Inside an inn of Rain Town,
"So, you just came back without getting rid of the guy?!" a crisp voice filled with irritation sounded.
Rosalia had a livid expression while she clenched a green device in her hand. "I already told you I don't want to draw any attention. Besides, that guy isn't easy to deal with!"
The voice berated, "I never thought you of all the people will be afraid of some backwater town's mercenary. You disappoint me, Lion!"
Rosalia clenched her teeth but didn't rebuke, as if she was more afraid of this person on the other side.
"Nevertheless, I can understand your effort and concern for the upcoming mission. But this is too important for us to just let anyone walk away with the information. You know what will happen if this news reached some people's ears?" The voice sounded gentle this time.
Rosalia take a deep breath and said, "I understand. I'll get rid of him."
"No." replied the feminine voice. "That man made you feel fear, which means he's as strong as you or even stronger. So, I'll send someone to deal with him. Just focus on your mission."
Rosalia's expression twisted, but she could only agree, "A-alright."
"Send me his address. He won't live past tomorrow!"
---
At dawn,
Jacob had already packed his things after he got rid of Pig Head's corpse.
He headed toward the town station where one can hire horse carriages.
Since it was just the start of the morning, there were only two available. For three silver coins, he hired a small size carriage, which look plain and was enough for his needs.
The carriage owner was a young man with a bubbly personality, and he was quite energetic.
But after he got an icy stare from Jacob, he kept his mouth shut and mind his business.
After Jacob was done loading, they embarked on their journey toward the Lionheart City, which was 219 miles away from the rain town and it will take them three days to reach there, according to the young man.
Jacob sat inside the carriage as he looked at the small town which was now far away and they were now heading on a dirt road that lead to the main road of Lionheart City.
"Tell me about the Lionheart City." Jacob finally spoke as he looked at the young man controlling the reins.
The young man's name was Pete. He was startled when he heard Jacob's question and quickly replied, "Sir, you asked the right person! Let me tell you that Lionheart City is one of the biggest cities in Gloria Country, and it's under the jurisdiction of the Lionheart Family. The Lionheart Family is the in-laws with the Barron so they enjoy a lofty status…"
However, before he could continue, Jacob cut him short, "I know all this. Tell me something that isn't written in books."
Peter staggered for a moment. "I can't read…" he mumbled as if he was in great distress.
He was just a commoner and the education system wasn't well established in small towns like the rain town and only people with high enough status and money can learn to read or write.
Jacob said, "What about the Gunsmith Guild?"
"Oh, I know about the Gunsmith Guild!" Peter's expression suddenly brightened, "The Gunsmith Guild is the dream of every blacksmith because they earn a huge amount of money since they supply every firearm in the Kingdom. They even collaborate with the Star Mercenary Agency!
"Look, look, I bought this F-09 Barrel Gun from the Gunsmith Guild in the Lionheart City. It can shoot four bullets continuously. I was lucky it was on sale that day or I might've never bought it." Peter took out a five-inch revolver from his side pocket and started to flash it before Jacob with a smug smile.
Jacob couldn't help but felt this young man was naïve, and it was a waste of time to ask him anything. He wanted to know if they rented their equipment or if he had to join them first.
Now, it seemed he had to find the answer once he got there himself.
After flashing around the small revolver, Peter put it back in his pocket with great satisfaction and said, "I also heard the Gunsmith Guild issued a monthly recruitment test like the Apothecary Guild and many people take it like crazy. An old man who once hired me told me this, and could you believe it? He said he had taken the test almost sixty times already, but still failed. Yet, he was still unwilling to give up!"
Jacob finally got something interesting and asked, "Oh, did he tell you why he keeps taking that test?"
Peter shook his head with uncertainty, "No, although I asked, he only said, this was his dream to join and learn from the best creators of the kingdom. He even said there are far more people like him who have taken the test over a hundred times and still come back to try their luck."
"Intriguing." Jacob chuckled lightly. 'I hope they won't disappoint me with their equipment.'
After that, like a broken record, Peter keep going and going like he didn't need to breathe and only stopped when Jacob made him stop.
But one thing that both Jacob and Peter failed to notice was that a few hundred meters away from their carriage, another carriage was moving on the same tracks.
"We got here in time or our target would've been escaped!" A person wearing a mask said as he looked in the distance with cold eyes.
"Heh, mistress told us to be careful, but he's just a coward who's escaping out of fear!" another masked person sneered disdainfully.
"Old Third, keep the distance and when they stop to rest for the night, we'll make a move and be on our way. He just made it easier for us to get rid of him and no one will ever know what happened to him." the third masked person ordered, the last masked person who was handling the carriage.
Old Third chuckled coldly, "No problem. I heard he's a C-rank mercenary. I wonder how many gold coins we'll get from his dead body."
"I'm more interested in those crates. I wonder if he's making an important delivery, if that is, we struck it rich!" Old Second eyes shone with greed.
"Heh, happy hunting comrades!"
"Haha, happy hunting…"
"Happy Hunting…"
"We live for hunting!"
The four bellowed in full of confidence.
Peter stopped the carriage at noon, close to a water source.
"Sir, horses need to drink water. It'll only take fifteen minutes. Sorry for the trouble." Told Peter as he apologized.
"Don't worry." Jacob waved his hand. He didn't mind, since he wasn't in a hurry.
While Peter took horses toward the water source, Jacob couldn't help but look at the deserted road and the empty land around.
However, his eyes suddenly narrowed when he spotted a small dot a few hundred meters away. It was quite easy to spot such an abnormality since there wasn't a forest around here.
'Another group of travelers?' Jacob thought, and stop paying attention.
"Let's go." Peter appeared again and connected the carriage again.
Jacob nodded, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes as he looked in the distance.
"This is the only water source around here, right?" He asked Peter.
"Yes. After this, we only encounter a water source on the main road." Peter nodded in puzzlement since he didn't know why Jacob would ask such a question.
Jacob's eyes shimmered, "Alright, let's go."
Peter shrugged his shoulder and embarked on the carriage, and they continue.
Jacob, however, was now sitting in the back and he kept looking back from the small gap in the curtain.
After moving for two hours, Jacob suddenly said, "Stop the carriage!"
Peter did as he was told and looked back in confusion. "Sir, what happened?"
Jacob didn't answer and opened a small box. It was filled with meat. "Go start a fire. It's time to eat."
Peter's eyes widen as he looked at the high-quality meat and he nearly drooled. He said, "Yes, right away!"
However, Jacob looked in the distance, and just as he guessed, the small dot stopped again!
'They're following us!' Jacob's expression turned frosty at this moment. 'Who could that be?'
But he acted as if he noticed nothing and make a meal.
In the distance,
"What are they doing now?" Old First asked with an unhappy tone.
Old Fourth looked in distance with a foot-long bronze telescope and said, "Don't worry, they're eating. Do you think they can notice us from this distance?"
"Hmph. Let them enjoy their last meat. The moment night descends, we'll move." Old Second snorted.
Old Four's mouth watered as he noticed smoke rising. He said, "We should eat as well. What do you guys have?"
"Umm… dry jerky?" Old First reply.
Old Four rebuked, "Fuck? You didn't bring any meat for us to barbecue?!"
Old First was dumbfounded. "Why would we? Do you think we're on a picnic?!"