Necromancer Survival

    Looking at him, I was at a loss for what to do.
Even if I were to speak vaguely, Bae Jaemin may perceive that we were talking about him.

     However, I could not think about this issue further.

    “Mm? What’s up with you, Jaemin-ie?” Seo Dawon had opened the door and entered.

Though the Priest maintained an expressionless face right before, he adopted a smile as soon as he saw Seo Dawon entering the room.

     I couldn’t believe how dynamic his change in expression was.
Previously, he sat with his eyes wide open, exuding a gloomy aura; now, he became a bright, prosperous young master.
He could probably pass any snags in any interviews or meetings.
Garam definitely didn’t call him a disgusting abomination for no reason.

     “I’ve found the assassination client and am reporting in,” Bae Jaemin said.

     “Really? You’ve found him sooner than expected.”

     “Everyone trembled just by the mention of Guild Master-nim’s name.
It was easy to gain their cooperation.”

     The Priest had even stealthily slipped in some flattery within his words.

     Seo Dawon didn’t confirm nor deny Bae Jaemin’s claim, but considering how carefully he read the documents the Priest handed over, the report didn’t seem too bad.

     The Mage was so savage to the other when they had last talked; perhaps their conversation ended well, the aura surrounding them was bright and refreshing.
I, of course, was disconcerted by that conversational flow.

     “So… in your opinion, you think the Assassin was commissioned by Virtuoso Workshop?”

“Yes.
The data I’ve given you is from the accounting office.
The accounting office has long dealt with the Virtuoso Workshop.
We believe they had hired a ‘freelancer’ with pre-laundered slush funds 1.”

     “The Assassin has no affiliations?”

     “Not to my knowledge.”

“Alright.
Good Job.”

Bae Jaemin reported his work sincerely; I stared between the two, mouth dry.
In this scenario, I didn’t think it would go over very well if I were to shout that Bae Jaemin was suspicious.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.
Please contact me if there’s something else that needs to be confirmed.
Feel free to speak with me comfortably,” Bae Jaemin said.

“See you tomorrow.”

     Surprisingly, Bae Jaemin didn’t linger and was the one to retreat from the conversation first.
After finishing his report, he left the room without looking backwards–just like a faithful office worker.

     Even after Bae Jaemin left, Seo Dawon read various reports as if he were absorbed in his work …Though I was still inside the room, I thought the Mage had immersed himself until he had forgotten my presence.

     “Garam-ah.
Did you just come here to play?”

     “N-no…”

     Of course, I had thought wrong–a brief illusory moment of calm.
Seo Dawon stealthily glanced at the clock before turning back to me.

     I didn’t know how far I could push my luck, so I chewed at my lips as I returned his gaze.
On the other hand, Seo Dawon seemed relaxed and leisurely.

     “…Does hyung also think I’m making a big deal about Bae Jaemin?” After a deep sigh, the words I uttered were so pathetic–one could mistake it for mere whining.
I had wanted to say something more professional and objective, but… As expected, that was beyond me at the moment.

     However, Seo Dawon looked calmly at me without smiling or frowning.
“You have a good intuition.”

     As he spoke, the Mage set aside Bae Jaemin’s report–the one he had been reading just seconds ago.
It was an unspoken promise to listen to me till the very end, just as he had done for the Priest.

I was on one hand graceful but, on the other, I felt pressure in the pit of my stomach as I recalled how the Mage had been checking the clock.
If I continue to stutter, Seo Dawon would probably rise from his seat and say we should continue to talk another time…

     ‘……No.
This isn’t the time to think like that.’ I erased my thoughts before I could get off topic. 2

     I steeled my expression and said, “I think Bae Jaemin…is lying about something.”

     “But you don’t have evidence yet–is that it?” Seo Dawon smiled jokingly; he seemed to have already understood all my inward conclusions.
I nodded my heavy head.

Seo Dawon closed his eyes briefly–as if he were contemplating something–then opened his mouth.
“I’ll craft an excuse for you, so go ahead and follow him until you’re satisfied.”