Chapter 365: Chapter 365

“No matter how expensive it is, that’s fine. That’s the nature of information.”

That’s right. ‘Information’ could range from worthless junk to astronomical value. Its worth depends on how it’s used.

Caron understood that better than anyone. A great pushover… no, an excellent business partner, to put it nicely.

“You sure are confident. But do you even know what kind of information I want?”

“Keke, isn’t it the Dark Beast Squad?”

A glimmer appeared in Caron’s eyes. Likely because I had hit the nail on the head.

Honestly, it wasn’t even that hard to guess. Right now, the main topics in Trash Village were: ‘those who made a pact with a demon’ and the ‘Dark Beast Squad’.

Finding the one who made the pact with the demon was obviously important, but with the hostage rescued, the biggest worry had already been lifted.

If we just keep narrowing down the suspects one by one, we’ll eventually figure it out.

‘Even Caron must have been chilled to the bone.’

Their skills were one thing, but the bigger issue was ‘they hadn’t been caught in Caron’s information network until now.’

He must’ve combed through all the reports the rats had submitted overnight, just to check if he missed anything. But there probably hadn’t been a single piece of intel related to the Dark Beast Squad.

In the end, he likely came to me out of desperation, like grasping at straws.

So it was only natural for him to be surprised when I showed confidence.

“You have information?”

“Looks like you don’t, Professor.”

“So you’re saying you do?”

Caron’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

My answer to that was—

“Keke, no. I’m the same as you.”

A flash of light burst before my eyes. Caron had flicked my forehead.

Hmm, it’s been a while since I got hit. Maybe that’s why it hurt like hell.

Why did I dodge the question after raising his expectations?

‘If I give up information, it’ll just make it harder to move.’

Caron and the rats were not to be underestimated.

For now, I’d play dumb. Then, depending on how things developed, I’d slowly give out information and gain something in return.

That was the smart move.

I rubbed the spot where a bump had formed and spoke.

“I’ve never heard of those guys either. How would I know anything about them? Do they even really exist?”

“The knights who caused the incident can’t be trusted 100%. But the others are different. These are credible witnesses, so it’s definite.”

“Ah, I heard that Senior Rodelin and Lady Lowell were involved. Didn’t hear the details though.”

Lowell, Rodelin, and even Dolores.

With three matching testimonies, it was confirmed that the mysterious group known as the Dark Beast Squad did exist.

‘So much for brushing it off quietly.’

If Caron and the rats seriously started tailing us, it’d only be a matter of time before we were caught.

I had hoped to let this blow over quietly, but that was looking less likely now.

So, for now, I should just pretend to be surprised.

“Keke, a group that managed to avoid both your and my networks suddenly appears… this is getting interesting.”

“You should know how serious this is. We need to mobilize every part of our intel network. Cooperation is a given.”

Cooperation. A nice-sounding word, but in reality, it just meant he wanted me to hand over the identities of my sources.

And I couldn’t reveal the names of information sources that didn’t exist in the first place.

I gave a slight smile and spoke.

“Why don’t you start by handing over what you already know? That’ll speed things up, don’t you think?”

“If you pay the right price for the information, I won’t say no.”

“Aren’t you the one in a hurry, Professor? Honestly, I don’t really care what those guys are up to…”

“You cocky brat… If you want to die, just say so. I’ll make it quick.”

Despite the harsh words, Caron already had a report in his hand.

That’s how much he was on guard against the Dark Beast Squad. Enough to give me information for free.

‘That also means he trusts me that much.’

And trust like that deserves to be reciprocated. For the sake of our future relationship—and for the sake of my life.

Even though I already knew everything, I reacted appropriately as I read.

It would be suspicious if I already knew what happened yesterday.

I laughed at the part where Rodelin, still in her pajamas, chased after the Dark Beast Squad.

I smiled with relief when Lowell appeared at a critical moment.

I frowned at the part where Snake Mask used overwhelming aura and magic.

And when it came to the bizarre behavior of pulling pants down and back up mid-fight, I muttered, “Is this guy insane?”

There are limits to teabagging. This was truly unhinged.

Wait, hold on… I’m Snake Mask, aren’t I?

‘So that’s where all those rumors came from.’

Didn’t even need to check who spread it.

Lowell. That crazy lion must’ve lost her temper and started spreading nonsense.

The report ended with a line reading, ‘Suspected of being an extreme pervert. Classified as top-level threat.’

I gathered the report neatly and handed it back to Caron.

“You don’t need it? You can take it as long as you dispose of it properly.”

“I already copied it.”

I tapped my temple with my index finger.

A gesture meaning I had copied it to memory.

Caron knocked on my head a couple of times with his fist.

Whether it was praise or punishment for being a cheeky little punk, I couldn’t quite tell.

I rubbed my head and opened my mouth.

“An interesting report. Not only 8-star knight-level aura, but high-tier magic as well… Honestly, it’s hard to believe.”

“I feel the same. But we have to accept it. That’s our job, after all.”

“Keke, strictly speaking, I don’t think it’s my job.”

“It will be soon enough. People usually start working like it’s their business after they lose an eye.”

…That was a joke, right?

As I glanced down, an awl in Caron’s hand entered my field of vision.

Just when did he pull that out?

I didn’t know, but I was very clear on what I needed to do right now.

“Did I mention? My motto is to treat others’ problems as my own.”

“A fine motto. Then let’s hear your thoughts.”

The awl vanished from Caron’s hand. How high would my stats need to be to follow Caron’s movements?

I wasn’t sure, but it definitely needed to happen as soon as possible.

‘Come to think of it, this is a first-time event too.’

Talking one-on-one with Caron in Trash Village. It was something that had never happened in the game before.

Meaning, there was no guide on the best route to take.

For now, I should probably ease Caron’s wariness.

If I focused too much on the Dark Beast Squad, I might overlook this episode’s real villain.

“Well, I don’t think there’s any need to worry right now. They’ve probably already left the village.”

“Most likely. I’m sure they were just as shocked. They wouldn’t have expected a high-ranking knight to be at the site of their first activity.”

Lowell, being a noblewoman, was trouble, but Caron was the biggest problem.

An Empire’s Rat. A master of torture and assassination.

Everyone scrambled to get out of his way. Even the Dark Beast Squad would be no exception.

‘—or so he’d like to think.’

Even so, there was a reason Caron distributed flares to the children.

“But we can’t let our guard down. There are children here.”

A line that revealed Caron’s concern for the students.

‘Then why are you pointing an awl at me, Professor?’ I wanted to ask, but held the thought back.

“Why would skilled people like that show up in a small village ? The more I think about it, the stranger it seems.”

“Maybe because it was their first operation, they wanted to start small?”

“They’re shameless enough to copy the kids’ poses. And those kinds of people start their activities in a place for no reason? That sounds even more suspicious to me.”

That shameless one was Luna, after all.

But I couldn’t reveal that.

Wandering around outside was bad enough, but if I said she was part of the Dark Beast Squad, my head would be gone before I could finish the sentence.

Caron stared straight at me. He seemed to be expecting some impressive insight or deduction.

It wasn’t strange for him to expect that. I was the one who told Caron about the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings.

‘It would be fun to surprise him here, but…’

I suppressed the urge.

Generating unpredictable variables through the Dark Beast Squad’s actions.

I had determined that would be a key factor in clearing the game.

“Keke, I have no idea.”

Caron’s eyes shifted to disappointment.

I didn’t manage to score any points like usual, but that didn’t matter.

Our relationship wasn’t fragile enough to break over this.

‘Still, I should toss out some bait.’

It would be troublesome if Caron and the rats got too wary of the Dark Beast Squad.

Not only would it waste time, but if the rats got diverted from where they were originally supposed to go, I couldn’t predict how the future—one I already knew—might change.

“Well, who knows. Maybe they really did form for justice, like they claim.”

“What nonsense. You of all people should know better.”

8-star knight level strength. With that kind of power, they should’ve saved Dolores immediately.

They pushed Rodelin to the front lines and didn’t actively join the fight.

If they were truly about justice, they would’ve crushed the knight in one blow and rescued Dolores.

But if you looked at it from another angle…

“Maybe they were trying to help Senior Rodelin grow?”

“Yes. A righteous kid charging in knowing she’d lose. Isn’t it natural to want to support and help someone like that?”

“Letting her fight a knight and helping from behind so she doesn’t die? What kind of lunatic would do that?”

“There’s one right near us, isn’t there?”

“What kind of lunatic would—ah…”

Caron, who had been swearing, shut his mouth.

That’s right. There was one. A crazy old man obsessed with nurturing future generations.

“Lord Adonis. It’s a different method, but isn’t it a similar case?”

“But in the end, both Lady Lowell and Senior Rodelin survived. And it was Lady Lowell who attacked first… Maybe pulling the pants down and back up was symbolic.”

This is the difference between your skills and mine.

May the younger generation continue to strive.

“It’s that kind of feeling.”

Caron stayed silent for a while.

The Dark Beast Squad—are they a group of justice? Allies from the Empire like Adonis?

I didn’t know what direction his thoughts were headed, but at least he wasn’t viewing them as enemies like before.

That alone was enough.

‘At least he won’t slit our throats the moment we meet. What a relief.’

Just as I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Caron clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, if you get any information related to those guys, report it to me immediately. I’ll pay generously.”

“Keke, honestly, if money’s involved, I suppose there’s not much I wouldn’t do.”

I made a circle with my thumb and index finger.

A gesture asking for an advance payment. Half-joking.

But Caron’s reaction was surprising. He pulled a pouch out from his coat.

A fairly hefty-looking leather pouch at that.

The moment I grabbed the pouch, my hand dropped under the weight.

It was a kind of heaviness I had never felt before in my life.

What is this weight? Don’t tell me…

I slowly opened the pouch. Inside, gleaming gold coins greeted me.

They shone so brightly, I could see my own reflection in them.

[You have acquired 50 Gold.]

“Let me know whenever you’re running short.”

An amount too much for an advance, but I held out my hand without hesitation as if it were natural.

After all, the more money, the better.

Caron, looking at my hand, let out a faint smile.

“Alright, then. Tell me—how much travel money do you need?” For origınal chapters go to ɴovelfire.net

…That’s a joke, right?

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