Chapter 662: Probability of Winning (4)

"Maybe something's going on? You've come here in person, after all."

"I came here because I missed you."

"You're a good player. Sit there. And you can sit there, too. So…"

"My name is Lee Jihye, Queen of Mercenaries."

"I know. Get some tea outside. No, would you prefer alcohol? You like drinking, don't you?"

At Cha Hee-ra's voice, the door burst open, and some people brought in beverages. He wasn't as big as Park Deokgu, but one of them was a pretty big fellow. He set up the table with alcohol.

One had no ears, and the other had a face plastered with cuts. And yet despite these, they had such honorable expressions on their faces. It didn't matter much to think that they were honored, but it wasn't an easy scene to see on the continent.

It was a sight that could only be seen in Red Mercenary. Lee Jihye was also aware of that. And considering her image, it wasn't appropriate.

I'd never seen her act like that. I was sure that she was sensing something's wrong. Of course, I could understand how Lee Jihye felt…

For some reason, Cha Hee-ra…

'She's someone who makes me feel uncomfortable.'

I thought it was her experience on the continent and her strength, or it was Cha Hee-ra's personality, but I was pretty sure that it would be the latter.

She was born to be a queen, and she was born to be above others. Although there was no queen consort, who could think of such things when anyone saw her? At least, that was what I saw.

I couldn't imagine Cha Hee-ra kneeling, and I couldn't imagine her begging in front of someone. I couldn't imagine her losing to someone either. That's why I came to her.

'I'll be able to do it.'

The first thing that came to mind when I thought of the word "strong" was neither Kim Hyunsung nor Jung Hayan.

'You can do it, Noona, right?'

"If you want to say something, tell me, honey."

"I mean, umm…"

"It's quite tempting."

The small problem was that it was difficult to measure her exact powers. Often, the answer would come out just by looking at her condition window using the Mind's Eyes. Despite choosing a mercenary class that could handle a large number of weapons as an advantage, I seldom saw her holding a weapon in her hand.

No, I had almost never seen her with one.

Despite her advanced twin weapons knowledge acquisition, her main preference was her bare hands, which in fact alone was at the pinnacle of the continent.

'She's a crazy warrior."

Whenever Cha Hee-ra was at the front, she could paralyze the entire disputed area.

The 27th Corps was unable to wear proper armor because it was in the commanding officer's hands, but they were still strong. Honestly, wouldn't it be right to ask her a question? I was a little cautious, but I had to speak up.

"Noona, how strong are you?"

"Hmm…"

"…"

"…"

'Oh. Sh*t, why did I ask?'

"…"

"…"

Lee Jihye looked at me with a startled face.

She seemed to be asking why I was asking such questions openly, saying, 'it doesn't matter to you, but I'm the one who'll get caught up in an uncomfortable atmosphere.'

Naturally, the silence continued. It was about two minutes after that Cha Hee-ra opened her mouth with a smile.

"Well, perhaps I'm pretty strong."

"To what certain extent?"

"I don't think I'm going to lose to anyone… Do you remember what I said last time?"

Of course, I remembered.

'I wasn't really sure how to get stronger. Training normally doesn't make much sense.'

Didn't she say something like that?

'Have you ever seen a beast training? Have you ever seen them practice using their claws or their bite? I changed my method in a way that relieves the desire that's stuck in my head. I changed my way to living like an animal, that's it.'

That's what she said.

"It paid off."

It wasn't a training method, but some of her stats had been raised. It was her physical stats. It was out of the standard. It was comparatively lower, but her agility and magic stats also showed growth.

"Actually, it's not that big of an achievement. I'm refreshingly relieving my desires thanks to you, and sometimes when I'm not good enough, I go into the forest and smash everything. I don't know why you're asking questions about people's respect, but I think I can say this one for sure."

"…"

"I'm strong."

"…"

"And…"

"Yes?"

"I can be stronger."

"…"

I had nothing to say.

'Noona. Sh*t. Why are you so cool?'

Other than that.

In a way, it was as good as telling me what I had been waiting for. At first, I thought there was no other option but her, but I felt as if all the doubts that I had disappeared at that moment.

I understood why Lindel's potentials were all in the Red Mercenary.

"So, what's the reason?"

"I have something I want you to do."

When I peeked at Lee Jihye, she nodded and took over.

It was not much. From the presence of the man inside that light to the Four Heavenly Kings, he said, 'You can't move like a Red Mercenary, so you should stand by separately.'

Cha Hee-ra was nodding at the slightly lengthy story, and I thought that it was simply an expression of her will to listen to it for the time being. The war was important to her as well, after all.

"I think we'll have one Blue Guild Master and one mercenary queen. We'll make the stage for you, so you don't have to worry about anything else. I know it's inconvenient for you, but for the remaining 35 days… I'd like to recommend you to serve the Continental Protection and Management Committee. I think there will be a lot of things to consider regarding the plan revolving around you, so I ask for your understanding. I know that the Queen of Mercenaries is strong, I don't deny that, but I need to get accurate data."

"Hmm…"

"The command thinks we have about a 23.4 percent chance of winning. It's the result of analyzing and simulating the continent's strategy and the power of the enemies. Assuming that the Mercenary Queen follows the Continental Protection and Management Committee's plan, our odds will become even better. I'd appreciate it if you'd refer to the data I prepared and review it."

'You're doing great.'

"It's an exact training schedule of about 35 days. I think tactical training will be more important than personal training. I've analyzed the number of cases, and I think you'll be satisfied enough. Besides this…"

"I think you missed something."

"What?"

"No, Jihye. I think we're doing something wrong.'

Little by little, I felt the atmosphere change. To be exact, the air surrounding the large room seemed to have become heavy.

'I think we forgot something. What do we do?'

Come to think of it. I was slowly getting irritated.

I remembered what the hell I forgot. To be honest, it was only right to think a little complacent.

Cha Hee-ra would definitely do me a favor. I thought that she would definitely join us without thinking about it. However, I realized again and again that that wasn't the case. Cha Hee-ra would do me a favor, but the Queen of Red Mercenary, called Lindel's First Guild, wouldn't.

What did that Mercenary Queen think of those who suddenly came and said what they wanted to say right after asking if she was strong?

It was natural to have a rather uncomfortable response to Lee Jihye.

'We were fools.'

Lee Jihye also looked at me to see if she wasn't the only one feeling as if the situation's getting worse.

'What's wrong with the atmosphere?'

I felt like saying that out loud.

"Keep talking. Let's see how far we can talk."

"If you're talking about compensation…"

"Do I look like someone who needs it? Compensation? What can you do for me?"

"Then…"

"What do you think we missed? And honey, what else have you forgotten?"

"Well, Mercenary Queen, if you need anything…"

"That's something you should think about. I don't feel so good right now that I have to explain it one by one."

Lee Jihye desperately thought about it.

'It was your suggestion, but why I should be the one scolded, and the resentment seemed to be directed at me, but at this time, it is right to sneak away as if it doesn't matter to me.'

Later, after sending Lee Jihye away, maybe if Hee-ra and I cursed at her, she'd be able to feel better. I didn't know if I felt her declining, but Lee Jihye was pressuring me with an even more desperate look.

I then noticed the members of the Red Mercenary hanging on one side of the room.

'This is it.'

That kind of thought came right into my mind.

The part that was too easy to catch. The Queen of Mercenaries' irritation slowly reached its limit.

I had no choice but to open my mouth as if I were looking for a person.

For the time being, I first had to send out the other men and talk to the Mercenary Queen, Cha Hee-ra, alone. Since she didn't decline the proposition, it seemed that she wasn't that angry.

Rather, she seemed a little satisfied, and the Queen of Mercenaries left due to her cuteness and coquettishness, letting Cha Hee-ra take the mound.

"Noona, relax. Do you think we forgot about that?"

It was the same as usual, but I had to use a sweet voice as much as possible. Lee Jihye was looking at me with a sick face, but what could I do?

What we did wrong was undeniable. It was hard to make Hee-ra feel better when she's upset.

"I meant to tell you something else, so take it easy, Noona. The Red Mercenary should be fine. If you allow me to, I'll take the Red Mercenary into consideration. I'm sure they can't imagine their Guild Master leaving."

"…"

"We've already passed the agenda. Actually, the Red Mercenary is participating in operations under the Continental Protection and Management Committee. That's why we couldn't say anything. It's too obvious. Does it make sense for the committee to leave the Red Mercenary alone? Noona, you didn't really think we would, did you? Huh? You did, did you?" magic

"Well, that's right."

I was gently rubbing her shoulders.

"You're worried about the Red Mercenary without your presence, aren't you? Of course, we wouldn't have thought of that. The Red Mercenary should be given separate consideration, yes?"

"Hmm, how?"

The atmosphere was much softer than before.

I also expressed my curiosity about the Queen of Mercenaries. Considering how she was attracting me to her arms gradually, my honey-like voice seemed to have worked.

Lee Jihye also looked like 'That's it!' The answer was so visible that she seemed to find it ridiculous for having missed it.

If she hadn't gone shopping with Cho Hyejin yesterday, wouldn't I have had time to prepare for that case? She looked as if she was saying, 'that garbage is cleaning this mess up somehow.'

But right after that, I finished my offer in a way that caused Lee Jihye's expression to change slowly.

"Noona, Jihye in front of you will take over. I'll try to reduce exactly 15 percent of the damages that might be dealt against the Red Mercenary Command."

Lee Jihye's face looked like she was asking if that made sense. Cha Hee9ra looked up and down, scanning her.

'You can do it, right, Jihye? Right? You can do it, right?'