Chapter 79

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 79

Chapter Title: Spy (3)

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After staying at the Myth Clan for about five days and checking people's status windows, I still hadn't found anyone particularly suspicious of being a spy.

'Well... I didn't expect to spot one in such a short time anyway.'

Of course, not all Myth Clan members were currently at the clan house, so there was no need to rush. I had to investigate slowly and carefully.

'A party is supposed to return tomorrow, right?'

From what Yun Yeon had told me, one of the parties out on missions was due back tomorrow.

'I can't attach a chimera to every single one of them, and if luck's not on my side, this could drag on forever...'

Investigating every member of the massive Myth Clan was an absurd idea. The best approach was to spot anything odd in their status windows first, then attach a chimera only to suspects. That way, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I wouldn't waste time unnecessarily.

'And... I need to send that letter.'

The duplicate clay lasts a maximum of seven days. I had to write a letter explaining my situation to the clan. Otherwise, there'd be hell to break loose.

For now, I decided not to mention hunting for a spy in the Myth Clan. It wouldn't make sense for someone like me—who wasn't a regressor—to know about a spy in advance.

'Something vague like... I came regarding an alliance with the Myth Clan should do.'

Of course, Seo Yu-ju wasn't an idiot; she'd grill me later on how the alliance came about. But there was no helping it. Hiding everything from her was impossible anyway.

I'd even considered coming clean about seeing records from the first round, but I just didn't have the guts.

'Telling her I saw the first round's records would force us into a deep relationship.'

Given that our connection in the first round clearly wasn't just casual, confessing that would inevitably pull us closer. I couldn't risk it.

'Anyway, the letter's all written.'

Once I sent it off, the clan probably wouldn't worry too much.

'Probably... but...'

More pressingly, I wondered if there was really just one spy.

'There could be several, and there's a high chance at least one executive is involved.'

It didn't make sense for a regular clan member to be the spy and lead to the scene I'd witnessed. I was pretty sure one of the Myth Clan's executives was dirty.

I'd tailed the woman who seemed to be Yun Yeon's aide for a bit, suspecting her, but nothing suspicious so far.

'Only five days in. Too early to judge.'

Two days later, the clan house buzzed with activity. The day had come for the party that had been out to return.

Sure enough, I spotted them entering the clan house. The man at the front greeted Yun Yeon, who had come out to welcome them.

"Clan Master, we're back. You didn't need to come out to greet us..."

"No, good work out there."

'This is... Myth Clan's Party 3. The guy in front must be the leader.'

He had a handsome face overall, the kind that screamed top student back on Earth. A classic elite look.

I checked the man's status window.

'...Well, now.'

The titles and traits jumped out at me. The titles looked off, but the unique traits were the real issue.

'Hearing through walls?'

Traits perfectly suited for spying.

Of course, I couldn't conclude he was the spy just from titles and traits, but he was a strong suspect.

Judging by his stats and demeanor, he was definitely an executive, so he'd know key clan intel. Plus, with those traits, he'd likely access info beyond his clearance for gathering purposes.

I checked the status windows of the people behind him too, but nothing stood out.

"By the way, Clan Master, who's this...?"

"Ah, a guest from the Eternity Clan."

The guy extended a hand toward me after hearing Yun Yeon.

"Ah... I see. Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Ju-tae, leader of Myth Clan's Party 3."

"...Nice to meet you too. I'm Lee Yun-seong from the Eternity Clan."

"...From the Eternity Clan, huh. So, what brings you to our clan house...?"

"Ah, I have some business to discuss with the Myth Clan Master, so I'll be staying for a while."

I couldn't exactly say I was here to catch a spy in your clan, so I bullshitted politely.

Yun Yeon chimed in from the side.

"We've gotten some help from the Eternity Clan lately, so..."

"I see."

"Anyway, that's the gist. You must be tired—go rest up."

"Got it. We'll head in then."

'For now, I'll put him under surveillance.'

Shin Ju-tae was the prime suspect, so attaching a chimera made sense.

As he brushed past, he glanced at me briefly before leaving.

'...Did he sense something?'

Probably not the chimera—his look wasn't like that. More like he found it odd that I'd be sticking around long-term.

No matter how you spun the "business" excuse, normal negotiations wrapped in a day. Long stays like this were rare, so it wasn't unreasonable for him to be suspicious.

Rumors were already swirling in the Myth Clan for the same reason. I'd overheard whispers about me and Yun Yeon being lovers or some nonsense.

Yun Yeon knew about it too, but neither of us bothered correcting the misunderstanding. With a spy to catch, it was actually better this way.

I figured Shin Ju-tae was probably thinking the same.

After greeting the returning members, Yun Yeon and I were alone in her office.

She spoke first.

"So... why'd you suddenly give me that look earlier?"

"...It's not confirmed, but a suspect just showed up."

"...Timing like this means you spotted something from those clan members, right?"

'Sharp as ever.'

"Yes."

"Ha... When you said there was a spy in my clan, it hit hard, so I double-checked the Lawless attack. You're right—it lines up. I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence is undeniable."

That was one ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Yun Yeon's strengths. Despite her status, she didn't dismiss my words as bullshit; she verified and trusted accordingly.

"So, what'd you find?"

"Like I said, nothing confirmed. But... I felt something off in Shin Ju-tae's status window..."

"Wait, Shin Ju-tae? He's a suspect?"

Yun Yeon looked shocked, like the idea had never crossed her mind.

"...Yes. Is he a close aide?"

"...We've known each other a long time. One of my most trusted subordinates."

'This is bad.'

I'd hoped otherwise, but if she denied or resisted, I'd be in a tough spot.

"Calm down first. I said it's not confirmed. Here—I'll write down Shin Ju-tae's status window."

Like at Jeon Gyeon-baek's mansion before, showing it written out was fastest. I took paper, jotted it down, and handed it over.

Her expression hardened as she read.

"....."

"As you can see... the titles and unique traits stand out, so I figured he's worth investigating. Actually, I've already started."

"...What?"

"I attached a chimera to Shin Ju-tae earlier."

"...You're quick. I'll give you that."

"...Thanks. Oh, one more question."

"Shoot."

"Last time I asked about the expedition. If I recall, no concrete plans yet—just some ideas floated. Was Shin Ju-tae the one who suggested it?"

"...Yeah."

'That... raises his odds a lot.'

I didn't know the exact timing of the library scene, so I couldn't be sure his suggestion led to it.

Still, the possibility was undeniable.

"Is there a set date?"

"...Just an idea so far. Someone mentioned a dungeon-like spot..."

'We have some breathing room, then. Good.'

If the scene I'd seen stemmed from that expedition, having time before the next one was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a relief.

My underlying anxiety started to ease.

"One more thing... might be rude, but can I ask? Skip it if it's too personal."

"Go ahead."

"You said you attached a chimera. How exactly does it work? How do you expose a spy with it? I get it's for intel gathering, but I'm curious."

'Hmm...'

She already suspected its purpose, so being open seemed fine.

'Not thrilled about showing all my cards, but no choice.'

She knew more about me than my own clanmates—my status window, chimeras, unique trait.

I'd shared because she'd never threatened or pressured me despite knowing my trait, seemed friendly, and that library scene sealed it.

"Think of it like this: it tails the target undetected and records surrounding sounds."

"No combat ability at all? Or did you strip combat for pure surveillance?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Unique idea."

"Well... my combat growth has clear limits anyway. So I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠focused elsewhere."

"Hmm... One more?"

"Ask away."

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"...Pardon?"

"I don't get it. Why so favorable toward me? No, I don't mean you're up to no good. I just really don't know why."

"......."

I couldn't spill first-round details, so a vague dodge it was.

"...Just want to build goodwill with a top-tier powerhouse and her clan."

"Not very honest. Eh, I'll let it slide."

".....It's true."

"Just checking... you're not into me or anything, right?"

"...Begging your pardon, but are you weak?"

"Ahaha... Your reaction says no."

"That's delusion. See a doctor, seriously."

"Oh? Getting cocky, are we?"

"......"