When Hao Ren finally managed to squeeze one step farther forward, the Mercenary Guild's door was abruptly shoved open from inside, and a short figure was thrown out.
Judging by the unfortunate woman's build, the person thrown out was clearly female. She wore an old robe that had faded somewhat. From its style, it looked very much like the kind worn by Academy Faction mages who spent all day conducting research in magic towers, though it was nowhere near as new and lavish as the robes of wealthy mages. Her hood slipped off as she was thrown out, and Hao Ren's vision suddenly blurred. A dazzling head of long golden hair came flying into view—after she hit the ground.
The down-and-out mage with the golden hair scrambled awkwardly to her feet, then unleashed a string of thunderous curses at the door. Her voice was pleasant enough, but the vocabulary this little lady displayed while swearing left Hao Ren dumbfounded. It was practically a grating sandstorm wrapped in a force-twelve hurricane blasting outward. Forget Hao Ren and his companions—even the mercenaries watching nearby couldn't help taking a few steps back. Some of them muttered among themselves: "How did this woman's swearing improve again..." "She probably blew up her laboratory again and had to put all that extra energy into studying how to swear."
"Who's talking about the great Archmage Lia behind my back?!" The short mage's ears were astonishingly sharp. Even while cursing, she had time to hear who was badmouthing her behind her back. She immediately turned and glared at them furiously. "This has nothing to do with you! Go stand somewhere else! Are you planning to take my commission?"
Most mercenaries were a bunch of vulgar, savage roughnecks, but when this short mage went on a rampage, not one