Night

"How was that? Feeling reassured about my strength now, or..."

"Are you planning to test it yourselves?"

At that moment, Roy asked the question. His words might have sounded somewhat arrogant, but in Kazdel, they were perfectly appropriate.

After all, this land called Kazdel was teeming with mercenaries, and the chaos brought about by the lack of a unified government meant that laws held no power here.

That was why the way he acted in Lungmen, or the conduct expected of a police officer, was not suitable here. Since he had come to this place, he had to adapt to its customs. Just like undercover agents who infiltrated drug rings or criminal organizations, if he failed to blend in with those around him, the slightest discrepancy could expose him and cost him his life.

Although Roy had not come here as an undercover agent, this method of adapting to local customs came as naturally to him as instinct.

"No need. Since this is the employer's decision, and you have already proven your strength, we will consider you a member of the mercenary corps until this mission is complete."

With that, the male Sarkaz mercenary pulled a weathered-looking badge from his pocket and tossed it to Roy.

It was a badge that proved one's status as a temporary member of the mercenary corps. Mercenary corps usually kept a few on hand for those who joined temporarily, though they were rarely ever used. After all, no mercenary corps wanted outsiders meddling in its missions.

"I'm Hedley, leader of this mercenary squad."

"Ines."

"Roy. An ordinary lone mercenary."

After the brief introductions, both sides headed toward their respective resting areas. Though they had decided to act together, that would only happen once the mission officially began. Before then, Roy had no intention of interacting too much with these people. Clearly, they felt the same way. There were still several hours until the mission began, and perhaps this would be the last chance they had to rest.

Campfires dotted the woodland, with groups of mercenaries gathered around them, each occupied with their own affairs. Some were cleaning their weapons, some had pots set up to prepare dinner, and others were talking.

No one was willing to give up this final period of rest, not even the Sarkaz. At this moment, the Sarkaz had cast aside their usual ways. They were not fighting out of instinct; like everyone else, they were enjoying this final moment of peace.

At the edge of the camp, Roy had deliberately cleared out a patch of ground. After confirming that the burning campfire would not set the nearby trees ablaze, he sat beside it and began preparing dinner.

However, unlike the others, Roy's meal was far simpler.

A vacuum-packed self-heating meal, two energy bars, and a cup of hastily brewed black tea made up his dinner tonight. Wei Yenwu had prepared these supplies for him. Since arriving in Kazdel, he had never touched them. If not for this matter, perhaps Roy would have never used them at all. Their craftsmanship differed from the individual field rations he had eaten in his previous life, and that made their flavor rather difficult to describe by comparison.

Unless he had no other choice, Roy would never have chosen to eat this stuff. Even this time, after hiding the armored vehicle, he had only brought out a small portion.

Just as Roy poured cold water into the bag containing quicklime and sealed it for the moment, a gaze drew his attention. When he turned to look, he saw someone fairly familiar.

The one who had lost to him in their sparring match earlier that day.

That person belonged to the Sarkaz Mercenary Corps. Because of that, compared with most mercenary corps in Kazdel, this corps held a somewhat higher standing.

Naturally, their camp was located closer to the inner area. Several mercenary corps stood between them at the moment, but Roy could be certain of one thing: that person's gaze was fixed on him.

However, Roy had no interest in going over to greet her. Who knew whether they would ever meet again after this contract mission, or whether they would even be on the same side if they did?

Rather than worrying about that, wasn't it better to focus on the food heating up before him? Though its taste really was awful.

Elsewhere, in the Sarkaz Mercenary Corps' resting area.

"What, did one fight leave you bowing before his strength?"

Watching W avert her gaze, the mercenary named Ines asked.

Yet she was still the same as always. No matter who she faced, she remained wary, and that made her words less than pleasant to hear.

"No. I was merely thinking about how to make sure he exits without any accidents."

W's attention clearly was not on Ines's words. Almost the moment Ines finished speaking, W gave that answer.

Aside from combat, this was the only conversation the two had had recently that could be considered remotely normal—provided one ignored what they were discussing.

"Give it up. You're no match for him."

"Even the strong have weaknesses, don't they?"

While the two spoke, Hedley was thinking about something else. As the leader of this squad, and because of his own personality, he needed to consider every choice and every event that had occurred, no matter the circumstances. Indecisiveness was not a good trait for a mercenary, but in most cases, his nature had allowed him to lead the mercenary corps away from threats they could avoid.

That was precisely why this mercenary corps still stood in Kazdel, rather than vanishing into the dust of history like those mercenary corps from the same era, unable to leave behind even a single mark of its own.

What he was considering was not this mission, but Roy.

From Roy's battle with W, he could tell one thing: Roy was not a mercenary. At the very least, the combat techniques he used had not come from any deceased mercenary. They resembled those of professionally trained personnel instead—police officers, perhaps, or even soldiers from some country.

Naturally, because of that, Hedley harbored suspicions regarding Roy's purpose in temporarily joining his mercenary corps.

However, he did not intend to mention this matter to anyone. During the mission, he would keep as close an eye as possible on this temporary newcomer until the mission was over.