Chapter 13
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Killing Two Birds with One Stone (2)
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At my sudden proposal, Yuhwa's eyes sharpened as she sank into thought.
Her mind must be racing.
Truthfully, my mind was just as chaotic.
This unexpected meeting with Yuhwa would likely change the future drastically.
I might be shattering my own advantagemy knowledge of the novel's plotwith my own hands.
But I was certain.
This was the best path.
Trying to perfectly control every aspect of the future is arrogance.
It's impossible, even with knowledge of what's to come.
Just as a butterfly's small flutter can turn into a typhoon on the other side of the world.
No matter what I prepared or how, the future would surely change in ways I couldn't predict.
This very doppelgnger incident was a prime example.
The mere fact that my ability had changed had completely twisted the story.
This novel had already begun to diverge from the original.
And the changes would only accelerate.
That's why I had made my decision.
Instead of hesitating, fearing how the future might change, I chose to take the best possible action in the present.
...How can I believe you?
This contact with Yuhwa was the best choice for a better future.
That's what I believed.
Theres no way to prove it. I could be lying, or theres even the possibility that Im a doppelgnger myself.
...
Yuhwa's eyes narrowed even further.
Therefore, I have nothing more to say than the clich: please trust me.
The Bihon Guild massacre incident wasn't known to the media.
However, it had spread by word of mouth among the guilds to some extent.
If the Bihon Guild failed to handle this case, her position would be weakened.
...Is there really a doppelgnger inside this casino?
Yuhwa had no choice but to trust my words, like a drowning person grasping at straws.
Yes. There is.
I happened to spot him on my way to the VIP room.
He had the appearance of a benevolent middle-aged man, but he still had the doppelgnger's characteristic tic.
Of course, it was a minor habit that only I, having read the novel, would know.
...Even if what you say is true, how do we arrest him? Doppelgngers cant be caught by any detection methods or biometric scans.
Yuhwa bit her lip in frustration.
We just have to make him admit hes a doppelgnger with his own mouth.
You make it sound so easy.
There is a way.
A method only I, who knew the novel's plot, could use.
Theres no way such a method exists...
Five minutes.
I held up five fingers.
Ill get a confession out of him within five minutes. After that, Ill leave the task of dealing with the doppelgnger to you.
...
Still suspicious?
Yuhwa's emotionless gaze was fixed on me.
If you cant get a confession out of him in five minutes, the offer is off the table. Is that what youre saying?
Precisely.
And youll even give me the honor of taking him down?
Yes.
Yuhwa's brow furrowed.
She seemed annoyed that she couldn't read my thoughts.
Were running out of time. If we delay any longer, he might leave the casino.
In the end, Yuhwa had no choice but to accept my offer.
Since everything was stacked in the Bihon Guild's favor,
there was no way Yuhwa would refuse.
...And for the price, is the Ancient Artifact stored in our guild truly all you want?
Yes. Thats more than enough.
Our eyes met, and silence fell.
For about five seconds.
...Alright. I accept your offer. I have nothing to lose. No reason to refuse.
Yuhwa replied as if letting out a sigh.
An excellent choice.
I thought I would have to persuade her a bit more, but it was faster than I expected.
She seemed to be in more of a hurry than I'd realized.
Then Ill get right to it.
Whats your plan?
Ill leave this room right now, bring him back here, and then make him spit out the evidence that hes a doppelgnger with his own mouth.
...Youve been making it sound so easy from the start.
Because its not actually difficult.
Yuhwa tilted her head, her expression doubtful.
Anyway, Ms. Yuhwa, you just need to turn on the recording function of that pen and hide in this room. Thats your specialty, isnt it? Stealth.
Yuhwa's eyes widened slightly.
Stealth is one thing... but you even knew about the pen?
Thats basic.
I shrugged, playing it off coolly, and stood up.
Oh, and please make sure to erase our conversation.
If this is resolved successfully, I was planning to erase it without you having to ask.
Yuhwa's expression turned a bit dazed. It seemed her bewilderment was too great to maintain her poker face.
Well then, Ill be back.
Yes.
I left the VIP room.
And approached a man inside the casino.
Excuse me. Could I have a word with you?
And who are you?
The middle-aged man with a benevolent face, the doppelgnger, turned to me and tilted his head.
I brought my mouth close to his ear and whispered.
El Perze Enen Dorma.
...!
I had recited the secret code of the organization he belonged to.
The boss is waiting.
The man's eyes shot open.
Time to reel in the big fish.
***
Left alone in the VIP room, Yuhwa was thinking about Kang Seoyul.
The mysterious man she'd learned about while investigating Shin Jia.
His past was utterly ordinary, aside from the fact that he came from an orphanage.
Thats an ordinary twenty-year-old man?
Yuhwa scoffed.
His deep eyes seemed to see right through her.
His confident and persuasive way of speaking.
And even the subtle air of composure he exuded.
Far from ordinary, he was the very definition of extraordinary.
Ill need to investigate him further.
It was then that the door to the VIP room opened.
Already!
Yuhwa suppressed her presence even more.
The boss?
The middle-aged man who entered with Kang Seoyul asked, scanning the room.
Hes watching us from nearby.
Yuhwa's eyes sharpened.
Boss?
He had definitely said that.
That meant the doppelgnger belonged to a group.
...Hmph. Just like the boss.
It was a sneer that didn't match his benevolent appearance.
So, why did you call me here?
Kang Seoyul looked at the man with a cold, expressionless face.
Doppelgnger. Its a new mission.
A new mission? What about the academy?
Thats on hold for now.
Yuhwa's expression filled with shock. The doppelgnger was trying to infiltrate the academy?
Hmm. Well, fine. He must have his reasons.
The man scratched the back of his neck.
Has the target Im supposed to replace been decided yet?
Hmm.
Silence fell after those words.
Kang Seoyul didn't reply, and the man didn't ask anything further.
It was then.
Excuse me. Isnt this enough proof?
Kang Seoyul said casually.
...What are you talking about?
Ah.
Kang Seoyuls words brought Yuhwa back to her senses.
She had been so focused on the conversation that shed forgotten her purpose.
Sorry. I was spacing out.
Yuhwa released her stealth and walked out.
...Yuhwa? Why?
The man's eyes trembled.
Why? Because you fell for my trick, thats why.
Kang Seoyul shrugged and took a couple of steps back.
As promised, Ill leave the rest to you.
...Thank you.
Staring at the doppelgnger, Yuhwas expression twisted into a demonic mask.
You damn bastard. Youre dead.
With a harsh curse, Yuhwa's form vanished.
***
The doppelgnger was easily subdued by Yuhwa.
The doppelgnger's combat abilities were practically nonexistent compared to Yuhwa's, so there was no way it could block her attacks.
Hes still alive, right?
I asked, looking at the bound doppelgnger.
He looked like a ragged mess.
Of course.
Yuhwa looked at me with a peculiar expression.
Can I ask you one thing?
Go ahead.
How did you trick him?
Since I'd already talked about the boss with him, it would be hard to hide it completely.
I have no choice.
I used the name of the organization he belongs to as bait.
The organization he belongs to?
Yes. You probably know it too, Ms. Yuhwa. The Seekers of Truth.
Yuhwa's eyes widened in surprise.
The, the doppelgnger is a member of the Seekers of Truth?
Yes.
How did you...
She was asking how I knew such top-secret information.
My information network is quite exceptional.
I smiled leisurely.
No, but even if its exceptional...
Anyway, I kept my promise. So you should keep yours. Understood?
Ah, yes. Of course. Ill prepare to hand it over right away.
Good.
With this, I've acquired one Ancient Artifact.
Clean work. Id like it as soon as possible, please. Oh, and one more thing.
I glanced down at the doppelgnger.
As I said before, please keep it a secret that I helped with this case.
...Are you sure about that?
I nodded silently.
Then please take care of the rest.
Then I turned and waved.
Ah, wait!
See you next time.
Leaving Yuhwa's voice behind, I exited the VIP room.
Hurry! Before the other networks get here!
Yes, sir!
At the casino entrance, people who looked like broadcast station employees rushed past me.
***
Wednesday, 2:30 AM.
Breaking news. Today at approximately 11:23 PM, we have a report that the mysterious villain known as Doppelgnger has been apprehended.
Back at the guild, Yuhwa watched the news, looking completely drained.
Guild Master. Youve worked hard.
Yes. I have. The reporters are always the same.
Yuhwa replied weakly to her secretary, Kim Shinwoo.
...Id rather fight a disaster-class monster back-to-back.
Haha.
Kim Shinwoo gave a bitter laugh.
Still, the Bihon Guilds brand reputation has risen significantly because of this. Its all thanks to your insight, Guild Master. How you managed to find the doppelgnger there...
My insight?
Yuhwa let out a hollow laugh.
All she'd done was stop by the casino.
Is something wrong?
Its nothing.
What happened today was a secret between Kang Seoyul and Yuhwa.
I have a favor to ask.
Yes. Please tell me.
Do you remember Cadet Kang Seoyul from the Shin Jia report I gave you?
Yes.
Could you investigate that students past in more detail?
Kim Shinwoo tilted his head.
That cadet? Wasnt it confirmed that there were no issues, thanks to Instructor Pi Jinhos assertion?
Thats true, but I have a hunch about him.
Ah! I see! Understood.
Thank you. You can go home and rest for today. You can come in this afternoon.
Yes, understood. Please get some rest as well, Guild Master.
With that, the secretary left the Guild Masters office.
...Id like to rest, but I still have things to do.
Yuhwa let out a deep sigh and stood up.
She then left her office and made her way to the warehouse located in the guild's core.
It was to retrieve the Ancient Artifact she had promised to Kang Seoyul.
By the way, what does he plan to do with an antique like an Ancient Artifact?
He was a man who was a mystery from beginning to end.
***
Wednesday, 6:30 AM.
Knock, knock, knock
The sound of someone knocking on the door woke me up.
I'm dead tired, who could it be?
Knock, knock
I rubbed my sleepy eyes and walked to the door like a zombie.
Who is it?
I opened the door while yawning.
Quite carefree, arent you? While some of us were hounded by reporters and spent all night preparing this, without a wink of sleep.
Yuhwa was smiling menacingly. She looked utterly exhausted.
What brings you here at this hour...
Didnt you ask me to prepare it as soon as possible?
Yuhwa handed me a metal carrier case.
...Dont tell me this is.
Already?
Yes. Punctual work is my motto.
Yuhwa crossed her arms and boasted.
The Ancient Artifact you requested. The Gauntlet of the Ferocious Tiger.