Argos's Eye
"Hmmm!"
Yohan narrowed his eyes, peering at the man standing before him.
A man in a red hood and red monk's robes, his face masked up to the nose.
It was Joshua, Yohan's trusted confidant and the heretic inquisitor.
Another moniker for him was Swift Joshua.
As fast as lightning, as elusive as a goblin.
That was why Yohan relied on him the most.
Someone strong and fast was that useful, after all.
Yohan tapped the table with his fingers as he spoke.
"You're not the type to lie to me, are you...?"
"......"
"Tajik wandered the desert and ended up as sandworm chow? You're telling me this unbelievable story is true."
Yohan's face hardened menacingly.
Instead, his small eyes gleamed coldly behind his glasses.
He had met Tajik only once.
But even from that single encounter, Yohan knew Tajik was no pushover.
The man had the guts and ability to come calling on him alone.
For such a man to get lost in the desert and become sandworm food?
Not even a dog would buy that.
There had to be some hidden force at work.
Whether an individual or a group.
"What's Shaorun's reaction?"
"They're moving behind the scenes, but it seems they haven't uncovered anything yet."
"What's your take?"
"......"
"Of course. You don't judge. You just execute."
Yohan furrowed his brow deeply.
It had been a long time since he'd scowled like that.
There were few in Dongdaemun who could think properly under his rule.
Most judgments came from Yohan himself, with the rest merely acting as his hands and feet.
That was why unexpected situations like this took ages to counter effectively.
It was frustrating, but he couldn't change the system.
Yohan had no intention of sharing even a speck of his power with anyone.
Joshua stood silently, awaiting Yohan's orders.
Frustrating as Joshua's demeanor was, there was nothing for it now.
At Yohan's gesture, Joshua bowed his head and exited.
Left alone, Yohan approached the window.
"All this started after that bastard returned."
The "bastard" Yohan referred to was Zeon.
After Zeon came back, Goran, who ruled Shinchon, vanished into thin air, the Crocodile Den collapsed, and even Tajik—who had taken an interest in Zeon—met an absurd end.
"Coincidence? No way. That bastard must be involved in Tajik's death somehow."
It wasn't mere speculation; it was conviction.
Yohan had awakened through divine revelation.
As a servant of God, his senses were sharper and more acute than anyone's.
From the moment he first laid eyes on Zeon, he'd felt an ominous premonition.
Zeon was that prickly of an existence.
"If he really took out Tajik, normal methods won't work."
Of course, mobilizing Dongdaemun's full forces could probably eliminate Zeon.
Dongdaemun was crawling with fanatics loyal to him like grains of sand.
Especially the berserkers he'd personally trained—their power was formidable. But he couldn't deploy them recklessly.
The moment they moved, Neo Seoul's power players would take notice.
Spreading God's gospel across Neo Seoul was his dream, but the time wasn't ripe.
He needed to build more strength.
At minimum, he had to swallow the entire slums before eyeing Neo Seoul.
Until then, he had to minimize any drain on his forces.
His gaze drifted to the table.
Documents detailing Zeon's activities lay scattered there.
But they only covered a fraction.
He hadn't uncovered anything about Zeon's time in the desert.
All he had were the reasons Zeon left Neo Seoul and his movements since returning.
That was why he'd dismissed it until now.
Zeon seemed utterly useless.
But today, one name jumped out vividly.
"Lee Ji-ryeong? No way—the Lee Ji-ryeong I know?"
＊＊＊
Zeon stared blankly out the window.
All he could see were garish red neon signs and the barren slum landscape beyond. Still, he didn't avert his gaze.
Right now, he didn't want to do anything.
He just savored this empty moment.
But his peace didn't last long.
"Ta-da!"
Briel burst through the door.
Her arms, spread wide, clutched bags stuffed with unidentifiable items.
It was astonishing she'd crossed the slums safely lugging all that.
There must have been plenty eyeing her.
"You carried all that yourself?"
"Levin helped."
More precisely, Levin's friends had hauled it over.
Zeon nodded at the mention of Levin.
"Got it. So what's all that?"
"Materials for my next experiment."
"Don't tell me you bought those on my tab too."
"Hmph! I earned the money myself. Who do you think I am, some freeloader?"
"You earned it? How?"
"Doesn't matter. Don't pry too deep—you'll get hurt."
Briel snorted and dumped the bags on the floor.
Zeon sensed his peaceful time was over.
With that many materials, she'd trash the house experimenting again for sure.
"Ever thought about going independent?"
"Why? I love this place. It's safe, electricity's unlimited. Where else in the slums has all that?"
"......"
Zeon was speechless at Briel's shamelessness.
Are all high elves that brazen by nature?
Briel was already unpacking, turning the house upside down.
Just watching made Zeon's head spin.
He shook his head and threw on some clothes.
Time to head out anyway.
Staying cooped up too long had left his joints stiff.
Out on the street, Zeon glanced around before heading toward the row of eateries.
His destination was Clexy's stall.
As expected, the old man was there.
Spotting Zeon, a glint lit up Clexy's eyes.
"Long time no see."
"How's the body holding up?"
"Not great. Being trapped in that death coffin for so long drained me."
"Surviving after losing that much vitality is a miracle. Must've eaten well all these years..."
"Try getting old yourself. You start chasing anything that's good for you."
"Glad you hung in there somehow."
"Thanks are overdue. Appreciate it—you brought me back alive."
"No big deal. I got paid for it."
"Heard you played a big part in my rescue. I'll repay that debt."
Clexy was notoriously greedy for cash, but he always settled scores properly.
Especially when it came to saving his life—Zeon had earned special regard.
Zeon changed the subject.
"Being stuck in that stone coffin didn't rust your cooking skills, right?"
"As if. Hold on—I'll whip something up quick."
Clexy took his place at the stove and got to work.
Zeon scanned the surroundings while waiting.
The merchants' wary stares had softened considerably.
They knew he'd saved their boss, Clexy.
Zeon waited more comfortably for his food.
"Dig in."
Soon, Clexy set down a steaming plate of fried rice.
Cultured meat stir-fried with spices—the aroma alone was mind-melting.
Zeon grabbed his spoon and dove in.
Clexy watched with a pleased smile.
Zeon devoured it with genuine relish.
As if struck by a thought, Clexy spoke up.
"Heard Tajik's dead."
"Is that so?"
"Slippery bastard. Sharp as a tack, which made him a headache. But he got bewitched or something—wandered the desert and became sandworm food."
"Huh..."
"World's full of weird shit. Some things defy common sense. This feels like one."
"Goes to show anything can happen."
"Anyway, with Tajik gone, Shaorun won't pay the slums much mind for a while."
"Good for us."
Zeon mumbled into his bowl.
Clexy eyed him with deep, sunken gaze.
"Se-hee’s my granddaughter."
"I know."
"She runs everything but one of my businesses. If you need help, ask her. She'll handle most requests."
"Thought you handed it all over. Why not retire easy?"
"Hand over the last piece and what's left for me? Besides, she's not ready for that yet. Needs more tempering, expanding."
"You're strict."
"Family demands it. Lose the business in a blink if you're not."
"Sure, sure."
Zeon shook his head with a can't-win expression. But Clexy remained cautious.
"Not curious?"
"About what?"
"The last business I haven't given her."
"Kinda, yeah. You gonna tell me if I ask?"
"For you? Yeah."
"Alright then. What's this precious holdout?"
"Argos's Eye."
"What? Ar...?"
"Argos. The monster from myth with a hundred eyes."
"Hundred eyes—information network, right?"
"Sharp as ever."
Clexy looked impressed.
Zeon shrugged it off.
"With hints like that, who'd miss it?"
"You're the weird one for catching it instantly."
"Anyway, why Argos's Eye?"
"Use it anytime you need info."
"Whoa!"
Zeon let out a real exclamation of admiration.
He knew better than anyone how valuable information was.
He had no idea the extent of Argos's Eye's reach, but it surely illuminated the slums' underbelly.
Just knowing how the slums ticked would hugely aid his future moves.
Clexy called out.
"Will!"
"Yes!"
A hulking man in a bloodstained apron approached.
"Will runs the butcher shop at the market entrance. Ask him for anything—he'll get it."
"Nice to meet you properly, Will! We've crossed paths a few times, right?"
Zeon waved lightly.
Will's shop was unavoidable en route to Clexy's stall, so they'd nodded hellos before.
Will bowed his head.
"Yes, sir."
"Looking forward to working with you."
"Come by the shop anytime you need something."
"Thanks."
"No—thank you. For saving the old man."
Will bowed deeply in gratitude.
Zeon smiled awkwardly, saying nothing.