The mansion was as chaotic as ever.
Only one thing was missing.
Jim.
It had been a few days since he left, and while no one said it aloud, his absence felt… strange. The mansion just wasn't the same without his drunken sarcasm or the occasional bar fight challenge.
But before they could reflect on it too much—
A letter arrived.
Bob took it, opened it, and read aloud.
"Dear Mercenaries of Mayhem…" he paused, then squinted. "Blah blah blah… fancy words… Black Dragon Subjugation Celebration… oh! And the birth of a new hero!"
The room fell silent.
Then all eyes turned to Derek.
"…Oh no," Derek muttered.
That evening, they arrived at the Mayor's grand estate. The place was packed with nobles, knights, merchants, and other important people.
And, of course, Karoth.
The moment they walked in, Karoth approached, grinning.
"My friends!" he greeted warmly. "It is good to see you all again!"
They exchanged polite (awkward) greetings, and then the real chaos began.
The banquet was a battlefield.
Bob hoarded food like a starving beast.
Bam casually grabbed an entire roast chicken.
Marcus was fascinated by noble cutlery.
Meanwhile, Derek was suffering.
"Sir Derek! Is that a legendary sword?"
"You're the hero who defeated the Black Dragon?"
"Tell us the story again!"
Derek was surrounded by nobles, all eager to praise and question him. He had never been one for attention, but now… he was stuck.
And then.
Karoth saw Anna.
His eyes sparkled.
His soul ignited.
The noble, valiant, dragon-slaying Karoth—fell in love. Again.
He approached dramatically, one hand on his chest.
"Oh, fair lady, we meet again," he declared.
Anna raised an eyebrow.
"I have not been able to forget your beauty," Karoth continued. "Your crimson eyes, your fiery spirit… Would you—"
WHAM.
Anna punched him.
Hard.
Too hard.
Karoth flew.
Across the banquet hall.
Through a table.
Out a window.
Silence.
Bob whistled. "Well. That's one way to reject someone."
Marcus took a sip of wine. "Impressive trajectory."
Bam nodded. "Good form, good force."
Derek rubbed his temples.
The nobles were horrified.
But the mercenaries?
They just kept eating.
As the night went on, one thing became clear.
Derek was famous now.
Before, he was just another strong mercenary. But after defeating the Black Dragon, wielding a mysterious greatsword, and surviving battles most wouldn't dare attempt—
People admired him.
They praised him.
And Derek?
Derek just wanted to go home as soon as possible.