Chapter 56

56. A Deal with Caron (1)

“Haa...”

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I reached the door of the room.

Luna's words that she wouldn't let me take a single step away from her were no joke.

She really didn't let me take a single step away.

I never thought the dormitory would be the only place I could escape Luna's gaze.

'I need to seriously consider recruiting new companions.'

It won't be easy because of my squint, but I have to do it.

If I don't get Luna a new toy, I might as well be prepared for the worst tomorrow.

Click.

I opened the door and entered the room.

It was late at night, but the room wasn't that dark.

The blue moonlight was streaming in through the window, making the room generally bright except for the corners.

“...”

I looked around, but nothing had changed since I left.

There was no one, as expected.

But I could sense it intuitively.

In my room.

‘...Is there something here?’

Why the question mark? Because I couldn't see the shape of the 'something.'

But I was certain there was something in my room.

'In games, places with something are marked with a red box...'

This is reality.

I glanced around, but there was no red box.

Instead, I could feel it instinctively, almost like a 'sixth sense.'

'It's not an illusion.'

Moreover, [Sixth Sense] is an S-grade skill obtained through the potential gamble.

It's on par with the two skills I listed earlier.

I couldn't dismiss it as a mere illusion.

'Sixth Sense is a skill that tells you if there's something nearby.'

In games, you can interact when you approach a place marked with a red box or use a trap-disarming skill nearby.

This is my room.

There's no way a trap could have been set in less than a day.

So, it must be...

‘Most likely a person.’

I focused my mind, and it became clear.

In front of the wardrobe, in the dark corner of the room.

There was something there.

‘It's not an enemy.’

If it were an enemy, it would have attacked me immediately.

Surprise attacks are about striking before the target notices.

There's no need to waste time like this.

‘Could it be... Luna?’

If it were, she'd be a real stalker.

She must have entered the room and hidden before I did?

I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back.

‘No, it can't be her.’

Under normal circumstances, I would have thought Luna was the most likely.

But it was physically impossible.

Not only did she enter before me, but her skills were far too lacking to hide effectively.

So, it must be...

‘Someone sent by the Teron faction or the Eurydia faction.’

10 points in the shop. And the first medal with the principal's seal.

They would try to force me into their faction, even through threats.

The person sent for that purpose was undoubtedly here.

‘What a waste, I was scared for nothing.’

Impressive stealth skills, but ultimately just an Academy student.

They probably thought they could threaten me with a weapon from behind.

‘To me, who faced Caron and his psychological warfare, this is nothing.’

Not to mention, Caron, the killing machine, really does strangle you.

I briefly felt what death was like in his hands.

For me, being threatened with a weapon is just a child's play.

‘I have no intention of joining either the Teron or Eurydia factions.’

I don't want to meddle and change the future.

So, what should I do?

‘I'll bluff and make them back off.’

Bluffing.

But when a strong person does it, it's not bluffing.

It's 'confidence.'

Rattle.

I pulled out a chair and sat down.

The wardrobe is on the opposite side.

In other words, I'm now facing an unknown enemy with my back turned.

In such a situation, it's important to act as if nothing is wrong.

To show that I know someone is hiding but can handle it anytime.

‘To act as if I didn't notice but actually knew everything!’

Wow, even I think it's cool.

Now, let's put it into practice.

“Huhu, what brings you here? It's a bit late to be playing, isn't it?”

There was no response, but I wasn't worried.

‘They must be flustered and don't know what to do.’

Now, I'll say, “Huhu, show yourself. We don't need to fight.”

Then, I'll pat them on the back and send them out of the room.

‘To scare me, they should have brought someone like Caron.’

Just as I thought that, a voice came from the darkness.

“...Arrogant brat.”

A voice from the air.

A voice I knew well.

A voice I couldn't forget after the ant nest.

Swoosh.

The darkness in front of the wardrobe transformed into a shape.

The shape of a person standing on two feet.

“Your bluff is quite impressive.”

The Bad Ending Maker, Caron.

He appeared in front of me.

“...”

Caron said nothing.

‘He must be surprised.’

Caron's stealth level is master-class.

A fifteen-year-old student couldn't detect him.

Ironically, I was also surprised.

‘Why are you here, Caron?’

If I had known, I would have welcomed him properly.

Then, this awkward situation wouldn't have happened.

We could have ended it with a laugh.

Why did it turn out like this?

“...Arrogant brat.”

Caron's voice was filled with anger.

It was understandable.

‘Huhu, what brings you here? It's a bit late to be playing, isn't it?’

If I were Caron, I would have drilled a hole in my head.

‘Well, it seems the situation is already out of control.’

Then, it's time for my eighteenth, ultimate, shameless grand plan.

“Huhu, what brings you here, Mr. Caron?”

“I came to see you.”

My heart raced.

Don't misunderstand. This isn't a love confession.

It's a death threat.

“Huhu, I enjoyed today's show.”

“...Shut up.”

Caron clicked his tongue in annoyance.

The effort to kiss and give the medal.

He must have been furious when I dismissed it as a show.

“Huhu, but why did you give me the medal? You told me to avoid drawing attention, didn't you?”

“...It's a matter of adult circumstances.”

I know about Dwenner's affection for me.

And his stubbornness led to me receiving the medal.

But I have to ask.

‘Caron might think it's strange.’

We agreed to avoid drawing attention.

If I don't question why he gave me the medal, Caron will suspect.

Whether I had a hand in it or if I know Dwenner.

‘Or both.’

So, this question is necessary.

‘If you told me to hide, why did you give me the medal?’

It's a necessary question to avoid suspicion.

And one more thing.

‘I need to keep my relationship with Dwenner a secret.’

Although I don't want to admit it, Caron is far better at manipulating people's psychology.

If he finds out Dwenner is weak for me, he might use it to his advantage.

‘Not only that.’

From what I know, Dwenner is a puppet set up by the Heryzes family to keep Elester in check.

And Caron is the emperor's shadow.

If Caron finds out Dwenner is just a puppet, Elester will leave the Academy.

‘The future I know will change drastically.’

So, I need to keep Dwenner's weakness a secret.

A headache started to form.

How many times did I think to make this one move?

The unexpected meeting with Caron was not good in many ways.

“Tsk, giving a medal to a brat like you. I almost got my hands dirty.”

“Huhu, you should cut off the rotten parts.”

“I already said it was obvious. Arrogant brat.”

What kind of answer wouldn't be arrogant?

“Huhu, you're being too harsh on a junior.”

“...Didn't I tell you not to use that word?”

“I was forbidden to call you a senior. This is the first time I've called you a junior.”

Click.

A strange sound came from Caron's grip.

Why is he reacting like this to the truth?

‘Phew, at least I bought some time to think.’

It wasn't a pointless conversation.

From the moment Caron appeared until now.

My mind has been working furiously.

‘The atmosphere isn't as hostile as it was in the ant nest.’

He didn't come to kill me.

There's a reason he sought me out.

Finding out Caron's reason and purpose is crucial.

“...I've confirmed the information.”

“Information?”

“Yes. Huse was a spy. Or rather, just a fool.”

Now I understand why Caron came.

To confirm the information and gather new information.

‘...That was fast.’

I did consider the possibility that the hidden presence was Caron.

For about a second? But I quickly ruled him out.

Why?

‘I provided the information yesterday.’

I didn't think Caron could verify it in just one day.

It was natural.

Verifying information is a complicated process.

Checking the credibility of the provided information.

Identifying suspects.

Detecting unusual behavior in suspects.

Apprehending and detaining suspects.

Interrogation.

Listing, verifying, and summarizing the information provided by the suspect.

Cross-verifying the information from the suspect and the provider.

Final confirmation.

‘To complete all this in less than a day...’

It's an insane speed.

Caron, who kept me on edge until the final chapter.

His skills, as I felt in the game, are beyond imagination.

I revised my assessment of Caron in my mind.

He's too competent. I might not want to deal with him again.

“While stealing the information, he was also destroying it. Thanks to you, we almost lost more information.”

I decided not to ask the stupid question, ‘How did you confirm Huse was a spy?’

The rat of the empire, the one who manages the empire's intelligence.

It's obvious how he made Huse talk.

“First, let's talk about the price for the deal.”

He's talking about the price for the information I provided about Huse being a spy.

“Huhu, that was a service.”

“It's my principle to be clear in deals. Speak up. I'll provide information that matches this task.”

Caron is unusually generous.

“Speak up. What information do you want?”

Since he's offering, I decided not to refuse.

We're not comrades but business partners.

‘I don't really need any information right now.’

But there was one thing that could replace information.