Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 96

Despite entering the tunnel, the tension between the Silvers Mercenary Band and Earl Eir’s entourage showed no signs of waning.

“Please, go ahead. We’ll ensure your safety from behind.”

“Hmph! You call that an offer now? Why don’t you go down first? We’ll firmly support you from the rear.”

To verify the presence of magic stones, one must venture inside the tunnel.

Yet, if the spreader of this rumor had ill intentions, it wouldn’t be surprising to find traps laid within.

As the Silvers and Earl Eir growled at each other,

Their gaze shifted towards the incoming group of low-ranking mercenaries.

“It seems we’re of the same mind, aren’t we?”

“Ha, indeed it does.”

They turned their swords, previously aimed at each other, towards the unsuspecting newcomers.

“What… what’s this! Why are you suddenly turning on us!”

The low-ranking mercenaries drew their swords in panic,

But the knights of House Eir and the Silvers only sneered.

“Do you really think your feeble swords can pierce this armor?”

“Hey, rookies! It’s only natural for you to go in after your seniors have paved the way! What are you waiting for?”

The sudden threat turned the mercenaries’ faces red with embarrassment.

Even if they were slower to grasp the situation, they realized they were being used as human shields.

“…It seems you’ve forgotten we outnumber you.”

The man leading the largest group of low-ranking mercenaries stepped forward.

But Baiken of the Silvers merely snorted at his words.

“A bunch of nobodies, no matter how many, are still nobodies. Or would you like to prove otherwise?”

“Don’t you realize that if this gets out, it could tarnish the reputation of the Silvers Mercenary Band?”

“We might get cursed as the bad guys. But isn’t that the truth? Both of us kill for a few coins. Isn’t that right?”

Baiken licked his lips, causing the man to tremble with anger.

He hadn’t expected such a large mercenary band to be so brazen.

Earl Eir, watching from the side, suggested with a political smile,

“How about this? If you go in and find a magic stone, I’ll acknowledge your claim to any you discover. Does this proposal satisfy you?”

“Do you think we came all this way just for some petty cash?!”

The man’s shout wrinkled Earl Eir’s face.

Then, he switched from carrot to stick.

“Shall I order my knights to remind you why you came here by taking your heads? You know better than anyone that you can’t be the main act here.”

The man flinched at Earl Eir’s piercing words.

Before arriving, he had hoped to play a leading role, but seeing the assembled powers, he had to abandon that thought.

The strength of the Silvers and House Eir was enough to sweep away any credit they might claim.

Hence, the low-ranking mercenaries had banded together to oppose these two forces, never expecting them to join hands.

The man gritted his teeth.

It was a dilemma.

Even if they retreated, the two men, now with a clear purpose, wouldn’t let them leave unscathed.

“…Very well. We’ll go down.”

The mood among the mercenaries behind him turned gloomy as they realized the situation.

On their way to the mining town, they had dreamed of becoming heroes of fortune, never imagining they’d end up as mere cannon fodder.

“You’ve made a wise decision.”

“Now that’s more like a mercenary. Indeed, a mercenary follows orders.”

Baiken and Earl Eir commented, and the man swiftly turned around.

He then addressed the gathered knights and low-ranking mercenaries.

“We will be the first to enter the tunnel! If anyone has a problem, step aside…”

“No, everyone must go in. If there was a problem, you shouldn’t have come in the first place.”

Baiken’s interjection stopped several mercenaries who tried to leave.

“What right do you have to order us around!”

“Does the Silvers Mercenary Band have the right to look down on fellow mercenaries!”

“I’m out of here!”

As a few mercenaries expressed their discontent and tried to leave the tunnel, the Silvers’ members blocked their path.

Baiken, with a cold smile, drew his sword fiercely and thrust it into the ground.

A scorpion, impaled on Baiken’s sword, writhed in its final moments.

Seeing this, the dissenting mercenaries swallowed hard.

Baiken looked at them with a grin.

“Those who wish to leave now must forfeit what’s attached to their necks.”

His meaning was clear: attempting to leave was tantamount to death.

With no other choice, the mercenaries reluctantly entered the tunnel.

* * *

Yan, blending in with the group of low-ranking mercenaries, entered the tunnel. He watched the Silvers Mercenary Band surveilling with sharp eyes from behind and thought, ‘Their oppression makes the investigation all the easier.’

Had they been amicable in their search within the tunnel, Yan would have faced considerable difficulty. But now, they were at odds, deepening their conflict—a perfect situation for Yan, who needed to cause as much chaos as possible.

“Damn it, I’m starting to worry we’ll die without accomplishing anything.”

“I don’t want my bones buried in this dark, gloomy mine.”

“Just wait till I get out. I’ll make sure to take on a job with the Silvers Mercenary Band.”

“I’ll tell all the mercenaries I know about Earl Eir’s true colors. It may start small, but soon no one will accept his commissions.”

The low-ranking mercenaries entering the tunnel steadily built up their resentment towards the Silvers Mercenary Band and Earl Eir.

Yan confirmed their disgruntled expressions and turned his head, seeking the disguised special task force members.

‘Three at the far right, and seven on the left.’

Having memorized their locations, Yan discreetly pulled out the ten maps he had diligently drawn at the tavern earlier.

With a swift motion, he let them fall to the ground without a second thought.

Just as hundreds of mercenaries unknowingly marched forward…

“A map!”

One mercenary picked up a fallen map and shouted. That shout was the spark that ignited chaos.

Other low-ranking mercenaries quickly scanned the ground, and soon, more of them emerged, maps in hand.

“Look, this map shows where the magic stones are piled up!”

“With this, we won’t have to grovel to those above!”

“Hurry, get inside! Before those damned fools catch on!”

The tunnel descended into pandemonium in an instant.

The low-ranking mercenaries, considering the suddenly acquired maps as treasure maps, rushed towards the marked locations.

A Silvers Mercenary Band member, observing from a distance, widened his eyes at the sudden turn of events.

“Why are those fools suddenly rushing about?”

The low-ranking mercenaries, who had been walking out like condemned prisoners, now ran towards various locations as if possessed.

The pitch-black darkness hindered the visibility of their destinations.

A Silvers member shouted towards his comrades at the tunnel entrance.

“Something’s happened! We need to go in and check it out now!”

Hearing this, Baiken, who had been observing from afar, spat out in annoyance.

“What trouble? They should be quietly checking for traps.”

“The vanguard that went in has suddenly started running somewhere. And… I think I heard them say they found a map.”

“What?”

Baiken’s eyes bulged at his subordinate’s report.

He had interrogated the miners and residents working here, and there was no mention of a map.

‘A map, all of a sudden?’

Before he could fully grasp the odd feeling, a thought crossed Baiken’s mind.

If there was another exit besides this one. And if there was a warehouse where the accumulated magic stones were stored.

Baiken’s face contorted with urgency.

Earl Eir, who overheard the report to Baiken, was equally frantic.

“We’re going in now!”

“My lord, it’s dangerous inside. Please wait out here…”

“Shut up! I need to see it with my own eyes!”

Earl Eir brushed off the knight’s concern and was about to step into the tunnel.

With a swift move, a Silvers Mercenary Band member guarding the entrance blocked Earl Eir’s path.

Rage flared in Earl Eir’s eyes.

A mere commoner, a lowly mercenary, dared to block his way.

“Move aside!”

“The captain ordered us to block anyone from entering.”

Earl Eir clenched his fist.

Then, turning around, he shouted at Baiken with a furious voice.

“Baiken! Clear this at once!”

“Earl, can’t you see I’m thinking? Wait there until I’ve sorted out my thoughts.”

“How dare a mere mercenary speak to a Earl like that!”

With a metallic ring, Earl Eir’s knights drew their swords.

In response, the Silvers’ members also drew their weapons fiercely.

A deadly tension filled the air.

The atmosphere was so charged that it seemed ready to explode at any moment, and Earl Eir sneered.

“Is this really the time for us to be at each other’s throats?”

“…Then shut your mouth, will you?”

“You too, be quiet. Can’t you see the loss if all these mercenaries escape with a magic stone through another exit?”

Challenged by Earl Eir’s cold question, Baiken bit his lip.

He was right.

Now was not the time to confront Earl Eir but to deal with the low-ranking mercenaries who had gone inside.

“Open up!”

At Baiken’s irritated command, the mercenary blocking the passage stepped aside.

Earl Eir, with a snort, said,

“Keep on thinking there.”

With that, Earl Eir led his knights into the tunnel.

Baiken then shouted in an irritated voice.

“We’re going in too! We must collect all the maps, no matter what it takes!”

After giving the order, Baiken sprinted into the tunnel at breakneck speed.

The Silvers Mercenary Band followed him with a fearsome momentum.

And so, the battle for the magic stone mine’s map unfolded.