How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 268 - Preparation for Departure (2)

At my chuckle, Denif tilted his head. He looked like he couldn’t understand. He stared at me with a suspicious gaze.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“I already knew.”

Denif’s eyes widened.

“You knew too?”

“Why?”

“How did you know?”

“What do you mean how? It was obvious.”

As I shrugged, Terka, who was standing next to me, chimed in.

“Right. Isn’t it obvious? I told you Carlyn would know too.”

He spoke with an air of pride. I thought he’d be dejected because of the Sword Master issue, but the situation had changed with this woman problem.

I found the situation amusing. As a laugh escaped me, Denif narrowed his eyes and glared at me, probably thinking I was mocking him.

“You should have told me.”

“Tell you what? It’s your problem. And what would have changed if I told you?”

“Well… I guess not.”

Come to think of it, I wondered if Rina had tried to confide in me earlier because of Denif. I thought it was quite impressive.

Not simply because she confessed, but because I knew Rina’s personality. The situation probably left her with no choice.

Suddenly the Great Devil appeared and said we’d be departing tomorrow, so she probably didn’t know what to do. She had been lost in thought on the roof even before I arrived.

She had likely been worrying about it since the eastern expedition was decided, and made up her mind because of this incident.

“So, what should I do?”

“Why are you asking me? Figure it out yourself.”

“Hmm…”

Denif pondered seriously.

“What’s the problem? Someone likes you, that’s a good thing.”

“I’ve never really thought about this kind of thing before.”

Terka cut in with a lecherous look.

“What’s there to think about? I told you earlier. Just say you like her too. And right away, you know? Spend some time together, have some drinks…”

Look at this guy saying whatever he wants since it’s not his business. I frowned and cut off Terka’s words.

“Ignore what this guy says.”

“I was planning to anyway.”

While Denif seemed foolish when it came to combat, he was quite earnest when it came to personal matters. I nodded quietly. Denif asked again.

“No, what should I do? Give me some advice.”

“What do you mean what should you do? Do whatever you want.”

It felt a bit frustrating to repeat the same conversation again. To be honest, if it wasn’t Rina, I would have just brushed it off.

“I don’t know much about this stuff.”

“You think I do?”

“Yes.”

Denif nodded confidently. Well, I had experience on Earth, but too much time had passed. And I couldn’t leave it to Terka since he was a bad guy.

“What did you say after Rina said she liked you?”

“Uh… I just said I understood.”

Terka let out a snicker.

“Ugh, you idiot.”

“Shut up.”

“What else would you call an idiot but an idiot?”

“Someone who can’t even use a sword sure talks a lot.”

“…”

The situation reversed with Denif’s one comment. Terka was speechless, as if in shock. Denif looked down at Terka with a triumphant face.

But that moment didn’t last even 2 seconds. In the silence, Denif turned to me and lost his confidence again.

“Well, if you’re not sure, tell her you need time to think.”

Actually, confessions are usually done after confirming each other’s feelings. In that sense, Rina was rushing things.

She’ll suffer emotionally, but usually the one who likes the other more is the one who suffers.

“And then?”

“Come on, you’re not a kid. You have to figure that out yourself. Think about it, and if you like her then date her, if not then don’t.”

“Right.”

Denif nodded as if he understood.

“It’s not like you weren’t taught this. Why are you acting like this?”

As Haisen spies, we were taught the basics of honey trapping. Denif clicked his tongue.

“That wasn’t about caring for the other person’s feelings.”

I nodded at Denif’s words. Right, if it wasn’t Rina, Denif wouldn’t even be asking me like this given his personality.

But he’s at least worrying about it for Rina’s sake. Anyway, this was the extent of the advice I could give.

“What does she see in this guy.”

Terka grumbled quietly. He seemed a bit irritated, and I could guess why. Probably because Rina had cursed at him when they first met.

That guy is surprisingly prideful. He’s probably lived a life of mostly successes until now, so his pride got scratched.

“She likes him because that guy is better with a sword than some people.”

Terka’s complaint was quiet but still audible. Denif snickered. Terka bristled.

“I’m stronger…”

He probably wanted to say he used to be stronger, but Terka couldn’t finish his sentence. After all, Denif had just become a Sword Master.

I couldn’t help but laugh a little. Terka glanced back and forth between Denif and me before sighing.

“Terka, you’ll have to work harder.”

“…”

Terka didn’t respond to my words. Instead, Denif next to him nodded.

“That’s right. Work harder. You’ve got talent.”

Terka looked up at the sky with his eyes closed, as if his insides were boiling, then let out a deep sigh.

“Damn it.”

I shrugged.

“Let’s go spar. Who knows, you might suddenly have an epiphany too.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

It was a conversation between Denif and me, but none of us actually thought it would happen. In fact, even Denif’s case was unrealistic.

Terka suddenly becoming a Sword Master just because he got a little stimulated? That’s too far-fetched.

“Alright, let’s go.”

However, Terka definitely seemed to have developed a fierce determination.

***

Denif had clearly progressed. Of course, that’s obvious since he became a Sword Master. Anyway, his style had become firmly established and sharp.

He had chosen to be aggressive a long time ago, but before it felt like he was just aggressive without substance. Now, even though he had just become a Sword Master and was still a bit lacking, there was a sharp threat that flashed.

-Are you crazy?

-Ah, sorry.

-That was really dangerous just now.

-Sorry, sorry. I got carried away without realizing.

During the sparring, his unconscious techniques were incredibly sharp. I was certain those were the techniques that made Denif a Sword Master.

Saying it was “really dangerous” had two meanings. Of course, the first was that his attack aiming to trade flesh for bone was truly sharp, putting me in danger.

And secondly, my body naturally reacted to that, and I almost cut Denif down.

Even in sparring between Sword Masters, sparring is still sparring. We usually set limits on how aggressive we get.

In fact, it tends to be even safer because we can understand the intent behind a move just by seeing the motion.

Denif had unleashed a technique with full sincerity in the heat of sparring.

It seemed to be due to his original personality plus the excitement of becoming a Sword Master today. After that one time, it was fine. I still had the upper hand.

For Denif right now, only that technique had made him a Sword Master. Of course, his horizons in swordsmanship would have broadened, but he couldn’t match me who had much more experience since then.

After my sparring with Denif, Denif and Terka’s sparring followed. As they had been rivals, Terka showed signs of discomfort.

Until now, Terka had been in a position to mock Denif even during sparring. Of course, along with the discomfort, there was also a fierce determination to catch up no matter what.

Of course, not all problems in the world are solved by determination alone. Denif was steadily paying back everything that had built up until now.

“Ah… is this all you’ve got?”

“Hey, stop with the mental attacks.”

“This too is training. Indeed, the ignorant who haven’t awakened don’t understand.”

“…”

“Your swordsmanship is bland. It needs salt.”

“Hey!”

“Sigh, I’m bored to death.”

“You son of a…”

Of course, he only attacked with words while the sparring continued in earnest. I couldn’t hold back my laughter as I watched. It was quite amusing to see the opposite situation after watching Denif seethe.

They say you hate the person standing next to you more than the person bullying you, and it seemed true as Terka glared at me instead whenever I laughed.

The sparring ended a little after 2 PM. While we were resting and drinking some water, Terka suddenly exclaimed.

“Oh!”

His eyes were wide open as if struck by lightning. Denif next to him narrowed his eyes. He had a ‘don’t tell me’ look on his face.

“What? Did you have some kind of epiphany?”

Seeing that reaction, I also wondered if maybe. I was almost hopeful enough to think the heavens were helping me. But Terka looked at Denif as if to say ‘what nonsense are you talking about’.

“Are you mocking me? As if that would happen instantly.”

“Then why?”

“Ah, shit. I forgot an important appointment.”

Terka frowned.

“Appointment?”

At Denif’s question, Terka suddenly glanced at me. Something flashed through my mind. Don’t tell me this bastard…?

“You remember the promise you made using Master’s name…”

“No! It’s not that.”

Terka shook his head hurriedly.

“No, an acquaintance of Master came to the capital because of this eastern expedition and asked me to look at his son’s sword.”

“Then why are you looking at me?”

“Well, there was a beautiful knight there.”

I frowned.

“This guy’s crazy. Didn’t you say it was your master’s acquaintance?”

“Well, we’re not that close…”

“Did you forget your promise to me?”

“Of course I remember.”

Terka looked at me carefully.

“So I was wondering, could you let me off just for today?”

“You made a promise using your master’s name… Did receiving the famous sword in advance make you lose all respect?”

“No, it’s the Great Devil, right? We might die if we go east, so can’t you let me off for just one day?”

Honestly, I was dumbfounded that he would ask for a day off after receiving a famous sword and making a promise using his master’s name. And that confidence that he could seduce someone in just one day.

“Huh? And I didn’t make the first move, that person approached me first. Asked how about spending a day together since we might die soon. I refused because I had a promise with you. I’m just asking now since we’re departing tomorrow.”

“…”

“It’s true!”

I looked into Terka’s eyes. There didn’t seem to be any sign of lying. I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Tsk, do whatever you want.”

I clicked my tongue as I spoke. To be honest, he’s not wrong. It’s true that we don’t know when we might die. The same goes for me.

And if the woman made the first move, there’s no real reason to stop him.

“What! Really?”

“But there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t even think about causing trouble when we go east.”

“Of course not.”

As I nodded, Terka jumped up from his seat.

“Then can I go now?”

“Do as you please.”

Terka left with a bright face. His running speed was beyond what I knew.

Watching that scene, my eyes met Denif’s, and we sighed simultaneously.

“Ah, did you contact Phiri?”

“Yes. We decided she’ll go with the Haisen side.”

“Good job.”

“Oh right, Phiri said she wanted to see you this evening.”

“Suddenly?”

I tilted my head.

“She asked if there was anything we could help with.”

“Haisen is going east together, what could…”

“Just meet her, she seemed worried about you.”

“Really?”

I nodded. It couldn’t hurt. I had actually received a lot of help from Phiri.

“Ah, and Orhen is going east too.”

“Why her too?”

“She said it’s internal Temerza affairs. She’s also a mage.”

Hmm, well. In terms of responsibility, core nobles do need to participate in wars like this. It probably means Orhen’s position is solid.

Come to think of it, Orhen used to like Denif too. I wonder if things will get a bit awkward when she meets Rina.