Chapter 5: One more lesson for the road

Monkey awoke in a cold sweat; he placed his hand on his chest. The gem was still there. He traced the outline of it new form across his chest once it was put inside. He could picture it. A bright red color.

“no more waiting. Today was the day” he said to himself.

He lied back down and wrapped the covers over him.

“five more minutes” he said going back to sleep.

~

Monkey let out another yawn as he made his way to the mercenary hall, he wishes he could’ve stayed in bed a little longer but he truthfully, he didn’t want any more problems to come at him from not having a badge. He looked around. Suddenly he was surrounded by people selling food, jewelry and clothes.

“This must be the market area” he thought,

He must be getting close. He continued heading straight until he came upon a huge building. At the very center. Just like the innkeeper said. If Monkey needed more proof this was the right place, he saw warriors outside talking. Races From the rabbit, dragon, ox, rooster he even saw a few of his people here. He saw many different races here. It was.... unusual to see this many that wasn’t at the cathedral.

Monkey made his way inside and already all eyes was on him.

“it's alright. Just, act normal. Like you belong here” he said as he made his way towards the counter

Monkey was too stiff; he was too nervous. He could literally feel their eyes still on him as he made his neared the counter

“why the hell are they continuing to watch me. I can't be the first person to walk in this place carrying a bloody bag. Is it that weird? Should I have left the bag and blatantly carry its head? Maybe it’s the smell? I was tired, didn’t feel like rushing over here yesterday. OH! Maybe I should've? It would've made me look more like a warrior in front of them.”

As Monkey neared the counter, he couldn’t help but notice someone already speaking to the barkeep. Not speaking, more like arguing. As he got closer, he could make out what they were saying.

“can’t you cut me a break this once Taichi. You know I need the money and this job is perfect for me!”

the voice was female, mature. Monkey saw she had a feather in her dark brown hair, she also carried two tomahawks behind her.

“rules are rules, if you don’t have the gold. You can't be a mercenary. I don’t care how many monsters you slay.”

The barkeep. Taichi, Told her.

He sighed.

“you’re ruining business for other mercenaries, Konni. You can't keep doing this”

“what exactly is she doing?” Monkey thought to himself. His curiosity getting the better of him.

“I can and I will. Honestly all this could be avoided and legit if you just gave me a badge.” she spoke as if she was speaking to a child. It was obvious on Taichi face that he was not amused by this tone.

“you’re not even getting paid. All you are doing is risking your life stealing jobs from the rest of us!!”

Taichi voice was rising. Monkey got a good look at the man. His hair, a light green. Fell mid length. It seemed like the sleeves on his shift has been ripped off. Probably by his own doing. He’s brown eyes showing his annoyance with the woman.

“I would be getting paid if you’d just give me a badge!” Konni insisted.

“cough up five gold then. You'll get your badge. Simple as that” Taichi replied.

“I can't because I don’t have the money. The people refused to pay me after the job” She said.

“I don’t know why that surprising. We can’t pay someone that isn't an official mercenary. Times are hard since the war but the rules are clear, if you don’t have a badge, you don’t get paid. No badge and you’re doing jobs don’t be expecting payment out of kindness.” Taichi told her.

Monkey didn’t understand what he was hearing. Just because she didn’t have a badge, he refused to pay her? Even after she done the job? His thoughts went back towards Vulcan. Sure, the guy was an asshole. But he still offered to pay Monkey. Though withholding information, he probably thought he could reclaim the gold at a later date. Nah, the old man didn’t seem that heartless. Though his hatred for mercenaries was real. Monkey stepped beside the older woman.

“if all this is about a badge. I’ll pay it for her. Including mine as well” Monkey caught both their attention as they looked up at him, making note of his torn clothes. Konni not missing a beat quickly took the offer.

“you see that! Kindness isn’t dead yet. As for my proof, as you said I took on enough jobs that you know I can handle my own out there” Konni had a smug of a smile on her face.

Taichi, head in his hand while he waved with the other finally relented.

“fine, fine. If the boy wants to pay for your badge then that’s that. At least now you won’t be bothering me about it.”

Konni turned too Monkey

“thank you. I’ll never forget this. BEING THE ONLY GENTLEMAN OUT OF THESE OLD BASTARDS TO ACTUALLY HELP A LADY IN NEED!!!” she yelled at the rest of the mercs.

“you ain’t no lady Konni!! And no one in their right mind would waste gold on a woman who steal jobs from the rest of us!!” one of them replied back.

They laugh as they went back to drinking and eating.

Monkey was confused. The atmosphere seemed lighter now. He had assumed someone stealing jobs would be hated but it seemed none of the other actually mind that she did this.

“take a seat right here buddy. HEY! Taichi. Where are our badges at!?” she yelled at the man.

“as soon as the boy pays, you’ll get them. I take it that there your proof as well” Taichi pointed at the bag Monkey was carrying.

“yeah” he answered dropping the bag on the counter.

Taichi open it, the head crushed from where Monkey had repeatedly smashed the branch, the smell was horrible.

“goddamn boy, what did you do? A Deviljoe. Impressive.” Taichi said.

“what's a Deviljoe?” Konni asked.

“that right. You're barely away from the kingdom to actually run into one of these. Highly resistance to fire. These creatures sleep underground during the day. Only coming out at night to hunt.” Taichi answered.

Yeah. Monkey wish he knew from the start that these things had a resistance to fire. The beast almost killed him.

He pulled out ten gold and paid the man. While Taichi went into the back to make their badges Monkey took this opportunity to ask Konni some questions.

“If you don’t mind. Why were you taking jobs without a badge?” He asked.

“why you offered to pay for my badge when you don’t even know me?” She asked back

“I-I. W-well...” Monkey stammered unable to think of an answer

Konni burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry. I can tell you’re a nice guy and by the looks of you, your travel hasn’t been easy. But. Glad to see that they haven't harden you.... yet”

She said the last part almost in a whisper,

“we need more people like you around. I do need the money and mercenary work pays well. But...I see mercenaries as more than that.” She said.

“what do you mean?” Monkey asked, confused what else being a mercenary could bring beside lots of gold.

“The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” her eyes showed she wasn’t here no more. As if gazing into the past once she spoke those words.

“Mercenaries take jobs the kingdom’s soldiers won’t do or too busy to do with their war.” she almost spat the last words out.

“unless these creatures threaten them directly the kings and queens won't act to help their people. That where mercenaries come in. Willing to take on any job. Hunt any monster. If the price is right. That one way to look at it. But unlike the nations. Mercs are actually helping people. They risk their lives making the roads as safe as possible, making it possible for farmers to grow food or for merchants to travels the roads.” Konni stared at monkey her eyes believing every word she said.

Monkey shook his head. “it’s a nice thought. But it just for the gold. No one in their right mind would go down this path just for the sake of helping people.”

Konni slammed her fist on the counter “and that the problem!”

Monkey was shocked by that outburst. Konni calmed herself then pointed at the board.

“Don't get me wrong, there only so much they can do, roads are still dangerous, Monster still terrorizing villages. But it's better than how it use to be... That where you’ll find requests for monsters the people need taken care of. You’ll notice for yourself that the ones that barely pay any coin at all is overlooked. If it isn't offering at least one gold coin you’ll be lucky if someone takes the job at all. Those are the ones I do.” she reached behind the counter grabbing a bottle.

“I’ll put that one on your tab konni!!” Taichi yelled from the back.

“how does he always know” she said before taking a deep drink.

“ok...so you’re one of the few that takes low paying jobs. But from what I hear you don’t even get paid. Why go so far when the people are so ungrateful” Monkey asked

“no....please don’t think like that” Konni said. Her tone softening.

Monkey was again surprised. One minute she seemed ready to cleave someone head off now here she is showing sympathy.

Konni continued. “they’re just scared. And trust me they’re very grateful for the work I do. But most are just frightened. I’m sure you’re already aware of the battle against the black beast.”

Monkey nodded. He was well aware of that battle years ago. The battle where his uncle and father died. The main and only reason he became a mercenary.

“it’s amazing isn’t it. The one time all twelve kingdoms came together and what happened? We lost. Tell me. What do you do when all twelve nations come together to fight ONE monster and lose? Their generals, soldiers dying for no reason. Only for that thing to continue living.”

Monkey didn’t have an answer. Konni didn’t wait for one

“We’re living in fear. Ever since that battle more beast are appearing rapidly, more Azure are showing up, oh and to make the news even better it seemed our gods have abandoned us as well.” She took another swig of the bottle.

“The world in chaos. And in such a world you only care about one thing. Survival. And the need to survive will make anyone selfish. Not mainly for themselves, granted. But for the ones they need to care for as well. The coin that was meant for the mercenary could’ve been used to buy provision for the hard months ahead. Food, water, medicine. Everything going to hell, I even found some who wish to die so they could reincarnate into a better life.”

Monkey stared down in silence. Listening to every word she was saying.

“I won’t refuse to help these people. Not when they need it the most. Even if it paid only one copper.”

Taichi came out and placed two green stones on the counter.

“Two badges. Congrats! You're officially mercenaries starting today!” he said.

Konni grabbed hers, as she got up from her seat. She turned towards Monkey “I won't forget this kindness I promise you that. And I hope you continue to be this way to anyone else you meet in. In this life and in the next.”

She made her way to the board, giving it a quick once over she grabbed two requests and made her way out the door.

“I’m headed out Taichi! Drinks on me this time!” she said

“including the bottle, you just took!!” he yelled at her.

Without looking in monkey direction he reached underneath the counter bringing out another bottle and a mug. He poured it to the brim and placed it in front of Monkey.

“on the house” Taichi told him.

Monkey thanked him while he reached for his badge.

Looking at the surface he saw that all the twelve zodiacs was carved into the stone. In the order that they came in during the great race. The part that represent the Rooster kingdom seem to glitter like the stars. To show where it was, he gotten his badge.

This was it. His journey truly starts now. He was officially. A mercenary.