Mercenary Harem in Murim Novel

Night arrived.

Leo had woken up already and prepared himself. All his equipment was put in the perfect place, and he put his cube in his usual waist bag. Jessica had also finished her preparation. She wore a pair of black gauntlets in her hands and followed him out.

When he reached the meeting place, he saw Jack and Shui sitting on the rock already. They were drinking something from a clay jar while having fun talking with each other. The traces of their fighting were visible from slight bruises in their bodies.

Anya was sitting on the largest ruble while swinging her legs and Chiaki was leaning against a tree while watching her surroundings as she ate her favorite chocolate bar that she hid who knew where.

Noticing Leo approaching, Jack raised his jar and shouted.

"Leader, look at what we found! It's alcohol. The taste is shit but still fine nonetheless."

"Good enough to cheer." Shui added as he nodded with a light grin.

"Hahaha, it really tastes like shit. Even the cheapest one from Mega City is still way better than that liquid." Anya laughed loudly and grinned. "It made me vomit."

"That's gross." Chiaki said, turning to Leo as she put her remaining chocolate bar inside Coco's mouth. "Are we going now, Leader?"

"Now, now... Don't fight and let's just calm down a little." Leo laughed wryly as he walked over to the larger ruble and sat on it while feeling all eyes were focused on him. "Give me a bit of that, Jack."

"Oh, I know you would like to try it." Jack grinned and threw the clay jar to Leo who caught it.

Looking at it, he poured a bit into his mouth and shuddered when it entered his throat. The taste was indescribable. It was neither bitter nor sweet but something in the middle. If he had to give it a word, it would be 'repulsive'. But he managed to drink it without vomiting.

Still, the alcohol was too strong. He felt like it had around 60 to 80% of alcohol content from analyzing it with his Nanites. He just knew about it when it flowed down his throat.

'Purify all alcohol in my body.' He silently commanded his Nanites and the effect was immediate.

It didn't matter that it was alcohol from this world. His Nanites were capable of absorbing all foreign substances in his body and converting it into energy or nutritions. That included poisons and chemicals too.

"It indeed tastes like shit." He laughed and threw the jar back to Jack, who caught it easily. "Now, let's go and meet our client immediately."

"As you wish."

Everyone followed Leo as he headed toward the tower-like building, the Hall of Scripture, Chiaki and Shui mentioned before. He had agreed to meet Mok-Rang there as the hidden passage leading toward the demon sect's secret base would be opened by him.

When they arrived, they saw Mok-Rang already waiting there. He wore his usual traditional clothing with black color. His complexion looked way better than before, probably because he had enough rest and recovered his energy.

The door was already opened and there was no sign of the image from before. The old man turned to them and smiled lightly.

"You've arrived."

"Of course," Leo responded calmly as he approached the old man who then led them inside the building. "We will escort you until a certain destination as promised."

The inside was devoid of any life like a mausoleum. Empty shelves lined the walls on both sides and were covered in thick dust and cobwebs, showing how long they had been unoccupied. The wood creaked underfoot and Leo wrinkled his nose in disgust at the thick scent of dust, mildew, and dampness.

One of the shelves was clearly moved recently as he could see the way the cobwebs were disturbed. Something like a red door could be seen on the ground like an entrance leading to another path below the tower.

"Follow me and don't worry." Mok-Rang gestured for them to follow him before disappearing inside the entrance.

Leo was about to follow him first, but Anya stopped him.

"Let me go first, Leader. There might be traps ahead. My experience and smart lenses will be helpful."

"I understand." He nodded as he let her pass through first.

Anya was the one with the best detection skill in the Hallowed Insects Mercenaries. Of course, their sensors were capable of detecting potential traps ahead too. However, she was more experienced in this matter due to her equipment and specialty.

Once Anya checked the route for them, everyone started to descend while Mok-Rang led the way in front. She looked around like a kid going on an adventure as she admired the way everything was designed in the underground path they were walking through right now.

While they were walking through the slightly damp underground tunnels, Leo decided to strike up a conversation with Mok-Rang.

"Do you happen to know the reason why the guys from before came to attack you?"

"I can't answer that." The Heavenly Demon answered him while maintaining a slow pace so it wouldn't tire him too much.

"We have many enemies. Demon Sect is an Unorthodox Sect who practices Demon Cultivation Technique and Blood Arts, the very opposite of Orthodox Sect who practiced Energy Cultivation Technique and what they deemed as rightful Cultivation Method. Can you guess why they attack us?"

"I don't like the way you answered my question with another question." Leo frowned slightly as he replied, "But I can see where you're coming from. Of course, it's the same as usual."

"I apologize for answering like this, but that's how our world works."

The old man chuckled bitterly.

"In this world, the most powerful group is always treated as a king by the masses. The weaker ones will always submit themselves to those above them, and those in power will continue to live their life without care of what they're doing."

"Like you before?"

"Unfortunately, yes. A cold and harsh reality makes me realize that I still lack many things. I only managed to get sober at the tip of my life. Before, I wouldn't even consider using your service and would kill you when you showed up beyond that gate."

"Stop."

Upon hearing the word kill, Shui's sword stopped beside Mok-Rang's neck. Jack's sniper was ready to put a hole in the old man's head and Anya's clawed gauntlet dug into his chest slightly, drawing blood.

Coco already jumped in the air and assumed its large form, opening its mouth wide on top of Heavenly Demon's head.

Only Jessica was able to hold herself and not do anything. Or at least that was what could be seen on the surface. Behind her glasses, her eyes narrowed dangerously and were filled with killing intent.

If Leo didn't stop them, Mok-Rang's life would be gone. No matter how strong he originally was, he was still injured and had no time to react to their combined attack.

"He's our client," Leo said firmly as he gave a brief gaze to Anya who withdrew her hand with a pout. The others also stopped their attacks and put their weapons away.