Chapter 93 093

-There was only one piece of info related to what you requested. Unfortunately, this isn't that detailed either. To summarize…

-Tell me everything without filtering.

-Okay then. First of all, it is true that there is some kind of organization. According to the poster, it has at least centuries of history, and there's also content about it being some kind of secret society.

-What's the evidence behind that?

-Apparently, they found some kind of headstone in the middle of the Sleeping Desert. The secret society has left some kind of records there, and the informant was able to deduce that they were still active to the current day.

-And their purpose?

-That wasn't written. Their scale is unknown, and their scope of activities is unclear. But it does say that Shahav was mentioned in the record.

That was the most useful information, as the possibility of that group existing, along with Maya being involved somehow, increased dramatically.

-Each member of the organization is suspected to be really powerful… and that's it. I can't believe that this cost 160 million!

-I thought the Strategic Planning Department determined the prices.

Seojin chuckled and asked, but her answer was an unexpected one.

-No, we can't establish trust like that. There's an algorithm that sets the price, and even the manager can't access the information without paying the fee.

Seojin opened his mouth in surprise.

-So, the Strategic Planning Department has bought every piece of information up until now?

-Yeah, they have. We have to give credit to our manager for authorizing it. He has very high expectations for you…

The rest of the conversation was just meaningless chatter, and Seojin raised his evaluation of the department slightly.

"So, it's a secret society," Seojin whispered to Flappy.

"Uh secret society? Whuts it fahwar?"

"I'm not sure," Seojin replied with a shrug.

"I have a hunch, but I need to find out for sure."

"Oh, a guide? Yeah, I hired him too. I think his name was Jin,"

"He was really helpful. The path was so confusing, I probably would have gotten lost without him."

"It seems like everyone I know hired a guide. Those guides must be making a fortune."

Seojin targeted the players who chose Shahav as their base. After some investigation, he found out that almost everyone had hired a guide to get there, but there was something else that surprised him.

'The guides even took care of players behind their backs who couldn't pay …'

It seemed like they had a reason to guide adventurers to Shahav, and they would gladly take him there even if he didn't pay them.

"Monsters appeared all of a sudden! I fended them off, but they, like… what should I say? Dropped like flies? The same monsters were damn hard to kill when I went to the hunting ground alone though…"

It seemed like the guides were not just guides, but also bodyguard-like mercenaries who were well aware of their surroundings.

'Maya wasn't the only one. Most of the guides in Shahav are strong. I think being a guide is just a disguise for their actual role.'

Seojin arrived at his own speculative conclusion, even though it may not have been entirely accurate.

Shahav's guides needed to ensure that players remained in a secure location. The rationale for that must have been connected to the purpose of their group.

Seojin was aware that this short and simple, perhaps even obvious fact, could catch Maya off-guard.

"Where have you been? It took quite a while!" she asked innocently, sitting behind a cleaned table at the pub.

"I had a few things to check. Any idea what that would be?" Seojin replied.

"I don't know. A contract?" Maya suggested.

"I checked the guides out, and they seem a bit strange."

"We are not strange, sir!"

"Which group are you in?" Seojin asked.

"A group? We are independent businesses."

"Okay. So, why shouldn't I go out of the safe zone?" Seojin asked.

"Because it's dangerous! You won't even make it a few steps out of the borders. Maybe next time, but not now…" Maya warned.

"If it were me," Seojin said, sounding genuinely curious,"I'd just leave them and let them see for themselves. Anyone would listen to you after being killed once or twice. You know, adventurers can be resurrected."

"That's right… but," Maya hesitated.

"But?" Seojin prompted.

"Watching someone die, even if they're an adventurer, is painful. Don't you agree?" Maya asked, looking at Seojin.

"Are you going to follow me?" he replied.

"I'll persuade you not to go out," Maya said determinedly.

The two locked eyes for a moment, Seojin showing no emotion and Maya resolute.

"I need to get out there," Seojin said.

"Sir," Maya pleaded, blocking his path with her arms.

"We're drawing attention."

"Please don't."

"Shall we sit down first?"

As soon as they sat, the glances of the other patrons scattered.

"Why are you being so desperate?" Seojin asked.

"I just told you why," Maya replied.

"But it's too much. I didn't take you for being that altruistic," Seojin said, now having the upper hand as Maya had lost her composure.

"Anyway, I can't allow it, sir. It goes against policy to put our customers in harm's way."

"How about I go alone?" Seojin suggested.

"Do you know how many dangers there are out there, sir?" Maya asked.

"Then come with me if you're so worried," Seojin challenged.

"I can't just protect you from everything and stay stuck with you all day."

"You didn't do it for the money, did you?" Seojin asked.

"It's my duty to bring adventurers to Shahav safely," Maya replied with a determined expression.

Seojin realized that Maya was driven by the group's purpose and decided to push her to reveal it.

"But I must go."

"Then it looks like we have no choice but to take a certain measure."

"That's a threat, right?"

Seojin recognized the change in Maya's cheerful, innocent demeanor and saw the professional secret agent underneath the mask. She was strong and capable of violence.

"Looks like it'd be easy for you to beat the shit out of me."

"That's right."

"How about a thousand adventurers around my level?"

Maya was confused by Seojin's response and asked,

"...?"

Seojin explained,"I'm quite famous among adventurers. Do you think you could stop a thousand players alone? Because I can pull that off."

Maya realized that Seojin was telling the truth and felt foolish for her clumsy threat. Seojin continued,

"If you kill me, these adventurers would go wild and swarm here. Do you have any idea how juicy the story of a mysterious group desperately keeping players out of a hidden place sounds?"

Maya bit her lower lip and realized that Seojin was right.

"Those adventurers will get there no matter how many times you kill them."

Seojin then added,

"Can you stop them all?"

Maya's arms were already dangling down helplessly as she realized the futility of her actions.

"Why are you so insistent?"

Maya finally took a step back, realizing that she couldn't control thousands of immortal adventurers.

"Because you're stopping me. My curiosity has been piqued and I must go."

"I told you that you're not strong enough. If you go, you'll die. I wasn't lying when I said I don't want to see you die…"

"Excuse me!"

Crash!

Various items fell off the table, including the alcohol and dishes, creating a mess.

"Oh no, what should I do? I'm sorry, I slipped."

A familiar-looking boy apologized to Seojin.

'That must be Jin,' Seojin thought. He was the boy who had first argued with Maya over him. The boy whispered as he lowered his head.

"You're drawing a lot of attention. Shall we move somewhere else?"

"Let's move."

"Agreed, but where to?"

"Anywhere is better than here."

Jin took Seojin and Maya and led them away.

"I should at least pay for your clothes! Sir, let me compensate you later!"

"I got it!"