For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 48
He shifted his grip on the dagger, changing his stance.
“There are mercenaries everywhere who can go on a journey with you.”
“I want a strong mercenary.”
“There are plenty of those too. Be honest with me—what’s your real motive? Why did you go through my brother to find me?”
Feyden’s sharp eyes fixated on Estira’s slender neck, ready to strike if necessary.
“I didn’t know Truu was your younger brother. The reason I was looking for you is because I heard rumors about you being a strong mercenary. And that you’re in desperate need of money.”
In the blink of an eye, Feyden closed the distance between them. The cold touch of the blade against Estira’s neck sent a shiver up to the top of her head.
“You’re talking about money without a hint of fear, huh? Must be rich. If I threaten your life, will some money fall out?”
As Feyden applied more pressure, Estira felt a sharp pain, causing her eyes to narrow slightly.
“I do have money, but none that’s tied to my life. Killing me won’t get you any. Let’s skip the empty threats and talk instead.”
Without flinching, Estira raised her hand and pushed Feyden’s wrist away from her neck.
Feyden smirked, taking a sharp breath, impressed by her lack of intimidation.
“What makes you so sure you know anything about me?”
“With your strength, you could live well doing illegal work, but instead, you’re earning an honest living as a mercenary.”
“…”
“And you lowered the blade from my neck because you know your brother is watching from behind.”
Truu, who had turned back on his way home, was peeking out from behind a building, his anxious eyes darting between them.
Though Feyden had his back to him, he wasn’t unaware of his brother’s presence.
“You’re a piece of work.”
Feyden muttered a curse he’d picked up from his mercenary work, sheathing his dagger.
The tense atmosphere between Feyden and Estira, as though they were walking on thin ice, briefly subsided thanks to Truu.
***
“Peanut, c’mere.”
Feyden sighed and motioned for Truu, who hesitated for a moment before scurrying over and clinging to his brother’s leg.
Watching the squirrel-like behavior, I turned to Truu with a question.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
I opened the bag of chicken skewers I had bought earlier. Truu’s eyes lit up, and Feyden let out a scoff while I smiled in triumph.
Truu was my bargaining chip for a peaceful conversation.
The three of us sat down on a pile of rocks near the riverbank. As I offered Truu one of the skewers, Feyden yanked his little brother’s arm away just before he could grab it.
Truu’s face crumpled in disappointment.
“Hey, didn’t I tell you not to accept food from strangers?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Feyden lifted Truu into his lap and gave me a sharp nod, signaling me to get rid of the suspicious food, as though it might be poisoned.
‘Does he think I’m a killer or something?’
To prove there was nothing wrong with the skewers, I grabbed one and took a big bite in front of them.
Truu stared at me, practically drooling.
“Looks like Truu really wants some.”
“I’ll buy him some later.”
Feyden covered Truu’s eyes with his large hand, but Truu’s small voice grumbled in protest.
Accepting that I wouldn’t be giving the food to Truu anytime soon, I turned my attention back to Feyden.
“First, thank you for giving me the chance to talk.”
“Thank Truu. If it weren’t for this peanut, you’d be floating down the river by now.”
‘Does he have no filter even in front of his little brother?’
I shot Feyden a weary look, pretending I hadn’t heard his remark, and continued.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Feyden, I want you to travel with me. But to do that, you’ll need to quit your current mercenary group. Unless you want all your wages to be eaten up by service fees.”
“How old are you, anyway?”
Feyden lifted his upper lip in dissatisfaction, staring intently at me. Why was my age relevant in a serious conversation?
“I’m fifteen.”
“You’re four years younger than me… but you talk like you’re fifty.”
Hearing his brother say that, Truu lifted his head from Feyden’s chest, staring up at him in confusion.
Unlike the anxious Truu, I wasn’t bothered in the slightest. I had spent ten years in this world and twenty-five years in Korea, making me effectively thirty-five years old. Feeling like an old soul was only natural.
“Thanks for seeing me as mature.”
“What kind of wage are you offering that I should even think about quitting the mercenary group? Are you giving me 10 gold?”
“No.”
“Hah… Never mind. What was I expecting? Go find someone else—”
“30 gold. All travel expenses excluded.”
At the moment I raised three fingers, the air between us went silent. The only sound was the river flowing beside us, filling the space between the brothers and me.
