I was a Warrior?

After further investigation, I found myself even more drawn to this Beautiful Black-Cat Beastwoman… no, Ms. Riel’s request.

The timing for the mission was exactly what I wanted—deep into the early morning hours.

It wasn’t an illegal job involving conflict with Demon Folk; it was simply a bodyguard role. Plus, it wasn’t a long, days-long mission but rather a short one lasting from dawn until sunrise.

And on top of all that, there was a reward so enormous it made my eyes roll back in my head.

Simply put, it was the perfect commission, fulfilling every condition I could ever want.

With that, I truly felt grateful for this last-minute stroke of luck, thinking perhaps the heavens hadn’t abandoned me after all. But alas, it didn’t last long.

Before long, I got a firsthand taste of the cruel laws of this world:

Nothing is perfect. Everything has flaws—no exceptions.

Unfortunately, in this case, the flaw was particularly severe for me.

The whole thing started when, on the day I first met Ms. Riel and officially received her request, the following morning came around as we prepared to set out from the Guild.

Just before we began moving, she casually mentioned something that made my ears question their own functionality.

“Wait… Could you repeat that? Sorry, I think I misheard.”

“Hohoho, sure thing! The truth is, I’m actually a Secret Peacekeeper—well, technically temporary—but still!”

“And during this mission, your role will be supporting me fully while protecting me from any dangers that might arise during our secret operation. Sounds simple enough, right?”

In that moment, I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. Her explanation, delivered with the casualness of someone asking about dinner plans, left me frozen in place.

At first, I thought it was some kind of joke, but her emerald-green eyes betrayed none of the humor her smile suggested. My hopes were crushed completely.

A Secret Peacekeeper’s secret mission.

Just hearing those words sent shivers down my spine. Given my current situation, getting involved in something like this would be catastrophic—a worst-case scenario wrapped up in a bundle of bad ideas.

As reality sank in, I realized too late how strange various aspects of this commission had been.

First off, why would a Diamond-class mercenary be hired for bodyguard duty within the relatively safe Capital City?

Already suspicious, things only grew weirder when paired with the absurdly large compensation offered.

Clearly, something fishy was going on here. Normally, I’d have noticed sooner based on the details alone.

But desperation clouds judgment. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and this seemingly ideal opportunity blinded me to its many red flags.

Now regretting everything, I hesitated to cancel the mission because doing so would jeopardize Lady Yuria’s dress—not to mention the Blue Palace’s financial recovery efforts altogether.

So, despite everything, I pressed forward without another choice.

Still reeling internally yet resigned to despair, I asked cautiously why a Secret Peacekeeper needed to hire mercenaries through the Guild.

Her response was far from reassuring.

“To be honest, I’ve been brought in from outside to handle this case. However, due to friction between me and the local investigative team, I decided to proceed independently.”

“Hiring a skilled bodyguard was part of that plan. While I’m confident in my investigative abilities, combat isn’t really my strong suit.”

Does anyone seriously conduct investigations alone after clashing with the local team? Especially in such a vast and complex capital city?

Though relieved she wasn’t an official Secret Peacekeeper, the sheer number of questionable traits surrounding this Black Cat Maiden named Riel was staggering.

Naturally, my next question followed suit.

“So, if this is such an important task, why did you contract someone like me—a newbie mercenary with zero credibility? It doesn’t add up!”

“Hmm… Let’s say curiosity got the better of me. After all, who wouldn’t be intrigued by a mysterious young girl hiding behind layers of disguise, classified as a Diamond-class mercenary, appearing only at dawn before vanishing without a trace?”

“Not to mention, according to the receptionist, your skills are so impressive they earned recognition from the Guild Master himself. How could I resist?”

Faced with her calm demeanor and infuriating wink, all I could do was let out a bitter laugh.

So, in essence, she hired me out of sheer interest and amusement.

Even though I questioned whether hiring random mercenaries for serious missions was standard procedure, logic dictated she wouldn’t act this way unless already unstable.

Suppressing every insult threatening to burst forth against this ridiculous client, I sighed deeply.

There was no point dwelling on regrets now. If time travel existed, I’d gladly slap myself for falling for such obvious bait yesterday morning—but spilled water can’t be recollected.

Accepting both resignation and grim determination, I hardened my resolve.

What did being a Secret Peacekeeper matter anyway?

All that mattered was completing the mission without revealing my true identity. As long as that happened, success was assured.

Besides, she was just a temporary Secret Peacekeeper visiting the Capital briefly, claiming the entire ordeal would conclude before sunrise today.

If I could wrap things up quickly before any suspicions arose, maybe this wouldn’t end in disaster.

With renewed focus, I resolved to minimize conversation and stick strictly to the bodyguard role outlined in the contract. Unfortunately, life rarely cooperates with such plans.

Punch! Crash! BOOM!

“Aaaaaahhh!!!”

KA-BOOM!! Punch! Punch! Punch!

“I-I’m sorry! It won’t happen again… AAAAAHHH!!!”

WHOOSH… CRASH!!

“What kind of monstrous woman is she…”

After casually unveiling her shocking true nature, our destination became clear: the slums on the outskirts of the Capital.

Even in the radiant prosperity of Tracion, this area stood as the lowest rung of society—an abyss filled with hopeless trash, impoverished mixed races, and death itself.

Crime ran rampant in these desolate streets where shadows lingered over everything.

Despite knowing full well the risks, Ms. Riel wore attire far too conspicuous for such dangerous territory—essentially advertising herself as an outsider.

Predictably, attacks from slum dwellers rained upon us relentlessly.

Had it been daytime, the situation might’ve been slightly better, but now, deep in the dead of night, visibility favored neither side. Even my attempts to conceal my appearance failed to mask my small frame, making us prime targets for troublemakers.

Each attacker charging toward us met swift justice via my fists before fleeing in terror.

Thankfully, none turned out to be members of the Demon Race, sparing me additional complications.

After all, even if reduced to destitution, prideful Demon Folk wouldn’t stoop so low as to reside among other species’ squalor.

Relieved by this fact yet increasingly uneasy about venturing deeper into the slums, I finally broke my silence.

“Uh… Ms. Riel? I tried not to ask earlier, but… could you clarify exactly what this ‘secret mission’ entails?”

“Ah, I’ve been waiting for you to bring that up. Curious, aren’t we? Depending on circumstances, this mission may require the brute strength of a Diamond-class mercenary.”

“…”

While continuing to walk ahead, Ms. Riel glanced back briefly, smiling faintly as she spoke.

Her teasing tone irked me enough to make me pout beneath my mask, furrowing my brow.

Her evasive behavior fueled growing doubts within me.

Was everything she said—a Secret Peacekeeper, a secret mission—all fabricated lies designed to manipulate me?

No matter how naïve I might seem, I wasn’t gullible enough to swallow every word someone fed me.

Sure, she showed me a golden badge supposedly proving her status as a Secret Peacekeeper, but lacking means to verify its authenticity rendered it meaningless.

When my prolonged silence prompted her reaction, she slowly began explaining.

“While specifics remain confidential due to the nature of secret missions… I’ll share this much.”

“I’m chasing something—or rather, someone. Based on estimates, my target is likely hiding somewhere within the labyrinthine sewer system beneath this slum.”