“Forward’s people came to the shop?”

When I asked, Eleanor nodded.

“How do you know they were Forward’s?”

“They didn’t come inside at first. Just loitered around the area for a long time. At first, I thought they were just wandering, but the same type kept showing up again and again. Then one day, one of them actually came in and asked about the Mysterious Craftsman. I didn’t answer, of course.”

“The Mysterious Craftsman, huh…”

After the Weight of Phase Fixation incident, my connection to the Mysterious Craftsman had spread far and wide. Some even suspected outright that I was the Craftsman and tried to confirm it.

“Given the timing, they were likely Forward’s men. A little investigation would reveal that I visited Platinum Wings and your workshop.”

Eleanor nodded again.

“Did you see any today?” I asked.

This time she shook her head.

“No. I was careful coming here, but no one was around. Haven’t seen them for a few days now.”

“I see.”

But her answer didn’t reassure me.

Just because they’d stopped being obvious didn’t mean the surveillance was gone.

If anything, the fact that Eleanor noticed them meant they knew she had noticed. More likely, they’d pulled back, watching from further away to lull us into complacency.

I’d better be careful when I leave, disguise or not.

I turned my gaze back to Eleanor.

“Eleanor.”

“What?”

“The rare gear I make… I’ll have to supply it somewhere besides Platinum Wings.”

Her eyes widened, then her face clouded over.

“Explain.”

“The mayor needs All Around’s strength to crush Forward. But the city can’t afford them. So I offered my rare gear as payment. It was my idea.”

“…I see.”

She folded her arms.

“If that’s the situation, there’s no helping it.”

“Thanks for understanding.”

“But next time, you could at least consult me first. We’re business partners, aren’t we?”

I nodded.

“Sorry. If I weren’t stuck in the safehouse, I would have told you first.”

“So the mayor and All Around know you’re the Mysterious Craftsman?”

“No. Neither of them know that.”

The mayor probably suspected, but lacked proof.

“Good. Then it has to stay secret.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“What about the materials? Supplying All Around will take a mountain of them.”

“Don’t worry. I made it a condition that they provide the materials. Platinum Wings won’t be affected. And this is a one-time deal. From now on, the only store I’ll ever supply is yours.”

Her expression lit up immediately.

That was what she’d been waiting to hear. Realizing her face had brightened, she quickly forced it back into seriousness.

“Of course it has to be that way. Things are hectic already. Customers keep asking when more of the Craftsman’s items will come in. Everything you made before HAUT is long sold out.”

I’d thought I’d left her with plenty, but apparently not.

“Well, I did manage to sell a number of my own items after that. Finally, some people are coming specifically for my work.”

Considering Platinum Wings was originally Eleanor’s shop, that was how it should be.

But I didn’t say “good job.” She might take it as teasing.

“Sorry, but hang in there a little longer. Once we’re free from Forward, I’ll start making more right away.”

“Think you can handle it? Supplying our shop and All Around at the same time? Even for you, that seems impossible.”

She hesitated, then added:

“If you don’t mind, I could help.”

“I’ll be fine. I can handle it alone.”

All I had to do was hammer the materials, and the item would appear. No help needed.

Besides, my ability was still a secret from Eleanor. If she knew how I really made things, she’d probably despise me. Say I wasn’t a real craftsman at all.

“…Alright. If you say so. Amazing, though. You just say it like it’s nothing.”

She gave a wry smile.

After some more small talk, I decided to leave.

When I put on the disguise kit again, Eleanor laughed, saying it didn’t suit me.

“Don’t see me out. If anyone’s watching, they might notice.”

“Fine. But can’t you at least let me know you got back safely?”

“I’ll ask the Peacekeepers if there’s a way. See you next time.”

“Yeah. Next time.”

I left her upstairs, went down, and exchanged a glance with Lee Donghyuk at the counter before heading outside.

No one was in the alley, but I stayed cautious as I made my way toward the car.

When I reached the main street, the crowd thickened.

I was tense as I walked—when suddenly, grab!

Someone yanked my arm from behind.

I almost pulled a weapon before I saw her.

“Hyungseok! Done with your errands?”

A woman with red hair. Her face was hidden by a mask, a large handbag in her hand.

Didn’t matter. I recognized the outfit and the voice.

It was Jang Hayun.

What the hell? Who’s Hyungseok supposed to be?

Then she pulled my arm tighter, leaning close.

I realized why.

“Don’t look back. We’re being tailed.”

My heart skipped.

So that was it.

“How about we stop by the Hunter Mall on the way?” she said aloud with a smile.

I nodded.

“So, they think they spotted Nam Yein?”

“Yes. A report just came in.”

Mikado, one of Oh Sungcheon’s secretaries, stood stiffly at attention.

“A boy went into Platinum Wings, and shortly after, Eleanor followed. Neither of them have come out yet. The boy had blond hair and wore a cap and glasses, but his build and gait match Nam Yein’s…”

“Don’t lose him. Whatever it takes, catch him.”

Sungcheon’s voice was low and sharp.

“Yes, sir!”

Once the secretary left, Sungcheon leaned back in his chair, a thin smile curling his lips.

So you’ve finally shown yourself.

Nam Yein.

Ever since that brat appeared, everything had started to unravel.

Sungcheon had the distinct feeling that eliminating him would restore order.

Looks like today will bring good news on several fronts.

Even now, in London, awakened ones hired by Forward were preparing to assassinate Chairman Porter.

Sinking his private jet into the sea—there’d be no surviving that. Time to teach him what happens when someone dares cross me.

He grinned, savoring the thought of how he would dispose of Nam Yein once he had him in his hands.

But then a melody chimed through his office.

His smile faded as he pressed a button on the desk phone.

“[Master, Dr. Ji Yuseon is on the line.]”

“What is it? More whining?” He scowled.

“[Yes… She says completing the project by next week is simply impossible, when the deadline was originally the end of the year…]”

“Tell her to shut up and finish it.”

“[…]”

The silence on the line was heavy with reluctance.

“I told her some side effects are acceptable. I even said we’d pay her triple. Yet she still whines it can’t be done? Fine. Then tell her if she can’t, I’ll find someone who can. She’ll get nothing.”

“[Understood.]”

Sungcheon hung up with a click.

If the tool breaks, replace it.

His true enemy was the mayor.

Cheon Jiwon had been obstructing Forward for years in various ways. The announcement of mana-stone power generation was nothing short of a declaration of war.

“Fine then. I’ll answer it. I’ll shatter his belief that no one can topple him.”

Madness answered only to madness.

His grin spread wide.

—Current target entering Hunter Mall building—

A man stood by the Crystal Hunter Mall’s entrance, typing quickly into his phone.

In his earpiece, a voice crackled.

“[This is Alpha. Delta and Echo will cover the entrance. Bravo and Charlie, continue pursuit inside.]”

“[Bravo, copy.]”

—Charlie, copy—

Jun Hwangsu followed a boy and girl who had just stepped inside.

The boy wore a cap, glasses, and had blond hair. The girl had red hair and a mask, carrying a large handbag.

Hwangsu had tailed them ever since the boy left Platinum Wings. Video footage sent back to the car confirmed it—the build and stride matched Nam Yein.

If it was really him, losing him was unthinkable. The client was none other than one of the two corporate giants that ruled the world.

“Hyungseok, I need the restroom,” the girl said, clinging to the boy’s arm.

“Perfect. I need it too, sister.”

“Really? Let’s go together then.”

Humming cheerfully, she tugged him along, showing not a hint of tension.

But Hwangsu wasn’t fooled.

If that boy was Nam Yein, then the woman was surely a Peacekeeper. They’d be well trained in disguises and deception.

Soon, the two split off into the men’s and women’s restrooms.

Thirty seconds later, a man emerged.

His hair was shaved into a close undercut, jet black. He wore a black hoodie.

What the hell? Why would some civilian be in the Hunter Mall?

But then Hwangsu corrected himself.

No… an awakened one could have black hair. He’s got an inventory at his hip too.

The man left the building immediately.

A minute later, a woman came out.

Short, curly brown hair. A thin jacket, black skirt, boots, and an Echo shopping bag in her hand.

An Echo bag? From the Hunter Mall?

He tilted his head.

She looked young—low-level, maybe. Struggling to make money? Still, even a broke hunter wouldn’t walk around with cheap civvie goods. Sell a single mana stone and you could afford a proper bag.

But then a chill crept down his spine.

Wait… why hasn’t he come out yet?

The girl might take longer, but the boy should’ve emerged by now. His instincts screamed danger.

He covered his mouth and spoke quietly.

“Charlie to Bravo. Check the women’s restroom. I’ll take the men’s.”

“[Copy.]”

Moving quickly, Hwangsu entered the men’s restroom.

Inside, one man stood at the urinal. Two stalls were closed.

Hwangsu walked up to one and knocked.

The man at the urinal gave him a puzzled look. Both stalls were occupied, yet Hwangsu was knocking? Odd.

Knock, knock.

A knock echoed back from inside.

He moved to the other stall and knocked.

Again, a knock in reply.

Hwangsu frowned, crouched low, and pressed himself flat to the floor.

The man at the urinal recoiled in disgust at the sight.

“Damn it…”

Hwangsu shot up and stormed out.

Through the cracks at the bottom, he’d seen enough—neither pair of shoes matched the blond boy’s sneakers.

“Charlie here. The one believed to be Nam Yein has vanished.”

He relayed the message while exiting the mall.

“[This is Bravo. The girl’s not here either.]”

“It’s a disguise. Look for the curly-haired woman with the Echo bag. Black skirt, boots.”

“[This is Alpha. Did Nam Yein change disguises?]”

“…”

“[Charlie, respond. Did Nam Yein change disguises?]”

“…I don’t know what trick they used, but his entire appearance changed. Look for a man in a black hoodie with a close-cropped undercut. Appears late twenties, taller than Nam Yein.”

“[What are you saying? Are you sure?]”

“Damn it…”

Frustration twisted Hwangsu’s face.

(End of Chapter)