DxD 21 – Becoming a Mercenary (End)

"Mercenaries?" When Jan heard that, he wasn't so shocked to see that kind of expression on Gunnar's face, who seemed surprised hearing that. After all, many others before Gunnar, that just learnt of the Supernatural were all the same.

After all, who can imagine there such thing, as mercenaries in the Supernatural? However, soon after that thought, it was Jan turned to be not only shocked, but even a little scared, when he sees the smirk on the nine-year-old boy's face.

'Why is he smirking…? Don't tell me he is planning something wicked…?' Jan thought, before he clams himself down, before any more bias thoughts come to mind. Like if this boy is looking forward to eating people, or maybe the minerals that he wanted? And Jan doesn't what to know which one this boy is looking forward to the most!

"Anyway, that's right! Mercenaries, after all, there more to the job than just being a person, who gather information. Sometimes we even become the middleman for mercenaries, when they take on jobs. Or following up on leads, to make sure the information we collected is right. Of course, not all information brokers follow up leads on information and intel they got from other sources. But sometimes we have to take a risk, if we want to survive in this world." Jan told.

"Hmm, I see, then how do one become a mercenary?" Gunnar asked this, as he need to know the ins and the outs, if he wanted to become one himself.

"Three things actually, one is money, two is strength, and three is fame." Jan flatly told Gunnar, who become confused when he heard them. Isn't the point of becoming a mercenary, is to earned money? When did someone have to have money, if they want to become a mercenary, when they need money?

Seeing the confused face on Gunnar's face. Jan cannot help to laugh, before informing the reason.

"Mercenaries are hired people, sometimes, they need to pay a fee, to collect information on jobs they can take on. Some will even pay the information broker extra to become the middleman, between the client and the mercenary or mercenaries. As for strength, strength itself is to make sure you will survive in this hush world, after all, mercenaries are no different to dogs in many people's eyes. Especially those are not human.

There have been many cases, that beings from the Supernatural not only look down at mercenaries, but even hunt them for sport. But sometimes, there also mercenaries that show those beings, that they're not easy target themselves, and kill them off, and counting on what had attack them. Those mercenaries will sell off their bodies to buyers themselves, or hire someone like me, to become that middleman again, to help them find a buyer, for a fee of course.

As for fame, more you grow as a mercenary, more people and even beings in the Supernatural will respect you. And even will purposely hire you. Of course, fame can be a double edge sword. Many people will become jealous, and even other mercenaries might try to gun you down.

Well, the Supernatural is not a safe person to begin with. Without backing, personal strength. You will easy be devoured by such a world. And yet, many people, such like you Gunnar, have no choice to enter this kind of world."

Jan told all that, and even felt he need water, for talking that much. And even got worried, if he took too much, or said to many complicated matters to this child before him. However, he looked at Gunnar, with his arms crossed, as if he is thinking over something serious.

"I see, but I don't have money, and I have no clue how strong I am. I know I am stronger than that Fallen Angel now. As for fame… I don't really need it… I am trying not to get any attention you see." When Gunnar said that he has no clue, when Gunnar said the last part. Jan did flinch a little in fright.

However, Gunnar didn't notice that, or know that Jan took the last thing, 'I am trying not to get any attention you see'. As a threat towards not only himself, but to his wife as well.

Of course, the Lewy Couple had no intentions in the first place. But that didn't change the fact, Jan took Gunnar's threat for real. Not knowing, that Gunnar wasn't actually any threats, as this doll-like boy, was just informing his intentions to this professional.

"I-I guess from your words… you want to be a mercenary, right?" Jan asked to make sure.

"Yeah, I do, I need to become stronger… but I don't think there any other way, besides this, right?" Gunnar went.

"Well, there many different ways out there… but I guess being a mercenary, is ideal for your situation…" Jan went, as he looked outside the window of this guest room.

"Like I said, my motto is to never be in debt with anyone. And I own you not only my life. But my wife, so if you going to become a mercenary, I will find you a job, it will be nowhere as dangerous as facing a Low-Class Angel, since not many jobs out there are like that. Especially with the current state between those Three Factions.

But what I can do… is become a middleman, or more like a manager in this cause. To repay my debts, not only I offer to become your manager, your personally information broker, and middleman. I will not cost you a fee until the fourth job. Of course, do take in mind, I do have several others that take jobs from me… and among them, is even a somewhat chaotic man as well…" Jan went, recalling about that person with a bitter smile.

"Somewhat chaotic man?" Gunnar become curious when he asked that.

"Well, sorry it against the rules to inform my clients to other clients. Well, maybe one day you will meet that guy, trust me… that guy stands out… in both a good way and a bad way. But if you want to be a mercenary, you will know him one day, since he is one of the strongest mercenaries out there… who can rival even an Ultimate-Class Devil."

When Jan told Gunnar like that, he was shocked hearing such a person to be one of Jan's clients. And even become curious who he might be.

"I told you, it against the rules, to tell my client information to another client. Even if I become your manager, doesn't mean I can tell you these things, it is a rule that we information brokers, unless we have a death wish, not to inform others about their clients. Look… all this talking is making my throat dry… so, lets me go back, and look for your first job as debut as a mercenary. Not to mention, I think food be ready soon as well."

When Jan said that, not noticing Gunnar's expression that he wanted to know more about this man. However, before Gunnar could ask anymore question, Jan stood up, and left the guest room.

But when he did, he didn't expect to see his wife, standing outside in the hallway, looking at his way, while Cantina's beautiful brown eyes narrowed, when she looked at her husband, who begun to break out in cold sweat, knowing she is not happy.

"Say before you say any-" Jan was about to explained himself, knowing full well why his wife upset. However, he was stopped by a single word.

"Kitchen." Cantina simply said, or more like ordered. Which Jan could only smile warily, as he followed his wife into the kitchen of this apartment, as Cantina activated a sound barrier, so Gunnar couldn't hear her words.

"Why did you recommend a child to become a mercenary? He's only what, 8 or 9 years old, right?" Cantina asked, with a slight frown.

"Because he wanted to be one…" Jan told.

"Really, giving a kid all that advice, as well telling him it's all okay to be a mercenary? Didn't he save our lives, right? Why we have to throw a little kid into that kind of life, where he can die at any moment…?" Cantina went, even if she learnt that Gunnar may some kind of monster, but to her brown eyes, Gunnar is no different to any nine-year older kid.

And it doesn't sit well with her, letting a young child into that kind of world, known as the Supernatural. That will devour him whole. But her husband's next words did started her, and her reasoning of not letting Gunnar into that world.

"If we don't, he will die… you know? That kid… even if he liked it or not. Already a step into the Supernatural, and worst yet, it is dragging him further in… he already involved, if he liked it or not. And I bet, that kid knows that as well. That's there no turning back… especially when this world learned about his existence…" Jan told the truth, which Cantina show a bitter expression before she speaks herself.

"But… do we have the rights to do this? To push the boy into that world? I know… if you told me about this boy is true, maybe becoming a mercenary, might be the best choice for his growth… But we are not his parents… wouldn't they worry as well?" Cantina asked.

"Tina, you out of all people should know… there is only three outcomes, when most find out your kid is not human anymore… they will either throw them away or locked them away in fear… only few love them, and tried to make them live a normal life. Even if that boy's parents want to give Gunnar the normal life… it already too late… Devils and the Fallens will want Gunnar for either as a slave, or some kind of materials… that also goes the same, for countless Magicians besides us Specialists.

Not to mention, the Church will not allow Gunnar's existence to carried on existing, you know… everyone who is a magician, knows that we and the Church are not on friendly terms with each other, even if most Magicians are no longer the Devil's minions… doesn't change, their hatred towards us Magicians, is nearly as strong for the Fallens and the Devils themselves."

When Jan said that Cantina just shows a bitter smile, as she too knows the history of Magicians come to. After all, in the first place, Magicians are the modern-day terms they like to be called, besides what the Church labelled them, when their existences come to the world.

And in the bast, before they were called Magicians, they were called Mages, and before they were called that. They were called Witches and Warlocks, minions of the Devils. And in a way, that is a true fact, since Magicians, or what they used to be known as Witches and Warlocks, were without a doubt, results of a Devil's research and experiments, to see if humans can be given power, known as Magic. So, they could use human beings as mere foot soldiers in the Great War.

It is because of that sole reason, even if the Magicians themselves have broken away from their from the Devils, besides those that have business with the Devils themselves.

Doesn't change, the hostility that the Church has for Magicians themselves, even if most have nothing do with being minions for the Devils anymore, doesn't change, the core and the formations of all Magicians, was built on those so-called Witches and Warlocks that fought against either Heaven/the Church or Grigori in the Great War.

Knowing this, Cantina cannot help to sigh, feeling powerless, as she cannot do anything, since that is how the Church sees Magicians… even if they don't hunt them down anymore. Doesn't change, their relationship is not different to a dog and a cat, that can't get along with each other.

"If you put it that way… there no way I can deny it… but I am a little shock, seeing you wanted to be that boy's manager… aren't you afraid of the little warrior?" Cantina went and used her new nickname for Gunnar. Which Jan smile a little, knowing why she called him that, since he was listening in that time.

(AN: Gun-nar, which also means in Germany, Bold or Brave Warrior. Yeah… took liking to the name, when I random it on fantasynamegenerators.com, so I look what it meant, not bad, right?)

"I am, I am really afraid, but I am also very curious about this boy, who is only one of his kind. Or maybe isn't the only one. But my intuition is telling me, this kid is going to be a big impact on the Supernatural, not to mention my curious side, want to know the lengths this kid can go to. If I be that boy's manager, I can keep an eye on him, and also give him advice like an adult will do, it is the best for all of us… that is why I didn't ask for a fee until the fourth job, as well free information that I know." Jan told.

Information to an information broker is their lifeline. And giving it away free, meant a lot to Jan. and Cantina knew that, after all information can be anything to mere $1 to a scary number of millions, counting on the intel, as well the risk of the information it is.

Not to mention, Jan will only take the commission fee, for being a middleman, after the forth job he will assign to Gunnar, if he will take it or not. And the commission fee is normally at 5~20% of the income, that the job brings in.

"Well, I want to repay him back as well… and it be better to look after the kid, to make sure he doesn't do anything ruthless… but in the end… we really have no choice huh… to throw a kid into the abyss itself…" Cantina went uneasy about this, only to notice her husband had hugged her, when she lowers her head.

"Don't be upset… like I said, this is the best for him, and us. What the worst can happened? It does not like we going to get involved with all those major-level Factions like the Three Factions, or those Norse Gods?" Jan laughed, but have no idea, that might even happened one day.

"You right, now, food be done in a while… I just hope we know what we are doing…" Cantina said, as she sends her husband away. And like that, Gunnar Klinger's life as a Mercenary begun. Not knowing what kind of chaos his existence will truly begin to the Supernatural as a Mercenary, and just like that, time passes yet again.