Yusof Harim Mercenary

"FATHER! MOTHER!"

"Run away! Now!"

"Run! Jeyson!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! RUN WHERE? WHERE?"

"NO! FATHER! MOTHER!"

"A shame, such a shame!"

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

____________

"NO!"

Jeyson sprung up from his sleeping position. He finds himself extending his hand forward, breathing intensely with cold sweat running down from his face.

"Why.. Why.."

He whispers to himself as he looks down. He clenches his fist and grits his teeth as a single tear drops from his eye onto his bedsheet.

Jeyson shook his head as he stood up from his bed and stretched, he opened his windows and took a look outside. The stars and moon still shined brightly, illuminating the night sky. One would normally go back to sleep, knowing that there was still time before the day starts. After all, what is night, if not the time of rest.

However, after what happened that time, night can never be the same to Jeyson. It was never again the time of relaxation he once knew. No, he isn't even sure if he once knew anything about night. He has forgotten how it feels like to have a good sleep, waking up refreshed on a beautiful morning and witnessing the sun rising as a new day starts.

Jeyson turned around and looked at his bow, arrows and his twin swords. He picks up the left blade with a rose guard and removes it from its sheath. As a small light from the outside enters his room allowing him to make eye contact with himself through the reflection on his blade. He remembers a face.

A dreadful face, a detestable expression, a man with no humanity that laughs committing those terrible acts. Just thinking about it made his blood boil. His hand gripped tightly onto the handle of the sword, it was shaking intensely as he gritted his teeth. He resisted the urge to slash with the blade, his expression and grip on the handle of the blade lightened. As if he regained himself from his unstable emotions.

He looked towards the ceiling and let out a breath. He stood up and walked towards the chair in his room, where he laid his travel clothes. A light blue shirt, trousers and his half hood with a cloak.

He changed into his clothes and equipped his weapons. He opened his door and surveyed the surrounding rooms. It seems that no one has awakened yet. He stepped outside his room and closed the door behind him. He glanced over to the room in front of him to the far right.

"Yusof Harim.."

Jeyson whispered to himself, he stared at his door with a distrustful expression, then moved on downstairs. He reached at the bottom, where the tavern is dimly lit by the moonlight that shined through the windows. He noticed some liquid spilled on the table next to the window that wasn't cleaned, he stared at it and looked over to the counter.

He walked towards the counter and reached under it from the other side. He grabbed a piece of old cloth and walked over to the table with the stain and wiped it. After doing so, he placed the cloth back from where he took it.

Jeyson observed his surroundings again, looking at the tavern clean as ever, he smiled. He reached out for a mug and took a bottle of beverage from the shelf and helped himself. After a single drink, he left the mug and bottle on the counter and took out a few pieces of silver coins and placed them on the counter.

He wiped his mouth using the back of his hand and proceeded to the door. He exited the tavern and stood there. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket, looked at it once and placed it back. He looked at the sky one more time, he let out a small voice as he saw two stars shining brightly above him. He extended his hands towards the two stars slightly trembling as a tear started to form in his eye. He closed his hand as he wiped the tear coming out of his eye. He closed his head with the hood and walked away from the tavern.

"Father, Mother... I promise, I will.."

He whispers to himself one last time before disappearing into the night.

____________

It's another day. My third day in this world, the second day has come to an end and it's time to start a new day. Like yesterday, I, Yusof Harim, woke up early and refreshed myself. However, today it seems I woke up a bit too early. I checked out the window and the sun hasn't even come up yet.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

Who's there? What time is it? I turned around and walked towards the door to answer the person who would knock on my door early in the morning. I opened the door and saw someone I half-expected.

"Yo, Yusof, good morning... Well, the sun hasn't risen yet so.." the voice that I heard spoke to me was of a man.

"Mikra?"

Indeed it was him. I wonder what his purpose is for knocking on my door this early. He scratched the back of his head as he gave a smile.

"I'm sorry for waking you up."

"No, no. I was already up by the time you knocked." I reassured him as I fixed my clothes.

"That's a relief. If you don't mind, follow me."

"Hmm?"

"I have something to tell you." He said with a serious tone as he walked away from my room, gesturing to me to follow him.

"What?"

He didn't answer me and just walked towards the stairs. I wasn't able to process what was going on exactly and just followed him. I closed the door behind me and glanced at Luno and Mira's rooms, it seems they're still asleep. Well, no matter how you think about it, this is way too early to wake up.

I lagged behind a bit on going downstairs but I can see from afar Mikra cleaning the counter. He was pretty much done so I didn't know what was on the counter before, maybe if I didn't lag behind I would have known.

I arrived downstairs and Mikra glanced behind, he made eye contact before looking back in front. He finished cleaning as I was walking towards him, he moved behind the counter as I arrived to sit on a chair in front of him.

He didn't serve any drink, instead, he looked at me with a sharp glare. I swallowed my saliva as I looked back at him.

"I'll get straight to the point, why do you want to become a mercenary?" He raised the question.

I couldn't tell him the truth. Even if I did, what are the chances someone would believe the other person talking about how they died, and just waking up? I know I wouldn't, I would give the person who said it a good ol' slap and walk away. It was surreal and unbelievable.

But it really did happen to me.

Mikra noticed my silence and looked at me dead in the eye with an even intimidating expression.

"People die, being mercenaries. If you don't have a good reason. You should stop thinking about becoming one."

He said to me, a shiver went down my spine.

*People die being a mercenary*

It isn't a joking matter, if it was me in the past life, I would immediately reject it because I don't want to risk my life doing a job. However this time, it was different. Thrown into a world without my consent and without having any knowledge regarding it isn't a joking matter. Trying to live a normal life when there are so many questions regarding myself is no different than running away.

"I.." I opened my mouth, hesitant to give my answer. Mikra's serious expression stayed

"I want to find out about myself."

"What?"

"I don't know anything about myself. I don't remember anything much before I fought the Dark Beast or anything much before Luno and Mira saved me."

I told a lie and the truth at the same time. I still have memories of my first time going to kindergarten. However, if we're speaking about myself in this world, it's like I was just born 3 days ago. I don't know anything.

My words seem to have triggered something in Mikra. The tenseness of his expression lessened and it turned into a more puzzled look. He placed his fingers under his chin, it was as if he was thinking.

"If you really don't remember. Then you being an outcast was a lie then?"

Oh shoot! I'm caught! However!

"Yes.. well, I don't remember, so I'm not sure myself."

"I see.." He nodded his head.

I pulled out the 'I don't remember card'. This is my only chance to use it and the only time it will work. I gave myself a high-five inside my mind smirking while my face was still matching the serious atmosphere.

"Well, if that really is the case, you must really don't know much about this world, right?" Mikra's expression softened as he stood up straight. I looked down in embarrassment as I answered.

"I don't."

"I see."

There was a silence between us, it made me uncomfortable. Mikra slightly tapped on the counter, pondering. After a while, Mikra broke this uncomfortable silence with another question.

"Do you know about Magic?"

"Magic?"

I've heard about magic a few times since I came here, but I never really knew what it was or how it works. All I know is that those with magic are forced to work as functioning members of society, which is good and messed up in it's own way, along with what Light Magic does. That's about the only pieces of information I have.

"So you don't know. If you're going to survive as a mercenary, you're going to have to learn the basics of this world. Mainly magic."

I gave my full attention as Mikra said that. He stood silent, I was waiting for him to do something. Then all of a sudden, My skin felt a tender touch, an extremely pleasing feeling that would make me beg for more. I looked closely and I saw a blue miasma coming from Mikra. It's alluring, it feels familiar. Ah, I remember, this was just like last night. However the feeling last night is nothing compared to this.

He blinked as he looked at me. Then the blue miasma that oozed from his body vanished. The weird sensations on me also disappeared. Mikra's face turned to mine and I also looked back at him.

"That alluring sensation, you felt that right?" He asked. I answered in a slightly shaken manner

"Yes.. what.. was that?"

"That is my Magic Flow, and what happened to you just now was that you detected my Magic Flow. As a mercenary, this is extremely important, because most of the high paying commissions are the ones that involve locating stuff that has traces of a Magic Flow or tracking down people with Magic Flow itself. Everything else, you'll learn on the job." Mikra explained as he raised his index finger. So is that really all I needed to know to become a mercenary? If it is, then it's easy! 

Mikra closed his eyes as he grinned and made a slight nod. He opened his eyes and turned towards the window. I followed his actions unintentionally. There is a little light shining through the window gradually increasing. As we were both looking towards the window, Mikra spoke again.

"Now that I know you can detect Magic Flow. Can you fight? Just making sure because Mira told me that she found you with a Dark Beast injury, no belongings. I can only say you fended off against it unarmed."

I turned my head back and made a surprised face as I replied.

"Is that impressive?"

"Facing a Dark Beast unarmed? Any result other than being dead is impressive." Mikra said with a cheerful tone. I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or what.

"I actually got lucky, if Luno and Mira didn't come in time, I would've been dead. I can't fight at all. " I scratched the back of my head as I looked down and replied in a shy manner.

I knew fighting is going to be inevitable in this line of work and I am really bad at it.

"Hahaha! Now, now, don't be modest. Even if you aren't that skilled in fighting, like I said, you'll learn on the job." Mikra laughed as he walked into the kitchen. I assume he's going to cook breakfast since it's about to be morning now.

Shortly after he went in, he came back out. Looks like he isn't cooking breakfast. Oh? He's holding something. As soon as he completely came out of the kitchen, he swung his arms and something flew out of them.

"Catch!"

"Woah!" I exclaimed. A long object was flying towards me, I opened my hands to catch it and examined it. It was a long object wrapped in a blue cloth all over. I lifted my head to look at Mikra, he nodded and smiled as he pointed at the object.

"Open it. It's yours now."

"Oh.. T-Thanks?" I replied in a confused tone as I moved my hand around the object to find the end of the wrapped cloth.

"No problem! You're going to need it alot. Trust me." Mikra said one last time before he entered the kitchen again.

What is this? It has a bit of weight onto it and it's longer than my arm. I thought to myself right before I found the end of the cloth wrapping the object.

Just as I was about to unwrap the cloth, I heard footsteps from the stairs behind me. I looked behind, and there was an impossibly beautiful girl stepping down the stairs.

"Oh. Luno, good morning." I greeted her and made the best smile I could.

"Aaaaaaah. Good morning Yusof." She yawned as she replied to me.

Luno hasn't changed into her clothes like yesterday. Right now, she's wearing a white one-piece sleeping dress. The fabric is so thin that I could see her black underwear beneath, I glanced at them as she was still yawning. Wow wow wow, once again, I have been blessed, I became lost in a trance as I stared to the point I didn't notice Luno finished yawning. She noticed me staring at her undergarments and hugged herself in an attempt to hide her body.

"Kyaa! Pervert!" She screamed playfully. This made me snap out of my trance as I tried to cover myself in panic.

"U-uh! It's not what you think! I was looking at something else!" I unintentionally blurted out a blatant lie in an attempt to defend my good image to her.

"Hehehe! Just kidding!" She laughed playfully as she stopped hugging herself.

I let out a breath of relief to myself. Thank the heavens I didn't get Immediately branded as a pervert who stares at girl's underwear. I was about to reply with 'I can't help it! They're showing!' to anything she was about to say but it seems I didn't have any need to.

"Still, You woke up earlier than me today." She remarked as she scratched her bed hair.

"Yeah, Mikra had something he had to say to me."

"Oh? What is it?" She made a curious face as she came a bit closer to me.

"It's about me being a mercenary."

Upon hearing that. Luno's eyes immediately opened wide as she quickly came at me and pushed both of my shoulders onto the counter.

"Yusof is going to become a mercenary?"

"Y-yes.." I replied with a shaking voice because of this weird position and Luno being too close to me.

"Ooh! I'm also thinking about taking a commission today! Say, how about you, me and Mira-chan go do a commission today! We'll be your guides!" Her eyes sparkled, it's like her just waking a moment ago was a lie, this girl is energetic! I gulped my saliva and replied to her.

"O-okay! That sounds nice."

She released me from her grip and she made a huge nod and a smile as she replied to me.

"Umu! It's decided! We'll leave after breakfast!"

She immediately walked towards the back door, probably to freshen herself up and get rid of that bed hair. I didn't even unwrap this object yet. Well, no time like the present. I opened the cloth wrapping the object and what was before me made me gasp.

It was a sword, sheathed in leather. There is also a leash so it would make it easy for me to carry around.

"That girl, she's so enthusiastic." I heard Mikra's sighing behind me. I turned around and saw him leaning on the kitchen doorway looking down with a bitter smile.

"That she is.." I replied with a wry smile.

"Well, you should freshen yourself up too. After breakfast, nothing is going to stop her." Mikra said again, however I felt a hint of concern in his voice.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure we don't do anything too dangerous. It's my first time after all." I smiled as I reassured him.

"Hahaha! Thanks, still, they're more experienced than you. If anything they'll be doing all the work." Mikra laughed as he replied to me. Well I can't deny it but I have to make myself look good otherwise I'll be a failure are as a man

"I'll do at least 10 percent." I said while raising my index finger towards him.

That doesn't make me look good at all!

"Hahahaha! Sure! Do your best!" Mikra gave me encouragement as he went back into the kitchen.

Once again I am alone in the tavern, I examine the sword, marveling that I have really gotten a weapon like those in fantasy games, it's making me excited.

I stood up, unsheathed the sword and swung it around, it felt weightless! I can wield it finely with only one hand. I then remembered this move I thought was absolutely amazing. I sheathed the blade and closed my eyes to 'focus'.

I opened my eyes like an eagle that found its prey and unsheathed the sword halfway and sheathed it back quickly. Imagining everything in front of me getting diced into pieces. I got excited as I did that. I used to only dream of doing this using sticks, now I have a real sword! I can unleash my dreams!

So for a while, I was playing with my imagination while Luno was refreshing herself, Mikra was making breakfast, Mira was still asleep and Jeyson..

Huh.. I don't know where he is. I stopped when I was just about to do a cool sword technique from an anime I once watched and called out to Mikra who is still in the kitchen.

"Mikra."

"Yes?" Mikra replied from the kitchen.

"Where is Jeyson?"

"I don't know, he must've probably gone out early to do his job."

"I see.." He is working so hard. I wonder what is motivating him to work that hard, leaving even before the sun rises.

"Food is ready."

Mikra came out of the kitchen holding a bowl of soup and placed it on the counter. I sat to eat and at the same time, the back door burst open, revealing a Luno looking refreshed with her eyes sparkling from excitement and her mouth drooling, possibly from the food in the kitchen.

"Food is ready! We'll be leaving soon! I have to wake up Mira-chan!"

Luno exclaimed as she raced upstairs. Just as the spoon with soup I scooped was about to enter my mouth, I heard sounds of screams and wood being hit hard.

*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

"Mira-chan! Mira-chan! Wake up! Wake up! Yusof is joining us to be mercenaries! Wake up! We have to eat and we'll go right away!"

*BANG*

"Go away! Let me sleep in peace Luno!"

"Eh? You're just going to sleep? If you skip sleep too much, you'll never grow taller."

"Shut up! Shut up! I was doing important things!"

"Are you?"

"Shut up! I'm going to sleep now! Goodnight!"

"Mira-chan!.. Mira-chan!.. Mira-chan!"

"...."

"If you're going to be this stubborn."

*CRASH*

"Eh? What are you doing! NOOOOOOO. PUT ME DOWN!"

"No, we have to go together!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."

As Mira's screams filled the tavern, the sight of Mira struggling like a child while being carried forcefully down the stairs by Luno who isn't fazed at all will forever be burnt in my memory.

We ate breakfast then Mira went back to sleep, she wouldn't wake up no matter what Luno did. We ended up leaving for the Mercenary Union at noon.

____________

"Haaaaaaaaaaaa."

Mira, who was sitting next to me, let out a huge yawn.

"If I knew we'd be accompanying Yusof, I'd probably have slept." She said in a low voice.

"Hahaha.. sorry for the last minute notice..." I apologized while making a wry smile.

That's correct. Right now, Me and Mira are riding a boar-dragged cart with Luno as the driver, towards the Mercenary Union of this kingdom.

It's high noon, the sun is directly above us, the heatwave touching our skin made it near unbearable, I didn't realize how much of an effect living in Japan had on me. Just this much sun can hurt me a lot. Sweat was dripping from my hand and cheeks. I looked at Mira, who was wearing the same robe from when I first met her. She also had sweat dripping all over her.

"Buy fresh apples! The best quality apples are in season! Get them before they go out!"

"Fresh Fish! Caught from the Alkaari River!"

"Finest quality swords! Made with Light Crystals! On discount right now!"

The screams of merchants trying to sell their products can be heard from all directions. We are in the marketplace, where everyone is trying their best to sell their wares. As expected of this time of day, the traffic is high which is the perfect time to get customers.

We are the only cart carriage in the vicinity, what's more it's a boar-dragged cart. Aner, Luno's pet boar, is the one dragging the cart. I lifted up my head to look at Luno. She was wearing the same armor and clothes as she did when we first met. Those clothes must be her favorite.

She was also sweating, naturally. She had her eyes on the front until she was called over by a passing old woman.

"Good Afternoon! Heading over to the Mercenary Union today Luno?"

"Umu! We're accompanying a new mercenary from our workplace." Luno nodded as she replied.

"I see. Oh is it this young man?"

"Yes!"

The old lady looked at me with eyes I don't trust. Those eyes may look old and innocent but there are unknown desires hiding behind them.

"Ah.. I also posted a commission there. Do help an old lady if you have the time, young man, hehehe." She said as she laughed suspiciously before we passed her.

She definitely had some ulterior motives behind those words. I'll make sure I stay 100 meters away from her commission poster.

After a few turns and passes. We arrived at a huge building. Luno jumped off and Mira who just woke up from sleeping since we passed the Marketplace also jumped off. I followed their lead.

I walked away from the cart and looked at the establishment. Wow.. it's huge. It was maybe as big as an entire highschool. The gate had a big sign with the writing of the English alphabet, it read MERCENARY UNION - SOUTH KINGDOM BRANCH. Oh so this is the South Kingdom. More knowledge added.

Also, I didn't notice this world also uses English, this is either an extreme coincidence or I have been reincarnated with an ability to understand their language and writing, I recall I was able to read the Tavern Mikra sign. That said, I'm so grateful that I don't need to learn this all again, it would be embarrassing and tedious.

"C'mon Yusof." Mira said to me as she and Luno walked past the gates.

I, who was still admiring the establishment, hurriedly catched up, fastening my sword leash on my front while the sword sheath was at my back . I jogged to catch up to Luno and Mira who were entering the Building that looked like a mansion.

"Woaaa."

I gasped, the inside of the building is no less amazing. The floor and roof was a fading blue. To my left, there were tables and chairs where people were eating, there were a few queues in a shop with the sign 'FOOD', people were being served food and they sat down on the tables to eat. To my right is a queue too, but this queue instead of serving food. Is exchanging money for keys with a number, which I assume is the room renting part. Directly in front of me, there was a huge board with countless posters being stuck on it. There were people surveying the posters and there were also some sticking some.

"C'mon we're going there." Mira lightly hit my stomach and pointed to the billboard section directly in front of us. They walked first and I followed.

Luno and Mira started surveying, there were alot of posters with various descriptions.

'C - Bring 20 Logs to Rolland Reiner. House 201 : 10 silver coins'

'B - Help clear the monsters on the east road outside the kingdom : Hudson Hampton : 40 silver coins.'

'A - Bring back 20 Tiger Dark Beast hides to Stanford Stallis : 10 gold coins.'

I was confused with the descriptions, so I asked them what it meant. Mira explained to me while pointing on each of the details as Luno kept surveying.

"The information on the posters displays the Quest Grade, commission description, the name the requestor submitted to be used and the reward. Quest Grades are determined by the Mercenary Union themselves, the higher the quest grade, the more dangerous the commission is. These descriptions are the requests, as you can see, some descriptions also offer maps and marks to make it easy for us, the people who do these quests. This writing which is in a different font than the other words is the name of the requestor. Finally, this is the reward, which is also provided by the requestor, and we will receive it when we finish the commission. The reward will be given either by the guild or the person themselves, depending on the request. The reward doesn't affect the Quest Grade and just for your information, 10 bronze coins is 1 silver coin and 20 silver coins is 1 gold coin. To give you insight."

I see, I didn't get anything, I'm sure anyone who heard that explanation wouldn't either, but I just nodded so I wouldn't hurt her feelings. I looked to the left and read a poster.

'C - Help an Old Lady - Traciney Tristison : 20 gold coins'

After reading the poster description, the information that Mira told me forcefully processed itself making it a core memory for me. I immediately moved approximately 100 meters to my right. Although it paid 20 gold coins, I don't feel like traumatizing myself for the next 20 years.

I was able to stabilize my breath and regain focus on the task at hand. I looked at the billboard in front of me and there were tons of posters littered on it.

'D - Buy me the 'Fools Frolic 2nd Volume' at the North Region and send the copy to me - Wester Wellens - 20 silver coins.'

That one looks too boring. It's also in the North Kingdom. Who knows how far is that

'A - Fetch me 10 Moonlight Flowers on the Southern Moongarden - Kishinev Kourton - 20 gold coins'

This looks easy. Well the Quest Grade is A so it might be a dangerous one. I looked over at Mira who was the closest to me.

"Mira, where is this?" I asked her as I pointed at the poster. Mira responded to my call and came over to me. She read the poster and explained without looking at me.

"Hm? Oh this? Southern Moongarden. Oh, this is at the very bottom of the South Region, the Moonlight Flowers are guarded by some sort of machinery that was presumably a weapon of war a while back, it's too dangerous, even for me and Luno.. for you... you'll just die instantly."

"Let's not go there then.."

I made a bitter smile at her brutal honesty that I would be instantly killed and at my naiveness to think that this would be easy.

"Mira-chan! Yusof! Let's do this one." Luno called out to me who was still recovering from Mira's words and Mira who continued to survey.

Luno took the poster from the billboard and showed it to us. I read the descriptions on the poster.

'B - Clear the troll camp near disrupting the road - OFFICIAL GUILD REQUEST - 5 gold coins'

There was also a map with a red area circled to the southeast forest very close to the South Kingdom, between Morning Hills that was a hill range south of the Kingdom and close to a tall building outside the South Kingdom with the name South Tower.

I wasn't really against it, but since it had 'fight' that would mean that I have to swing this sword and kill these 'trolls' right?

"This means I'd have to fight right?" I voiced my opinion with a slightly scared voice.

"Umu, don't worry, trolls are easy opponents, you'll get used to fighting fast. Think of it as training." Luno nodded as she replied with cheerfulness.

"She's right, it is also easy for us to kill, so if you need saving, we'll help." Mira also replied.

"I see.. there won't be anything wrong then" I said. Luno smiled again as she folded the paper.

"That settles it, we'll be doing this job.".

"Let's go then, let's try to finish before it gets dark." Mira added.

They both turned around and started walking towards the exit. I smiled to myself in excitement as I followed.

We are now outside and Luno is taking her time with Aner while me and Mira are already sitting down opposite each other on the cart.

"This is really going to be my first commission." I spoke to myself. Then I remembered something, I forgot to ask them why they are so young but are doing this mercenary work. I lifted my head to ask.

"Mira."

"Hm?" She lifted her head in response. I then hesitantly asked.

"Why are you both.. doing this job, isn't it dangerous?"

Mira made a sullen expression as she looked down and to the side. Did I ask a bad question? Did I trouble her?

"Ah, you don't need to answer if you don't feel like-"

"It's so I can help…"

"Help?"

"Help.. Papa.."

I see.. Mikra did say that they are doing this job willingly so that they can help him. Mira's feelings, her desire to help, is strong. Being this young and trying her best to help her father already, there are certainly things I don't know. I won't pry any further

"I see, you're a good girl. Helping your father." I gave her a smile as I tried to cheer her up.

She lifted her head and made a surprised face that quickly turned into an embarrassed face with her cheeks a little red. She gets red from being called a good girl, that's cute.

"I'm not a kid! Stupid Yusof!" She said with a flustered tone.

"Hahahahaha" I laughed and smiled. At the same time, the cart wobbled a bit. Shortly after, Luno appeared at the front. Without looking back she spoke.

"We'll be going!"

""Yes!""

Me and Mira, whose face is now normal again, replied in unison. As soon as we replied, Aner started moving.

We are now going to the southeast forest to clear the troll camp terrorizing the roads. This is my first mission, my first step to finding out about myself, and one of the first chances I seized in this new life.

I was feeling optimistic, after all, it was a new experience. New experiences are to be cherished.

Little did I know what was I was going to experience from this point on was going to change my outlook of this world, forever.