Every member of the Chameleon Troupe convened in the desolate cave.

They were all at least high rank and could interfere in any major incident. The cave was filled with their aura and magic power. Most cadets would faint from the pressure because of a phenomenon called magic power resonance, but it didn’t affect me since my body didn’t contain any magic power.

“Oi! Why don’t we have a ranking tournament now that all 11 members have gathered?”

Cheok Jungyeong shouted as he cracked his neck and knuckles. He might not have meant to shout, but was naturally loud.

“I’m down.”

A gentle-looking man spoke. He was the Chameleon Troupe’s seat of green, the spear user Jin Yohan. His current weapon should be the serpent spear, a historical artifact used by Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms. Its unique ability was limitless weight adjustment.

“Then do it outside. Don’t destroy this place.”

“I’m out.”

Setryn and Jain both spoke. Setryn wore all sorts of jewelry since I modeled her after Cleopatra. Her beauty easily ranked in the top 10 of this world.

“Are you joining in, newbie?”

Cheok Jungyeong grinned at me. Immediately, I felt a chill run down my back, but managed to ignore him and spoke to Boss.

“Can I begin refurbishing this place now?”

Boss only blinked her large eyes.

“Shouldn’t we give the newbie more time? He’s still too young.”

However, Jain came to my rescue. Yes, I still needed time. A lot of time… although I would still rank dead last even in 10 years.

“It’s fine. I’ll go easy. Kids are supposed to grow by getting beat up.”

Jin Yohan took out his serpent spear as beads of sweat formed on my forehead.

“What do you think?”

Setryn licked her finger and seductively stared at me.

“Hey! I told you, he might look like a weakling, but he’s actually—!”

“Jungyeong, didn’t I tell you not to shout? Want me to stitch your lips shut?”

“Haha, bitch finally went crazy.”

Thankfully, Cheok Jungyeong and Setryn got into a fight. Only 4 members chatted around. The rest only silently stared or yawned out of boredom.

“I’ll crush your head outside. I won’t go easy just because you’re a woman.”

“Oh, our Jungyeong’s finally going to lose his neck.”

“Haha, why don’t we just do that tournament then?”

“Quiet.”

A single word from Boss cooled the heated atmosphere.

“I need to give you something.”

Boss rummaged through her pocket and took out a piece of crumpled paper. “Take this.”

“…?”

Puzzled, I took the paper. “What is it?”

“A grade 1 magic contract.”

I checked the paper’s description with my smartwatch.

[Grade 1 Magic Contract] [High rank magic item] — Contract Seal: Will recognize each party’s identity. Those tied together by contract seals must abide by the contents of the contract.

It was higher ranked than the ones I usually saw. I checked the contents.

[Contract] Clause 1. Kim Hajin cannot betray me. Clause 2. I will do my duty as his boss as long as Kim Hajin does not betray me. Clause 3. Whoever breaks the contract will suffer from magic power deviation. (Duration – 6 years)

The contract only contained 3 childish clauses.

“Um, Boss.”

“What.”

I thought about how to explain it. Of course, a magic power contract didn’t need to be as detailed as a real contract, but loose wording could always lead to loopholes.

“Hmm.”

However, Boss must’ve misunderstood my hesitation.

“Are you afraid of joining us?”

Immediately, 10 pairs of eyes fell on me. Their gazes sent a chill down my back. Each member simply gave off a terrifying aura.

“Of course not. I just thought these clauses seemed too loose.”

“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. It’s an expensive contract, so it’s quite intelligent.”

“I see.”

An intelligent contract. I found it quite interesting and infused stigma’s magic power into it. Honestly, this contract probably wouldn’t work on me since stigma’s magic power didn’t reside in my body.

“Will this do?”

Stigma’s magic power seeped into the contract.

“Oh? What’s this? Your magic power is unbelievably pure!” Cheok Jungyeong exclaimed in awe when he saw my magic power.

“Look, Boss. It’s so clear and blue. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a thing.”

As Cheok Jungyeong said, stigma should be the purest form of magic power. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was or how it worked, but it did represent the creator’s authority.

“Wow, this kid sure is a treasure. Argh, I can’t hold back anymore. Come out and spar with me!”

“I’ll watch too.”

“Quiet, both of you.”

Even Jain started to show interest in watching us fight, but Boss thankfully held them back. Then she infused her magic power into the contract.

“There, the contract is done.”

She carefully folded the paper and placed it back in her pocket.

“Little apprentice, here’s a gift.”

Boss handed me an accessory. The jet-black necklace represented the Chameleon Troupe’s seat of black.

[Necklace of Black] [Artifact] [Unawakened] — Will increase all variable stats by 1 point. — Invisibility: This necklace can become invisible. — ??? (Item must be awakened.)

Each member of the Chameleon Troupe carried a symbolic item. The seat of black received a simple yet powerful item that could raise every stat by 1.

“Oh, looks like that thing finally found an owner. Now, let’s go spar to celebrate.”

Cheok Jungyeong suggested once again. Why was this guy so interested in me?

“Sorry, I need to do something now.”

“Do it later.”

No, I couldn’t do it later. I couldn’t win against a single member of the Chameleon Troupe. I wouldn’t last more than 10 seconds against anyone. I turned towards Boss.

“I have a mission.”

Someone suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

“Hyung, hyung. Can you show me your gun?”

A young boy who had yet to reach puberty asked. I turned towards Droon’s cute voice. The Caucasian boy was only around 11 years old. However, he couldn’t be underestimated because of his youth. Frankly, Droon could be considered the world's strongest. To be exact, that thing stuck to Droon was that strong.

“My real weapon isn’t a gun.”

I made up a half-hearted excuse since I didn’t want to show him my Desert Eagle.

“Eh? Really? You use an even more amazing weapon than that cowardly one?”

Cheok Jungyeong shouted once again. What was I supposed to do with this numbskull?

“Haha, I knew it this whole time.”

“Um, I still want to see it.”

I gave in and took out my gun at Droon’s pleading eyes. I had nothing to lose by being nice to him.

“Do you want to touch it?”

“Yes!”

I gave Droon the Desert Eagle and he began to touch it full of interest. Suddenly, that thing shot out from his back. A fat, shadowy rabbit flashed its crimson eyes and stared at my gun. Soon, a smile emerged on the rabbit’s face. Droon also smiled and handed the gun back to me.

“It’s a good weapon.”

Droon also acted as the Chameleon Troupe’s appraiser. I could take pride in my gun since he praised it.

“Thanks.”

“If you’re done with introductions, focus.” Boss gathered everyone’s attention.

“The reason I summoned everyone today isn’t just to welcome a new member.”

Boss put on a serious smile and clenched her fists. “We will begin our activities in 2 weeks.”

The atmosphere in the cave suddenly changed. Cheok Jungyeong’s expression was particularly noteworthy. He grinned from ear to ear in excitement at Boss’ next words.

***

Sunlight shone through on a beautiful morning.

“Haaa.”

Yoo Jinhyuk got up from his couch with a sigh. He didn’t feel so good despite the beautiful weather.

“Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue and opened the door to his office bedroom. Drrk— Beyond the sliding door lay a girl on his bed like a vampire sleeping in a coffin.

“When is she going to leave?”

Today was the fifth, no, sixth day. Yoo Yeonha declared that she wouldn’t go back until he told her the truth.

“Sigh.”

He thought she would leave after a day or two at most. However, his stubborn niece refused to give up. She bugged him more and more every day. It would’ve been one thing if she just holed up in his office, but she constantly looked around town for anything with business value. As a result, Yoo Yeonha became famous in the shanty town.

“Will you finally tell me the truth now?”

Yoo Yeonha’s voice suddenly rang out. Startled, Yoo Jinhyuk swallowed his saliva. Yoo Yeonha continued as she lay in bed.

“Tell me.”

“No, I really don’t know anything.”

Yoo Yeonha got up. Her flawless beauty made it hard to believe she just woke up.

“That’s fine. I’ll just stay until you do.”

“You…”

Yoo Jinhyuk asked Yoo Jinwoong to take back his daughter. However, Yoo Jinwoong surprisingly asked him to have her stay, saying that being with him was safer than being at Cube. Of course, he didn’t forget to mention that he would kill Yoo Jinhyuk if anything happened to Yoo Yeonha.

“I already know a few things.”

“Oh yeah? Like what?” Yoo Yeonha hesitated, then sighed.

“I guess I have no choice. It doesn’t look like we’ll get anywhere if neither of us says anything, but I can’t tell you my source.”

“Sure.”

Yoo Jinhyuk answered half-heartedly. As far as he was concerned, whatever information she had must be a groundless rumor.

“The information I have is simple. Cough.”

Yoo Yeonha continued, “Chae Jinyoon… became a devil.”

Yoo Yeonha muttered as though it was the truth. Immediately, Yoo Jinhyuk’s hairs stood on end. However, he maintained a commanding appearance and didn’t show any outward agitation.

“Devil? Like Satan and all those devils from the bible?”

“No, you know what I’m talking about. The existences above djinns. The evil gods who give them power.”

“What…”

Yoo Jinhyuk was about to brush it aside, but suddenly recalled a voice he heard with his ability. The medical examiner who spoke in front of Chae Jinyoon’s corpse.

— This is even more elaborate than the djinns’ devil transformation. It’s persisting even after his death.”

Something even more elaborate than the devil transformation… The pieces of the puzzle fell in place.

“So you do know something. Maybe I should’ve told you earlier.”

Yoo Jinhyuk’s expression revealed his brief thought and Yoo Yeonha didn’t forget to point it out. Yoo Jinhyuk had no choice but to sigh.

“Just so you know, I’ve been staying quiet to protect you. If we handle this wrong, even your mom and dad might end up killed.”

“… Eh?”

“So wouldn’t it be better if only I might die?”

Yoo Yeonha silently stared at him. “Are we that weak?”

“What?”

“Are we so weak that our entire family will be killed from defying a single person?”

Yoo Jinhyuk became speechless. He couldn’t think of a response.

“If so, I’ll make us stronger.”

Yoo Yeonha spoke daringly. However, that was impossible to achieve. The Yoo clan was the Chae clan’s hunting dog from birth. It grew by performing the Chae clan’s dirty work and remained at Chae Joochul’s mercy.

“So trust me.”

Her naive words cut off his thoughts. Yoo Jinhyuk could only smile at his niece. A kid who always acted like a grown-up finally became an adult. He couldn’t help but be amazed.

***

[Mission Commencement. D-10]

Four days have passed since then. With Khalifa’s help, I went back and forth between the Chameleon Troupe’s hideout and my apartment while continuing my [Chameleon Troupe Hideout Renovation and Dexterity Level Up Project]. During the past 4 days, I realized that Dexterity was quite difficult to level up. I couldn’t be more grateful to Master Sharpshooter for helping it become grade 7.

Jiiing —

First, I created a small workshop in the cave. Currently, I worked on making a couch. Dexterity’s proficiency increased more when I crafted bigger objects, but I couldn’t make anything bigger than a couch due to stigma’s limited magic power.

I came up with a design with the help of aether’s aesthetic greed. Then I bought expensive materials and crafted the couch’s frame with stigma’s magic power. I stuffed it with the highest grade filling and covered everything with monster alligator skin.

The entire process took 9 hours to complete.

“Whew.”

I finally finished and clutched my head as I fell onto a chair.

[Dexterity’s proficiency has increased by 1.5%!]

“1.5% for all that work…”

That felt too stingy, but I also had more than enough time.

[Devilish Dexterity has activated through your luck.] [The alligator skin couch has been appraised as high rank furniture. A special effect will be granted to its status.] [Special effect – Significance of Rest] This couch will quickly recover any of your exhaustion. Whoever sleeps on this couch will wake up refreshed.

I couldn’t make furniture that gave temporary stat bonuses, but this was more than praiseworthy.

“Hmm.”

I picked up the couch. Lifting heavy objects no longer posed a problem with my superhuman strength.

“Here’s a couch.”

I came out of the workshop and announced my creation. Boss was the first to see me.

“You built another one?”

Boss woke up from her sleep (surprisingly, she slept standing) and murmured apathetically. The other pieces of furniture surrounded her: a table, TV drawer, etc.

“Little apprentice, don’t you think you’re changing this place too quickly? I think I need some time to adjust.”

I’ve been slowly changing the Chameleon Troupe’s hideout for the past 4 days. I made a resting place for Boss by turning a 160 square meter space into a modern room and smoothing out all the walls, ceiling, and floor. Then I painted everything white.

“You have to at least live like a person. Also, why don’t you watch TV? There’s a lot of good variety shows.”

“I’m not interested in those.”

“Just try it.”

I placed the couch at an appropriate distance from the TV.

“Try sitting down.”

“…”

However, Boss shook her head.

“I’ve never sat to rest. I like standing.”

“Then I’m going back to the workshop.”

I returned to the workshop. After closing the door, I peered through it to observe Boss.

— Why is it so big?

She glanced at the couch, then poked at it here and there with her foot. It didn’t look like she would sit.

“That’s a bit sad.”

Would she use it if I made a better one? Unfortunately, more than one would be a waste since making furniture expended stigma’s magic power. Now, I went on to train next. I needed a more threatening weapon than just a gun. Not to mention, having more options in battle would always help.

Shoo —

“Start.”

I held up 10 daggers and initiated my training program. Eleven holographic targets shot up 300 meters away, equally spaced around me. I threw my daggers at them. Chweeek— These daggers would undoubtedly strike all the targets. However, I wanted more. I took out the bow hanging on my back the moment I threw the daggers.

“Uwoah!”

My neck got caught on the bowstring and I fell forward.

“Argh, I almost died.”

That would’ve been a deadly mistake in a real fight.

“My neck…”

Dexterity’s low proficiency made simultaneously using daggers, a bow, and a gun quite difficult. Unless I had another arm… Wait. Another arm? Even stigma couldn’t create another arm, but I should be able to utilize it similarly. Of course, I would have to test it later since I already used 2.5 streaks of stigma to build the couch.

“I’ll try it tomorrow.”

I looked outside the workshop without much thought.

“Eh?”

A small grin emerged on my face. Boss sat on the couch and bounced on the cushion as though its softness surprised her.

— Swamp alligator skin? Indeed, their skins are known to be great.

After giving the big couch a review, she turned her attention to the small couch chair I made a couple of days ago. She brought it over after briefly glancing at my workshop and rested her feet on top. She seemed extremely comfortable.

— Mmm.

Boss closed her eyes with a satisfied hum. Then, as though something was missing, she reached out and grabbed the TV remote.

“!@#!@#”

— Hiik!

She quickly lowered the volume.

“How cute.”

Right, that was how people changed. My first goal to make Boss watch TV succeeded.

“I guess I’ll go back to practicing.”

I smiled and picked up the daggers. I couldn’t feel down just because of one failure. I had to give my best in everything, but I needed a cigarette first.

***

I went outside after practicing for 3 hours.

“Hm?”

I heard faint breathing when I went out to buy some more cigarettes. I tilted my head in that direction.

“Is she sleeping?”

Boss lay asleep on the couch with her arms out. Not too long ago, she said she preferred to sleep standing up. I grinned and took out my smartwatch. This was the perfect chance for a photo. I muted the sound and took pictures of her sleeping. She still didn’t show any signs of waking. Was my couch that good? I suddenly received a message while being satisfied with myself.

[I confirmed the truth. Nayun is also awake.]

Yoo Yeonha finally messaged me after a week of silence. I tried to reply, but…

“…!”

A sudden pain struck my arm as if it was being ripped off. The feeling of another streak of stigma being added. I knew what this meant. However…

“Fuck…”

It's just too painful. I used the painkiller medicinal effect, but the pain only grew clearer. I clenched my teeth and forced my eyes open to confirm the alerts on my smartwatch.

[A fourth streak of stigma has been added.] [Stigma will require more total SP for the fifth.] [Your laptop is now updating.] — Adding New Functionalities…

My consciousness faded away and my vision turned dark.