The Discarded Son's Skill Market
Chapter 25: Gio, the Mercenary (1)

Chapter 25: Gio, the Mercenary (1)

"All right, Mr. Gio. Please follow me."

After checking in at the front desk, the man led Zaid inside the facility, while someone else took over his shift in the meantime.

They entered the Training Center, where they walked to one of the many rooms used to test new recruits.

"Is this someone who’s here to sign up, or is it a beginner looking for specialized training?" A man with a thick beard approached the receptionist from the side.

"Oh. Lord Lodrey, I’m sorry I didn’t greet you—I didn’t see you." The receptionist immediately bowed to him and then introduced Zaid. "He’s here to sign up."

"I’m Gio." Zaid raised his hand to greet Lord Lodrey politely.

Inside, however, he was amazed. ’This man... I’ve heard of him. One of the country’s most renowned mercenaries. Lodrey Lance, the famous King of the Crimson Daggers.’

Lodrey nodded. "Kid, you use daggers, don’t you?" Lodrey asked, looking at Zaid’s hands.

"That’s right, sir," Zaid replied. "How did you know?"

He was wearing dark gloves—how could he have known?

"Haha, so I wasn’t wrong. Your grip is precise for your age. Only skilled dagger users have such a good grip," Lodrey praised him.

"Have you found someone to test it yet?" Lodrey asked, looking at the receptionist.

"No, sir. We’re looking. There are several instructors available further down, so I was planning to go over there."

Lodrey smiled and looked behind him.

There were two men there; one younger than the other.

"What do you say, Frankie? Do you want to give it a try yourself? Since we’re passing by anyway and he’s a skilled dagger fighter, I think it’s worth it."

Frankie was the oldest, and his name was Frank.

Frank nodded. "All right, master. This will teach Finn a lesson, so let’s do it. We’ve got a few minutes to spare anyway."

Lodrey and Finn stepped aside, while Zaid and Frank entered the training room. There were huge windows through which those on this side could watch the fight.

The receptionist was curious, so he decided to stay for a few minutes. "Did Lord Lodrey take an interest in him? He must be an expert..." he whispered.

On the other hand, Finn didn’t see it that way.

"Grand Master, why bother Master Frank just to test that boy? I’d say he’s no older than 20, and... I’ve never heard of him. Besides, he walks awkwardly..."

"He has a precise grip. Although his gait is clumsy, his grip is so good that his accuracy with the dagger is surely extraordinary. As dagger users, this is something we should observe whenever we have the chance."

Finn still insisted. "If his gait is clumsy, his steps will lead him straight into his opponent’s weapon. He’s doomed to die young!"

Lodrey burst out laughing. "You’re right about that—I’m glad you were able to grasp that lesson. But footwork is easier to train than hand-eye coordination. That’s why it’s better to watch."

He patted him on the shoulder. "You’re young, little Finn. You’re barely 18, but you’ve already become a Platinum Mercenary. Still, you’re inexperienced."

Lodrey looked back toward the room and said, "Remember this: There is no better teacher than observing with your eyes and comprehending with your mind. That will bring you greatness and fortune, and earn you dignity in the eyes of the great."

-

"I will be at your service, sir." Zaid bowed respectfully.

The man standing before him, Frank, was also known throughout the city as one of the most outstanding mercenaries and hunters of his generation.

On his chest, a gleaming metal plaque bore a single word: Master.

He no longer belonged to the guild’s metal ranks, which began with Iron and ended with Diamond.

He was a Master—someone above that rank.

"Don’t hold back. If the Grand Master says you have a good handshake, there must be a reason, right?"

They both grabbed daggers from the guild’s training weapons and walked toward the center of the room.

"You use two daggers? That’s extraordinary. Let me see if it’s just arrogance," Frank said when he saw that Zaid was holding two daggers instead of one, like him.

A counter reached 0.

Zaid leaped toward Frank.

CLANK!

One of his daggers struck out for Frank’s shoulder, but Frank was able to parry it easily.

However, the onslaught didn’t end there.

Zaid moved quickly and attacked from a blind spot, forcing him to move.

Both were fast, with Zaid trying his hardest to gain the upper hand. All of his attacks were blocked.

Suddenly, he took a blow to the side. He doubled over to one side. A serious mistake...

"Sigh. Is this how it’s going to end? How unfortunate..." Lodrey shook his head.

He was surprised that his intuition had failed him.

Finn smiled. "I told you so, Grand Master. That kid is clumsy. His steps are..."

Finn swallowed his words...

Lodrey’s eyes widened.

Inside the combat chamber, Zaid managed to fend off Frank’s attacks with terrifying precision.

Although the force of the blows forced him to retreat repeatedly, his serious mistake didn’t spell his doom, as he managed to regain control of the situation.

"What a talent," Frank praised him.

Zaid stepped forward and launched a fierce attack at Frank’s right eye, forcing Frank to do one of two things: either defend himself or dodge.

Frank chose to dodge.

Meanwhile, Zaid’s other hand struck from below, aiming for his side.

It was a combination attack that few people could execute with both hands.

CLANK!

The attack was firmly parried by Frank’s dagger, which he had left exposed precisely because he had read Zaid’s intentions.

"Very well..." Frank swallowed the words of praise he was about to utter when he felt something cold pressing against two parts of his body.

On his neck... and on his side.

’Did he manage to land a blow?’

Frank acted on impulse and made an extraordinarily quick move that countered both attacks and sent Zaid reeling.

Zaid fell heavily to the ground, completely exhausted.

Frank looked at him with genuine approval.

Lodrey came in shortly afterward, followed by Finn.

"Hahaha, Young Gio, welcome to the Mercenary Guild," Lodrey exclaimed. "I really wasn’t wrong. You’re a skilled dagger-wielder."