Chapter 86

“Huh?”

I could only dumbly ask back in Yoo Ju’s office. Because what she said didn’t make sense to me.

“…. Yoon Seong isn’t included in the team for this request. It’s just me, Jaehyo, Ho-yeon, and Ho-won uncle who will handle this request.”

My name wasn’t on the list.

“Why is my name missing from the list?”

“It’s a decision as the Clan Master. Considering this request might be dangerous, I made this decision for Yoon Seong’s safety.”

‘Sigh… Stop being so overprotective.’

This request was a perfect opportunity for me to showcase my abilities, so I couldn’t accept Yoo Ju’s decision.

‘Of course, staying at the Clan House and lazing around isn’t bad either… but considering the potential situation and rewards, it’s better to go.’

Since Yoo Ju seems confident about this request, there might be a chance for me to shine, and volunteering for such dangerous missions helps solidify my position in the clan.

‘Besides, the probability of it actually being dangerous is low.’

If the request was truly unmanageable, Yoo Ju wouldn’t have taken it in the first place.

“… It feels strange for me to stay at the Clan House for safety reasons while others are participating in the request.”

“No, it’s not strange at all. Don’t think like that, and it’s right for Yoon Seong to sit this one out.”

“… Is it because I acted alone last time?”

My words must have hit the mark, as Yoo Ju’s eyebrows twitched for a moment.

“… You know it well.”

‘Damn it…’

“… Yoo Ju, please reconsider. I might… be of help in this request.”

“Of course, you would be helpful. No, honestly, there hasn’t been a single time when Yoon Seong wasn’t helpful. Especially since this request heavily involves information gathering, you would definitely be of help.”

“Then…”

“But it’s not about your abilities, as you know. From my perspective, there’s no guarantee that Yoon Seong won’t act alone this time either.”

“….. Honestly, I understand Yoo Ju’s position. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably think the same way. But can’t you trust me just this once?”

“…..”

“I really won’t do anything dangerous this time.”

After listening to me, Yoo Ju let out a sigh.

“Sigh… Really… This is the last time. If you do it again… I won’t be able to cover for you anymore.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for trusting me, Yoo Ju.”

‘Thank goodness… Sigh…’

But… honestly, I’m not sure if I can keep my word. If a truly dangerous situation arises… I might have to take a gamble.

“Anyway, we’re not planning to leave immediately. Since the request doesn’t have a strict deadline, there’s no need to rush to resolve it. Of course… we shouldn’t drag our feet too much either.”

I understood what Yoo Ju meant.

Since other clans aren’t paying much attention to this request, and the Royal Palace hasn’t set a specific deadline, there’s no need to hurry.

However, if the Royal Palace resolves it on their own, it would be a complete loss for our clan, so we shouldn’t be too leisurely.

“I understand what you mean.”

******

After Yoo Ju allowed me to participate in the request, I started researching Silan, the area where drugs were reportedly being distributed.

Of course, I had documents I had gathered, but Wi Ho-yeon had also brought some documents. Since it was a place I had never been to or knew about, the more information, the better.

“…. Hmm.”

“… Yoon Seong, is something wrong?”

“… No. I just have something to think about.”

‘Silan… It’s basically a slum and entertainment district.’

According to the documents, Silan was packed with elements that stimulated people’s primal desires, like casinos, bars, and brothels.

‘This place has everything… There’s even an auction house. An auction house in such an area… It’s unlikely they’re selling only legitimate items.’

Looking at the auction list from Silan’s auction house, surprisingly, only normal items were listed.

‘That’s why it’s even more suspicious. Are they really satisfied with just this in such an area?’

Human desires, once unleashed, know no bounds. People constantly exposed to primal stimuli wouldn’t be satisfied with just these normal auctions.

‘… There’s something fishy. This can’t be everything.’

Looking at the auction house’s sales records, they weren’t high, as I expected. In fact, it seemed impossible to maintain the auction house with such low sales.

‘… Is it just a front?’

The auction house’s records are probably genuine, since the Neutral Country conducts regular audits.

But it occurred to me that the auction house itself might not be for profit but just a front.

My guess is… there might be a black market here. But if there is, one question arises.

‘… Is someone covering for them?’

If there’s a black market here, it’s unlikely the Neutral Country wouldn’t have discovered it unless someone inside is covering for them.

‘… The money flow is also strange.’

A significant portion of the wealth generated in Silan goes to one clan.

‘Red Ant Clan.’

It was a clan name I hadn’t heard before. According to my research, it’s not a large clan but a medium-sized one. Still, it’s not a clan to be underestimated.

Of course, there’s a limit to what you can learn just from documents.

In the end, it’s pointless unless you go there and feel the atmosphere yourself.

‘Well… At least it’s not a total loss.’

At least it’s clear that Silan’s money flow is suspicious.

“First…”



“Thank you, Ho-yeon. Your help has been a great assistance.”

These words were not empty. It was clear that there were limits to what I could find on my own, and thanks to her help, I was finally able to catch the unusual flow of funds.

“No, not at all. I’m glad I could be of help.”

“According to the information Ho-yeon found, the flow of funds is indeed strange. Most of it seems to be going into a clan called the Red Ants… and the funds are disappearing again, which is…”

Wi Ho-yeon responded to my question.

“It’s not certain, but… I think it might be related to the Eastern Alliance.”

“…The Eastern Alliance?”

I was taken aback by the sudden mention of the Eastern Alliance.

After all, we were investigating the distribution of drugs in a neutral country, so hearing the name of another region was naturally confusing.

“Yes. Um… Do you know that I’m originally from the Eastern Alliance?”

Of course, I knew. Ho-yeon had mentioned it before.

“Yes, I know.”

“Before I came to Baronia from the Eastern Alliance… drugs were rampant there. It was common to see people lying around the streets, intoxicated by drugs.”

‘…Was it really that bad?’

Every story related to the Eastern Alliance seemed to be a bad one. At this point, it was inevitable to develop a negative bias against the place.

“In Baronia, it’s hard to imagine, but… I understand that there are many drug factories operating in the Eastern Alliance.”

‘…Drug factories.’

Hearing the term “drug factories” made me think strangely, and I ran my hand through my hair.

‘Hmm…’

This thought had occurred to me ever since Yoo Ju brought up the issue of drug distribution.

‘Then… does that mean there are recipes too?’

The facilities could be built with blueprints, and the ingredients or components of the drugs could be figured out with my unique traits.

‘With the formulation and… facilities, it’s possible.’

Of course, I’m not saying I would run a drug factory. I’m not bold enough to do such a thing in Baronia.

‘Of course… if it’s not Baronia, it wouldn’t matter. For example, the already ruined Eastern Alliance…’

If the Eastern Alliance has reached that point, there’s no turning back.

It’s a place where criminals or outlaws run rampant, and no matter how you look at it, it’s beyond saving.

‘If it can’t be saved… using it isn’t a bad idea. Controlling such things would definitely be helpful.’

Yoo Ju is honest and upright, so she wouldn’t be interested in such shady dealings, but I’m different.

The problem is that getting involved in drugs is too dangerous for me, and even if I successfully establish a position, the risk of being caught or something going wrong is too great.

I didn’t have any aversion to doing business with drugs, not using them.

‘If I had an aversion to such things, I wouldn’t have lived like that on Earth in the first place. Well… I didn’t deal drugs, but…’

Well, it’s all just a fantasy until it’s actually executed, and I don’t even know if what I’m thinking is possible, so it’s too early to get excited.

But I couldn’t help but feel a bit excited as a good idea came to mind.

‘Ha Yu-ri… I was wondering how to handle her, but this works out perfectly.’

As far as I know, the Mardan Clan primarily earns wealth through artifact and potion businesses.

Of course, it’s mainly composed of mages, and as a clan that heavily focuses on alchemy and blacksmithing, it’s only natural.

“Yun-seong. Did you come up with a good idea?”

Seeing me chuckle to myself, Wi Ho-yeon asked me.

“Ah… it’s nothing. By the way, my body feels a bit stiff. How about you, Ho-yeon?”

“Ah… well, now that you mention it, I do feel a bit…”

“Then how about we step out for some fresh air?”

“As you wish.”

“Let’s step out for a bit. It’s a bit stuffy staying inside.”

As I walked with Wi Ho-yeon, I thought about it.

Of course, the thought I was pondering was about Ha Yu-ri. In fact, thinking about it, Ha Yu-ri never directly crossed the line with me.

Sure, being bullied and ignored by her during training was annoying, but is that enough to hold a grudge? Not really.

So, at first, I really had no intention of doing anything.

‘After all, she’s a top-tier powerhouse with a high social standing, so it’s dangerous. Plus, it’s not easy.’

It’s completely different from dealing with Joo Seung-hwan. In fact, dealing with Joo Seung-hwan was only possible because of my status as a trainee.

Now, I’m not a trainee, and Ha Yu-ri is a more troublesome opponent than Joo Seung-hwan, so it’s obvious even to a fool that it’s not as easy as it seems.

But my thoughts changed not long ago.

‘When I had a meal alone with Yoo Ju.’

Seeing Ha Yu-ri’s attitude at that time, it was only natural to wonder what to do.

Not only was she extremely hostile towards me, but she also acted hostile towards Yoo Ju in the end.

That’s when I realized. I had no choice but to deal with her.

‘…I’ll make you a drug offender soon, Ha Yu-ri, you bitch.’