"Now then.... it looks like we have some spectators over there... friend, or foe? Come out peacefully, and depending on your answer we might spare you."

The lids of two of the barrels slowly lifted, to reveal that two people had been hiding in each of them.

In one barrel was a tall young man with messy and spiky brown hair. He looked like your typical protagonist- he was young and energetic, but right now he had a smile that said 'whoops... looks like were busted... haha...'

He was wearing a dark blue overcoat with buttons that went over his slim leather armor underneath. If he didn't look so young and energetic he might have been mistaken for some sort of shady drug dealer.

Next to this young man was a shorter girl who had a bobbed haircut and long bangs. Her hair was a bright yellow, and she wore a red cape which behind her back, and a similar set of leather armor however this one was dyed green and colored to look more like a ranger's outfit.

In the other barrel was a short young man who wore a black beret, and his clothing fit his French style- a white fancy long sleeve shirt and a pair of black trousers, with dress shoes to match. He had long blonde hair that was well kept and a suspicious look in his eyes- as if he was a trying to scout out the four in front of him.

And next to him was a woman who was of average height. She had long straight red hair, that fell from her head in the same way a scoop of spaghetti would hang from a ladle.  It was messy but with an order to it. She was wearing a very strange outfit that looked like something from the future. It was made of three white components which looked like they would snap together as if they were a puzzle, and there was a glowing red neon beam which connected each of the three parts. The dress shaped outfit made her look almost like a robot.

"You caught us...", the short boy said with his hand behind his head in a bashful way.

"Please forgive our intrusion. We meant no harm.", the red haired woman with the strange outfit said as she bowed, while grabbing the head of the young boy and bringing him down with her.

"Hm? You meant no harm? Very well. However, is there any reason for me to trust you all? Could it be that you actually planned on attacking us as well, but you have changed your minds after seeing that display?", Garett asked while stroking his chin.

"No, that's not it! I'll be honest... we came here because I was curious."

The one who spoke was the tall young man with spiky hair. He did not appear to be lying, and Garett allowed him to continue.

"Actually... me and my companions here were present in Erthos back when you were playing the jester.... and we were all extremely impressed. The jester put me into debt when I first became a mercenary, and thanks to the help of my companions here... I was luckily able to eventually work my way out of that debt. When we all saw the woman over there take him on at first, I wanted to say something... but it's sort of an unspoken rule among mercenaries... you don't mess with the business of another mercenary group unless you want to start a fight. I mean... just look at what happened back here...."

The man was looking over to the group of mutilated corpses left in the alleyway with a painful expression, however he seemed to understand exactly why such things had happened.

'I don't know if it was necessary to kill them... but that's none of my business. I wasn't the one fighting, so I have no right to judge others.'

"We can trust what he says... for now.", Samantha noted coldly.

"In that case, please continue.", Trevor stated with a hand motion.

"Well... after witnessing you all defeat the jester, me and my group wanted to approach you... but you disappeared to your room at the mercenary guild in Erthos following all the chaos, and no matter how long I waited in that lobby you all never showed up again. We then came here to the town of Githard, and how lucky it was when we saw you making a flashy presentation like that. We decided to approach you as soon as we got the opportunity to, so me and my group here followed you out when you left. And... well, those other guys seemed to be out for you so we hid while you were taking care of them... that's about it."

"Aren't you all... heh heh...acting a little too calm? We just killed and mutilated those guys over there. Are.. heh.. are you sure you shouldn't be running in terror while begging for your lives or something?", Ashley asked creepily with her dry and monotone voice cracking and laugh's in between her words.

The young girl with the bob cut then spoke out.

"Running in terror? Are you kidding me? You all just took care of one of the most infamous mercenary bands known for killing the men and raping the women after disposing of them. You four are like, heroes! I.... it was honestly.... sniff..."

Tears came to the face of the girl and she wiped them off before continuing her talk.

"I wish I could be like you two... you two are so strong.... you were able to look those horrible men in the faces... despite the fact that they were literally drooling with lust... and instead of falling into despair then and there... instead of watching in horror while realizing that you couldn't do anything...."

The girl turned to Samantha.

"You were able to act so calmly and rationally.... putting on an act in order to lure them into a trap... I don't think I could ever do that with a man looking at me in the way they were at you... it was almost as if you didn't even see them as human... weren't you scared? Didn't you have any fear when you took them down that they would retaliate? I would never be able to do that.... and I don't think I would ever have been able to kill another person...no matter how evil they are..."

"Hahaha... I don't fear that which cannot happen.", Samantha responded. "Insects like them would never be able to lay a finger on me."

"And you... despite being insulted and having to hear the horrible things they said about you... instead of bending down and crying, too weak to do anything... unlike me... you were able to burst out in laughter... even in those dire straights! I wish I was so mentally strong that I could be like you..."

Ashley cringed at the girls horrid misinterpretation.

'Hah? What is this girl blabbering on about? I just lost it. I LOST IT. It doesn't have anything to do with being strong. I was just delighted because I would get to see those pieces of scum get what was coming to them.... that's all.'

"S-sure... whatever y-you say...", Ashley whispered shyly.

"Yeah.... it's amazing how well you all kept your composure and were able to act as if you were going insane to freak out those horny jackwads. Then, you gave them all what was coming to them! The world is a much better place without them... and I don't think we nor any regular group of mercenaries would have been able to take them on single handedly like you all did. Your skills are amazing, and your sense of justice... I admire it. You all are willing to get your hands dirty in order to punish those who really deserve it.... but by law won't receive any punishment.", The spiky haired man exclaimed. "I.... I would never be able to kill a person like that, even if it was for a good cause..."

Trevor then stood forward.

"I think you're misunderstanding here, young man. We aren't doing anything for any sense of 'justice' or righteousness. Those men simply.... yes... they pissed us off."

"Say what you will, but you won't convince me. I want to become strong enough one day that I too can do things like that and then say things like 'I wasn't doing it because I wanted to do what was right. They just happened to piss me off.'"

Trevor seemed to be rubbing his temples as if he had a migraine, and Samantha then stood forward and spoke.

"At any rate... perhaps we shouldn't be talking out here. Who knows if anyone else will ambush us while were lurking... not that it would be a problem for us... but why don't we head back inside for now and talk?"

"We would greatly appreciate that. Let us go.", the futuristic woman replied.

----

The eight went inside and sat around a large table with three seats on either side and one at each end. On one side sat the antiheroes and on the other sat the group of mercenaries.

"Now then... I suppose since we now know who you all are... I would like to ask you a few questions."

Trevor was the one who took the lead.

"First of all, are you all from this country? You have such eccentric clothing... very different from the average group from here."

It was ironic that Trevor- the leader of a country of monsters- was the one asking such a question.

"Actually, we are all from this country. I know a certain... inventor... who likes to tinker about with things and our outfits as well as our weapons and armor were all by his design."

"He sounds like an interesting fellow.", Garett responded. "I would like to meet him sometime."

"I can certainly arrange that at some point... but can I ask you all some questions as well?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you all from the Alliance, or are you all elves who were born here in the Empire? It's rare, but not impossible."

"We are... from the Alliance. Next question is mine. Why do you all seem to be so impressed with our feats? Were the people we defeated particularly powerful?", Garett asked.

The red haired woman then responded.

"The hellraisers... as noted before... were a very powerful mercenary group... they were even considered untouchable among mercenaries, which was why they could get away with doing the things they did."

'Though, I probably wouldn't have a problem taking them on.', the woman thought.

"Do you remember the man with the scar on his head?"

"How could I forget.", Garett responded while gritting his teeth.

"When that man received that scar in a fair duel, his entire team assassinated the man who inflicted it on him in his sleep and they all took turns with his wife before killing her... it's a well known story among the mercenaries... it was spread by them so that everyone would know not to mess with them... and yet.... you all simply challenged them yourselves... could it be that you didn't know of them?"

"We didn't. As I said, they simply pissed me off. How careless of me to attack someone without first obtaining information on them... I should be more cautious in the future... I hope you all understand that I don't fully trust any of you all either, however we have some... insurance... and I would just like to let you all know that if you ever plan on stabbing us in the back, our daggers will be in your necks before you can even reach for yours." , Trevor noted.

"As if I would ever stab someone I look up to in the back! Haha.", the spiky haired kid responded playfully.

"But whether you look up to us or not might change in a moment.", Ashley whispered with a raspy voice. "Don't expect us to be some group of heroes. We killed those guys because they pissed us off, and if you piss us off then you'll be next on our list."

"You all say that, but I can tell. You all won't do something like that."

"Think what you want.", Garett muttered.

Garett then turned to each of them.

"Another thing. What are your names, or rather... what should we call you? We are known as the Punishers... as our name suggests... we are here to punish anyone who get's in our way. I am Gary, and here is Theo, Sarah, and Ally."

The bob cut girl then lifted her head energetically.

"How rude of us! I am Charlotte, and this here is Lance.", She said, while pointing to the spiky haired kid.

The beret kid introduced himself by taking off his hat and bowing, letting his hair fall forward.

"I am Pierre."

Finally, the futuristic woman introduced herself with a sly smile.

"I am Melody. It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"Now that we have all gotten acquainted, what do you say we order something? Don't worry about the check, it's on me.", Lance offered.

Trevor pushed up his glasses.

"Are you sure you want to say something like that? If you do, I will take full advantage of the offer."

"Haha! Scary... Don't worry! We'll all be making plenty soon enough so long as we can survive this war... speaking of which... what do you all think about this whole thing? It's kinda concerning... but also somewhat exciting. We're finally making an effort to chip into the monster realm."

"We thought this could be our big opportunity... but I will admit that there is a big risk to it...", Charlotte said with a worried look on her face. "We're really just trying to get by... it certainly hasn't been easy with so little mercenary work... when there aren't any big wars like this, we have to do odds and ends jobs... and it takes an entire day of work just to barely get by with a room and some bread..."

"If you all would just let me do some other jobs...", Melody started saying, however she was cut off by Charlotte.

"No, you don't need to go back to that lifestyle. I know we're a burden on you, but please trust us and stay by our side, Melody!"

Melody sighed and nodded.

"Alright."

Melody started rubbing the side of her head behind her ear as if it was irritated.

"So you all have had it tough, eh?", Samantha said sweetly. "Well... as for me... I don't really know what to say about this war. Only that we are here now, and that's what matters."

"Indeed. There is nothing to be said.", Trevor added.

He didn't want any information to slip, and Samantha knew that well which was why she responded in the way she did.

Pierre then began to speak up. He had lost most suspicions at this point, and let his thoughts flow.

"Ah... tough doesn't even begin to describe it... you may look at our clothes and think that we are pretty well off... but it's taken everything we have to maintain our appearances!!! Nobody wants to hire a mercenary unless they look like they can get the job done!!! If you look like some bum off the street, then when you show up to perform a job they might just turn you down like that!!!"

"That sounds like you know from experience.", Ashley commented with a crackling voice.

"Stop shouting please, Pierre.", Melody ordered with a straight face. "Yes, unfortunately... we know it from very painful experience. Aside from each other... you could say there is nobody else we can truly rely on... even that inventor is a little... nuts in his own right. I wouldn't trust him with my life. We've all been through quite a lot together, is what I am trying to say."

"Haha... I suppose I can understand that well.", Garett said with a smile while looking back and forth between his own comrades.

"But sincerely... how fitting of a name it is for you all to be called the punishers... you seem to be punishing those who deserve to be punished... didn't you all make a speech about changing the world earlier? Do you have any sort of big plan?", Lance inquired.

Trevor grinned very businesslike, and folded his hands as if he was waiting for those very words...ready to sell something.

"Oh yes. Would you like to hear more?"

"Of course! Please tell me everything!"

"Where to start.... well... I suppose I will start from the beginning. Me and my comrades.... we have a vision... a dream, if you will.... when you look around at the world... what do you see? You know what I see? I see chaos. I see a complex mix of black and white- a world filled with such a grey mix of good and evil that nobody can even tell what it means to be just or unjust. There are some who believe themselves to be good... and others who believe those same people to be evil... who is right? Who is wrong? Would you like to know the answer?"

"The answer? Surely that isn't something you can have an answer to..."

"Hahahaha.... it seems you too have found the answer. Yes."

"What?"

"There is none."

"What!?"

"I said, there is no answer."

"What do you mean? Explain further."

"There is no such thing as justice... there is no such thing as good... evil... just... unjust... moral... immoral... they are all things which we have defined in our heads... a set of rules which we take to be a given.... we are here to prove two things.... the first, is that these are nothing more than that... that the laws of morality are nothing more than a self defined law which is then used to derive other moral conclusions... and the second thing we are here for... is to redefine these laws... and establish our own brand of morality as law."

"Establish your own brand of morality? So basically... you all want to become leaders... role models who show people the path to true righteousness as you have defined it?", Pierre asked curiously.

"That certainly is a generous wording for it. Essentially... we wish to prove the entire world that they are wrong.", Ashley whispered menacingly.

"Proving the entire world wrong... you all are in a different league from us... we're barely trying to survive and here people like you are...", Charlotte muttered. She was clearly impressed.

'I can't even imagine what is going on in the minds of these people... they have such lofty goals.. and yet what is this feeling? I feel as if... as if they will truly achieve them... as if they aren't exaggerating... as if they really intend to change the entire world....'

"However... I don't believe you all should get too involved with us. We walk a dreadful path filled with death and deception. After this conversation, you all should go on living your lives as normal and simply focus on surviving.", Trevor noted.

The waiter arrived, and the eight took their orders quickly.

Trevor ordered so much food for his group that it was unbelievable. He was certainly not holding back now that the bill was on someone else's check. He had been in too many scenarios where he was the one left paying for the entire group at business luncheons, and he was not about to let that happen in this new world.

Not only that... but he didn't want to be wasting money on things like this. He never knew when he would need the little they had right now. As a matter of fact, he already knew where the gold coin which they had earned would be going.

After they had ordered, Lance turned to Trevor intently.

"Why do you say that we shouldn't get involved with you? I feel that if we were to stick by your sides that we would have a much greater chance of surviving... you talk about death and deception... but if we all die in this war, that would be no joke.... you guys understand right? If you wan't to survive this campaign, you need people to have your back... allies you can trust... I feel that we can trust you all with our backs... so please! Allow us to guard yours!"

Lance had clapped his hands together and was closing his eyes, begging.

"Sigh..."

Melody then pitched in.

"I think as well that it would be beneficial for our groups to work together... while you all may not need our help, certainly it cannot hurt to work together?"

The four bowed their heads to the antiheroes.

"Please work together with us!!!"

Ashley seemed to be enjoying herself, and she stood up with her arms crossed.

"That's what I like to see... bow down a little more to me... hahaha!!! Maybe I will consider it if you continue as you are!!!"

Garett had a creepy smile on his face as he chuckled, and Trevor and Samantha were covering their faces with their hands in embarrassment.

'Ah man... she's really doing this out in public...', Samantha thought.

'Ugh... this is so cringy when we aren't actually in a position of power... she is the one person who I can never seem to predict her actions...', Trevor regretted.

Ashley then sat down, noticing that her comrades were covering their faces and people were staring.

"Alright alright... that's enough. But let me ask you all one thing.... we aren't walking a simple path like a normal group of mercenaries... if you follow us... you may see things which you will never be able to unsee... you will go places which you will wish you never went... and you will do things that you never wish you did. Your entire lives will be filled with wondering what is right and wrong, and regret will fill every second of your lives. Are you all certain that you would like to work with us, even knowing this?"

"What do you mean by all this? If you are referring to getting rid of those pieces of trash like you did in that back alleyway, then I don't know if I am strong enough to actually assist you... but I won't hesitate to help you do so!", Lance exclaimed.

"Me as well! I wish to become mentally strong like you all!", Charlotte shouted.

"And me!! Please help us to become more like yourselves!", Pierre responded.

"Even if it costs our very souls... I would like to be able to do what I can for my comrades sake... and I feel that following you all and remaining by your side as allies is the best way to do this.", Melody stated.

'After all, my soul was sold long ago...', Melody thought.

"You all have chosen a dark path. Do not say we didn't warn you.", Trevor replied with a serious face.