episode_0037

There are various buildings in the center of East Tan.

While there are also flashy and splendid buildings.

Some buildings are so dilapidated that you wonder if they should be located in a busy area.

Among them, an old, thin, three-story building with such exquisite balance that it is almost unnoticeable.

A woman enters a building that pedestrians pass by without even giving it a glance because there is no sign hanging on it.

An open hallway without even a guide.

– Creak, creak.

As you walk, using the creaking noises and the occasional puff of dust as your guide, at some point you realize it.

It’s a taller building than I thought.

Edges that curve at right angles, repeating windows, steps and endless repetition of patterns.

If you walk through a space that feels like you’re under a spell, repeating only one password, you’ll arrive.

“… Sigh.”

The bright light pouring in as soon as you turn the corner. Following the splendor, you come across a high ceiling and a luxurious chandelier. A wide, arched space and a marble floor that is smooth enough to slip without any creaking.

Beyond the luxurious mahogany furniture, a man greets you.

“Welcome, Claire Youngae. Ilsal is waiting for you.”

Even though I was tied up tightly and disguised, how could that man recognize me?

Claire only showed the bare minimum of courtesy, gently shaking her head as the question floated away.

“Please give me some guidance.”

“This way.”

Is this your second visit?

I feel it anew, but it was truly a mysterious place.

Those long corridors that you wouldn’t believe were inside a building, and the scenery that changed so splendidly in an instant.

Perhaps this secretive and splendid stronghold is a wonderful means of expression for the organization known as the Chilsaldae.

The magnificent spiral staircase is no longer surprising.

— Smart

“Claire Youngae is here.”

It is not surprising that the butler of the one-eyed man bows his head and disappears in an instant.

‘He’s probably one of the most capable people on the planet.’

Claire just swallowed and waited for the owner of the office to show up.

– Kikrik

A door that opens slowly.

And beyond that, a bright red eye is visible.

A woman with a long scar on one eye, but with just her remaining eye, she is enough to intimidate her opponents.

A tall, slender figure.

A beautiful body with long arms and legs to match.

The woman with her intense red lips smirking is the leader of the Chilsaldae, Ilsal.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting.”

There aren’t many people who would be able to speak informally to Claire, who is both a client and a hero of the continent.

And there aren’t many people who can accept that fact without Claire feeling bad.

“You are still beautiful.”

“Thank you, just be the hero of the continent. Sit down there.”

Ilsal brought out the teacup himself.

Movements that are both graceful and elegant.

Sit cross-legged on the other side and open your mouth.

“What you requested. It’s being handled well.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s it. I spent that much money.”

“You know? The cost of keeping your mouth shut is bigger.”

“What do you think of our Chilsaldae? Of course.”

Haha.

A person who covers their lips and smiles.

Honestly, Claire didn’t like her.

‘It’s so sinister.’

Her eyes and the corners of her mouth are deep, as if she is hiding something deep inside. It’s even creepy when you think about the fact that she is the best assassin.

But still.

Claire had no choice.

The city of Easttan, which would be the most important in expanding the empire’s influence. Ilsal’s help was essential to completely take over this place.

Not only that.

‘Even if it’s to find Lee Han.’

Claire’s symptoms are getting worse day by day.

Just today, I came out of the morning vomiting blood.

I was holding back a cough to act strong, but even now, a part of my body was trembling.

The symptoms were serious.

Not only in what the doctor said, but Claire herself could feel it.

‘I have to find it as soon as possible.’

It wasn’t a mental issue anymore.

It was a matter of survival.

Ahem.

Claire opened her mouth, hiding her cough as if it were a dry cough.

“The reason I came today is because of my second request.”

“Ah – A request to find a certain boy.”

“Yes.”

“Not bad.”

… lie.

If it was being done properly, I wouldn’t have reacted like, ‘Oh, that request?’

Claire bit the inside of her lip lightly.

There is no one to trust.

Back when I was at the warrior party, there was someone I could trust with this kind of thing. It was only after he disappeared that I realized. That such people are really rare in the world. And that it is incredibly difficult to find someone who has already left.

“I wish you had been a little more sincere. I gave you quite a bit of money.”

“The conditions are so difficult.”

Claire knew too. The boy in East Tan whose previous name was ‘Lee Han’.

It is true that finding a subject with these conditions is an impossible task.

“But.”

“Hahaha. I’m kidding, I’m really looking for it.”

“…Huh?”

Ilsal chuckled at Claire’s somewhat foolish smile.

“Anyway, if Claire Youngae’s claim is true, then that kid named ‘Lee Han’ is strong.”

“Probably so.”

“Then our children will find it.”

“How?”

“These kids have an incredible sense of smell when it comes to the scent of the strong. They have no nose at all.”

Hehe.

Ilsal smiled again and curled his index finger and thumb into a circle.

“What do you think? If you pay extra, I’ll persuade that kid and bring him in front of Yeong-ae.”

“Just search for it.”

“Really?”

“I think I can convince you after that.”

“Hmm.”

Ilsal tilted his head.

How are you?

It was a look that said.

But Claire was confident.

‘Lee Han listened to me well.’

She remembered Lee Han.

He always listened to what I had to say.

He liked me because I knew a lot of information and seemed smart.

then.

If I could meet him again this time, I might be able to convince him.

Just be by my side one more time.

Above all, we were like childhood friends.

‘If you forgive me just this once…’

The moment Claire’s thoughts continued.

– Bam!

The office door opened.

The beautiful eyebrows of the old man furrowed.

“This… Ilsalnim!”

“What’s going on? You’re making a fuss.”

“That… That’s, Yuk-sal and Chil-sal! Stop it!”

The eyes of the person who died suddenly became sharp.

“I think I found it.”

Claire’s eyes lit up.

◆

– Phew!

A white firecracker bursting in the air.

At this level, it would be visible even from outside the village.

In that case, the signal will reach Ilsalnim in one breath.

Yuksal barely managed to breathe a sigh of relief.

The sight I had just seen before my eyes would not leave my mind.

A child who was grinning with the dagger he had thrown in his mouth.

“That’s a monster, isn’t it?”

If I hadn’t used the emergency escape scroll along with the smoke grenade right then, I would have been captured.

“Scary guy.”

“Did you call me?”

Creepy.

The six-legged man stood still.

And then he slowly bowed his head.

The boy was standing next to him again.

“Mi… crazy.”

“If you curse at someone’s face like that, they’ll get hurt.”

“What on earth are you?”

“Me? My name is Lloyd.”

Fuck.

That’s not what I asked.

Yuksal swore and distanced himself.

‘You fucking monster.’

The emergency escape scroll has a speed similar to that of teleportation.

Of course, the distance wasn’t that long, but it still didn’t make sense to follow.

How on earth did you follow me?

It was too fast for a physical strengthening class, and too quiet for a magician.

In the end, either way, it means that they are both ridiculous experts.

I’ve never really competed against them, but I know because I’ve blown up the memorized weapons.

You won’t win.

The fleshy face hardened.

“Don’t say it out loud.”

“Wow.”

The boy who introduced himself as Lloyd tilted his head slightly. He was observing the flesh as if it was something new.

“Still, you’re quick-witted.”

“Please spare my life.”

“The story is fast and good.”

A humiliation beyond compare.

But Yuksal knew that now was the time to bow his head.

“What do you want to ask? And if I answer, will you let me go?”

“That depends on the answer.”

Hehe.

The boy’s teeth were white, shining in the faint moonlight.

The luxury of living life twice.

Lloyd’s words continued without giving Yuksal time to collect his thoughts.

“Are you the real rulers of East Tan?”

“What?”

Yuksal asked back without realizing it.

Only then did I shut my mouth, but it was already too late.

“Aren’t you talking about controlling the market or something like that behind the scenes?”

“What the heck… … .”

“I just tried it and it seems to have worked.”

Fuck.

It was a clear embarrassment.

I didn’t know that you would ask me this kind of question.

“The boss who’s running over there with me has something to do with your boss. Can you tell me where it is?”

This guy has a boss?

I had no idea how strong it would be.

Yuksal gritted his teeth.

“I would rather die than reveal anything about our Chilsaldae!”

His new form poured out towards Lloyd.

– Thud.

What fell to the ground was a corpse.

Blood poured out from his severed foot.

Lloyd was startled, then immediately swallowed a tranquilizer.

“Don’t even think about jumping out, Ortega.”

Lloyd calmed him down, who was excited by the sight of blood, and calmly finished stopping the bleeding on the flesh. It didn’t seem like he was dead.

“Who would suddenly do something like that? I was surprised.”

“Ughhhh… … .”

“Then shall we listen to the story properly?”

Lloyd laughed, jingling the keys from his pocket.