< Chapter 136: Progress (3) >
Rewind the time a bit.
The sanctuary of the Saviors of Truth.
“Hermit is a traitor.”
Maestro pointed at Hermit.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Hermit furrowed his brows with a fierce expression. However, deep inside, he was flustered.
‘How did he notice?’
He didn’t handle the matter sloppily enough for Maestro to notice. It would be normal not to notice it.
“Nonsense. Well, we will find out about that in due time.”
A murderous intent flickered in Maestro’s eyes.
“David. Can you take responsibility for what you just said?”
A black glow emanated from Unknown’s eyes.
“Yes. I have evidence.”
“…Oh ho.”
Unknown let out an exclamation.
‘Evidence?’
Hermit’s eyes trembled slightly. Lust, who had been quietly observing the situation from the side, felt the same way.
‘Dangerous.’
Lust and Hermit were accomplices. If Hermit got caught, it was obvious that Lust would naturally get caught as well.
“What is that evidence?”
Along with Unknown’s words, a chilling silence flowed.
“Here. This is evidence that Hermit manipulated confidential information within the organization.”
“!”
Hermit screamed internally.
“…Indeed.”
The corner of Unknown’s mouth rose slightly as he verified the data.
“Unfortunately, I could not identify exactly what information was manipulated, but there was definitely a trace of something having been tampered with.”
This was undoubtedly irrefutable evidence.
“And the act of manipulating confidential information is something no one but a traitor would do. Therefore….”
Maestro glared at Hermit.
“Hermit is a traitor.”
“….”
Hermit had no words.
He had nothing to say in response.
“Excuse me for interrupting~”
Saint interjected into the conversation with a beaming smile.
“Can’t we just have the boss use the Vow of Absolute Obedience to interrogate Hermit and settle this matter?”
At Saint’s question, Unknown stroked his chin.
Others might not know, but the ‘forced interrogation’ using the Vow of Absolute Obedience has a limit of ten uses.
After all ten uses are exhausted, the vow becomes null and void.
And Hermit only had two ‘forced interrogations’ left. Using it now would mean that there would be no ‘forced interrogations’ available in the future.
“But doesn’t it seem strange?”
Lust quietly intervened.
“Last time, we all used the boss’s prohibition to conduct a traitor search when we were together. If there had been a traitor, they would have been caught then.”
Lust looked at Hermit.
It was a disdainful look.
It was a very realistic act.
“Isn’t it just that you’re blinded by personal grudges? Of course, this is also a betrayal against the boss but….”
At Lust’s words, Unknown nodded slightly.
“…You have a point.”
The seven executives had not disclosed Vagabond’s information to anyone. This was a ‘fact’ confirmed through the Vow of Absolute Obedience. Therefore, it had been judged that there was no traitor among the executives.
“That was a trap.”
Maestro spoke with a voice filled with certainty.
“Surely at that time, the boss said this: ‘Is there anyone here who leaked any information about Vagabond in any way? If so, answer.’”
Maestro taunted as he looked at Hermit.
“Hermit took it literally and did not leak ‘information about Vagabond’.”
“The incident with Jayce was a personal action of that ‘mastermind X’ connected with Hermit?”
“Yes. Whether it was good luck, or he anticipated being suspected due to that matter, I don’t know.”
Unknown’s eyes slightly widened.
This was a blind spot he hadn’t considered.
“….”
Cold sweat ran down Hermit’s back.
It was dangerous.
The situation was turning very dangerous.
“So, this time, you should use the Vow of Absolute Obedience to ask like this.”
The corners of Maestro’s mouth gradually began to rise.
“Have you ever spilled even a little bit of the organization’s information to an outsider? If so, what did you say?”
“….”
Hermit gritted his teeth hard.
‘…Damn it.’
It seemed like there was no way out.
‘To end so futilely….’
Just when he had found an opportunity to outsmart Unknown.
To die so futilely was lamentable.
“….”
Hermit locked eyes with Lust.
Lust, who was wearing the same expression as usual, was indeed a great actor. Thankfully, it seemed there was no chance of getting caught through expressions.
‘As long as I die quietly, there won’t be any reason for Lust to get caught.’
He resolved himself in that way.
“Allen.”
Unknown called Hermit.
“Answer my question truthfully.”
Darkness clung tightly around Hermit’s heart, suffocating it.
“Kuhuk!”
A short moan burst from Hermit’s mouth.
“Have you ever spilled the organization’s information to someone who is not a part of the organization?”
“….”
Hermit remained silent.
Then, the Vow of Absolute Obedience began to exert even stronger pressure on Hermit’s heart.
If he chose not to answer here, he would violate the Vow of Absolute Obedience and would face death.
‘…No. It can’t end like this.’
Upon reconsideration, it became clear that Unknown wouldn’t easily let him, a traitor, die. After all, they had Saint, a professional in revival.
They would somehow keep him alive to extract information.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
His life was already forfeit.
He couldn’t afford to become useful to Unknown.
‘In this case, I will violate the great spirit’s oath.’
An elemental prohibition that sets one ablaze, turning into ashes the moment one divulges information about Kang Seo-yul to another person.
It was a supreme oath that was activated just by deciding to utter Kang Seo-yul’s name.
‘Kang Seo-yul. Please send Unknown to hell. I will be waiting for you in hell.’
It was when he was about to let words regarding Kang Seo-yul slip out from his mouth.
Whoosh!
The flame of the spirit that had clung to his heart faintly ignited.
Something about the flame was rough.
It seemed annoyed by the black fog that was disturbing its slumber.
The flame completely enveloped the black fog that was tightly grasping his heart.
And then.
Pop!
It swallowed all the fog in one go.
‘…What is this?’
Hermit, whose heart’s pain had disappeared, quickly organized his thoughts.
The suddenly disappeared Vow of Absolute Obedience. No, to be exact, the Vow of Absolute Obedience probably hadn’t disappeared.
‘Unknown has not noticed.’
If the Vow of Absolute Obedience had disappeared, then Unknown would have noticed it.
That means that only the mysterious fog that was constricting his heart a moment ago has disappeared.
In other words…
‘Unknown’s interrogation has ended.’
It means there is no longer a need to answer Unknown’s question truthfully.
“Hermit, answer me.”
Looking at Unknown who had a fierce expression, and Maestro wearing a sneering smile from behind,
Hermit inwardly shouted in triumph.
“I can firmly assert that I have not leaked any information about the organization to external entities.”
“What?”
Maestro’s expression soured in an instant.
* * *
“Thus, the suspicions on me were cleared, and acknowledging my ability to hide and detect information, I received the mission to monitor Korea, which has the highest level of danger, and that brought me here. That is all.”
Hermit’s speech came to an end.
“…I see.”
I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t speak.
“I am truly impressed. I have no idea where you started calculating this plan, it is utterly elusive to me.”
Where did I start planning?
From the beginning.
Yes.
From the beginning, there was no plan at all.
Wow…
It turned out like this.
I understood the situation.
I also knew why this happened due to some kind of causal effect.
To put it simply.
The Greater Spirit’s vow swallowed the vow of absolute obedience.
“I only thought the reason you imposed the Greater Spirit’s vow on me was because you couldn’t trust me. My thinking was shallow. I never imagined it also served as insurance to nullify the vow of absolute obedience….”
It’s what they call a ‘difference in class’.
The vow of absolute obedience is a fraudulent prohibition, but in the end, it is just a trait used by ‘humans’.
On the other hand, the Greater Spirit’s vow is a special vow used by spirits, moreover by the Greater Spirit.
There is an overwhelming difference in class between the two prohibitions.
And now, the result is Hermit.
“Could it be… that you didn’t ask about the information on Vagabond for this moment as a fallback plan…?”
He succeeded in lying to Unknown after overcoming the vow of absolute obedience. This is a tremendous feat.
“Even making me erase the records about Sunlight Orphanage in the organization’s database… That’s right. Deliberately hiding the past and inflating my suspicions by exposing it little by little….”
Anyway, I don’t know what kind of nonsense Hermit has been spouting on and on since earlier.
“Every single action, every single word was all calculated….”
Hermit looked at me with eyes as if he was looking at a monster.
“I am impressed once again.”
“….”
‘It feels like we’ve come full circle on a huge loop and returned to the initial ‘I am impressed.’
Is this Inception?”
“Ah, how did you do that? Regarding the manipulation of confidential information.”
“As for that, it was handled as a simple mistake.”
A mistake?
“Even though it was concrete evidence, such an excuse worked?”
“Yes. Thanks to the vow of absolute obedience, I wasn’t suspected.”
Ah, I see.
Well, Unknown does have a tendency to blindly trust the vow of absolute obedience.
“…huh?”
Blind trust?
At that moment, something flashed in my mind.
Wait a minute.
Right now, Hermit is in a state where he is not suspected by Unknown at all.
Moreover, Maestro would likely have lost Unknown’s trust.
Could it be possible to somewhat control Unknown’s actions using Hermit? The possibility is substantial. If only to set up a trap using that…
“A good timing to hit Unknown from behind….”
“…!”
Hermit’s eyes widened greatly.
It was a face that couldn’t be more surprised.
“You had thought up to that point.”
Then, shaking as if trembling with chills, he said,
“After all, everything is under perfect calculation….”
No, you idiot.
* * *
Hermit silently returned to his duty.
He said he would focus on his mission of monitoring the political climate in Korea and gathering information for a while.
“If you need my help, call me anytime. I will assist you to the fullest within my capabilities.”
It seemed that, having gained Unknown’s trust, quite a bit of freedom of action had been assured. It’s a good thing.
“Speaking of which, the strategy to strike Unknown from behind….”
Could it be possible?
Until very recently, it was considered impossible.
But now that Hermit’s and Maestro’s positions have switched, the situation has changed 180 degrees.
“With one sweep….”
If well-manipulated, sweeping away all of the Saviors of Truth, including Unknown, isn’t a dream.
“It won’t be easy, though.”
Considering Unknown’s wide and sensitive perception, trapping him would not be easy.
But it’s not impossible. There certainly exist ancient relics specialized in deceiving senses.
I remember at least three.
There are many other ways to deceive Unknown’s senses as well.
“It will take some time though….”
Fortunately, there is ample time.
Having lost two executives, Unknown will now devote himself to preparing for terrorism for his objective. He won’t have time to focus on other matters.
“No matter what happens, Hermit will either block it or inform me.”
Indeed, there is ample time.
Then, what should I do in this remaining time?
Firstly, as I said, collect ancient relics. Centering on the essential ancient relics to be gathered, pull together as many ancient relics as possible.
“Use the unnecessary ones immediately for abilities, and keep the necessary ones for later in the Artisan’s Portable Forge.”
I would have to use ancient relics carefully adjusting the tattoo so that Adam’s Mark does not turn black.
I also have to fully incorporate the acquired abilities.
So grow as quickly as possible, if I can grow to at least to A rank…
“I can win.”
Because I have cheating abilities that overpower ranks and cheating items called ancient relics.
If I manage to gain a few representative cheating abilities of the race in the meantime, the job will become even easier.
“It is also the summer vacation period, so there is an overflow of time.”
Everything is falling exactly into place.
“The only thing left is….”
The only problem remaining might be how to acquire the ancient relics.
But probably this won’t be a problem either.
Uoong-!
Just then, the phone vibrated.
[Yu Hwa]
It was a message from Yu Hwa.
A smile crept upon my lips.
[Seo-yul, are you ready? The Project Mystery starts tomorrow.]
Project Mystery.
Mystery is a word created by taking one letter each from Shinwa and Bihon.
No, besides that.
[Has the government already given permission?]
[Of course. It’s someone’s favor, they have to do it.]
I can vividly imagine Yu Hwa with a fox-like smile.
[Just kidding, they accepted it because it benefits them as well.]
[I see.]
The one gaining the biggest advantage from Project Mystery is none other than the government.
Rejecting this proposal would be a foolish act.
Considering that, the permission came too fast.
I don’t know why the usually slow government acted so quickly this time.
It must be because of the large influence of the Bihon and Shinwa groups.
[Anyway, we plan to release the article immediately tomorrow and start construction. As planned, unnie will take charge of the construction.]
A joint project of Mystery with Maiden, Yu Hwa, and Jia.
[Unnie said to look forward to it. That it will be turned into an amazing museum.]
The selected project name ‘Mystery’ will be the name given to the newly established museum.
[Please convey that the content is more important than the appearance.]
[Ask them to stuff it full of ancient relics.]
It is a museum to exhibit those ancient relics.
< Chapter 136: Progress (3) > End
