“Hi. The name’s Dorian. I’m a C-class merc swordsman. You tow halfbreeds?”

Ryu looked at Dorian. His spiky green hair, tanned skin, and toned muscles reminded him of a tree. He then glanced at Ferris, who yawned without care.

“Ryu,” Ryu introduced himself, and his eyes steadied forward. They were outside the gate of Southshore Port Town, waiting for the other mercenaries as Cecily instructed.

Wagons and horses were waiting at the corner as well as the fifty strong soldiers the mayor arranged.

Dorian scratched his head and stood beside Ryu. “I know I’m human, but I don’t discriminate between races. The war they rant about happened way before I was born, so . . .”

Dorian faced Ryu and extended a hand. “Let’s work together and deliver the princess safe and sound to the Kingdom.”

Ryu shifted his gaze between Dorian’s hand and Ferris’s face. Ferris closed her eyes while her hands shooed Ryu to do whatever he wanted.

Ryu accepted Dorian’s hand in a light shake before Dorian grinned and curled his arms at the back of his neck.

“That’s more like it!” Dorian said. “Us young folks shouldn’t have grudges with each other just because of some war that happened who knows years ago.”

“How utterly dumb.”

Ryu and Dorian’s eyes flicked at the two newcomers. One was big as an oaf with closed slanting eyes, and the other was a kid with big sharp eyes.

Dorian leaned a little and whispered, “The big one is Pedro, a beast tamer, and the small one is Isaac, a healer. They’re brothers and both C-class merc and . . . they both hate foreign race.”

“It’s only right,” Isaac intruded and folded his arms. “Ever wonder why we became mercs in the first place? Risking our lives every day? With no families nor names?”

Dorian sighed. “Here we go again.”

Isaac glared at Ryu and Ferris and jabbed a finger at them. “It’s because of them. They’re the reason that we are here in the first place. So don’t expect that we’ll be joining hands and work together. If not for the Princess, I won’t even bother coming here.”

Isaac spat on the ground before he and his brother left and stood to the other mercenaries.

Ryu, Ferris, and Dorian were isolated at the side. No one wanted to spare them a glance except for a few glares and curses.

Dorian shook his head. “Sorry about that. They aren’t bad people . . . they’re just . . .” He took in a mouthful of air and sighed through his mouth. “Hurt.”

Ryu tilted his head and looked over the horizon. He had no idea what happened. He was used to glares and curses. The only thing that changed was Dorian talking to him without losing his head, and Isaac and Pedro walked away with their limbs intact.

Ryu tagged Ferris’s shirt, and she waved a hand, and a scrumptious roasted boar appeared in thin air. Ryu gobbled it all while Ferris couldn’t help a chuckle.

“Are you two siblings?” Dorian asked after a moment.

Ferris’s brow twitched, and her eyes shot to Dorian. “Do we look like we’re siblings?”

The hostilely in Ferris’s voice made Dorian raised his hand in a defensive stand. “N-no . . . Sorry.” He then looked away and the smile on his face cracked. “It’s just . . . you two look awfully closed.”

Ferris snarled. “Is that problem?”

“N-no,” Dorian stuttered. “It’s just . . . weird.”

“Weird?” Ryu licked the boar oils in his hand and faced Dorian.

Dorian nodded and shrugged. “It’s weird cause I heard that she’s half-demon. Demon’s don’t like each other, even their own. They only followed the strong and their supreme King. All the demons I’ve encountered are like that. Half or not.”

Dorian looked Ferris in the eyes and mumbled, “It’s strange cause she’s nothing like the demons I’ve encountered.”

Ferris glared at Dorian, and the latter shrieked and faked a laugh. “But I guess her human side had won more than her demon side,” he said, ending the topic. Ferris’s eyes gave him the chills.

“There is always a first at everything,” Dorian added, and his attention went towards a group of mercenaries heading their way. “Enough of my curiosity. Looks like the B-class mercs finally made their entrance.”

Dorian whistled, and his eyes rounded when he saw who was leading the three mercs in the front. “That’s Vilja. I didn’t know she was already in town.”

“Vil . . . ja.” The name rolled at the tip of Ryu’s tongue as he watched the only woman in the B-class mercenary group. Her skin was dark, sparkling with the light as her long white hair tied in a high ponytail reminded him of a horse.

Dorian winked at Ryu. “She’s a beauty, huh? But don’t come close to her if you still want your crotch intact. She’s fierce and strong. In fact, with her skills and magic, she could be an A-class.”

“She’s a mage knight, then,” said Ferris.

Dorian nodded. “But she’s more on the sword.”

“Mage . . . knight,” Ryu mumbled. It was the same class as Cecily.

Humans developed classes in the mortal realm according to their proficiency in combat and magic. For those have high martial skills, they were usually on the vanguard like swordsman and knights. Those who have high mana and magical attributes were usually mages at the backlines.

Mage Knight was a balance class that either could be a vanguard on the front or support at the back.

“I want to be a mage knight,” Ryu said in seriousness.

“. . .” Ferris palmed her head and sighed. “You can’t. You can’t even manipulate mana, remember?”

Dorian’s jaw dropped. “How come? They said you’re a half-beast. It should be natural for you!”

Ryu shook his head. “I don’t. . . know.”

Dorian opened his mouth, but Ferris sharp glares shut him up.

“Listen, everyone!”

Murok’s voice stole everyone’s attention.

“My name is Murok, and this is Cecily Byron, granddaughter to the legendary Drago Byron.”

Gossips and murmured buzzed, and all eyes revered Cecily, adoration apparent on their faces. One of the heroes’ granddaughters who saved humanity was right in front of them!

Ferris rolled her eyes and flipped her none existent hair.

Murok continued after the excitement died a little, “As you all know, a demon and a dark elf are targeting our Princess’s life, and our mission is to make it to Byron’s kingdom in one piece. For that, we must make haste and meet up with the Asura Army.”

“Damn those demons.”

“How dare they attack a royal family.”

“Those vermin don’t know what’s good for them.”

“But never mind that. The Asura Army? Really?”

Murok raised his hand, and the crowd went silent. “We will travel by wagons and horses. I have designated leaders for this mission, and all of you have been given a number to which leader you’ll report . . .”

Ryu didn’t listen. The clear sky drew his eyes. His nose flared and swift of coolness numb his senses.

It’s going to rain.