#100
Northern Mountain Range (1)
The Hubert Association, located in Tarak of the Tulk Kingdom, was thriving day by day.
Thanks to the rise of Harley as a well-known mercenary and the power of the order behind him, they managed to minimize external interference during the early stages of the business.
Hmmm, ‘Now that we’ve grown a bit, the effects are starting to wear off.’
As the association started to expand, the obstacles coming from the shadows began to grow as well.
Although no one was being overtly hostile yet, the subtle threats had now reached a level that could no longer be ignored.
Hmmm, ‘But now that I have a plan to respond, things should improve moving forward.’
Recently, they had forged a close relationship with the Brokoslac Clan of Talia, leading to numerous vampires hiding within Tarak.
Of course, unlike in Talia, where the clan had a strong hold, here they had to remain cautious and operate from the shadows, but the recently strengthened clan’s vampires were able to integrate without significant issues thanks to the association’s support.
Hmmm, ‘Moreover, the individuals dispatched to Tarak this time were specialized units evolved for stealth based on the “Refined Blood Essence.”’
They purposely adjusted the direction of their abilities to specialize in concealment, making them a unit well-suited for infiltration and manipulation.
However, just when everything seemed to be progressing smoothly in Tarak, a sudden change occurred.
And it was quite significant.
Hmmm, ‘I knew chaos was approaching, so I preemptively secured supplies like food, oil, and weaponry. But this is more than I anticipated.’
Hubert frowned as he examined the urgent documents delivered to his office.
For a merchant, information is life.
Having put a lot of effort into establishing a system for quick information gathering, he could immediately acquire such critical information, but…
“With an event like this, there shouldn’t be a place unaware.”
If a mere merchant like him knew, other places must have already started mobilizing.
And just as Hubert expected, things were already in motion in real-time.
“Move quickly!”
“Check if we’ve missed any supplies!”
Clank clank!
Thud thud—!
In a rather nervous atmosphere unlike usual, the army of the Aonia Count Territory, which included Tarak, began a collective advance to the north.
Additionally, troops from other cities, including soldiers dispatched from the central lord’s castle, were rapidly moving towards the far northern point of the territory, the Steel Fortress.
With such large-scale movements, of course, news had to spread among those staying in the cities.
Taverns and guilds, where people gathered, quickly buzzed with related discussions.
“Hey, did you hear the news? They’re recruiting mercenaries on a massive scale at the Steel Fortress. The army is already on the move.”
“Ah, I heard. They say there are signs of monsters from the Northern Mountain Range moving south?”
“Lately, with undead sightings and everything, it’s already been chaotic, who knows what’s about to happen.”
“Eh, it’s probably just coincidence. Hasn’t it happened before with those annoying monsters from the Northern Mountain Range?”
To minimize chaos, not all information had been disclosed yet, so most people, unaware of the Abyss, only perceived this commotion as a temporary issue.
Of course, among them, there were those who felt something was off through various pieces of information.
“This… I can’t shake off what I heard from the Bizarre Party last time.”
“What? Do they have any information?”
“I ran into a party that just came back from the mountains recently. They mentioned suddenly encountering a mutant that heavily injured the members.”
“A mutant? That’s common when hunting monsters, isn’t it?”
“It wasn’t just a typical mutant; they said it charged at them madly, like it had rabies…”
But even they couldn’t ascertain the exact details.
Moreover, there was a shared sentiment among them that with the army mobilized, would it really lead to any significant problems?
Enticed by the enormous rewards proclaimed by the territory, more and more people began heading to the Northern Steel Fortress.
“Hey, Harley! Did you hear the news? What are you thinking? Should we check it out?”
The southern warrior trio accompanying Harley felt the same.
As the Hubert Association grew in size and employed many talents, they had gained a bit more leeway.
Having only taken on the tedious guard duty out of loyalty to their friend, they preferred the more active missions like hunting monsters rather than having come all the way here from the south.
Hmmm, “The Northern Mountain Range, huh…”
In the boisterous tavern filled with all kinds of noise, Harley fiddled with his drink while organizing his thoughts.
He had never seen a monster affected by Madness directly.
Just as he was returning to Tarak from the Steel Fortress after a hunt, an Abyss had opened.
It wouldn’t be until quite some time later that monsters influenced by it started appearing, so that was only natural.
However, combining the information he gathered through Hubert and what Heinz II learned by moving the clan…
This situation would be no easy feat to navigate.
Hmmm, ‘That’s why the Talia Kingdom is also gathering forces in the western Forest of Monsters.’
While Hans, Heinz II, and Harley all had their experiences frolicking in the Forest of Monsters, it was originally a dangerous area that not just anyone could enter.
If monsters infected with Madness and boosted in aggression and vitality began pouring out from such places, it would harm the kingdom significantly.
Hmmm, ‘That’s why I sent the elite troops of the clan, including Truebloods like Frigia and Obor, over there.’
They would work separately from the Talia Kingdom’s soldiers, entering the forest to reduce the population of dangerous monsters through guerilla tactics.
Hmmm, ‘But the Northern Mountain Range is even worse than the Forest of Monsters.’
The vast Northern Mountain Range extended throughout the entire northern region of the continent.
Though the area connected to the Tulk Kingdom was only a part of it, it remained a perilous location where many mercenaries regularly set out to hunt, yet the monster population continued to grow.
Hmmm, ‘No nation that has already received various pieces of information would be unaware of what’s to come.’
While the Aonia Count’s army was heading there, soon support troops from neighboring territories would also begin to arrive.
This incident wouldn’t end easily.
Hmmm, ‘It’s already beyond the point of only informing the high ranks to manage the situation. Information will likely spread among the civilians thanks to this incident.’
About the resurrection of the Undead King and the opening of the Abyss.
There would surely be plenty of turmoil ahead.
While many places might shake due to it, that was precisely what was needed.
And.
The notoriety of the Undead King spreading widely was an occurrence he desired.
Hmmm, ‘That’s what I’ve been after from the beginning.’
But what Harley needed to focus on was a separate issue from that.
In a situation about to explode into chaos, how should he respond?
After pondering for a moment, he immediately opened his eyes wide and sprang up from his seat.
“Alright, let’s go! I can’t be left out of such an event! Bwahahaha!”
“Woo! This is how it should be!”
“I’m finally going to relieve some stress!”
In fact, there was no need for worry.
When in doubt, confronting the challenge head-on was Harley’s style!
Plus, if the Steel Fortress really did crumble, Hubert’s established foundation in Talia would also be destroyed.
It would be better to directly plunge in and control the situation.
Hmmm, ‘If it really gets dangerous, I can always use Summoning Release.’
It was hard to imagine Harley, with his monstrous physique, facing any real danger.
Thus, he confidently left the tavern and crossed the main road.
Having already become a well-known figure in Tarak, the locals were accustomed to his presence, yet their reactions remained similar to before.
They couldn’t meet his gaze and quietly pulled away from their seats.
Hmmm, ‘Well, it’s not unexpected.’
Harley took a quick glance down at his body.
His bare, muscular upper body, beastly helm, and tooth jewelry remained unchanged, but one remarkable difference stood out—
The engravings etched across his body.
Florid patterns of flames sprawling from his heart to his chest and beneath his chin.
A pattern of storms and lightning stretching from his forehead through his right eye to his cheek.
The beast on his right arm and the crossed axe pattern on his left arm.
Each engraving, when viewed separately, abstractly embodied concepts of their respective elements, so beautifully artistic it almost looked exquisite.
Yet, when combined with Harley’s fearsome physique, they merely accentuated his intimidating presence.
Moreover, his past deeds contributed to his growing notoriety.
Though he never intentionally sought out the weak to torment them, he had mercilessly crushed those who dared to challenge him.
Hmmm, ‘I had no choice; otherwise, it would have been too bothersome.’
Such was the side effect of gaining fame.
In this barbaric mercenary world, reputation was power.
Given that situation, it was only natural for mercenaries drifting into Tarak from elsewhere to glare at him.
Even after seeing his imposing form, there were those who repeatedly tried to provoke him, challenge him, or even attack him.
Harley’s solution to them was simple.
Crush anyone who dared to challenge him thoroughly.
Just by standing by and watching, they would feel overwhelmed, too scared to think of exposing their fangs.
Thus, Harley became a figure known throughout Tarak, one nobody dared to touch.
Ding ding—
As he entered the mercenary guild with the southern warrior trio, the usual scene welcomed them.
A neat and refined interior, with groups of mercenaries chatting among themselves.
The topics of their conversations were all about the Northern Mountain Range this time.
With unprecedented recruitment efforts underway, everyone’s interest was naturally focused in that direction.
Hmmm, ‘I think some feel it’s dangerous, but overall, the atmosphere is positive. Well, it hasn’t hit yet, anyway.’
Among those sensing the crisis, some had fled to the south of Tarak, but others were openly expressing their intent to participate, likely due to the considerable rewards proclaimed by the territory.
“Ah, Harley. It’s our turn.”
After waiting for a moment, their turn finally arrived.
As the group began to apply for requests one by one.
“Excuse me, Mr. Harley?”
A young male staff member sitting at the counter looked up cautiously and opened his mouth.
“Actually, there’s a special request that just came in for you today. We were about to contact you personally, but since you’re here…”
“Hmm? A special request?”
Having been active as a mercenary, Harley had received many special requests before, but those where a client chose a specific mercenary usually paid more than the standard rate.
The guild merely connected the two; the details were discussed between the client and the mercenary.
Such a method was generally used for tasks requiring security or those with particularly high difficulty.
Hmmm, “But now I’m headed toward the Steel Fortress, so I don’t think I can take it. I’ll have to decline!”
Having just decided his destination, it was unlikely that another task would catch his eye now.
Sorry, but the timing for their request was poor.
“Uh, well… I don’t think that’s something you can decline. The person who entrusted it to us…”
Harley raised an eyebrow at the unexpected reaction.
It was usually against regulations to force a task onto someone like this.
“What do you mean? I need you to say it clearly since we don’t have time, buddy!”
“Yes, yes! The person who directly entrusted the task is someone else, but the name registered as the client is…!”
The tense employee, who had been speaking loudly, suddenly paused, glanced around, then leaned towards Harley and whispered softly.
“Lord Tarmin Aonia…”
That was a name he had not anticipated.
“Meaning that’s the lord of this territory?”
