Chapter 34
"W-why did monsters suddenly appear? No other Gates have gone off, and it doesn't look like there were any victims."
"That's precisely what's strange."
Ribi muttered that it didn't make sense as she sipped her tea.
I shivered and froze in place.
'Wait.'
Yet something about it felt unnatural.
The Pygmies were all carrying daggers. It would be hard to say that their wounds differed greatly from a human's.
No matter how I thought about it, there seemed to be far too little evidence to blame 'another monster.'
......A tracking skill?
What came to mind was the incident with Park Sang-tae.
If Ribi's reaction was because the trackers were detecting a different kind of mana, the circumstances would fit.
I cautiously sounded Ribi out.
"Sis, if there had been another monster, wouldn't the skill have detected it?"
"They already tried. But they said that even though there was residual mana, the trail just stopped at some underground tunnel."
"Ooh!"
"Yeah......?"
......Phew, I'm off the hook.
Besides, I had gained a small piece of information.
The Pygmies didn't register on tracking skills when their summons were dismissed.
The reason I'd been tracked before was probably entirely because I'd used mana through Blade Claw.
Park Sang-tae hadn't said much about the Pygmies at the time, either.
'Tracking skills can only detect someone after they've used a certain amount of mana. In Egypt, I must have been unable to flee because I was constantly forcing the plants to grow.'
I'd ended up resolving the question without meaning to.
I never expected the things I'd done while taking the Pygmies for walks and conducting experiments to come back as such useful tips.
"Sis Ribi, you're the best."
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
"Just because. Hehe."
"......I don't know what it's about, but if you're grateful..."
I fled to the washroom right then and there.
Ribi's eyes were sparkling with an obvious 'Tell me your secrets.'
Ribi wore an amused expression, as though she'd anticipated this reaction.
While I was holed up alone in the washroom,
I remembered the rune stone I'd obtained the day before and took it out again.
I was about to put it away because I was afraid it might make me lay eggs when a message appeared.
[Advanced Pygmy 'Bass' wants the rune stone.]
It was the child I'd created with the essence of the sea-folk boss I'd defeated earlier.
I'd casually called out the name of a harmful species to pass the time, and it had been assigned exactly as I'd said.
I considered giving it to him out of guilt, but decided to save it for now.
'There must be bosses on higher stages too.'
Nothing special happened after that.
With classes delayed for two whole weeks, my spirits soared, and I spent my days doing nothing but eating and playing at the daily social gatherings.
Whenever we had no outings scheduled, I sent Anna Ri out together with Pyeon Dayoung.
Anna Ri grew more energetic with each passing day, but she realized her own tension was rising and asked Kang Hana and me to help correct her behavior.
"Sis, how was I today?"
'Judging by her personality, she'd probably act all high and mighty about being an Awakened, but apparently that isn't it either...'
In any case, it was a heartwarming sight.
I left the two of them being affectionate and headed toward my bedroom.
But then I heard Han Cheol's voice.
"L-Lady Raebi!"
He was so taciturn that I sometimes wondered whether he said ten words a day.
Since he rarely spoke to me first, I turned around while trying to hide my fatigue.
"What is it?"
"I-I have something to tell you..."
He looked as though he didn't know what to do.
I glanced at Han Jihye, but she didn't seem to know anything either.
What Han Cheol said after taking me to the meeting room was unexpected.
"You want to switch shifts with Ms. Bora early...? That wouldn't be impossible, but why?"
"It's because I like Noble Island. It's too hectic here, and I want to improve my cooking skills somewhere quiet."
"Hmm..."
Considering Han Cheol's personality, it was certainly an understandable reason.
Quiet, taciturn, steadfast, serious, and...
'But would someone like that request a shift change for such a reason? That doesn't make sense either.'
"Tell me honestly."
"Pardon?"
"There must be another reason. It was only two days ago that you were about to prostrate yourself in gratitude because I gave you permission to cook whatever you wanted."
.......
We'd been eating out so often that he rarely had a chance to prepare noble-quality meals.
Since he'd been hesitating to use expensive ingredients for the attendants whenever I was away, I had firmly told him not to worry about the cost.
"I really..."
But Han Cheol still wouldn't open his mouth.
At the same time, I caught him sneaking a glance at the smartphone screen on the table.
Then Im Bora's request suddenly came to mind.
"......Is Ms. Bora the one who wants to come here?"
"Huh? No, I mean..."
"Looks like I was right. Mr. Cheol, you could simply say so. Am I really that difficult to approach?"
"I'm sorry. I was just worried that Bora would get scolded..."
"Of course she needs a scolding."
"Pardon?"
What was he doing when he had a perfectly good aide attendant?
Han Jihye's icy demeanor sometimes sent shivers down my spine too, but even so, this wasn't right.
Just because she found it difficult to say so herself, she shouldn't put such a guileless person in a difficult position.
"I'll stop by Noble Island tomorrow. I have plans with Lady Iroha during the day, so I'll leave after dinner."
The next day, I got through my schedule quickly.
My plans with Iroha were simply to explore Eight City, but as an S-rank from one of the highest-ranking families, she was always busy with social engagements and had apparently never had a proper chance to look around.
She'd forced herself to clear her schedule because she was looking forward to meeting me.
I had to make sure she enjoyed herself somehow, and the tips from Pyeon Dayoung and Anna Ri proved invaluable.
"Thank you so much for today, Lady Raebi! Oh, right, about the return gift... I have something to think over, so would it be all right if I gave it to you later?"
"Of course! I had fun today. Have a restful night, Lady Iroha."
After dinner, I headed to Noble Island.
The surprise spot check left Ahn Gihwan, who had been sprawled across the sofa with his arms and legs spread wide, extremely flustered.
He hurried to his feet and straightened his clothes.
"Lady Raebi. What brings you here without notice?"
"I came to check how you're doing. And I have something to discuss with Ms. Im Bora too. But I don't see her... Is she in her private room?"
"Bora went out for a walk. She hasn't looked well these past few days, and she gets like that every evening."
......She hasn't looked well?
If her life had been in danger, a Pygmy would have appeared, so it probably wasn't anything serious.
Could it be Eight City after all?
"Tsk... Ms. Jihye, we don't have much time. Can you track her route through the CCTV?"
"I'll do it right away."
We didn't need anything like a control room to check the CCTV.
Han Jihye tapped at her tablet a few times, and a list of recordings appeared on the wall-mounted TV.
We followed Im Bora's route and soon learned her destination.
"Huh...? That's Thebes. Whose room is that?"
"Lord Gale's. She has absolutely no reason to go there, so this is strange."
......Gale.
A somewhat portly B-rank Hunter.
What stuck with me was how he'd abruptly demanded that I call him 'oppa' at our first meeting.
Oddly, every attendant he had, apart from those assigned to cleaning and security, was a woman.
......
I sensed instinctively that something was wrong.
"We need to check. Let's go right away."
"A man's room at this hour..."
"We won't go in. They record everything in the hallway anyway, right?"
I brushed aside Han Jihye's attempt to stop me and headed for Gale's room.
Even Han Jihye looked worried, despite what she had said.
A woman who looked like an attendant stood outside Gale's door. When she saw me, her eyes widened.
"Isn't that Lady Raebi? What brings you here...?"
"It seems my attendant is causing trouble, so I came to take her back."
Panic spread across the woman's expression.
“Ah, well.”
"Call her out quickly. I may just break down the door and come in."
"…Understood. Please wait a moment."
The woman hurried inside.
After waiting a little while, the door opened again.
But instead of bringing Im Bora out as expected, she was still alone.
"What is it?"
"Lord Gale says you should come in..."
"What kind of outrageous nonsense is that!!!"
Han Jihye's furious shout reverberated through the hallway.
The bulging vein in her neck and the murderous glint in her eyes made the extent of her fury obvious.
The woman went deathly pale and couldn't do anything, but soon another sign of movement came from inside.
Gale emerged with a cold expression.
"......What? Was that you who just shouted?"
"Yes."
"Hah... Bold, aren't you? Is this how an attendant behaves? Invading someone else's quarters late at night—and I'm a noble, no less."
What shameless words.
'......He's doing this on purpose.'
"Hm? What do you think, Raebi? Your attendant needs to be taught a lesson, don't you think?"
Gale slowly reached a hand toward Han Jihye.
I seized his wrist with a sharp snap and muttered,
"I'm warning you. Touch even a single hair on her head, and I'll tear you limb from limb."
Gale turned toward the attendants inside with an 'Oh? Well, look at this.' expression. Every one of them was smiling, apparently reassured because they trusted their master.
Even the attendant who had initially gone pale was now subtly curling her lips into a smile behind Gale.
My blood boiled at the sight. I slowly released his wrist and pointed inside.
"......Park Gale."
"Park Gale?"
"I won't say this again. Hand over Im Bora and disappear within ten seconds."
Gale lowered his stance.
"Raebi... Oppa only asked because he was short a cook. She volunteered and stepped up to do it, didn't she? It's troublesome when you act without knowing the circumstances. Besides, I'm stronger than you."
......It was a lie. If that had been true, he wouldn't have asked Kim Daeseok.
Somehow, I was beginning to understand what had happened.
There was no need to think about it deeply.
Park Gale had threatened Im Bora.
'I don't care. Whatever the reason.'
"……Ms. Jihye."
"Yes."
"What happens if I beat Gale to a pulp right here?"
"A noble trial will be held. Since a preemptive attack could count against the verdict, I personally recommend a formal duel."
Ding-
[Activating skill 'Blade Claw.']
"I see."
Wham-!
I drove my elbow into Gale's solar plexus.
***
"C-cough...! Cough...!"
Gale collapsed face-first and couldn't move.
At the sight of their master lying there, knocked down by a single blow and drooling, the smiles vanished from the other attendants' faces in an instant.
"Ms. Bora, come out!"
The attendants' gazes turned toward the kitchen.
Im Bora peeked out with a frightened expression.
"...Come out right now. Hesitate, and you're fired."
"Y-yes, understood!"
Having retrieved Im Bora, I turned away from the fallen Gale.
The attendants were calling someone, so I assumed they'd take care of the rest.
I took out my smartphone and called Vincent.
After a few rings, I heard his voice.
-Hey, what are you calling about at this hour?
"I caused a bit of trouble, big brother."
-What kind of trouble...?
"It's just... hng..."
Tears suddenly began falling again.
The thought of being put on trial despite having done nothing wrong made me feel indignant, and I was anxious that Im Bora had ended up in that state because of me.
I wanted to collapse and cry, but the situation was urgent, so I held myself back as much as possible.
Vincent listened quietly to everything I told him, then said,
-If it's Gale, he's connected to Baron Corinthos. Haah...
"I'm sorry. He threatened Ms. Jihye too, and I got so angry that I..."
-Wait, what did you say?
"Huh? Oh, Ms. Jihye..."
Crack-
The call cut off with the sound of something breaking.