TRPM 45

chapter 45

Ji Hyung-man faithfully followed my instructions.

Naturally, using the pretext of a meeting, he gathered the executives, bringing along Yeon Mirae, I, and Lee Ha-eun.

This wouldn’t allow us to meet all the guild members, but it was a reasonable first step to check whether any of the executives were spies.

“Everyone’s here. Before we start the meeting, let me introduce someone. This is Cadet Yeon Mirae, who graduated from the academy and is set to join our Iron Blood Guild.”

“Hello.”

Yeon Mirae greeted them naturally, and then Ji Hyung-man introduced the executives.

As Yeon Mirae and the executives exchanged greetings, Lee Ha-eun and I performed the standard polite bows, pretending to be ordinary kids.

The executives found our behavior charming, even handing us refreshments and pocket money that had been prepared on the conference table.

“Don’t give this to your older sister or mom. You should use it to buy something you want.”
“Thank you!”

Lee Ha-eun seemed thrilled to have received pocket money just for following us and greeting them.

‘Seems like she’s completely forgotten the purpose of why we’re here today.’

For reference, Lee Ha-eun did understand that our mission was to uncover any spies infiltrating the Iron Blood Guild. She just didn’t understand the complicated details and only remembered that her job was to politely greet the people being introduced.

Meanwhile, I thanked them for the refreshments and pocket money while my eyes darted around busily.

【User: Joo Tae-hoon, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Notes: None】
【User: Seo Du-sik, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Notes: None】
【User: Lim Dae-chan, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Notes: None】
【User: Su Min-ji, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Notes: None】

A message from the Awakener System appeared.

Right. The method I had prepared to identify spies was to use the Awakener System. It’s more accurate than anyone.

Normally, the Awakener System wouldn’t provide such information to someone, but it prioritized my safety.

‘It judged that not knowing the opponent’s information would threaten my safety.’

Thus, the system granted me the privilege of accessing information about the people I observed.

Even though privileges aren’t free, and it deducted points based on the information I accessed, I had an abundance of points anyway, thanks to the periodic royalties from the skills I registered in the database.

‘Anyway, luckily there don’t seem to be any spies or traitors among the executives.’

All the executives of the Iron Blood Guild had once received favors from me, so it was natural that none were spies.

I had considered that someone might betray the guild for money offered by another faction, but as veteran Awakeners, they weren’t easily swayed.

That left only the regular guild members.

“Then I’ll go with the kids to where the other guild members are.”

Yeon Mirae, signaling me, spoke to the executives, including Ji Hyung-man, who were present.

Since the executives were gathered under the pretense of a meeting, it was inappropriate for an external member like Yeon Mirae to participate. They nodded lightly and saw us off.

‘Alright then…’

Exiting the conference room, Yeon Mirae and Lee Ha-eun looked at me, asking where we’d go next.

“Let’s go to the lounge we saw earlier.”

Since people were still around, I told Yeon Mirae, who nodded in understanding, and we headed toward the lounge.

Different people were resting there now compared to earlier when the Mutant Team was taking a break.

‘Not everyone here is an Awakener.’

Of course, the guild needed administrative staff to operate. But…

【Jung Si-min, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Affiliation: White Wolf Guild, Notes: Spy sent to Iron Blood Guild by White Wolf Guild】
【Han Jin-ah, Affiliation: Iron Blood Guild, Affiliation: White Wolf Guild, Notes: Spy sent to Iron Blood Guild by White Wolf Guild】

The proportion of spies among the presumed administrative staff was surprisingly high.

‘White Wolf Guild…’

I knew it was a guild slightly above the Iron Blood Guild. Like Iron Blood, it was one of Korea’s top ten guilds, influential and long-established, about ten years old. Compared to Iron Blood, which barely exceeded three years, it was indeed an older guild. Or maybe it was the Iron Blood Guild that was abnormal, reaching the top ten in just three years.

‘If the Iron Blood Guild faced the White Wolf Guild head-on, we’d lose.’

Despite veteran Awakeners and the Mutant Team, the Iron Blood Guild lacked an absolute powerhouse, and its member count was low for its scale.

Once Yeon Mirae joined, that might change, but for now, it would be impossible.

‘Anyway, I’ll keep an eye on those two…’

I continued touring the guild headquarters under the pretext of a field visit with Yeon Mirae and Lee Ha-eun, identifying spies and traitors. Interestingly, nearly half of the spies and traitors were sent by White Wolf.

‘They’re probably intimidated that Yeon Mirae is joining Iron Blood.’

They weren’t interested in discovering the identity of the Artist but were wary of a superior guild emerging. Spies from other organizations likely aimed to uncover the Artist’s identity. Some were even sent from abroad.

‘… Quite a lot…’

If we dismissed all the spies at once, the Iron Blood Guild’s operations could stall for a while. Given the guild’s small size, anyone capable of handling paperwork would have been accepted, making it easy for other organizations to send spies.

“Let’s go home.”

After finishing our inspection of the headquarters, I told Yeon Mirae, who nodded and carried a tired Lee Ha-eun on her back.

We knew who the spies were and who sent them. Only one step remained.

Yeon Mirae asked me, “Are we going to gather evidence and hand it over to Ji Hyung-man, the guild leader?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, that was the plan.”

I remembered that I was supposed to compile a list and submit it with evidence to Ji Hyung-man.

“At first, that was the plan, but given the circumstances, it could complicate things.”

Dealing with all the White Wolf spies at once could provoke unpredictable retaliation. Not just White Wolf—any organization capable of sending spies was likely superior to Iron Blood, so all had to be monitored. Ji Hyung-man alone couldn’t handle it.

So…

【Mark the White Wolf Guild headquarters on the map.】
【Mark the Do-cheol crime syndicate hideout on the map.】
【Mark foreign spies’ safe houses on the map.】

I planned to eliminate them all before handing over the list.

“How’s Ha-eun?”
“She’s asleep. I guess all the walking tired her out.”
“Then send her home first, and then meet me at the usual place.”

I needed to tidy up a bit.

The leader of the White Wolf Guild, Kim Baek-rang.

He was an Awakener who transformed into a white wolf to fight. According to the system of categorized abilities, he was a spiritalist who could transform into animals, borrowing their strength.

People called him a “Druid.”

Though the term originates from Celtic mythology, subculture portrays Druids as beings who borrow the power of animals or nature. For Kim Baek-rang, aside from turning into a white wolf, few traits matched the common image of a Druid, yet the name stuck.

‘Not my favorite title…’

He would have preferred something wolf-related, but once a nickname stuck, it was hard to change.

Currently, Kim Baek-rang, called a Druid, was crouched in his white wolf form.

“Grrr…”

A far larger wolf growled at him. Kim Baek-rang realized he was outmatched.

‘I can’t beat this…’

No, it wasn’t just a loss. Even raising your head was dangerous. The wild instincts in his wolf form warned him.

‘I, comparable to an Aura Master or Archmage…!’

At that moment, a man, seemingly the owner of the massive wolf, spoke.

“Do you have anything to say?”
“……”

It was hard to recognize his face or voice. Kim Baek-rang’s heightened senses were the only reason he noticed. Ordinary Awakeners wouldn’t have identified him.

‘An artifact…’

Kim Baek-rang knew his identity.

“I apologize… for attacking the Iron Blood Guild… Artist…”

It was the first time he saw him in person. Who could have raised a familiar capable of incapacitating most of the guild and instantly subduing the guild leader?

Moreover…

“Ugh…”
“Guild leader… please…”
“Sniff…”
“……”

The executives Kim Baek-rang brought were the ones secretly plotting against Iron Blood. None came to mind as strong figures related to the guild except the Artist.

“You don’t need to apologize that much. It seems you didn’t personally order spies placed in the Iron Blood Guild.”
“…Yes. The executives acted on their own…”
“Still, I suppose you weren’t completely unaware, so you can’t say you’re innocent either.”

Kim Baek-rang lowered his head, careful not to meet the Artist’s gaze.

“This time, consider it a warning.”

The Artist pointed at the crying executives. They looked horrified.

“Read the system message displayed in front of you… every single word.”
“Th-….”
“Wh-… what is this…?”

They read the system message in despair.

“… Your… user privileges have been revoked… from now on, your mana….”
“Aura….”
“Your mental strength can no longer be used….”
“…is gone.”
“!”

Kim Baek-rang couldn’t help but be shocked. It was as if the Artist could strip Awakeners of their powers entirely.

“Kim Baek-rang.”
“Y-Yes…”
“If you don’t want to lose your own powers…”

The Artist stopped there; Kim Baek-rang simply nodded.

“Then start by cleaning up your guild’s internal issues.”

He wasn’t completely innocent either, but…

“I’ll let it slide this time.”
“…Yes.”
“Before this month ends, it’s best to stop smuggling operations.”
“…Yes.”

Satisfied, the Artist spoke to the massive wolf beside him.

“Let’s go.”

Fenrir.

“……”

The Artist and Fenrir disappeared. Moments later, Kim Baek-rang returned to human form and slowly dialed a number.

“…It’s me… Sorry, but the deal we discussed before… forget about it…”

The other party cursed angrily, but Kim Baek-rang calmly replied:

“I… want to live… so hang up.”