Chapter 396: Orson
"See, I was right, wasn't I? Let me give you some advice: don't get too greedy. You're just a mere Second-level Mage. Even if you were the first to discover the Duskmire Python, so what? Do you really think you could slay a level twenty-five Duskmire Python? If we hadn't arrived in time, you would've been swallowed whole by the Duskmire Python ages ago..."
The young mage couldn't be bothered to look at Leon's reaction. He crouched beside the Duskmire Python's corpse, completely immersed in joy. At just twenty-nine, he was not only a Fifth-level Mage, but also stood at the pinnacle of Grand Alchemist—one foot already in the realm of Master...
While stationed at the camp, he'd sensed traces of the Duskmire Python nearby. Ecstatic, he realized Duskmire Python hide was a rare magical material he desperately needed—something money couldn't always buy. Without hesitation, he called a few friends and tracked the lingering scent of the Duskmire Python all the way here...
It took a whole day, but they finally found the trail of the Duskmire Python.
But this down-and-out mage before him was greedy beyond saving. Did he really think that just by finding the Duskmire Python first, he could kill it? Ridiculous. With his pitiful Second-level Mage strength, if they'd arrived just twenty seconds later, he'd already be a cold corpse...
Not only did he not show any gratitude...
He was still this greedy.
Greedy people rarely meet a good end...
"Honestly, rare magical materials like this are wasted in your hands. Only outstanding alchemists like us can turn it into precious alchemical items."
After finishing, the young mage lost interest in continuing the conversation. He slowly stood up, never once looking Leon in the eye, and turned to his three companions: "Alright, Irene, Hankus, Dejie, we've been out of camp for a whole day. Let's head back before anyone gets worried."
"I think you might be mistaken..." Leon touched his nose, amused by the thought. Did he really look like someone insatiably greedy?
"Mistaken?"
The young mage just sneered. From his perspective, he'd made himself clear enough. If this greedy, down-and-out mage kept pestering him for something, he'd have no choice but to resort to force...
Judging by the blood all over the down-and-out mage, it was obvious he'd been through a fierce battle and wasn't in good shape. He hadn't even noticed the Duskmire Python right beside him...
And he was only a Second-level Mage.
That kind of strength really wasn't much in his eyes...
"Orson, maybe you really did misunderstand him."
A female greatsword-wielder with long red hair approached Leon. Her flaming greatsword had already been put away. Her gaze lingered on Leon for a moment, but unlike the young mage, she wasn't arrogant. Smiling, she said, "Hello, we're from the Apocalypse Mercenary Company. My name is Irene. Sorry about my companion's harsh words—please don't take it to heart."
"Mafa Merlin." Leon looked thoughtfully at Irene. It wasn't her beauty that caught his attention, but a suspicion forming in his mind—the simultaneous appearance of the Templar Knights Mercenary Company and the Apocalypse Mercenary Company was no coincidence...
Two of the three major mercenary companies in Auckland had suddenly shown up. Leon couldn't help but take notice.
"From the Merlin Family?" Yilu looked at Lin Yun, surprised and uncertain.
After all, the Merlin Family was one of the three great families of Auckland. Anyone who'd lived in Auckland for years knew of them. Yilu and the others weren't ordinary—they were members of the top-ranked Apocalypse Mercenary Company. If they didn't know the Merlin Family, that would be odd.
"That's right." Lin Yun nodded noncommittally.
"I bet he's just a branch member. Otherwise, why would he look so pathetic..." Orson, the young mage, sneered, looking at Lin Yun with disdain. He'd never heard of anyone named Mafa Merlin in Auckland. Yeah, must be some insignificant branch—one who didn't even qualify to enter the Merlin estate...
He knew the three great geniuses of the Merlin Family—those were the ones he considered his peers. As for anyone else in the younger generation, he didn't care at all.
Besides, the direct descendants of the Merlin Family wouldn't be so shameless. Seeing a Duskmire Python, they'd never be that greedy...
Orson's first impression of Lin Yun was that he was inexperienced. If he had any sense, he'd be more interested in building connections with a genius like himself than fussing over magical materials from a Duskmire Python...
Orson himself stood a good chance of becoming a Title Mage in the future—and possibly the Deputy Leader of the Apocalypse Mercenary Company.
As the deputy leader of Auckland's top mercenary group, he'd be a significant figure in the kingdom's heart. Building a friendship with him would be a hidden asset... But that Mafa Merlin guy was just clueless. Otherwise, why would he pass up such an opportunity?
"Mage Merlin, you seem to be in a bit of trouble..." Irene looked at Lin Yun's robe and frowned slightly. She sensed the young mage's aura was chaotic, as if he'd just survived a fierce battle and was in terrible shape. Thinking of this, she took out a valuable alchemical potion and handed it to Lin Yun. "Mage Merlin, drink this. May I ask, where are you headed? Our Apocalypse Mercenary Company's camp isn't far from here. If you're lost or want to return to Auckland, you can come with us. The environment here is dangerous—it's not very safe..."
Just as Orson had said, she also thought Lin Yun was likely an unimportant branch member of the Merlin Family. Reaching Second-level Mage at such a young age showed he had considerable magical talent—enough to stand out even in the Apocalypse Mercenary Group, just a bit below Orson.
With that thought, she couldn't help but consider recruiting him. Mage Merlin had decent magical talent, but without the Merlin Family's support, his future prospects were limited. If he joined the Apocalypse Mercenary Group, he'd easily qualify as an elite team leader...
Her intentions were obvious...
Receiving both a precious alchemical potion and an invitation to the Apocalypse Mercenary Company's camp—such treatment was a privilege few could enjoy.
But as it turned out, she'd overestimated things.
If he still didn't get it, then his intelligence was truly questionable...
He didn't like owing anyone anything...
"Thank you for your kindness, Greatsword Irene." Leon smiled and shook his head, refusing the alchemical potion. Despite his ragged appearance, he was actually in excellent condition—otherwise, how could he keep his mana armor running at all times?
"Hmm... What is it?"
Yilu looked at Leon in disbelief. He refused—he actually refused!
How could he say no...?
Yilu couldn't understand it. Did he really look down on the Apocalypse Mercenary Company, the top mercenary company in Auckland? No way. Every year, countless powerful people fought to join—greatsword wielders, mages, sharpshooters...
"I'd like to hire you to escort me to your camp..."
With magical beasts everywhere, and the Merlin brothers and Dragonblood Orcs absent, things were inconvenient. Running into the Apocalypse Mercenary Company was the perfect solution.
He didn't want to owe anyone, so he offered to pay for their help.
It was a business deal.
"Can you afford the hefty commission?"
Before Yilu could respond, Orson stormed up to Lin Yun, his finger nearly poking Lin Yun's nose. "Yilu already said you can come with us to the camp. Why are you being so ungrateful? Who do you think you are, a Title Mage? And now you want to hire us...?"
"I never said I wanted to hire you..."
Recruiting a highly talented Second-level Mage into the Apocalypse Mercenary Company was what really mattered.
...
Leon going to the camp with her was exactly what she wanted. Once he saw the strength of the Apocalypse Mercenary Company, maybe he'd ask to join on his own...
The commission was secondary.
Recruiting a highly talented Second-level Mage into the Apocalypse Mercenary Group was what really mattered.
Lin Yun going to the camp with her was exactly what she wanted. Once he saw the strength of the Apocalypse Mercenary Group, maybe he'd ask to join on his own...
Although magical beasts kept appearing along the way, with a few members of the Apocalypse Mercenary Group around, they barely ran into any trouble. The only downside was that there was a fly in the group...
Countless magical beasts lurked beneath the night.
They finally reached their destination safely—a spacious valley ablaze with lights. Everywhere Leon looked, tents were set up. But what surprised him was that the tents formed a triangular pattern.
By the time they got back to camp, Irene's attitude toward Leon had grown cold...
Could it be that more than just the Apocalypse Mercenary Company was stationed here?
"We're not the only ones stationed here..." Irene paused, deliberately lowering her voice. "The Templar Knights Mercenary Company and the Red Dragon Mercenary Company are here too. That's why I told you not to wander around. If something happens, it'll be a huge hassle..."
Orson, the mage in their group, wanted to berate Lin Yun again, but as soon as they returned to camp, he was hurriedly called away.
"We're not the only ones stationed here..." Yilu paused, deliberately lowering her voice. "The Sanctuary Knight Mercenary Group and the Red Dragon Mercenary Group are here too. That's why I told you not to wander around. If something happens, it'll be a huge hassle..."
"We're not the only ones stationed here..." Yilu paused, deliberately lowering her voice. "The Templar Knights Mercenary Company and the Red Dragon Mercenary Company are here too. That's why I told you not to wander around. If something happens, it'll be a huge hassle..."
Lin Yun smiled, feigning confusion. "Greatsword Yilu, did something big happen in the Turin Mountains? Why are all three of Auckland's major mercenary groups here at once?"
Leon smiled, feigning confusion. "Greatsword Yilu, did something big happen in the Turin Mountains? Why are all three of Auckland's major mercenary companies here at once?"
After saying this, Yilu was about to persuade Lin Yun again to join the Apocalypse Mercenary Group. In her eyes, it was the best place for the young mage; with a few more achievements, some recognition, he could even become a Title Mage someday...
After saying this, Yilu was about to persuade Leon again to join the Apocalypse Mercenary Company. In her eyes, it was the best place for the young mage; with a few more achievements, some recognition, he could even become a Title Mage someday...
"Mage Merlin, get some rest. And remember what I said—don't wander around tonight..."