Chapter 38: A mission and quest
Bryce didn't need Wolfgang to explain the term 'Beast Tamer'.
He inferred nearly everything from the name alone and the woman he had met just now. Though Bryce couldn't recognize fur around her neck, he guessed her fur coat was made from killing werewolves, which surely reeked of their presence and uniqueness for those with experienced senses.
And as Wolfgang was a royal werewolf, he just needed a glance to see through her.
It was also obvious that the woman was the same — she had quickly spotted him.
"Is their organization famous?" Bryce asked on their way to the mercenary guild, surprising Wolfgang. And seeing his face, Bryce added, "I don't think a solo beast tamer can live long enough. Well, if he's strong, then it's a different matter. But I don't think she's that strong since she didn't attack you in the town."
Although a beast tamer might prioritize hunting just one race, his presence alone should be jarring to everyone from the beast lands. Moreover, the werewolves' kingdom was vast and famous among the beasts, so hunting werewolves wasn't like picking just one pack.
Because of those reasons, Bryce believed there was an organization of beast tamers.
Wolfgang nodded, his hands balled, "I heard there are a few organizations of beast tamers. The most famous one in humanity's ranks is known as Bestia: in the demon lands, Artemis."
"Thinking about it, those lands are pretty close to the demon lord's castle and wilderness with monsters," Bryce whispered while peeking at his minimap. He saw wilderness with villages, monster lands, and a demon lord's castle a few provinces away. The villain and his servants were some pig monsters, too.
Many beasts would go through these areas after leaving their kingdoms and lands. It wasn't weird for beast tamers to have some bases around here, even in Emerea City.
Bryce's heart suddenly beat faster.
Picking a side would always be his problem, but as he was already buddies with Wolfgang, he'd naturally stay by his side and help him with his enemies. And those enemies could significantly improve Bryce's skills. The current him was just a weak demon lord and hero, both bloodlines were sealed, and their origins remained unknown.
To achieve his goals, Bryce needed blood.
'Change of plans,' Bryce whispered inwardly, his heart palpitating.
At that time, Wolfgang nodded, "I thought of it, too. There has to be some cooperation going on. I don't think I'll focus on it, though. The dungeon and the fairy's lake are my priority." And then, he wheeled to Bryce, only to find him standing by his side, with golden hair and red eyes shining bright. "You want some attention, too, buddy?"
"I want hoes and their daddies to go at me," Bryce chuckled, revealing his vampire's teeth. "I will execute them all."
[Your regalia of the demon lord has stirred.]
[You've received a quest.]
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An impossible scene took over the mercenary guild after two handsome fellows entered it, which silenced the rowdy and messy business inside. Everyone, even those arrogant mercenaries whose only talent was killing monsters, silently hovered their eyes on the vampire and werewolf, both royalties from the looks of it, going like two buddies to a receptionist girl.
Those receptionists recorded every mission and achievement, then sent them to the Freedom Metropolis, where the strongest guilds of mercenaries dwelled.
It was a dream of many mercenaries to receive a mission from that prestigious place, let alone work and live here.
And as mercenaries of every level were required in this business, everyone had a chance to work there.
But after saying their names, Bryce and Wolfgang skipped the wait and went somewhere else, guided by another girl. In another room, much more private and without any commotion, Bryce and his friend answered some questions, tested their strength through a crude method of destroying a punching bag, and even received a first mission offer.
"As you know, a demon lord has called monsters to his castle. We've received news that all of them have already been dismissed and are returning to their homes. However, they got lost or stayed in more convenient places, which resulted in many battles between monsters. Because of them, many villagers and merchants have been scared to leave their homes and work." The mercenary guild's worker said, then drew a few circles on the map.
Wolfgang couldn't read them, so he remained expressionless while Bryce confirmed things with his minimap. He accepted the first mission — Wolfgang, too — which was simply to kill monsters.
"Great!" the worker happily exclaimed, took out a yellowish paper, wrote some stuff on it, stamped it with her blood, then passed it to the new mercenaries.
[Mercenary mission #1 - Kill monsters in Weisber Province - has been added to your system.]
"You can get your rewards in any mercenary guild in the world. Are there any questions?" she asked.
Bryce carefully replied, "You can easily imprint a mission to our systems, right? Can everyone from the guild do that?"
The worker nodded, "Everyone working here has passed tests of loyalty and compatibility. Using resources and skills from the Freedom Metropolis, invented by the first heroes and villains, we can interact with a system and ensure that there's no cheating, from both sides, of course."
Hearing it, Bryce understood the worker's attitude toward them. She accepted them simply because her bosses were heroes and villains, so she didn't have any prejudice toward him being a vampire. Werewolves had a hero, so it was even less likely for her to be wary of Wolfgang.
"Has a mercenary guild ever fallen?" Bryce asked.
"Yes. It happened many times," the worker replied flatly, not wanting to continue the talk. She fished out Bryce and Wolfgang's identification tokens, pushed them into their hands, then ended their conversation with those words, "May you see tomorrow, mercenaries."
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"You probably made her recall stories about corrupted mercenary guilds in demon lands," Wolfgang finally parted his lips, mentioning Bryce's odd question.
He knew about Freedom Metropolis but not about their guilds in demon lands. "Yeah, better work under a cover with demons, right?"
Wolfgang laughed and patted Bryce's shoulder, "Yeah, right? But, well, not everyone from demon races is the same. There are many oddballs, like us, for instance."
And that's where the talk stopped because Wolfgang's knowledge about mercenaries was simply too limited. He didn't even know what exactly happened to mercenaries in demon lands — it wasn't hard to imagine some stuff, though.
Bryce also focused on his matters. He wanted to sell stuff he'd picked on his way to the Emerea City, then get a room for himself and Gengo in an inn. His first problems started when he'd entered the shop as a vampire.
After all, that race was demonic. Still, no one was bold enough to refuse Bryce, and as he just did his business, it was a quick and simple process.
Leaving the shop with some coins in his inventory, Bryce felt foreign eyes on him. He wheeled to the origin, only to find guards carefully examining his presence. They hadn't spotted any blood on him, and when he distanced himself from the shop, they entered it to check the interior.
Since no one pursued him, Bryce was clear of doubts. A few minutes later, other guards checked Bryce and Wolfgang.
"Wouldn't it be easier for you to move as a human?" Wolfgang said, irritated a little as all attention was on them. It wouldn't be like that if Bryce kept his vampire features hidden.
Gengo barked and agreed with Wolfgang.
But Bryce shook his head, "It's much easier for me now."
It was better to hide just one bloodline than two.