Chapter 55
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Vagabond (1)
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That night.
Back home, I was lost in thought, stroking Geumho, who was curled up asleep on my lap.
[Why would Vagabond target the investigation team?]
I scribbled in my notebook, turning the thought over and over in my mind.
Unknown's goal is to completely analyze the transcendent entity known as the System.
To achieve that goal, he needs the MVP reward from the National Competition: the [Random Trait Alteration Ticket].
This is why Unknown is planning to attack the massive event that is the National Competition.
The National Competition is a gathering of all nations. Naturally, the security is incomparably tight.
Breaking through that security requires extensive preparation, and they're currently pouring all their manpower into it.
So for Unknown to pull one of his seven executives away at such a critical time before the attack, just to raid an investigation team
It made no sense at all.
Have I missed something?
There must be a reason.
A reason why Unknown would send Vagabond to attack the investigation team.
Ugh.
I tapped my pen, racking my brain.
The original novel. I went over and over the story that unfolded from Unknown's perspective.
I'd read it more than a dozen times to give feedback to Shin Hyeong, so I remembered the general storyline.
There has to be something.
Something I've missed.
A reason for Unknown's change in behavior.
Is he looking for a substitute for the World Root?
No. There's no way a newly formed investigation team would have a substitute for the World Root.
Then what is it?
The investigation team.
A team created to investigate angels and demons.
Angels and demons.
Angels and demons?
In that moment, something flashed in my mind. But it wasn't clear what it was.
The idea was just on the tip of my tongue.
My mind felt hazy.
I think it was in a conversation he had with Maestro, from Unknown's perspective.
I kept racking my brain.
Ah!
After some time, it came to me.
I remembered.
That's right.
There was definitely a part in the conversation between Unknown and Maestro that went something like this.
Boss, what do you plan to do after you've fully analyzed the System?
After analyzing the System I don't know when that will be, but if I achieve that goal, I want to uncover the truth of ten thousand years ago.
The truth of ten thousand years ago, you say?
The lines weren't exact.
But the conversation was definitely something like that. And at the end, Unknown said this.
Yes. The Blank Decade, unrecorded anywhere in this world. A mysterious past with no information or clues left behind.
The Blank Decade.
It was a very brief mention, a detail I'd passed over as insignificant.
But he definitely said it.
I put a hand to my forehead.
It was a blind spot.
It wasn't treated as important at all in the original novel, so I never would have imagined it.
[Unknown has two goals.]
[To analyze the System.]
[To uncover the Blank Decade.]
Unknown had two goals.
The scattered puzzle pieces of my questions began to click into place.
[In the original novel, Unknown died before the other races reappeared.]
[Therefore, in the original, there were no clues to unravel the secret of the Blank Decade.]
[That's why he lost interest and focused solely on analyzing the System.]
I quickly jotted down my thoughts in the notebook.
[But in this world, there is a clue.]
[The other races appeared before Unknown's death.]
[Angels and demons appeared.]
[Unknown gained hope that he could uncover the truth of the Blank Decade.]
The more I wrote, the more goosebumps covered my entire body.
Everything fit perfectly.
[That's why Unknown sent Vagabond to Korea.]
[To find information about angels and demons.]
[To achieve both goals simultaneously.]
I stopped writing.
I paused and scanned over what I had written.
This is it.
I was certain.
This was the reason for Unknown's change in behavior. A butterfly effect caused by my actions.
Because of it, Unknown was reminded of his second goal.
The butterfly effect.
One variable created another, and that variable brought about change.
That's what it came down to.
I put a hand to my forehead.
What a mess.
The fortunate thing is that, for now, Unknown has only dispatched one person for this investigation: Vagabond.
While they're focused on preparing for the National Competition, they wouldn't have the capacity to send two or more executives.
If they had sent more than one, Hermit, the master of infiltration and investigation, would surely have been among them.
And if that were the case, Hermit would have already shown himself to me.
Finally, the fact that Vagabond was the one to attack the investigation team is decisive proof.
Vagabond, the battle-crazed maniac.
His personality is completely unsuited for infiltration or investigation.
Sending an executive like him on an investigation is proof of how short-staffed they are.
To send more than one executive on an investigation under these circumstances?
Impossible.
Therefore, it's certain they only sent one person.
Phew.
In that case, I don't have to worry too much.
The chances of Vagabond discovering my identity while investigating alone are less than 0.1%.
That means leaving things as they are shouldn't cause any major problems, but
No.
I shook my head.
Leaving him be is the worst option.
Isn't this the perfect time to seize this variable and turn it into an opportunity?
In terms of combat power, Vagabond is one of the top three executives.
Couldn't this situation be a golden opportunity to take such a powerful foe off the board early?
It's possible.
My mind raced.
I considered Vagabond's personality and combat abilities, analyzed the publicly known information about angels and demons, and referenced the data he took from the investigation team.
Skritch, skritch.
The only sound in the room was the scratching of my pen against the notebook.
***
Yuhwa was lying in bed alone. It was a strangely lonely night.
Usually, Geumho would be lying beside her, and just stroking his fur would calm her heart.
Vagabond.
Yuhwa recalled the conversation she'd had with Kang Seoyul a little while ago.
He had identified an executive of the Seekers of Truth at a glance, just from the appearance of his spear.
A villain who wasn't even in the database, at that.
His information network really is something else.
Yuhwa muttered blankly as she rolled onto her side.
First Doppelganger, then Pyo Il-chan, and now Vagabond.
And probably Pialle Allo too.
His intelligence regarding the Seekers of Truth was truly astounding.
But on the other hand, he doesn't know about common knowledge things like the raid on the investigation team.
And yet, he's ignorant about general information. It wasn't just this time; he'd shown many such careless sides.
It must be revenge after all.
Yuhwa was certain.
Kang Seoyul harbored a deep hatred for the Seekers of Truth.
There was no other way to explain his lopsided knowledge.
Ugh. Aaargh.
Yuhwa thrashed around in her bed.
She even let out a scream in frustration.
Why does he have to be so full of secrets?
The more she thought about it, the more questions piled up.
Vrrr
It was then that the smartphone on her nightstand began to vibrate.
The time was 12:10 AM, just past midnight.
What kind of rude person calls at this hour?
Yuhwa picked up her phone, her face full of annoyance.
[Kang Seoyul]
?
Why was Kang Seoyul calling at this hour?
Yuhwa sat up in bed and answered the call.
Hello
Ms. Yuhwa. Can I borrow some items?
Pardon?
Kang Seoyul's voice sounded strangely excited.
And while you're at it, please lend me some of your guild members too.
Hey, you need to explain why before I can decide whether to lend you anything.
An executive of the Seekers of Truth.
Yuhwa's pupils dilated.
I wanted to share the glory of taking care of Vagabond with you, Ms. Yuhwa.
His voice was quite innocent.
***
So.
Yuhwa gave me a terrifying smile.
Why is Ms. Shin Jia here too?
Then she turned her gaze to glare at Jia, who was sitting next to me.
Jia responded with her usual expressionless silence.
I stepped in before Yuhwa's irritation could grow.
Did I not mention it? The Shinhwa Group will also be lending a hand in this operation.
The Shinhwa Group?
Yuhwa's expression softened slightly.
Yes. It's a joint operation between the Shinhwa Group and the Bihon Guild, so to speak.
Both of them simultaneously made sour faces.
Expressions that said they couldn't possibly hate this more.
It seemed their pride was subtly wounded, too.
Uh, I think I know what you're both thinking.
I decided to mediate.
But I absolutely need both of your cooperation for this operation, you see?
If I could have solved this with help from just one of them, I would have. But I can't, can I?
I'll start with the explanation. You can make your decision after that.
I handed each of them a profile I had prepared for Vagabond.
Villain name, Vagabond. Characteristics: powerful physical abilities. Weapon of choice: spear.
As they scanned the profile, both of their eyes widened.
Estimated combat power
SS-Rank?
Yes.
Vagabond.
One of the top three powerhouses among the executives of the Seekers of Truth.
Seoyul. Is there such a thing as SS-Rank?
I was under the impression that S-Rank was the highest for stats.
Yes, there isn't. It's just a value I assigned arbitrarily.
In this world, S-Rank is the maximum for stats. There's currently no known way to go higher.
Of course, that's just in terms of numbers.
A clear hierarchy of strength exists even among S-Rank superhumans.
Just know that he's that strong. It would probably take about five S-Rank superhumans to stand a chance against him. Or superhumans from the top 10 rankings.
The top 10?
Five S-Ranks?
Yuhwa muttered under her breath.
It seemed she'd roughly figured out why I had called both the Bihon Guild and the Shinhwa Group.
Bihon has two S-Rank superhumans and Shinhwa has four, so a solo operation is impossible.
Are you sure about this?
Yes? About what?
About this villain Vagabond's combat power.
Yuhwa tapped the profile with her index finger.
Yes. I'm certain.
There was a scene in the original where he fought spectacularly against five S-Rank superhumans. So it should be about that level.
Yuhwa continued to scan the profile with a reluctant expression.
Fine. I understand why we need to cooperate with the Shinhwa Group.
Jia, what about you?
Yeah. Me too.
Jia was very cool about it.
It was like she was just taking my word for it.
But can I ask one thing?
Jia asked, staring intently at Yuhwa.
Ms. Yuhwa, why do you believe everything Seoyul says so readily?
That's because I built up my credibility by giving her information on Doppelganger and other things.
That's none of your business, is it, Ms. Jia? And why do you believe what Mr. Seoyul says?
That's because I'm a half-elf of elf and celestial descent, so I receive her blind faith.
I'll return that question right back to you. It's none of your business, is it, Ms. Yuhwa?
The two of them were glaring at each other as if they wanted to kill one another.
Uh, let's just say you both have your own history with me and leave it at that.
I mumbled, glossing over it.
Yes.
Okay.
If the two of them ever exchanged information, my lies might be exposed.
Well, neither Jia nor Ms. Yuhwa are the type to carelessly spill secrets, and they get along so terribly that it's unlikely to happen anyway.
Then let's move on to the detailed mission briefing.
I handed them each another printout.
The operation begins the day after tomorrow at 22:00.
Any later, and Vagabond might move to another location.
As for the location, you know the place where the Atlantigo attack happened five years ago, right?
You mean near Dobongsan Mountain?
Yes.
The place with the Golden Sanctuary, where I first met Geumho.
We'll set a trap there.
There's a hideout for the Seekers of Truth in that place.
Setting a trap is fine, but will Vagabond even show up there?
Yes.
I gave a small smile.
Because I'm going to lure him.
Luring a crazy, battle-obsessed maniac isn't that difficult a task.