Chapter 13: Mercenary
Dahlia wasn't scared. She was confident that she'll survive in that place. Besides, she knew how to protect herself.
'I'll just ask around tommorow.'
She threw her inhibitions at the back of her mind and decided to sleep.
Early in the morning, she decided to set out and ask around. She packed her things. She only stayed at the inn for two days. She didn't bother to ask for a refund.
When she saw the bright smile on the woman's face at the front desk, she smiled back. Her son Timothy must've been brought back to her last night. She saw the dark circles in her eyes that came from worry of her losing her son.
She left the inn and wandered off through the streets. Concealing herself in a cloak, she headed for a cheap tavern. It seems to be a nice place for asking questions.
When she entered, noise of laughing men and women were heard. There were some who sat silently while some where laughing like pigs.
Dahlia headed for the counter. The barkeeper came to face Dahlia and asked what drink she would like.
"Beer. " she replied then handed out a silver coin. She knew that it was the only beverage sold at this tavern.
The Barkeeper then poured beer unto a pitcher then handed it to Dahlia. The barkeeper was wiping cups when he spoke to Dahlia.
"You're new here, aren't you?" he said.
Dahlia nodded.
"Well I haven't seen you here before."
"So. What brings you here to Dovk?" he asked curiously, waiting for Dahlia's response.
"I came to look for a place to settle down." Dahlia calmly answered revealing her feminine voice. The barkeeper showed a surprised expression.
"Oh! so you're a woman? ...Where did you come from."
"I came from the capital." Dahlia said. The man raised his brow.
"I assume you're family is well-off, huh?" He said this because rich people commonly resided at the capital. He was surprised to find someone willing to settle in the South which was the relatively poorer than other parts of the kingdom.
"Maybe.. maybe not." Dahlia trailed off. The barkeep chuckled at her response. Dahlia continued to sip the cheap beer.
"So how can I help you? If you want, I know someone—" Dahlia interrupted.
"No. I plan on going somewhere else."
His mouth formed an O-shape then he slowly nodded his head realizing what she had just said.
"Oh.. Which town then? I recommend settling in Runika, or Eltun. They both have a safe environment."
"Thanks for the offer, however I already have a place in mind."
"May I know.. where?" he asked hesitantly.
"The Lawless Region..." Dahlia replied nonchalantly.
The people inside the tavern suddenly turned quiet. They looked at Dahlia with an odd look. Dahlia who had an indifferent expression, felt their gazes directed at her back. She continued to sip her beer like what she said was nothing.
" HAHAHAHHA!"
They suddenly burst into laughter. The tavern became noisy, once again, from their boisterous laughter.
What she said was ridiculous. They thought her statement was very bold and funny at the same time.
The barkeeper laughed as well. 'Clueless.', he thought.
Not even the manliest of men attempted to enter the Lawless Region, and this girl said it casually?
Hilarious. This girl is hilarious.
Maybe she didn't know what resides in the Lawless Region for her to say that carelessly.
Dahlia remained indefferent for she was serious with her statement.
"Joke time's over." the barkeeper said to the customers who were still laughing. Soon, they stopped and continued their own businesses.
He then directed his gaze to Dahlia whose face was hidden. "What a bold spirit you have." he said then chuckled.
"Well. Going to the Lawless Region isn't like taking a stroll to the park." he warned. "That place is very dangerous, if you don't know."
Dahlia remained silent. The barkeeper then moved to accommodate a new customer.
Dahlia decided to leave. To her disappointment, coming to this tavern was completely useless. She left the tavern and planned to go somewhere else to ask around.
She was not far from leaving the tavern when she felt someone's presence behind her.
She decided to hasten her pace and move to one of the empty alleyways at the end of the street. She stopped when she saw a dead-end.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked and turned around slowly.
There, she saw a young man standing infront of her. He had an attractive appearance and seemed to be in his early 20's.He had a dagger attached to his waste and he was smirking at her concealed figure.
He opened his mouth to speak. As if following her was a normal thing.
"You seemed so serious back there. What business does a young lady like you, want with our Lawless Region?"
The corner of his mouth rose upwards as he spoke. His appearance and gestures seemed to be of mischief.
His words caught Dahlia's attention. 'Could it be..?'
"You're.. from the Lawless Region, aren't you?" Dahlia narrowed her eyes. She didn't know whether she'll believe him or not.
"You can say that." he said casually. Dahlia furrowed her brows.
"So...Since you know that I—I mean. If you don't mind me asking, how do I get there?" Dahlia asked carefully.
"To where?" he asked sarcastically, testing Dahlia's patience.
"Lawless Region, of course." she said in a hard tone, then her lips formed into a thin line. If he was just playing with her, she wouldn't mind killing him on the spot.
"Easy" he raised his both hands as a form of surrender when he heard her hostility. "I know how to get there. Even so, you must pay a hefty sum. Getting there isn't as easy as you may think..of course."
She understood what he was implying. She then retrieved a pouch containing silver coins from her baggage and held it infront of him.
The man took it and checked its amount. "Hmmm... This seems to be enough." he said and looked at her with an odd expression.
Dahlia sensed that something was amiss. She felt that the man wasn't trustworthy. He came from the Lawless Region, after all so he shouldn't be trusted.
Unexpectedly, the man then rushed to Dahlia and tried to grab her. Dahlia reacted quickly and grabbed his elbow, almost crushing his bone.
The man wailed with pain. He felt that his arm would be broken from her grasp. He didn't expect such strength to come from a woman.
"Who are you? What's your relation to the Lwaless Region?" Dahlia's grip tightened. He winced and screamed from the pain.
"I-I..Im a-a Mercenary from t-the Lawless R-Region! Stop— Ah!" he tapped Dahlia's shoulders asking her to stop.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone