"Haaaaaaaaaaa."
It is now night, the tavern has closed and the first day of my work has ended. I, Yusof Harim, am exhausted. I sat down on a chair and slouched against the counter.
Today was a very busy day. Though this isn't my first time working as a waiter, today was particularly tiring because of the overwhelming number of people. Mikra made a slightly audible laugh behind me, he is cleaning the remaining mugs that were used today. Mikra was the chef and bartender, he was the one handling orders that were either drinks that weren't just ale and made food. I spoke to him while still slouching.
"Is business always like this?"
He laughed as he replied while cleaning the last of the mugs with a cloth. "Hahaha! Actually, the number of female customers increased today, I think they're all on you Yusof."
That was true, today, there were a lot of female customers, they were ranging from young adults to middle aged women and they would always try to get me to serve them. Whenever I did serve them, they would try to get me to stay, some even took the opportunity and touched my butt, thighs, and back. Seriously? Am I the only man in this world?
"You did well today Yusof!" Luno, who was sitting politely on a chair to my right, congratulated me. I lifted my head up while laying on the counter and looked at her.
Luno was also working as a waitress. While I was the main attraction for female customers, she was the one that the male customers had their eye on. Her presence is so powerful, that her serving them alone was enough to change their noisy and rough behavior to being quiet and gentle.
Unlike me, Luno seems to be used to working as a waitress here since after a tiring day like this, she still has energy. Well, maybe it's just because she's more in shape than me. She was also friendlier and more efficient than me. It most likely came from her experience, I haven't worked out much since I finished university.
I put my head back on the counter and replied to her congratulations in a tired voice.
"Thank you Luno. All that work to hear you say that might actually be worth it."
"Hehehe! I'll say it again tomorrow if you work hard!"
My fatigue was gone as soon as she said that. Being congratulated everyday by her would make all the hard work pay off! I got up straight to reply, this time with energy. "Seriously? Then I'll work twice as hard!"
"I'm counting on you Yusof." She replied to me with a bright smile. There it is, the smile that can end wars. It truly is a blessing for an incompetent man like me to gaze upon such a beautiful smile.
As we were talking, Mira, who was upstairs the entire day, walked down the stairs. She changed from her sleeping dress into her casual clothes which consists of a blue one piece dress that covers up to her knee. The edges of the dress were all dark blue and sleeves were a bit oversized. I assume that's just the design.
"Oh, hello Mira." I greeted her as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Hello." She replied and walked to the chair next to me and sat down. She then placed her chin on top of the counter and folded her arms on her stomach.
"Oh, Mira. Are you hungry?" Mikra asked his daughter as if knowing what she came for. Mira made a face and looked to the side
"I never said I was." Mira responded. It felt a bit dishonest.
*gurgle*
The sound of her stomach rumbled. So she really was hungry. In embarrassment, Mira turned her face away from Mikra. Mikra smiled as looking at her daughter.
"I'll give you some leftover noodles from today. Wait here."
"..Okay.." Mira replied, her voice felt a bit happy, she is a bit shy when she talks with her father. Mikra smiled at her once more before he went inside the kitchen.
As we were waiting for Mikra, I took this opportunity and asked Mira about her day.
"Where were you the entire day?"
"Studying."
"Weren't you hungry? You seemed pretty desperate for food." I asked, feeling a little concerned.
"Studying is more important." She replied with a normal tone.
"Ah.. I see" I can't say anything back to her after that response. It seems she really is someone who prefers studying over other things. Well, not someone like me can judge her. If anything, I think I should've been more like her in the past.
After a while Mikra came back holding a plate of noodles and served them to Mira
"Here's your food. It's not hot, but it should be okay."
"Thank... you." Mira replied. Just like yesterday, she replied shyly even though it is her father.
Just as Mikra served the food to Mira, someone knocked on the door. It was after closing time, so it has to be a visitor.
"Come in." Mikra said in a voice loud enough for the person outside to hear.
The door opened and the figure of a familiar person entered. This person has a manly figure with silver hair covered under his hood. I recognize this man. He was the person I saw this morning.
"Evening, Mikra."
"Jeyson. You're here."
They exchanged pleasantries. It's the first time I heard his voice, so his name is Jeyson. It sounded like a young man.
Mikra placed the last mug he was cleaning on the table, instead of keeping it under the counter. He looks at Jeyson and offers him a drink.
"Do you want anything to drink Jeyson?"
"No thanks, I still have things to deal with. I'm only here to report something." Jeyson refused the offer, and put his hand in his pocket to take out something.
"A lead?" Mikra asked while keeping the mug which he originally would've used to give Jeyson a drink back under the counter.
"Yes, I dealt with a Follower outside the kingdom. I detected his Magic Flow and pursued him." He explained while handing over the sack to Mikra.
The bottom of the sack was stained with a liquid I can't identify and there appears to be something inside the sack. For some reason, when Jeyson took out the sack. I felt a strange sensation. It's a tingling feeling, it doesn't feel uncomfortable, in fact, it feels like a tender touch. It feels like its luring me in.
Mikra opened the sack and took a look inside. He made a disgusted face and looked at Jeyson as he closed the sack.
"You know you could just take the ring off his finger. This was unnecessary."
"I don't want to touch that thing. It's what made those people into monsters."
Mikra widened his eyes before closing the sack again. I was curious to know what is giving me this weird feeling, so I opened my mouth to ask.
"What... Is it inside that sack?"
"That is none of your business!" Jeyson harshly replies to me. That was rude, I just wanted to know what made me feel this sick. Mikra did not tolerate this and reprimanded him.
"Jeyson!"
"Tch."
Jeyson turned his head to the side with that reply. Mikra sighed and lifted his head to look at me. I fixed my position into a proper sitting position and he started to explain from the beginning.
"Yusof, as you know. I am a magic user. Those who have magic are forced to fight for those who seemingly can't. I am both tending the tavern and taking commissions from the billboards outside the Mercenary Union building."
"Mercenary Union?" I said with a voice showing that I don't know what it meant. This was also something I have heard for the first time.
"It's a society that was originally built with the purpose of training people to fight. It existed since the age of before the 5 Deities. Now it's just an association where people pin their requests on the union's billboards and people like us accepts the jobs for the pay." Mikra continued to explain
"Are the requests dangerous?"
"Depends. There are some which specify the danger level whilst others may seem safe but we never know what will happen in this world."
So it's like freelancing in a way? Mira, who was next to me, had just finished eating, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and spoke.
"Like when we found you, we were actually on our way back from escorting someone to the North Kingdom."
"Umu, we had to fight bandits and aggressive animals." Luno nodded and explained more to me.
Those are indeed dangerous! And they're able to overcome those obstacles. A clear sign of being powerful and experienced!
Mikra made a worried look on his face for a brief moment, but snapped out of it. He then properly introduced Jeyson to me.
"This is Jeyson Arostarea. Unlike me, Luno and Mira, who tends the tavern on a daily basis and only takes commissions when we're needed. Jeyson is a full time mercenary, he does this full time and reports back here. Because of him, Tavern Mikra has a lot of connections. Which makes it easier for us to get the highest quality ale." So he is also an employee here. He looks cool and mysterious, and reminds me of a character from a great video game I used to play. Added cool points because of those menacing weapons behind him.
Mikra mentioned he has connections too. So that means he has Information networks? That sounds interesting, does that work like big companies with a lot of sources? As I was in my thoughts regarding Jeyson, Mikra gestured towards me and introduced me too.
"Jeyson, this is Yusof Harim. He has started working here since this morning, and he'll continue to do so."
"Nice to meet you."
I greeted as I extended my hand in hopes of getting at least a handshake from him.
"I know who you are." He replied coldly, it seems he is uninterested in the handshake. I lowered my hand in response.
"Oh you two have met already?" Mikra asked in his usual tone.
"Yes, I saw him waiting for me to come out of the bathroom when I had just finished putting on my clothes." I replied. He was just as cold then as he was now. I also remembered he said something. I didn't quite catch it though.
"I see. You both didn't do anything did you?"
"No, he was just waiting for me to finish using the bathroom." I say bathroom more like bath house, that place is huge.
"I see, I see.." is it just me, or did he had a hit of relief on his face when he heard we didn't do anything else. Mikra spoke as he reopened the sack. "Onto the topic at hand. Brace yourself for what you're about to see."
What is? As I was thinking of the possibilities of what it could be. Mikra took out what he was telling to prepare for. It was worse than I expected, I twitched as I laid eyes upon it.
It was a human finger, it was chopped off unclean as I could see some cut attempts that didn't make all the way through. The finger had a peculiar ring worn on it, like a gold ring but some kind of silver ornament with 6 blades dark blades forming an outer circle, a broken tree and at the top of the broken tree which was also the center of the ring and the outer circle was a small sphere illuminating tiny light. Luno and Mira made a disgusted face as they reacted to it.
"That's brutal."
"Any victim of Jeyson suffers a brutal death."
"That's how I work. Those who are the targets in my revenge deserve no mercy." Jeyson spoke to the girls who reacted to the severed finger. Jeyson then turned his body towards Mikra and spoke.
"Now, Mikra, detect where that ring is from."
"Alright. Wait a second."
Upon hearing that, Mikra responded and slid off the ring that was on the finger. The feeling of warmth onto me intestfies, the strangely alluring object was that ring. It wasn't a strong feeling that made me lose control of myself, but it was definitely a pleasing feeling. After sliding the ring off he kept the finger back in the sack.
"Reveal Weakness."
It was the same spell Mira and Mikra casted onto me when my arm had Dark Beast Residue. Mikra's palm glowed as he held the ring. The ring then glowed like Mikra's hand and black miasma oozed out of it. I was shocked! I looked over to Mira and Luno, their faces are also focused onto the ring. I opened my mouth and asked in confusion and awe.
"What's that?"
"It's a ring that belonged to a Follower. It has the properties of Dark Magic." Mikra replied.
Follower? Follower of what? More importantly, Dark Magic? Isn't that thing bad! But.. it's giving me a weirdly easy feeling! Oh my! Oh my! This is not good! Not good I say! Okay, Yusof calm down, we'll talk about this to them later. Jeyson got impatient and spoke to Mikra.
"So. Where is the location?"
Mikra closed his eyes. Then the glow from his hand slowly moved along his arm, the glow had multiplied and split into many directions making it look like some sort of nerve system. The glow kept moving and multiplying until it reached Mikra's head. He opened his eyes and his eyes glowed. Then he opened his mouth and spoke.
"Trace."
Mikra was silent. His eyes went blank from it's glowing. It was as if he was pulled out of reality.
"What.. Did he do?" I asked. Mira replied to me as she observed her father.
"Right now, Old Man is in a vision, this vision is taking him to a place where the ring was enchanted. This is one of the many applications of Light Magic."
"Light Magic?"
"Light magic is a magic type that is accessible to anyone with an Awakened Magic Flow. However it's usage requires a lot of training."
"What can you do with Light Magic?"
"It's mainly used for things like this. The other day, I revealed the remains on your injury using Reveal Weakness which is a basic technique of Light Magic. Old Man can use it better and he even can use Trace, which is a more rare ability which he can use to find the origins of Enchanted Objects. Enchanted Objects are items enchanted with magic to help the user to use their abilities more efficiently with less drawback. His ability is really useful for times like this because it makes the commission's we accept from the Mercenary Union easy. That's just some of them, the applications of Light Magic are seemingly endless, because with enough training, one could even regrow limbs. It's all in the Magic Flow." Mira added.
Light Magic must be really versatile then. It seems to be an ability everyone can have access to. It just requires lots of training to use its abilities and even more training to tap into the more deeper elements of its use. That's based on my understanding.
Then it brings me to my other question. Dark Magic. Judging by their expressions when black miasma came out of the ring, the atmosphere became intense. It must be signalling something bad.
"Then.. What about this so-called Dark Magic?"
"Dark Magic is just as versatile as Light Magic. If used well, Dark Magic has a bigger danger scale than Light Magic. However, unlike Light Magic, the only requirements to obtain them is to awaken your Magic Flow. Dark Magic needs you to corrupt it."
"Corrupt.. your Magic Flow?" I was confused. This 'Magic Flow' is already something new to me, I didn't know what it was and now we're already talking about corrupting it. I just woke up in this world yesterday, I didn't know anything. Mira and Luno also made a concerned face towards me. Is this something that I should know? Mira opened her mouth slightly to answer my question.
"Yusof, th-"
"HUHARGH"
Just as Mira was about to answer me, it was interrupted by Mikra who just came back. He took a big breath as if he just resurfaced from water after being inside for a long time. His expression was also pale, like he saw a ghost.
"Are you okay?"
"Boss!"
"What happened?"
"Mikra! What did you see?"
We asked him in panic. He hastily took a bottle behind him and drank it vigorously. After gulping down the entire bottle, he regained his breath and looked at us. He was still visibly shaken.
"That.. that.."
"Mikra! What did you see?" Jeyson asked, he wanted to know what Mikra saw that made him become like that.
Mikra looked at me, then he looked at Mira, after that he looked at Luno and lastly at Jeyson who now had both of his hands on the counter. In a position desperately eager to know what Mikra saw.
"I saw.. it.... firsthand."
"What? H-how? No, more importantly. Where? Where is it Mikra?"
"Give me your hand."
As Mikra said that, he extended his hand. Jeyson complied as he also extended his hand. Mikra grabbed onto Jeyson's wrist and spoke.
"Transfer."
Mikra's hand glowed and shortly after, there was a flowing glow that was going up his arm but slowly faded. Jeyson twitched, he removed his other arm from the counter as stood up straight and took a step back. His vacant hand made a fist. I still couldn't see his face but it was clear that he was troubled.
"This... This.... THIS.."
"Jeyson! I know what you're thinking! Don't do anything rash!"
Jeyson got more intense, he definitely saw something. I wanted to ask what it was, however as I glanced at Mira and Luno, their expressions became a little fearful, as if they were afraid of them. I wanted to ask them what happened, this is a first for me, I don't know anything about Magic or whatever but out of my genuine concern, I stood up and asked.
"What happened?"
"Nothing of your concern, right now, it would be best if you all went upstairs. It's getting late as well."
"But!"
"Just go!" Jeyson raised his voice. I stood there silently. Mira also stood up, her face became determined as she spoke.
"We'll stay, we can help!"
"No. It's something I have to task Jeyson with. Thank you for your concern, you can go to bed." Mikra said to Mira while patting her head, she quickly removed herself from being patted. Luno held onto her shoulder and nodded. They both went upstairs obediently.
I stayed back because I wanted to ask something. I was intrigued and I wanted to know, I opened my mouth to ask.
"I want to ask something."
"What is it?"
"How do I become a mercenary?"
Mikra looked at me with a surprised expression for a moment, but it changed into a calm one as he looked down.
"We'll.. talk about that tomorrow. You should go upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
"Well yes. You're an employee here now. That room is officially yours."
"...Thanks."
"Goodnight, Yusof."
That's the last thing he said to me. After that, he didn't respond to any of my questions anymore. They ignored my presence and started to converse within themselves. I quietly went upstairs, I saw Mira and Luno not yet entering their rooms, they looked at each other with concerned faces. I walked towards the room given to me and laid on the bed.
After learning that there was an occupation like that. I was intrigued, not because it felt like those movies I watched... Well maybe a little but it was something bigger.
It was about something else.
Something I ignored since I came here.
Finding out about my Reincarnation.
I ignored it since I discovered it. I was too self-indulgent about living a better life, I didn't think about what happened. How am I here, Why am I here? Why did I suddenly look younger. Why did I feel strangely easy about something that has Dark Magic on it, at least that's what they say it is. Thinking about these questions. It makes me a bit worried about it.
Actually, it's just my own desire. I just can't find myself living happily without knowing anything about the logic defying phenomenon that occurred to me. I was dead, yet here I am, clearly alive. Impossible!. How can I not be confused?
Maybe, being a mercenary.. I might be able to make connections that could help me get answers about this.
After thinking to myself like this. I slowly closed my eyes to sleep. Laying on the bed.
____________
Downstairs in Tavern Mikra, Mikra and Jeyson are sitting across from each other. The atmosphere was tense, for they had witnessed something that shook them both. Jeyson took off his hood that revealed a silver haired man with normal face features and looked at Mikra.
"I never thought the vision would bring us to that moment. It seems that the ring was made at the same time the ritual was underway."
Mikra nodded, and continued.
"It was the moment where the soul was corrupted to receive the ability to use Dark Magic. Soul Offering, the ritual that allows someone to access dark magic by corrupting their Magic Flow and offering their souls to the God of Darkness."
Indeed, the event they saw that shook them was the ritual that offers the very soul of an individual. Just so they can access the power of Magic.
"The one who led the ritual was definitely there."
"Can you discern him?"
"I couldn't, he didn't enter the ring's line of sight."
"Do you know where it is?"
Upon hearing this, Mikra took out a rolled piece of paper from under the counter. He unrolled it and it revealed itself to be a map. The map showed a mass of land that was divided into 5 regions by trees and waters: North, South, East, West and Center all with their own respective kingdoms. There are many indicators to show what are the names and places of the things on the map.
Mikra pointed to a forest area very close southeast to the South Kingdom, between Morning Hills that was a hill range south of the Kingdom and close to a tall building outside the South Kingdom with the name South Tower and started to explain. "In the vision, we are able to see outside the big hole from the broken glass of this place. I could see the Morning Hills and the South Tower from it , so that means it has to be in this area. I'm sorry but that's all I can give you."
"Don't worry. It's plenty. Thanks. I'll leave, first thing tomorrow."
"This could be dangerous, let's say if the ritual leader is there, be careful. Don't forget you're magic-"
"I know, I know. I'll be careful and I know that too, I have to do this, this is my fight." Jeyson interrupted. Mikra sighed and spoke as he was exited from the counter.
"You're not the only one who lost things because of those people. I have, Luno has. Mira has." Mikra said as he exited to counter and approached Jeyson.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you're not alone in this fight. You can always ask for help from us, recently you've been returning with injuries."
"No I haven't! I'm strong enough already!" Jeyson said that as he took a step back away from Mikra. Mikra continued approaching Jeyson and opened his left sleeve. It revealed a terrible injury on his shoulder that wasn't treated. It had infections and smelled bad.
"Sit down. I'll treat it."
"Tch.."
Jeyson sat down on a chair as he reluctantly accepted to be treated by Mikra. Mikra placed his hand on Jeyson's shoulder, his hand glowed and Jeyson's wound slowly healed. Jeyson, who was sitting down, spoke to Mikra while he was getting healed.
"So, did you find out anything about that man Yusof?"
"Other than Luno and Mira's behavior around him and that he is reliable and kind. Not much else."
"Hmm.. That talk about him wanting to be a mercenary.."
"About that, I'll think about it."
"You better not be thinking what I'm thinking."
"We could use more fighters, then maybe finally Luno and Mira can finally stop going out doing those dangerous jobs for good."
"Well, let's hope he knows how to fight."
"He held himself up against a Dark Beast alone unarmed, he should be able to."
After Mikra said that, Jeyson's injury closed. He stood up and was about to go upstairs.
"Goodnight. Mikra."
"I thought you said you have other things to do?"
"Yeah it's called sleeping."
Mikra sighed and spoke one last time to him.
"Next time, just ask for help. You don't have to be alone all the time."
Jeyson didn't reply. He continued to walk upstairs, leaving Mikra behind. He whispered to himself when he was far enough from Mikra to hide his visible frustration from him.
"This is my revenge, and mine alone."