Ch 93 - Luc, the Merchant of Death

I followed Luc as he guided me through the thick underbrush, weaving effortlessly between the gnarled roots and damp foliage. The air here was different—heavier, colder, carrying the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. A faint mist clung to the ground, swirling around our feet with each step.

Something about this place unsettled me.

The deeper we went, the more I noticed the eerie absence of wildlife. No birds, no rustling in the bushes, no distant howls—just the whisper of the wind through the trees. It was unnatural. But what bothered me even more was the man walking ahead of me.

Luc.
Proclaiming to be a merchant and part-time bounty hunter.

Even now, I remained wary of him. There was something off about him—not just his detached demeanor but his entire presence. His eyes were heavy, exhausted as if he hadn’t slept in years. He moved with an unsettling ease, his loose black garments flowing like a shadow. Unlike most adventurers, he carried no visible armor, just a single short sword strapped to his hip. His pale skin, barely visible beneath the gloves he wore, had the sickly hue of someone who’d spent too much time away from the sun.

Despite his apparent lethargy, I had no doubt that he was dangerous.

Still, he hadn’t done anything overtly suspicious—aside from casually carrying a bag of severed heads.

After what felt like an hour of silent travel, the sound of voices and the clatter of trade drifted through the trees. The forest gave way to an open clearing, revealing a town nestled between rolling hills and a wide, murky moat. The walls, constructed from thick wooden logs reinforced with iron spikes, loomed ahead. Watchtowers lined the perimeter, manned by rugged men gripping crossbows. Unlike the uniformed soldiers of Zephinya, these guards were an unkempt mix of seasoned fighters, their armor mismatched and battle-worn.

Luc led the way toward the main gate, where a line of wagons and adventurers stretched out before us. People of all shapes and sizes bustled around, some hauling massive monster carcasses on their carts, others bartering loudly over the spoils of their hunts. Unlike the cities I had known, where nobility and merchants dictated the law, this place was ruled by warriors—the strong.

There were two entrances: one for traders with their wagons and another for foot travelers. Luc and I took the latter, joining the queue of heavily armed men and women flashing identification cards to the guards.

Ahead of us, a young woman presented a worn-out adventurer’s card. A red gemstone embedded in a stone pillar pulsed faintly as the guard pressed her card against it. After a moment, he nodded and waved her through.

I frowned, glancing at Luc.

“You need some kind of ID to get in?” I muttered under my breath.
Luc raised an eyebrow as if I had just asked whether the sky was blue.

I let out a sigh and joined the line, with Luc stepping in right behind me.

When our turn arrived, one of the guards stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over me.
“ID, please.”

I froze. “Uh…”

The guard’s brows furrowed as I hesitated.
Luc exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose behind me.

“I… uh… don’t have a card,” I admitted quickly, “But I’m a citizen of Zephinya! You can ask me anything to prove it.”

The guard’s lips curled into an unimpressed sneer.
“Kid, your Zephinya status means jack shit here. Do you have an adventurer’s license? A travel permit from a recognized guild? A recommendation letter from an affiliate? Any of the three?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again.

“…About that,” I started, “I actually forgot those—”

“Forgot?” The guard scoffed, “Then turn around and go fetch them.”

I grimaced. Of course, I don’t have any of those on hand, or it's impossible to get them so quickly.

Just as the tension thickened, Luc let out an exaggerated sigh and pulled something from his sleeve.

“Listen, Mr. Guard,” he drawled, handing over a card, “The kid’s with me. We’ve been on the road for days, and honestly? I’m too tired of this bureaucratic nonsense. Let’s not waste each other’s time.”

The moment the guard saw Luc’s card, his expression shifted. His face paled slightly, and his posture stiffened. He swallowed, glancing at Luc with something that almost resembled fear.

“…Alright,” the guard muttered, stepping aside. “Let them pass.”

Luc retrieved his card and strode into the town without another word.

As I followed, I noticed the guards whispering among themselves. One of them, the same one who had initially questioned me, quickly turned and darted toward a watchtower, disappearing inside.

I frowned. Something told me this Luc fellow was a big shot or something.

As we stepped into the heart of the town, I realized just how different this place was from the structured, noble-controlled cities of Zephinya. The air reeked of sweat, ale, and monster blood, mixing into a scent that was almost suffocating.

The streets were alive with rough laughter, clinking armor, and the occasional bellowing argument between adventurers. Merchants lined the roads, selling everything from weapons and enchanted gear to roasted meat skewers sizzling over open flames. It was a chaotic mess, but in a way, it felt… free.

A place for survivors. A place for people like me.

“So listen, Mr. Luc,” I said, stopping near the edge of the town square. “Thanks for guiding me here, but I think it’s time we part ways.” I offered him a small, grateful nod. “I appreciate the help, really, but I’ll take it from here.”

The way he carried the severed head, the cold confidence in his stride, and the way the guards moved around him—all of it set my nerves on edge. Every instinct screamed at me: stay away from this man.

Luc barely glanced at me, still looking as if he had just crawled out of his grave after years of no sleep. “Kid,” he said, his tone dry, “what’s your plan now?”

I thought for a moment.
“I’ll probably try to register as an adventurer. I’m sure there’s a guild headquarters here.”

Luc nodded slowly as if my answer wasn’t surprising. “A good plan.”

I raised a hand in farewell. “Well then—”

“Hope you’ve got official documents proving your identity, where you’re from, and who you are. Signed by verified sources, of course,” Luc interrupted lazily. “Or, if not that, I assume you have a veteran adventurer to vouch for you?”

I stopped mid-step, my hand still awkwardly half-raised in a wave.

I let out a defeated sigh. “…Of course not.”

Luc exhaled, rubbing his temple as if this entire conversation was a mild headache.

I clasped my hands together and smiled sheepishly. “So… can you help me get registered?”

Luc let out a long, exaggerated sigh. “I was going to the guild anyway,” he muttered.

“Great!” I grinned. He didn’t look that bad of a person. I’d use him for now—until I could make my own way, that is.

We walked deeper into town, moving through a crowd of adventurers gathered in the square. The buildings here were sturdier, better maintained, and some even bore symbols of guilds and mercenary factions. The most common was a flag featuring a black and red square with the image of a bull’s head. If I had to guess, it belonged to the ruling guild here.

As we approached the adventurer’s guild—a large arched building standing tall in the center of the town—I noticed something off.

A group of heavily armed adventurers stood gathered outside, their expressions sour. Five men stood at the entrance, led by a tanned, scarred man with broad shoulders and a presence that screamed ‘danger.’ Around them, additional figures lingered near nearby rooftops and alleys—mages, warriors, and archers, all watching carefully.

Luc and I continued forward.

“Stop right there,” the scarred man commanded, leveling his sword toward us. His sharp eyes locked onto Luc with immediate hostility.

Luc barely blinked. “Hello there,” he said, his voice devoid of concern. “Quite the welcoming party you’ve got here, Sir Kaondreh. Expecting someone important?”

Kaondreh scoffed. “Drop the act, Luc.” His grip tightened on his sword. “Or now you go by, the Five Paths of Death.”

I blinked. I glanced at Luc—who, frankly, looked more like a man suffering from chronic fatigue than some legendary warrior going by that name.

Luc sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“It’s Five Pats of Death,” he corrected. “There’s no h. Why does everyone get it wrong?”

Kaondreh wasn’t amused. “Enough of your ramblings. Who are you after this time? My head? One of my party members?” His voice was low, edged with restrained fury. “If you try to harm anyone inside my town, the Redhorn Vanguard will retaliate this instant.”

Luc’s bored expression didn’t change.

“I’m not here for your dumb head,” he muttered, clearly annoyed. “Why is everyone so terrified of me?” His eyes flickered—just for a second—but the shift in the air was immediate. The hostility from Kaondreh’s men wavered. Even the mages in the distance stiffened.

“If I wanted to hunt someone,” Luc continued, his tone now sharp, “do you really think I’d waltz through the front gate?”

A cold silence fell over the group.

Kaondreh’s muscles tensed. Sweat trickled down his temple, but his grip on his sword remained firm. “…Then state your business,” he finally said.

Luc smirked. “Relax. I’m just here to collect a few bounties.” With a casual flick of his wrist, he swung the blood-soaked bag. “Don’t worry, none of ‘em are from your town. This was the nearest guild, so I figured I’d stop by. Plus, I need some supplies before I head out. Hope that’s not an issue.”

No one asked what was inside the bag. The shape, the smell—it was clear enough.

Kaondreh exhaled through his nose and lowered his sword.
“If you’re not here for trouble, you’re free to pass.” His gaze then shifted to me. “What about the kid?”

Luc waved a dismissive hand. “He’s with me,” he said smoothly. “Cargo, just passing through.”

Kaondreh gave me a long, measuring look before finally stepping aside. “The day we relax around you is the day I retire from this line of work.” He narrowed his eyes, “It’s not every day the Merchant of Death decides to wander into town.”

Luc scoffed. “You’re just like your father, Sir Kaondreh. Uptight to the core.”
He walked past him without another glance, “But thanks for letting us in.”

I followed Luc inside, but even as we stepped past the heavy wooden doors of the guild hall, I could feel the weight of Kaondreh’s stare burning into my back.

Whatever—or whoever—Luc really was, it was obvious he wasn’t just some merchant and part-time bounty hunter like he claimed.

I chose not to press Luc about his past or whatever reputation he carried. Instead, I took in my surroundings, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine.

The grand adventurers’ guild building loomed before me, its high, vaulted ceilings supported by thick wooden beams that gave the place a rugged yet dignified charm. The floor was paved with solid stone tiles, well-worn from countless footsteps, and banners of various factions lined the walls, each telling a different story of conquest and camaraderie.

To the left, a bustling reception area was manned by efficient-looking attendants in crisp black uniforms, each wearing a locket bearing the guild’s insignia—a bow crossed with a sword. Their primary role was to register quests, allocate rewards, and handle inquiries from the constant influx of adventurers seeking work or recognition. Today was no exception, as the desks were swarmed with warriors, mages, and mercenaries, all clamoring for assignments.

To the right, a cozy lounge area provided a place of respite for those who needed a moment away from the battlefield. Wooden chairs and stone tables were scattered around, and a large fireplace crackled warmly, filling the space with a soothing glow. Groups of adventurers lounged there, some drinking, others sharing grand tales of their exploits or negotiating potential alliances.

Further ahead, a massive quest board stood, dominating an entire section of the hall. Adventurers gathered around, studying the parchment notices pinned to it, their expressions ranging from eager anticipation to grim determination. Bounties, monster exterminations, escort missions—every job imaginable was scrawled across that board, each one promising danger, fortune, or both.

Luc led the way to an empty counter, where one of the receptionists greeted us with a practiced smile.

“Good afternoon. Welcome to Layile’s Guild. How may I assist you?”

Luc reached into his sleeve, pulling out a folded piece of parchment.

“I’m here to claim a bounty.” His voice was as indifferent as ever.

With that, he dropped a blood-soaked bag onto the counter with a dull thud. The room around us seemed to pause for a brief second, and when one of the heads rolled free from the sack, landing face-up on the polished counter, the receptionist’s smile faltered. The decapitated scout’s vacant eyes stared back at her, his frozen expression twisted in horror.

To her credit, she maintained her composure, though a flicker of unease crossed her face before she schooled it back into professional neutrality. “Ah… let me confirm the quest details.”

She took the parchment from Luc and skimmed its contents, her gaze sharpening as she read. “The Zephinya Kingdom issued this bounty… elimination order for the rogue noble couple of Jedar Company and their affiliated smugglers.” She glanced at the severed heads, comparing their faces to the descriptions on the document.

A few adventurers nearby had noticed the transaction and were now openly watching, their expressions ranging from disgust to intrigue. Their stares burned into the back of my head, and I suddenly felt self-conscious, as if I were standing in the middle of something I wasn’t supposed to witness.

After completing her assessment, the receptionist wordlessly retrieved the bag and, with a flick of her wrist, stored it in a small glowing ring—a spatial storage item.

“Well then, congratulations,” she said, her voice light but forced. “The bounty has been successfully completed.”

She pulled out a coin pouch and placed it on the counter with a satisfying clink.

“Before I finalize the payment,” she continued, “there is one detail left unaccounted for. The couple reportedly harbored a child. Would you happen to know what became of them?”

At the mention of the child, I stiffened, memories flashing in my mind—how the woman had cradled the infant, how she had pleaded for a chance to escape. I glanced at Luc, searching his face for a reaction.

Luc simply shrugged. “A child? Didn’t see one.”

The receptionist studied him for a moment, then let out a small sigh. “I see. Well, never mind then.”

She turned her attention back to the payment. “As per the agreement, five gold per target and one gold for each smuggler. That makes a total of twelve gold. I’ll split it into six gold and a thousand silver for your convenience. Does that work for you, Mr. Luc?”

“Fine,” he replied dryly.

She handed over the heavy pouch, offering a polite nod. “As always, the Zephinya Kingdom sends its regards. The guild will ensure the bounty is processed accordingly. Thank you for your service.”

Luc responded with a lazy smirk. “Just another day at work.”

I, meanwhile, couldn’t tear my gaze away from the coin pouch. That was a lot of money. Enough to buy a comfortable life—or at least get me well out of this mess I’d fallen into.

Luc took the pouch of coins from the counter and walked off without a second glance.

Meanwhile, I approached the receptionist, clearing my throat before speaking. “Hello, Miss.”

She turned to me with a practiced smile. “Hello there! How may I be of service?”

“I’d like to register as an adventurer, please—”

Before I could finish my sentence, I felt a sudden jerk as Luc grabbed the back of my collar and dragged me away like a sack of grain.

“Excuse us for a second,” he said to the receptionist. “Just need to have a quick chat with my cargo here.”

“What the hell!?” I muttered, struggling against his grip.

Luc led me to a secluded corner of the guild hall and dropped me into a chair. He pulled out the other seat and sat across from me, arms crossed and his ever-present deadpan stare fixed on me.

“Kid, stop rushing things,” he said, his tone carrying the weight of someone lecturing a reckless apprentice.

I frowned, rubbing my sore neck. “What do you mean? I thought you brought me here so I could register as an adventurer.”

Luc sighed. “Listen. If you try to register now, they’ll run a background check—and once that’s in motion, word will spread. Some guilds out there have ties to the Zephinya Kingdom. It won’t take long before the guards come sniffing around. You’ll never make it to Jura Forest if that happens.”

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. “Ah, I see,” I muttered, my excitement quickly deflating. But then something else clicked in my mind.

I got up from my seat, frowning at Luc.
“Wait a second… how the hell do you know I’m heading for Jura Forest?”

Luc with a dry smile,
“Told you already—you’re my cargo. And cargo? Gets delivered quietly.”

I slammed my hand on the table,
“Cargo? Delivered? What’s the hell are you going on about—”

“Sit. Down.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the command froze me mid-breath.
Reluctantly, I obeyed.

His voice dropped to a near whisper.

“Look,” he began, his tone even but firm.
“To put it simply, I was commissioned by a certain guild of yours to escort you to the Jura Forest. I am pretty well aware what I am talking about then,”

I blinked.
“Hold on, hold on… You were commissioned? So what about the bounty on those nobles? Wasn’t our meeting just a coincidence?”

Luc let out a long sigh, rubbing his chin as if weighing his words.
“Calling it a coincidence would be pushing it,” he admitted. “It’s more like… fate, I suppose.”

“Fate?” I echoed, my brow furrowing.

He shot me a sidelong glance.
“It doesn’t matter. I was just passing the time until you showed up. Took the quest on a whim—decent payout on that bounty. Worked out fine in the end.”

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “So you are from the guild? So what about them? Damien, Vex—are they alive? Where the hell are they?”

Luc raised a finger to his lips, eyes darting briefly toward a rowdy group of mercenaries laughing by the hearth. “Shh,” he hissed. “You want Zephinya’s spies breathing down our necks?”

I tensed but stayed quiet.

“Wherever they are,” Luc continued in a hushed tone, “no one can track them. And you—” he jabbed a finger at my chest, “—are a liability wrapped in a fancy package. So play the damn cargo, or we both might end up in a world of trouble.”

His words sent a chill down my spine. Something about the way he said it told me he wasn’t just being dramatic—he meant it.

I studied him, suspicion creeping in. “And how do I know you’re really an ally and not some Zephinya spy playing the long con?”

Luc exhaled sharply, rolling his eyes as if he’d had this conversation a hundred times before. “Oh, spare me. I don’t have the patience to deal with everyone’s paranoia.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “I’m getting food. You coming, kid?”

I hesitated. He had helped me out more than once, and if he wanted me dead, he’d had plenty of chances.

“Fine,” I muttered, standing as well. “But it’s your treat.”

Luc scoffed. “Hah? Pay for your own damn meal.” He strode toward the exit.

“Hey! Didn’t you just pocket a handsome reward? Surely you can spare some of it!” I gestured toward his pouch with a pointed look.

Luc didn’t even break stride. “You’re not my friend. You’re cargo. I’m being paid to protect and guide you until we reach Jura Forest—not to buy you lunch. If you want to eat, get your own damn food.”

“Wow,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Talk about petty.”

Luc shot me a dry look. “Call it budget management.”

I sighed but smirked slightly as I followed him out of the guild hall.
This was the first time he’d shown any emotion—apparently, money was his soft spot.