Chapter 52: Kasumak (2)

- I don't know his name. He's an insider, a traitor. Our information has been leaking lately.

Rodri said this with a nonchalant expression. Even now, it seems absurd, and I can't help but laugh bitterly.

Isn't finding someone usually a matter of knowing who they are?

Apart from seeing a bit of my strength, it means they don't consider me that important.

It's strange to entrust such a task to a mercenary I just met.

I had somewhat expected this.

The current situation in Laspal is like that. Rodri is a new organization. People who come here should be viewed with suspicion.

‘He might have made it up, but Kasumak isn't the type to do that.’

Well, it shouldn't be too difficult.

I can capture nearby sounds with the wind. I just need to find people having strange conversations.

‘It's a bit annoying, but there's no choice.’

Listening to multiple sounds is not good for mental health. It's dizzying and fatigue builds up quickly.

If I knew the name, I could focus on listening, but since I don't, I have to keep concentrating.

Let's try to find it once.

I think I can find it, but if it doesn't work out, I'll have to rely on the other agents.

‘Hmm.’

I had a tail from the moment I left the tavern. It must be one of Rodri's gang.

They probably want to check what I'm up to.

Shaking them off wasn't difficult. Just circling an alley twice did the trick.

There might be other eyes watching, as this is an unfamiliar place.

The sun was setting. I kept my ears open and headed straight to the lodging.

Tun and the agents were sitting in a restaurant, drinking beer.

‘They start drinking as soon as they get a day off.’

Their faces were flushed, indicating they had been drinking since the afternoon.

They all looked like field agents.

“Why are you already so drunk?”

“How hard do you think it was to get here? We need to enjoy ourselves.”

Basco raised his glass and winked. It's true that rest should be fully enjoyed.

I chuckled and ordered a beer.

Our team has four agents in total.

Me, Tun, Basco, and Toby. Except for me, they are all field agents. They are all good people.

They judge me purely by ability, not considering my age. It makes giving orders easier, I guess.

Still, for the mission, I need to consult with Tun. It's a matter of respecting his experience.

After taking a sip of beer, Tun leaned in and asked.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

“Yes.”

I put down my glass. The sudden question changed the atmosphere, and Basco and Toby also perked up.

“I apologize for acting on my own, but I found our top candidate.”

Basco and Toby's eyes widened. They seemed both surprised and curious.

It's probably because I found someone before we even started the mission.

“You don't need to apologize, you're the team leader. Is it the Kasumak Rodri you mentioned earlier?”

Tun narrowed his eyes.

It's natural for him to be curious. Rodri wasn't even a candidate, and it was my individual action.

“From what I heard, it seems to be a growing organization. How did you get to know him?”

“During a mission, I met a Westerner. He was unusually strong and wise for his age. I wanted to check him out.”

“He must have been quite impressive.”

Tun nodded in agreement, but his eyes were sharp.

“If you decided so quickly, it must be certain. What did you see?”

“The sharpness in his eyes and his presence.”

I knew my answer wasn't precise, but I trusted the time Tun and I had spent together.

“Well, you're not the type to mess around. A smart person can recognize another smart person.”

“He's quite impressive. In terms of strength alone, he's on par with or even better than me.”

Tun frowned.

“Kasumak, you mean?”

“Yes. He's not the eldest, but the third son, Kasumak Rodri, is the actual leader.”

I then explained the situation and the information I knew about the Rodri family, though I hadn't delved into the details yet.

“Seems like you were underestimated.”

“I would have been too.”

“Of course, you must have thought about it, but it's questionable whether he would share internal information with an outsider.”

“I'll handle this case myself.”

I smiled and dismissed the doubt.

“The others can continue with the original mission, checking the candidates. We'll finalize it at the end.”

“Alright. Do that.”

Tun nodded gruffly, but Basco and Toby looked a bit disappointed.

They probably hoped they wouldn't have to do the mission.

I understand. Even Tun seemed a bit disappointed when you look closely.

Observation and recruitment missions are quite tedious.

There's no need to criticize their diligence. It's common to show annoyance.

“Anyway, that's all. There's no major change in the mission. We'll start tomorrow.”

I raised my glass.

“I'll make a quick decision to avoid being a nuisance.”

“Alright. We trust you, you know that?”

“Of course.”

With slightly brighter faces, Basco and Toby laughed and toasted.

* * *

I had some knowledge of Laspal's situation before arriving, and I could obtain additional information with a bit of money.

As expected in a chaotic place, there are many gang-like organizations. Rodri is a new force, and there are three other organizations around him.

If information is leaking, the organization closest to Rodri is the most likely suspect.

The drinking session from the afternoon showed no signs of ending, so I went out alone and wandered the streets.

About six hours?

It was already close to midnight. The port city had long since quieted down for the next day's departures.

Suddenly, I heard a conversation from a shabby alley in the slums.

“...When are you going to take care of it? They're starting to notice something's off inside. You told me the date, so why aren't you moving?”

“Damn. Veron and Muyk are stalling. They're forcing us to make sacrifices.”

“Shit. Wasn't it already agreed upon? You told me that. Are you messing with me now?”

The low voices were sharp. I instinctively recognized it was the person Rodri mentioned.

I silently ran across the rooftops.

“They're changing their minds. They don't care about the immediate consequences.”

“Hurry up...”

“Luyko, don't be annoying. Are you willing to sell your name? Think about it.”

Luyko was momentarily speechless.

“Damn. Sorry. I'm just getting impatient.”

“I understand. Just wait a bit, I'm working on it.”

“...Anyway, don't forget that I get Reina when it's all over.”

Reina? Kasumak's sister. The reason for the betrayal was as stupid as the trash.

Worse, Luyko was Kasumak's cousin.

There are no limits to how crazy some people can be.

No matter how strong Kasumak is, he probably couldn't imagine his cousin would do something like this.

“...If I get caught, I'll let you know.”

The two men, who had just had a low-quality conversation, disappeared into the darkness. I had identified who they were.

I headed straight for Rodri's tavern. Unfortunately, Kasumak wasn't there.

“The friend from earlier. What brings you here? Can't handle the job Kasumak gave you?”

The tavern owner sneered, watched by Rodri's gang.

Some unknown guy is making a fuss.

“A beer.”

I chuckled, sat at the bar, and threw a coin.

“And tell Kasumak I found what he wanted.”

“Where do you get off...”

“If I were you.”

I cut off the middle-aged man and glared at him.

“Kasumak wouldn't treat someone who brought him what he wanted like this.”

The man shut up. He was more afraid of Kasumak than me.

Instead, someone sitting in the tavern stood up.

“Kid, I don't know what you've got, but I hope it's good. Otherwise, you'll die.”

“We'll see.”

I didn't even turn my head and drank my beer. The back of my neck felt hot, as if the eyes were menacing.

In the silence, only the sounds of smoking and drinking were heard.

When I had finished two beers, Kasumak Rodri returned to the tavern, walking confidently.

His tall figure and long coat fluttered.

The smell of the sea mixed with alcohol and tobacco wafted from Kasumak, who sat down next to me.

“You found it.”

His calm voice showed little emotion. The tavern owner naturally poured a shot.

Kasumak drained the glass and looked at me meaningfully.

He must have realized I wasn't just a kid playing at being a mercenary, having shaken off the tail so easily.

“Right. I want to talk about the details alone.”

There were too many people around. It's not a good environment for a conversation.

There's a room further back, so it's better to go there. We have more to discuss than just this issue.

“Everyone out. Maxi, you too. Bring a bottle of rum.”

The gang members left in unison. I was a bit surprised.

I expected we'd go to a room, but not to this extent.

“I hope you're not repeating something you overheard.”

“Luyko.”

“...Luyko?”

Kasumak's brows furrowed sharply. He must have been surprised, as it was his cousin.

“I found one person for now. I don't know if there are others.”

“Overheard...”

“Think about it. Your reaction is a bit disappointing.”

If it were the Kasumak I knew, he would have seen through the truth immediately. It can't be helped.

He still lacks experience. He had lost his family and hometown.

Perhaps he had awakened because of that incident.

“I know he's your cousin. He's been passing information to the Surde guys.”

“...”

“...He wants Reina when it's all over.”

His hand holding the bottle trembled. It was amazing it didn't break.

His glare was fierce. He was on the verge of losing his composure.

“Keep listening, before you get more disappointed.”

Kasumak drank half the bottle in one gulp.

“The Surde are pulling in Veron and Muyk to eliminate your family. Didn't you expect that?”

“...Veron and Muyk?”

I could tell from Kasumak's expression that he hadn't expected it.

“It seems you had an agreement with them. Did you plan to take over the Surde? Share some territory?”

Kasumak's eyes widened.

Perhaps Veron and Muyk had a better grasp of Kasumak's strength than the Surde.

They were a larger force to begin with.

Especially Veron, who was on our list of candidates. He's cunning and shrewd.

“Kasumak, people with something to lose don't like change. Especially sudden growth like yours. There's a reason for it.”

Kasumak lit a cigarette.

“The Surde are a constant for Veron and Muyk. Weaker than them and with no potential to become stronger. And in the process of dealing with you, the Surde will also weaken. You're only seeing it superficially.”

The tavern filled with cigarette smoke. His lung capacity is good.

I pretended to wave away the smoke with my hand and poured the remaining alcohol into my glass.

About two minutes passed in silence.

“Alright. I need to verify, but the probability that I owe you is high. Sorry, I misjudged you.”

“I'm glad you understand.”

“Your judgment at your age means you're not just a simple mercenary. Are you from the Empire?”

He seems to have figured out I'm an agent. I shook my head.

“Is your offer still valid?”

“Of course.”

“Can I ask one more favor?”

“Let me hear it and decide.”

“I'm going to take care of them.”

I was going to help with that anyway. I nodded.

“I'll come when the day is set.”

“No. Now, immediately.”

Kasumak stood up.

“I need to take care of everything before tonight is over.”

For a moment, I saw the Kasumak who dominated the Western Islands.

Yes, that's who he is.

He starts things suddenly.

Even when it seems reckless, like now. He doesn't think about the consequences.

But everything is handled cleanly.

“Sorry, but I'll hear about your business later. And why you chose me. Is that okay?”

And he always handles things one by one, with full effort. Kasumak's hand was extended in front of me.

I smiled and shook his hand.

“Sure, I'll help.”

“Great, friend.”

“Friend? Isn't it too early to confirm?”

“You wouldn't lie about something that will be revealed soon. And isn't believing without seeing what friends are for?”

He said this while pulling me by the arm.

Our shoulders bumped. Because of the height difference, my shoulder touched Kasumak's chest.

I was somewhat satisfied. Kasumak's friend is not just anyone.

Kasumak opened the tavern door and shouted.

“Bring Luyko, keep him alive.”