Chapter 99: Entering the desert (1/2)

Only two weeks passed by the time Layn and his small group arrived in the city before the warcamp started filling with people once again.

From the early birds hoping to find some other like-minded mercenaries to form parties and go explore the desert once the barrier would switch open, through merchants sensing the gold in servicing all those adventurers, all the way to people like Layn, who saw this place as nothing but an opportunity.

”Guys, I know I was vague with the objective of your mission, but now it's up to you,” Layn said, standing in front of a group of roughly twenty people. Irea stood right behind him, to propagate the image of the two of them being different from everyone else in the now greater group.

Amongst the recruits, early birds got the worm. Even though he was just lucky to be selected, Pavrien took command of one-half of the mercenaries, while hand-picked Antion commanded the rest of them.

”Once we enter the desert, there will be no going back. Or rather, if any of you will go back, I won't detach anyone to help you make your way back to the safety of the camp,” Layn announced, before looking at his people with scrutiny.

'Well, that was only to be expected,' Layn thought depressingly, despite putting up a cheerful front. Out of exactly twenty-three members that his new group consisted of, only three or four had some talent that Layn could feel.

”At least no one backed off yet,' Layn encouraged himself before his lips started to move once again.

”I can't give you the estimated time that this mission will take. But there are a few rules that I believe I should mention before we set off.” Layn said before taking a glance at the situation behind.

The massive barrier that separated this anomaly-type desert from the warcamp was fluctuating. While it still has yet to go down, one only needed to look at how the entire entryway was filled to the brim with people to understand that it would be down any moment now.

”First off, whatever you find, whatever you obtain, and whatever you win over the course of this mission, is yours to take,” Layn announced the most important incentive for the trip.

According to Irea, a seasoned adventurer of this place, the spoils would be usually pitched into a single pile, turned into money, and only then would the members of the party take their share each.

On the other hand, for people hiring escorts for their desert explorations, just the payment alone had to suffice, as the hiring party was entitled to all the spoils they would obtain during the trip. In essence, this simple agreement was the only reason why people continued to invest in various parties, hoping that the returns of the trip would be greater than its costs.

Yet, Layn turned those traditions all on their head, instantly giving away his rights to the spoils.

”Secondly, I want to repeat again. If someone decides to drop out, they not only won't receive any payment, they also won't receive any help in going back.” Layn added, looking for the hints of displeasure on the faces of his hired mercs.

”What if someone will get injured to the point of being unable to continue?” A voice from the crowd sounded. Even though Layn had over twenty people to watch out for, he still managed to notice who had the civil courage to ask this question.

”You don't need to worry about it, there won't be any injuries during this trip for as long as you travel with me,” Layn answered, shrugging his arms impatiently.

As important as this question was, for the archmage, asking it was no different than stalling for time.

And there were many possible reasons why one of the mercenaries would want to do so.

The desert was the same for everyone who wished to explore it. As vast as it might be, there was always a huge risk that once the barrier would shift, monsters far stronger than average would appear early on.

That's why, as many benefits as there were for entering the desert early on, a lot of adventurers and mercenaries preferred to give way to the locally strongest parties, as they were the only ones capable of dealing with such threats.

”So you are going to kill everyone injured?!” Another voice said before the gesticulation allowed Layn to spot who was speaking. With his arms wildly moving around, the man shook his head before turning around. ”It's pointless. I'm leaving, and I would advise everyone to do the same, ha!”

”Hey!” Pavrien who was unlucky enough to be in charge of the group with that man in it attempted to stop him from leaving.

”Cut it out, let him go. We have no need for cowards.” Layn said without a care, even though one of the few talented people just decided to leave.

”Cowards? Did you just call me a coward?!” The man instantly lashed back when he heard Layn's rebuttal.

”How else would you call someone who didn't even have the guts to ask what I meant by no injuries?” Layn asked with a smile on his face before waving his hand at the man. ”Pavrien, Antion, could you get rid of him for me?”

Now that the man took his stance, Layn wasn't going to bother with him any longer. Given the endgame of creating a group of powerhouses that he had in mind, allowing anyone who dared to challenge his authority was a strict no-no.