Chapter 3: Into the Fray
The sun rose early the next morning, casting golden light across the training grounds of the mercenary guild. Taek packed his small bag with a few essentials—his martial arts uniform, a water skin, and some dried food. He felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day he would begin his new life.
As he made his way to the designated meeting point, he noticed a few familiar faces from the night before. A tall, lean man with shaggy hair caught his attention first. He was practicing some basic strikes on a wooden dummy, his movements fluid and precise.
“Hey! You’re the new guy, right?” the man called out, pausing his training. “I’m Jin. Nice to meet you.”
“Taek,” he replied, trying to sound confident.
“Ready for our mission?” Jin grinned, stretching his arms. “It’s going to be a piece of cake. Just a simple escort job, but you never know what could happen.”
Taek nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Jin had a friendly energy about him. Just then, another mercenary approached—a woman with short, cropped hair and a scar running down her cheek. She looked fierce, and Taek felt a spark of intimidation.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Jin,” she said, crossing her arms. “This job might not be as easy as you think. I’m Rina, by the way.” She turned her sharp gaze to Taek. “And you must be the new recruit.”
“Yeah,” Taek said, meeting her gaze. “I’m Taek.”
Rina raised an eyebrow. “Just Taek? No last name?”
“It’s complicated,” he replied, trying to avoid further questions.
Before they could talk more, Baek Sabnok appeared, gathering everyone’s attention. “All right, listen up!” he shouted, his deep voice booming across the training grounds. “We’re heading out soon. Stay focused, and remember, our job is to protect the caravan at all costs.”
The group nodded, some of them exchanging confident glances. Taek felt his heart race as he realized this was it.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Baek continued, “Stick together and keep your eyes open. We’ll be traveling through some rough terrain, and there may be bandits in the area. Trust each other, and we’ll make it through.”
With that, the group set off, leaving the guild behind. Taek walked alongside Jin, who chatted animatedly about his past missions, recounting stories of battles and near-misses. Taek listened intently, absorbing every word.
As they entered the forest that surrounded the guild, the path grew narrow and winding. The tall trees cast long shadows, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the air. Taek felt a sense of peace as he focused on his surroundings, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease in his gut.
After a few hours of walking, the group stopped for a quick break. Baek called everyone to gather around. “We’ll rest for a bit. Drink some water and eat if you need to. Keep your senses sharp.”
While they rested, Rina approached Taek. “So, what’s your story, Taek? Why join the mercenaries?”
Taek hesitated. He wanted to tell her everything but knew he had to keep his past hidden. “Just looking for a way to get stronger,” he finally said. “I have my reasons.”
Rina studied him for a moment, her expression softening slightly. “Fair enough. Just don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. In this line of work, it can get you killed.”
“Got it,” Taek replied, grateful for her concern.
After the break, they resumed their journey. As they walked, Taek began to feel a sense of camaraderie with his new companions. Jin continued to joke around, making everyone laugh, while Rina shared tips on fighting and defense. Taek found himself relaxing, momentarily forgetting the pain of his past.
Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the trees. Everyone froze, their smiles replaced by tense expressions.
“What was that?” Jin whispered, looking around.
Baek raised a hand for silence. “Stay alert,” he instructed, his voice low. “It could be bandits.”
They moved cautiously forward, their senses heightened. As they rounded a bend in the path, they saw a group of men standing ahead, their faces obscured by masks. The bandits were armed and looked ready for a fight.
“Looks like we found our welcoming committee,” Rina said, her eyes narrowing.
Baek stepped forward, raising his voice. “We’re just passing through. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll let us go.”
The bandit leader laughed, his voice rough and mocking. “And why would we do that? Hand over your supplies, and maybe we won’t have to hurt you.”
Taek’s heart raced. This was the moment he had been preparing for. He felt the energy surging within him as he stepped forward, ready to prove himself.
“Not going to happen,” he said, surprising himself with the confidence in his voice.
The bandit leader’s grin faded, replaced by a scowl. “You’re brave, kid. Let’s see if that bravery holds up in a fight!”
With that, chaos erupted. The bandits charged forward, and Taek’s instincts kicked in. He moved to the side, dodging a swing aimed at him and countering with a quick punch.
The fight had begun.