Chapter 87: Actors and Schemers

Back in the store.

Kwan Minhwoo was making his rounds to check on any changes in the base while secretly taking note of all the characters.

In his previous line of work, they must always observe more and take note of every detail.

Still, the main focus of his observation remained a few.

At the top of the list was the very mysterious teenage man that had returned once more after surviving almost another full week outside, alone.

Codename: Blank.

Profile: Background is a mystery, power is a mystery, weaknesses are a mystery, goals are a mystery. A person with many secrets.

Type: Highly likely a combatant.

Threat level: Very dangerous. A person not to be offended.

Even observation must be done very carefully.

If it weren’t for the fact that this boy seemed to know a lot about how to survive in this world, Kwan Minhwoo wouldn’t even dare to keep tabs on him.

From his many years of experience, Kwan Minwhoo could read it in that boy’s look. That boy treated them all like ants with the exception being…

His sight landed on the innocent-looking highschool girl calling herself Xiao Shuling.

There didn’t seem to be anything special about her, but… could everything just be a disguise?

But it was only right to not offend such potential threats.

Anyways, he can push a lusty fatso out to test the water sooner or later. No need to make a move himself.

Right now, another member of that team was the main focus of his observations.

Kwan Minhwoo scanned the store like a hawk and spotted the fuming man calling himself “Steve”.

Codename: Fisherman.

Profile: A civilian in his 20s. Acts like a shameless, selfish prick who’s unafraid of death. On the surface, looks like easy pickings but instincts say he might possess a big secret.

Type: Resource Gatherer

Threat level: Low to medium-red. If isolated, possible to take down.

But getting the most important resource-collection item from his inventory won’t be that simple.

If that fishing rod was really enchanted by the destruction-on-drop curse, there’s no way for them to acquire it unless they get him to voluntarily hand it over.

Capture and torture? Can that weak body hold out? If it can, is it possible to force the man to hand over the item before his team returns? Unlikely.

That’s why that fatso and him decided on another route.

This fisherman appears to have no weaknesses, but there were many ways to test the vices of man. The most effective being...

The final destination of his sight fell upon the celebrity dressed like she was about to head to a special gala.

Codename: Chameleon.

Profile: a whitewashed celebrity that crawled her way up to the spotlight. Her background was laced with scandals, yet in the public eye, she was still a successful queen of actresses.

But in his work database, this Chae Yoona had quite the interesting profile.

Her history was dark, and even though there wasn’t any substantial evidence, her hands were definitely not clean.

Threat level: High. Her powerful charm and unknown power makes her even more so.

Yet at the same time, her powerful charm was the key to their game.

Now the question was: how to persuade her to join their “all for the greater good” cause?

Though this social butterfly acted clingy and dependent on them, she definitely wasn’t the type to give in easily.

Her vigilance was top-notch and she was the type that will never release the eagle until she sees the rabbit.

Finding the right angle to get her cooperation will be difficult unless there’s a very good reason.

He needed a good opportunity…

Perhaps the winds of fortune blew in his favor for fate arranged one just for him.

Kwan Minhwoo noticed the fisherman threateningly whisper something into the chameleon’s ear and both sneaked away together.

This might be his chance!

Kwan Minhwoo didn’t hesitate to stalk them secretly… all the way to the back hall’s lady restroom. He hid outside the door to eavesdrop on their conversation inside.

“...Hurry and just say it. What do you want?”

“Was it you who took it?”

“Sah… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“There was no one else around! Who else could it be but you!”

“Mr. Steve, please don’t accuse others based on your own assumptions… or is this your way to get my attention? My, my, just because I’m beautiful doesn’t mean you’re worthy to hit on me. I have a boyfriend, you know.”

“Don’t give me that nonsense! It was you! I know it! Give my stuff back!”

“Let go you ugly freak—mmph?! Mm! Mmm!”

“Shut up, bitch! Are you going to give it back or not? If not… don’t blame me for being impolite!”

Just when a hand reached out to tear open the red dress, the restroom door slammed open and a grip locked the man’s wrist, twisting it behind his back.

“Ow!” Yu Zhiye fiercely glared back and his eyes clashed with the four-eyes.

“Mr. Steve, please restrain yourself or... don’t blame me for being impolite.”

The four-eyes acted like a gentleman, but Yu Zhiye fumed even more and spat back, “Hah! I knew it! You’re in this together, aren’t you?!”

Kwan Minhwoo frowned. “Mr. Steve, I wouldn’t randomly bite the innocent if I were you.”

“Innocent? Hah! What a joke!” Yu Zhiye gave the man a shove and broke free from his lock. “Dog couple, just you wait!”

After dropping that line, Yu Zhiye stormed off.

Kwan Minhwoo calmly adjusted his glasses and watched the door swing shut.

Behind him, the white lotus in red finished fixing her dress back in place and looked at him gratefully.

“Thanks to Sir Kwan this time. Otherwise… sigh…”

The light, pitiful sigh attracted his attention to her like a magnet.

Such a great beauty, no men won’t be tempted. Just the earlier glimpse of her snowy peaks aroused something that hasn’t gotten exercise for weeks, but Kwan Minhwoo still acted like a gentleman.

“There’s no need for thanks, Miss Yoona. It’s all for the greater good. Still, a lady like you shouldn’t be alone with guys like him. It’s dangerous.”

“Ma… I just didn’t expect him to…” Chae Yoona showed proper disgust on her face. “It’s best if such selfish trash just disappear.”

“Indeed.” Kwan Minhwoo knew his chance had come and smiled. “Worry not, the trash will be taken out in due time. But first, we should milk him for all he’s worth…”

A sly glint flashed through his glasses and he made a proposal.

“Miss Yoona, I have a plan that can get us the best of both worlds. Are you interested?”

Knowing that the fish got hooked, Chae Yoona put on her most charming smile and drew closer to draw circles on the man’s chest. “Why would I not be?”