章 14: 13: Reunions and Suspicions
"Progress is not only about moving forward, but also about re-encountering those moments and people who shaped our journey, turning the past into a springboard for the future."
— Nilloen and his afternoon coffee
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"Huh? Really?"
— Yes. Thanks to you, young lady, we were able to finish off the Mountain Tyrant quickly and without too many injuries. Right now, we are heading back to the guild to report on the mission and tell them about the information you gave us. We would like you to come and collaborate with us with the information you gave us when you have time.
"Ah. Yes, of course, uncle."
"That's all I wanted to say, I'm going to undress now. You should be going to class now."
Hanging up the call, Yoo Yeonha starts to think.
"Houtarou Oreki. How does he know about this information?"
She looks at her watch and sees the time, realizing that it's time to go to class. On the field to the class, she sees the man who gave her the information about the mountain tyrant and also the reason for her doubt. He was at the door of the class, along with a teammate.
"And that's how I decided to use the sword."
"I see."
"..."
When they entered, their eyes were fixed on Oreki. But it didn't last long because Shin Jonghak was not far from them.
"Ah... Jonghak."
Yeonha goes to him and stands by his side, entering the class together. She sees that Hazuki and Houtarou are together while converting.
"As you know, a guild's database contains a lot of useful information. But most of the time, you need to reach a certain level to access it."
Today's class seemed endless, and Oreki could barely hide his boredom. Beside him, Hazuki was fast asleep, her head fallen on the table and a small puddle of drool slowly forming. Oreki couldn't help but smile amusedly as he observed the scene.
"Hmmm. I'll take a picture of her. Hehe." He thought, lifting his smartwatch. With a subtle click, he recorded Hazuki's relaxed moment.
As the teacher continued the boring explanation about accessing guild databases—a topic that Oreki considered irrelevant to his current situation—he observed Hazuki's behavior with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"Now, we will continue after a short break," the teacher announced, ending the class. Hazuki woke up instantly, a long yawn accompanying her confused expression.
"Huaaam. Is it over?" She asked, rubbing her eyes and trying to compose herself.
"Yes. You slept through more than half the class. I'm impressed the teacher didn't notice." Oreki replied, the amusement still evident in his voice.
"Of course not, I'm experienced at this. HUUM." Hazuki puffed out her chest with naive pride, as if the ability to sleep without being noticed was a great feat.
Oreki looked at her with a slight smile, not sure if he should find it admirable or just peculiar. He decided to wait for Yoo Yeonha's response, who had promised to send a message.
[Excuse me.]
"Speak of the devil." Blood made a quick comment.
A message notification popped up on his smartwatch, one of the many devices connected to the Cubo intranet, allowing direct communication without the need for a specific contact address. This was the first time Oreki had used this feature.
Yoo Yeonha was sitting in the front row. After a quick glance at the back of her head, Oreki replied to her message.
[What?]
[What are you?]
[I believe I am human.]
A pause followed, with Oreki hearing a sigh coming from somewhere in the room. He imagined Yoo Yeonha rolling her eyes.
[Stop joking around. I'm asking about the information you gave me.]
[Oh. So? Was I right?]
Hazuki, curious, leaned over to see what Oreki was doing. "Hey. What are you doing?"
He stepped back a little, replying, "Nothing much."
Hazuki seemed dissatisfied with the answer, but didn't press further.
[…Yes.]
Oreki didn't immediately realize that Yoo Yeonha had replied. Looking back at his watch, he saw the new message, and noticed that she had turned slightly toward him.
[How did you know?]
[Knowing. Do you think I would tell you?]
Yoo Yeonha's shoulder seemed to twitch, and she returned a brief reply.
[No.]
A subtle smile appeared on Oreki's lips. Now was the right time for his request.
[Since I gave you important information, I want something in return. As I said before.]
Desert Eagle, the elegant and dignified bird of prey.
Yoo Yeonha suddenly turned around. Her gaze, though still sharp, seemed lighter, almost curious.
Oreki sent her an inward smile, thinking along with Blood, "Sugar mommy."
[What do you want?]
Bingo. It was exactly what Oreki had hoped for.
[It's simple. I need a weapon.]
Immediately after sending the message, he forwarded the link to the Desert Eagle in the Essential Arsenal. Yoo Yeonha looked at the link, then at Oreki. Her expression showed no hostility.
[I think it's pretty cheap.]
Great.
[As expected of the amazing Yoo Yeonha. Can you get it by tomorrow?]
[Yes, I'll take care of it.]
Oreki relaxed a bit, pleased with Yoo Yeonha's efficiency. There was something comforting about having someone with so much power by his side.
"Hey, Oreki. How do you solve this?"
At that moment, Hazuki interrupted his thoughts, drawing his attention to a math problem the teacher had left. She presented it to Oreki, who analyzed the question and, with a quick mental calculation, provided the answer.
"Wow. Oreki, you're really smart." Hazuki commented in admiration.
"If it's math, I'm confident." Oreki replied, with a tone of modest confidence.
"Go back to your seats."
The break ended on time, the old teacher resumed the class after drinking some water.
***
Wednesday's theory class ended. And at 3 pm, the anti-personnel training began.
In a fairly large training field, the cadets paired up and began training like last time. Oreki, however, diverted his attention to the instructor, who seemed shaken and distant, giving off a pitiful air that left him puzzled.
"Hey."
Suddenly, a soft male voice interrupted his thoughts. It came from behind, hitting his concentration like a nuisance. He turned his face to meet Kim Suho's serene and intense gaze.
"What could the strongest cadet want from a simple cadet like me?" Oreki said.
"Can I sit here?" Suho asked, with his usual cordiality.
Oreki nodded, and the two remained side by side, silent, observing the cadets on the field.
"So, what do you want?" Oreki asked, breaking the calm, his tone casual, but full of curiosity.
Kim Suho turned, that slight smile appearing on his lips, so habitual that it almost became his trademark. "Nothing much. I just wanted to know how you're doing with training... If you need help with anything."
Oreki let out a low laugh, leaning back, supporting his body with his arms stretched behind him, a carefree gesture, but his mind was already moving. "He's offering you help, Oreki? That's pathetic. You don't need anyone. Just let me control your body sometimes," Blood's familiar voice whispered in his mind, sharp as ever.
"The great Kim Suho offering help to a simple cadet like me? I'm flattered," Oreki replied with a tone full of sarcasm, ignoring the annoyance caused by Blood.
Suho laughed softly, shaking his head. "I always see you training every day at the gym. So I thought you'd like some extra training."
"That instructor already destroys my body every time we have this class," Oreki replied, casting a glance at the training instructor, who was standing in the distance, a tired smile playing on her lips. "But I still accept training with you from time to time."
"Accept help? No, take advantage," Blood hissed again in his mind. Oreki ignored her, keeping the relaxed smile on his face.
"Blood, thank goodness you don't have a body. Otherwise I would stab you a billion times."
Suho let out a sound of laughter, sincere and light. "That will be good for me too. I believe you can help me. I have to keep training more than the others, or someone will surpass me."
"Like Shin Jonghak?" — Oreki nodded towards the young man with white hair, who at that moment was humiliating a cadet in one of the duels. It was a common scene for everyone.
A drop of sweat appeared on Suho's forehead, almost comical. "Yeah, like him."
"You should be like Jonghak. He doesn't hide behind smiles and false humility." Blood continued his mental invasion, but Oreki knew how to deal with it. He took a deep breath, keeping control.
Oreki sighed heavily, tilting his head to the side as if the very thought tired him. "Being the main character has many problems. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes."
Kim Suho looked at him with a confused but amused look. "Main character? There's no such thing."
Oreki noticed the reaction. It was something that had already been mentioned in the Novel.
"If I'm a main character, so are you. In fact, everyone in this world is a protagonist." Suho replied, his voice full of sincerity, a touch of idealism that Oreki always found intriguing.
Oreki shrugged, his expression still relaxed, but with a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "I can't completely agree with that."
"Why?" Suho asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Oreki closed his eyes, as if he was diving into distant thoughts. "Villains, anti-heroes, extras..." He paused dramatically before standing up, stretching his arms as if preparing to leave. "And spectators exist too. Everyone has a role in this world, but not everyone is the hero."
"You, hero? Don't make me laugh. What are you, Oreki? A spectator, a shadow, or something even less significant?" Blood's voice mocked, but Oreki was already used to it. He gave a half smile, still with his back to Suho.
"I'm the spectator who meddles in the plot, you imbecile."
"I'm going back to my training. Try your best, or else I'll be a danger to your post too." — he said, already walking towards the instructor.
Kim Suho watched Oreki walk away, a mix of interest and admiration in his expression. The way Oreki saw the world was unique, full of nuances that he didn't fully understand, but respected.
Soon, the instructor lightly slapped Oreki on the head, scolding him for taking so long to return. He just laughed lightly, following the instructor's instructions to prepare himself, while Suho continued to reflect on his companion's words.
***
Thursday was the day of the hunting club's orientation, but for Oreki, that didn't matter. His mind was completely focused on something much more exciting: his new weapon.
"Ah, I can't wait," he muttered to himself, a gleam of anticipation in his eyes.
He was sitting in the Angelic Cashier, an elegant café near Seoul. The calm atmosphere contrasted with the restlessness he felt, as he was waiting for a special item in that place. For cadets, the use of portals was allowed 5 to 6 times a month, as long as a form was filled out, and Oreki had taken advantage of this opportunity.
Time seemed to drag on, but the clock finally showed the exact time: 5:29:55... 5:29:56... 5:30:00. Exactly at the promised time, the door to the café opened.
A man in a black suit and sunglasses walked in, carrying a discreet suitcase in one hand. His eyes scanned the room until they found Oreki. Without changing his expression, the man began walking towards him, his long legs moving with precision.
"Houtarou Oreki?" His voice was firm and professional.
"The very same," Oreki replied disinterestedly, barely containing the excitement that was bubbling beneath the surface.
Jin Sechan, the man in the suit, placed the suitcase on the table without even considering sitting down. "Here is the item. Please take a look."
Oreki observed the man's impassive gesture, but maintained his nonchalant attitude. "Are you in a hurry? You can sit down, I even bought you a coffee." He gestured to the chair across from him, where a cup of coffee was waiting for him. "I hope you like your coffee black without sugar."
Jin Sechan hesitated, but eventually sat down, taking a sip of his coffee without complaint. "Hm," was all he said.
As Sechan sipped his coffee, Oreki wasn't really focused on him. In fact, his attention was partially focused on the window in front of him. A familiar warning caught his attention.
[A change in the configuration has been detected.]
An invisible screen floated before his eyes, revealing a new discovery. [Jin Sechan – His feelings for Yoo Yeonha have grown even deeper than usual.] A faint smile touched Oreki's lips. "Looks like I got a bonus," he thought, amused by the revelation.
"Why are you staring at me?" Jin Sechan's voice brought him back to reality.
Oreki looked away from the window and focused again on the suitcase in front of him. "It's nothing," he replied nonchalantly. "Anyway, I'll take a look now."
With a calm gesture, he opened the suitcase. The soft click of the latch echoed, and a soft light shone from within the box, reflecting off the luxurious red velvet lining the interior.
"…Wow," Oreki exclaimed in awe. Before him rested a flawless platinum pistol, even more impressive than in the pictures. Beside the gun, a box filled with magic bullets glowed with a subtle glow.
"As promised," Jin Sechan began, "this is the Desert Eagle with a full kit and a box of 60 pinnacle-grade magic bullets."
"Thank you," Oreki replied with a casual nod. "You may go now."
No longer bothered by Jin Sechan's presence, Oreki focused completely on his new acquisition.
Using his gift, he began to analyze the details of the gun.
Jin Sechan silently stood up, set his coffee down on the table, and walked away without another word, while Oreki continued to admire his new weapon, completely absorbed in his thoughts.
===
[Desert Eagle]
[High Rank] [Attribute: Metal]
A Masterwork-grade revolver. Contains several additional effects.
「Attack Power Amplification – 1/10」
「Low-rank Magic Weight Reduction」
「Mid-rank Magic Control Recoil」
「Mana Shock Resistance」
===
===
[Magic Bullet]
[Pinnacle Class] [Null attribute]
44 Macon steel mana bullets with high-purity condensed mana.
「Magic Penetration」
[Attack Power – 4/10]
===
Oreki felt a surge of satisfaction as he read the detailed descriptions of the items. With this new power in hand, he felt prepared for the next step: retrieving the Aether from the Devil's Nest in Suwon.
Oreki stood up and headed to the café counter. Feeling more relaxed after the exchange and already planning his next moves, he ordered something to eat and drink before moving on with his mission.
***
Meanwhile, Jin Sechan, already outside the café, picked up the phone and made a call to Yoo Yeonha. On the other end of the line, her voice was direct.
– "Did you deliver the item?" she asked bluntly.
"Yes." Jin Sechan replied, but there was a hesitation in her words.
– "Was there anything special about him?"
"That's…"
There was nothing special, but something about him seemed off. No matter how much he thought about it, the look that boy had when he looked at the gun… it was strange. Not to mention, it was almost as if he knew who Jin Sechan was…
– Yes?
"Ah, yes. I'm sorry."
– So, there was something special about him?
"Well… There was nothing special about him, but something was off. It was almost as if he knew who I was."
Yoo Yeonha was silent for a moment on the other end of the line.
– Do you think he identified us?
Jin Sechan hesitated for a moment before answering. "I can't say for sure, but his eyes… They seemed to pierce through my very being. He's not just an ordinary cadet, I'm sure of that."
– Keep an eye on him.
"Understood."
For a moment, he stood still, staring into the distance. That boy, Oreki Houtarou, seemed more than just someone interested in powerful weapons. There was something about him that defied any simple explanation, something that made him seem far beyond a simple cadet.
Meanwhile, Oreki was inside the Angelic Box, carefully examining his new Desert Eagle.
After a few minutes, he carefully put the weapon back in its case, closing it with a satisfied smile.
Elsewhere, in Yoo Yeonha's room, she continued to ponder Jin Sechan's words. Oreki's perhaps sharp perception and piercing gaze could not be ignored. She knew she needed to keep a close watch on him.
***
Oreki felt a hand land on his shoulder. The touch was light, but it pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Hmm?" He turned slowly and came face to face with an old man. The man was looking at him with a soft smile, but there was something strange in his gaze, a kindness that seemed... empty.
His slicked-back hair was white because of his advanced age, the black butler uniform he wore gave him an air of sophistication, and his rectangular glasses gave him an air of wisdom. His mustache, flawless and the same color as his hair, made him seem even more friendly.
"Long time no see, Oreki," the man said, his voice gentle, but his tone carried a hidden coldness.
Oreki watched him for a moment, confused. "Who is this old man? I don't remember anything in the history of this body related to him." Despite his discomfort, he decided to go with the flow. "Would you like to sit down?" he asked, trying to maintain a relaxed attitude.
The man shook his head slowly, declining the offer. "I'll have to decline your kindness. I just came to say hello. We haven't seen each other since a few weeks before you joined Cubo. I haven't been able to send you a message either."
"What a shame," Oreki replied, still trying to make sense of the situation. "I wanted to talk for a bit. Can I have your number? It'll make it easier if you want to talk to me."
The old man nodded without hesitation. "That would be good. The number is ****** ****."
Oreki memorized the sequence quickly.
"Well, I should go now. My lady is waiting for me," the man said with a discreet bow. He then turned and began walking toward the exit and then to a car that was parked nearby.
Oreki followed him with his eyes. The man approached a luxurious vehicle, whose passenger side window began to slowly lower. Behind the glass, the face of a distinguished-looking young woman was revealed.
She looked to be about Oreki's age, with long silver hair that shone in the ambient light.
They exchanged a few words, but Oreki was unable to activate his LOA in time to catch their conversation. Within moments, the old man took the wheel, and the car smoothly drove away, disappearing into the streets.
Oreki continued to watch until the car disappeared from view. He then turned his attention to the café in front of him, lost in thought. "I must find out more about him," he thought, still intrigued by the brief encounter.
After finishing his meal, he paid for the coffees and food and left the café, heading towards Cube. "I'm going to the hunting grounds tomorrow," he muttered to himself, already planning his next steps.
***
"These free passes are good." After stepping out of the portal and stepping into Gangwondo Wonju, the medieval scenery that unfolded before Oreki's eyes seemed like an invitation to a vibrant and bustling world.
Foreigners and groups of people milled about among vendors offering everything, creating an atmosphere of constant hustle and bustle.
Oreki walked absentmindedly to the entrance of the 'Hunting Grounds', where several people had already gathered. For a more peaceful hunting experience, he would have to travel to Hamgyong Province, a region known for its dangerousness, something that, in his current state, he was not willing to face.
"I hope that agent shows up today."
As Oreki waited for the agent to appear, he felt the familiar hustle and bustle of the environment around him. People of all kinds were gathered at the entrance of the 'Hunting Grounds', discussing strategies or just waiting their turn to enter. The hustle and bustle of the nearby market mixed with the sounds of conversation and negotiation.
However, a sudden presence made him shiver inside. A strange sensation, as if someone had been watching him for some time. It was no ordinary observation—it was intense, almost predatory.
Before he could pinpoint the exact source, a soft, seductive voice cut through the air near his ear.
"Well, well... what a coincidence to meet you here, Oreki."
He turned slowly, already recognizing the voice before he saw the face.
"Or should I say... Ga-bri-el."
There, a few meters away, a person Oreki had seen before walked toward him, a smile that oscillated between charm and pure sadism plastered on his face. His scarlet eyes shone with mischief, and his steps were slow, as if he were playing with the tension in the air.
The woman's breathtaking beauty was undeniable. Her long, silver hair, loose and straight to the middle of her back, reflected the ambient light with an almost ethereal glow. Her skin, smooth and flawless, contrasted sharply with the roughness of the place they were in.
She wore an open gray cardigan over a black shirt and black sweatpants, a combination that seemed casual but accentuated her seductive presence.
"Why is she here? How did she get here? And Evelyn... where is she? She's one of the people Animas mentioned." Thoughts raced through Oreki's mind, but he remained still, his expression impassive.
The girl continued to advance with a nostalgic air, as if she were in front of an old toy she had finally found after so long. "What happened? Did a cat get your tongue?"
Oreki closed his eyes for a brief moment, took a deep breath and let it out slowly, controlling his emotions. "How did you get here?" He asked, his voice maintaining a calmness provided by his control over his body.
"Not even a hello to your kind friend?" She put her finger to her lips, tilting her head in an almost childish gesture, but which only intensified the contrast between what she appeared to be and the reality of her nature. "But let me see... how did I get here~?" she replied, prolonging the words in a teasing tone.
He had no time for mind games, especially with her. The place was too busy, and any conversation with Lilith in this place was dangerous.
"Not here," he said, his tone cold and direct. "This place is too crowded. Follow me." He turned, not waiting for an answer, knowing that she would follow him like a shadow.
As they walked through the busy streets, Oreki led Lilith to a discreet alley, away from the crowd, where they could speak without attracting attention. The darkness of the place seemed to envelop the two, intensifying the tension that hung between them. When they finally arrived, he turned to face her.
Lilith grinned, her eyes shining with mischievous amusement. "Ohhh, Oreki~," she drawled teasingly, chuckling lightly. "Three years without seeing me and you're already taking me to a dark alley? What kind of girl do you think I am?" She blinked, her smile wavering between flirtatious and sadistic.
"Your manner is as irritating as ever, Camila." Oreki's voice hardened, seriousness taking over his tone. "And don't dodge the question. How did you end up here?"
"Oh, no, no~." She shook her head, her smile widening. "Camila was my old name. Now, I'm Lilith. Remember that, puppy."
Without hesitation, Oreki raised his arm and lightly tapped her forehead with his middle finger. The gesture was brief and controlled, not intended to hurt her, but to show that he was not willing to play her game.
Lilith barely blinked, her smile widening, now carrying a twisted amusement. The mischievous glint in her eyes intensified, and she let out a low, almost imperceptible laugh.
"That was rude, Gabriel." She ran her fingers delicately over the spot where she had been touched, as if to absorb the touch. "Or should I call him Oreki now? So many names for one man, right? So much confusion... and I love it."
He took a step back, creating a distance that seemed necessary. Even though he showed no signs of discomfort, Oreki knew he needed to maintain control. Lilith liked to play with minds, and he would not give her the satisfaction.
"You're not going to answer my question, are you?" Oreki's voice was firm, but inside he felt the familiar uneasiness that always arose when dealing with her.
"Hihi, nop." Lilith's answer was accompanied by a light chuckle, as if the whole situation was just a childish game to her.
Oreki narrowed his eyes, his mind racing with possibilities. If she was there, it meant something had happened. And he already knew that the person in front of him had a habit of leaving a trail of chaos wherever she went.
He took a deep breath, controlling the urge to let his anger show. "Then let me rephrase the question." Her voice lowered, heavy with seriousness. "What did you do with Park Soohyuk?"
The name hung heavy in the air, and for a brief second, Lilith's smile seemed to freeze. But it quickly dissipated, and she tilted her head again, as if considering the question with false innocence.
"What do you think I did?" Her voice was full of teasing, oscillating between a playful tone and something much darker.
Oreki felt his heart race, but his expression remained neutral. He already knew the answer. Lilith would never show up without leaving a mark. She reveled in chaos. Still, he needed to confirm.
"Killed him." The answer came out cold, almost mechanical, as if it were not a conclusion, but a fact.
Lilith's eyes narrowed, and her smile widened, becoming more sinister. "Oh, so predictable, Oreki. Always expecting the worst from me." She took a small step forward, the tension between them growing. "But you're not wrong."
Oreki stood still, contemplating his options. As he pondered, a familiar, irritating voice echoed in his mind.
"Hehe, this girl knows how to play. Too bad I can't manifest myself in her mind... Why did I have to finish you off?" Blood grumbled, as usual, trying to provoke him.
"It's not like I'm close to him. But that's a problem."
Oreki, as always, ignored him, but instinctively put his hand to his temple, as if to ward off the mental discomfort.
"You're a wretch, Lilith... You almost sound like your demonic self." His voice came out dry and sharp.
Lilith smiled maliciously, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Oh, you're getting better at complimenting others, you know?" Her voice was sweet and teasing, but laden with irony. "Being compared to such a powerful creature... That's exciting," she said, her eyes narrowing in pleasure as she blushed slightly, bending her knees in an exaggeratedly theatrical gesture.
Oreki felt an intense urge to hit her. His fists clenched briefly, and the idea of releasing Blood for a moment to silence that provocation seemed almost tempting. "Just one punch... would that be enough?"
"I could crush her for you, if you want..." Blood whispered, trying to amplify the tension that was building inside Oreki.
He pushed the thought away, quickly disciplined himself. "Why did you do this, Lilith?" His voice was controlled again, dismissing the provocations.
Lilith tilted her head almost innocently, but the gentle smile that accompanied her words contrasted violently with what she said. "Simple... so I can get close to you and destroy you, piece by piece."
As she spoke, Oreki instinctively mentally traced a perfect escape route. His mind calculated the distances, the obstacles, the probabilities. He had no evidence that Lilith had been gifted like him, but something in him screamed to be prepared.
"Don't you dare run, boy. Face it if you have to." Blood scoffed at his caution, trying to incite an impulsive reaction.
"It's not about fear, you damned drop of rotten blood. It's about being cautious," Oreki replied mentally, keeping his expression neutral.
Lilith watched him with those predatory eyes, knowing something was going through his mind, but unable to figure it out.
"So, how do you intend to do this?" Oreki finally asked, keeping absolute control over his voice, while the tension in the air grew.
"Simple," she replied, as if the answer was obvious. "Using my newest creation... The MLD Agency. Let's just say... now, I have people to do the dirty work for me."
She smiled again, the glint in her eyes promising more danger than words could express.
***
"What did you mean before, three years without seeing me?" Oreki walked ahead, his eyes alert, his heightened senses picking up the slight rustle of the wind.
The deep blue sky stretched over the Hunting Grounds, while the uneven terrain, full of dry trees and small piles of rocks, made the environment hostile. The distant sound of monsters echoed in the distance. This was the kind of place where letting your guard down would be fatal.
"Exactly what I said." Lilith followed him closely, an enigmatic smile curving her lips. "Three years since you disappeared. Not even my old 'family' could find you."
"So time passes differently here..." Oreki murmured, satisfied to have his curiosity satisfied.
"Could you stop undressing me with your eyes?" He fired the sentence without even looking back.
With a metallic click, Oreki loaded eight bullets into his revolver.
"I can't help it." Lilith replied in a teasing tone, her eyes roaming every detail of his body. "I'm interested in this new body of yours."
Oreki clicked his tongue. "Evelyn came too?"
"You never tire of asking questions, do you?" Lilith chuckled. "But yes, my lovely little sister is here too."
"Maybe she was the one I saw with the butler..."
"Then ask the questions," Oreki said.
"So... how big is your little friend down there?" Lilith asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Oreki didn't answer right away. Instead, he leapt nimbly toward a nearby tree, his movements flowing like water as he climbed to a strategic position.
"Hey! Answer my question!" Lilith taunted from below, crossing her arms.
He activated his CC, adjusting his vision. The now-evolved ability allowed him to focus his ocular perception, picking out distant details clearly. The landscape ahead revealed a massive figure—a large Stone Bull, a low-rank monster.
"I said I could ask. Not that I would answer." He commented with an amused smile as he adjusted the Desert Eagle. A quick scan of his memory revealed the monster's weak point. He calculated the distance, the wind, and prepared to fire.
Lilith, unmoved, stopped at the foot of the tree. "Are you going to face this?"
"Correction... I'm going to assassinate him." Oreki muttered, infusing the bullet with electricity, the crackling sound echoing in his ears.
"You're more confident... Let's see how far this goes." She smiled, her eyes shining with a mix of defiance and curiosity. Watching Oreki in action always intrigued her; she enjoyed watching how he resisted her provocations and how he reacted to different situations.
Without another word, Oreki fired. The bullet cut through the air with an electric crack, hitting the Stone Bull in its weak spot. The impact made the monster tremble violently before collapsing, inert.
"Perfect." Oreki climbed down from the tree, satisfied with the result. "A clean kill."
They walked over to the fallen monster.
Lilith approached, examining the monster's corpse with a careful eye. "You know how to impress. But..." She ran a finger along the Iron Pig's bloody snout, looking at Oreki with a lewd smile. "The hunt would be so much more interesting if you weren't so... predictable."
Oreki raised an eyebrow, until he remembered something. "I forgot she has chunibyo..."
She let out a soft laugh, the sound almost like glass breaking. "Maybe one day I'll find out what you're really trying to hide."
He ignored the comment and focused on the Stone Bull's body. "I know I shouldn't trust you so easily, but where's the magic bag you said you had?"
"Pay attention and see your master's magic." With a mischievous smile, she approached the corpse.
Oreki watched carefully every little detail of what she was going to do. His LOA, CC and Arcanolemento active so he can get as much information as possible from Lilith.
Without any noticeable glow, sound or movement, the monster's body began to be sucked into Lilith's sleeve, as if the fabric of the garment was devouring the carcass.
Oreki whistled, impressed. "Inventory?"
She turned, sticking her tongue out with a teasing smile, which caused a slight stimulation in Oreki's body. "I won't answer."
"Okay, okay." He accepted with a slight nod, his curiosity piqued, but not insisting.
The two continued on, entering a denser part of the Hunting Grounds. The air became heavy, an oppressive feeling hanging in the air. Something was watching them.
Oreki stopped abruptly, raising his hand to signal silence. His senses picked up a subtle movement among the trees.
"Something interesting?" Lilith asked, the amusement in her voice fading as her expression became serious.
"A Shadow Lynx." He murmured.
"They're fast, but not very durable. They're not worth much." Oreki pulled out a knife, coating it with mana, preparing himself. He kept his attention, focused on every sound, every vibration in the air. The Shadow Lynx was fast, but he waited patiently.
Suddenly, the feline made its move—not toward Oreki, but toward Lilith, who seemed to be less of a threat.
Before the Lynx could reach her, the ground beneath him rose with force, throwing the predator on top of Lilith.
Oreki, already expecting what would happen, used his CC to maximize the stab. A subtle crackle ran through his muscles, automatically adjusting for the perfect movement. He felt every fiber regroup, increasing its power and allowing his strength to increase. His lungs expanded, releasing a precise amount of oxygen to maximize the power of his strike.
He launched himself at the Lynx in midair, stabbing it precisely in the neck, easily taking the predator's life.
The Shadow Lynx's body fell to the ground with a dull thud, dead before it even hit the ground. Oreki landed soon after, adjusting his breathing calmly, as if the movement flowed naturally from his body.
"Incomplete breathing."
Lilith watched the scene, an amused smile curving her lips as she approached the Lynx's corpse, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of fascination and appreciation.
"You really are resourceful, aren't you?" she said, her voice a teasing whisper, as she ran her fingers through the creature's black fur. "Elemental control?"
Oreki cleaned and then put away the knife, shrugging. "Maybe yes, maybe not. Just see it as a show of trust, just like what you showed with the Bull."
Lilith gave a soft, elegant laugh. "I'm glad you trust me."
He raised an eyebrow, looking at her over his shoulder. "Think what you will of that information, because I will do the same with what I have obtained."
She stepped closer, her voice low and heavy with insinuation. "I will use it gladly."
Oreki stared at her for a moment, showing no reaction to her provocation. With a half smile, he simply replied, "Yes, Lilith."
Without another word, he turned his back and began walking again, the weight of the conversation dissolving into the silence of the Hunting Grounds.
Lilith sucked the Lynx before following Oreki's side, but her gaze fixed on his expression as a silent thought danced in her mind. "I will help you until you are broken by me."
***
Friday morning.
Oreki opened his eyes, still lying in bed. His entire body ached immediately, as if every muscle was being punished by his intense hunting and training session the night before.
The combination of two hours of maximum effort had pushed his limits to a point where not even the recovery abilities of his art were of much help.
"Argh," he groaned, feeling the exhaustion still pulsing through his body.
Fortunately, it was Friday, and the day didn't demand as much of his physique as the previous ones. He stood up slowly, feeling the weight of fatigue in every movement, and immediately checked his smartwatch. Three notifications awaited him:
[810,130 won have been deposited.]
[450,270 won have been deposited.]
[405,289 won have been deposited.]
[245,362 won have been deposited.]
[86,434 won have been deposited.]
The last message caught his attention:
[Here is the payment for yesterday's monsters. Your hunt wasn't very productive, try harder next time [^~^]. MLD Agency Chief Manager, beautiful Lilith Ainsworth.]
Oreki took a deep breath. "Good thing some of them were weak, so I didn't have to use any bullets," he thought. The payment had been faster than he expected. "Maybe because Lilith's agency is already set up and complete," he mused.
With a reasonable amount of money in hand, Oreki finally had something concrete to do with the day. "It was the perfect time to open a brokerage account and invest in the Mule Master Guild's stocks. One and a half million won seemed like a good start."
With these thoughts in mind, he stepped into the shower. The cold water washed away the remaining drowsiness that still lingered in his mind, bringing clarity. After drying himself, he put on his cadet uniform and walked out, ready for class.
***
The first class on Friday was on 'Phenomenal Realm Analysis'. From what the other cadets were saying, it seemed like they would be receiving one of the most difficult theory classes yet, since there would be no physical training that day. But to Oreki, that was an irrelevant detail.
He sat down in a random spot in the room, his thoughts wandering. "Today marks a month since I came to this world. Maybe I'll get the update on my phone, like in the original story," he mused.
"Sit down," the teacher said, entering the room and interrupting Oreki's thoughts.
"There's a written exam today, as I mentioned last time," the teacher announced in a cruel tone.
A chorus of groans erupted among the cadets, clearly caught off guard by the test. Oreki, however, remained calm. He glanced quickly at Rachel, who also seemed calm, while across from him, Chae Nayun muttered in despair.
"Really? I didn't study at all!" She exclaimed, quickly receiving the notes from Kim Suho, who was sitting next to her. Somewhat embarrassed, Chae Nayun coughed.
"Now, now, calm down," the teacher ordered with a wicked smile, handing out the exam papers.
Oreki took his and began reading the questions. The problems required detailed knowledge about monsters and supernatural phenomena:
Problem 1. Describe the monster, 'Pygmalion'.
Problem 2. Describe the Nine Evils (Djinns).
Problem 3. Indicate the attributes that humans can manifest in the Realm of Phenomenon.
The cadets sighed in frustration as they looked over the exam papers, but Oreki was confident. His recalibrated intelligence made solving these questions easier. Plus, he still had his gift to look up the answers if necessary.
[Pygmalion are Fallen Ghosts whose intelligence exceeds that of humans. They cannot be seen in the Phenomena Realm and act like humans after possessing them...]
He continued solving the questions until, near the end of the test, something unusual happened.
"What?" he muttered, looking at his cell phone, which had suddenly turned off.
[A month has passed.]
[The cell phone's functionality will be updated.]
[The target Houtarou Oreki's gift of observation and reading will be strengthened.]
Oreki smiled slightly. "I'll finally get stronger," he thought contentedly.
***
"Oh my God. Are they models?"
"They're so cute. Are they a couple?"
People inside the coffee shop murmured, mentioning Yoo Yeonha and Shin Jonghak.
That afternoon, Yoo Yeonha was hosting a Noble Society meeting at an exclusive coffee shop in Seoul. To her, the group was an investment in the future, but Chae Nayun saw it as just an excuse to catch up with old friends.
"How are your grades?" Yoo Yeonha asked casually.
"It's good enough," Jonghak replied nonchalantly.
"The Jonghak I know isn't satisfied unless he gets first place," she teased, her eyes sharp.
Only Shin Jonghak and Yoo Yeonha were in the coffee shop. No other customers were present. It was a popular coffee shop, but Yoo Yeonha had talked to the owner about renting the place.
"Like I said, it's good enough."
"…Yeah, okay."
Clang—
The doorbell of the coffee shop rang. Yoo Yeonha and Shin Jonghak turned to the door.
It was Chae Nayun, who was wearing clothes similar to Chae Nayun—jeans and a black jacket over a slightly transparent white shirt. She walked like a man, but her elegant figure was more charming than any other woman's.
"Chae Nayun, are you here today?"
Shin Jonghak waved his hand in greeting. Chae Nayun walked over and spoke after looking around the shop.
"Hey, where did your lackeys go?"
In Chae Nayun's eyes, Shin Jonghak was the kind of person who liked to bring lackeys. These followers of Shin Jonghak were usually the children of large corporations or guilds, and although Shin Jonghak labeled them as "friends," the hierarchy in their relationship was clear for anyone to see.
"They're training. The midterms are coming soon."
"Oh, are these guys also preparing for exams?"
Chae Nayun made a sarcastic comment and sat down.
"Rather, how did you do on the last written exam?"
"Are you making fun of me?"
"No, it's just that you asked if the other guys were preparing for the exams."
"...That's different. I'm talking about the combat exam. Who cares if you're good at theory..."
Unlike when he was with Yoo Yeonha, Shin Jonghak actively brought up topics of conversation. Chae Nayun's responses were no different than usual.
Yoo Yeonha watched the two of them talking quietly. She didn't think much of it. They were just chatting as friends. But the expression on Shin Jonghak's face when he was talking to Chae Nayun, his soft smile and gentle eyes, weren't very pleasant to Yoo Yeonha.
Yoo Yeonha slightly gritted her teeth and picked up the cup of coffee she ordered for Chae Nayun. Because she ordered it thirty minutes ago, it was lukewarm. She released her magic power into the cup, heating up the coffee.
"By the way, do you guys know about Houtarou Oreki?"
But at that moment, her focus completely dissipated and her ears opened. Yoo Yeonha inadvertently chimed in.
"The green-eyed weakling?" Shin Jonghak didn't miss the chance to insult Oreki, or as his lackeys called him, expressionless ant.
"…What's wrong with him?"
Yoo Yeonha felt her heart drop. Normally, she wouldn't have to think about someone like him.
Even if she did, her evaluation of him would have been 'I don't care' or 'He seems like a slacker who can do some things'.
But the circumstance had changed.
There was something about him. She didn't know what exactly, but he was hiding something. But Yoo Yeonha purposely hid her inner thoughts.
"…What do you mean? He doesn't have anything that draws much attention."
"No, never mind."
Chae Nayun gripped her coffee cup tightly. Yoo Yeonha gulped at Chae Nayun's strange reaction.
"I was just interested in your opinions about him."
"Why do you want to know? You usually ignore people like him."
This time, Shin Jonghak asked. His face was full of smiles, as if he enjoyed seeing this new side of Chae Nayun.
"You don't know? There was a Djinn at the National Weapons Museum during the recent monster incident in Seoul. And he was there."
With that, Chae Nayun gulped down her coffee. She then immediately let go.
"Aak! Damn, it's hot! Water! Water!"
Panting, she looked for cold water. Yoo Yeonha carefully comforted her, feeling a knot in her heart loosen.
"…Nayun, this is coffee, not cold water."
"You really haven't changed, have you?" Shin Jonghak laughed; if he had been drinking his coffee, he would have choked.
A staff member, who had been watching the scene with a look of concern, quickly ran over with cold water. "H-here," he said, holding out the cup as if offering a prize.
Chae Nayun grabbed the cup and gulped down the water so quickly she nearly drowned. "Aagh, I burned my tongue," she grumbled, grimacing comically as she tried to cool her mouth.
Yoo Yeonha finally let out a giggle. "Always the same, Nayun."
Chae Nayun caught her breath and looked at her friends with a dramatic expression. "You two are enjoying this, huh? Very funny."
"Well, it was a little," Jonghak admitted, with a mischievous smile.
"Well, that's great. At least someone's having fun," Nayun said, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated manner before finally calming down and continuing the conversation.
"Anyway, that Djinn was stronger than Kim Suho and I thought. Even I…"
Chae Nayun paused for a moment, watching Yoo Yeonha and Shin Jonghak's attentive faces. The memory of the confrontation made her hesitate, a shadow passing over her eyes.
"…Even I struggled a bit. Kim Suho is a different story, but how could an ordinary cadet like him cause such fatal damage to a Djinn?"
"What exactly happened?" Yoo Yeonha asked, her tone firm and inquisitive.
Chae Nayun bit her lip, reluctant to relive the details. "I don't want to explain it in detail. I only know that he managed to injure and fight the Djinn head-on. With a weapon! A weapon! I couldn't even do that with my bow."
Injuring a Djinn with an ordinary weapon was unbelievable without witnessing it firsthand. Yoo Yeonha rubbed her chin, doubt etching her face. She had seen the weapon Oreki had used when he came to rescue her. That weapon had evidently been a weapon given to her by Cube, but the damage it had caused was inexplicable.
"I don't understand how a cadet like Oreki could hurt a Djinn like that. Not only did he dodge attacks that even Kim Suho and I had trouble dealing with, but if it weren't for him, Kim Suho would have been even more injured than he already was. How did he do that? We're the top 4 and 1 in the academy, respectively. He should be incapable of doing anything."
Yoo Yeonha, who had been quiet until then, broke the silence. "That really is strange. He always seemed... average, at best. But maybe there's something more we don't know."
Chae Nayun was momentarily surprised by the firmness in Yeonha's voice, but soon nodded, seeing the logic. "Do you still remember our conversation we had while watching the recording?"
"Yes, I still remember. What about that?" Yoo Yeonha asked, curious to know Chae Nayun's idea.
"Right at the end of training, just before you managed to destroy the Stone Wolf, Ore..." She paused, remembering the conversation she had had with Oreki in the hospital, and felt ashamed.
She shook her head, accepting that this was something stupid to care about. "Oreki's bullet exploded when it hit the Wolf, right?"
"Yes."
"He did something similar at the museum. But it wasn't explosions. It seemed like each bullet had something special about it." Chae Nayun struggled to remember as many details of the scene as possible.
With what Nayun said, Yoo Yeonha remembered the moment Oreki saved her. "Could it be that at that time..."
Shin Jonghak, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke, his voice filled with arrogance. "This all seems ridiculous to me. An ordinary cadet, with a revolver and who can give things special effects? There has to be something wrong here."
Chae Nayun pondered how to respond. She knew how competitive and protective Shin Jonghak was. Depending on her answer, he might take action against Oreki.
"I don't know if he's hiding something," Chae Nayun began, choosing her words carefully, "But he's definitely not just an ordinary cadet."
Yoo Yeonha kept her gaze fixed on Chae Nayun, feeling a twinge of nervousness. She herself had been at the Museum during the attack, facing another Djinn in a different location. After the fight, she and Chae Nayun had met, but Yeonha had never revealed that she had been involved in a battle as well. Now, Nayun and Jonghak's questions were making her uneasy.
"Maybe we should keep an eye on him," Yoo Yeonha suggested, keeping her voice calm. "We can't let a potential threat go unnoticed."
Shin Jonghak, with an amused glint in his eyes, nodded briefly, as if he now had the best reason to mess with someone he didn't like. "If he's hiding something, we'll find out. We can't allow someone so suspicious to roam free."
After a moment of tense silence, Chae Nayun spoke, her voice softer. "I think he's suspicious too, but I don't think he's an enemy."
Yoo Yeonha nodded, her face serious. "How lucky. Now I have an excuse if by any chance they find out that I'm investigating him."
In a discreet corner of the coffee shop, a young woman with her long silver hair tied in pigtails was calmly sipping a latte.
Her scarlet eyes shone with interest as she listened to the conversation of the group of 'celebrities' who were present.
Initially she didn't even care about their presence, but after hearing Oreki's name, her ears immediately focused on their conversation.
"Lilith will like how things are going."
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