Chapter 6. Suspicious Proposal (2)

The man who helped me when I was confronted at the bar, Ronan Roland, turned out to be a broker, as people often call them.

The reason he approached me and tried to win my favor so openly was as clear as day.

He wanted to hire me because he was envious of my skills.

'Even if I look like this, my physical abilities are definitely at a monstrous level.'

I had to admit it once again.

My current physical condition had already reached the realm of a superhuman.

It was only natural, having maxed out all my stats in the game.

'Even so, I didn't know I could slice through bullets.'

Just a moment ago, I threw three burly men far away with just my bare hands.

Of course, this almost led to another confrontation, but the man in front of me helped, so there was no problem.

The man with the squinty eyes introduced himself as a broker.

Ronan Roland.

Even as I stared at him, trying to read his true intentions, his expression didn't change.

He still wore a friendly smile, which, to be honest, made him look even more suspicious.

'If this were the original game, I would know he's a significant NPC, but this isn't the case here.'

Of course, I couldn't know the inner thoughts of the NPC, now a real person, in front of me.

The only thing I could do was to infer what he wanted based on his profession.

"So, what do you want from me?"

...This guy's tone again.

But it's not something that can be corrected by force, so I'll let it slide for now.

The important thing is the conversation I need to have with the person in front of me.

'No letting my guard down in front of squinty eyes...!'

I glared at the man in front of me with wide eyes.

*

Ronan Roland was inwardly impressed.

The sharp gaze that fixed on him was like a blade, and if he let his guard down even a little, it felt like it would cut through his skin.

'Really, I can't let my guard down with this guy.'

Ronan's encounter with him at the bar was purely by chance.

When he saw Ossian in armor, he realized this was the man he had just heard about.

However, he still couldn't believe that Ossian had taken down a gang of 40 armed men with just a sword.

Information is often half lies if not properly verified.

So, when the Dutri brothers approached Ossian at the perfect moment, it was a good opportunity for Ronan to observe.

They got a good beating.

That's when Ronan realized the information about Ossian was not exaggerated.

Not only the strength to throw a giant out of the bar with one hit, but also the invisible speed with which he swung his sword when the second and third brothers aimed their guns.

'A mutant with enhanced physical abilities. A high-level mutant. I can't let him slip away.'

Mutant is a term used to describe humans with special powers that began appearing 100 years ago.

Mutants emerged as the world transitioned from the age of magic to the age of science.

Another term for them is mutant.

They refer to those who can perform superhuman feats, like drawing lightning from their bare hands, manipulating people's minds, or having skin as hard as steel.

The abilities of mutants vary widely, and even similar abilities differ in power depending on their level.

To Ronan, Ossian was a mutant.

A mutant with enhanced physical abilities.

'Even among physical enhancement mutants, there are different types. Increased strength, hardened skin, or increased speed.'

To Ronan, Ossian was a composite ability mutant, with overall physical abilities enhanced.

The high increase in strength and speed suggested he was a high-level physical enhancement mutant.

'I don't know where he got that armor or how he wields a sword, but...'

The important thing was that Ossian was still a blank slate, not having signed any contracts.

If Ronan could recruit Ossian, he would be a great asset to his detective agency.

So, he paid for the drink Ossian had ordered but hadn't had a chance to drink.

"Let me introduce myself first. I'm Ronan Roland, the owner of the detective agency, Violet Fox."

Ronan handed Ossian a high-quality purple business card to ease his guard.

"I approached you, Mr. Ossian, because I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal?"

Ossian's eyebrows twitched.

It was more a sign of interest than annoyance.

"Yes. Is this your first time in this city?"

"...How do you know that?"

When Ossian asked, wary, Ronan looked at his armor curiously.

Ossian looked down at his armor, then at the mercenaries around him, and nodded.

"...Yeah, let's say this is my first time in this city. So what?"

"Did you come to this city with a specific purpose?"

"..."

Ossian was silent, taken aback by Ronan's sharp question.

There was no way he had come to the giant steel city of Tír na to do something specific.

Ossian had just found himself in the game world when he regained consciousness.

He had barely stepped outside to find an industrial revolution city, with no specific purpose.

"Then you probably don't have a place to stay or a way to earn money."

Ossian didn't answer, just tapping his fingers on the table.

That was enough for Ronan.

Ronan got straight to the point.

"Then would you consider working with me?"

Ossian silently stared at Ronan.

Just that, and an overwhelming pressure was felt.

Even Ronan, for a moment, had a crack in his smile.

The mercenaries and detectives who were pretending not to notice the two of them flinched.

Goosebumps rose on their arms.

'What, what? Suddenly feeling a chill.'

'Crazy. Just looking at him gives me goosebumps.'

The mercenaries, tense, watched the situation with eager eyes.

Ronan wiped the cold sweat from his cheek with a handkerchief.

'Why is he like this? Did I say something to offend him?'

Ronan didn't know why Ossian was so uncomfortable.

Ossian looked like he was about to draw his sword and attack at any moment.

Was his pride hurt by the proposal to be a detective?

While Ronan swallowed dryly and was tense, Ossian was deep in thought.

'What is this? Not just a simple mission, but a recruitment proposal?'

Actually, he didn't have much to think about.

He hadn't expected to receive a recruitment proposal in such a place, so he was seriously considering it.

Ronan had said he ran a detective agency.

A detective is someone who takes money to handle various tasks.

Most of these tasks are illegal and often involve violence.

'In my old world, this would be impossible, but in this situation, there's nothing better.'

Ossian was like an uninvited guest suddenly dropped into this world.

He had no status and no place to stay.

This strong body could sleep on the ground, but the modern man who had just been sleeping in a soft bed couldn't accept it.

Most importantly, he needed money to survive in this world.

Money is needed for everything.

Especially for the necessities of life, more money is required.

He had paid for his meal by looting the gang, but he couldn't live like this forever.

He needed a stable way to earn money.

'In the game I knew, I would complete quests for money or take simple mercenary requests.'

But this world was completely different now.

The only thing Ossian could do was use his absurd physical abilities to wield a sword.

And the only way to earn money with that was, coincidentally, the detective job Ronan was proposing.

So, Ossian should accept the proposal.

The only reason he didn't was one.

Ronan was suspicious.

"We promise to offer you the best treatment in the industry."

Despite Ronan's generous offer, Ossian was unmoved.

He was even more suspicious of Ronan.

'Best treatment in the industry? Even if my physical abilities are great, why would you suddenly trust a guy like me?'

The more he tried to be nice, the more suspicious it became.

With the suspicion already set, Ossian found it hard to trust Ronan.

His eyes narrowed, and Ronan felt the pressure intensify, swallowing dryly.

He had to maintain his smile.

What is it? Is the best treatment in the industry not good enough?

The tension reached its peak, and the mercenaries watching from a distance couldn't bear it, clenching their fists in cold sweat.

Ossian finally spoke.

"The proposal is interesting. However, it's late tonight, so let's postpone the detailed discussion until tomorrow."

The tense atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

The mercenaries, who had been holding their breath, finally exhaled, and so did Ronan.

'Why are they like this?'

Ossian, unaware, just looked at them curiously.

"...Ha ha. I see. I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble at this late hour."

"No, you helped me, so I don't think badly of it. I just need time to sort out my thoughts. I'm also tired."

Ossian said this sincerely, but no one took it at face value.

Ronan's head was also quite complicated.

'He didn't seem happy with the best treatment in the industry. Is this a joke?'

Ronan glanced at the mercenaries around him.

Many had witnessed this series of events.

The gossipy mercenaries wouldn't let this news go.

'Tomorrow, other brokers will come running, eyes blazing.'

And the sharp-eared brokers would notice Ossian's exceptional qualities and try to recruit him.

That's why he tried to buy drinks and approach with a friendly attitude to sign a contract immediately.

But Ossian didn't fall for it easily.

'Or is he doing this on purpose?'

Ronan's expression became serious.

From the way Ossian deliberately delayed the decision to tomorrow, it seemed he had a plan.

It was a kind of competition.

Saying he was tired was probably just an excuse, and he might have been leading this situation from the start.

Thinking this, Ronan became anxious.

"Mr. Ossian."

"What is it?"

"Do you have a place to stay tonight?"

"No, not yet."

"If so, this place is a bar, but the 2nd and 3rd floors are also a hotel. You can stay for a night. Since we met today, I can pay for your accommodation. Is that okay?"

Ronan had to do his best to make a good impression on Ossian.

So, he had to show his utmost sincerity in these small details.

"...? Sure."

Ossian didn't know why Ronan was doing this.

He suddenly seemed anxious, but he was grateful for the offer.

Ossian needed time to sort out today's events and prepare mentally.

So, he asked for a day's delay rather than accepting Ronan's proposal immediately.

His body might not be tired, but his mind was.

'At least I have a place to stay for tonight.'

I'll go up, get a good night's sleep, and think about it.

Ossian thought this as he got up.

"See you tomorrow."

Ronan's face brightened at Ossian's casual words.