Fifteen thousand?!

Finn Mikeal was born on a farm in the southern outskirts of the Central continent. He lived together with his grandfather because his parents died of a disease when he was young. His grandfather, Givi Mikeal, taught Finn how to weild a sword. Givi died about 2 years ago and the farm was sold to pay off a ton of debt the Mikeal family owed, Finn was also sold as a slave to pay for the rest of the debt the farm couldn't pay for. Luckily he escaped his slavers during a robbery attack on his master's house. Since then Finn's been living as a mercenary and adventurer in the Northern continent.

He's currently 16 years of age.

***********

Minutes later they were done cleaning up the corpses and had started the journey again. Jasmine seemed curious of Finn's abilities, but she thought it was best not to ask.

The rest of the journey went without any incidents and they reached their destination, Rhodea.

Rhodea is the capital of The kingdom of Zalem. Zalem occupies the majority of the Northern continent, with it's capital Rhodea found on the northern side of the kingdom.

It's roads are tarred and powered vehicles carry the inhabitants around the city. Tram cars are used for public transport.

The buildings are made from bricks and have chimneys that expell smoke from the fires used to keep them warm from the cold. It's an industrial city, with a lot of factories making up it's commercial sector.

It's also a religious and tourist center.

The sky goddess resides on the zenith of mount Rersia and only leaves there on a few occasions. Many tourist come to pay their respects to her.

************

Stepping out of the cargo trucks, Finn received his pay and his share of spoils from the kills they made.

'First order of business, finding an inn'

I took a tram to the residential district. The inns weren't hard to find, since they were on the outskirts. I walked in and bought a room for myself. Though the owner gave me skeptical looks because of my age and height, he glady accepted my money.

Minutes later I was in my room staring at the mirror, I observed my naked body. There were bruise marks around my torso. I have a lean sleeper build making me athletic and my skin color was lightly tanned.

'probably because I lived most of my life in the warm climate of the central continent'

I had blisters on my palms and fingers, I got the from the countless times I trained with the sword. Reminiscing on the times life was easy, I'd wake up to mashed potatoes and gravy for breakfast, Work the farm with gramps and in the evening have sparring sessions.

' Why'd you leave me gramps.....'

A low sigh escaped my lips.

I got up and wore a simple grey tunic and pants and wore a coat over everything.

Walking around the city I headed to the commercial area. I went straight for the weapons section. They had nice sets of porcelain armor for both men and women made from precious materials. The weapons were also made from metals with rare properties. They were probably really expensive, so I could only admire since I can't afford them. A pair of leather boots caught My attention. They had a specific enchantment according to the trader. They could allow the user to run twice as fast as they normally could.

"so how much are you selling them"

I asked

"2000 Zalem coins"

The merchant replied with a straight face.

"I'll take them for 1500" Finn pleaded

*****

After a bit of bargaining, I purchased the leather boots for 1800 coins.

'Stingy bastard'

Looking up, it was already nightfall. I quickly hurried to the inn and dropped all the stuff I bought today.

'Of course I didn't only buy that leather boot I had to buy some food provisions too!'

I picked up my sword and left the inn after locking the door.

I arrived at a point deep in the woods.

'Nobody comes around here that often right?'

I pulled my sword from it's scabbard and held a defensive stance. I closed my eyelids and visualized gramps in front of me, Holding his sword like always. He'd practice and teach me a sword dance that our family developed, because of the way we awakened.

'Remember this Finn, our sword art is our honor we must protect it and use it protect ourselves'

That's why I never use my sword art in front of people.

The sword moved elegantly in the air. It sword strikes were always pivoted by the wrists, The wrists weren't reinforced with much power so deflecting someone's blade was easy, but the arms were rigid and couldn't be forced back. It was a sword art used in defeating strong opponents according to granpa Givi.

After an hour of training I rested. I was dripping with sweat and my muscles were aching, especially the shoulder muscles and arms, even my thighs hurt like hell. I sat down and caught my breath.

I felt a subtle presence, like someone was watching me and I looked around but couldn't find anything.

'That's strange I swear I felt someone watching me'

Then the realization hit me, I'm in the middle of the woods at night, there could be predators lurking around here.

I picked up my sword and coat, and ran straight to the inn, not wasting another second in this creepy forest.

The next day after completing my morning exercise and eating breakfast. I went to the mercenary guild for any job.

The doors of the guild building swung open and I stepped in. There weren't much people in the guild building, but everyone's attention turned to me. Their stares were that of confusion and mockery.

'Probably because I still look like a child and I'm not in a cohort.'

I ignored them and went to the counter. I dropped the bag containing my share of spoils from the snow drake and ice wolves I helped in taking down.

"I want to sell these ma'am"

The receptionist looked down at me and then the contents of the bag, Her cleavage was visible through the dress she wore. I got flustered and turned away.

She seemed to have noticed, because she had a big smirk on her face.

"Well considering you brought 6 yards of ice wolves skin and 2 bags of ice drake scales, we'd pay 15,000 Zalem coins for them"

I was in disbelief, did she just say 15,000?! that's way too small considering the cost for these in the cold northern region.

"15,000?! miss that's too cheap! they atleast cost 27,000. 15,000 is a scam for these!!"

"listen here country bumpkin, These stuff are worth 15,000 and I ain't paying more. If you don't want it then go sell it somewhere else, you got that child!!"

I felt my anger boiling over, a hot feeling at the top of my throat I tried to swallow it, so I could speak clearly.

"Bu- but miss atleast increase the amount to 20,000!" I pleaded.

"15,000 is my boundary, you selling or not kid?!"

Then some of the security guards showed up, I was furious but I knew she wouldn't budge and I didn't want to mess with the security guards and not to mention I couldn't sell it anywhere else, so I nodded and took the deal. After verifying my identity with my C-rank mercenary guild card, she paid me 15,000 Zalem coins.

I walked towards the job sign board. There weren't much jobs to begin with. One got my attention a B rank mission that were assembling C-rank mercenaries and anything above. They are building a small army of 50 to kill a herd of Winter orcs that took over a small village in the east outskirts. The pay was 20,000 per man and it seems it was also funded by the government.

'I think I'll sign up for this one'

After enlisting for the mission I left the mercenary guild. I took some menial jobs too like helping to clear snow off the road and killing a bird that built it's nest in someone's house. After a long day I did some sword practice this time in my room.

2 days Later, I was outside the gates of the city waiting for the remaining members of the makeshift army to come. Some were already here though.

'I wonder if the mission will go smoothly'

I thought.

I heard footsteps approaching us, it seems the rest of mercenaries have arrived.