“First, let’s stop here for now.”
After somehow finishing the conversation with the Queen, I tried to return to Eclipse with the help of Clock Rabbit.
As I was preparing to leave with Clock Rabbit on the first floor,
Click. Click.
The Queen came to see me off, as if to bid me farewell.
Her face was veiled, with only the faint outline of her face and gaze barely visible.
The Queen slightly tilted her upper body to express her gratitude to me.
“Thank you for the information.”
“It wasn’t free; we settled everything as a transaction. No need to be so grateful.”
“…Are you really okay with just a verbal contract for a wish?”
“This is enough for me.”
Seeing my smile, she bit her lip, seemingly puzzled.
“I can’t fathom what you’re thinking. A <Discriminator> values information highly, and all you get is a wish…”
“I’ve gained the right to reasonably request help from renowned villains across various zones. That’s more than enough.”
“But who knows if they’ll actually fulfill your request?”
The terms of the deal with the Queen were almost the same as with other villains.
‘In exchange for this information, I gain the right to request help from the person who received the information at any time.’
The condition was that it wouldn’t harm their organization and was within their personal capacity.
“…This kind of nonsensical contract is something I haven’t done since I was a child.”
She muttered in disbelief, looking at me.
And the most absurd part was…
“What on earth made you add the condition that I can refuse if I don’t feel like it?”
“Haha.”
Exactly, the fact that she could refuse my request without any reason.
This part wasn’t included in the conditions with other villains.
‘Well, even if it were, it wouldn’t make much difference.’
The difference would just be between refusing with a bothersome excuse and refusing outright.
Practically, it’s like giving the information for free.
“I hope you’ll take it as a sign that I want to build a trust relationship with you.”
“Hmm… Fine, it’s not like I’m the one losing out anyway.”
She probably plans to refuse most requests.
‘Well, she is the Black Night.’
It’s surprising enough that she’s having a separate conversation with a specific villain, given how strictly neutral she is.
So, she’d want to avoid anything that could be held against her.
But I can guarantee she won’t refuse my request.
Because the request I’ll make later is something she’s been longing for herself.
I’m just here to give her a little push.
“Maker-nim! It’s time to go! We’re ready!!”
“Well, anyway, I had fun.”
Just then, Clock Rabbit’s voice came, signaling that preparations were complete.
I glanced at her waving at me, then turned to bid farewell to the Queen.
“It’s going to get busy for a while. In about a month… when he gets out of prison and starts causing chaos…”
“I believe you’ll handle it well, Queen.”
“Thank you, Maker. Thanks again for the information, and take care.”
With those words, I turned and walked towards Clock Rabbit.
Whoosh~
As I took her hand, the surroundings blurred, and I was able to return from the Black Night.
“Thank you for your hard work, Clock Rabbit-nim.”
“Kyahaha! It’s nothing! Inviting guests and ensuring their safety is our duty!”
Clock Rabbit laughed cheerfully.
She twirled the ends of her hair with her fingers for a moment, then glanced at me.
“If you wanted, you could’ve stayed overnight…”
“I have a lot to do.”
“Hmph.”
After that, she chatted for a few minutes, then disappeared with a promise to see me again next year.
“Phew, finally gone.”
Though I didn’t show it during the party, I was constantly on edge, worried that the plan might fall apart.
Now that the tension was gone, fatigue and a throbbing headache began to set in.
Forgetting to report to Astra, I dragged my tired body to my room.
Creak. Creak.
I tossed my uncomfortable harness, jacket, and mask aside and collapsed onto the bed.
“Good. Now, everything I needed to do in the Black Night is done.”
Now, it’s time to move on to the next step.
First, just a nap.
“……”
After recalling what I needed to do next,
I let go of my consciousness and quickly fell asleep.
After a nap, I woke up refreshed.
“Sorry for the late report, Astra-nim.”
As soon as I got up, I tidied my appearance and headed to Astra’s office.
“It’s fine. You must’ve been tired after such a late night. I can understand that.”
So, how did the party go?
I began my report to Astra.
The main focus was the information exchange.
Astra seemed particularly interested in the details, so I focused on that, omitting unnecessary parts.
“First, they plan to significantly increase personnel in Zone C starting next year, and…”
Excluding useless information, only what the organization needed.
“…This is the information I shared there, and also what I personally investigated…”
I also explained the information I had spread to her.
Of course, with some plausible excuses and embellishments.
“An S-class hero, Alpha, and an unknown enemy…”
As I packaged my words convincingly, Astra, trusting me, readily believed me.
“Sorry. I should’ve investigated more thoroughly…”
“No, it’s impressive that you managed to investigate this much on your own.”
Even though I only gave a rough explanation to hide my identity and avoid interference, Astra looked at me with genuine admiration.
…It makes my barely-there conscience twinge.
Anyway, I managed to tell Astra everything.
Then, Astra took a moment to organize the information I had given her.
“First, our goal is to minimize damage to the organization.”
Astra looked at me with a serious expression.
“Understood.”
“Having only a month left is a bit tight… It’s too late to call back the two members currently on missions.”
Still, it’s better than being caught off guard.
Astra picked up a pen and began jotting down new plans on paper.
“First, we’ll strengthen the security program and request the training room to conduct response training for the members. And…”
“I’ll see if there’s any more information to gather in the meantime.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll leave that part to you, Maker. Take Narin with you if needed.”
“Is that okay?”
I’m fine with it, but I’m not sure if the security program can proceed without Narin.
“The program development team isn’t a ragtag group just because Narin isn’t there.”
The program development team has been professionally managing all of Eclipse’s cybersecurity even before Narin joined.
Thanks to them, Eclipse’s important information and headquarters have remained undisclosed.
They couldn’t directly counter Cyber Ghost, a hacker and hero from the Association, but they’ve managed to avoid his gaze with their own know-how.
‘Of course, as soon as Narin joined, the security programs they painstakingly built over the years were all scrapped.’
Narin called them all outdated, but that’s just her opinion. Their skills aren’t lacking.
Anyway, since Astra said it’s fine, I can take Narin without worrying.
“Then, understood. You must be busy, so I’ll take my leave now.”
“Yes, you must still be tired. Go rest.”
Without lifting her gaze from the documents, she bid me farewell.
I thought now that Astra was busy, it was my chance.
After leaving her office, I headed to Narin’s room.
-Ah, Oppa, can you hear me?
“Yes, I can hear you clearly.”
Before fully entering, Narin’s communication came through, and I responded appropriately.
Narin muttered in an unsure voice.
-Ugh, I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do. Going behind the organization’s back…”
“Are you feeling uneasy now?”
-No? That’s what makes it fun! How can I resist this dopamine rush!
I knew it.
I chuckled and listened to her.
-And even if I’m uneasy, so what? We’re already in this together!
“Good mindset.”
As I listened to her, I looked at the massive building ahead.
A rectangular building standing alone on a remote island.
The occasional cracks suggested it was a bit old.
‘That’s our target.’
As I observed the building, Narin’s worried voice came through.
-Are you sure you can go alone, Oppa? Shouldn’t you take Gayeon or something…
“Taking Gayeon would be convenient, but the risk of exposure is too high.”
-What if you get caught sneaking in…
“That’s why I recruited the world’s best hacker, Narin.”
-Hehehe! Is that so?
With just a few words, Narin quickly set aside her worries and brimmed with confidence.
“Let’s head in. Please brief me on the location.”
-Hmph! Just trust in this top-notch beauty and skilled hacker, Glitch!
The day after returning from the Black Night party, the same day I reported to Astra,
I arrived at the prison where Alpha was held to break him out.
What? Didn’t I say the real action starts in a month?
‘…I said Alpha would cause chaos in a month, not that he’d definitely be released then.’
I smirked and put on Akaoni’s mask.
“Shall we go in?”
-Let’s go~~!
The irresponsible pleasure had begun.
