Chapter 43 043

-What in the world happened?

"What do you mean?"

-Weren't you the one who wrote this? You told me that you're Anti-Mainstream.

"Yep, that's me."

Seojin confirmed with a smile on his face. He was enjoying the mix of surprise and joy in Merhen's voice. Merhen burst out into laughter, just as Seojin had expected him to.

-I knew it, but what did do to remove an entire dungeon?

"Long story…"

-Okay, maybe later then. I didn't call you about that. Actually, I met Assistant manager Kim Joohee.

'Assistant manager… so that's….'

Seojin asked back, "Hailstorm?"

-Yeah, the one I told you about before. Tried to sell me a pack of lies, saying that they're not only interested in you but me too. We were having a serious discussion and then…

Merhen explained what happened while holding back his laughter. He talked about how the prissy corpo-rat had hurriedly left in a panic in the middle of their conversation, along with the fact that she looked like she was in trouble once she returned.

"Because of what I did?"

-No, she called your resolution of the world quest an achievement on their part, so that probably isn't it. You know, you told me about it before, about how they put a person on you."

"I did."

-I think BunnyRabbit isn't the only one tailing you.

"Not the only one?"

Seojin stroked his chin. He was actually rather suspicious of that matter as the Strategic Planning Department had granted his requests all too willingly.

Was it simply because Seojin was such a valuable asset to them? That'd be severely underestimating the corporation. They must have racked their brain hard to figure out other ways of controlling Seojin without BunnyRabbit.

"You said that they were watching me in real-time, right?"

"I was suspicious about that, too."

Merhen was right. Hailstorm was monitoring Seojin somehow, and that he was tailed by some of their people.

'…Which means that there's someone following me, a stealth rogue or someone like that. Or an observation-build archer…'

"I can see why they were freaked out."

-I got you there. You went off their radar, right?

Merhen was probably right. Their spy must have lost Seojin as he'd used the makeup pack twice in a row. It wasn't the spy's fault, since it was usually a given fact that the item could only be used once.

'That skill book was worth every cent.'

It was a good thing anyway, it turned out exactly how he'd expected.

"So, you decided to make a deal with Hailstorm?"

-I was just probing them out. I was curious to see how much they knew about you. She took the contract back with her too. I remember that there was an article about connecting us, so…

"She took it back because she knew that she couldn't keep her word."

Seojin smirked, finally realizing what was going on. He already wondered why a lowly staff member came to contact him. It looked like BunnyRabbit was only a pawn, while the unknown spy who had lost track of Seojin was the joker of the Strategic Planning Department.

'It looks like BunnyRabbit is suddenly going to be much more important to them. I should let her know.'

The more she owed Seojin, the better. Stacking up those kinds of minor favors was a good tool for manipulation. Just thanking him wasn't enough, of course, as it was important for her to know that he was way out of her league.

"Thanks, I'll call ya later!"

Seojin hung up first as the priority was to solve the issue of his appearance.

'…I appreciate him. Maybe the last talk we had worked wonders?'

Merhen met the staff instead of doing raids, just for the sake of helping Seojin. None of the information that Merhen offered up was beyond Seojin's expectations, but he was satisfied that Merhen's attitude seemed to be changing.

'I should go now.'

It was nearly time for his appointment. Seojin glanced at the clock and finally left Meldt's house.

* * *

'He was rank A… not rank B… but A! Why didn't the vigilance committee notify me in advance?'

Erzebet's senior alchemist, Jeriel, was walking down the street almost furiously. He was angry because the vigilance committee didn't tell him about the lucky charm that came out of nowhere. Due to the nature of alchemists, a consistent supply of materials was a key factor in the success of experiments, and relationships with high-ranked mercenaries were crucial in order to maintain a consistent supply. That was why Jeriel was investing tons of money to maintain a positive relationship with the vigilance committee.

'And what, he's only rank C? With that skill? What a bunch of greedy idiots, what are you trying to do this time…'

It was natural for Jeriel to think so, because the truth was as displayed in front of him. Those vigilance committee idiots should have been begging Seojin to accept a rank A mercenary tablet, considering his capabilities.

Why weren't they doing so? Because it had only been a day? Because he had only completed two requests?

'Who gives a crap about that? You gotta cut the red tape and let the talented men do the real work, goddamn bureaucrats! These guys have no idea what kind of pain the alchemists go through!'

They at least had to give him a hint if there was a procedural problem, that there was a rank C mercenary worthy of rank A.

They should have at least hinted if there was a procedural issue such as a rank C mercenary worth of rank A. Then, Jeriel could have contacted him earlier and gained his favor in advance! Jeriel angrily entered the vigilante headquarters. Ignoring the eyes of other adventurers, he stood facing a reward officer who looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"We need to talk in private, me and you. So, spare some time now."

"…In private?"

Rachael tilted her head. So much for discretion, as he had already drawn too much attention, however, Jeriel was confident.

"A client is here with a new request. Is it that necessary to be on guard? I just need to tell you the contents discreetly."

"Oh, a request! I see, then, rather than me…"

"I'd like to tell you directly."

Jeriel stood tall with his broad shoulders. While he was on the weaker side compared to Seojin, he was still in a superior position to the vigilance committee.

"I see… Riley! I need you to cover me over here!"

Rachael found another guy to stand at the desk and guided Jeriel inside of the headquarters, which was completely isolated from the public area. Jeriel looked inquisitive the moment the door was locked.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"…Huh?"

"I'm talking about Seojin. Why didn't you tell me about such a valuable adventurer in advance? Why do you think I pay tons of money to you?"

"What do you mean by valua… I thought you only wanted me to inform you of those above rank B. He's barely rank C as far as I know."

"Why does that even matter, he'll be promoted anyway?!"

Rachael couldn't understand why Jeriel was suddenly so mad.

"What… no, he's only completed one request so far."

"I guess you haven't seen the results yet? Where's the Commander?"

"He's not here right now… haa, Jeriel."

Rachael eventually snapped. Even though Jeriel was a precious source of income, he had crossed the line by her standards.

"I am a senior among the staff members here, so I take charge of the Commander's duties in his absence. If you have any issues, you can tell me. And I appreciate your support for the vigilance committee, but right now-"

"So, you are a deputy. Can I take that to mean you have all the authority now?"

"…That's right."

Actually, it wasn't to that extent, but she couldn't say no as her ego was talking now.

'He's pushing too hard… even for a client. Does he even remember that he relies on us when it comes to supplying ingredients?'

The alchemy guild had no choice but to give requests to the vigilance committee in order to obtain the high-quality ingredients that they needed. That was why they worked together until now yet he was treating Rachael like she was a lesser being!

Just then, Jeriel raised his hands.

"Then that's fine. Fortunately, you are in a position to represent the Commander in his absence, so we can solve the problem here."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Rachael squinted at Jeriel, but he bluntly pointed back at her.

"May I use the back door?"

"You could've used the back door from the start."

"I'm not leaving."

Rachael tilted her head, but she soon realized what was happening the moment she saw another man entering through the back door.

'You old goat! You were planning this from the beginning!'

There was Seojin, with a confident look on his face. It seemed as if Jeriel created the perfect opportunity for Seojin to talk it out with her.

"…Seojin."

"Rachael, I'm sorry. I didn't expect to see you here."

Seojin's acting was sly yet flawless. He planned this fuss from the beginning, he'd even anticipated Rachael's next words.

"…If you don't have any business here, let's talk through the official window. This is not a place for adventurers. Seojin, please leave."

"But there are so many people outside…"

"I'm sorry. Only mercenaries of rank B or higher are allowed to use private counters. The rules of the vigilance committee are there for a reason."

"So I just need to go up one rank?"

"It's not that easy. Rank B mercenaries qualified for promotion in Erzebet were only one percent of the total."

Rachael deliberately used a polite, factual tone, drawing the line by naming such a specific number. Adventurers didn't keep secrets, give one special treatment and the others would find out about it within a day. That was true of Midgard, especially here. It wouldn't be a big deal for them to chat here for a while, but what if the other rank C mercenaries swarmed in and asked for the same treatment? The Commander would find out about this, and all of her efforts to climb up to her current status would all be in vain.

"Please just check this request and see whether I can be promoted."

"That's…"

"It's just ten seconds. If I'm insufficient, then I'll go back out and come back through the official route."

That was… doable. She had to hurry, shut this man up and cover up the situation.

"Let me check.

Rachael received two requests.

'Ogres… no wonder. He's talented. But this isn't enough for a promotion.'

Rank B mercenary tablets weren't just for anyone. It was an honor granted to those who truly contributed to Erzebet.

Rachel checked the results of the next quest. But then…

"…What in the world?"

She almost shoved her nose into the paper as her eyes widened.

'Is it an error? No, it can't be…'

It wasn't possible to rig a request unless the man in front of her was an archmage or something.

"But… how on earth…?"

Rachael looked at Seojin, her eyes full of disbelief.

Seojin shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing, in contrast to her reaction.

"That should be enough for a promotion, right?"