I Became the Dark Knight in the Game

Chapter 15: The Unknown Enemy (1)

Dale asked,

What exactly do you propose? Rescuing the mercenaries? Or eliminating the enemy present there?

Thats entirely up to Sir Dales judgment.

Youre leaving it to me?

Garland nodded.

Currently, the guild has no specific information about the situation. How can proper instructions be given in such a case? We have to rely on the on-site judgment.

He continued,

If the mercenaries are captured, you can focus on their rescue. If thats not possible, just identify the enemy and return. If possible, you are authorized to kill the enemy.

Dale tapped the desk thoughtfully.

Relying on the on-site judgment.

Noticing Dales contemplative look, Garland reassured him,

Of course, Sir Dale wont be held accountable for any decision you make on the site.

This kind of request doesnt seem common.

True. Most mercenaries are reluctant to accept such requests. Above all, the level of danger in the mission itself is uncertain.

Who the enemy is, or how strong they might be, remains unknown.

It was like walking into the jaws of a beast with your eyes closed.

If the beast is weaker than me, I will live. If its stronger, I get devoured.

No mercenary would welcome such a mission.

Unless the reward offered was extraordinarily high.

The experienced Garland preempted Dales questions with an explanation.

For your information, the reward will vary depending on the nature of the mission. But rest assured, it wont be disappointing. I promise you that on my name. Moreover, since its a task many are reluctant to undertake, the achievement points awarded will be substantial.

Substantial achievement points.

This meant a quicker advancement in his mercenary rank.

Achievement points and money.

For ordinary mercenaries, this alone wouldnt be enough.

Merely not disappointing sums of money wouldnt satisfy them.

But Dale was different.

He wasnt in a position to be picky about the requests hed accept and he actually preferred dangerous opponents anyway.

I doubt itll be so strong that I cant even escape.

Unless it was a demon, such a situation was unlikely to happen.

After a brief contemplation, Dale made his decision.

Ill do it. Shall I prepare immediately?

I knew Sir Dale would say that.

Are there any other mercenaries youve recruited for this request?

Unfortunately, no. It seems youll need to gather people yourself.

Dale hesitated.

Gather people himself? Wouldnt it be more realistic to ask him to smash a demons skull right now?

Cant I just do it alone

That wont do.

Garlands response was immediate.

There are too many variables in battle. You never know what might happen. There will surely be situations you cant handle alone. Thats why higher-ranked adventurers typically operate in parties, except for a few cases like the Mercenary King.

Dale understood the implications of Garlands words.

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He himself had once raised a mercenary character in the game. He had deliberately adopted a lone wolf approach and minimized party play. So he knew all too well the dangers of going solo.

But Im not saying I want to go alone on purpose.

Dale also thought that working with competent people was obviously more comfortable. But wasnt he, Dale, a dark knight right now?

Finding people was not an easy task.

During this process, Dale realized something.

Are you perhaps testing me?

A spark of interest appeared in Garlands eyes.

May I ask why you think so?

Just a hunch. Maybe because youre leaving the on-site judgment to me. Or perhaps because youre intentionally encouraging me to form a team. It feels like an evaluation of sorts.

After taking a sip of tea, Garland shook his head slowly.

Sir Dale, you continue to surprise me really. Yes, you are right. This request is mostly a test for you. The mercenary guild needs to gauge the new person of interest.

To see if they are fit for the tasks given?

Exactly.

Assigning the right mercenary to the right place was the guilds responsibility.

The encouragement to form a team is part of that evaluation. We give higher marks to mercenaries who can work well with others.

I see.

Garland glanced around subtly.

Did I offend you maybe? If I may explain, it was an order from my superiors. Despite the flashy title of branch guild master I have, its ultimately a middle management position.

Im not particularly offended.

Dale shook his head.

If the order had come from Garlands superiors, it meant that the higher-ups were taking notice of Dale, for better or worse.

A successful outcome here might reduce future obstacles.

Dale nodded his head in understanding.

Understood. Ill try to find some people.

Are you sure thats alright?

Well, there might be someone willing to join. If not, Ill have to go alone.

In that case, the guild will prepare a carriage for your journey.

Dale nodded and left the office.

It was a time-sensitive request.

There was a possibility, however slim, that the missing mercenaries might still be alive.

Unlikely, but still possible.

The guild probably assumed these mercenaries were already dead.

After all, it was rare for missing mercenaries to return alive.

That must be why they gave Dale this request as a sort of test.

If they had truly believed the mercenaries were alive, they would have entrusted the mission to more reliable people.

Dale descended to the lower floor.

The place was bustling with mercenaries looking for requests.

Dale surveyed the room intently as he searched for a capable mercenary. His gaze was like that of a predator hunting its prey.

Why is he looking at us like that?

Lets just get out of here.

The mercenaries were visibly frightened by him and they began to back away slowly.

Cant see anyone useful here.

It was then that someone approached Dale in a very familiar manner.

Sir Dale! Long time no see! Remember me? Im Harkin, Harkin. I have heard how you struck it big after taking that Miles guy down! Haha. I wish Id been with you, Sir Dale; couldve had a piece of that success.

The mercenary with particularly curly hair called Harkin chattered away in an exaggerated manner as if he were putting on a show to demonstrate to others, Look, Im friends with this guy.

But instead of responding, Dale just stared at Harkin.

As Dale continued to glare silently, a flustered Harkin took a step back.

Uh, did I do something wrong?

Are you on a request right now?

Eh? No. Just came out to look for work today after playing around til yesterday.

Follow me.

Eh?

Dale then walked towards the doorway. Harkin, in the meantime, just looked at Dales back with a puzzled expression on his face.

Dale, who was leading the way, turned his head around.

What are you doing not following?

Ah? Sir Dale? Could you at least tell me why?

Dale ignored Harkins words and walked out of the office.

After hesitating for a moment, Harkin hurriedly followed him. He felt that if he didnt obey, something bad might happen.

Ive managed to recruit one guy.

A grade 2 shieldman. A character capable of pulling his weight in any team.

Even though he was a bit loose-lipped, Harkin was also an experienced mercenary.

Harkin, unaware that his fate had already been decided in Dales mind, followed Dale with an anxious face.

Sir Dale. Can you explain now? Were not going to some fancy place, are we?

Dale slightly turned his head and indifferently explained the mission.

That they didnt know who the enemy was and the details of the mission would be left to on-site judgment.

Harkins face turned pale once he heard everything.

No. What kind of bastard would accept such a request like this, huh?

If theres trouble, well just retreat. Ill make sure we can escape, so dont worry.

Ah, well, thats very reassuring, but

When Harkin hesitated, Dale said.

If you only deal with easy enemies, you wont grow. Isnt it time for you to move beyond grade 2?

Hm. Thats also true so I cant say anything, but still

Dale who was walking ahead suddenly stopped. Then he looked at Harkin and said.

Dont like it?

Ah, well, its not that

Dale gazed intently at Harkin, choosing not to say anything further. He knew well of the power of silence.

Harkin, who was breaking out in a cold sweat, soon forced a smile.

Haha. Of course, I must do it! This is Harkin we talkin bout! Without loyalty, what am I but a corpse?

Last time, you claimed to be a lone wolf.

M-my goodness. Are you still holding onto that joke?

Resigned, Harkin let out a deep sigh.

But with this man here, things should be alright.

The image of Dales unquestionable strength still vividly lingered in Harkins mind.

Harkin believed that Dale would win against any monster.

He then asked as he walked next to Dale.

But its not just the two of us, right? Regardless, a party should have at least one priest, shouldnt it?

Ive already found a priest.

Oh, really? Thats good to hear. Whats their name?

You know them.

Harkin tilted his head in confusion.

***

.

.

.

At the front of the temple of light, Esther, Harkin, and Dale were engaged in an odd standoff.

It was Esther who broke the silence.

So, let me get this straight. You come here early in the morning, without any prior arrangement, and now youre just inviting me to join this mission?

Its not an invitation. You were the one who said youd lend a hand when I needed it.

No, uh, I did say that, but still, there are circumstances, you know.

Im against this as well, Sir Dale.

Harkin looked reluctant.

Shes only an apprentice priestess. Where in the world are apprentice priestesses considered full priests? She cant even be of use in battle, can she? You saw her last time as well, unable to do anything in front of the one-eyes.

Im not an apprentice priestess anymore!

Esther sharply retorted. She showed the mark on the sleeve of her priestess robe.

A single silver ring.

in other words, this meant she had become an official priestess.

Harkins eyes widened in surprise.

What? You became a priestess in the meantime?

Hmph. I told you, Im a promising candidate who has been receiving some attention.

Esther lifted her chin with a smug expression.

Dale nodded in satisfaction.

Thats good. Youll be a help in battle.

Esthers face hardened again.

What? I havent agreed to it yet. How can I go now? I have a schedule prepared for today, the afternoon prayers I need to offer, and more

Her explanation became lengthy.

Seeing Esther continue to show signs of refusal, Dale pressed the point.

Didnt you swear in the name of your goddess?

Uh.

Esthers body stiffened.

For believers, swearing in the name of the goddess carries great weight.

Breaking such a vow could result in losing all of their divinity.

Esther murmured with a somewhat pitiful face.

Im still the youngest here, so if I skip work like this, Ill draw attention from the higher-ups. The sisters will think poorly of me, and the guiding priest will scold me

I understand.

A look of relief spread across Esthers face.

You understand?

It seems the name of the goddess of light is lighter than I thought.

Esthers face crumpled once again.

When Dale turned his head, Esther spoke with a face close to tears.

Ill do it. Ill just do it.

Hurry up and get ready.

Esther muttered underneath her breath, What am I going to do now?, and scurried back to the church.

Dale watched her leave with a look of satisfaction and remarked.

Gathering teammates isnt as hard as I thought.

Harkin, who had been watching everything from the side until now, shook his head in disbelief.

*******

TN: lol