"How pathetic. Spending all that money only to fail. Though I suppose it wasn't a complete loss."
Ryu Jin-su's eyes moved unnaturally.
"I got to see the Runner in the flesh, the one the whole world's curious about. Isn't that right, Yoo Jin-hyuk?"
"You must have never met me before, judging by how you're talking."
"Complete strangers. By the way, where do I rank? Right after your lover or family?"
He seemed proud of having figured out my identity.
I raised both hands and pretended to count on my fingers.
"Hmm, maybe around number 1,200? It's just not widely known, but quite a few people know who I am."
"That's a bit disappointing."
Nice.
"Anyway, I'm a little curious. Did you happen to awaken as a class related to the goddess of luck? Nothing went according to plan. Your house, which should have been blown away, is still standing. The main force I prepared to kill you has gone completely silent for some reason. And Ryu Jin-su, who I thought I could use a bit longer, has already been exposed. I'll admit, this is a first. Losing this much money for nothing. Though I'm sure it's a much smaller amount compared to what you took."
"Still, you're lucky, aren't you? You only lost money."
"Was there anything else for me to lose?"
"If you'd been here, you'd have had to give up your life too."
A grotesque laugh burst from Ryu Jin-su's mouth.
I wasn't trying to be funny.
"Haha... haah. It's been a while. Since I've laughed this hard. Thank you. That makes the money I lost feel a little less wasteful. Now I see you're quite an entertaining person. But, Yoo Jin-hyuk."
The man cleared his throat a couple of times before continuing.
"If I had been there, the result would have been different. Your house would have been destroyed, and you would have died. I can say that with confidence. Because I have never personally failed at anything. It's just that this time, I used a low-quality puppet, and that's how things turned out."
"So you've only ever done things with a zero percent chance of failure?"
"Oho. That line just now rubbed me the wrong way."
"Why don't you try coming yourself? Then we'll see who's right."
"I was thinking of doing just that. I'm the type who has to pay back what I receive. But aren't you scared? You're no longer hidden behind a veil. You never know when, where, or how you'll be killed."
I smiled.
After a missile fell on my house, now he's asking that?
"Well, why would I need to be scared? It's just a matter of timing, but you dying by my hand is a fixed future. Mr. So-and-so."
I stepped closer to Ryu Jin-su and met his eyes.
"I don't know who you are right now, but by all means, do your best to hide yourself well. The moment I see a single strand of your hair, I'll come to hunt you down and kill you."
A silence followed, and I straightened up.
"Should we end the conversation here? It's getting a bit boring."
"Good timing. The puppet is reaching its limit anyway."
"Perfect. See you around, then."
"Indeed. Have a good night."
I waved at him and leaped over to the building across the way.
"Kamela, how is it?"
Kamela, who had been watching, shrugged.
"It doesn't seem to be a type of curse or spell. There was no sign of that when the voice changed. And even if I tried to extract something now..."
Kamela shook her head.
"He's already empty. That old man."
Ryu Jin-su's head was drooped at an unnatural angle.
Looks like he's crossed the river.
I hope he goes to hell.
"It's probably a class ability. I've heard of it before. There are mental manipulation abilities close to brainwashing."
"Truly endless possibilities, those class abilities."
"Right. It wouldn't be strange no matter what ability someone has. Just look at me."
*Phew.*
Kamela blew out smoke and tilted her head.
"So, do you have any idea where to start?"
"Actually, I have one. Crown Jackpot. Where we stole the gold."
"Something must have stood out to you."
"Yeah. He said it unconsciously. That the money he spent on this was a much smaller amount compared to what I took."
"Hmm, that makes me even more curious. How he connected the gold thief and the Runner."
"Team Leader Jin Yun-ho told me before. That there were countries that never contacted me even after I caught Mortarion. He said they might have already climbed to Mortarion's floor and caught him. If that's the case, they'd also know that a massive amount of gold is needed to stop the Deathfog. And if Crown Jackpot had access to that information, then the gold thief and the Runner's large-scale announced subjugation of Mortarion shortly after... it all fits perfectly. And if you dig a little into Korea, Runner and Yoo Jin-hyuk would have had plenty of suspicious points from the start."
A few seconds passed after I finished speaking.
I turned my head to Kamela, who was silent.
She was holding her pipe, staring at me blankly.
"What's wrong?"
"I was just thinking our master is surprisingly quick-witted."
"Sur...?"
"You spend every day running around with Little Satan and Momo, playing games, splashing in water, and playing ball. I unconsciously started thinking that way."
She nodded with a slightly sad expression.
I can't blame her.
I've never studied or read books.
"Kamela."
"Hm?"
"Let's go home."
The cleanup of Jae-woong Construction was left to the Player Hunter Agency, which would arrive soon.
Let's go eat.
Kamela smiled and blew out smoke.
"Good idea. I was just craving some warm tea."
Before turning around, Kamela slowly took in the night view of Seoul.
Come to think of it, this was probably Kamela's first time.
Looking over the city from a building like this.
"Don't dispel your manifestation. Look around as we go."
"But I can't leap across buildings like the Commander or the Dokkaebi."
"It's fine. I'm here."
Just like Seira did for me, I lifted Kamela into a princess carry.
Having been carried quite a bit myself, I know.
It's surprisingly stable and great for looking around.
"So I get to enjoy such luxury too."
Kamela rested her head comfortably.
That's Kamela for you.
She found the best position instantly.
I kicked off the building with as little jostling as possible.
The beautiful nightscape spread out below, and the cool night air brushed against my cheeks.
A smile formed on Kamela's lips.
I never knew, stuck in my room all day.
This is way better than I thought.
*Phew.*
'So this is why people take night walks.'
I think I understand a little now.
Thanks to having chosen a good master.
* * *
The moment I reached the front door and opened it, I realized it.
There were visitors!
A *thump-thump-thump-thump* sound came, and Kancho jumped down from the top of the gate.
"Commander! Kancho, deputy leader of the Yodel Rangers! I have a report!"
"There are intruders. Three of them."
"Correct! As expected of the Commander-in-Chief!"
"Who are they?"
"It's a big deal!"
Kancho shoved his plump, squishy face close to mine.
It tickles.
"It's the woman who grabbed my head last time!"
"Hiyori!?"
"Correct! She was covered in blood, like she'd just been slicing someone up! She came with a Holy Knight!"
"What about the kids?"
"They're in the guest house and outside, each doing their own thing."
There's no risk of being found out like last time anyway.
The house is huge, and half of it has Kamela's barrier masking our presence.
"Kancho, go eat some snacks. Oh, and who's the third person?"
"That's also a big deal!"
After hearing Kancho's answer, I hurried to the kitchen.
At the table where everyone was sitting, there was a strange awkwardness in the air.
"You've arrived."
Baila, who had been giving Momo a piggyback ride, bowed her head.
"Hey, Baila. And..."
I gave an awkward greeting toward the table.
"Hello, everyone."
To be honest, it's a confusing combination.
Matsuna Hiyori, Cheon Se-yeon, and Roche.
How did this group end up sitting together at one table?
"You're here, Jin-hyuk."
"Yo. We meet again in less than a day."
After Se-yeon and Hiyori, Roche tilted her head.
Suddenly, what I'd heard on the way here came to mind.
The logistics warehouse near Jae-woong Construction's headquarters.
The main force behind this incident had been slaughtered there by something very sharp.
It must have been Roche.
But how did they all get in?
As if reading my thoughts, Se-yeon scratched his head and spoke.
"Hiyori and I came because we were worried this place might be attacked."
Se-yeon's eyes turned to Momo.
"Then Momo suddenly ran out, grabbed us, and told us to come in and eat snacks."
Roche, who had set down her cup, also smiled.
"Same for me. I was just stopping by to get some potions."
Maybe because I'd cut her hair into a neat, pretty bob.
Even though not much time had passed since they met, Momo already liked Roche.
Chubby Momo ran over and looked up at me.
"I introduced everyone! The uncle... no, the auntie from Russia we stayed with at the hotel!"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
It's sweet that she introduced everyone, but not like that...!
Hiyori, sitting nearby, poked me in the side.
Her expression said, 'Not bad, huh?'
I was about to say that's not it when I noticed Roche's bloodstained clothes.
"Roche, are you injured?"
"I was."
Roche looked at Se-yeon.
"He healed me."
"I'm not a full priest, so it's not completely healed. You really need to go to the hospital. Two of the wounds were pretty deep."
"Of course. I'll go right away. Well, I've said hello to Jin-hyuk, so."
Roche smiled and stood up from her seat.
She'd just followed Momo on a whim and ended up getting treated too.
Truly grateful and kind people.
But it's uncomfortable.
Being here in this intact house, surrounded by intact people.
"Dinner is ready."
"Right! Auntie the hairstylist, eat with us!"
Roche, slightly flustered, bent down and patted Momo's head.
"Thanks, Momo. But I'll eat later. Auntie has to go."
She straightened up and bowed to Baila as well.
"Thank you. I'll definitely eat next time."
Seeing that Roche didn't seem likely to change her mind, Jin-hyuk spoke up.
"I'll see her out."
I left the house and headed for the garden.
But I didn't go down the stairs to the front gate.
Because once I was outside, it was obvious.
This woman is on the verge of collapse.
"Roche. I'll take you to a secure hospital tomorrow. So."
I waved my hand at the tilting Roche.
"Just get some good sleep."
Her eyes were already closing before she could answer.
Elia caught Roche from behind and clicked her tongue.
"If she'd gone like this, she'd have collapsed on the street, you know?"
"How is she?"
"The Holy Knight-nim treated the wounds well, so those are fine, but her stamina is completely drained. This is my specialty, though."
"Sorry, you're busy with the ancient text translation."
"Don't be sorry between us. Just leave it to me."
Roche was carried off by Seira and Elia into a building inside the barrier.
How could I send her off like this?
Someone who got hurt fighting to help me.
I stretched and turned back around.
The farewell was done, so time to head to the kitchen.
There happen to be two rankers from different countries here.
Since they're here, I might as well ask them something.
About the information on the 81st floor section we'll be climbing from now on.
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T/N:
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