Chapter 408 Ashton’s Army (2)
Chapter 408 Ashton’s Army (2)
The first test Ashton had in mind was a simple one. The guards just had to stand still, that's all. He'll be firing three shots at them. If they manage not to move or flinch, then they'll pass the test and head to the next and final test.
However, Ashton forgot to mention one small thing. He did not know how to use a gun.
'It has to be a way to test out willpower.' A guard thought as he stood in front of Ashton, 'He won't hit me. So as long as I don't move, I'll qualify for the next round and maybe get a recommendation to become a mercenary!'
A recommendation. That was the second reason the guards were so hell-bent on joining Ashton's faction. They did not treat the mercenaries with respect early on because of the crap Eula's consorts used to fill their ears with.
But after getting to know more about the mercenaries, the guards could not ignore the opportunity anymore. A recommendation from a high-ranking mercenary of Kernel tower could make their lives ten times better.
Also, when the guards learned that the association's vice president handpicked the team of mercenaries leading them, they decided to do anything and everything to get in the good books of the mercenaries.
That being said, since Ashton was the strongest amongst the mercenaries, it was obvious he had to be the highest ranked amongst them. Therefore, his recommendation was naturally worth more than the rest of them, and that's why they wanted to join his 'faction'.
Ashton's continuous rejection only added fuel to their desire. The guards thought the only reason Ashton wasn't interested in establishing a faction was that he was well aware of the value of his recommendation.
Unfortunately, the guards couldn't have been more wrong even if they tried. Not only was Ashton a new entrant in the mercenary world, but he did not have the authority to hand out recommendations as it was a facility given to mercenaries once they reached rank 4.
On the other hand, Ashton was still stuck at rank 2 as he had not completed a single job till now. Since the guards did not voice their desires, Ashton was utterly unaware of why they were ready to die if it meant they could be around him.
"Oi, you!" Ashton called one of the guards, "You have learned how to fire these things, right?"
[You got to be the dumbest person here. No one in their right mind would want to join you now.]
"Um... Yes, we just learned it yesterday." The guard responded, "I mean, it's not like we couldn't shoot before, but yesterday we learned how to aim."
[...I take that back. All of you are equally dumb. Truly a match made in heaven.]
Ashton shook Astaroth's words out of his head and took the plasma pistol. Theoretically, using a gun was the same as using a crossbow. Since he had experience with the latter, it should be fine... Hopefully.
None of the guards said a word and watched on, and they didn't think it was their place to intervene in a test. In contrast, the guard who bravely volunteered to be the first candidate was too scared to speak up.
Initially, he had assumed Ashton was trying to scare them, but now he wasn't so sure about it.
"Those that possess healing abilities keep on stand by. Your friend here might end up needing it." Ashton mumbled before pulling the trigger.
The bullet whizzed past the guard's left ear and hit the tree behind. It was a close call, so much so that it felt like Ashton was a sharpshooter shooting warning shots.
'Maybe he really was trying to scare us off-'
As soon as the guard thought that, Ashton took another shot. But this time, the guard wasn't so lucky as the plasma bullet hit him directly on the shoulder.
The guard fell to his knees, wailing in pain. A sizeable hole could be seen between his shoulder blades. Everyone was processing what had just happened there. Did Ashton intentionally hit the poor guy, or was it truly a mistake?
"The hell are you looking at?" Ashton barked at the healers, "You have a job to do, don't you?"
"Y-Yes!" The healers replied and immediately took the man to the infirmary after doing first aid.
"Alright then, who's next?" Ashton asked while playing with the pistol.
It seemed the guards were no longer as enthusiastic as they had been. After witnessing what Ashton did, most of them no longer wanted his recommendation.
In a matter of seconds, the crowd had reduced once again. Only 11 guards were left behind while the rest escaped before the lunatic shot them.
"I guess there were some cowards hidden amongst the brave." Ashton clicked his tongue, "Who wants to go next?"
This time, a guard stepped up and fearlessly stood in front. Ashton had not expected anyone to step up, and seeing someone made him smile.
[Your gamble paid off. You knew some cowards were hiding amongst the crowd, so you shot one of them to get rid of all of them. A good plan.]
'What are you talking about?'
[...you unintentionally shot the guard?]
'You thought I did it intentionally?'
[I should say a prayer for those who stayed behind.]
'You do that.'
In the meantime, Ashton shot three shots rapidly, one after another. The guard made it without a single scratch anywhere on his body, which was the same for the rest. This made Astaroth doubt whether Ashton was lying Before. But according to him, he got used to the gun afterwards.
"Congratulations, all of you passed the first round!" Ashton announced while cracking his knuckles, "We'll start the next round tomorrow. Is that okay with all of you?"
"Would you mind telling us what it is?" The guard who qualified first asked.
"A duel with me, of course," Ashton replied with a surprised face, "If you manage to last thirty seconds with me, you'll qualify. Quite simple, don't you think?"