Chapter 366

Although I grumbled, my physical condition had improved sharply under Kim Olim's guidance.

In particular, as I repeatedly exercised and ran, I felt that my arms and legs were getting firmer. I couldn't run for an hour before, but now I wasn't tired if I ran for an hour or two.

Though to be honest, compared to the average physical strength of a User, my physical strength was still low, but... In any case, I was improving day by day.

Kim Olim's instruction was useful, but...

'This potion is the true cheat-code.'

Choi Kyung-sik's drug (?) played the biggest role. In the past, some fitness trainers grew their bodies by injecting steroids, and Choi Kyung-sik's potions seemed to have a similar effect.

'What if I become super muscular?'

Just that thought made my lips curl up in a smile. Then I recalled how Seo Dawon walked in on me posing like Popeye in the bathroom yesterday. 'Damn... He even teased me by asking if he could hang from my arms.'

I glanced at Kim Sangyoon's arm and thought to myself, 'Let's aim for a body like that.' However, due to Olim's keen observation, any stray thoughts meant I had to redouble my efforts in training.

* * *

That evening, all training was paused due to urgent news. Everyone gathered in the sitting room.

Bang Eunji broke the news. "Eunji found Moon Issak-she wants to share this unusual movement."

Bang Eunji looked at me momentarily before placing a printed photo on the center of the table. All eyes focused on it.

In the photo, Moon Issak and a familiar woman was photographed together. The picture was blurry, but the scene was etched vividly into our minds.

I soon opened my eyes wide-memories were dredged up. "Lim Jisoo...!"

"That's right."

Lim Jisoo-one of the main characters in [Red Lotus's] extermination. In particular, as the person who had personally killed Dawon-ie, her sneer from the first [Vengeful Ghost Memory] would often resurface. Even now... after so much time had passed.

I wasn't the only person that was shocked-everyone's expressions hardened.

Choi Kyung-sik spoke first, "No way... are they holding hands?"

Bang Eunji shook her head as if she wasn't sure, "Eunji doesn't know about that. But..." She took out a second photo; Lim Jisoo and Moon Issak were exchanging unidentifiable boxes. "It seems like the two of them had some deal. Given that box has the 'inventory key' workshop logo embossed onto the box, it's highly likely it's an item. Lim Jisoo handed it over."

"Lim Jisoo gave Moon Issak some item..."

"Yes. Moon Issak also handed something to Lim Jisoo as well-it seemed to be a USB." Bang Eunji then showed an enlarged picture of their hands. As she had said, the two were exchanging a key for a USB.

Kim Olim grimaced and asked, "Were you unable to hear what they talked about?"

"Yes. Eunji wanted to listen in, but... Eunji had to put a hold on that because Eunji couldn't access them."

Certainly, the picture showed that only Lim Jisoo, a member of her team, and Moon Issak were seen in a vast, open space...

Considering all that, it was remarkable that Bang Eunji found them at all. Moon Issak sold some information to Im Jisoo, so he must have gained something from this situation.

Woo Ragi said, "The data that Moon Issak could even sell... Wouldn't that be reports from his investigation or personal details?"

"That's highly likely."

I asked Kim Olim carefully, "By any chance, couldn't he have sold information about us?"

"...It's possible," Kim Olim seemed to be incredibly concerned about that.

Since we were already exposed to Bae Jaemin, there was a good chance that Lim Jisoo was aware of us as well. However, our major concern weren't about any vague assumptions or knowledge about our existence but rather specific detailed information.

However, Seo Dawon spoke quite decisively, "I highly doubt that Moon Issak handed over information about Lee-kyung-ie."

"Why?"

"Because you can't die. If Moon Issak's information went to Lim Jisoo, Lee-kyung-ie, your life would be in great danger. Moon Issak would have know that as well."

I nodded, recalling the hypnosis' influence.

However, it still wasn't a good sign that the two contacted each other to form a deal. Furthermore, according to Eunji's account, Moon Issak was clearly planning against her skills.

"This time, Eunji is sure of something," Bang Eunji stated.

"Mm."

"There's some other helper who's helping Moon Issak-ssi avoid Eunji's tracking. Eunji confirmed the presence of another collaborator... though Eunji doesn't know about their skills or even their face. Only that they exist."

"Where did your pursuit stop?"

"Right after the transaction. As soon as Eunji turned on [Finder], they disappeared from Eunji's sight. They even abandoned their car-they must have moved on the assumption that Eunji could catch them with her skills."

"They've prepared quite thoroughly," Choi Kyung-sik muttered, low, as if he had a headache.

I was also a little shocked to see how meticulously he prepared-I thought that Moon Issak would continue to live in a vegetative, fool-like state. I knew how difficult it was to ignore the commands the hypnosis planted in one's head because I had experienced them myself.

'Maybe... the 'collaborator' that helped him avoid Eunji's pursuit helped in that regard as well?'

"Let's first look for Moon Issak's helper." After a short silence, Dawon-ie took the initiative. All those immersed in their thoughts raised their heads and focused on the Mage.

He said, "There aren't many users who've mastered stealth skills to the extent of avoiding Eunji's finder or chaser. Also, stealth skills are often limited to classes like Assassin or Treasure Hunter."

And, the opponent must be highly capable-enough to beat Eunji. Someone like that might unexpectedly be a well-known User.

At that time, Kim Sangyoon, while stroking his cheek, mentioned a certain User's name. "Do you perhaps know... someone named Ha-il? This guy is a pretty famous Assassin, isn't he?" 1

"Hmph! Do you think that Eunji is incapable of seeing through someone like Ha-il and his subpar stealth skills?"

"S-Sorry..."

However, most users were lower level than Eunji, and anyone that didn't make Eunji's hackles rise up in indignation were incredibly well known, so their alibis were easy to find.

And, often, Assassins hid their identity when they reached a certain level. They followed an unspoken rule to not expose themselves.

So, we thought a bit more about the item option, but items that had [hide] or [tracking interference] enchantments weren't very popular-high grade items of that variety were rare.

When items were made, people tended to be focused on combat options or recovery. When we checked recent transaction records, there were no instances of items with our parameters being sold. Moreover, considering Eunji's abilities, it became even more challenging.

"It needs to be an R-grade accessory at the very least. Realistically, it's impossible to create an item just for stealth. Because it'd be so unpopular."

"Also, this is just Eunji's personal opinion, but... When they disappeared, it didn't feel like they were using an item."

Garam, who had been silently listening, muttered, "Hmmm...." He frowned and said, "Perhaps they got an item or the helper from the black market."

"Huh? That's possible." Come to think of it, Moon Issak had a black market ticket. I had a feeling that he may have obtained something at the black market and asked Garam-ie, "Is it possible to check the history of sales at the black market, like one would do for an auction house?"

"No."

I felt desponded by the firm response. I suppose there must be a reason why these tickets were so hard to get...

However, Garam smiled and waved his finger at my disappointed self, "...Is what I would usually say, but I'm different."

"Oh? You can do something?"

"Yep. But it'll take some time. And, I wouldn't be totally sure that my results are accurate. It'd be... about 70-80% right."

Dawon nodded to Garam and said, "Well, that's not horrible. Let's rely on your research for now."

"Great."

"Can you get it by tomorrow?"

"....Ngh, I guess I have no choice but to do it."

Become a member!

TL: I'm almost to the end of my school semester T_T

And then... I have so many teaching appointments next semester.

Also: Dun Dun Dun.... Return of Lim Jisoo!