Chapter 568
Chapter 568
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 568
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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〈 Chapter 568 〉
568. Academy's Savior
568. Academy's Savior
Playing around forever with all the women I desire cradled in my arms sounded great, but there were things I needed to take care of now for the sake of the future. Since I'd come to a time before the original story began, I had to squeeze out every possible benefit, right?
'The problem is I can't move around freely.'
As a child, I was getting all sorts of perks, but at the same time, I was under surveillance. I couldn't act recklessly.
What I needed was three nights and four days.
If I vanished without a word for that long, not only Sung Ha-ri but the Hero Association would come looking for me. After all, I'd been kidnapped by the Gumok Church a few years back.
'I need an alibi.'
Luckily, the timing worked out perfectly. It would be summer break by then.
'I'll say I'm staying at Lee Si-eun's place. If I get my story straight with Lee Si-eun and Han I-jeong, no one will suspect a thing. I'll use Mirror Tunnel to pop in and out occasionally...'
That would successfully fool both Sung Ha-ri and the Hero Association.
With my perfect plan in place, I donned my clown mask and tore a spatial transfer scroll.
There was something I needed to obtain.
???
I appeared in a small city in Italy and set off without hesitation.
People glanced at me curiously. It wasn't every day you saw a kid wearing a clown mask, after all.
My destination was a certain mansion.
The Andrey Family.
They were the local lords. On the surface, they dealt in food distribution, but their real business was black market trades—dealing in items that couldn't be obtained legally.
The masked me walked right up to the front gate. The guards in black suits eyed me warily. These weren't ordinary security; they were mafia. The Andrey Family had ties to a notorious mafia syndicate.
"Halt right there. What's a little clown like you doing here?"
A man in sunglasses approached, knife in hand. He was clearly suspicious if I was really just a kid. Good instincts.
But I couldn't understand his words. I didn't speak Italian. Instead, I replied in English.
"I'm here to see Luis Andrey."
Fortunately, he understood English.
"You want to see the boss? I wasn't told about any pint-sized guest like you."
"I don't have an appointment. We've never met before. Just tell him I'd like to do some business."
"Well, now... You seem to know what kind of business we're in... But you think the Andrey Family is so easygoing that we'll let just anyone waltz in without notice? At least take off that mask when you talk—it's basic manners, isn't it?"
"I don't plan on causing trouble with you lot. If you're watchdogs, then go bark to your master that a guest has arrived."
"Hah..."
The man glared at me with murderous intent. I really didn't want to start anything here. I was the one who needed something from them. If a fight broke out, the deal might fall through entirely. That would be a huge problem.
Besides, these guys were at least D-rank. If we fought purely hand-to-hand without pulling out any items, I'd probably lose.
"...The boss did say to inform him personally if any unusual guests showed up. You don't look ordinary at all, so I'll report you to him."
He spoke into his radio in rapid Italian.
Clank!
The front gate swung open.
"Come in. The boss will see you."
I walked past him without a word and entered the mansion grounds. A secretary was already waiting at the entrance. She led me to the study inside the mansion.
"I heard a little clown was coming, but I didn't expect an actual kid in a clown mask. So, what kind of deal are you here to make?"
He was a man in his early thirties with gray hair slicked back, wearing a brown suit and a monocle. His eyes were dark brown.
Luis Andrey.
The head of the Andrey Family.
I sat on the sofa.
"It's a deal that won't be bad for you either."
"Suspicious. Very suspicious."
Luis sat across from me, staring intently into my eyes as if trying to deduce my identity.
"Eastern Asian?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Your visible skin tone. Your eyes. And that distinct Eastern vibe. You're not a dwarf—the whole body's just young. Transformation magic? Or halted growth?"
"That curious about who I am?"
"Of course. It's been three years since anyone barged in on me like this. I'm all alone here. Won't you reveal yourself? For a deal, we should build some trust."
"We can still make a deal without knowing identities."
I had no intention of revealing myself. Luis wasn't trustworthy in the original story either. A mutual using-each-other arrangement was ideal.
"Passing up a chance to get friendly... Not wise."
"You're talking too much nonsense."
"What item do you want from me?"
"An invitation."
"Invitation? What kind?"
"You know damn well. I want an invitation to Harteng's party."
"Ah! An invitation to Harteng's party!"
He opened his mouth in mock surprise, then smirked at me.
"Do you know how valuable that is? You must have at least 100 million dollars on you, right?"
Harteng.
A famous figure in the underworld. He operated mainly in the US and was also nicknamed the Smuggling King.
But his true identity was a demon from the Third Legion—a duke by rank.
"You got the item?"
"Of course. It flew down from the sky right to me not long ago. If it had been a sword instead of a letter, that would've been my funeral."
He stood and pulled something from a drawer.
A black invitation stamped with geometric patterns emanated magical power.
"Harteng holds these parties irregularly every few years. Only a few hundred people get invited. This invitation allows you to bring one companion. Ah, but since you came for it, you probably know all that."
"I hear it has the time and place written on it."
"And without this, you can't attend the party."
"How much?"
"This is priceless. You name a price first."
I didn't flinch. I already knew he'd try to get me to bid first.
I pulled a prepared box from my inventory and placed it on the desk.
"Oh, subspace storage? If it's that item, it might even be worth trading for the invitation."
"Not selling it, so forget it."
"Tell me if you change your mind. I'll pay handsomely."
Luis opened the box. Inside were ten glass vials. He took one out and examined the green liquid within.
"What's this?"
"Hevil’s Accelerator. Plant a seed, sprinkle this on, and the plant grows in seconds."
"...Hoo. If that's true..."
Luis's eyes gleamed.
I could guess what was going through his head. He'd research this accelerator and mass-produce it.
This world had plants with special effects—finicky ones that were hard to cultivate. If he could grow them en masse instantly, he'd gain wealth and power effortlessly.
'If he can make Hevil’s Accelerator, that is.'
Luis fiddled with his monocle, which radiated mana. It had an appraisal ability.
He opened his mouth, now looking at me with far more seriousness.
"I've confirmed the item is genuine."
"Your tone changed."
"Once I realized you're a big shot, of course I'd adjust my attitude. Please forgive any prior rudeness."
"Doesn't matter. Is the deal on?"
"Yes. Please enjoy Harteng's party for my share too. I was planning to take my lover, so it's a bit disappointing."
Luis politely handed me the invitation.
I checked the contents. Time: midnight in five days. Location: upper Tiber River.
"One moment. May I ask a question?"
"What?"
"This accelerator—where did you get it?"
"Picked it up by chance in a dungeon."
"Hmm. I see."
Luis didn't seem to fully buy it but nodded anyway.
"I'm curious why you want Harteng's invitation, but I doubt I'd get a straight answer, so I won't ask. At least tell me your name?"
"...Red Light."
"Understood, Red Light-nim. Looking forward to our next deal."
He smiled and handed me his business card.
???
Thirty minutes before midnight, I arrived at the location on the invitation and scanned the surroundings. It wasn't near Rome, so it was pitch black. Especially tonight, with no moon, it was even darker.
'My goal is to kill Harteng.'
The grudge from my first playthrough, when the Demon King Mekin smashed the back of my head as the Fifth Legion Commander, hadn't faded. To kill him someday, I needed to eliminate the demons from his legion who'd become my enemies eventually.
'But I can't take Harteng down right now.'
If I tried, I'd just end up dead myself.
But I had the Playful Life app.
A maid appeared.
"It's an honor to see you, my... lord."
Yuria gracefully lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed, but she stammered mid-sentence. Not like her at all.
"Welcome, Yuria. I summoned you because I need your help. ...Yuria?"
Yuria wore a stunned expression.
"My apologies, Master. You look so unexpectedly young that I was a bit startled."
"Didn't you see me like this last time?"
"You seem even younger now. And I didn't get a good look at you then. What would you have me do?"
I explained the plan to her. She listened without interruption, fully grasping it before responding.
"We might need to use Limit Transcendence at some point."
"Yes. I've got my role down."
Yuria stepped forward and knelt down.
"Your clothes are disheveled. And they're not suitable for a party. We have about five minutes, so you might as well change."
"I don't have anything else. I'm not going to enjoy the party."
"It could raise suspicions. We need to blend in until the opportunity arises, so act as naturally as possible. I have clothes for you, Master."
A tuxedo for a party emerged from Yuria's shadow, floating in midair.
"No way that's for a kid."
"Like this."
She snapped her fingers. The tuxedo shrank to child size.
"Magic sure is convenient."
"It's not all-purpose. I prefer tailoring your clothes by hand, but time's short, so magic it is. Now, arms out, please."
I spread my arms. Yuria deftly removed my clothes. I stood still and let her.
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"If I may be so bold, could I hold you for a moment before you dress?"
"A hug? Sure, why not."
"Thank you."
Yuria wrapped her arms tightly around me. I felt the soft curves of her body pressing against me everywhere. She smelled amazing too. Just as my dick started to stir, she pulled away. With slightly flushed cheeks, she smiled contentedly.
Then she dressed me in the tuxedo.
"Anywhere uncomfortable?"
"Nah, fits great."
"It suits you perfectly."
"Thanks, Yuria sis."
"......!!"
Yuria's eyes went wide. I chuckled at her reaction.
Midnight struck.
An old ferryboat descended from the dark clouds onto the ground. Yuria and I quickly donned our masks. Mine was the clown one; hers was plain. Exposing my identity would complicate things. Masks were essential.
The pale-faced man on the boat bowed toward me.
"I'm Harteng-nim's coachman. Here to escort you. May I see your party invitation?"
"Here."
He scanned it with lifeless eyes and handed it back.
"Verified. Please board. I'll get you to the venue safely and swiftly."