How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game

I woke from the sound of pouring rain outside the window. My eyelids felt heavy from the overwhelming fatigue.

How long had I slept? It was difficult to estimate the time right away since it was dark outside. I raised my wrist to check my watch.

5:30 AM.

I hadn’t even slept 6 hours. We arrived at 10 AM, changed our appearances by noon after preparations.

The daily routine was ending. Amidst the tranquil rain, only faint noises from outside could be heard.

I gently pressed the inner corners of my eyes with my thumb and index finger. The lingering fatigue wasn’t substantial.

‘Seems worse because of the rain.’

Sigh, I roughly exhaled and got up. As much as I wanted to sleep more, I had to get up.

The devil worshippers would soon be active, so I needed to sharpen my senses too.

I was also supposed to meet the group at a nearby restaurant at 6 AM. Of course, we wouldn’t be dining together.

We’d eat separately while in the same space, keeping our distance. It was at Aron’s request. I understood maintaining distance, but he wanted us to at least eat within view once or twice.

Honestly, I didn’t really get it.

As long as we ate properly, there was no need to eat in the same space.

But I agreed since it was an acceptable compromise.

“Wow, nobles really are different. The mansion interior was pristine white, with gold-framed paintings on the walls.”

“Really?”

When I arrived at the restaurant, my group was seated at a secluded table, murmuring amongst themselves.

“That’s right. I was the one who robbed that place, remember? Brother helped a bit, but I did most of it alone. You know, scaling the wall and vaulting over…”

Ah, they were discussing robbing Duke Valien’s mansion. Not bad – they were speaking softly enough that nearby people couldn’t eavesdrop in the noisy restaurant.

Monitoring their surroundings while conversing as safely as possible was something I had instructed. They needed to practice discreet communication too.

“Isn’t that exaggerating? It was your first time. Obviously the boss helped a lot.”

When Osten looked skeptical, Aron glanced at me seeking support.

“Really, you can’t even ask brother to confirm.”

I shot Aron a sharp look. While having casual conversation was permissible, openly glancing at me was inadvisable.

Aron hurriedly averted his gaze. Sensing the atmosphere, Osten also fell silent. Aron changed the subject.

“Ahem. Young lady, is the meal to your liking?”

“It’s decent for a humble place.”

It looked a bit awkward but not problematic. Better than what I feared from Osten.

Since Aron was a fellow “mercenary”, I told him to act naturally, so his acting didn’t seem forced.

I quietly continued eating. Despite Mary’s words about it being unrefined, the restaurant was quite good.

‘Tasty.’

Not going to an upscale place was also for the group’s sake. They said they missed their usual fare after having something greasy for lunch.

I had told them it didn’t matter now with purification. Obtaining purification was one of the most liberating things – previously I had to force myself to eat just to survive.

A slight aversion remains, but what’s important is it’s not as bad as before. My appetite has increased too.

Of course, that doesn’t mean neglecting hygiene. Feeling unclean is a separate issue.

I even overlay Winds over my bare hands when grasping doorknobs.

I did find a new dental hygiene method though – using Winds to control water like a water pick.

At first I had trouble controlling the pressure and made my gums bleed, but I’ve adjusted to it.

‘Should I rejoin them soon?’

If nothing happened in Veurtan, I was considering rejoining the group.

I had been contemplating it while traveling. This might mean the prophecy had passed, going by the timing of Anuma’s Sword.

Ines had been highly accurate so far, but prophecies don’t always come true.

There’s also a chance I avoided it. Not that I was being careless, but obsessing over the prophecy would be detrimental.

I couldn’t keep staying separate from the group indefinitely.

‘Aron’s training has also been slow.’

The brief nighttime lessons had limitations. Now I needed to teach Osten and Mary too.

I was wasting my precious time.

Hm? While having those thoughts, I felt someone watching me.

A young man diagonally across, looking like a rookie mercenary. He had made eye contact when I entered the restaurant.

It’s a common occurrence. Solo mercenaries tend to draw attention – because they’re easy targets to fleece.

So solo mercenaries must always stay vigilant.

-Avoid going solo if possible. If unavoidable, be wary of anyone approaching.

This is from the 130-year-old autobiography ‘Surviving as a Mercenary’ by the Mercenary King.

Since intelligence agents often pose as mercenaries, studying them was essential, making that book required reading.

Robbing a solo mercenary, even just selling their sword could yield decent pocket money.

More importantly, it’s easy with no repercussions. Like all animals, they have to sleep, leaving them vulnerable.

In this harsh world, the life of a mercenary lacking comrades is arduous.

‘So there are barely any true solo mercenaries.’

Those going it alone are usually either naive rookies, lost their comrades, or were expelled from a mercenary band.

Or they have supreme confidence in their skills.

In reality, the latter is mostly arrogance. Even skilled individuals prefer having subordinates for menial tasks.

Handling everything alone is a hassle, and it limits the scale of contracts they can take.

In any case, the youth who briefly glanced at me didn’t seem to have ill intent.

He kept furtively looking over while scratching his cheek in contemplation.

‘Trying to suggest traveling together?’

Some do propose joining forces since solo is dangerous. Of course, some of them aim to backstab you.

Yet it’s a surprisingly common occurrence, with many mercenary bands formed this way.

From his appearance, he seemed like a freshly-minted mercenary rookies.

Noticing my gaze, the youth flinched and averted his eyes. So it didn’t seem to be malicious intent after all.

Hmm…

But he did seem vaguely familiar somehow.

***

About 15 minutes later, as I was finishing my meal, the youth got up from his seat and approached me.

“Hello there.”

I had been waiting for this. Since there was a chance I knew him, I intended to have a conversation.

“What’s up?”

I spoke disinterestedly in a flat tone, maintaining a guarded yet not too friendly demeanor.

That’s the best way to get acquainted, as mentioned in ‘Surviving as a Mercenary’:

-When seeking a suitable companion, observe them before and while speaking to them.

-Be wary if they’re too friendly, but also be wary if too guarded. They may preemptively attack out of caution.

Of course, since that book is required reading for mercenaries, many know and utilize those principles.

But the youth before me had the appearance of a complete rookie mercenary.

Relatively neat clothes and weapons, looking to be in his late teens or early twenties, with a youthful face.

The youth watched me cautiously.

“Are you a solo mercenary?”

“So what if I am?”

“I was wondering if I could get some guidance from you, even a little bit.”

The youth smiled amiably. Seeing that smile amplified my gut feeling of familiarity. But not from knowing him personally.

I’d seen him in the game. Who was he? Where had I seen him before…?

“Guidance?”

“Yes. I’m also alone and haven’t been at this for very long.”

The youth awaited my reaction. I looked back at him with a slightly furrowed brow, acting annoyed.

“If it’s alright with you, may I join you at your table? I’ll buy you a beer.”

“A single beer seems too cheap for guidance, doesn’t it?”

“I’ll buy a few more then.”

I grinned. The youth’s expression brightened a bit, seeming to take it as acceptance.

“Do you even know who you’re asking for guidance from?”

“Pardon?”

“Alright, I’ve given you guidance, so buy me two beers and scram.”

This brushoff is also an intentional act. If I tell him to leave first, it reduces suspicion.

The youth quickly continued:

“I didn’t come here without a reason. I noticed you as soon as you entered the restaurant.”

“I’m aware.”

“You immediately surveyed the interior upon entering, with your sword always ready to draw. Even while eating, your left hand remained near the dagger on your thigh.”

Sharper than I expected. I sensed he was observant, but didn’t think he had analyzed that deeply.

Impressive observational skills. This got a bit interesting.

Hmm, who could he be?

Not a devil worshipper, at least not right now – there’s a 90% chance of that.

“That doesn’t reveal much about my nature.”

“But you did tell me to just leave.”

“Those who act dismissive once can actually be more dangerous.”

“…Then you likely wouldn’t have said that much.”

He was briefly flustered but responded quickly. I nodded after a momentary pause of seeming contemplation.

“Hmm. Not bad. You pass. Have a seat for now.”

“Thank you! May I call you brother? Or senior?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Yes, brother.”

No sooner than being granted permission, he shows familiarity. With a personality like this, it does seem like I should know him.

Hmm, but it’s not coming to me. My memories from the past have gotten a bit hazy since arriving in this world so long ago.

“Boss! Here are two beers!”

In any case, the youth sat down as I had planned. But then I felt another gaze upon me.

It was Aron, shooting a sharp look this way. More accurately, not at me but the youth.

What’s his deal this time?

In case he had caught on, I swiftly signaled a warning with my eyes. Aron glanced around furtively before turning his gaze away.

“Your name.”

“Pardon? Ah, it’s Jofor.”

Jofor? Jofor of the Blue Falcon Mercenary Band?

Now that I hear the name, it does seem to match. No, I think I know now – an old memory is becoming clear.

No wonder I didn’t recognize him right away.

Jofor of the Blue Falcon was a renowned lancer, one of the best spearmen around.

‘So this was when Jofor started as a mercenary?’

That would explain him using a sword. In the game, he started with swords before incredibly improving after switching to spears.

I unexpectedly encountered a big fish here. After briefly considering, I revealed my name:

“It’s Carlyn.”

“Brother Carlyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you like this.”

His affable personality matches the game. That’s probably why he felt assured by my smile.

There was just one part giving me pause.

Though not a huge mercenary band, each Blue Falcon member was quite skilled.

They could be helpful against the devil worshippers too.

‘Should I bring him along?’

I wasn’t sure what butterfly effect it might cause. Maybe I shouldn’t arbitrarily intervene.

No, wait, there shouldn’t be an issue.

My mission is far more important than a single mercenary band’s role in the grand conflict.

The future I aim to change is much greater.

The issue was Jofor himself.

While trustworthy, would he become an ally if I, a stranger, revealed the truth?

I couldn’t be certain.

Having unexpectedly encountered someone outside my plans, I deeply pondered how to proceed.

“So, you want to learn how a solo mercenary should conduct themselves?”

I continued the conversation while weighing my options.

“Yes, brother! From your demeanor alone, it’s clear you’re an expert, so I wish to hear your advice.”

At that moment, I felt a strange ripple pass through my body emanating from outside the city. It wasn’t mana.

No one else seemed to sense it. Then, a beat later, I felt my blood beginning to boil.

I realized –

The devil worshippers were here.

Ines’ prophecy had been referring to this very moment.

Author's Thoughts

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