Episode 244 No. 88 The Gathering of Villains (8)
It is now broad daylight, not a very good time to commit theft.
Of course, Dang Gyu-young is an exception.
There are bound to be shady places wherever you go, and she’s a shadow sorcerer.
– Swish—
We infiltrated the manor using shadowy places, and when there was no place to hide, Dang Gyu-yeong created a temporary shadow with a shadow butterfly.
Thanks to linking [Shadow Leap] to teleportation, I was able to steal almost at a free pass level.
Although there were no valuables such as gold, silver, treasures, elixirs, or new soldiers compared to the size of the estate, there were things of comparable value.
An old book that Dang Gyu-yeong quickly flips through.
[Cheon Ki Jin Hae (B)]
Cheon Gi Jin Hae (天機眞解) is a book on the study of divination, and as it has a rank of B, it contains content of a considerably high level.
Even though there are no party members who use formations, there are quite a few at school.
Dang Gyu-yeong said while covering Cheon Gi-jin’s face.
“This is a show—Zhuge Liang would love it.”
“Please dispose of it properly.”
If it’s Jegal Soso, he’ll show great interest in Cheon Gi Jin Hae, and since he’s also the vice president of the swordsmanship club, he’ll buy it at a high price.
I could have done the transaction myself, but I decided to leave it to you since I seem to have a closer relationship with Dang Gyu-yeong.
“What do we do now?”
“Let’s take a look at the situation over there first.”
It’s been quite some time since Go Hyun-woo was dispatched to the yin-blooded pervert’s side, and quite some time has passed since he came out after committing theft.
Maybe the results should be out by now?
So I sent a message and got in touch within 3 seconds.
– Brother Kim.
“What happened?”
– I finished it without difficulty. Thanks to the help of Hyung Jang and Senior Chae.
“You’ve worked hard. What should I do now? I can join you, or I can kill time there.”
– I think there’s a place nearby that Kim Hyung pointed out. I’d like to check it out.
“You remembered it well.”
There was one hidden piece near the area where the Bloodthirsty Demon was active.
I mentioned it in the strategy guide, but I thought I forgot because the situation was so urgent, but I made sure to include it.
He deserves high marks for carrying out his assigned tasks meticulously.
In addition, since he successfully led Jang Moo-geuk and Chae Da-bin, who were working together for the first time, it seems like Go Hyun-woo could be chosen as the team leader when forming a large-scale expedition later on.
“Anyway, we’re in a bit of a weird location so we’re just going to rest.”
– Okay, I understand.
There is a hidden piece nearby on Go Hyun-woo’s side, but we have to move quite a bit to get to the next one.
Now that the strategy has reached the latter half, there is a high chance that you won’t be able to make it in time if you try to move, and if you push yourself too hard, you’ll only end up in an accident, so it’s better to be satisfied with this point.
Go Hyun-woo also readily agreed, knowing that fact.
– Then let’s see after we’re done.
“Yeah, thanks.”
Communication is cut off.
Dang Gyu-yeong, who was listening from the side, asked.
“So we’re done?”
“It’s the end.”
As I said before entering the farm, I plan to buy some local specialties or snacks.
While they were walking side by side like that, Dang Gyu-yeong opened his mouth to speak.
“But Kim Hoya.”
“yes.”
“I thought about it carefully?”
“What?”
“Why did you send those three away and leave us alone?”
I can see that the eyes looking at me are gradually narrowing, so it seems like he has realized something.
In fact, the security of the manor wasn’t that tight, so I could have easily stolen it by myself.
Even so, the reason I went in with Dang Gyu-yeong was,
“Shadow Leap Shuttle, right?”
To be honest, I didn’t have that intention.
It’s also true that I was very comfortable thanks to Dang Gyu-young.
But words are different and things are different.
“Shuttle? That’s such a negative word. There are so many good things about it.”
“For example?”
“For example, there are things like ‘high-quality human resources,’ and ‘right person in the right place.’”
Dang Gyu-yeong felt a little relieved because it sounded plausible, but soon his eyes narrowed again.
Because I noticed that the only thing that changed was the words.
“Anyway, you speak well. But, if you are a high-level employee, shouldn’t you treat them accordingly?”
“I was going to invite you anyway.”
Those words made Dang Gyu-yeong feel happy again.
“Really? Where are you taking me?”
“What would you like to eat? Do you like dumplings?”
“The dumplings are okay.”
“Then go-”
“Okay-”
We started walking towards the market street.
Just like when I first entered, the market street was extremely deserted.
The guest rooms also all have their doors locked.
If the madmen suddenly barge in or a fight breaks out inside, not only will the inn be torn apart, but your life will also be in danger.
But the important thing here is that they closed because they were scared, not because they didn’t want to do business.
in other words,
“If you look closely, there are places where only the door is closed.”
“Oh, I see.”
Of course, there are also guest houses that pretend to be closed but secretly receive guests.
And I knew where everything was open and which ones were delicious.
‘There’s no place in this dungeon that I haven’t searched.’
Searching through the guesthouses was much less difficult than finding an elixir in a patch of weeds.
Soon, Dang Gyu-yeong and I stopped in front of a guest house.
The sign showed a graffiti-like duck holding an egg, and in crooked letters it read:
“Duck eggs? What do you mean, boiled duck eggs?”
“You’ll know it when you see it.”
Of course, the door here was locked, but I knocked lightly on the closed door.
Then the door opened slightly and a man who looked like a sergeant stared at us with only his eyes sticking out.
I asked in a tone that was utterly calm.
“Do you do business here?”
“… … Yes, I do.”
Jeom So-i opened the door, let us in, then immediately locked it again.
I placed my order as soon as I entered.
“Please give me one bowl of duck soup and one plate of dumplings.”
“Oh, yes.”
Although Jeom So-yi’s expression became strange at her natural attitude as if she were a regular, she thought it was none of her business and went into the kitchen.
Dang Gyu-yeong glanced at the sight and then looked around the guest room carefully.
“The atmosphere is good.”
Traces of the passage of time can be seen everywhere in the inn, as if they had been doing business here for a long time.
But it didn’t feel messy because it was neatly organized.
As we sat across from each other at a table in a corner and chatted about this and that, Jeomsoi came out with duck soup and dumplings.
Looking down at the plate, Dang Gyu-yeong smiled as if he found it amusing.
“That’s why it’s a duck egg.”
Each dumpling is round like a duck egg and small enough to be eaten one bite.
Dang Gyu-yeong picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
And after a moment of hesitation, his eyebrows shoot up in admiration.
“This is really delicious. Man, these are the best dumplings I’ve ever had.”
“It’s delicious, isn’t it? Let’s eat.”
“huh.”
For a while we focused on reducing our conversation and eating less duck soup and duck egg dumplings.
Then, when the plates were almost empty, Dang Gyu-yeong looked around the guest house and said.
“But it’s a bit disappointing. When will I come here again? It’s even more disappointing because it’s so delicious.”
If you want to come back to this inn, you must either [Gathering of the Wicked] or enter a dungeon set in this city.
Of course, such dungeons are not common, and the difficulty of clearing them is too high to be used for exploring delicious restaurants.
In fact, this is the first and last time.
I answered nonchalantly.
“Are there only good restaurants here? There are many other places too.”
“Are you taking me somewhere else too?”
“Because they are high-level personnel. We should treat them well.”
Dang Gyu-yeong’s face broke into a smile and he slightly extended his little finger.
“promise?”
“It’s a promise.”
Dang Gyu-yeong, who only lets go after linking pinkies and stamping the seal.
And then I ask the question, what else comes to mind?
“Right, what are you doing on summer vacation?”
“It’s not confirmed yet, but I’m thinking of going to the calligrapher’s and staying for a while.”
“… … ?”
Dang Gyu-yeong made a blank expression for a moment, and then the smile slowly disappeared from his lips.
“… …Why there?”
“When we were talking about the basement last time, you said there was strong opposition from his family, right?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s why it’s been a while. I think they’re going to do some kind of test.”
If the calligrapher participates in the underground raid, the range of dungeons to choose from expands considerably.
Although he said it wasn’t confirmed yet, he was leaning towards visiting the Hyesung Group.
In addition, after An Jeong-mi mentioned it, the fact that Seo Ye-in sent invitations whenever she had the chance also played a big role.
– Come play.
– Come play at my house.
I wonder if it’s really necessary to make another appointment when they ask me to come that far.
Dang Gyu-yeong nodded, as if he thought it was understandable.
“I guess I have to go there at least once.”
“That’s better.”
However, contrary to his seemingly nonchalant tone, Dang Gyu-yeong’s chopsticks were poked at the duck egg dumplings on his plate.
The shadows underfoot also become a little darker and sway.
I thought I had a rough idea of why he was doing that, but I pretended not to know and spoke calmly.
“We should see each other during the vacation too.”
“Didn’t you send them all there?”
“No way. I will be mentored.”
“……ah!”
Dang Gyu-young’s eyes sparkled.
Second mentoring.
It varies depending on the mentor’s schedule and the mentees’ participation, but it is usually held during summer vacation.
It was Dang Gyu-young’s first time being a mentor, and since the official document hadn’t been circulated yet, he had completely forgotten about it.
“Will you come if I do it?”
“of course.”
As soon as it opens, I unconditionally participate.
Just like the last mentoring, quests are given and event bonuses are also provided.
This time I asked a similar question.
“Are you going to do it?”
“of course.”
Dang Gyu-yeong was burning with enthusiasm, saying that he would do it even if it meant putting aside his schedule for the Thieves Guild.
* * *
After filling our bellies with dumplings, we took a leisurely stroll through the market and bought a few local specialties.
Since the three of Ko Hyun-woo’s side were working hard to find the hidden piece until the end, I was planning on preparing some snacks to share afterward.
Meanwhile, I kept in contact with Peng Mi-ryeong, and when she heard about our situation, she asked the same question several times as if she couldn’t believe it.
– You really got 3 kills? Really?
“That’s what I said.”
Dang Gyu-young answers with a smile.
Only then does it start to feel real, and Peng Mi-ryeong exclaims in admiration.
– I would have been grateful if you had just given me 2 kills, but thanks to you, I feel relieved. Thank you.
“How many people have you caught so far?”
– You guys have 11 kills total. Team 3 is attacking the last one. It’ll be over soon, so get ready.
“okay.”
After I gave a word to Go Hyun-woo, I spent some more time sharing some sweets with Dang Gyu-young.
Then, as if an earthquake had occurred, the entire area began to shake, and a teleportation portal appeared a short distance away.
As Peng Mi-ryeong said, this means that the three teams defeated the last madu and cleared the dungeon.
We exchanged a quick glance.
“let’s go.”
“Let’s go.”
And at the same time, he walked towards the teleportation portal.
Now all we have to do is get up there without getting caught by the leaders.
The supporters eat it all
