It was early evening.
Even as darkness settled over the estate, its streets remained brightly lit.
Despite being considered a peripheral territory, it boasted a considerable population.
I held a meeting with Winz.
“Having scouted the area, I found their security to be extremely tight. It seems we can’t just waltz in…”
“First, let’s go over what we’ve managed to uncover.”
I produced several documents, each filled with information I had purchased.
Winz’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Oh my, this isn’t just one or two things, is it?”
“Some of this I gathered through reclusive informants, while others were compiled from what I overheard from merchants.”
Fortunately, this territory was not some obscure town in the main story; it was a location that appeared quite frequently.
Given that it was a place where the Protagonist often got involved, I could leverage my knowledge.
I even felt a sense of pride that I hadn’t forgotten its geography.
Unfolding the documents one by one, I began.
“The primary businesses these thugs dabble in are alcohol and the food service industry. Among them, the most renowned is our estate’s largest pub, ‘The Song of Messy (TL Note: The name of the pub is a play on words, ‘Messy’ sounds like ‘Messi’ but also implies disorder, fitting for a gang-run establishment).’”
“Oh, you know that place! They recently introduced a World Cup Set with amazing fried food and incredible draft beer, didn’t they?”
‘…It seems you frequent that place, don’t you?’
“Yes, yes? Oh, no… when I get stressed, I sometimes go with some of the maids I know.”
‘How nice. I wish I could down a refreshing draft beer myself.’
However, with so many tasks to resolve, I couldn’t afford such a luxury. Misinterpreting my expression, Winz hesitated.
“…Would you like to go together sometime?”
“It would be delightful to go with a beauty like you, Winz. But let’s take care of this first.”
“Hehe, yes!”
She immediately broke into a smile. At times like these, she seemed rather silly.
Clapping her hands, Winz offered her suggestion.
“If a pub is that large, wouldn’t gang members and their associates gather there too?”
“That’s right, precisely. That’s the very point I intend to exploit.”
Apparently, pubs in cities of a certain size often have special commemorative days.
On such occasions, pub officials and high-ranking figures are known to attend.
It was unlikely to be much different here.
“Lady’s insight is truly…! Ah, but that…”
As if something had just occurred to her, Winz pondered for a moment.
Soon, a short sigh escaped her pale pink lips.
Winz shook her head, her orange hair swaying gently.
“It’s still too risky. A place that famous would surely have even more gang eyes watching it.”
“From what I observed, there don’t seem to be any visible bouncers (TL Note: 기도, ‘gido’, refers to bouncers or toughs employed by establishments). Though, they’re probably inside.”
“Yes, we’ll need some kind of diversion.”
I leaned back against the chair. While more comfortable, my heart continued to pound.
Crafting a plan to outwit someone was, after all, quite exhilarating.
“I’ve already devised a method for that.”
“What is it? I’m so curious!”
“It’s you, Winz.”
“Me…?”
I pointed at Winz. With a surprised expression, she pointed at herself before tilting her head. She was adorable.
“Yes, it’s what I call ‘Operation 007: The Spy Who Loved Someone!’”
I outlined the general plan to her. Since the pub was clearly managed by the gang, it would be difficult for someone like me, whose face was already known, to enter easily.
My presence alone would attract attention. But what if someone relatively unknown went instead?
Maids like Winz were common in this world.
No one would pay much mind to whom she served.
Moreover, she was exceptionally versatile.
Upon hearing my plan, Winz clasped her hands together in admiration.
And she agreed, for which I was truly grateful.
“Then I’ll go prepare!”
“Alright, I’ll go see Father.”
I intended to execute the plan immediately that very day. There was no benefit in allowing a gang to persist for long. Let them be sacrificed for my sake!
I met with Blaken, the family head.
I intended to explain the overview of this matter and seek his permission.
Why bother seeking permission, you might ask?
‘Reality differs from web novels. A protagonist, even a rogue, cannot simply stir up trouble as they please. It’s the same principle as a prince being inevitably executed for acting like a scoundrel and disobeying the king.’
Furthermore, I, as a noble, would be failing to uphold my dignity, and as a woman who isn’t even the family head, stirring up trouble would be perfect for Miranda to exploit as a weakness.
However, what if it was an affair already discussed with the family head?
The narrative would change entirely.
As I inwardly chuckled, Blaken stroked his chin and spoke.
“Can you… truly accomplish this?”
“Yes, the plan is perfect.”
“By the way, to think such an affair was happening. Why did no one inform me?”
“Father, if I may be so bold as to offer advice, distance yourself from those treacherous individuals around you. Why do you suppose the once-mighty Cocaine Holy Kingdom (TL Note: The name ‘Cocaine’ here is a direct translation of the Korean ‘코카인’ and is likely intended to be a fantasy name, not related to the drug) collapsed in the past?”
I spoke with genuine sincerity.
Blaken, you at least possess competence. Your character is also upright.
I continued with heartfelt words, like a loyal subject advising a king.
“It is a truth that one cannot cover up the sins of those they favor, nor can one disregard the merits of those they dislike. I trust you will judge wisely.”
Blaken eventually nodded. I simply hoped he wouldn’t blindly protect Miranda.
“Very well, I grant you permission.”
As expected, I had secured his approval.
“Please maintain absolute secrecy regarding this matter, in particular. I will handle it in my own way.”
“That is my intention. It seems I have been too oblivious to my surroundings.”
‘That’s how you sort things out, one by one. It’s not difficult, is it? Not for you.’
I offered him my farewell.
“Then I wish you a peaceful night, Father.”
I withdrew.
Pulling a thick hood low over my head, I exited the mansion.
****
As I passed through the garden, Winz appeared, clad in a coat.
“My Lady, shall we proceed?”
The moonlight streamed down, breaking into fragments across the garden.
Bathed in the delicate yet beautiful moonlight, Winz shone like a saintess from a tale.
A profoundly friendly and captivating smile graced her face, worn with perfect composure.
“Indeed. Let’s go commit a delightful little rebellion!”
Though, of course, it was neither delightful nor truly a rebellion.
Our first destination was the guard post near The Song of Messy pub.
There, I planned to make contact with a few gang subordinates whose identities I had uncovered through my information.
‘One advantage gangs have over armed soldiers is that they are easier to deal with.’
Thump, thump-thump.
As I approached the guard post, several unimpressive-looking subordinates sneered at me.
“A noble? What are you doing here?!”
“Have you come here to die?”
“Did you think a red carpet would be rolled out just because some noble showed up?!”
They were hostile, as expected. Yet, it was nothing more than bluster.
If they were truly hostile, they would have struck me. Moreover, I was a discarded noble, scorned even by my own family.
Without uttering a single word, I extended a pouch brimming with gold.
“I’m looking to start a small venture. I’ve prepared a dancer; see if you can get her into a proper position.”
The subordinates, taken aback, accepted the money pouch. As they cautiously peered inside, I saw their eyes widen in unison, like pupils dilating in shock.
“H-huh… How much is this?!”
“And just so you know, this is our little secret. Which means, you can split it among yourselves without any repercussions.”
Typically, even if subordinates generated profit for a gang, it would be passed directly up the chain of command.
Such was their structure.
However, by offering a bribe in this manner, it became a secret known only to us, allowing them to keep the entire sum.
‘Since I’m already a noble lady, why not flaunt my wealth a little?’
The subordinates immediately adopted a subservient posture.
“Oh, by all means, My Lady Queen! How could we refuse?!”
“Is that the dancer behind you? Oh, and an Elf too!”
“Her face is quite appealing, and her figure is splendid. Hah, what a coincidence that today is VIP Day. She’s a perfect fit!”
Winz and I exchanged glances and smiled. So far, everything was going smoothly.
‘No matter what happens, Winz is more capable than I am. She possesses the strength to survive on her own.’
I pulled out another pouch, intending to further ‘water their brains’ (TL Note: A Korean idiom meaning to provide more bribes or incentives).
“I’m not sure what this ‘VIP Day’ is, but I’d like to experience it myself.”
“Oh, but of course, My Lady! From today onwards, you are a VVIP! Heheheh!”
“Why don’t you all take that money and go have a drink elsewhere? Maybe even meet some women.”
“Oh, your generosity is outstanding! For this amount, it’s a given (TL Note: ‘당연 빳다죠’, ‘dangyeon ppatdajyo’, is a slang phrase meaning ‘it’s a given’ or ‘it’s a no-brainer’).”
“Wait a minute…!”
One of the gang members, with a closely shaven head, suddenly adopted a serious demeanor.
Both Winz and I tensed.
‘What is he trying to do?’
The bald gang member looked at Winz and me, then turned his gaze to his comrade.
“But what does VIP stand for?”
‘What a clueless idiot.’
His comrade sighed and clicked his tongue.
“You imbecile. It means ‘Very Important Partner,’ doesn’t it!”
“Ah… ‘Aju (아주 – very)’ means ‘Very,’ and ‘Iroun (이로운 – beneficial)’ is ‘Important,’ aha! You can tell the difference with someone who’s actually been to a local school, can’t you?”
“Heh, you idiot. Hahahaha!”
‘What a bunch of ignorant fools.’
Their boisterous laughter and chatter among themselves were utterly absurd.
With that, both Winz and I entered.
A wave of hot, humid air initially washed over us, but as we passed by the draft beer dispensing machines, it became refreshingly cool.
This was due to devices utilizing magical engineering to keep the beer fresh and chilled.
The scene of a boisterous, chaotic fantasy pub unfolded before us.
Drunkards chattered incoherently, guzzling alcohol.
Adventurers were either playing cards or busy recruiting companions.
I found a suitable spot and settled down. By now, Winz would likely have been introduced and be waiting backstage.
As I was enjoying a drink, the emcee appeared on stage.
“You’ve waited long enough! Today is VIP Day! My heart is trembling with excitement today (TL Note: The emcee uses a rhyming pun in Korean, ‘VIP-데이! 내 마음도 떨린데이!’, which is translated to convey the cheesy, rhyming nature). ”
‘That line is utterly cringe-worthy, damn it. Typical of these gang punks and their intellectual level.’
A sigh threatened to escape, but I managed to suppress it.
Now was not the time to draw attention.
The emcee grinned and bellowed.
“Many distinguished guests have joined us today!”
The emcee made eye contact with each person, one by one. I turned my head in the direction he was looking.
There, I spotted a formidable-looking man, resembling a back-alley thug.
‘Are those them? The gang’s VIPs?’
Among them, I even noticed a Krozian. Their distinctive appearance made them the easiest to identify.
‘Is that the bastard?’
I took a deep breath. Slowly, the emcee began to ignite the crowd.
“This time, we have a super-special new dancer! First, let’s get fired up with her dance moves—let’s goooooo!”
The emcee retreated, and Winz, dressed as a dancer, ascended the stage with her backup dancers.
She began to sway her body, casting foxy eye-smiles (TL Note: ‘퐉스 같은 눈웃음’, ‘poks gateun nunuseum’, literally ‘fox-like eye-smile’, implies a seductive or charming eye-smile).
Her dance was dazzling yet unwavering.
It was elegant, far from cheap.
“Ooooh, that’s incredible?!”
“She’s so damn beautiful. If she dated me, I’d even be confident enough to name our grandchildren.”
“Oh, but her butt isn’t that great. A woman needs big breasts, dammit!”
“Shake it more, more! Moreeeeeee!”
The crowd was more enthusiastic than I had anticipated.
‘Wow, this much?’
‘What? This is Winz, whom I see every day.’
‘Why is she suddenly a super-popular sensation here?’
Even the Krozian, who appeared to be Sinbad, jumped up and down, cheering wildly.
‘Rejoice all you want. Your days are numbered!’
Grinning, I reached into the inner pocket of my hooded robe.
‘Shall I begin my part soon?’
I pulled out two items from the stash I had acquired at the blacksmith’s. Both were of the lowest grade.
Incidentally, in this world, the character referred to as the Protagonist possessed a special privilege.
That privilege was Forceheart (TL Note: A system in the novel for item or skill enhancement) promotion.
And I, too, could utilize it.
‘Now it begins. Forceheart promotion!’
To advance from early to mid-runner, two lowest-grade items were required. Of course, the level conditions also had to be met.
A pure white light enveloped me.
However, the crowd could not turn their heads toward me.
Bang! Boom!
Because an explosion erupted on stage.
