Throwing The Bait (1)

Fraud is not a technique. It’s psychological warfare. If you know what someone wants and what they fear, the game is over. So a con is finished once you seat the target you plan to fleece at the table. The only difference between con artists is how hard they work and how impeccably they prepare to get that person into the chair.

―From an interview with An Shin-yong, fraud convict with 18 offenses.

It’s already been several days since I visited the Garden of Gods.

Today I skipped training for once and hurried to get ready to go out around noon. When I went downstairs, Lee Hyo-ju was waiting.

“Wow, you’re here?”

“Yeah. Have you been waiting?”

“No, not really…”

“Go. Where is he?”

I opened the door, walked with the garden at my side, and asked Lee Hyo-ju.

She was currently manifesting Gwanum.

Since visiting the Garden of Gods, she had progressed enough that she didn’t need to sit still in one place like before.

This is why representatives count down the days until they enter the Garden of Gods. Their skills surge like an insect molting and rapidly growing.

“Yes, currently… huh? Near the main gate?”

“Really? That’s good.”

The gate opened and we moved to the waiting carriage as if nothing were wrong.

While we moved slowly, someone behind me called my name.

“…Ki, Kim Han!”

“Hm?”

I turned toward the voice and saw a man in rags approaching.

The beggar-like man prompted the mages guarding the mansion to block him.

“Eiik…! I am!!”

“Wait. Take this and at least have some hot soup with rice. And a young person, how… You live as a beggar on such blessed land? You should work.”

I stopped the mages who were roughly restraining him, tossed a gold coin, and got into the carriage.

No, I was about to get in. If the man behind me hadn’t spoken his name.

“I, I! I’m Benialis!”

“…Benialis?”

When I turned and asked, he lifted his chin with a filthy face and a haughty smile.

Judging by his state, the idiot still hadn’t come to his senses. That made him even easier to exploit.

Still, watching him made my chest tighten with irritation.

And a bigger problem was that it wasn’t just me and my party here.

“Benialis?”

“Benialis? Isn’t he that… that guy?”

“Ah, of course!! Right, that swindler.”

“Heh, that con man is now begging the Exemplary Messenger?”

“Tsk tsk tsk. The one who says he’s a messenger of the Heavenly God dares to beg the Exemplary Messenger!”

“My goodness, no matter how kind the Exemplary Messenger is, how can that fellow be so shameless…”

“The Exemplary…”

“The Exemplary…”

“Because it’s the Exemplary messenger…”

They murmured insults, and some extreme folks even spat near Benialis.

But why did I feel worse about it?

Lee Hyo-ju, who had gotten into the carriage first, clutched her stomach and laughed.

Maybe my displeasure showed on my face and in my voice; the sound wasn’t pleasant.

“So, what’s the matter? I need to step out for a moment.”

“Ah, no… you…”

He looked genuinely shocked, as if thinking, ‘I didn’t expect you to treat me like this!’

I’d of course made him think he was someone I could boss around, but still, his current behavior was ridiculously idiotic.

Standing on the main road, he’d loudly proclaimed himself Benialis, the corrupter who caused the Plague of Depravity.

“So, what is it?”

“I, I have something urgent to tell you.”

“Didn’t you hear me say I’m going out right now?”

“Th-then I’ll wait.”

“Tsk. Fine, do that.”

With that I climbed into the carriage.

Using my senses, I saw he seemed flustered and was about to say more, but I deliberately had the carriage depart immediately.

He stood motionless at the gate for a moment, then bowed, and that unspent sensation reached me.

“What’s he doing now?”

“…Picking up the money Han gave him?”

“…Wow. The Heavenly God would be furious. Looks like he didn’t even enter the Garden of Gods to claim his third-year reward.”

“Right… So where are we going?”

I realized I hadn’t told Lee Hyo-ju our destination. And she still seemed to have Gwanum active.

“First, stop Gwanum. We’re going to the magistrate’s office. We need to apply for a legion. And since we’re out for the first time in a while, how about a simple date?”

“…W-what?! D-d-date?”

“Yeah. Don’t you like that?”

“…No!!”

I learned Lee Hyo-ju liked me from Hazel’s hint. Hazel’s assessment of her was interesting.

“Hoho. You really didn’t know? She’s so pure she’d put a high elf to shame…”

Only after hearing Hazel did I understand Lee Hyo-ju’s strange behavior.

I hadn’t noticed earlier because it was hard to imagine she would like me; in my past life I pursued someone for 25 years and was rejected every time.

Did I just push myself on her? Even after doing all sorts of unpleasant tasks at her side, she never looked at me.

And now she likes me?

Honestly it was hard to believe, but Lee Hyo-ju’s actions testified to it.

That didn’t mean I wanted revenge.

My current lover Hazel was too sudden, and I didn’t feel anything for Lee Hyo-ju.

A reliable comrade—that was all Lee Hyo-ju was to me.

The date comment was just talk; the real first reason to bring her along was to locate Benialis with the Gwaeum skill.

The second was to introduce her to Shio on the way to meet him.

“By the way, legion? You’re really applying?”

“Yeah, I decided to apply. The gods actively supported it.”

Of course, they said that to encourage exploration of their fate dungeons.

“…Hmm. Then what about the achievements?”

“I guess treat it like a picnic and go.”

“…Huh?”

After a brief chat, we had already arrived at the magistrate’s office.

As soon as we entered, a middle-aged man who’d been sitting haughtily inside recognized me and rushed out.

“W-welcome, Exemplary messenger.”

“Kik!”

The way that Exemplary Messenger spoke always made me frown. Even Lee Hyo-ju, who knew the situation, blushed trying to hold back a laugh.

“…Hmm. I’m here to apply for a legion.”

“What? Already? You still have the training period…”

“I’m aware. But I heard you can apply for a legion during the training period and there’s a way to leave the Exorsus.”

While the man was baffled, a young man waiting behind stepped forward and continued.

“Yes, that’s correct. But you must be accompanied by people who have reached considerable mastery. Not one, but four of them must accompany you. The problem is those four will only save your life; they will not participate in the exploration of achievements.”

The cautious man’s gaze emphasized that this wasn’t something he was refusing to do personally.

His expression seemed to suggest, given how the system was set, maybe give up and come back in a year.

In truth, for an ordinary representative, it would be impossible to know four transcendent-level entities and secure their cooperation, just as the young official silently warned.

“I’ll handle that.”

“In that case… I’ll prepare the paperwork.”

I nodded and, while waiting for the documents, the clerks in the office stared at me as if I were a celebrity.

Perhaps due to the attention, the young man hurriedly prepared the papers.

“H-here they are.”

“Thank you. Good work.”

“If you infuse divine power into this, the companions will be registered automatically.”

He handed over a square metal plate with trembling hands.

After taking the plate and leaving, everyone in the office stood and bowed in unison.

“Please take care.”

“Thank you. Because of you, my son survived.”

“Be careful.”

After all kinds of greetings and thanks, we left the office and headed to a restaurant in the square.

We ate leisurely, spent time slowly, then headed to the library.

As I opened the creaky old door that announced its presence, the familiar smell of old paper stung my nose.

At the same time, a voice greeted me enthusiastically beside me.

“Hey! Famous Exemplary Messenger, Kim Han. It’s been a damn long time… Who’s that beside you?”

“A representative.”

“Damn. You used to send a little squirt, now another squirt?”

“Haha. Thanks to you, that squirt, he’s been acting like a person.”

Shio’s grumbling about sending Arun came across with a rough, familiar warmth you don’t get from other transcendents.

“Anyway, why did you come?”

“Would you… like to go out? Say, explore a ruin or something like that?”

“You went to the magistrate and actually applied for a legion?”

“Of course. It’s easier to say it aloud. So, will you go?”

Shio was silent for a while after my question.

Meanwhile Lee Hyo-ju disappeared between the shelves and immersed herself in a book.

After a long while Shio spoke, and unexpectedly refused.

“What?”

“Do you think I don’t or can’t leave this place?”

“Huh? You can’t leave?”

“Right, I can’t. The first reason is the system set up here would collapse the moment I left, and the second is I might get spotted by the Heavenly God.”

Well, okay, the first reason makes sense, but how could the Heavenly God catch him?

“How would the Heavenly God see it?”

“The chance is very slim. But because I ignored a slim chance, I’m stuck here in this state, plucked clean by the Heavenly God. So anyway, I can’t go out.”

“I see…”

I felt a bit sorry for Shio. I had forgotten he’d always spouted nonsense.

Then again, no transcendent has an ordinary backstory.

“Enough! You fool. Who are you looking at like a wet cat? Take these.”

Shio handed over two books. Both were thick, clearly magic tomes.

“You’re learning magic? From that monster old man Talis?”

“Yes.”

“Then with your peculiar ability, you could probably learn every kind of magic, right?”

“Huh? Yes.”

“There. These are books organizing up to intermediate spells of the 12 schools. Take them.”

He gruffly thrust them at me, as if he wasn’t giving them out of fondness, yet an inexplicable warmth accompanied the gesture.

I promised to visit more often and left the library.

The two books resting in my inventory still seemed to radiate warmth.

“Skillbook: Essentials of the 12 Schools of Magic (Vol. 1)”

“Skillbook: Essentials of the 12 Schools of Magic (Vol. 2)”

The next transcendent I sought out was, of course, Jimnas.

Jimnas was wrestling with absurdly heavy equipment as always.

Lee Hyo-ju’s expression upon seeing him for the first time could only be described as shock.

“Master.”

“Who… huh? You!”

“Have you been well?”

Seeing me, Jimnas was so surprised he dropped the barbell he was lifting with a thud and rushed over.

I calmed the exuberant Jimnas and explained why I had come.

“You should go.”

“Thank you.”

“Damn you, smooth talker. Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who should be grateful—I can’t leave Exorsus even if I die. And this is a legal chance to go out!”

“Hahaha. Fine, let’s just call it mutual gratitude.”

I said I’d tell him the schedule later, left Jimnas’s gym, and returned to the square.

In the carriage Lee Hyo-ju asked why we were returning to the square, and I shut her up with the word “date.”

Seeing the square reminded me of the frantic effort to calm Exorsus after the plague incident, when they almost erected a statue of me.

‘If they’d put “Exemplary Messenger Kim Han” under that statue…’

I don’t even want to think about it.

Shaking my head to clear the thought, the carriage arrived at its destination: the grand white temple, the Garden of Gods.

“Mr. Kim Han!”

“Haha. Hello. Could I see one of the gardeners who visited our home before?”

“Ah! Yes. That brother should be inside. I’ve called someone to guide you; they’ll arrive soon.”

Before the conversation finished, someone in the same attire was already rushing out.

Following the guide deep inside, I finally met the man who had once blocked me from killing the Wind Magic tower master.

“Welcome, Mr. Kim Han.”

“Yes. Long time no see.”

“Haha, have a seat. But what brings you here so suddenly…?”

“It’s nothing, but if you have the time, I’d like to ask you to accompany my legion’s ruin exploration as a companion.”

The man widened his eyes at my words, glancing between me and Lee Hyo-ju.

Then, seeming to understand, he hesitated then nodded.

“I understand.”

“Haha, thank you. I’ll inform you of the date soon.”

After leaving the Garden of Gods building and arriving at my house, dusk had already fallen.

As I stepped out of the carriage, I sensed someone approaching. The mages guarding the mansion gate noticed and blocked the approaching person.

“I, I! I’m Benialis!”

“Ah….”

I hadn’t expected he’d actually stayed and waited.

I thought he might go somewhere and come back tomorrow, but I didn’t expect him to just wait indefinitely.

“Have you been waiting the whole time?”

I mumbled it casually, and Benialis, thinking I was addressing him, answered without hesitation.

“Y-yes!”

“Ah, then let’s go inside and hear what you have to say.”

The massive gate opened, and Benialis, dumbfounded by the sight, uttered an exclamation.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, ah! I-I’m coming.”

Somehow I spoke informally to him while he used formal speech toward me, and neither of us found it awkward.

We crossed the wide garden to the reception room; Benialis went in, and Lee Hyo-ju met my eyes for a moment before averting them.

“So, what did you want to say?”

“Well… um…”

“Ah, first have a cup of tea and get comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

Benialis sipped his warm tea, blowing on it, and his expression looked truly pitiful.

Just as he was about to speak, someone knocked on the reception room door and Lee Hyo-ju entered holding a red crystal.

“What is it? I’m currently speaking with a guest.”

I addressed her politely this time; she glanced at Benialis then strode in as if unconcerned.

“Look at this. It’s one of those letter-and-video crystals used when treating the plague; it seems to have captured a representative of the demon god.”

Benialis flinched at the mention of the plague, but Lee Hyo-ju and I both pretended not to pay him any attention.

“Huh? A representative of the demon god?”

“Yeah. Want to see?”

“Ah! W-wait! This person here is also a representative. Let’s watch it later among ourselves.”

“…Hmm. That beggar is really a representative?”

“Yes…”

She sighed deeply, scanned Benialis up and down, pinched her nose, placed the red crystal on the table, and left the room.

As soon as she left, I exhaled heavily as if exhausted and looked at Benialis.

“Continue with what you were about to say.”

“Ah! So I need to stay here for a bit. I need a place to rest… Of course I’m not asking to stay for free. I’ll tell Amor later and pay it all back.”

Does this idiot not know who cured the plague? He should come up with a plausible excuse to avoid me flipping out and throwing him out. This lame justification wouldn’t cut it.

His tone returned to normal, perhaps because he’d seen me flustered with Lee Hyo-ju.

“You’re calling that an excuse? This isn’t a joke… (said loud enough to be heard) Damn, I can’t let you do that. Have a warm cup of tea and then get out.”

He reacted with blatant bewilderment and loudly insisted on his status.

“Hey! Listen! I’m a representative of Amor! Amor! A representative of the Heavenly God!”

“Pft. Heavenly Goddess Amor… really, tsk.”

With that she took out a communication crystal. As soon as she infused divine power, Arun’s face appeared.

“Tell the four of you to come. This one is a big fish; I can’t handle it on my own.”

“-Sigh… Again?”

“Yes.”

After the call and telling Benialis to wait, less than five minutes passed before a clamor erupted, like hell-beasts charging.

As they drew closer, cold sweat streamed down Benialis’s face.

“What the hell is that guy!”

And unexpectedly, cursing all the way, the first to smash through the reception door was Hazel.