TFJB 20

Chapter 20

Bernard, who had emerged into the world, gave me quite a shock.

“W-w-who are you?!”
“Me? I’m Bernard. Aren’t you pointing your finger at people a bit too aggressively?”
“Still… this is an extreme change!”
“Anyone would change like this after rotting away in an underground prison for three years.”

Bernard, who had just finished a five-hour-long bath, shrugged with a clean, refreshed look. His light, thin blond hair shimmered like golden threads.

“You know, back in the day, the line of ladies who followed me stretched across different territories?”

I replied honestly.

“I’d call that an exaggeration, but it seems to be based somewhat on the truth.”

He had the so-called “charming young man who looks like a playboy brother” style, so it was clear he had won the hearts of many girls and young women.

“Did you end up in an underground prison because you took advantage of them?”
“Took advantage? Those ladies merely provided me with financial support.”

Ah, so he played the role of a proper sugar daddy. I nodded, but Riki suddenly interrupted.

“Bernard has a history of wiping out an entire village with just his tongue.”
“Wha… wiped out?”

It was a chilling story.

“I didn’t mean to! I didn’t intend it…”

Bernard feigned innocence and tried to explain.

According to him: one day, at a village festival, he got drunk and shouted, “Let’s have a blast until we die!” When he opened his eyes, everyone was lying there, cold corpses, having stabbed each other…

It was horrifying.

“I didn’t even realize I used my ability. And that was the first time it manifested on such a massive scale.”

Bernard mumbled that he had reflected on and mourned that incident sufficiently.

A living disaster… no wonder they locked him in an underground prison.

He was far too dangerous to be left loose in the world. I understood why Kin hesitated to release him.

But… am I supposed to watch over such a terrifying person?

I massaged the back of my neck, feeling stunned.

It wasn’t just the anxiety of being stuck with a troublemaker—it was the question of why Kin would entrust Bernard to me.

Is it because he trusts me too much, or because he’s assigning me a dangerous element?

It was hard to tell.

Truly a difficult person to understand…

I shook my head and sent Bernard and Riki out.

“Kin, what kind of person is this? Does he really have to be this mysterious?”

The profile I had checked recently came vividly to mind:

Name: Kin, Drahim Casus
Race: Human
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Hometown: Vitrician
Traits: Sole Avenger, Lord of the Ashen Fortress, Headache-prone, King of Criminals, Awakened (Deadly Poisonous Snake)

It was simultaneously lacking and bizarre information.

A 28-year-old male from the capital, Vitrician—that was normal.

But…

Two names? I’ve never seen that before.

People here often had nicknames or aliases, but usually, I could see the name they were given at birth.

Still, no one had ever had two names like Kin.

How does one live to have two names?

It wasn’t just the name that was odd. His traits were hardly helpful.

This information is way too sparse.

Normally, a person’s traits would list at least four or five different keywords revealing who they are.

But Kin’s profile said:

Traits: Sole Avenger, Lord of the Ashen Fortress, Headache-prone, King of Criminals, Awakened (Deadly Poisonous Snake)

“Lord of the Ashen Fortress” and “King of Criminals” were basically synonymous, so there were only four real pieces of information:

1. He seeks revenge.

2. He’s a crime lord.

3. He’s an Awakened, related to poison.

4. He seems prone to headaches.

Strictly speaking, the only keyword that reveals his personal life is “Sole Avenger.”

Traits usually indicate what someone values, their priorities, or worries…

But for Kin, aside from his powers and position, he’s defined solely by “revenge.”

Thinking that way made Kin’s cold, dry gaze all the more terrifying.

A man without human warmth.

I was curious in many ways.

But I shouldn’t know more.

Curiosity killed the cat for a reason. People like this shouldn’t be poked carelessly.

I wanted to live long, far from trouble, and Kin was dangerous.

I clenched my fists and resolved:

Let’s just survive the remaining ten months here. Then I’ll be free!

I would survive and become a free, rich alley cat!

Though I had resolved to stay quietly in the Ashen Fortress, reality didn’t cooperate.

Thanks to the recent underground prison ghost incident, my name had soared in reputation—or rather, my notoriety had.

Even Checkerzo, a fence who visited the fortress once a month, commented:

“So you solved the ghost incident?”

I narrowed my eyes.

“…Are you annoyed?”
“You seem pretty twisted yourself.”
“No, not at all.”

A lie.

I glared at Checkerzo and smiled faintly.

Because of him… I’ve been through all this trouble!

If only Checker hadn’t told Kin to leave the counterfeit coin case to the “fortune-telling lady,” it wouldn’t have come this far.

“Whoa, your eyes are scary. I can’t take it.”

Checker raised both hands in surrender. His large, scarred hands were particularly noticeable.

“You’re lying. You’re not scary at all.”

I sighed and tried to brush past him, but he blocked my way at every step.

What does he want?

I glared angrily, and Checkerzo smiled while extending his hand.

“I think we could make a pretty good team. Let’s work well together from now on.”

…What nonsense is he spouting so early in the morning?

I squinted at him. He shrugged and withdrew his hand.

“Sorry for doubting your abilities. This place is full of scammers, so I was cautious. But if you’re the real deal, you’re worth working with.”

He might be an opportunist approaching me as a reliable ally, but suddenly acting friendly was suspicious.

What kind of person is this?

I squinted again. Checker’s eyes were a deep navy, like the sky just before dawn.

The long, brushstroke-like shape of his eyes gave off a strange aura. Then a profile window came to mind:

Name: Gio
Race: Human
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Hometown: Talia Territory
Traits: Fence, Eternal Wanderer, Likes Shiny Things, Troubled State, Double Agent, Awakened (Observing Eye)

What caught my attention most…

A spy?

He was listed as a double agent.

And he’s closely connected to Kin, the lord of this fortress.

Checker being a double agent explained his connection with Kin. He must be supplying information.

But he could be leaking info the other way too…

Checker was a craftier man than I thought.

I tried to calm my pounding heart and look down, but he leaned forward to meet my gaze.

I swallowed hard.

“Hic—!”
“Hey, miss. Why so startled?”
“I-I’m not startled—ugh!”

Checker chuckled.

“You look like someone who just saw something they shouldn’t have.”
“I-I just saw your face, that’s all!”

I stammered, and Checker muttered:

“Hmm, did your star whisper my secrets? I’m sensitive about leaks… that’s a bit uncomfortable.”

A ghostly fellow… how did he know?