Although I grumbled, my physical condition had improved sharply under Kim Olim’s guidance.

In particular, as I repeatedly exercised and ran, I felt that my arms and legs were getting firmer. I couldn’t run for an hour before, but now I wasn’t tired if I ran for an hour or two.

Though to be honest, compared to the average physical strength of a User, my physical strength was still low, but... In any case, I was improving day by day.

Kim Olim’s instruction was useful, but...

‘This potion is the true cheat-code.’

Choi Kyung-sik’s drug (?) played the biggest role. In the past, some fitness trainers grew their bodies by injecting steroids, and Choi Kyung-sik’s potions seemed to have a similar effect.

‘What if I become super muscular?’

Just that thought made my lips curl up in a smile. Then I recalled how Seo Dawon walked in on me posing like Popeye in the bathroom yesterday. ‘Damn... He even teased me by asking if he could hang from my arms.’

I glanced at Kim Sangyoon’s arm and thought to myself, ‘Let’s aim for a body like that.’ However, due to Olim’s keen observation, any stray thoughts meant I had to redouble my efforts in training.

* * *

That evening, all training was paused due to urgent news. Everyone gathered in the sitting room.

Bang Eunji broke the news. “Eunji found Moon Issak–she wants to share this unusual movement.”

Bang Eunji looked at me momentarily before placing a printed photo on the center of the table. All eyes focused on it.

In the photo, Moon Issak and a familiar woman was photographed together. The picture was blurry, but the scene was etched vividly into our minds.

I soon opened my eyes wide–memories were dredged up. “Lim Jisoo...!”

“That’s right.”

Lim Jisoo–one of the main characters in [Red Lotus’s] extermination. In particular, as the person who had personally killed Dawon-ie, her sneer from the first [Vengeful Ghost Memory] would often resurface. Even now... after so much time had passed.

I wasn’t the only person that was shocked–everyone’s expressions hardened.

Choi Kyung-sik spoke first, “No way... are they holding hands?”

Bang Eunji shook her head as if she wasn’t sure, “Eunji doesn’t know about that. But...” She took out a second photo; Lim Jisoo and Moon Issak were exchanging unidentifiable boxes. “It seems like the two of them had some deal. Given that box has the ‘inventory key’ workshop logo embossed onto the box, it’s highly likely it’s an item. Lim Jisoo handed it over.”

“Lim Jisoo gave Moon Issak some item...”

“Yes. Moon Issak also handed something to Lim Jisoo as well–it seemed to be a USB.” Bang Eunji then showed an enlarged picture of their hands. As she had said, the two were exchanging a key for a USB.

Kim Olim grimaced and asked, “Were you unable to hear what they talked about?”

At that time, Kim Sangyoon, while stroking his cheek, mentioned a certain User’s name. “Do you perhaps know... someone named Ha-il? This guy is a pretty famous Assassin, isn’t he?” 1

“Hmph! Do you think that Eunji is incapable of seeing through someone like Ha-il and his subpar stealth skills?”

“S-Sorry...”

However, most users were lower level than Eunji, and anyone that didn’t make Eunji’s hackles rise up in indignation were incredibly well known, so their alibis were easy to find.

And, often, Assassins hid their identity when they reached a certain level. They followed an unspoken rule to not expose themselves.

So, we thought a bit more about the item option, but items that had [hide] or [tracking interference] enchantments weren’t very popular–high grade items of that variety were rare.

When items were made, people tended to be focused on combat options or recovery. When we checked recent transaction records, there were no instances of items with our parameters being sold. Moreover, considering Eunji’s abilities, it became even more challenging.

“It needs to be an R-grade accessory at the very least. Realistically, it’s impossible to create an item just for stealth. Because it’d be so unpopular.”

“Also, this is just Eunji’s personal opinion, but... When they disappeared, it didn’t feel like they were using an item.”

Garam, who had been silently listening, muttered, “Hmmm....” He frowned and said, “Perhaps they got an item or the helper from the black market.”

“Huh? That’s possible.” Come to think of it, Moon Issak had a black market ticket. I had a feeling that he may have obtained something at the black market and asked Garam-ie, “Is it possible to check the history of sales at the black market, like one would do for an auction house?”

“No.”

I felt desponded by the firm response. I suppose there must be a reason why these tickets were so hard to get...

However, Garam smiled and waved his finger at my disappointed self, “...Is what I would usually say, but I’m different.”

“Oh? You can do something?”

“Yep. But it’ll take some time. And, I wouldn’t be totally sure that my results are accurate. It’d be... about 70-80% right.”

Dawon nodded to Garam and said, “Well, that’s not horrible. Let’s rely on your research for now.”

“Great.”

“Can you get it by tomorrow?”

“....Ngh, I guess I have no choice but to do it.”

Become a member!

TL: I’m almost to the end of my school semester T_T

And then... I have so many teaching appointments next semester.

Also: Dun Dun Dun.... Return of Lim Jisoo!