Chapter 10: Don’t mess with me!

I glanced at the four mercenaries in front of me, momentarily stunned, but quickly tried to slip past them.

Maybe they’re just here to buy herbs.

I thought to myself, but as I shifted to squeeze through a gap, the mercenary on that side blocked my path.

Clearly, they weren’t here for herbs.

They were looking for trouble.

I realized instantly they meant no good, gritted my teeth, and prepared to act.

“Hey! Little girl, you’re new around here, huh?!”

The burliest mercenary stepped forward, pinning frail, pitiful, helpless me against the herb shop’s door.

“This is the territory of our [Thunderlash] Mercenary Corps! By the rules, anyone not part of our guild selling goods in the Nanshangri area has to pay a tax!”

What rules?

I looked at him, my face darkening.

These guys have some guts—claiming to own this area in a human empire-controlled slum? Are they planning a rebellion?

No doubt, they’re targeting me because I look like an easy mark.

“…T-Tax? I… I didn’t know about that!”

I feigned nervousness, clutching my backpack tightly, speaking timidly.

“Don’t know? Well, now you do!”

My weak response didn’t soften his attitude; he barked aggressively at me.

“H-How much…?”

I eyed the four mercenaries, quickly assessing their strength against my current state. Feeling I might have a chance, I played up the helpless girl act to keep them off guard.

“Half!”

Why don’t you just rob me?!

His outrageous demand nearly made me curse out loud.

Onlookers in the distance kept their distance—clearly, this so-called Thunderlash Mercenary Corps was a big deal, at least in this lawless slum where they could act unchecked.

They must think a lone, weak-looking girl like me is an easy target!

“H-Half… that’s too much… I don’t have much money…”

I clutched my backpack tighter, continuing my timid act.

“No money? That’s fine! Your voice is cute—why not come with us, brothers? Heh, don’t worry, we’ll take good care of you… hm?”

The lead mercenary smirked, reaching for my face.

But just as his hand neared, he froze, eyes widening in shock, his hand stuck mid-air.

Then, his right index finger began bending upward.

With a crisp snap, his finger broke!

“Argh!!”

“Boss?!”

“…Don’t move, or we all go down.”

I glared coldly at the other three, who’d drawn their daggers, and spoke icily. Two head-sized fireballs appeared beside me, orbiting slowly.

In an instant, the four mercenaries froze, terrified of setting me off and detonating the fireballs at point-blank range.

At half a meter’s distance, two fireball spells could ignite us all.

I could tell these four were just entry-level Bronze-tier warriors—barely stronger than average men, no match for a close-range fireball blast.

I’m a Phoenix; I can revive if I die. So, I faced them fearlessly, unfazed by the daggers they could easily plunge into me. These bullies, though, were cowards.

“Get lost! Don’t mess with me!”

I glared at them, dropping all traces of weakness or cuteness, shouting fiercely while releasing the telekinetic hold on the leader.

“You… you’ll regret this! Thunderlash won’t let you off!”

Freed, the mercenary with the broken finger stumbled back in panic, tossing out a parting threat before clutching his hand and fleeing.

“Phew… this backwater place is such a hassle.”

Seeing them run, I sighed in relief, slowly dismissing the two orbiting fireballs.

But then, a wave of dizziness hit, and I swayed, leaning against the wall to steady myself.

“Tch, damn it… just three small spells, and I’m dizzy?”

I took deep breaths, adjusting my mental energy, and the discomfort eased.

I forgot—my mental energy comes from my soul, not this body, which has only meditated for less than a day. Casting three spells without passing out is lucky.

But as I recovered, I felt more malicious gazes on me.

I opened my eyes, glaring fiercely around. A spark flared from my shoulder, and the opportunistic thugs realized this seemingly frail mage wasn’t easy prey. No one wanted to be the first to try, so the hostility faded.

“Phew…”

I exhaled, waiting a few minutes to shake off the dizziness before hurrying home with my two bulky bags.