Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Sillan (8)
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'... Seo Yu-ju?'
I couldn't wrap my head around it. Why was Seo Yu-ju here?
Sure, she was investigating too, so it wasn't impossible for her to be here. But that wasn't why I was flustered.
'Why is she dressed like that...'
Seo Yu-ju had spotted me too and frozen in place, unable to move.
It had to be just as shocking for her. She was wearing the exact same bunny girl outfit as the other waitresses here.
After standing stiff for a long moment, she finally noticed her own clothes and her face turned beet red.
'Damn... what the hell do I do?'
I had no idea what to say in a situation like this.
The venue made it impossible to call out loudly, but ignoring her felt awkward too.
Wi Hoyeon had recognized her as well, his eyes widening in surprise.
He probably never expected to run into Seo Yu-ju here, of all places—and dressed like that.
'The outfit... must be for the investigation?'
She must have disguised herself as a waitress.
I had no clue how she'd gotten in, but as a regressor, she'd likely used some method she knew from before.
In the frozen moment, Seo Yu-ju hesitated before approaching us.
"Um... g-guest... d-do you happen to..."
"......"
"Uh..."
"Hold on..."
"Ah...!"
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to a spot with as few people as possible.
I had no idea where to even start questioning her, but I opened my mouth anyway.
"... Why the hell are you here, Yu-ju?"
Even to my question, Seo Yu-ju kept her head down, face still flushed red.
She seemed utterly mortified by the whole situation.
"W-well... I was investigating and... found out about this place..."
"Ah..."
"M-more importantly, why are you and Hoyeon here?"
Fair enough. Just like we hadn't expected to see her here, she probably hadn't anticipated running into us.
"... It's a long story. We're in the same boat as you—ended up here during the investigation. But we planned roles ahead of time..."
"Roles?"
"Yeah. Figured disguising our identities would be best for poking around a casino. I'm posing as a young noble scion, and Hoyeon's my bodyguard."
"Oh... I-I see. That's why you looked different in your outfits..."
"... Clan Master, are you also disguised? Is that why your outfit's different?"
'Goddamn it... this clueless woman...'
I'd deliberately avoided mentioning her clothes, but Wi Hoyeon had to blurt it out.
Seo Yu-ju probably wanted to gloss over her outfit quietly, but now her already red face looked ready to burst.
If I were her, I'd want to bolt from the situation too.
"Y-yeah, that's right... I-I had to for the investigation! Had to disguise as a waitress...!"
She stammered desperately, and it was painful to watch.
"S-so...! It's not like I like wearing this or anything! Don't get the wrong idea! Not you either, Yun-seong..."
"I get it. No misunderstandings here. Don't worry."
"... G-good..."
"....."
"...."
'This is so awkward... damn it.'
The awkwardness was bad enough, but the real issue was Seo Yu-ju standing right in front of me in that outfit—I had no clue where to look.
"... Anyway, we're planning to keep investigating like this. Have you found anything out, Yu-ju?"
"... A little. The group running this casino seems connected to the ones distributing the drugs. No hard proof yet... but I suspect ties to the Red Ant Clan entrenched in this city."
'Red Ant Clan...'
If Seo Yu-ju was mentioning them, the odds were high they were involved somehow.
But one thing bothered me...
'The Red Ant Clan is mid-tier. Not even large-scale, yet wielding this much influence in the shadows?'
Not impossible, but I suspected they had backers.
'A mid-tier clan wouldn't have the bandwidth to pull all this off alone.'
"Have you two uncovered anything?"
"Not much yet. We've made it to this VIP casino, though, and since it's so secretive, we're suspecting drugs get distributed here."
"Ah..."
"Glanced around... lots of rich types. If I were a dealer, I'd approach a few here to make sales."
"I see... So you and Hoyeon plan to keep coming as guests?"
"Yeah, no solid evidence yet."
Truth be told... I had no real confidence casinos and drugs were linked just from hanging around. But Seo Yu-ju infiltrating as a waitress confirmed this place was key.
"For now, Hoyeon and I will scout around. What about you?"
"Ah... I'll keep digging as a waitress."
"Got it. Then..."
With that, we wrapped up. Wi Hoyeon and I resumed as guests, while Seo Yu-ju played her waitress role.
The game I joined this time was blackjack.
About an hour in, casually playing to get a feel, something unexpected happened.
Here, you could pay extra to have a girl sit with you during games.
I had zero intention of paying for that, so I figured it didn't concern me...
"Oho, this young lord's got himself a pretty one, eh?"
The guy playing next to me eyed Wi Hoyeon with gleaming, predatory eyes.
"Paid to bring her along?"
'Fucking creep...'
"Nah, just my bodyguard."
"Ah, got it. Seeing you makes my spot next to you feel empty. Hey!"
By sheer coincidence, the person he called over was Seo Yu-ju passing by.
She responded to the call with a dazed look.
"... Yes?"
"None of that 'yes' crap. Get over here. I'll pay, so sit by me."
"Ah... um, that's..."
She'd spotted us playing with this guy and froze in panic.
Even I had no idea how to handle this, so we were both flustered.
"Alright, let's start the next round."
As the game restarted, the guy started chatting me up.
Thankfully, he just kept Seo Yu-ju sitting beside him—no funny business.
"Where you from, young lord?"
"... A ways from here."
"You look like noble stock... Am I right?"
"... That obvious?"
'This asshole... why's he so damn chatty?'
A quick check of his status window showed average player stats. How the hell was a guy like this even here?
'Is he... Red Ant Clan?'
If the casino was tied to them, they'd surely have people inside.
If this guy was one... he might be a dealer.
'Then what I need to do is... appeal to him.'
"Heard there was fun to be had here, but it's underwhelming. Can't see much difference from the upstairs casino..."
"Haha... That's 'cause you don't know this place. So much to enjoy."
"You mean gambling? Did plenty upstairs—I'm bored of it."
'Come on, say something. Gambling's not all there is, right?'
"Hmm..."
He pondered briefly, then leaned in to whisper.
I grimaced at the feel of this bastard's breath on my ear but held it in.
"Hey, young lord... ever heard of drugs?"
'Jackpot.'
I nearly grinned. Never dreamed I'd find the link I'd been chasing just one day in.
This being VIP-only made entry tough, but once inside, these offers came easy.
"Drugs?"
"Stuff that makes you feel incredible. Pleasure beyond anything else."
'Dumbass. Spilling it all without me asking.'
He was volunteering the noose for his own neck—almost laughable.
"That exists? Gotta be pricey, right?"
"Nah, affordable. Pricier than regular stuff, sure, but pocket change for a noble like you."
Classic dealer pitch. They start cheap or free.
Attitude flips 180 once you're hooked.
"Oho..."
I feigned wide-eyed excitement, and he eagerly pushed.
"What do you say? Say the word, I'll hook you up with a seller. Wait—no, after this game's done, I can share some of mine. Wanna try today?"
'Problem...'
I was here to catch dealers, not sample the goods.
But refusing might make him suspicious or go underground.
'And... why so pushy? Desperate to offload?'
Drug sales were supposed to be cautious. This eagerness raised flags.
'... Something's up?'
Seemed like circumstances I didn't know about.
'No, not now... focus. How do I respond?'
Dragging it out would breed suspicion.
Best to reply quick to these offers.
"Sure. Can't pass up something that good."
"Heh... smart choice."
"By the way... that girl over there's caught my eye. I'll cover her fee—mind if I borrow her?"
The one flustered wasn't him—it was Seo Yu-ju.
Maybe from hearing it first, or how it sounded like I wanted her specifically, but her face burned as she bowed her head.
'Not like that. Shit... don't misunderstand, damn it...'
I worried she'd get the wrong idea, but no choice. I had to brief her before my next move.
"Haha... Didn't peg you for a ladies' man, young lord. Fine. Pay up, she's yours."
"Thanks. Mind if I take her to the restroom quick? Be right back."
Seo Yu-ju's pupils shook like an earthquake.
"Haha... have fun."
'Fuck...'
I hurriedly dragged Seo Yu-ju and Wi Hoyeon near the restrooms. After scanning for eavesdroppers, I spoke to her.
"Yu-ju."
"Y-yes?! I-I'm not... ready, the place isn't..."
'What the hell are you thinking, you crazy woman?! That's not it!'