Chapter 103

“By any chance… do you know a woman named Yanagiya Riki?”

As soon as I mentioned the name Yanagiya Riki, Yoon Yeon’s expression changed.

“…How do you know that name?”

‘…Are they acquainted?’

Judging by Yoon Yeon’s reaction, it seems she knows her.

Her reaction wasn’t just about knowing the name; there was something more to it.

“Ah… well…”

“Spit it out. Did you… meet Yanagiya Riki?”

‘What’s going on? Why is she acting like this?’

“….No, not exactly. Actually, the clan behind the drug distribution this time is led by a woman named Yanagiya Riki.”

“…What?”

“So, our clan basically disrupted her operations… I wanted to know more about what kind of person she is. Do you know her?”

“……”

“…Yoon, unnie?”

“…Ha, so Yanagiya Riki is behind the drug distribution?”

Yoon Yeon’s reaction was anything but normal, so I couldn’t help but watch her carefully.

‘Damn… why is she acting like this?’

“Does that mean… you’ve directly clashed with Yanagiya Riki?”

“Not… really? It’s not like we started anything with them; we just acted as a neutral country should. Our clan simply fulfilled a request from the neutral country… But honestly, I don’t know how they might see it.”

“…I see…”

“…Is there a problem?”

Yoon Yeon’s unusual reaction made me tense up.

‘Just who the hell is this Yanagiya Riki?’

“…If there hasn’t been any direct conflict, that’s good. Let me give you some advice… no, a warning: it’s best to avoid getting involved with that woman.”

“…..Why?”

“Because she’s a total psycho.”

“…A psycho?”

“Yeah. Yanagiya Riki is… notorious for being vicious. Most of the shady dealings in the Eastern Alliance are somehow connected to her.”

“So… like the queen of the underworld?”

At my words, Yoon Yeon shook her head and replied.

“Not quite a queen, but close. Though, it’s not just her nasty personality…”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s the type to exact terrible revenge on anyone who harms her or opposes her, but she’s also very clear about debts.”

“Debts?”

“Yeah, debts. She repays revenge precisely, but she also remembers and repays favors. Like… double the revenge, double the gratitude?”

“Ah… I think I get it.”

“Anyway, you know about the outlaws running rampant in the Eastern Alliance, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“Even those outlaws try to avoid clashing with Yanagiya Riki. Can you guess what kind of person she is based on that?”

“…I can imagine. So… if you and Yanagiya Riki were to fight, who would win?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it.

“….That’s quite a disrespectful question.”

‘Crap…! It just slipped out.’

“Ah… that came out wrong…”

Yoon Yeon chuckled at my excuse and spoke up.

“Kick… well, no need to be so nervous. It’s natural for you to be curious.”

Of course, I was curious. Among the players I’ve seen, the strongest would be Kang Seong-jun, Yoon Yeon, and Gu Yeon-jeong.

But Kang Seong-jun and Gu Yeon-jeong are currently dead. Based on my current understanding, the strongest player is Yoon Yeon.

“…..”

“I’ve actually fought Yanagiya Riki a few times back in the Eastern Alliance. What do you think the result was?”

Honestly, I haven’t seen Yanagiya Riki in person, so I don’t know, but I couldn’t picture Yoon Yeon losing.

“…I think you would’ve won.”

“Hmm… are you flattering me?”

“Flattering? No… it’s just that you’re the strongest person I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s nice to hear. Well… sorry to disappoint, but surprisingly, it was a draw.”

“….A draw?”

“Yeah. Actually, the fight didn’t go to the end, so it was more like it got interrupted. But honestly, the me back then and the me now are different. Of course, Yanagiya Riki has probably gotten stronger too, but if we were to fight now…”

“…..”

“…I don’t think I’d lose. It might sound arrogant, but I think I’d win. I honestly don’t feel like I’d lose.”

For a moment, I was almost captivated by Yoon Yeon’s words. It was just so damn cool.

“But win or lose, she’s not someone I want to fight. She’s just exhausting to deal with.”

“I think I get what you mean.”

“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, avoid getting involved with her. It’s a good thing there hasn’t been any direct conflict.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.”

“Thanks? It’s no big deal.”

After hearing Yoon Yeon’s words, it definitely seemed better to avoid Yanagiya Riki as much as possible.

‘Unless Seo Yoo-ju grows stronger, it’s not the time yet.’

“Any other questions?”

“Nah, I think I’ve got all the info I need.”

“Then let’s get moving.”

“…To the underground prison?”

“Yeah. You’re coming too.”

******

Following Yoon Yeon and a maid’s guidance, we arrived at a prison that gave off a very unpleasant vibe.

It was a stark contrast to the royal palace we had been staying in.

“This is the place.”

“Um… Yoon unnie, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it? Go ahead.”

“Can I go in alone? Just until the clerk arrives.”

“Sure.”

“……”

Opening a cell door and stepping inside, I saw Charis, restrained and with her eyes closed.

Her appearance was quite different from what I remembered; this must be her true form.

Instead of short brown hair, she had long pink hair, and her eyes were ruby red.

Whether she woke up from the sound of me entering or not, she slowly opened her eyes.

“….You are…”

“…..”

“Surely… Lee Yun-seong from the Eternity Clan…?”

I was torn between responding casually or formally, but reflexively, the formal speech came out.

“It’s been a while, Charis.”



“Miss Maid.”

“…. Why are you here…?”

“Well, somehow it just turned out this way.”

“….. Is it you?”

Probably noticed something from seeing me in prison.

“…..”

“Did you… did you make me like this…?”

“… Isn’t it a bit weird to say that? Did I make you like that, Miss Maid? Doesn’t it sound a bit off?”

“Stop calling me Miss Maid so casually. How did you even know?”

“What are you talking about?”

“… How did you know my real job and what I do!”

‘… Definitely different from the mansion days. Guess the goofy act was just an act.’

“That’s the question. How did I know? How did I know about you, the parasitic sorcerer Bahan, and the others involved?”

“…. You… how?”

Seems shocked that I know not just about her but other secrets too.

Honestly, I don’t know if it’s camaraderie or what, but as far as I know, Charis only confessed about herself.

Must be shocking that I know secrets she hasn’t even confessed.

“…. I thought it was strange when you, a dark sorcerer, came out of the dungeon safely, but there was something… Did Bahan confess everything?”

“That idiot? Surprisingly, it’s because of that guy you call an idiot that I almost died.”

“What…”

“And… shouldn’t you be careful about suspecting your comrades, Miss Charis? Contrary to your worries, that guy Bahan didn’t confess anything.”

“…….”

“But now the situation is different. That guy Bahan is dead, but you’re alive, aren’t you? It seems like it’s your turn to confess now.”

“…. What do you want?”

“Everything. The group you belonged to, or should I say, used to belong to? Anyway, just tell me everything you know about the organization and its members.”

“…….”

“Hmm… I don’t really like silence. Didn’t seem like you had much camaraderie, so why keep your mouth shut now?”

“……”

“Didn’t you abandon your comrades just fine back then? Talking about baggage and causing a scene in the border count’s territory. Are you pretending to have camaraderie now?”

“What, what are you talking about?”

Shocked expression as I mention the conversation she had back then.

“Who is the crazy old man you were talking about, Miss Charis?”

“You… what… how did you…!”

Switching from ‘you’ to ‘you’ shows she’s losing her composure.

Honestly, if someone repeated a secret conversation I had in the past, I’d lose my cool too.

“Well, I get that you’re excited, but calm down first. You haven’t answered my question yet.”

“You… who are you? What are you…!”

“… Seems like talking is going to be tough. Why don’t you listen when spoken to?”

Charis looked flustered at my sudden change in attitude.

This situation was getting troublesome. Wasting time like this is the worst.

Kept asking questions and getting off-topic, so of course, I’m getting annoyed.

“Wouldn’t it be better to listen when spoken to? Better to talk before being tortured, right?”

“…..”

As soon as the word ‘torture’ came out of my mouth, Charis’s face turned pale. Enduring torture is impossible for a human being.

Thinking you can endure torture with willpower alone is nonsense.

Especially since the strong in this world have bodies that don’t die easily, so torturers don’t need to be careful not to kill their subjects.

She knows this, so her face turned pale.

“The important thing isn’t what you’re curious about. It’s whether you answer willingly. Got it? Let’s answer. My patience is running thin…”

“… What do you want to know?”

“As I said, the identity of the old man you called crazy, the location and information of your group.”

Charis was silent for a while, then quietly opened her mouth.

“…. Fine. But… I have a condition too.”

“… What condition? Don’t you understand your position?”

“I… I’m innocent. I’ve been out of that business for a long time! I just wanted to live quietly!”

Suddenly, Charis started shouting as if driven by resentment.

Seems she’s upset about being caught even though she thought she had left that life.

Honestly, I get it, but…

‘Not my problem.’

Not my problem.

“…. Miss Charis. Whether you left that life or not, that’s not important. It’s getting troublesome if you keep this up.”

“…. I just want a guarantee…”

“What kind of guarantee are you talking about?”

“If I tell the royal palace all the information they want… guarantee my freedom.”

‘… Is she asking to be spared?’

“Are you asking for your life to be spared?”

“… That too, but I want the right to live a normal life.”

“The right to live a normal life… you say?”

“Yes, I… just want to live quietly. I want to have a normal family, grow old quietly, and die like everyone else.”

‘… Is she serious?’

Hard to believe someone with such abilities just wants to live a normal family life. But her expression seems sincere.

“… I haven’t harmed the neutral country, have I? I acted as a maid in the border count’s mansion, but that was just to live quietly. I definitely didn’t have any bad intentions…”

“…. Well, alright. I’ll talk to the higher-ups. But only after you properly give the information.”