As the sun slowly rose over the horizon, a cool breeze swept through the camp. It wasn't strong, but it carried a certain chill that lingered in the air.
A loud horn echoed throughout the entire camp.
The wake-up call.
We were only about two hours away from the Dark Swamp Forest now. Thankfully, no attacks or surprises had come during the night.
I stepped out of my tent, my body still stiff from yesterday's march. Using a nearby bucket of water, I washed my face and stretched my sore muscles. Every movement reminded me that the coming battle would be far worse.
As everyone gathered in the center of the camp, I looked around.
There were hundreds of people.
Some would live.
Some would die.
Only death knew the answer.
While observing the crowd, something unusual caught my attention.
More than a hundred people were locked inside large cages attached to wagons. Their hands and feet were bound with chains.
I frowned.
Why were they here?
Why bring prisoners to a monster extermination mission?
Before I could think further, a call for breakfast interrupted my thoughts.
Remembering last night's feast, my mouth immediately watered.
Unfortunately, breakfast was much simpler.
Just thick bread stuffed with roasted pork and vegetables, along with beer for those who drank. Nothing fancy.
I grabbed two portions and sat down to eat.
"Morning, kid."
I turned and saw Rany approaching.
I smiled.
"Morning, Rany."
He sat beside me.
"You keep appearing and disappearing," I said. "What happened?"
Rany chuckled.
"I told you before. We happened to walk part of the same road, so I figured I'd check if you're still alive."
I smiled slightly.
It felt strange.
In a world where most people only cared about themselves, someone was still checking on me.
After a moment, I pointed toward the cages.
"What about them?"
The moment I asked, Rany's expression darkened.
"Kid... let me tell you something."
His voice became serious.
"Normally, mercenaries in the North have more freedom than people in other regions. Not because we're special, but because we live close to monster territory. We need capable fighters."
He paused.
"But freedom doesn't mean people behave."
"Sometimes mercenaries kill each other over loot. Some rob travelers. Others murder for a handful of silver coins."
"When they're caught, the Mercenary Office imprisons them and uses them for labor work—construction, mining, road building, things like that."
I nodded.
That much made sense.
But it still didn't explain why they were here.
Rany rubbed his chin for a moment.
"The guild leaders were briefed on the operation plan this morning."
I immediately paid attention.
"The plan is to bombard the nest first."
My eyes widened.
"Bombard?"
Rany nodded.
"Scouts confirmed there are more than ten mages inside the nest."
His expression grew serious.
"No one knows their exact levels."
"The problem isn't just their magic."
"If we gather enough mages to launch a large bombardment, the mana concentration will spike."
He pointed toward the distant Dark Swamp Forest.
"And if the monster mages inside the nest sense that mana gathering..."
He paused.
"We lose the advantage before the battle even starts."
I glanced toward the cages again.
Slowly, the pieces began fitting together.
Rany continued.
"Those prisoners will be armed."
"They'll receive weapons, armor, and mounts."
"They'll charge first."
"If they survive, they earn their freedom."
"If they die, compensation goes to any surviving family members."
"That was the offer."
For a moment, I simply stared at the prisoners.
More than a hundred people.
Some murderers.
Some thieves.
Some who probably deserved their fate.
But now they were being sent toward a monster nest as living bait.
My grip tightened around the bread.
For a moment, it tasted like ash in my mouth.
No matter what crimes they had committed...
Most of them weren't expected to return alive.
For a few moments, neither of us spoke.
The prisoners weren't soldiers.
They were bait.
Disposable lives thrown forward to create an opening.
I finally asked,
"Then why gather so many mercenaries if the bombardment is happening?"
Rany shrugged.
"This is my first nest-clearing operation too."
"But from what my guild leader said, nests are never predictable."
"The bombardment is just the first knock on the door."
"The real battle begins afterward."
His gaze drifted toward the distant forest.
"We're here because someone has to finish the job."
A horn sounded again in the distance.
Rany stood.
"Eat fast."
"They'll start assigning positions soon."
"You'll receive a letter with your unit and battlefield role."
He stretched before turning away.
"I hope you get a good position."
Then he grinned.
"If we survive, let's drink afterward."
"And if we die..."
He laughed.
"Then we'll meet again in death."
With those words, he walked away.
I watched him leave before turning my gaze toward the prisoners once more.
For the first time since arriving at the camp, the weight of the coming battle truly settled on my shoulders.
Tomorrow wasn't guaranteed.
For any of us.