Chapter 81. Hell (1)

Yuri couldn't take her eyes off the pervert, Goetz Lotten, who had suddenly appeared.

Seeing this, Arin, who was standing behind Yuri, poked her head out and asked.

"Do you know that guy?"

"Do I know that guy?"

Yuri's lips twisted.

"I know him."

He's my client.

She swallowed the rest of her words, which had risen to her throat, and at that moment, the conversation she had had with Goetz in the past came to mind.

* * *

In response to Yuri's plea and threat to put on some pants, Goetz finally picked up and put on a pair of pants.

However, the problem was that he only put on pants.

Still, it was much better than being completely naked, so Yuri sheathed her sword and kept a slight distance.

"So, what's the deal you mentioned?"

"It's nothing much. Just go back to the Forest of Beginnings and bring me one thing I want. Since you, the owl, made it from the Forest of Beginnings to here, it shouldn't be impossible to go back, right?"

"It's not impossible."

I just don't want to do it again.

Yuri's expression turned sullen.

Seeing this, Goetz added an explanation.

"Originally, the deputy commanders take turns handling the nursery on a regular schedule."

"Then what?"

"And one of the tasks Duran Bicovitch, the deputy commander, is handling this time is managing the fifth-year probationary members."

"Duran?"

"Still don't know? Duran Bicovitch, the deputy commander in charge of the Forest of Beginnings and the fifth-year probationary members."

"Surely not that one-eyed guy?"

"Right, that gruff-looking uncle with the single eye."

Yuri's expression became even more sullen as she listened to Goetz's story.

"Are you saying... that the item you want me to bring is related to that deputy commander Duran or something?"

"Indeed, Owl! Your intuition is as sharp as your skills!"

"...I'm just curious, but how strong is a deputy commander of the Black Sword Corps?"

"Class 9."

"Wow... So you're telling me to steal something from a Class 9?"

If I get caught, I'll be sliced in half and die on the spot, right? You little brat, tell me honestly, who are you! Who are you trying to kill me for!"

Goetz casually waved his hand, as if there was nothing more to hear in Yuri's icy gaze.

"Hehe, of course not! I wouldn't ask you to steal from Deputy Commander Duran while he's watching. However..."

"However?"

"Isn't it possible to break into his empty residence while he's away?"

"Hmm? The item you want is there?"

Goetz nodded.

"What I want is one of the documents written by Deputy Commander Duran."

"What is it?"

"The fifth-year probationary members' evaluation form. It must be a document with Deputy Commander Duran's seal. Only then will it be an approved evaluation form."

"Evaluation form? What's that for?"

"Think of it as a kind of test paper."

"So... you're asking me to steal a test paper?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Is it definitely in the Forest of Beginnings? Not somewhere else?"

"It won't be anywhere else."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because Deputy Commander Duran has been handling all his duties in the Forest of Beginnings recently."

"Man, you're really thorough. But why does a third-year need a fifth-year's test paper?"

"Hmm, I can't tell you that much."

"......"

Yuri's eyes became heavy as she looked at Goetz, who seemed embarrassed.

At the same time, the silhouette of the fifth-year woman who had just left the cave flashed through her mind.

'Could this guy...? No, that's not it, if he were human, that would be the reason, right?'

One hypothesis formed clearly in her mind, but Yuri didn't ask Goetz about it.

She didn't want to give herself a headache for nothing.

Instead, she asked another question.

"Ha... fine, let's say I go back to the Forest of Beginnings. How do I get into Duran's residence? It's in the heart of the Black Sword Corps, and the security is tight."

"Of course, normally it would be impossible. You wouldn't even be able to attempt it, right?"

"But?"

"But there's one day when the security around the Black Sword Corps' base in the Forest of Beginnings is relaxed."

"Are you serious...?"

Yuri's eyes widened slightly as Goetz explained.

A small murmur escaped her lips.

"...The time right after the dragon scale exchange, when all the Black Sword Corps members are busy sorting things out."

"Exactly."

Hearing this, Goetz smiled and nodded.

Seeing this, Yuri shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"Fine, I won't do it. It's too risky."

"I think you're the perfect person for this job... no, this request. I really need that evaluation form."

"So what? If you need it so badly, just go and steal it yourself."

Goetz shook his head at Yuri's sharp response.

"There are three main reasons I can't do this. First, I don't have the ability to get to the Forest of Beginnings."

Goetz extended his index and middle fingers.

"Second, if I, a current cadet, get caught, I'll be expelled from the nursery without a chance to explain."

"Wouldn't that be fine for me?"

"You have plenty of excuses, don't you? You could say you got lost while taking the test in the Forest of Beginnings, or that you were hiding there because it was the safest place. Right?"

"......"

It was true.

Yuri thought she had plenty of excuses if she got caught.

As Yuri silently nodded, Goetz extended his third finger.

"And third, the main reason I can't go there is..."

Goetz's expression became even sterner than when he mentioned the first and second reasons.

With a very serious face, Goetz stated the third reason.

"I have plans to play with my girlfriend tomorrow. I need to prepare, so I don't have the time."

Yuri's temples throbbed.

"...Are you crazy, really?"

"How about it, will you take the request?"

"Get lost."

It was a rejection without a second thought.

Despite Yuri's harsh words, Goetz smiled brightly.

Seeing this, Yuri snorted.

'Go back to the Forest of Beginnings and break into a deputy commander's residence?'

Am I crazy?

Would anyone in their right mind accept such an absurd request?

"The reward for success is 1,000,000 points."

As he said this, Goetz took out a bundle of points from his pocket and showed it to her.

Clink.

Ten 100,000-point pieces, which always sounded clear and cheerful, swayed back and forth in front of Yuri's eyes.

Sway, sway.

Yuri's pupils, following the movement, suddenly regained their strength.

"Hey."

A low voice escaped Yuri's lips.

"Next time, just say that right away. If you had said it earlier, I would have already gone! What a waste of time, tsk."

Seeing Yuri take a stance as if she were about to run off immediately, Goetz gave her a thumbs up.

"Ah, of course! I have a good eye for people, indeed!"

Not to be outdone, Yuri gave him a 'double thumbs up' with a face full of mission.

Then she pointed at herself with both thumbs.

Snap!

"The item you want? I'll bring it no matter what. Leave it to me!"

Yuri's eyes burned with determination.

'Million? Million, million, million? A million, really?!'

She had barely earned 200,000 points in a month of hard work in the Forest of Beginnings.

And now, 1,000,000 points for one request?

To Yuri, who had already tasted the sweetness of points, 1,000,000 was...

'I'll do it, and I'll definitely succeed!'

It was too many points to refuse.

* * *

A request worth a million points.

Even now, it was a huge amount.

She was so excited that she almost forgot to ask the client's name.

Fortunately, there was no one in the nursery who didn't know 'Goetz Lotten.'

'Goetz Lotten. I never thought I'd meet you like this.'

In fact, she had gone to her current residence partly hoping to meet Goetz.

But he didn't show up, and she ended up becoming neighbors with Teresa.

Later, while she was wondering how to meet Goetz, she ran into him unexpectedly.

Thud, thud.

A million points... no, Goetz Lotten was walking towards her.

Yuri thought Goetz had finally recognized her.

He smiled brightly and raised his hand.

"Go...?"

But Goetz brushed past her.

Then he bent down slightly and kissed the back of Arin's hand, who was hiding behind Yuri.

"Oh, to meet you like this... finally... finally, I feel I have found my soul's resting place. Blue rose, please tell me your name, I beg you."

Arin's lips curled into a frown at his cheesy tone.

"Ugh... Ugh?!"

Quickly pulling her hand away from Goetz, Arin shook it as if she had touched a cockroach.

She even rubbed the back of her hand against Yuri's clothes.

Seeing her actions, Yuri's eyes also turned irritated.

"What are you doing?"

"It's... dirty."

Seeing Arin's disgust, Yuri sighed.

Then she grabbed Goetz's shoulder and forced him to look at her.

"Hey."

"...What?"

Goetz finally turned to look at Yuri.

His head tilted in confusion, and he asked one word.

"Who are you?"

"......"

As if he were seeing her for the first time today.

Then he turned his head back to Arin, as if he had no interest in her.

"Blue rose, please tell me your name! I beg you."

"No!"

Arin moved to avoid Goetz.

And Goetz moved again to chase after her.

"Blue rose!"

Swish.

"Go away!"

Swish.

"Oh, how can even your angry face be so beautiful?"

Yuri watched as Arin and Goetz played a game of tag, circling around her.

She pondered.

'The deal and all that... should I just beat him up?'

But she couldn't.

A million points.

Until she received that, this damn pervert was still her client.

'Kindness! Service! Smile!'

Yuri forced herself to calm down and called out to Goetz with a forced smile.

"Ah, what?"

"Yes?"

"Don't you know me?"

"Hmm...?"

Goetz, who was looking at Yuri with a puzzled expression, suddenly struck his fist into his palm.

"Ah! Who is this! It's Owl, isn't it!"

Yuri's face relaxed a bit, seeing that he finally remembered her.

He sighed and asked.

"You haven't forgotten our deal, have you?"

"...Deal?"

Goetz's face turned confused.

His eyes seemed to be digging up a buried memory.

Soon, a look of distrust clouded his eyes.

"Could it be that deal? Did you... really succeed?"