Let's just take him and get out of this damned forest."

The scarred man glared at him. "You're just a flunky who had to tag along as a representative of our employer so I'll explain. Once a monster girl finds a mate she can track him anywhere by his spirit energy. She won't rest until she gets him back, and anyone who gets in the way of that goal will be her enemy. So no, we can't just take him without taking her into consideration."

He turned from the representative and addressed the other mercenaries.

“My group or you two can stay behind and deal with her." He then turned back to the 'flunky.' "Course it will cost extra."

Just complete it, the man responded, clearly annoyed.

Want to draw lots to choose who remains? Younger-sounding than the other mercenaries was the one who asked the question.

Another said, “Don't bother," and his silent partner nodded in accord.

Theron, you three are welcome to have this. Being this far into mamono-controlled land is already dangerous enough for me, to be honest. Neither of us wants to stay any Longer than is necessary. We'LL return him home after we break camp.

The scarred man, Theron, grinned as he handed the chain binding Carter to his peer. "Suit yourself Mahir. I for one wouldn't want to get accused of half-assing this job." He addressed the two who apparently made up his group.

“You up for a special hunt, Jarvis, rookie?"

"You bet your ass!" Jarvis replied with obvious bloodlust, removing his cloak and revealing a shaved, tattooed head and a muscular body wrapped with chains. A single large dagger was sheathed at his side.

The other more calmly removed his cloak, revealing a small crossbow hidden on his back. He was young and handsome, but with a disturbingly cruel look in his eyes.

“More target practice is always a good thing."

“That's right," Theron agreed, removing his own cloak to reveal two swords strapped to his back in sheaths.

“Kill this one and I might stop calling you ‘rookie.‘"

Carter was sweating. This was bad. Everything was going to hell and he was helpless to do anything about it. All his worse fears were coming true, even Taki was going to suffer for this. "No... no!"

His breakdown was halted by a hard punch in the belly that left him coughing and hacking on his knees. "Now shut your trap, nobody likes a hysterical man," Theron admonished in an almost good-natured tone.

“Besides, judging by your health it seems you had a good time out here, and we all know nothing good lasts forever.”

He bent down and picked up one of the dropped apples, taking a bite out of it and smirking as he spoke.

“Jiro will be so happy to see you.”