Chapter 0031

The content of the enchanting voice nearly stunned the mercenaries stupid. That moment of inattention allowed the Iron Clawed Wolves the chance to break the defensive barrier created by the vanguard.

If they weren’t in the middle of a life and death fight, the mercenaries would have rushed to the profiteering charm seller and beat her senseless.

Sadly, they have to contend with the Iron Clawed Wolves as they lost the advantage they had before a certain idiot broke their concentration.

“Ice Wall.”

Blocks of ice 10 meters tall and a meter thick fell from the sky, forming a defensive wall, blocking the attacks of the raging wolves, giving a reprieve for the mercenaries.

“Selling random charms, 10 silver a piece! Just throw the coins into the air and a random charm will be sent to you! Hurry and buy before my ice wall breaks.” The sweet voice filled with the gentle innocence of a precocious child made the mercenaries swore inside their hearts they were never going to have children less they gave birth to a demon like the owner of the voice.

Once they digested the content of the message, they change their mind and immediately took out their money and threw it in the air as requested. If the charm can save their lives, then 10 silvers is more than worth it. They can earn more money as long as they are alive.

Ventus did as she was told, grabbed all the silver and deposit into Tempest’s coin purse while randomly delivering charms to the buyers.

The few skeptical mercenaries used the charm immediately. Suddenly there were flashes of lightning, invisible wind blades and torrents of ice bolts flying all over the place. Most hit the Iron Clawed Wolves, a few attacks hit nothing in particular and a few attacks head straight for other mercenaries.

Even trained soldiers can accidentally misfire and kill their own side. Tempest once read somewhere that one-third of the death in the American Civil War can be attributed to same side misfire.

Curses and vindictive glances were tossed everywhere due to disarray caused by the inaccurate use of the charms. Most of the hatred was placed squarely on Tempest.

Tempest wanted to scream, “It isn’t my fault you guys bought a product you don’t know how to use.” She held back. When a consumer mishap occurs, they blame the product, not their own stupidity. There is a reason why there are stupid label on products.

Tempest’s favorite one: Do not put anyone in this washer.

Tempest continue to cast the improved version of Wind Blade though not as rapid as before while doing business on the side. Profiteer Tempest is back in action.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Ahhh, reminiscing old times. Yes, there were people taking advantage of her back on Earth. If it was limited to a few strangers, maybe, just maybe, Tempest might have made a stronger effort to stay instead of heading out in the middle of the storm to god know where. However, words of her fame spread through the internet and people come a knocking.

Yes, she was taken advantage of. Yes, she was used. It didn’t mean she didn’t get her revenge when she found out. Those bastards deserve what they got. Don’t forget, this little missy is the master of lightning, aka electricity, aka everything electronic.

There was a movie about hackers in the early nineties. They used their mad hacking skills to mess with their enemies. Let’s just say Tempest is better.

“All your money belongs to me.”

The mad cackle of a young little girl sent chills down the mercenaries spine and renew their vow to not have children. This time they were better. They didn’t stop fighting when they heard the weird voice.

The little profiteer was unconcerned about the opinions of others as the money in her pocket increased. Who cares if she was making money in a dangerous situation. Drug runners do it all the time. Tempest was not as bad as a drug runner. Her product saves lives, not destroy it. It is saving the lives of the mercenaries right now.

Tempest realized she can run away then come back the loot the corpses. She’d earn more money too. The little profiteer is not completely heartless.

As the effect of the charms was proven, more silvers were thrown into the air.

Tempest was not surprise to see Wind Blade, Ice Bolt and Lightning Strike charm being used as well as the As Swift as the Wind, Levitation and Flash Step charms being hoarded because who knows if the Alpha Iron Clawed Wolf will make an appearance, and if it does, these sly women have a life saving insurance in addition to what they have up their sleeves.

Seek the devil and it shall appear.

The Alpha Iron Clawed Wolf.

“The Alpha Iron Clawed Wolf is here.” Emery the downer yelled. Tempest didn’t know a single person worse than Emery at bringing down the morale of a group.

“Vanguard, close rank. Charm maker, reinforce the ice walls and seal off all the holes so there is only one entrance and exit.”  Ruthless Jean. Absolutely ruthless. As expected of a princess grown up in a court filled with intrigue.

With her order, she forces everyone to put everything on the line or die trying. If there is only one way out, everyone has to fight their way out. Currently, the vanguard is able to fend off the attacker while the rearguards pick them off with their range attacks. With multiple exits, should the mercenaries guarding one of the entrance fall, the rearguard will scatter, prioritizing their own lives, leaving the rest of the vanguard in a precarious position.

If all the holes were sealed off except one, then it creates a funnel, allowing the entire group to focus their attention in one direction. It is one of the best strategies in their current situation.

Tempest left spaces in the wall because she couldn’t create a wall with one entrance/exit encompassing everyone. The vanguard was too scattered and if the wall had one gate, then some of the vanguard will be isolated from the group, almost guaranteeing their deaths.

It is possible to fill the gaps now that the vanguard closed their ranks.

“Done! Selling random charms, 10 silver a piece! Just throw the coins into the air, and a random charm will be sent to you! Hurry and buy before my ice wall breaks.”

Tempest, ever the opportunist, did not forget to remind people to buy more of her charms.

If they didn’t have to rely on the little charm maker, then Tempest will be the first to be tossed out of the group or used as bait for the Alpha Iron Clawed Wolf. Given the strength of the little brat, she’d just run away and they would be left to fight the Iron Clawed Wolf pack minus a strong mage.

“Vanguards guard the entrance. Rearguard, buy the damn charm to shut the mage up.” One of the black hair trios yelled while they made their way to the gate.

Tempest glared at them, then split her attention to attacking the Iron Clawed Wolves and selling charm.

“They didn’t have to dump all the hate onto me,” thought the greedy charm maker. “It’s not like they don’t benefit.”

Indeed, these women are seasoned fighters. They knew the rearguard, with a few exceptions - the greedy charm maker among them - can’t hold on much longer, however they still need their support. Charms can supplement the flagging rearguard.

The best part.

The greedy little profiteer gets all the contempt of the group while it showcases their leadership abilities.