apex of the South.

Finn didn't mention the words Lawless Region itself. Those words were considered taboo in the entire kingdom. That's why many laughed at Dahlia when she was at the Tavern.

Milby then put his head back inside the wagon. Finn later entered the wagon and Dahlia followed after.

Upon entering, She saw a pile of sacks stacked together. They let out a foul smell akin to the smell of corpse.

'Well. It is corpse.' Dahlia thought.

Since they were mercenaries, it was certain that those sacks contained the body of their targets. She realized what the two were talking about a while ago.

It seemed like Finn didn't like the idea of mixing corpses up because it was troublesome to check each one later and considering how many days they will travel, it will definitely smell more horrible when they arrive at the Apex.

It was minutes later that another of Finn's companions arrived. He was a man a lot older than Milby and Finn, who didn't differ in age.

He soon gave a questioning look to Finn when he saw Dahlia.

"A client.. ' Finn answered seriously.

The man then turned and didn't ask any further questions. He headed towards the horse for the wagon and sat on the coachman's seat.

Soon the journey started. Finn told her that it will take 4-5 days before they arrive at Lawless Region. Dahlia waited patiently and decided to enjoy the rest of the journey.