Thatssomething Jung Garam took, right?

Bae Jaemin nodded. So, in the end, that plan didnt work out. Which is why I suggested we simply lock Koo Hui-seo up. Koo Kyungman was half insane by that time as well.

Since Ryu Hyerin had only known Koo Kyungman through the greasy glint in his eye, it was hard to imagine the ex-guild leader being nervously irrational.

However, Bae Jaemin sighed deeply as he reminisced on his memories, He was strangely afraid of his brother.

He was?

Yeah. I think he said that his brother had almost stabbed him to death? Ive met Koo Hui-seo a few times since that supposed incident, but from my perspective, Koo Hui-seo seemed to have a lot of affection for his brother I couldnt quite understand.

But?

As far as Koo Kyungman was concerned Koo Hui-seos head is a bit like this After saying that, Bae Jaemin made circles with his index finger next to his head.

Ryu Hyerin frowned, Koo Kyungman has a few screws missing too, though.

Thats true, but In any case, because Koo Kyungman commissioned me to kill Koo Hui-seo, my situation became a bit precarious after I was unable to get my hands on Beatrice.

Im sure he threw a fuss.

Dont even speak about it. He threw a temper tantrumany childish tactics he had in his repertoire. Bae Jaemins face distorted as if he were recalling the past.

Ryu Hyerin asked, So, how did you reign Koo Kyungman in?

I asked if we absolutely needed to kill his brother.

What?

I proposed we locked him up in a mental hospital. Id provide Koo Kyungman with a diagnosis certificate.

Ryu Hyerin blinked before inquiring, Ah, you mean something like, he had a seizing episode in a dungeon?

I could forge a diagnosis like that as much as I want. Because Priests and other healing classes were responsible for the safety and lives of the party, they had the legal authority to diagnose a party members condition and remove them from the dungeon before combat could break out.

In other words, if Bae Jaemin testified that Koo Hui-seo showed symptoms of insanity within the dungeon, the man could be confined in a mental hospital for a certain period of timejust as any other legal guardian could.

However, this authority was unable to work long-term; the diagnosis was only temporary. Ryu Hyerin pointed that out, But, even so, your plan would only work for a day or two.

Thats true, but But, once hes been captured, one never knows what will happen within the hospital, right? I ordered them to lock the man up, drug him, and cut off his limbs.

What? Startled, Ryu Hyerin looked at the Priest.

Perhaps flustered by the look in her eyes, he continued in an apologetic tone, I didnt actually command the hospital staff to cut off his limbsI just wanted to debilitate Koo Hui-seo in a non-life-threatening way. Something like putting him in a coma for a very long time.

Wouldnt the cursestop that from happening?

No. It just needed to not be a threat to Koo Hui-seos life. The extent of the curse is clear. Furthermore According to Koo Kyungman, certain stimuli can incite his brother to commit self-harm.

But that means

Right. In a twisted way, one can state that were not trying to kill him, were trying to save him. Were suppressing his attempts to commit self-harm by locking him away.

I advised Koo Kyungman to take advantage of that loophole.

She knew that Bae Jaemin was talented in the ways of trickery, but she was utterly surprised by this straightforward and easily accomplishable way to circumvent the curse. Even though Koo Hui-seo was cursed to block any killing attacks, that man was captured and trapped in the hospital for over three years.

Just as Ryu Hyerin wondered if Koo Kyungman had actually followed through with the threat to cut off his brothers limbs, she recalled a recent picture of Koo Hui-seo that had been circulating around.

Seeing as how hes walking around properlyKoo Kyungman must have simply placed him in a coma. Koo Hui-seo is Koo Kyungmans older brother after all.

Bae Jaemin must have had a similar thought. Adopting a surprised expression, he also exclaimed, I also thought Koo Kyungman acted more moderately than I expected Koo Hui-seo looked alright in his latest photo.

Ryu Hyerin, listening to her partner thus far, called out to the Priest after a passing thought flashed through her mind. Wait a minute.

What is it?

Thenif Koo Kyungman were to be tortured and interrogated before his death, wouldnt thisthe matter of Koo Hui-seos hospitalizationalso leak out?

Theres a high possibility, yes.

No, then Wont Koo Hui-seo target you for murder?

Bae Jaemins expression became even more downcast, Thats the problem.

Only then did Ryu Hyerin fully understand the reason why Bae Jaemin was so anxious. If Koo Kyungman had confessed to the incident behind [Red Lotus]s downfall, then there was no way Koo Hui-seo wouldnt know about Bae Jaemins involvement in the mans imprisonment.

No matter how fine the man looks on the outside, Koo Hui-seo had been locked up in the hospital for three years. His mind couldnt possibly be stable

Koo Kyungman probably made sure to keep up appearances and keep his hyung physically intactthe ex-guild leader was sure to have done something to his brother. Thats why he died so soon

Ryu Hyerin clicked her tongue. I suppose well have to abandon all thought of attracting Koo Hui-seo to our side or negotiating with him.

Thats right. Right now, I wont be able to believe Koo Hui-seo even if he were to extend an olive branch.

Then, whatll you do? Do you think Koo Hui-seo is the one behind everything? Will you focus your efforts on uncovering his weaknesses?

Im not too sure hes the only onethats the problem.

What?

Bae Jaemin did not answer and, instead, rubbed at his temples for a while. What Ryu Hyerin had just voiced was something that he agonized over for a while. Bae Jaemin continued to talk, adopting a pained expression that conveyed a killer headache, Theres a person that Koo Hui-seo persistently met, after leaving the hospital Choi Lee-Kyung.

Choi Lee-Kyung? Ryu Hyerin groped through her memories to try and match the unfamiliar name to a face.

However, Bae Jaemin dissuaded her efforts, You wouldnt know him. Hes not a User youd take note of.

Who is he?

Hes a Necromancer and a low-level one at that.

Necromancer? Whats that?

Its a class. They summon skeletons or something.

Ah? Ryu Hyerin was a little dubiousthis was the first time shed heard of this class.

However, Bae Jaemin adopted a complicated expressionwas that a smirk or a cringe? Thats why this all makes no sense.

What makes no sense?

Choi Lee-Kyung being Jung Garam. Honestly, hes someone that never had any contact on [Red Lotus] nor does he have the ability to kill Park Hoseok.

Ryu Hyerin furrowed her brows and asked, Whats his level?

He hasnt even entered 4 digits yet.

Does he have any special items we might not know about?

Even if all of Choi Lee-Kyungs abilities were augmented with L-class 1 items, he wouldnt be able to touch a hair on Park Hoseoks head. Besides, he isnt really a martial attacker or a close-combat class.

Its definitely not him. Its not him, but I still dont understand why Koo Hui-seo keeps meeting Choi Lee-Kyung. Is Koo Hui-seo meeting someone else too? Are our sentries simply missing another of his contacts? Then, what method is he using to be able to meet with those that may be connected with the [Red Lotus]. If we can just uncover that line of contact, we would be able to plan a surprise attack Bae Jaemin shook his head.

After hearing his explanation, Ryu Hyerin felt the situation was even more strange. Hey Whats so strange about your doubts?

Hm? What did you say?

That person How is he meeting Koo Hui-seo? How did he become close to Koo Hui-seo?

Huh? Bae Jaemin blinked before frowning. Perhaps he thought that Ryu Hyerin didnt believe him, he pouted and grumbled, I mean Even if hes suspicious, hes not really capable of anything. Ive already investigated everything.

No! You idiot! How can a person with no particular talent hang around Koo Hui-seo? Do you think the current guildmaster of the Red Dragon is an ordinary person or something? You think just anyone can meet with him? Dont you know that any sentriesany of our peoplewe placed within his home exited in a body bag? All of his bodyguards are legendary class Users. Then, how did Choi Lee-Kyung get to know himenough to regularly spend time with him?

Bae Jaemin looked at his partner for a while before answering in a slightly discomfited tone, Theyre probably*special* friends.

What? Ryu Hyerin was startled by the unexpected response and looked back through her memories again. That person was called Lee-Kyung, right? Is Choi Lee-Kyung a woman? I thought you said he was a man. 2

Youre right; hes a man.

Hah?

Bae Jaemin recalled Choi Lee-Kyungs appearance.

At first, more than any specifics about the Necromancers looks, Choi Lee-Kyung felt somehow familiar Then, during the conversation, the way the Necromancer withdrew at every touch and advance stimulated and excited his sadism.

Thats why Bae Jaemin didnt really find it weird to hear that Koo Hui-seo sent the Necromancer a flower bouquet (nor did he question his own actions when the Priest himself secretly sent a watchdog to observe the Necromancer). Bae Jaemin didnt really consider those a big deal.

However, this matter wasnt something he could explain to a bewildered Ryu Hyerin, so he simply shrugged his shoulders, I suppose thats the mental illness that Koo Kyungman was referring to.

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TL: Multiple things here:

a) ???Excuse me? Priests just have the leeway to forcibly admit someone to a mental hospital? Thats so mind boggling?

b) Another reason to hate Bae Jaemin: Being gay/bi isnt a mental illness ):