The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 139: Us 3 Why?!

[Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 1-A, Corridor to the elevator]

"AHHHHH!!! MY HEAD!" Christian's scream echoed through the corridor.

"... is what I'd be saying if it hurt." A mischievous grin spread across his face.

huuu...

In the split second before the coin struck, he had already reinforced his head with mana.

Gravity might be amplified, but he wouldn't take damage regardless.

sssttttss...

The coin clattered to the floor, its gravity attribute dispelled by a touch of Christian's own mana.

"Seriously, Va- VE4B, you think the same trick would work on me twice?"

He chuckled, rising from the spot where his head had dented the floor.

"Shut up, dungeon wrecker," Vanessa grumbled.

Christian shrugged, turning to Rel with a wink.

"Sorry about that. It's her way of saying she's embarrassed."

Ding!

"Oh, the elevator's here!"

Christian, hearing the doors slide open, dashed towards the panel.

"Let's hurry to Mr. Cain's office, guys!"

Rel sighed inwardly as he followed.

"Why did I sign up for this?"

Vanessa trailed behind him.

As they entered the elevator, Rel stepped back to let Vanessa in.

She, however, chose to stand beside him, stealing glances in his direction.

glance...glance...glance...

The persistent gaze made him shift uncomfortably.

After some time he looked down and caught her staring directly at him.

"Is something wrong, senior?"

Rel tilted his head, a touch of nervousness in his voice.

Was he next on Vanessa's hit list?

"Nothing's wrong," Vanessa replied dismissively. "Just comparing heights."

"Well... okay then."

Vanessa stared at him, a question nagging at her mind: would his face be handsome or ugly if she unmasked him right there?

She had a theory about appearances: kind personalities often hid unattractive faces, while those with inflated egos were blessed with looks that didn't match their character.

This masked newcomer, Junior, gave off an air of relaxed kindness. Not overwhelmingly so, but it was there. Sometimes, though, appearances deceive.

Maybe he was skilled at curating a persona, which threw her theory into doubt.

Then again, most people didn't join a mercenary group out of genuine interest.

And especially seeing someone like him she was curious to why he even joined.Her gaze swept over him again from top to bottom.

There wasn't anything that made him stand out.

He seemed so...ordinary. Should she poke at him more?

"Hey." Vanessa tugged at his robe.

Rel peered down, mask to mask.

"What now?"

"Are you a swordsman?"

The question caught him off guard. He hesitated, weighing his options. Lying felt wrong, but the truth was too complicated

"I am," he finally admitted.

Vanessa eyed his weapons.

"Then why carry a pistol?"

"Just in case."

Stay updated via m,v,l,e,mpyr.

"In case of what?" She pressed, but Rel had already tuned her out.

In truth, he was too tired for a response. He fell asleep mid-conversation.

...

...

...

[Eldoria, Mercenary Headquarters, Floor: 40-Z, Jaxon Cain's Main Office]

"Ah... Yes, sir."

My voice sounded small, even to my own ears.

"My apologies about those two. I'd hoped you wouldn't have to meet them for another hour at least. Unfortunate timing."

Jaxon shuffled papers on his desk, then handed me a pen.

"So, Gerrard said you were an archer...yet here you are with a sword and a pistol?"

His confusion was understandable.

Since that system quest granted me a second class, I needed a plan to master both swordsman and archer mastery.

For the next three years, I'll be grinding my sword mastery on every mercenary mission, while the academy will be all about the bow.

"Ah, I'm proficient with most weapons. The bow simply feels most natural," I replied.

"Impressive. So, any weapon?"

"Within reason." I couldn't let him think I was some weapon-wielding prodigy.

Besides, five minutes using trickster at arms was hardly mastery I was only good as the time limit.

He scribbled on a sheet, then glanced up from his paperwork.

"Hm... Originally, I considered having a member assess your skills, but instead, I'll send you out with CA25B and VE4B. They'll evaluate you, and I'll determine your role based on their feedback."

Seriously? A mission today instead of a test?

Damn, I wasn't ready for that... and on a mission with Christian and Vanessa?

That's overkill...and unfair.

So If I don't perform perfectly, there's no way I'll be able to complete Gerrard's quest.

And I won't be getting Book Of Equaliser anytime soon.

"Okay..."

"Wonderful, I like your enthusiasm," Jaxon said flatly.

His attempt at encouragement fell short, the usual sternness in his voice.

"Now, sign this contract and liability clause."

He handed me the documents.

I scribbled my signature without reading a word.

"Good. Clearly dedicated, even without reading the fine print."

Now I can still sense that the two were outside, bring them in and I'll brief you three for today's mission.

...

...

...

I reached for the door handle and turned it.

With a pull, the door swung open and I came face-to-face with Christian and Vanessa sprawled on the floor.

Thump!

"Ouch! I told you he soundproofed the room," Vanessa grumbled.

"Your fault for eavesdropping," Christian retorted as he got up.

Turning back, I saw Jaxon Cain facepalming.

Haah...

He sighed. "Never mind. The three of you, take a seat."

We sat down and I was wedged between the bickering duo.

[5 minutes later...]

"Finally! A mission!" Christian cheered, throwing his arms up in victory.

"Indeed. And you two will be evaluating the newbie," Jaxon confirmed.

Vanessa raised a hand.

"Why us again?"

"He's reliable. And apparently proficient with any weapon," Jaxon replied.

"Really? Well, he didn't tell us that..." She tapped a finger on her mask, a glint in her visible eye.

Seems like she doesn't trust me.

Damn it, why did I have to say that? Now look what's happened.

"Naturally, I'll tell you what's confidential and what isn't," Jaxon said with a hint of exasperation. "That information is something you should know."

Vanessa sighed. "I know."

"Good. Now let's get down to this debriefing."

___________

Authors Notes:

- Jaxon Cain's Main Office is soundproofed, so they couldn't hear the conversation between Rel and Jaxon.

- Jaxon Cain doesn't wear masks, due to his well-known popularity. People in public can recognise his physical appearance regardless of the mask.