Chapter 10 : First Battle- Mercenaries

As soon as Allen's harsh reprimand sounded, everyone was left stunned speechless.

His aggressiveness were so out of the ordinary that the gang of hooligans needed a second to progress it.

They were blown away by the fact that a mere Iron rank dares to confront all of them like this, and so blatantly disrespect them.

Anybody with eyes and a little bit of sanity would clearly see that they were legit Battleforce Warriors and seasoned swordsmen.

There is no way Allen couldn't see it? So, how could a bottom feeder little sassy like him disregard half a dozen of veterans with innumerable life and death experience is beyond them.

This is the unbridled arrogance only found in the young noble chickens who believe they are above everyone else!

The Leader was taken aback but immediately after thick pulsing veins began to bulge around his neck as he gritted his teeth maliciously.

Even if Allen was a noble he didn't care because the nobility and background is no use in these parts.

One of the lackeys with an eagle shaped nose and standing behind the brawny leader jumped forward and started shouting, "You—How dare you talk to the 'Clock Horses' like this. Do you know who we are?"

"Clock Horse? You sound as dumb as you look!" Allen laughed with complete disregard, even the passing by people were attracted by their commotion and looked in bewilderment as they argued.

Many looked at Allen with a weird gaze and moved on with a sigh because nothing good could come out of pissing off a mercenary group of the Yruen Port.

*Clang*

*Clang*

*Clang*

"This does it!" The eagle nosed lackey immediately withdraw his sword and the others behind him also followed, sounds of sword exiting the sheath resounded as the whole port was silent.

Allen looked at them with a disdainful smirk but he didn't withdraw his sword. He instead curled his fingers beckoning them, and daring them attack him.

The enraged Leader was suddenly suspicious of Allen's action as he looked around with an idea of why Allen is so smug.

"Stop!" The leader screamed as he pushed his gang behind.

"Boss!" The eagle nosed man screamed with bewilderment and in response the Leader silently directed his eyes to the side.

They looked and saw how a team of port guards were observing them and they instantly understood.

Allen wasn't looking to actually fight rather he wanted to incense them enough to attract the port guards.

The Yruen Port is in the security of these guards and any type of physical confrontation is completely prohibited. If caught then both parties would be arrested.

Allen isn't fearful because he is an Alwis City resident in addition to being a student of a prestigious academy.

And he also has quite enough money to bribe the guards but their group would suffer being the main aggressor and would have to pay a bigger price, only bailing everyone out would cost a good sum. Although they have a backing, they are still restricted by some laws.

The leader looked at the calm Allen and tried to control his anger, "You are good, kid! My name is Faisel and I am the leader of the Clock Horse mercenary group. I would give you this victory, but just hope that we don't cross paths ever again. And also forget about hiring any mercenary group to protect your ass in these parts, I advise you to turn your sissy ass around and fuck off."

Faisel words were extremely menacing and provocative as he gave a cut throat sign to Allen. Faisel cannot do anything apart from this, they previously wanted to make profit from Allen as they slowly scare him and then give him the olive branch asking Allen to hire their group for protection.

A Mercenary group can't really just come up on the port and snatch away all of your gold, there are laws and rules even they have to follow. At least as long as they are under the scrutinizing eyes of others.

Usually they would target young chickens and then squeeze them dry, but who would have known Allen would go completely out of script.

Allen just waved his hands as if shooing away flies, he really couldn't understand why they were so dumb.

They are a mercenary group whose livelihood is dependent on being hired, if they blackmail their customers and use violence like this who would ever hire them?

Then again, they are just a mere low ranked group, anyone with a brain would only employ the mercenaries from a reputable guild and with good strength, not these no names.

The mercenary and adventurer group are divided into four divisions, the first and the lowest ones are the D-rank mercenaries or adventurers with members below copper rank. This is the classification of group that previous Allen used to work for when we went on expeditions.

Joining a group like this is more like a learning experience for the aspirants as they learn and absorb the ins and outs of choosing this lifestyle. The missions are usually non-lethal but it also has lower wages.

The second is the C-rank, they are more advanced and are allowed to take risky missions, The members are usually at copper rank. The group from just now calling themselves Clock Horse had the strength to fall under such particular category.

The third is the B-rank, It is extremely hard to get a B-rank certificate for any mercenary group because it not only reflects about their combined strength but also a major factor of reputation.

Each member should have a certain degree of reputation under their belts. B-rank groups are also the most trusted group for hiring, and their services are most sought after because they are approved by the guild after a strict procedure is followed out.

B-rank group is the most mainstream and also extremely profitable. D-ranks missions are usually non-lethal and recruitment is pretty high so although the pay is not lucrative, the quantity makes up for quality.

Only C-rank groups are in a difficult position because although they have the strength to take dangerous mission, there is a lack of trust which decrease their appeal. Anyone who has to hire strong people for dangerous expedition turns directly to B-rank, although the cost is significantly higher there is less chances of mishaps.

There is a giant gap between a B-rank and a C-rank mercenary group.

Some top class B-rank could easily demolish dozens and dozens of C-ranks. Even the weakest members are usually at the very least a reputable Copper rank with a good record. And overall there are also numerous Silver ranks in the organization.

There are even some Gold Rank Batlle Warriors in charge for peak B-rank mercenary group.

The last and the most revered is the A-rank. They are the elites of the mercenary guild and there aren't many of them. They are usually contracted by financial powerhouses and aren't accessible for common people.

Their top power level is not known but even some regular Silver rank are hard pressed to join such a prestigious organization.

Allen genuinely doesn't care about this bunch and he in fact very much wanted them to come at him and test his ability but the venue is not correct.

If he kills them, then he would be arrested, Allen would definitely not welcome that thought so he could only run away. But obviously doing that would lead to him being barred from Yruen Port which isn't worth it.

Allen kept looking at their retreating back, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

'Something tells me we would meet soon...Oh well I'll make sure it's our last meeting.'

'As I used to say, Advents of adventure elevates the aroma of adversity....'

...

The Yruen Port is a large avenue with various markets, shops, inn, guilds etc. There is almost everything in every category one could find here.

Even though it was originally established to profit from the identity of the Kemosin Ruin island but now, it has been fully developed in a force of its own.

The infrastructure has been built to such an extent that even foreigners come to trade here.

The port was established and previously owned by three ruling parties, a particular higher up from Alwis City, A kingdom near west from here called Tyrion Union and the third one is the Umaga Duchy.

But after a few years the Alwis city higher up was able to slowly devour his competitors share as well, currently his organization owns a whopping 70-80% of the whole port.

The other two own this port just in name and they are paid a tribute yearly from the Alwis City.

It is quite understandable because Royal and Nobles don't actually have the true sense of profit oriented ability and money making skills.

They are also very busy in their own political agenda and infighting and disturbance of the border hence, their grip was broken on this lucrative port.

Alwis city saw this change and immediately drew a certain tribute to them to please them and more importantly isolate them.

Alwis city is a heaven for merchants who are running profitable business everywhere. With their knowledge of trade, shrewd management, and marketing it's no wonder they have been very successful.

Allen was very impressed by the business minds of those Alwis city higher ups but in general he was quite indifferent to all of this because this is none of his business.

His only goal is to reach and explore the Kemosin Ruin Islands, and currently he is traveling through a boat to make this trip.

The Yruen Port is obviously built at a safe distance from the island, or else they would have been hard pressed to always fight off the beasts to maintain the security.

So, this journey could be completed through the sea via boats and ships. Big adventurer group and high grade mercenaries have ships of their own and some boat companies also lend their ships to the foreign group but Allen obviously doesn't have neither the money nor channels to acquire such a luxury.

He just casually walked around and bargained with a fisherman to row him to the other side, after a bit of haggling he got a sweet deal.

"The wind blows the ocean as the bastards come to steal, the sailors are in tow as they want profit from the deal!" Allen was leaning lazingly on the boat as he was sitting in a relaxed position.

His luggage was under his legs as he chewed a toothpick. Both of his hands were hanging by the side of the boat as his fingers submerged in the sea.

Allen sang the weird song which made no sense but for some reason the rower felt a chill down his spine. He shuttered as Allen kept on humming but the rower felt as if he was being stared at by a ferocious beast.

The rower kept rowing but strangely his speed was getting slower and slower as he was deviating from his original path.

He looked behind with a fake smile ready to explain his actions, as he thought that Allen would have an inquiry but Allen didn't seem to care.

After some moment, he saw a few similarly sized boats coming in their direction. The rower was delighted but he kept his emotions in check.

"We have company, no? why don't you take the boat near them and say hello to your fellow "Clock Horse" members." Allen said while yawning as the rower almost nodded with a smile but suddenly his eyes widened in shock.

After composing himself, his expression turned malevolent and he withdrew a sword from under his seat and turned towards Allen.

*Ptui!*

Allen threw the toothpick from his mouth as it directly pierced the right eye of the attacking rower.

"Ahhhh!" The attacker was blinded as the toothpick was thrown in such precision and high force that it drove through his eyeball and into his orbital bone.

Allen looked indifferently as the rower wailed mournfully. Allen observed the various boats coming near him.

"I was quite eager to test my skills, and a fight here is just up my alley." Allen stood up and un-sheathed his sword looking at the calm blue sea.

He was just staring at the beautiful sea as the rower kept on wailing and few boats were coming in at an extremely fast pace towards him.

"You motherfu—" The boat most close to Allen's position was just a few meters away, in which the leader of the clock horse group Faisel was sitting.

He saw the rower screaming and as soon as he came near he started to shout with venom in his furious eyes but midway through his sentence, his eyes widened in shock as an unbelievable expression appeared on his face.

Just as Faisel shouted, Allen gave him a side glance with a smile and he directly jumped in the sea.

But astonishingly enough even though he jumped in the sea he wasn't sinking down. He was actually standing still on the water!

_______

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