327 Ouroboros (2)

It was like a monster that lost its life.

aah

Jerome’s body, drooping over the water surface of the sewer, split into light particles and fluttered.

A few items did not disappear and remained in place, but most were of no value. All equipment, such as swords and armor, which looked expensive, was engulfed in the light and disappeared.

‘Is it Eblus… … .’

There was an imaginable essence.

It may not be that important now.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The silence filled with only the sound of running water from the sewer.

Auril Gabis, who was smiling as if he had paralysis on his face, opened his mouth.

“I ask, are you a demon?”

It wasn’t a question, it was a final confirmation.

After all, if you’ve come this far, you’d have already been convinced that Nibelz Enche, a level 6 explorer who couldn’t find it anywhere in the city, was an ‘iron mask’.

‘Nevertheless, the only thing I have to ask is whether I am the iron mask or I want to hear it with my own mouth… … .’

Having seen firsthand making the strongest knight of the royal family incapable of combat with a single gesture, I activated the Barbarian Confucian skin mode and opened my mouth.

“A demon? I don’t know where you got it wrong, but it isn’t. old man.”

In my respectful tone, Auril Gavis spit out a sound as if it was nonsense.

“That’s a lie.”

After all, you were able to run the lie detector here as well.

It was what I had expected in my heart, but when the attempt went in vain, the taste was a little bitter.

But there was no room for disappointment.

Hey, this isn’t in the community, is it?

Otherwise, physical problems may arise.

so that… … .

“Fufu, I can’t fool the old man after all. That’s great.”

Change your stance quickly.

It is highly likely that deceiving any more will feel like deception, so we decided to admit it.

“Yes, I am the one you were looking for. I was embarrassed because I didn’t know that we would meet outside, so I couldn’t tell you honestly.”

“I was so embarrassed… … .”

“Yeah, I’m confused. And I didn’t really lie, did I?”

At my bold question, Auril Gavis let out a smirk.

“Heh heh, yes… Come to think of it, I didn’t ‘ly lie’.”

Yes. I didn’t lie back then.

Asked about the state of the city?

Seongju replied that it was a surprise attack by joining hands with the royal family.

He answered that there was also a question about whether a barbarian had come in about five or six months ago, and when asked for the barbarian’s name, he kindly answered ‘Byon, son of Thor’.

“Yeah, it’s in front of an old man, so it’s cancer, but he never tells lies—”

“By the way, say it.”

“… Yes?”

“Did you know that being deceived like that is far worse than telling a lie?”

“ah… … .”

it is a theory

It’s not like there’s no anti-corruption law.

“… … sorry.”

After slicing the apple first.

“I have a mental illness.”

Attach the reason.

“… psychosis?”

“Yes. Trying to live here, I keep deceiving someone regardless of my will. After all, I can’t live like this… … .”

It is a kind of distribution of responsibility.

If the environment made me like this, it is this old man who put me into such an environment.

“haha… … .”

Auril Gavis, who had become the first person in charge in an instant, burst into laughter.

Fortunately, this time, his eyes were smiling too.

On the contrary, it seems that the situation was funny for me to go out boldly like this.

Okay, then the mood must be a little more toxic… … .

“More than that, are you here for me?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, it’s a bit of a feeling to do a background investigation like this, but… … .”

As I wiggled my tail and blinked as if burdened, Auril Gavis let out an empty cough.

“Hmm, but if I don’t do this, I won’t be able to meet you.”

“Yes? ah… … . right. Why did the community there suddenly shut down? I was wondering if the old man might have expelled me.”

“Oh, if that’s the case, then there was a situation.”

“What is the matter?”

“I will say that there was an intervention of the royal family. It has now been restored to some extent.”

“Oh, so will we see you there from next month?”

“It’s not like that. I recently transferred ownership to a friend. You don’t know, but now it’s hard to see me.”

“If you are a friend… Are you talking about GM?”

“Perhaps it will.”

Out of curiosity, I asked who the GM was, but Auril Gavis did not answer.

A secret I can’t tell.

It was more like a pout than a feeling like that.

“Well, there’s no reason to keep it a secret… … . Still, you have to figure it out on your own.”

“Yes?”

“If you only see me as a trade target, then I have no choice but to do the same.”

“Ah, yes… … .”

Well, a yangban who is over 300 years old is pissed off about something like this. It’s wrong to be deceived by wearing something like a lie reader.

“But then, how long are you going to use that tone?”

“Yes?”

“You were there, and what was it, wasn’t it? For some reason, it’s awkward to use that kind of tone, because I feel like a different person.”

“Haha, the old man too. It’s just a concept there.”

“concept?”

“Yeah, it’s like another character. Is it the struggle of the weak to not look down on you? I can’t be rude to an old man because I’m crazy, can I?”

“Hmm, I don’t know for sure, but I think I know what you’re trying to say.”

Auril Gavis nodded quietly.

And there was a brief silence without saying anything.

It took a while for his mouth to open.

“Anyway, I’m here to see you again, so we can start our relationship again.”

Words that sound like you’re slurping your ex-lover.

“… … Yes?”

Unable to hide their embarrassment, the old man quickly added an explanation.

“I want to be friendly with you. It’s clear that we can help each other, but wouldn’t it be frustrating to have a relationship that just goes round and round?”

“ah… … .”

“That’s why I have prepared a present for you.”

“If it’s a gift… … .”

Without realizing it, my body flinched at the word.

Should I say that I am excited and worried at the same time?

I can’t read what you mean.

“Don’t be nervous. Because it was never bad.”

“Can you tell me more?”

“You know, I’m waiting for you to open the door to the abyss. I said it was a gift in that sense, but it is also for me.”

Oh, why are the words so long?

“okay. So?”

“It’s an ability that will be of great help to you in hiding your identity in the future.”

Having said that, Auril Gabis briefly explained the ‘gift’. To sum up, he was going to use his power to give me a permanent buff.

“So, if you receive it, you will not be affected by ‘verification’ magic, as well as interrogation-type items such as ‘mistrusted’, right?”

“That’s correct. It’s like putting a shield on the body, but it won’t work if your mind is open.”

“Are you open-minded?”

“For example, the place you go to every month.”

Ah, that doesn’t work in the spiritual world.

Then it would be impossible to sow lies at the round table.

“Now, how about my present?”

I pondered briefly.

First of all, it was undoubtedly a very helpful ability.

You said it with your own mouth, and after receiving that gift, you won’t be subjected to ‘mistrusted trust’.

However… … .

‘Apart from that, it seems like he’s going to do something secretly.’

I don’t know much about magic.

If Auril Gavis planted something like a locator virus with the gift, it means that he has no ability to find and remove it.

And the problem is… … .

‘It’s impossible to say no.’

An old man who sent a light knight to the goal with one beckoning.

In other words, if he had an intention to harm me, he can make it happen even by pushing him with force.

“good. So what are you doing right now?”

“that is… Actually I already did it. As soon as I see you again in the sewers.”

“Yes? But I didn’t feel that way… … .”

“Because that’s my specialty.”

Oh, I see.

I thought from the beginning that I didn’t have a choice.

‘This feels a little dirty.’

Somehow, he said it in the past tense from a while ago.

***

After the talk about ‘gifts’ is over.

Auril Gabis said succinctly.

“As I said before, I have no intention of coercively controlling you.”

It was good news to hear.

I don’t know how long those words will be kept, but it’s better than choking and threatening with magic right now.

“I am also an old man. I respect you.”

“Heh heh, I mean… … .”

I spoke openly, and the old man laughed modestly, but in the end we both knew it was nonsense.

However, in the original social life, pretense is also polite.

I smiled hahaha, organized my thoughts.

There were two options going forward.

1. “Haha, it was nice to meet you. You didn’t force it, did you? Well, I’m busy with work, so… … . Please stay healthy!”

Dropping Auril Gavis somehow and moving to rescue Amelia.

and… … .

2. Exploitation of the elderly.

Getting help from Auril Gavis.

It didn’t take long to make a decision.

I tried to avoid it, but in the end, didn’t we meet again like this?

It’s impossible to even sneak it off.

Even if you choose number 1 anyway, this old man like a stalker will surely follow you.

‘Even the iron mask that covered his face will surely come off if the old man wants to… … . If you go there, it will be a breeze to find out my name.’

If you’re going to give it anyway, I thought that giving and receiving something was the most reasonable option.

‘Now, let’s suck the side of the seaweed.’

After making the decision, I cautiously opened my mouth immediately.

“I… old man.”

“Oh, tell me.”

“Can I ask you a favor? If you listen to this, I will tell you my face and my name.”

“Face and name… … ?”

“Yeah, haven’t you always wondered about it?”

“It’s not like that… … .”

“Let’s do one thing with me.”

Auril Gabis did not respond to my suggestion.

was just staring at me.

What kind of trick is this bastard trying to do this time, just with those eyes.

***

that time.

Amelia, who was leading the sisters through the sewer, stopped.

“Hey, why are you suddenly stopping? … ?”

There were no signs of popularity around.

However, one of Essence’s abilities that had been active before was lost.

So, again… … .

“The guy has come.”

The traitor, Ricardo Lüchenpraha, is nearby.

‘Is this going to happen… … .’

So, what happened to Yandel who was dealing with him?

The first thought suddenly occurred to me, but Amelia shook off her worries.

Didn’t you say you would believe it?

It wasn’t something to be concerned about right now.

“If it’s a guy, maybe… … .”

Laura flinched at Amelia’s chorus.

This is because he once told the sisters that Ricardo Luchenpraha was after him when he asked about the severed arm.

“Yeah, it’s him.”

As soon as Amelia agreed, the two girls trembled with tension. A picture of him slashing through hundreds of explorers a few hours ago came to mind.

“Amelia, Laura.”

“… Yes Yes!”

“listen carefully. We are almost there now.”

Amelia gave directions to the city in as short a time as possible, with only the necessary information.

“Go, I’ll try to stop you here somehow.”

The sister’s reaction was divided in two.

“Why is Emily doing this to us… … .”

As a child, he was at a loss for what to do.

He seemed to be worried about her when he said that he would be left alone.

But my sister, Laura, was different.

“Amelia, come here.”

“Ha, but… … .”

“hurry!”

While harboring doubts and feelings of gratitude, she calmly took care of her sister and ran to the passageway she had told her.

Laura had it.

There is only one thing far more important than personal feelings.

“… … .”

Amelia watched for a moment as her sister grabbed her hand and ran behind her.

Without even closing my eyes, I remembered clearly.

At the end of that dark passage.

The memories she went through at the end.

Can I really change that future?

I didn’t know yet.

However… … .

“They are precious children.”

A man’s low-pitched voice resounds.

“Very good.”

The man who turned his head to look at him, Ricardo Luchenpraha, was smiling.

“Because I can tell you what it feels like to lose.”

Amelia gave strength to the hand holding the dagger.