How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game

‘I have to kill them all.’

He sensed the Winds. Since information had leaked to the devil worshippers, they would know he was Carlyn.

He couldn’t let a single one get away alive.

Since they were well-trained, the restraint of Winds didn’t last long. An instant. But that fleeting moment was all Carlyn and Phiri needed.

3, 3. A total of 6 short swords flew in succession.

The first targeted Haisen’s traitors, and the second the devil worshippers.

However, his left forearm stung.

‘The wound still isn’t healed…’

Despite having the trait “Ironman”, the injury inflicted by the bishop had yet to recover. The healing was slow.

As a result, his physical balance was slightly shaken, but throwing with his right arm meant it wasn’t a major issue.

5 of the 6 short swords struck true.

Neck and nape. The five devil worshippers died without much resistance.

Phiri and Hepate also cut down two each, utilizing the brief opening Carlyn had created.

Even Phiri was slightly surprised at how quickly the situation was resolved.

‘I didn’t think we could escape so easily.’

Although she had conserved strength for the future, the enemies who chased them first were elites. 

Considering the difference in numbers, it wouldn’t have been an easy fight.

However, the mystic had changed the tide.

In a battle of masters, even the slightest difference could determine victory or defeat, so the Winds was a deadly weapon.

If they had known and prepared for it beforehand, perhaps they could have resisted, but they hadn’t imagined Carlyn’s intervention at all.

Since they already knew he was off-duty today. And through the leader that he wouldn’t participate in the operation.

“…”

With the fight ending in an instant, Carlyn stood beside Phiri. No words passed between them.

Only Hepate didn’t understand the situation.

He knew Haisen had traitorous moles. He had also brandished his sword at the sudden backup.

But the person who had appeared now was another mystery.

“What’s this about?”

No answer came. Seeing the woman say nothing, it was clear they were colleagues.

He definitely heard the order to retreat.

Was he trying to become a loyal subordinate?

Hepate thought that might be it. There were intelligence operatives who disobeyed orders for their superior.

Or he could just be an idiot. The woman with him was quite a beauty after all.

There were fools among operatives too.

“Imperial troops are approaching.”

At Carlyn’s words, Hepate frowned. It was bad news. Or was it good news now?

“If we endure a little more, even the devil worshippers will retreat. They’ll arrive soon. Go first. It’s cleared ahead.”

Phiri nodded firmly.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Carlyn swiftly retrieved his short swords as Phiri and Hepate, who had restarted running, moved further away.

He had to buy time with hit-and-run tactics, but his current supply was insufficient.

Right after collecting them, he stepped on the canopy of a nearby fruit shop and then ascended to the roof of the building once more.

Observing the battlefield through the Winds again.

In the brief moment she had looked away, the devil worshippers approached.

Over twenty. Many still remained even after she had dealt with quite a few while opening a path through the encirclement.

And over forty imperial troops were approaching from behind.

While some may be devil-worshipper moles, it likely wouldn’t become a major issue now that things had come to this.

He just had to draw their gaze away from Phiri.

‘Let’s play for a bit first.’

Phiri and Hepate were no longer regulating their strength. They had instinctively sensed the critical moment.

At a tremendous speed, they raced across the imperial capital.

It was time for the hole Carlyn had punctured in advance to shine.

Meanwhile, Carlyn kept the closest pursuers in check, throwing short swords then opening up distance again.

“Damn it!”

Carlyn’s unplanned intervention left the devil worshippers filled with rage, cursing.

It was vexing enough being chased, yet she was pestering them like a mosquito from the side.

Several minutes passed that way. As the Imperial Intelligence Agency gradually closed in, the devil worshippers also chose to give up.

If they delayed any further, they would be surrounded by the Imperial Intelligence Agency instead. The devil worshippers began withdrawing.

‘Is this enough?’

Phiri and Hepate had reached a position where it would be difficult for the Imperial Intelligence Agency to capture them.

Despite many twists and turns, their mission could be called a success. Carlyn also hid himself again and slipped away.

The rest was Phiri’s job. She wouldn’t head to the planned escape location.

The leader may have laid another trap there.

Which was why she had prepared several directions. Whether to return straight to Haisen or the regional base tomorrow.

Since not everyone was a devil worshipper mole, the leader couldn’t do much about the insubordination sin.

‘What path will Phiri choose?’

Pondering, Carlyn headed towards the imperial palace. This nighttime chase hadn’t taken that long.

From leaving the imperial princess’s room to now, about an hour. Returning would take less than an hour and thirty minutes.

It was reasonably apt timing to discuss the life-or-death matter.

“The pursuit seems to have been shaken off for now. So, where to next?”

“I’m pondering. The original plan was scrapped earlier.”

“Is it because there’s a traitor within?”

“Yeah. As it stands, we either lay low until Haisen or return to the base tomorrow afternoon when things have settled.”

Hepate sighed at Phiri’s words.

“Neither option seems particularly safe.”

“We’ll have to weigh our options.”

“Aren’t both options flawed? Getting chased outside or risking danger from within?”

“That’s you being overly negative. I don’t think either of us will end up dead.”

“Positive thinking would be nice.”

“Well, better than being negative like someone else.”

Phiri’s words left Hepate chuckling softly. It wasn’t entirely untrue. Negative thoughts were useless.

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, he found Phiri quite likable. Their conversations flowed well.

“But who was that person earlier?”

“Ah, that.”

“An organization insider?”

“Cut it out. Let’s focus on what’s important.”

“What’s important is that guy’s abilities. That thing earlier, it couldn’t be explained without him having a Mystic. Isn’t he just assisting continuously?”

Phiri looked serious.

“That’s as far as it goes. What you saw is the same. The Duke will likely caution you, but it’s best to watch what you say.”

“…Alright.”

Hepate nodded at the sudden change in atmosphere. For now, the weaker one was himself.

“Now, choose how to proceed.”

“Me? Not you?”

“I don’t have to worry about dying. Worst-case scenario, I can abandon you and flee to Haisen.”

Hepate fell silent.

“Whether you’re a devil worshipper or someone popular in the Empire’s Eden, I’m guessing?”

“Hmm…”

“We’re short on time. Decide quickly.”

In an instant, Phiri sensed a familiar yet eerie feeling. Someone had entered their shadow.

Hepate also noticed the unease. Phiri intervened as the person reached for their sword.

“It’s fine.”

That someone was someone she knew too.

“You’ve arrived.”

Hepate expressed doubt at the abrupt remark. Despite the unease, no one else seemed to notice.

The response came from within Phiri’s shadow.

“You’ve disobeyed orders.”

It was Duke Brusek’s most trusted confidant, possessing the Mystic Power of shadows.

“There were reasons for that.”

“We’ll discuss that later. Since we’ve found you, I’ll take you back.”

“Yes. However, I request a private audience with Father.”

The shadow fell silent for a moment.

“Related to your disobedience?”

“Since when have you been observing?”

“Since after the devil worshippers withdrew.”

Phiri looked puzzled. Wasn’t he supposed to have observed the situation from the beginning? The shadow replied,

“There was someone else to observe separately.”

It meant the Duke’s command. Initially, the shadow wasn’t involved in this mission.

“Are you indicating the leader?”

“You mean the fact that he’s in league with the devil worshipper?”

“Did you know?”

“The Duke also had suspicions. While operating a separate intelligence unit in the north, he recently discovered some murky corners.”

One of the things that changed when Carlyn entered this world was that the original Chief of Intelligence didn’t suspect the leader.

“Could this mission also…?”

Phiri’s words trailed off. It was a question about whether this was part of the effort to weed out the leader.

Phiri doubted whether the shadow had observed the leader.

Hepate beside him had a look of consternation. The probability of what he had done risking his life seemed high.

Did he ask to pay off his debt only to have it completely erased? Hepate resolved to confront the Duke when he met him.

“I don’t know about that. Since time is short, return to the headquarters. The Duke’s people are there, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll inform the Duke separately. Wait patiently. It won’t be easy.”

It was a warning not to worry and not to engage in futile actions. He was the leader of the four intelligence units under Haisen.

They didn’t know how they were connected.

To completely root out the traitors, the Duke himself had to move cautiously.

Phiri nodded.

“I will keep that in mind.”

On the way back to the palace, through his Winds perception, Carlyn sensed someone approaching.

At an immense speed.

‘Who is it?’

The probability of an ally was close to zero. It was an enemy. Whether Imperial Intelligence Agency or devil worshipper.

It was someone who had taken notice of Carlyn during this incident, now pursuing him.

Things were getting complicated. Carlyn sped up. Dodging was the best measure, especially if it was someone from the Imperial Intelligence Agency side.

The very act of chasing him meant it was no ordinary individual, since he had blocked traces through the Winds.

How they had tailed him beyond the perception of Winds was also questionable. Of course, chasing him itself as well.

‘If they’re this good, shouldn’t they be going after Phiri and the target?’

It wasn’t dissatisfaction, but an issue of reasoning. Since their goal was different, to begin with.

Even as Carlyn accelerated, the other kept up the pursuit. There wasn’t a large gap in speed.

Carlyn was slightly faster. But shaking them off would be difficult. They had followed his trail.

If they tailed him all the way to the palace, there would be problems. While trying to shake them off, he could get caught in an encirclement instead if he went around in circles.

‘Might be better to clash now.’

Carlyn came to a decision. Time kept flowing. Either way was dangerous, but the result would be the same.

Die fighting or die surrounded after being caught. His identity being exposed was also virtually death.

Winning the fight was the prudent choice. Carlyn halted his steps. He waited for the opponent on the moonlit roof.

The one who appeared was a face he knew as well.

“Was wondering what you’d do if you kept running.”

The devil worshipper Ante. He was a giant nearing 2 meters.

Not an easy opponent, he was quite strong even in the game. Carlyn appraised his momentum.

His momentum wasn’t negligible. It didn’t mean he was vastly superior to him.

They were close, or one side had a slight advantage.

“Seeing the scent of darkness from your arm, you must be that assassin of Chenarus.”

Ante revealed a sinister smile. Carlyn drew his sword without replying. He wasn’t in optimal condition.

The opponent was dangerous even in the game.

But he had faith in his efforts so far. It was years earlier than the game timeline.

It was worth attempting. He had nothing to lose anyway.

Carlyn gripped the sword hilt tightly.

He had promised Erendil to return soon. He had no intention of breaking that promise, so time was scarce.

Author's Thoughts

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