Mercenary

Gagnor: "..."

Raymond froze for a moment, then realized his judgment might have been off. "No, he seems to be dead."

He leaned closer for another look and became even more convinced that it was a corpse. "He really is dead. What do we do?"

Gagnor did not respond. He stared at the man on the ground, deep in thought.

The man lay face-down with his head turned to one side. He wore leather armor and had a gray metal shoulder insignia.

Engraved on the insignia was an eagle with its wings spread. Both its design and pattern suited Gagnor's taste, making his gaze linger on it for a while. Unfortunately, he still could not tell which lord or band of brigands it belonged to.

Gagnor decided to touch the man.

Not because of any peculiar preference, but because of his panel ability.

"Cognition" could help him understand himself, and it could also help him understand external objects—all it took was a light touch.

He reached out and touched the man's body.

Race: Falaroan

Level: 4

Status: Injured

Level four!

The man's level surprised Gagnor.

At level four, even among common professions such as thieves, warriors, and hunters, he would be considered quite formidable. In a small place like Driftwood Town, he would absolutely count as someone important.

But... injured?

Gagnor frowned.

That was not right. The body was already cold, so why was his status listed as injured?

After hesitating for a moment, he felt around the man a few more times to confirm his temperature and heartbeat.

Just then, the man suddenly opened his eyes and asked weakly yet angrily, "What are you doing?"

"You're not dead!" Raymond's eyes widened.

Gagnor was startled as well. He quickly backed away two steps and gripped his shortbow.

The man pushed himself up. The arm hidden beneath him was holding a dagger as well, but the large bloodstain on his abdomen made it clear that he had no intention of attacking. He merely sat on the ground, gasping for breath.

Seeing his blood-soaked abdomen, Raymond immediately said, "You need healing. If you are also a follower of Mosa and Saint Roden, I can help you find a priest. He's nearby."

The man panted. "Of course. I believe in Mosa, follow Saint Roden, and fight for Nordanlun..."

In Falaro, faith was the most serious matter. At least, for the devout Raymond, that was enough.

"Wait here!" Raymond put down his luggage as he spoke. Ignoring Gagnor's attempts to stop him, he turned and ran toward the cottage, disappearing from sight in no time.

Gagnor felt a little awkward. "I only wanted to check your condition just now."

The man pressed a hand over his abdomen and looked Gagnor over a few times. "Are you attendants from the church in Driftwood Town?"

"Yes."

"Looks like I'm rather lucky." The man's expression relaxed somewhat.

Gagnor asked, "Are you one of Duke of Nordanland's soldiers?"

The man pointed at his shoulder insignia. "Strictly speaking, I'm with the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group. However, Duke of Nordanland is our primary employer... You've at least heard of the Gray Hawk Mercenary Group from South Sea Town, haven't you?"

Gagnor nodded. "I've also heard that South Sea Town is a chaotic place, with frequent crimes, conflicts, and even wars."

"More or less." Half-jokingly, the man said, "Mercenaries, adventurers, Heretics, criminals, Goblins, Forest Trolls... It may be the liveliest place in the Duchy of Nordanlun. If you're tired of a dull life like I am, South Sea Town is a good choice."

The two talked for a while and gradually lowered their guard.

"What's your name? I'm Ryan." The man put away his dagger and introduced himself first.

"Gagnor."

Ryan asked, "Is that your official holy name?"

Gagnor set his shortbow aside. "Of course not. It's only my parents' hope for me. 'Gagnor' was a saint who wielded a sword. If it were my holy name, I would definitely use a sword instead of a bow. At least from an aesthetic standpoint, most people prefer swords."

Ryan laughed. "That's true."

"How were you injured?"

"For a mercenary, this is normal." Ryan clearly did not want to answer.

Gagnor looked at his abdomen. "If you don't mind, I can help treat the wound."

Ryan said, "I'd rather wait for the priest."

Gagnor took out some tools from the leather pouch at his waist. "That priest most likely won't come, which is why I just told Raymond not to waste his effort."

Ryan fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

He lifted his clothes and exposed the wound on his abdomen. It had clearly been caused by a sharp weapon. It was long and narrow, but fortunately not deep. It probably had not injured any internal organs.

Gagnor took out a green stone that gave off a faint herbal scent. He crushed it forcefully through a sheet of straw paper, and the stone immediately turned into powder, which he slowly sprinkled over the man's wound.

Ryan could not help asking, "Why do you crush a Healing Stone through a piece of paper?"

"Nothing. Personal habit," Gagnor said.

He did it entirely because of the hygiene habits from his previous life, though he was not sure whether such ideas had any meaning in the world of Falaro—its natural laws differed greatly from those of Earth.

After all the Healing Stone powder had been applied, he began bandaging Ryan.

By the time the bandaging was finished, Raymond had returned as well.

Just as Gagnor had expected, he had failed to bring Priest Green over. He also looked thoroughly dejected, and had probably been scolded.

"How did it go?" Gagnor asked.

Embarrassed, Raymond said, "Priest Green said he had urgent matters to attend to and couldn't come."

"Let's take him to the church."

"Alright."

Gagnor and Raymond then supported Ryan and left the place.

Several hours later, the three finally reached Driftwood Town. The injured Ryan drew quite a bit of discussion from the townsfolk.

"The Gray Hawk Mercenary Group!"

"Mosa above, could there be a war?"

Hearing their comments, Ryan could not help saying, "It's obvious that Driftwood Town has enjoyed peace for too long. In South Sea Town, even the children on the street wouldn't give me a second glance."

Raymond asked, "Are you that unpopular in South Sea Town?"

Ryan said nothing.

The three arrived at the church.

There were no spare rooms in the church, so Gagnor and Raymond could only settle Ryan in their own quarters, a cramped room for two. Raymond even voluntarily gave up his bed for Ryan to rest on.

"Thank you." Ryan lay on the bed. "Without you, I'd probably have already been torn to pieces by the beasts in the forest..."

After a pause, he continued, "What can I do for you in return? As long as it isn't an excessive request, I can agree to it."

Raymond blurted out, "No repayment is needed! Priest Green taught us that devotion is a noble virtue and the broad road to the light."

Ryan looked at him. "When some give selflessly, others receive without earning it. I don't want to be the one who receives without earning it."