Chapter 5: Shen Aofan

“Useless Ninth… ah, no, Ninth Miss, are you certain you’ve thought this through about becoming a mercenary?” There were no qualifications or rank restrictions for signing up as a mercenary, but this was not a path most scions of noble families would choose. First, without joining a reputable mercenary corps, one could hardly earn any money. On the Holy Mang Continent, there were the ten great mercenary corps, the most renowned being the Lava Mercenary Corps. But to become even an ordinary member of such a top-tier group was exceedingly difficult—requiring not only strength but also connections. Second, the identity of an ordinary mercenary was generally looked down upon. Without the backing of a good corps, a solo mercenary without true power could only take the simplest of tasks, barely scraping by.

Shen Duo nodded firmly, her small face set with determination.

The receptionist, observing her cool, aloof expression, sensed she was different from the rumored “useless Ninth Miss.” She recalled hearing that this girl had defeated Shen Yan earlier and found herself warming to her.

With a smile, she said, “Ninth Miss, you really are something. That Shen Yan boy needed a good lesson—I’ve been annoyed with him for ages. Please wait here while I fetch your mercenary badge and see if there’s a suitable task for you.”

This was the very first time Shen Duo had been praised since arriving in this foreign world. Seeing the receptionist’s genuine smile, her lips couldn’t help but curl ever so slightly.

Clad in an ordinary black robe, her hair tied in a high ponytail, she looked clean and decisive. For the first time, her usually cold face softened with a faint smile, casting an almost magical glow that lifted the spirits of those who saw it.

The receptionist searched for some time before finding a standard mercenary badge, which she presented to Shen Duo with both hands. “Ninth Miss, this is your badge. If you join any mercenary corps in the future, you can exchange this badge for their emblem. Also, see if this task suits you.”

Shen Duo took the badge and the task scroll, unrolling it to examine the details.

After receiving commissions, the Mercenary Guild assigned tasks a rank, ranging from A to F. Rank A tasks were the most difficult, usually reserved for large, well-resourced corps. Rank F tasks were the simplest, typically accepted by inexperienced small groups or lone mercenaries. The receptionist had offered her an F-rank task.

It was a delivery mission: transport a package from Luo City to the small town of Keli, on the edge of the Catra Forest. The reward was ten gold coins, quite generous for such a task—no doubt the receptionist’s way of looking after her.

Shen Duo rolled up the scroll and nodded. “Miss, I will complete this task successfully.”

The receptionist smiled again. Shen Duo’s conduct had already shattered her former impression of the “useless Ninth Miss.” The girl before her exuded a steady wisdom, neither servile nor overbearing, her confidence shining through and making her seem approachable.

With these thoughts, the receptionist fetched a large bundle and set it before Shen Duo. “Ninth Miss, this is the package to be delivered. I’ve given you an extra week beyond the deadline. I truly hope you succeed!”

She was clearly bending the rules for Shen Duo. The task’s paperwork specified a ten-day deadline, but the receptionist had extended it by seven days. If a mercenary failed to complete a task on time, not only would they have to pay compensation, but they would also lose credit points. Each mercenary began with ten points; if all were lost, no Mercenary Guild on the Holy Mang Continent would assign them any jobs—a disaster for any mercenary.

Shen Duo thanked the receptionist sincerely and, after stowing the scroll, eyed the massive package with a slight frown. After pondering for a moment, she hoisted it onto her back. Passersby stared at her curiously.

Her slender frame was almost entirely hidden by the huge bundle, with only two thin legs visible beneath. If one didn’t look closely, they might think a strange package was floating across the room.

Shen Duo felt a bit embarrassed as she headed out. Just then, the receptionist hurried after her, concerned. “Ninth Miss, you know you can put the package in a storage pouch—the contents will be perfectly safe.”

“I don’t have one,” Shen Duo replied honestly. She used to have one, provided by her family. Though not as fine as a storage ring or bracelet, Shen family pouches were far better than those sold on the market. But when she came to Luo City, Shen Yan had taken it from her.

The receptionist looked at her in surprise, then understood. This poor Ninth Miss had always been bullied—no doubt her belongings had been taken as well.

She kindly suggested, “Ninth Miss, there’s an old general goods vendor just thirty meters from here. His prices are fair, and you can buy a storage pouch there. Tell him my name, and he’ll give you the best deal.”

Shen Duo thanked her again and trudged toward the guild’s exit with the enormous bundle. Of course she knew about storage pouches; she simply didn’t have a coin to her name—she couldn’t even afford a meal, let alone a pouch.

So she gave it no further thought, pressed her lips together, and struggled toward the door, carefully maneuvering her burden to avoid bumping into others. Suddenly, a pair of black boots with silver trim appeared in her path. She shifted aside, but the boots moved to block her again. Her expression grew colder as she stepped the other way, but, as expected, the boots playfully barred her way once more.

Shen Duo looked up to meet a round face twisted with disdain. The man leaned in, feigning surprise as he eyed the sweat beading on her brow, clicking his tongue. “Well, well, how has a direct descendant of our Shen family fallen so low? How can we, the collateral branch, bear to watch? Come on, hurry up, what are you all standing around for? Someone take this package from Ninth Miss!”

A group of laughing men rushed over to snatch her bundle. Shen Duo’s cold glare stopped them in their tracks. Her sharp gaze fixed on the man’s insincere smile, fury rising in her chest. This was Shen Ao Fan, the city lord’s youngest son, Shen Yan’s cousin, and a newly promoted Seven-Star Illusionist!

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