Chapter 28

Time passed.

Renock finally visited the market, dragging his tired body after a long time.

For a while, he had been too busy to do anything but eat ready-made meals, but he never gave up on his dream of a healthy diet.

Although his knife skills were still clumsy and even measuring seasonings was a mess, it was a problem that could be overcome with effort, separate from his disastrous athletic ability.

Renock knew very well that in order to get the necessary nutrients, he had to take action himself.

It had been a long time since he had done so, until he met the woman with green eyes.

"It's been a while."

"Ah, yes...."

Evelyn, an agent of the city government.

Despite her insane strength and status, she had a simple hobby of growing vegetables and selling them at the market.

He had never been to that market since he last met her, but had she moved her stall?

His luck was this bad.

The moment Renock noticed her presence, he quickly reverted the magic pattern he had been changing back to its original form.

This was the magic pattern she knew when they first met at the market.

He didn't know if Evelyn remembered his magic pattern, but it was better to be cautious.

With a smile, Renock slowly looked down at the vegetables spread out on the stall, repeatedly thinking to himself.

'He's a strong player who stands up to Kroken. I need to be careful... be careful...'

Despite his inner turmoil, he calmly picked out the vegetables he had planned to buy and placed them in his basket, then took out money from his wallet and handed it to Evelyn.

She diligently counted the bills and gave him the correct change.

Even as a hobby, she seemed meticulous in such matters.

While thinking this, Renock naturally greeted her and turned around.

Once he left the market, it would be a success.

Just as he took a step, Evelyn's voice came from behind him.

"Hey, wait a moment."

"......Yes?"

"What's your name?"

Evelyn asked with an unreadable expression.

"Why are you curious?"

"Your magic pattern is very clean for a 4th-level mage. Usually, guys like you who have a solid foundation rise quickly."

She smiled faintly as she said this.

"Well, we might meet somewhere later. It's better to know your name, right?"

The smile on her almost expressionless face was surprisingly refreshing.

Of course, it didn't affect Renock, who knew where her real job was.

How could Renock know if her saying they might meet later meant as a colleague or as a target for an agent?

Unsatisfied with Renock's reaction, Evelyn crossed her arms and put on a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm... This is actually information I shouldn't share, but I'll tell you specially."

"I don't quite understand what you mean."

"There will be a major inspection of the lawless areas outside soon. We plan to focus on the magicians who set up stalls in Zone 40 and evade taxes."

"......"

It was an absurdly unrealistic statement, but Renock couldn't laugh at this joke-like topic.

From Renock's perspective, knowing where Evelyn worked, it wasn't a joke at all.

Unaware of Renock's inner thoughts, Evelyn smiled faintly.

"If you have connections there, it's best to lie low for a while. If your name is on the deep web, that's a different story... but you're not involved in that, right?"

"What is the deep web?"

Renock pretended not to know, and Evelyn casually brushed it off.

"I'm telling you because I like you. It would be awkward to meet you there, right?"

Of course, if he really got caught in an inspection led by an agent, it wouldn't end with just awkwardness... but there was no need to say that here.

Evelyn seemed to think this was enough and smoothly changed the topic.

"I'm Evelyn. Evelyn Marcia."

"My name is Ed James."

Renock lied calmly without batting an eye.

There was no need to give his real name, Evan Baelan, knowing she was an agent of the city government.

He certainly didn't want her to trace Evan Baelan's name and discover the flaws in his weak fake identity.

Evelyn smiled more deeply upon hearing the name Renock gave.

"Ed James? Alright, I'll remember it."

"I'll try not to forget it either."

"If you can't give me the same name next time we meet, you'll have to be prepared. Got it?"

"......"

Did she notice it was a fake name the moment he gave it?

But even though she noticed it was a fake name, Evelyn was no ordinary person to say such things.

Renock nodded reluctantly and left the market.

He felt her gaze sticking to his back, but pretending to be calm was one of the easiest things for him.

After walking a considerable distance from the market, Renock let out a small sigh and turned towards his one-room apartment.

"Should I look for another market....."

He had already moved to a new market, yet he met her again here.

At this point, he suspected she might be rotating through various markets in the city, setting up her vegetable stall.

'I don't need to be close to someone who knows I'm a mage.'

Even at their second meeting, she was still someone who made his spine chill.

Whether she was an ally or an enemy, he never wanted to be involved with her again.

He didn't know how skilled she was, and he didn't want to know.

He had to prepare for any possible situation, but he could only hope that the city government's agent would chase after the big criminals of Pandemonium, as befitting her reputation.

While receiving a call from Jenny on his phone, Renock continued walking.