Mercenary

Chapter 5.

It was no doubt that their new apartment was bigger than their last. They had two rooms, both with their own bathroom and a balcony. Bright puts his stamp on approval after seeing the balcony. He couldn't hope for anything else other than a place to smoke.

"So who's going to crash with who?" Bright asks.

"I don't mind crashing with you, Bright." Jimmy answers. "I think it'd be a good idea to let these two have their own room."

Bright agrees. It'd be easier for Jimmy as well and it means more alone time for Jimmy each time Bright is out for mercenary work. He looks at Tommy and Win. "So? How does that sound?"

"I was hoping I'd get the same room with Jimmy." Tommy says as he looks at the tallest boy.

Jimmy smiles with a tight lip and scratches his head. "Are you alright with sharing a room with Win?"

Bright nods. "Yeah. I'm hardly home anyway." Bright turns to Win. "It's only you left, do you mind sharing a bed with me?"

Win shakes his head. "Sleeping on a bed is good enough already."

"Then it's settled."

The main door opens to reveal Gulf entering their new home and Mew following closely behind him. He approaches Bright and hands over the keys to the house. "Here." Bright accepts it then Gulf crosses his arms. "Shall we get back to the dog monster?" He asks.

Bright nods. "Sure. You got information about it?"

"Yes. It's in the C chord now. It's wreaking havoc to a point where people wouldn't leave their house." Gulf explains. "We need to put it down as soon as possible."

"C chord?" Tommy asks.

"Think of it as districts." Jimmy explains.

"I've never heard of such things before." Win joins in the conversation.

Gulf looks at the two of them. "This the slaves you bought?" Then he looks at Bright. "When I heard the rumor about you buying slaves, I couldn't believe it."

"They're not slaves." Bright answers. "They were about to be fed to the dogs. I just saved them. That's all."

"So what's the price that they offer you for saving their lives?" Gulf lifts a brow. "It doesn't sound like you to be saving people."

Mew puts a hand on Gulf's shoulder. "I don't think you should be asking that kind of question."

"For once your body guard is right." Bright answers back. "You should listen to him more often."

Gulf rolls his eyes. "Just let me know when you're ready to move out."

Bright notices that Gulf actually listens to his body guard. Bright didn't know if Gulf realizes that he is actually in the wrong or that he forgot that he is the boss and whatever he says goes. It was really weird because it didn't seem like Gulf at all. He thinks nothing much of it as he has more important things to take care off.

"I'll call you once I'm done unpacking. The weapons here require delicate care in handling it." Bright says.

Gulf looks at Jimmy. "I'd want you to come as well. It'd be good to have you around. Honestly I don't think Bright can do it on his own."

Jimmy points to himself. "Me?"

Gulf nods. "Did I stutter?"

Jimmy shakes his head in reply. "Then be sure to be ready with Bright. I doubt this dog is something we can underestimate." Gulf informs the taller boy.

Bright raises his brow. At this point he couldn't hold it back anymore, he needs answers. "Let me ask you, do you know anything about it? It seems like you know a great deal about this monster that we're supposed to hunt."

"No." Gulf answers with a short pause.

"You're awfully desperate to hire a medic to help me with it. Are you doubting my skill?" Bright questions the other boy who seem to show panic in his face.

"The monster has a tough skin where bullets could only dig into its skin but not deep enough to actually cause damage." Mew answers. "We hired you because we know that your specialty is garrote."

Bright grits his teeth. "You seem to know awfully lot about me."

"I wouldn't hire you if I didn't." Gulf smirks. "We've been hiding that fact from you because I am afraid that you might want to pull back from the mission." He turns to glare at Mew for a moment before turning back to Bright. "With your expertise on wires, you could help kill this creature."

Bright lets out a sigh. "Do you know how long of a wire I would need and how much force would it take for me to decapitate it? Honestly it would even seem impossible."

"You used to be the first class in the special force. Your exposure to radiation has helped you evolved to where you would have that strength that you need." Gulf answers. "So I don't think lying or trying to make yourself look weak is going to work with me."

Bright curses in his head. He would have never thought that someone would do such thorough investigation on him. It was nearly impossible for him to reject Gulf right now. "Then I ask for a raise in my payment."

"Anything you would like." Gulf answers back. "I just want C Chord to be safe."

"I'll give you until tonight at ten to meet at the south side of C Chord." Gulf says before walking out of the apartment.

Mew sighs. "I'd bring those two if I were you. I wouldn't trust them alone in your new house." He says before following Gulf out.

Jimmy scratches his head and looks at the Win and Tommy. "Mew is kinda right about that. I'm sorry but I can't trust you with the house."

"Then what are we going to do if we bring them along? You know full well that we can't protect them while fighting with that bullet proof beast." Bright answers.

"I have an idea but it would be cruel." Jimmy says, as he looks away from the two of them and focus on Bright. "We use them as baits."

Bright snorted. "That wouldn't such a bad idea honestly."

Win always know that their kindness was not for nothing. They finally showed their true colours. Bright lifts a brow at Win's expression. "What's with that face?"

"N-Nothing." Win answers.

"Spill." Bright says with harsher tone.

"I-I always knew that your kindness was not for nothing. You just need baits and we're it." Win stutters as he answers Bright's question. Bright looks at Tommy who has the same worried expression.

Bright smirks at him. "Just saying, it was Jimmy's idea. He didn't even know that I bought the two of you. And you still can say that?"

Jimmy scratches his head. "Ahh. Well that was not what I had in my head." He could feel Tommy tug onto his sleeve and he looks down at the shorter boy with panic on his face. "Look, we treated you kindly because we wanted to. You know what. Let's just pretend that I didn't mention about that."

"Any other ideas then?" Bright asks.

Jimmy shakes his head. "We still have half a day to think of it. We should probably teach them on how to fend for themselves first."

Bright scratches his head. "How is doing that supposed to help them?"

"They got to learn sooner or later. They could join you for your expedition and help get money for this house." Jimmy reasons out with him.

"As if you're paying for anything." Bright squints his eyes at Jimmy.

"Hey. I saved your life. So this is your payment." Jimmy bounces his brows.

Bright groans. "Fine." He points at Win. "You, help me move the furniture. Jimmy, go and dig the boxes for whatever you have and bring my suitcase for my weapons."

Jimmy smiles. "Yes, sir."