Chapter 49 - Seaport Landium 2 (1/2)

She was Erica Donovan, the second most influential person in the port city of Landium, after Sebastian Kallis that is.

‘What should I do….’

Her relationships with some of her major customers had been deteriorating due to the latest attacks on her caravans.

To make matters worse the items that had been stolen had all been luxury goods.

This translated into a large financial loss, not to mention that it was difficult to procure replacements within a short time frame.

‘I really have to make my decision regarding Sebastian.’

Currently all the preparations had been made, and they were just waiting for the green light.

They had hired additional elite mercenaries, as well as porters to spy on the coming and goings of Kallis’ faction.

Waiting to fight when she had the superior numbers would be ideal, but currently they weren’t mismatched either.

Erica looks down at her body, stopping at her large breasts as she thought of all the humiliation she had been forced to endure.

A mature beauty that any man would fall for, but it didn’t do her any good when trying to lead. She was only disregarded time and time again due to her sex.

‘I need to seize this chance.’

If she managed to overcome this feud between Kallis and her, no one could look down on her any longer.

Erica stepped out of the tub, wrapping her supple body in a pink towel.

As she was busy drying herself off.

“Erica, a man is here to see you.”

She heard her maid’s voice from behind the door.

“What does he look like?”

“He was armed as a mercenary. He came along with Ryan, one of our faction’s mercenaries.

“... Let him in, I’ll see him in a bit.”

Any mercenary willing to work for her cause was welcome.

After quickly drying her hair, Erica put on a red dress and headed to the waiting room. Upon opening the door, she caught sight of the red haired young man sitting casually on the chair.

“What did you come see me for?”

“I would like to sign an employment contract.”

Cutting straight to the chase. This kind of attitude demonstrated a certain confidence in his skills. Erica’s green eyes scanned him from top to bottom.

“First I’d like to hear a bit more about your experience. How long have you been a mercenary for?”

“5 years.”

Hearing Woohyuk’s arrogant tone, the mercenaries guarding Erica frowned.

Erica however didn’t mind. Her current situation didn’t allow her to be picky.

“I’m not sure if you already know this, but mercenaries are typically divided into different ranks, between 1 and 3. What level do you want to challenge?”

“Special.”

The room became silent.

“Each level corresponds to a certain difficulty, are you sure that you want to choose Special?”

“Yup.”

There was only a single Special ranked mercenary within their entire merchant faction. At least that was according to Ryan.

AsWoohyuk remained calm and met her gaze, a gray haired man that was standing behind Erica walked forward.

He had a sharp gaze, different from the average mercenary.

“If so, then you shall face me.”

“Are you Darius, the Gray Wolf?”

“Right, I’m a bit well known in this area.”

Darius’ brusque response signaled his dissatisfaction with Woohyuk.

He seemed ready to draw his sword as soon as Erica gave the order.

“This place isn’t suitable for a duel, let’s go to the public training area. It is nice weather today as well.

“I understand.”

After receiving Woohyuk’s acknowledgement, Erica took the lead and led her mercenaries.

Despite not knowing when the battle against Kaliss’ faction would take place, she was willing to make a public appearance, which was pretty bold of her.

‘She looks like a confident woman.’

Although she lost in the civil war in the past, she didn’t come off as a weak person.

Maybe she suffered from an internal betrayal.

“Don’t take this too far since this is simply to judge your skill level.”

After arriving at the training area, Erica set the rules for the duel. They should avoid any unnecessary provoking or injuring of their opponent as much as possible.

Basically a mock duel.

‘Is this supposed to sword dance?’

Although it was annoying, he would have to be a bit serious in order to prove his skill.

Woohyuk stared at Darius with an expressionless face. His opponent was looking back at him, his hand placed on the hilt of his sword exuding a terrifying fighting spirit.

‘Should I put in a bit more effort and wipe the floor with him?’

If he didn’t make the difference in their strength clear, he might challenge him in the future.

As his thoughts reached such a point, Woohyuk released the Demon Energy that resided deep within his body.

It was a power similar to that used by martial artists from Murim.

It functioned along the same principles, so it was possible to use it to defend yourself or even incorporate it in your swordsmanship if your ability was high enough.

Darius’ eyes widened upon seeing dark energy burst out from Woohyuk’s body.

“You couldn't have… did you sign a contact with a Demon?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Although he didn’t have an official rank among Demon hierarchy, Asura was the former Demon God.

A class of its own when compared to ordinary Demons

Just like Solomon’s 72 Demon Kings, he could easily subdue those weaker than him with his presence alone.

As Woohyuk took a step forward, Darius broke out into a cold sweat.

‘What….’

The pressure alone made him instinctively shrink back.

It was completely beyond any aggression he had ever faced, it didn’t feel like he was facing a living being.

Shiiing!

After a long struggle, he finally managed to draw his sword. He was able to do so because the difference in their stats wasn’t too big. Due to the fact that Woohyuk was equipped with several Growth type items, his stats growth was a bit constrained.

Claang!

As their swords clashed, a dull sound rang out.

Darius had put his all in order to block it, but there seemed to be an invisible force that was pressuring his entire body, making it difficult to even move properly.

As a result…

Puk!

He wasn’t able to avoid Woohyuk’s incoming fist.

As Darius was sent flying to the ground, the mercenaries that had been spectating couldn’t help but gossip among themselves, a look of disbelief on their faces.

“My God, Darius…”

“What happened?”

Within the port city of Landium, Darius was a fearsome character.

He was the #1 ranked mercenary and would trample any who tried to face him. He had received the nickname Grey Wolf for just such a reason.

However in this duel had been so one sided, as he had been easily beaten by a handsome youth. Trembling like a coward that had been conscripted to join the battlefield against his will.

“Ah, I think I managed to win somehow.”

Woohyuk said, as he placed his foot on Darius’ head.

Seeing his performance, Erica couldn’t help but clap her hands in excitement.

“That was really amazing. You were able to knock down my strongest mercenary without breaking a sweat.”

“Did I pass your test?”

“Of course, Oh and could you let Darius off, there are a lot of people watching.”