Chapter 96
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Chapter 96: Eagle’s Nest
Translator: the author has made a mistake in writing the chapter number. C96 is actually C95.
Five days later, a magnificent city finally came into view.
This was the site of the Asreks family castle.
Now, it bore a new, catchier name—
Eagle’s Nest.
Midi, Fina, and Alice had jointly decided to establish the Hawk Brigade headquarters here after thorough discussions.
Though the magic veins were completed and the Autumn Ancient City’s Infinite Magic remained alluring, it couldn’t be flaunted openly. Instead, it became a hidden trump card. The Autumn Ancient City stayed quiet and sparsely populated, with only the family’s Higher-ups aware of its true significance.
The visible administrative heart of the two Count’s territories remained the family castle—a surface-level core serving as a shield. This made it ideal for the Hawk Brigade, an experimental yet attention-grabbing force.
Yet even with prior preparation, Midi was stunned by Eagle’s Nest’s prosperity.
The century-old Count’s castle in the inner city stood cold and imposing as ever. But the lower city beyond the moat had doubled in size. Surrounding lands were being excavated, and gravel paved along main axes hinted at further expansion.
New shops crowded every corner: weapon artisans, armor craftsmen, alchemists, enchanters, puppet masters—all forming a bustling commercial street. Nearby clustered inns, taverns, and food shops offering specialties from across the Belmar Duchy.
At first glance, the city’s vibrancy nearly rivaled Hertonmar, the Belmar Duchy’s capital.
But one element outshone even the capital:
Adventurers.
Most people on Eagle’s Nest’s streets weren’t ordinary citizens but adventurers. Over 30% were high-level adventurers above level 30.
Some wore full gear, others swaggered proudly. Some bore travel’s dust, others hurried purposefully. Yet all shared the same fiery determination in their eyes.
Watching the lively scene, Midi reflected.
In his past life, the Hawk Brigade had been a desperate refuge forged through adversity. Now, it aimed to secure the high point, crafting a protective shield to break Belmar’s tense deadlock. Though still adventurer-based, everything—circumstances, timing, strength, goals—differed completely from before. Its ultimate form would surely transform accordingly.
What kind of Hawk Brigade would the bold Queen of Magic create this time?
Even Midi found himself wondering.
Just then, a 20-strong team arrived at Eagle’s Nest.
Every member exceeded level 35. Behind them rumbled steel carts piled with mountain-like coils of Vengeance Worm corpses.
“They’re hunting Vengeance Worms?” Kelvin adjusted his glasses, baffled.
These monsters were every adventurer’s nightmare. Averaging level 40, their post-Forest of Gran fire mutation boosted them to level 45—deadly even for veterans. Their distributed nerve clusters and tenacious Vitality left no instant-kill weak points. Crushing their heads only triggered prolonged Frenzy states.
Worst of all, the meager spoils—mostly teeth—barely justified the effort when better materials existed. Yet here were adventurers hunting them systematically, looking pleased with their haul.
Kelvin couldn’t comprehend it.
"I recognize the leader—it’s Hulk from the White Rock Mercenary Corps!" Odel remarked.
"Then let’s go meet them," Midi said with a smile, stepping forward first.
The Nightblade Leopard Cavalry had withdrawn ten miles earlier. As Midi’s core force, they rarely appeared publicly. A capable general like Klasty would’ve been wasted as a mere guard, so they hadn’t followed into Eagle’s Nest.
Only Morning Star, Mountain Wolf, and artisans like Norton entered the city. Midi still looked like an ordinary youth, and though their group was sizable among the adventurers, it drew little attention.
They soon reached the adventurers’ gathering.
"Aren’t those Morning Star’s dual pistols? Here to join the Hawk Brigade?" Hulk called out.
"Something like that," Odel answered vaguely. The full story of their journey with Midi was too lengthy to explain.
"You’re hunting Vengeance Worms?" Kelvin cut in eagerly.
Hulk eyed the magic scholar, then slapped his own forehead with a grin. "Mountain Wolf’s here too! What a team—a cunning magic scholar and a gorgeous half-Elf! Trying to impress that Asreks family brat?"
"Call it teamwork," Kelvin deflected, steering back. "Now explain about these worms."
Hulk clapped Kelvin’s bony shoulder. "Won’t work, friend. In Eagle’s Nest, there’s only one way into the Hawk Brigade—earn contribution points. These worms? Worthless. But the Brigade offers top points for killing ’em. Everything here runs on points!" He jiggled his plain black necklace like it held secrets.
Contribution points?
Odel and Kelvin exchanged puzzled looks. Beside them, Midi smiled brightly.
Contribution points.
He’d never imagined his casual remarks about mercenary life from his past existence would be taken to heart by Fina and shape the Hawk Brigade. As the saying goes—a speaker may not mean it, but a listener takes it to heart. The system fit perfectly.
Unlike regular forces, the Hawk Brigade was built by adventurers, then and now.
What drives adventurers?
Power.
They spend fortunes on better swords, skill books, spell tomes. They brave trapped ruins, challenge deadly monsters—all to grow stronger. Always stronger. Unstoppably stronger.
Yet the path’s brutal. Clearing monsters only to find empty chests. Gathering rare herbs crushed by Vengeance Worms. Finding unusable gear, then getting swindled in black markets…
Adventurers stumble blindly through hardships—commoners with strength but no privilege, enduring endless setbacks. Still, they rarely grow stronger.
But contribution points changed everything. Backed by the Asreks family’s twin territories and the Hawk Brigade’s clear system, adventurers finally had direction.
Midi pictured Fina’s task list: *10 goblin ears = 1 point. 1 Vengeance Worm = 100 points. Rare materials = equivalent points.* And her irresistible exchange list: *1,000 points = Dragon Slayer blade. 10,000 = Shadow Blade. 100,000 = Shadowless Sword.*
Now adventurers hunted with purpose. Follow the missions, earn guaranteed points. Maybe find extras along the way. Trade points for gear, skills, magic—real growth.
Points meant security and guidance. With Alice crafting rare items for the exchange list? Even better.
And where adventurers gather for points, the Hawk Brigade flourishes—naturally, inevitably.
