The limits of the human body are frustrating.
Need of constant water, food.. sleep. I yawned as a mixture of them were taking a toll on my body.
Zenney seemed to be doing much better than me. Part of that is because unlike me, he can use a bit of mana.
It's something I've been wondering about since being locked in this human form. My essence is strong, why do I not have mana. Is my body not converting? Or, this vessel is far to weak to convert the essence to mana?
Just as my body was giving up. I started to hear laughter. It grew louder with each moment, before long the people were at the gate. Zillow was behind them. They were about a dozen, from their attire it's obvious they were bandits or something of the like.
I got up from the door step and smirked, this man is stupid.
"Are these the pests old man?" A particularly large man asked Zillow.
I understood there, that Zillow had come with these people to kill us, however, since he would have planned and orchestrated our deaths, it would be a breach of contract, he must not have realised that.
But I'm not going to let him die without my money!
"Wait. I know, he told you we are pests destroying his farm did he not? We signed a contract. If you kill us he dies too." I said pointing at Zillow.
Zenney emerged from the cottage with his trusty hoe in hand.
"Is this true father?" The man said, turning to Zillow.
He didn't answer, simply kept quiet. " So you brought us here for you to die? Sigh. You and your soul contracts. How much boy!" He said.
I felt an anger from the mention of 'boy', "Three gold each!" I answered.
"What! Lair! It was one gold mark." Zillow said, he was practically screaming with rage.
"Since you brought these men instead of bring one gold mark, we've increased the price. Actually make that four for calling me boy." I could not help but smirk. I can not let him get away with such insult.
Zenney, was just quite still at the door, although his expression changed to something I did not bother with.
"Hahaha. Hahaha. You have guts child. Who here was eight gold for them?" He said, turning to his men. They started to shy away not intending to bring out their money.
Suddenly, the tall man took the axe on his back and cleanly cut of a subordinate's head. Another patted him and found the exact amount. Eight gold marks.
"Name is Gunter." He said taking the gold marks. "However, there is a problem to your little plan. Who said after handing you these gold marks I won't take your life after?"
I smirked, of course. It wouldn't be that easy.
"Hahaha. A smart man such as yourself should tell a monster from a human. Look into my eyes what do you see?"
Moments passed, me and Gunter were locked in a staring contest. Finally Gunter broke it.
"Hmm, fine, your eyes tell of someone whose killed far more people than me. You are not a normal person." He said.
"Smart assessment indeed, I work for a large underground mercenary group. It is so large we operate in several kingdoms! I came here because I heard there was a powerful man here in Greathollow, by the looks of it that would be you." I spoke gesturing to Gunter. Offering praise to someone always eases tension.
"You murdered your fellow accomplice for eight gold marks. Ruthless. Exact quality we are looking for from our new recruits. So, the long short is that killing me is not in your best interests, plus if you let me go, I'll put in a good word with my boss. You would have a much larger empire than you have here!" I said, sounding more like someone who was conducting a speech.
"Hahaha. Fine, I'll believe you." He said handing me four gold marks. "But I only heard you talking about yourself, how about him?"
I looked at Zenney, still silent at the door, "I don't know, I just met him. You can kill him."
It would be beneficial for me if he is dealt with right here and now, however.
"I have taken a liking to him, I might have a position for someone like him."I said.
Tools should not be discarded so recklessly.
Gunter handed the other marks to Zenney, who was still quiet. By now I've figured out he is starving, so am I.
The contract appeared before me and it burned, marking that it has been destroyed.
I bounced the coins in my hand, feeling their weight, "I'll make sure to put in a good word for you, Gunter."
(I just made a meme for this chapter, tell me what you think. In comments.)