Chae Nayun is a regressor.
This changes everything for Chae Joochul. His memories of the past flash in his mind like a rewinding film. The Hero of Outcall, Shin Myungchul is both a friend and a rival for him.
Many oftentimes, he ponders on the abilities of Shin Myungchul. That person is always at the right time in the right place.
Chae Joochul doesn’t know how he keeps on doing it except by having clairvoyant abilities. But not even the strongest clairvoyant can be as accurate as Shin Myungchul in knowing things.
Now, Chae Joochul has come to understand a piece of truth about Shin Myungchul. “Tell me Nayun what you need, and I will fulfill it.”
“I…” Nayun doesn’t know what she really needs. Like what her friends label her as… she is an idiot, but that doesn’t mean she cannot think for herself. “Have a protection detail for Kim Suho’s family. Help England as much as we can… Uuhm… Also, help the Essence of the Strait Guild. Increase the security at Oppa Jinyoon’s hospital. T-that’s all… for now.”
“Hmmm… I can do as you like, but why do this?”
Nayun wants to say that it is because Suho is his friend, and Rachel is her comrade, and Yoo Yeonha is still alive and needs every help she can get. For Chae Jinyoon's strengthened security detail, it is because she just feels like it. She wants to express these reasons to her grandfather, but she knows, that what her grandfather will want to hear is the benefits he will gain on helping these people.
Nayun is tempted to tell her grandfather to think about what benefit he can get for himself, but she cannot. What if her grandfather does exactly something she will regret?
In the end, Nayun decides to deflect. “I… cannot tell you…”
“It is fine. I can wait.”
For some reason, her grandfather has become too suddenly accommodating, Whatever Nayuun requests, her grandfather easily agrees. She requests a new latest VR helmet, and he agrees. She requests ownership of a certain dungeon, and he agrees. Nayun fears that if she requests the world as a joke, her grandpa might just agree.
After a few more exchanges of dialogue, her grandpa finally let her go with her friends to return to Cube and participate in the extra-curricular activities.
***
I am worried for them. We have no certainty that Chae Joochul will let them go so easily. I believe one of the reasons why Chae Joochul is doing something as drastic as this is so that he can secure a bodyguard/servant for Nayun.
The Yoo family has been the subordinates of the Chae Clan for two generations. The missing Yeonha must be one of the reasons why Chae Joochul is doing something like this.
Thankfully, Chae Joochul let go of my friends. I sigh in immense relief after Hajin sends me a message that they are free to go, and then Rachel confirms it to me with a call.
***
Meanwhile, Chae Joochul receives a message from his smartwatch that two of the Nine Evils is attacking one of his main base in northern Europe. “So, this is the choice they made.”
Instead of challenging him head-on here on Cube grounds, they choose to attack him where he cannot reach. This is within his calculations. He sends a message to a recent contact who has sworn allegiance to him.
Subtle magic power fluctuations occur around Chae Joochul. A blue magic portal appears beside him, and appearing from it is none other than the Seat of Blue, Khalifa.
Khalifa’s ensemble consists of a purplish blue tuxedo and sunglass. His African-American descent gives him dark skin and curly hair. “Where to, Boss?”
“Finland.”
“That is far. It will take several transports but I will get you there in time.” Khalifa confidently declares. As a member of the Chameleon Troupe, it is strange for him to call Chae Joochul his Boss, but for a turncoat, that is only natural.
Chae Joochul can reach Finland by himself, fast. Still, that will eat away a portion of his magic power. If he wants to inflict severe damage, he must confront the enemy full tank from the get-go. The Nine Evils are inferior to the Nine Stars in general, but that doesn’t mean Chae Joochul should look down on the Nine Evils.
“I will make sure to kill at least one of them today.” He psyches himself for the fight to come.
***
The Evil Society is an organization within the Djinn Association. It is a place where Djinns who like to play villains gather. They are people who like to engage in terrorism with criminal passion. They are not essentially all Djinns as a healthy amount of them are humans too. And while these humans are not here for something like terrorism, they sure have a criminal passion for anything evil.
“Hello, it is a pleasure to meet a member of Chameleon Troupe.” An elegant man with an amiable smile extends his hand to a woman of class, Jain Valerin. The woman scrutinizes the Djinn before her with keen interest.
In a certain palace, everyone is wearing luxurious clothes and stylish masks, except one woman. The woman is none other than Jain Valerin.
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Lancaster.” Jain extends her hand, which Lancaster receives, and softly kisses.
On the surface, she might not be wearing a mask but in actuality… Jain is wearing a mask using the face of another woman so that she can disguise her real face. She is very cautious in her line of work as a thief, but more than that, as a member of the Chameleon Troupe.
The Troupe has a lot of enemies after all.
“So, what does the Chameleon Troupe want with me?” Lancaster guides Jain to a secluded space, at a table from a far corner where they can have their private talk. “I am very curious as to why you have contacted me.”
Jain sneakily uses an artifact, a bracelet on her wrist, which summons a barrier that can block their conversation from being overheard. Lancaster is not able to detect the changes around him as Jain carefully mixes her magic power with camouflage attributes.
“I have something to sell.” Jain affectionately smiles at Lancaster, feigning the glances of a woman who is in love. “I am sure you will love it.” She flirtatiously adds.
Lancaster sees through Jain’s tricks easily, and moreover, he isn’t interested in the opposite sex not after what he went through. “Forgive me, but I have no interest in any romance now and maybe until I die. But first, may I know your name?”
“No,” Jain leans on her chair. “I am the Seat of Yellow of the Chameleon Troupe so please call me Yellow. I want to be honest, and that is why instead of using a fake name, I will use ‘Yellow’ instead. Isn’t that interesting? It might be an alias, but it is at least a ‘real’ name isn’t it?”
“Yellow, is it? Names are important to people. For me, 'Alex Lancaster' has always been my name. After all, this is the name my wife and child used to call me…”
“I see that you are a family man.” Jain comments showing her interest in Lancaster.
“Thank you,” Lancaster knows better than not to freely give information to the enemy so he stops his reminiscing. “So, what are you selling?”
“Speaking of ‘names’, I am actually selling a Pinnacle Devil’s Name.” Jain eerily smiles, taking immense joy at Lancaster’s facial expression— one of doubt, shock, and excitement— which Lancaster quickly suppresses and hides.
The first requirement to establish a contract with a Devil is knowing the name. And having a Pinnacle Devil’s Name means contracting a Devil only second to Baal who is the current Devil King.
Jain adds with glee. “Actually, I am doing a garage sale. I have a dozen more of Greater and Great Devils’ names. Imagine how strong your subordinates will become if they sign exclusive contracts with these Devils. Isn’t it juuust incredible!?”
“Indeed,” Lancaster knows how controversial the Seat of Yellow’s goods is. “How much?” He also knows that the cost of buying such goods will be very high.
Jain smiles. “Very cheap. I. No, we. The Chameleon Troupe wants Rachel Elizabeth Louise.”
It is an unexpected price. Lancaster feels bitter at having his target of vengeance wanted by another. “Why? If it is the Chameleon Troupe, then you guys should be able to do this by yourselves.”
“Hmmm…” Jain places her fingers under her chin. “According to my Boss, your princess is being protected by someone really powerful— he is called Kim Hajin. That name has been famous lately. I don’t know why would this guy protect the princess, and my Boss didn’t really explain anything to me. I don't even know what my Boss wants from this Rachel. Basically, we want you, Mr. Lancaster to test the waters. Don’t worry, you won’t lose anything. As a down payment, we will give you a Pinnacle Devil’s Name, and a method to increase the success of contracting the said Devil. In case of failure, we will compensate you with two Greater Devil’s Name and three Great Devil’s Name of course in exchange for the information you gather on your attempts.”
Jain sounds sincere, and the way she phrased it suggests that she wouldn’t easily renege on this deal.
“And in case of success?” Lancaster probes for more rewards.
Jain’s smile turns to a disdainful smirk. “Another Pinnacle Devil’s Name, four Greater Devils’ Name, and a dozen Great Devils’ Name. On top of this are the methods to raise the success of completing a Devil’s Contract on each of the Devils aforementioned.”
Lancaster silently gasps. He realizes in hindsight after hearing the rewards that capturing Rachel might be more difficult than it looks if the reward is so immense that the Chameleon Troupe is so readily giving up such valuable goods.
In the end, Lancaster decides to take the risk despite how unknown it is to him. He stretches his hand forward asking for a handshake. “It is a deal then. This is too good to pass.” He smiles. Jain smiles.
They shake their hands.
“It is my pleasure to do business with you.” Jain softly intones.
Lancaster reciprocates. “I feel the same.”
Chae Nayun is a regressor.
This changes everything for Chae Joochul. His memories of the past flash in his mind like a rewinding film. The Hero of Outcall, Shin Myungchul is both a friend and a rival for him.
Many oftentimes, he ponders on the abilities of Shin Myungchul. That person is always at the right time in the right place.
Chae Joochul doesn’t know how he keeps on doing it except by having clairvoyant abilities. But not even the strongest clairvoyant can be as accurate as Shin Myungchul in knowing things.
Now, Chae Joochul has come to understand a piece of truth about Shin Myungchul. “Tell me Nayun what you need, and I will fulfill it.”
“I…” Nayun doesn’t know what she really needs. Like what her friends label her as… she is an idiot, but that doesn’t mean she cannot think for herself. “Have a protection detail for Kim Suho’s family. Help England as much as we can… Uuhm… Also, help the Essence of the Strait Guild. Increase the security at Oppa Jinyoon’s hospital. T-that’s all… for now.”
“Hmmm… I can do as you like, but why do this?”
Nayun wants to say that it is because Suho is his friend, and Rachel is her comrade, and Yoo Yeonha is still alive and needs every help she can get. For Chae Jinyoon's strengthened security detail, it is because she just feels like it. She wants to express these reasons to her grandfather, but she knows, that what her grandfather will want to hear is the benefits he will gain on helping these people.
Nayun is tempted to tell her grandfather to think about what benefit he can get for himself, but she cannot. What if her grandfather does exactly something she will regret?
In the end, Nayun decides to deflect. “I… cannot tell you…”
“It is fine. I can wait.”
For some reason, her grandfather has become too suddenly accommodating, Whatever Nayuun requests, her grandfather easily agrees. She requests a new latest VR helmet, and he agrees. She requests ownership of a certain dungeon, and he agrees. Nayun fears that if she requests the world as a joke, her grandpa might just agree.
After a few more exchanges of dialogue, her grandpa finally let her go with her friends to return to Cube and participate in the extra-curricular activities.
***
I am worried for them. We have no certainty that Chae Joochul will let them go so easily. I believe one of the reasons why Chae Joochul is doing something as drastic as this is so that he can secure a bodyguard/servant for Nayun.
The Yoo family has been the subordinates of the Chae Clan for two generations. The missing Yeonha must be one of the reasons why Chae Joochul is doing something like this.
Thankfully, Chae Joochul let go of my friends. I sigh in immense relief after Hajin sends me a message that they are free to go, and then Rachel confirms it to me with a call.
***
Meanwhile, Chae Joochul receives a message from his smartwatch that two of the Nine Evils is attacking one of his main base in northern Europe. “So, this is the choice they made.”
Instead of challenging him head-on here on Cube grounds, they choose to attack him where he cannot reach. This is within his calculations. He sends a message to a recent contact who has sworn allegiance to him.
Subtle magic power fluctuations occur around Chae Joochul. A blue magic portal appears beside him, and appearing from it is none other than the Seat of Blue, Khalifa.
Khalifa’s ensemble consists of a purplish blue tuxedo and sunglass. His African-American descent gives him dark skin and curly hair. “Where to, Boss?”
“Finland.”
“That is far. It will take several transports but I will get you there in time.” Khalifa confidently declares. As a member of the Chameleon Troupe, it is strange for him to call Chae Joochul his Boss, but for a turncoat, that is only natural.
Chae Joochul can reach Finland by himself, fast. Still, that will eat away a portion of his magic power. If he wants to inflict severe damage, he must confront the enemy full tank from the get-go. The Nine Evils are inferior to the Nine Stars in general, but that doesn’t mean Chae Joochul should look down on the Nine Evils.
“I will make sure to kill at least one of them today.” He psyches himself for the fight to come.
***
The Evil Society is an organization within the Djinn Association. It is a place where Djinns who like to play villains gather. They are people who like to engage in terrorism with criminal passion. They are not essentially all Djinns as a healthy amount of them are humans too. And while these humans are not here for something like terrorism, they sure have a criminal passion for anything evil.
“Hello, it is a pleasure to meet a member of Chameleon Troupe.” An elegant man with an amiable smile extends his hand to a woman of class, Jain Valerin. The woman scrutinizes the Djinn before her with keen interest.
In a certain palace, everyone is wearing luxurious clothes and stylish masks, except one woman. The woman is none other than Jain Valerin.
“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Lancaster.” Jain extends her hand, which Lancaster receives, and softly kisses.
On the surface, she might not be wearing a mask but in actuality… Jain is wearing a mask using the face of another woman so that she can disguise her real face. She is very cautious in her line of work as a thief, but more than that, as a member of the Chameleon Troupe.
The Troupe has a lot of enemies after all.
“So, what does the Chameleon Troupe want with me?” Lancaster guides Jain to a secluded space, at a table from a far corner where they can have their private talk. “I am very curious as to why you have contacted me.”
Jain sneakily uses an artifact, a bracelet on her wrist, which summons a barrier that can block their conversation from being overheard. Lancaster is not able to detect the changes around him as Jain carefully mixes her magic power with camouflage attributes.
“I have something to sell.” Jain affectionately smiles at Lancaster, feigning the glances of a woman who is in love. “I am sure you will love it.” She flirtatiously adds.
Lancaster sees through Jain’s tricks easily, and moreover, he isn’t interested in the opposite sex not after what he went through. “Forgive me, but I have no interest in any romance now and maybe until I die. But first, may I know your name?”
“No,” Jain leans on her chair. “I am the Seat of Yellow of the Chameleon Troupe so please call me Yellow. I want to be honest, and that is why instead of using a fake name, I will use ‘Yellow’ instead. Isn’t that interesting? It might be an alias, but it is at least a ‘real’ name isn’t it?”
“Yellow, is it? Names are important to people. For me, 'Alex Lancaster' has always been my name. After all, this is the name my wife and child used to call me…”
“I see that you are a family man.” Jain comments showing her interest in Lancaster.
“Thank you,” Lancaster knows better than not to freely give information to the enemy so he stops his reminiscing. “So, what are you selling?”
“Speaking of ‘names’, I am actually selling a Pinnacle Devil’s Name.” Jain eerily smiles, taking immense joy at Lancaster’s facial expression— one of doubt, shock, and excitement— which Lancaster quickly suppresses and hides.
The first requirement to establish a contract with a Devil is knowing the name. And having a Pinnacle Devil’s Name means contracting a Devil only second to Baal who is the current Devil King.
Jain adds with glee. “Actually, I am doing a garage sale. I have a dozen more of Greater and Great Devils’ names. Imagine how strong your subordinates will become if they sign exclusive contracts with these Devils. Isn’t it juuust incredible!?”
“Indeed,” Lancaster knows how controversial the Seat of Yellow’s goods is. “How much?” He also knows that the cost of buying such goods will be very high.
Jain smiles. “Very cheap. I. No, we. The Chameleon Troupe wants Rachel Elizabeth Louise.”
It is an unexpected price. Lancaster feels bitter at having his target of vengeance wanted by another. “Why? If it is the Chameleon Troupe, then you guys should be able to do this by yourselves.”
“Hmmm…” Jain places her fingers under her chin. “According to my Boss, your princess is being protected by someone really powerful— he is called Kim Hajin. That name has been famous lately. I don’t know why would this guy protect the princess, and my Boss didn’t really explain anything to me. I don't even know what my Boss wants from this Rachel. Basically, we want you, Mr. Lancaster to test the waters. Don’t worry, you won’t lose anything. As a down payment, we will give you a Pinnacle Devil’s Name, and a method to increase the success of contracting the said Devil. In case of failure, we will compensate you with two Greater Devil’s Name and three Great Devil’s Name of course in exchange for the information you gather on your attempts.”
Jain sounds sincere, and the way she phrased it suggests that she wouldn’t easily renege on this deal.
“And in case of success?” Lancaster probes for more rewards.
Jain’s smile turns to a disdainful smirk. “Another Pinnacle Devil’s Name, four Greater Devils’ Name, and a dozen Great Devils’ Name. On top of this are the methods to raise the success of completing a Devil’s Contract on each of the Devils aforementioned.”
Lancaster silently gasps. He realizes in hindsight after hearing the rewards that capturing Rachel might be more difficult than it looks if the reward is so immense that the Chameleon Troupe is so readily giving up such valuable goods.
In the end, Lancaster decides to take the risk despite how unknown it is to him. He stretches his hand forward asking for a handshake. “It is a deal then. This is too good to pass.” He smiles. Jain smiles.
They shake their hands.
“It is my pleasure to do business with you.” Jain softly intones.
Lancaster reciprocates. “I feel the same.”
