Chapter 68

〈 Chapter 67 〉 3. Transformation isn't just for Riders! (3)

* * *

A young man and woman in their twenties sticking together for four days straight from Friday to Sunday?

"Anyone would think that, right?"

"They might think it's for the sake of patriotism."

The main character roughly organized the items in the envelope.

Then, to create an alibi, he placed two medical health items, which were key pieces of evidence, under the TV stand.

"Wouldn't it be a bit of a hassle to fill all 24 of these later?"

"Don't worry, there's always a way."

"How do you plan to do it?"

"Just use a magic wand to make them."

"Hmm, won't you run out of mana?"

"Who are you worried about?"

I spread my arms wide, showing confidence.

"I'm a goblin. I haven't transformed in a while, and I've been healed in Ulleungdo, so I'm in top condition. It's like being fully charged."

"But you said you want to secretly check out the treasure hunt?"

"There's still some time until then."

There are now four days left until the treasure hunt starts on Friday.

"24 portions of mana should be enough to recover."

"Assuming you can recover, it seems there's something important in the treasure hunt. I haven't heard any intelligence about demons or villains appearing."

"It might happen."

"Hmm. When did Director Do start working to prevent crime?"

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Not really. It just doesn't seem to match your previous actions."

The main character's remark was accurate.

"Director Do always comes to solve cases after they happen, like a hero who always arrives late at the scene."

"That's a generalizing and belittling statement about all heroes."

"I don't particularly like heroes. Besides, I'm part of the guild, so what's the point? My role is to pass on tasks that Director Do can handle based on the information that comes through the guild, but there's no information about the treasure hunt."

The main character lightly covered his ears with his hands.

"If there's information I shouldn't know, don't tell me. I'll just help you create an alibi. Okay?"

"It's not like that. I just want to check out the treasure hunt for personal reasons."

"If you're going to tell me, tell me. If you can't, don't tell me at all."

"It's nothing much. As you said, I'm just doing some preventive patrols."

"...Is the sun rising in the west?"

Despite my sincere answer, the main character only tilted his head, as if he didn't believe me.

"Director Do is a villain hunter, not a vigilante. For example, in a hostage situation—"

The main character pretended to strangle himself.

"...Goblins don't rescue hostages; they go to kill the hostage-takers after the hostages are killed, right?"

"That's right. It's always been that way, and it will continue to be that way."

Rescuing hostages is the hero's job.

If a hostage-taker kills a hostage, they won't get away with it.

"It will be a bit different this time."

But this time, I want to manage things in advance to prevent a hostage situation.

"Is there some change of heart this time? You're acting like a neighborhood watch volunteer, even though it's not a guild mission. Isn't that overkill?"

"Because a demon might appear?"

"...I haven't heard anything about that."

The main character's expression turned serious.

"Is there something I'm missing?"

"No. If it didn't come through your network, the probability of it happening is less than 0.1%."

"Are you going to patrol all day Friday because of that 0.1% chance? What's your basis for that?"

"Instinct."

"......If you say that, I have nothing to say."

The main character raised both hands and shook his head.

"Alright. I'll support you. Is there anything else besides creating an alibi?"

"If someone like a demon or their organization, or even the Revival Party, tries to tamper with the treasure hunt, let me know immediately."

"That's a given. But are you going to leave your Taeguk Watch here?"

"I have to. If any information comes in before Friday, let me know."

"Should I request something from the company? A communication device that can contact you without being detected by all the radars on Sejong Island."

"If such a thing existed, Sejong Island would have already been in the guild's hands."

It's inconvenient, but there's no choice.

Sejong Island is a place that draws attention from all over the world.

Having conversations on strange frequencies or discussing sensitive matters in a channel the guild can't control could cause serious problems.

"Still, I'll think about it. Maybe hiring a telepath would work."

"...It's not impossible."

While radio and communication can be intercepted, 'mana' is a different story.

"Even if there's a risk, it might be worth trying, but not on Sejong Island."

"I'll submit a proposal to the company. By the way, do you know if they might send more team members to support Director Do?"

"It's enough with just me."

"But it's better to have more, right?"

"Then go ahead. But it's not like I'm asking for it."

I crossed my hands in an X.

"No men."

"...To the point of making such a gesture? Do you dislike male team members, or do you prefer female team members?"

"There's a saying, 'If you're going to do it, do it in style.'"

"......."

The main character frowned.

"...Alright. If more female team members come, will you make alibis with them too, like you do with me?"

"That wasn't my intention, but it could be useful in that way."

"Director Do, are you going to get into trouble later?"

"What? What kind of harsh words are those? Why would I get into trouble?"

There's no reason at all.

"Who said that just now?"

But the main character looked at me as if I were a man who had dismissed a woman's confession with a 'Huh? What did you say?'

"Based on my prediction, later you'll all start dividing Director Do, right? Someone will take the legs, someone the breast, someone the neck."

"Am I a chicken?"

"Being cut into pieces like a chicken would be a blessing. Director Do is almost at the point of being divided, and Secretary Do is also on the verge, right?"

"Jihwan? Me?"

"Right."

The main character took out a smartphone screen.

"Are you not dating this student?"

"...What do you mean by 'dating'?"

The photo the main character showed was of a late night when I was walking with Ymir, or more precisely, when I was seeing her off to the dormitory after she visited my house and had dinner.

"Where did you get this photo?"

"It was circulating on the dark web. They say you're dating a Canadian E-class ability user and the librarian who was parachuted in."

"It's more like a consultation."

"You don't have to announce it. People who can only judge by photos will think you're definitely dating. They expect you to go cherry blossom viewing together in April."

"I'm not that kind of relationship with Ymir."

I need to clearly separate work and personal life.

"And even if it becomes that kind of relationship, I don't plan to stop making alibis with you."

"...Wow. You're Western, but Director Do's dating style is Hollywood."

"Sure."

Since coming to this world, I decided to become a villain.

"Since I'm not a hero who needs to care about social image, do I have to date a woman?"

"Bravo."

The main character even clapped his hands in admiration.

"Planning to start a harem as a goblin?"

"No. A goblin has an owner. I'm talking about Jihwan, the human librarian, not the ability user."

"What's the difference?"

"For the mission, I can date different women, but the goblin, which is my true identity, belongs to only one person."

"Maybe...the chairman?"

I shrugged lightly.

"I'm doing all this with the chairman's permission."

"Why did the chairman allow it?"

"It's part of the chairman's grand plan for the guild to conquer the world."

"It's a hard plan to understand from a criminal's perspective. Fine, I don't get it, so Director Do, do as you please. I'll focus on my mission."

"Doing my best to avoid causing you trouble... Wait a moment."

I answered the call that came through my Taeguk Watch.

"Hello?"

"Ah, yes. Miss Seul-hee."

"......."

The main character immediately covered his mouth with his hand.

Just hearing the name Seul-hee, the main character knew who I was talking to.

"Can you talk now? Are you outside?"

"Yes, yes. I'm just out for a moment."

"Is that so? Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"What am I doing this weekend? I've taken all my leave for Friday and Saturday, and I plan to rest at home. Thanks to that, I have four days off from Friday to Monday."

"Oh, I see."

Seul-hee's voice brightened at my answer.

"How about you, Miss Seul-hee?"

"I'm going to support the event on Friday. The treasure hunt."

"...You're supporting the treasure hunt? Wow, that's impressive."

I signaled to the main character, and he immediately picked up a pen to start taking notes.

­Snow White, not on the list of supporting teachers.

"...But is it necessary to involve you too? I thought it was just a light event for the students."

"I thought so too, but it seems they're doing something different this time."

"Different?"

"Yes. If you look at the official notice, you'll see... "

Seul-hee paused slightly before speaking cautiously.

"It seems the treasure they're looking for this time is a goblin."

"......Who?"

"Goblin."

"......."

?

* * *