Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Spy (2)
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"How much to go to Denbara?"
"100 gold."
Crazy...
I was currently using the warp point to head to the Myth Clan. Since I'd snuck out alone, I couldn't take a carriage, so I had no choice but to use the warp point.
The insane fee nearly had me cursing up a storm, but I had no other options.
Back at the clan house, I'd left a duplicate of myself made from replica clay.
I'd been nervous about getting caught, but since even Wi Ho-yeon hadn't noticed anything off, it seemed like I was in the clear.
The problem is... after seven days.
After seven days, my duplicate would automatically revert to clay. In other words, once the time was up, the clan members would find out for sure.
There was no guarantee I'd resolve things before then, and honestly, I'd steeled myself for Seo Yu-ju's wrath when I did this.
I'd done it fully expecting to get caught.
From my perspective, I had no choice—she wouldn't give me permission. And I couldn't just sit back and let Yun Yeon die while the Myth Clan crumbled.
Still, using the warp point sure is ridiculously fast.
The convenience and speed were incomparable to a carriage.
Not long after arriving in the city called Denbara, the Myth Clan's house came into view.
...It's pretty sleek.
Given Yun Yeon's personality, I hadn't expected the clan house to be gaudy or over-the-top, but the building's exterior did look impeccably clean.
As I approached the clan house, a guard stepped forward to block my path and questioned me.
"...Who might you be? Do you have business with our clan?"
"...I'm Lee Yun-seong from the Eternity Clan. I'd like to meet the Myth Clan Master. Could you pass the message along?"
"Eternity Clan...? Did you make an appointment in advance?"
"No."
"...Please wait here a moment."
With that, the man left. After about ten minutes, he returned and spoke to me.
"...Follow me."
"Yes, understood."
At least they hadn't turned me away outright.
Honestly, showing up unannounced like this was somewhat rude, so I'd been worried, but it turned out fine.
"Just go through this door."
"Thank you for guiding me."
Thankfully, they hadn't called me to a bedroom like back at the training facility.
Yun Yeon was in what looked like an office, seated with a woman who appeared to be her adjutant.
"Hmm... Nice to see you, anyway. No idea what brings you here, though."
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced, Myth Clan Master."
"Eh, skip the apologies. If you're showing up out of the blue like this... something must be up, right?"
"...Thank you for thinking that way."
"More importantly, what's this about?"
I shot a glance at the adjutant-like woman before answering.
"...Could we speak alone? It's rather important."
"...Hmm..."
It was best if this conversation stayed between just the two of us.
Yun Yeon pondered for a moment before addressing the woman.
"...Step out for a bit."
"...Unnie, you sure you're okay?"
"Who's worrying about who here? Just go."
"Got it, unnie."
Click.
Once the adjutant left, Yun Yeon spoke up.
"So... did you come asking for help? About that thing from last time?"
"No, not that."
"Can't guess. Oh! And thanks for the letter you sent. It really helped our clan out. We might've taken a big hit otherwise."
She was probably referring to my advice to sell off that rare-grade item.
"Anyway, what's the point? If you need help, just say it. I've got something to repay, so I'll help however I can."
She seemed convinced I'd come begging for assistance.
"No. The reason I came here—specifically to the Myth Clan—is to help you."
"...Help us?"
"Yes."
"Intriguing. Never saw that coming."
She crossed her legs, her expression showing genuine interest.
Ha...
Truth be told, I was a bit tense. I had no idea how she'd take what I was about to say.
She might even get furious, so I swallowed hard and opened my mouth.
"...Please hear me out calmly first. There's a spy from the Outlaws in the Myth Clan."
The air in the room grew heavy the moment the words left my lips.
Damn it... I said to stay calm...
"...Ha. Do you even know what you're saying right now?"
Fuck... Can't... breathe...
Breathing was getting tough. My combat prowess was low to begin with, so Yun Yeon's pressure was overwhelming.
"...C-Calm down a bit..."
At my words, she reined in her aura, and I could finally breathe again.
"...Huff..."
"...You'd better take responsibility for what you just said. Words like that can't be taken back, and you know it."
Damn...
Of course I couldn't provide concrete proof. How was I supposed to prove it without evidence?
What I need to do now is make it look good... and fabricate some evidence.
"First off... you know we found the Library of Records in our clan recently."
"Yeah, I read the raid log. But what does that have to do with what you're claiming now?"
This was where I had to convince her as best I could.
"It's not in the raid log since it's unrelated, but right after we left the library, we were ambushed by Outlaws."
"...Go on."
"We won the fight, thankfully. During the interrogation, we got some unexpected info. One of them let slip something weird."
"..."
"He said they were targeting the Myth Clan."
"...If this is a joke, it's not funny. Doesn't sound like one, though."
The interrogation was a lie, but the ambush was true.
She'd probably check with the coachman we hired. He'd confirm the Outlaws attacked, and even if Yun Yeon wouldn't believe me 100%, she couldn't dismiss it entirely.
She knows I wouldn't lie about this for no gain anyway.
There was zero reason for me to come to the Myth Clan in person and spin such a tale.
Yun Yeon knew that too, which was why she was listening quietly.
"I asked him what he meant, and he said he didn't know the details, but they'd planted a spy inside the Myth Clan. He mentioned setting a trap for your upcoming expedition. That's all the info I have."
"..."
Yun Yeon's face was stone-cold. No one would be happy hearing there was an Outlaw spy in their own clan.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"...So? Even if that's true, why tell me?"
Of course, no one gives favors for free. Her skepticism was natural.
Damn... The issue is I really am not doing this for personal gain...
Given her personality, if I asked for nothing, she'd suspect it even more.
No, actually, this works out perfectly.
"...You know my abilities. I'll help you uncover the spy. In return... if I'm right and we do find one, I'd like our clans—the Eternity Clan and Myth Clan—to form an alliance."
I'm gonna get an earful when I get back.
As a regular clan member and not the master, pushing for an alliance without consulting anyone was overstepping big time. Even begging on my knees wouldn't save me from Seo Yu-ju.
Fuck it. Might as well see it through since I started this.
There was no turning back now anyway.
"...An alliance, huh..."
An alliance between one of the three major clans representing the neutral nation and a fallen one like Eternity. We'd climbed back a bit thanks to the library incident, but it was still no small gap.
But it wasn't a bad deal for Yun Yeon. She knew Eternity's potential, and with me offering this much help, it was valuable enough.
"...Fine. If it's true and we uncover a spy, we'll do it. But if you're lying, you'll answer for your words."
"Of course."
"Then tell me this: you said you'd help uncover the spy. How exactly?"
"Ah... On that note, I have a question. Do you have any scheduled expeditions coming up?"
"Hmm... Nothing set in stone yet... but yeah, there's some talk about one."
"In that case, I'd like the participant list. Oh, and of course, I'll sign a nondisclosure agreement."
At the mention of an NDA, she paused before responding.
"...You're serious?"
"Yes. I hope you see how committed I am."
"...Got it. But then, where do you plan to stay? You expecting to crash here with us?"
"...Yes."
She gave me a dubious look.
"...Just to check, you did tell the Eternity Clan about this, right?"
"......"
"You crazy bastard... You came here on your own?"
"Well..."
"...Hey, you lunatic! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"...They'll understand."
It sounded carefree even to me. Anyone hearing it would be floored.
"Ha... Whatever, I don't know... You madman..."
I couldn't even deny being called a madman.
Damn... What was I supposed to do? There's no time...
If I'd had more leeway, things might've been different, but with no clue when Yun Yeon might die, I couldn't afford to dawdle. I didn't want to handle it this sloppily either.
Damn... If it were like before, I'd have prepared properly...
The world doesn't always bend to my will.
"Oh, and one more thing—please don't tell your clan members about the spy. Just make up some excuse for why I'm staying here."
"That's obvious. What do you take me for?"
"...Just in case."
"...Hey, when did you get so bold? Not complaining, just... it's weird. You never talked to me like this before. Doesn't bother me, though..."
...Yeah, she would notice.
I was aware of it myself. The scenes from the Library of Records must've affected me somehow.
I'm a newbie, and she's the master of a major clan. Our positions are worlds apart, so brazenly marching in and talking like this would've been unthinkable normally.
...Not that it's a bad thing. Better than sitting on my hands and letting shit hit the fan.
From her side, my sudden boldness from someone usually so cautious would feel off.
"...I just think we need to catch the spy as soon as possible, since we don't know when they'll move."
"...How do you plan to do that?"
"First... I'll check with my Unique Trait. Then, for anyone suspicious, I'll attach a chimera to them."
"...That chimera from before? Didn't it get destroyed?"
"Of course I made a new one."
"Ah..."