Chapter 159

“Pervert.”

“No, no. Not that, just a subordinate.”

She didn’t seem to believe a word I said.

“What, are you some kind of slave trader? One isn’t enough for you…”

“Sigh… Slave trader, my foot… Anyway, I’m the master of the Information Clan I mentioned before.”

At my words, a glint appeared in Ha Yu-ri’s eyes.

“…The Information Clan you said you had?”

“Yeah.”

“If it’s the clan you own, then that woman must be your slave.”

“…Stop obsessing over that. What, are you jealous because you’re not the only slave?”

“Ha, what did you just say? Jealous? I’m speechless… It’s just pity for another victim like me. I wonder how much she’s suffered under you… You definitely forced her into slavery, didn’t you? Just like you did to me.”

“No… That sounds weird.”

While bickering with Ha Yu-ri, Ruska spoke up in a tone that suggested things weren’t as Ha Yu-ri thought.

“Did you say Ha Yu-ri, the Clan Master of Madan Clan?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Sorry, but it’s not what you think. I’m a voluntary slave.”

“What…?”

Ha Yu-ri’s expression was priceless. She looked like she was thinking, “What kind of nonsense is this?”

Even I was hearing the term “voluntary slave” for the first time in my life.

“I chose to become that man’s slave. In other words, I’m different from you. So, don’t lump us together.”

While Ha Yu-ri was stunned, Ruska’s words kept coming.

“Come to think of it, you were forced into a slave contract after defying your master, right? Know your place. I’m the only true slave who serves the master.”

“W-what did you say?”

I don’t know why Ruska suddenly went off, but I decided to watch the situation unfold.

“Who would want to become that man’s slave?! I’m speechless…! If you like serving under him so much, why don’t you do it yourself!”

Ruska smiled enchantingly and replied.

“Of course, I will. I plan to do even more.”

Ha Yu-ri, her face red, shouted at me.

“What’s wrong with this woman!”

“Hey… let’s both calm down. I don’t even know why this is happening. Ruska, what’s going on?”

“I was just warning her not to covet the master.”

Hearing Ruska’s words, Ha Yu-ri shouted loudly.

“Who’s coveting who?!”

‘Ugh, damn… my ears are gonna fall off.’

“Delusions have their limits! Is this woman insane?!”

‘…Honestly, she’s not exactly normal.’

“Anyway, Ruska can help you, Ha Yu-ri, so I’m introducing her.”

“Forget it. I can do it on my own. I don’t need a woman like her…”

“Your sister, there’s a chance she might still be alive.”

At my words, Ha Yu-ri’s expression froze in disbelief.

“W-what… say that again. What did you say…”

“Your sister might still be alive.”

“Ah…?”

‘…She must be in shock.’

Well, if I were in Ha Yu-ri’s shoes, I’d probably react the same way.

“Really… really? My, my sister is alive?”

Ha Yu-ri’s tearful expression was like someone who had found a lifeline at the edge of a cliff.

“…I can’t say for sure. But it’s too early to conclude that she’s dead.”

“How… what, what did you find out? Please, please tell me.”

Ha Yu-ri knelt before me, begging.

“M-master. Please, please tell me. Okay? I can find my sister, right? Please… *sob*…”

‘Only calling me master when you need something.’

“…I’ll help as much as I can. But you’ll need Ruska’s help. It’ll be hard without her.”

Right after I finished speaking, Ruska reacted with a displeased expression.

“Master, I don’t want to help this woman. Isn’t she utterly ungrateful? Just a while ago, she was acting all arrogant, and now she only seeks the master when she needs something. It’s downright annoying.”

Hearing Ruska’s words, Ha Yu-ri’s face turned pale, as if she thought I might change my mind.

“I’m, I’m sorry! I was wrong!”

Ha Yu-ri prostrated herself.

“I’ll do whatever you say! I’ll throw away all my pride! Please tell me… help me…”

I looked up, closed my eyes, and sighed.

I don’t know how it got to this, but lately, things always seem to end up this way.

‘These days, everyone’s bowing left and right. Sigh…’

The problem was that Ha Yu-ri took my sigh as a rejection.

“What, what should I do? Huh? I, I’m your dog, right? Woof! Woof! *sob*… I’ll, I’ll do anything. Anything at all, please…”

“First, get up…”

“Finally realized your place, huh? That’s the position of a slave.”

‘Hey, why are you being so harsh on her…’

…It seems Ruska really doesn’t like Ha Yu-ri.

******

“Have you calmed down a bit?”

“…..”

At my question, Ha Yu-ri nodded slightly.

“Stop prostrating yourself out of nowhere. I’ve said I’ll help you several times, do you really not trust me that much?”

“…..”

“…What, why aren’t you answering?”

“Ah, no. You’re trustworthy!”

“You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“Ah, no?”

“…You’re really bad at lying.”

Ha Yu-ri answered in a voice as small as a mosquito’s while watching my reaction.

“…Is it obvious?”

“Very.”

“Well… anyway, how are you going to help?”

“First, according to the investigation by the Acacia Clan, she’s currently wanted and hasn’t crossed the border.”

“Huh…? Acacia… Clan?”

“Yeah?”

Ha Yu-ri seemed to remember something and reacted.

“Wait a minute. Is that woman… no, is the clan you said you had the Acacia Clan?”

“Yeah, why?”

“If it’s the Acacia Clan… it’s a very famous clan in the underworld lately…”

I was quite surprised. Not only did Ha Yu-ri know about the Acacia Clan, but the fact that the Acacia Clan was famous enough to reach her ears was also surprising.

“Ah! So that’s why…! I was wondering how you were selling players’ status windows, so it was you…?”

She quickly connected it to my unique traits.

“Right. Actually, Ruska handles most of the clan’s operations, and I just provided the initial capital.”





Ha Yu-ri was looking at me with eyes that seemed to recognize me again.

Even if it was a fluke that she acknowledged me, it seemed she was impressed that I created the Acacia Clan and that the clan was essentially mine.

My shoulders puffed up for no reason, and I said something.

“Now you get it? This is the level I’m at.”

“…It would’ve been cooler if you hadn’t said that last part.”

…I suddenly felt deflated.

“Anyway, according to the information, he was spotted in a city called Laderam on the outskirts of Baronia. Oh, and I have something to confirm with you.”

“Something to confirm?”

There’s a 99% chance that Rekalux is Ha Yu-ri’s enemy, but just in case, it’s only natural to go through the confirmation process.

I signaled to Ruska, and she brought over a sketch.

The sketch was made based on Charis’s testimony and information.

I took the sketch from Ruska and showed it to Ha Yu-ri.

“Is this the old man who attacked you and your sister?”

Right after showing her the sketch, I didn’t even need to hear her answer.

Tears were streaming from her eyes, and a murderous aura was emanating from her. No further answer was needed.

“Yes, it’s him. This bastard, this bastard. He’s the one who attacked me and my sister…”

After hearing her answer, I immediately took the sketch back. No need to keep it in front of her and risk her emotions flaring up.

“Good. Then it’s confirmed. Our job now is to head to the city of Laderam and track down this old monster. There’s almost no chance we’ll miss him. I plan to have Ruska’s subordinates spread out around the outskirts of the city.”

“Okay…”

“Oh, and we’ll be going with three people, plus one more. There’s someone who knows Rekalux well.”

“Someone who knows him well?”

I debated whether to tell Ha Yu-ri the truth but decided to just be honest.

“Stay calm and listen. It’s someone who used to be Rekalux’s comrade.”

“What… did you say?”

‘Ugh, I told you to stay calm and listen.’

“However, this person has no direct involvement with what happened to your sister. So, I’m sorry to say this, but I hope you can understand. They’re also my subordinate.”

Ha Yu-ri made a complicated face, agonized for a while, and then asked me.

“…Are you sure they have no connection to my sister?”

“Yeah, they’re not that kind of person, and even though they were part of the same group, they operated separately.”

Honestly, even if there was a slight connection, I planned to tell Ha Yu-ri there wasn’t.

I felt bad for Ha Yu-ri, but Charis is a valuable asset to me. I couldn’t give up Charis because of Ha Yu-ri.

“…Alright, I understand. When can I meet this person?”

“We’ll gather and leave in a week. Just in case, don’t do anything stupid.”

“…I’m not that thoughtless. I’ve received this much help from you, and I have no intention of causing you trouble.”

“Good then.”

Ha Yu-ri hesitated for a moment, then suddenly bowed her head to me.

“I’ll never forget this. I mean it. Thank you so much for helping me.”

Seeing Ha Yu-ri’s action, Ruska sneered.

“Finally realized her place, huh? Isn’t that right, Master?”

‘Ugh, just stay quiet. Why are you so obsessed with her?’

I waved my hand at Ha Yu-ri and replied.

“Thanks are enough.”

Ha Yu-ri looked at me with a strange gaze.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…It’s just, I guess I’ve been blind when it comes to judging people.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at Ha Yu-ri’s words.

“Alright. Let’s meet again in a week.”

“…Okay. I’ll see you in a week.”

After finishing her words, Ha Yu-ri left.

“…Ruska.”

“Yes, Master?”

I couldn’t help but ask the question that was on my mind.

“Why are you so obsessed with Ha Yu-ri?”

Ruska answered as if my question was ridiculous.

“It’s not her I want to devour, it’s you.”

…I was at a loss for words at Ruska’s response.

“…Alright, but did Ha Yu-ri do something wrong to you?”

“No, she hasn’t done anything wrong to me.”

“Then why are you like this?”

“…Her attitude toward you was disrespectful.”

“What? Just because of that…”

“Master, you are my master. It’s not just ‘because of that.’ No one should ever ignore or get annoyed with you.”

‘Isn’t that a bit too much…?’

“I’m not some emperor, and that seems a bit extreme…”

“To me, you’re no different from an emperor.”

I was shocked for a moment by Ruska’s words.

“…You’re saying some dangerous stuff. Please don’t say that kind of thing anywhere else. You’ll get dragged to the royal palace.”

It’s good that her loyalty to me is strong, but I’m scared she might say something like that in front of others.

‘Just imagining it is terrifying…’

The problem was what she said next.

“If it’s not treason, then it’s fine, right? It might be tough, but if you want, I can make you the emperor.”

“What, what did you say?”

‘What kind of crazy talk is this?’

“If we combine our strength, I think it’s possible. I’ll assassinate the key figures in the royal palace, and we’ll mobilize the people under you to slowly make it happen. I don’t think it’s impossible.”

‘Crazy, why are you saying this so seriously?’

I had to speak up quickly, worried that this crazy woman might secretly start something.

“Crazy, I have no intention of doing that, so don’t even think about it. Got it?”

“…Understood.”

“Damn it, I’m not joking. I’m serious.”

…There was a pause before Ruska answered, so I couldn’t help but worry.