Chapter 165

Chapter 165. In the Shadow’s Veil (2)

Lario promptly waved her hand, dismissing the curiosity.

“It’s not that. I’m just fascinated.”

I wondered what was so fascinating, but then again, considering the symbol hanging above my head, it made sense.

‘It’s rare to see a player from the rear.’

I deliberately ignored her gray eyes and redirected my gaze out the window.

The peaceful scene of the cityscape, which I had seen earlier, filled my view.

Kim Yul and I had arrived in Gemal using a portal set up by our respective orders and were currently en route to our lodging.

Lario, tasked with guiding us to the lodging, was accompanying us in the carriage.

The reason Kim Yul and I was in Gemal was straightforward.

‘To attend the Order’s General Assembly, which is to be held in two days.’

We would discuss solutions to the issues regarding Jang Ryun and his group there.

Executives from the Players’ Association were also expected to attend.

Although Kim Yul and I was not part of the association, we were contacted to attend the assembly to report the current situation as the discoverers of the issue.

‘The timing was good.’

I was already in a state of self-restraint and couldn’t actively engage in the main scenario.

The opportunity to establish a foundation like this was indeed welcome.

While I pondered over the future, the carriage exited the bustling city streets and entered a quiet alley.

Even without asking Lario, it was evident that our destination was near.

Sure enough, shortly after, the carriage began to slow down.

It passed through a strange iron gate and then completely halted.

“We’ve arrived.”

Following Lario, who got out first, I stepped out of the carriage to find a familiar figure lazily waving a hand.

“It’s been a while.”

It was Breche.

“Indeed.”

I returned his indifferent greeting with a composed response.

“Breche, long time no see! Is Berta doing well?”

In contrast, Kim Yul warmly engaged Breche in conversation.

However, the response he received wasn’t as warm.

“She’s probably doing well? I haven’t heard she’s dead. She’s still at an age where she stays with her mom anyway.”

Breche tilted his head as if wondering why he would be asked such a question.

Kim Yul, visibly taken aback, was reminded that despite encountering Beastfolk before, they hadn’t had any special exchanges.

I stepped slightly ahead of Kim Yul to conclude their conversation.

“Where’s Horfe?”

Breche tapped his tail against his back to indicate the direction.

“He’s inside waiting.”

Without further ado, he quickly turned his body as if inviting us in.

There was no reason to refuse. After all, the reason we arrived in Gemal earlier than the assembly was to meet Horfe.

‘Whether it’s fortunate or unfortunate, I’m not sure.’

It was said that Horfe was in the middle of negotiating some conditions while commuting to the central temple where the Order’s headquarters were, due to issues regarding the deployment of Beastfolk on the frontlines.

‘But he needs to leave tomorrow.’

He had invited me to stay at his place when I arrived in Gemal, and I had agreed to it.

‘The fact that he told me to bring catnip means his hospitality came with an intention.’

But it didn’t bother me much. Considering it as lodging expenses was sufficient.

I verified the various catnip products stored in my inventory as I followed Breche.

“Hmm?”

But Breche didn’t go too far and suddenly stopped.

On top of that, he began looking around vigilantly.

A Beastfolk with senses tens of times sharper than a human wouldn’t react like that for no reason.

Following Breche’s lead, I turned my head and employed Mana Detection.

But within the detection range, there was only normal-sized mana.

Just to be sure, I thoroughly scanned the surroundings with my eyes, but nothing appeared to my senses.

“Was it a mistake?”

Breche mumbled awkwardly, scratching his head, as if he hadn’t uncovered anything in particular.

“Let’s go in.”

“… Alright.”

Despite the unease, I took another lingering look around before belatedly following Breche.

* * *

The odd picture floated above the Outsider’s head as he alighted from an ordinary black carriage.

The Outsiders who followed also bore the same imagery above their heads.

‘So it’s true.’

He had heard that Outsiders all had a graphic over their heads but seeing it in person was another matter.

As he leaned slightly to get a better look, the tiger Beastfolk who was leading them turned in his direction.

‘Oops.’

He held his breath, concerned about being discovered. The tiger Beastfolk scratched his head, then resumed his walk.

The Outsider following the Beastfolk glanced around but didn’t spot him.

The group of Beastfolk and Outsiders soon disappeared into the building.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the man in the shadows stood up straight.

He carefully inspected the building the Outsiders entered, considering his options.

‘If needed, I might have to infiltrate.’

Just then, a window suddenly flew open, revealing Horfe’s face.

The man immediately abandoned his surveillance and left the spot.

Departing from the area filled with townhouses owned by nobles wasn’t difficult.

The man reached a deserted alley and halted, muttering as he turned back.

“They’re all so damned sensitive!”

Why did they have to stay in the Beastfolk’s residence of all places?

The mysterious man removed the hat he had been pressing down and scratched his head, revealing golden eyes.

‘Hopefully, he won’t stick with the Beastfolk for his entire stay in Gemal.’

Otherwise, it would be troublesome.

“Ugh!”

The man, continuing to mutter irritably, glanced back.

‘At least I’ve identified his faces, so that’s something.’

For now, he’ll just have to wait for a chance.

After clicking his tongue briefly, the man pressed his hat down again and resumed walking.

Yet, as soon as he emerged from the alley, he scowled and stopped.

Placing his hands over his ears, he spoke to himself.

“Is it my fault?”

It was peculiar. There was no one else around the man.

“I keep telling you, if you’re so dissatisfied, why don’t you do it yourself.”

Despite the solitude, he seemed to converse with someone.

“You said we had until the end of summer, didn’t you? Don’t you remember what you yourself said?”

His volume gradually rose in a heated argument.

“If you’re going to nag like this, assign what’s down there to someone else! Then I can move more freely, can’t I?”

The man continued his strange soliloquy for quite some time.

“Why don’t you trust me to handle it on my own? In that state, it can’t even be put in there anyway!”

Eventually, with his hands no longer covering his ears, he stared ahead with a sharp gaze.

“So stop messing with my head and keep your mouth shut!”

After unleashing his genuine anger, the man exhaled heavily.

There was no response, of course. The silence pleased him, and he finally let out a satisfied sigh before walking again.

“Really, what a damn nuisance. He has no intention of stepping in himself yet loves to criticize.”

Muttering all the way through the alley, his figure vanished from the end of the street.

His disappearance was sudden, as though he was cut from the space.

Not a single trace of his presence remained in that place.

* * *

Better early than late, Kim Yul and I arrived at the central temple hosting the General Assembly well in advance.

After getting some assistance from a guide, we took seats in the empty meeting room, contemplating the conversation with Horfe the previous night.

– You could find the suppliers if you wanted, but it’s pointless. Similar people are everywhere.

– Not everyone in the Order is corrupt. They’re not ignoring it because they don’t know.

– Even if you uproot it, someone else will plant the seeds, so it’s about managing and negotiating at a moderate level.

– If you really plan to start, be aware of it.

The Horfe I met last night felt unfamiliar.

He had been someone who laughed heartily and asked for catnip whenever he saw me.

But the previous night, there seemed to be a hint of exhaustion, or perhaps resignation, in him.

And yet, he still harbored burning anger.

‘It’s understandable.’

While today marks my first confrontation with the issue, Horfe has been grappling with it for decades while leading the Beastfolk.

‘An endless war, indeed…’

The cliché expression lingered in my mind, provoking a wry smile every time.

What remains from diving into a problem neither solvable nor finite?

‘Is this truly not a waste of time?’

I utterly detested wasting time and despised inefficiency.

Can I still get involved in this problem?

Would I not give up halfway through?

‘If it’s going to be a half-hearted attempt, it might be better to turn a blind eye.’

Most of those who realized the problem before me chose the same path.

Can I change it on my own?

Reflecting on this, I couldn’t help but question myself.

‘Is this really the right thing to do?’

Engaging in ineffectual justice feels like an ignorant choice that demands time and effort.

“Ha.”

How did I get so disillusioned with justice itself?

Even through my doubts, I remained seated.

If I truly saw it as foolish, I should just stand up and walk away.

And, like many in the world, I could turn my eyes and ears to my own path.

But still, here I am, stuck firmly in my seat.

‘An eternal unresolved issue.’

Horfe’s words echoed in my mind, inducing a headache.

Unable to resist, I rubbed my temples with frustration when I heard my name being called.

“K.”

Looking up, I met the eyes of a familiar individual.

“Fabian, it’s been a while.”

It was Fabian Jewel from France.

And above his head was a rhomboid symbol with the letter P inside.

He was active as a member of the association, backed by the French government.

‘They say he’s under significant French governmental support.’

Unfortunately, he lost out to Ethan for the title of European Player representative.

Instead, a few months back, he assumed the role of coordinating Club 249 meetings, making himself visible in different ways.

In short, since losing ground to Ethan, Fabian has been working hard to reclaim influence elsewhere.

‘Even within the club, stratification has begun.’

Indeed, Fabian had failed to make any marked contributions in the last two major scenarios.

‘He wasn’t even present at the victory celebrations.’

Naturally, he seemed to have turned to politics.

It wasn’t too surprising—just a sorting process.

‘Just like how top-ranking middle school students find a new hierarchy in a science high school.’

He initially stood out but stalled.

Fabian was merely being sifted in a new environment.

‘Let’s humor him briefly and send him on his way.’

Fabian would likely fall out of the main play soon.

‘Or he might die even sooner.’

Before such probable predictions, I chuckled lightly.

“Let’s go hunting together next time we find the time.”

If the time permits, I meant. I wasn’t intending to artificially squeeze it.

Fabian seemed to grasp my intent. He had a hardened expression that attested to that understanding.

Thus, despite the growing discomfort, the confrontation didn’t last long.

“Excuse me, K.”

It was Lily Evans approaching.

“Jewel, I didn’t expect to see you here. I hadn’t heard you were attending.”

“I’m here on behalf of Ethan, who couldn’t make it.”

A noticeable tension brewed between them.

‘Looks like Fabian and Lily’s rivalry within the association is real; they’re sparring.’

I had no interest in becoming embroiled in political games.

Observing the once-empty meeting room gradually filling with people, I voiced my complaint.

Damned System