How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 276 - Devil Hunt (1)

“Lure the devil?”

As I quickly dried Hepate’s clothes with winds after he came out from washing, he asked with wide eyes when I explained the plan.

“Yes.”

“You’re crazy. Completely out of your mind.”

Hepate shook his head. His face showed utter distaste. I didn’t care. I was going to do what I wanted anyway.

“I’m trying it because it’s possible.”

“Luring the devil without any guarantees? Even if there’s a way to survive… I’m not sure if it’s possible.”

“It is possible.”

Hepate’s doubts also stemmed from not knowing about the season that doesn’t exist in the world. In fact, it would be hard to imagine such a thing.

At best, he probably thought that some kind of trickery would definitely be possible just once.

In any case, I was confident I could survive even if things didn’t go as I expected. Of course, there were risks. Information about the amulet could be passed on to the Great Devil.

But I thought it was time to take a risk. Compared to one devil, such information was trivial. That’s why we had to try, even if it meant taking that risk.

To be honest, the future is uncertain. I don’t know how powerful the Great Devil is. It might be able to perceive the season that doesn’t exist in the world even without any information.

Just as I felt the Great Devil’s power in that hazy and opaque world, the opposite could be possible too.

‘And even if the information gets passed on, they might not be able to recognize it.’

Of course, there’s a possibility that the Empire might be cautious. There’s a chance the Great Devil could be waiting nearby. But I think it’s low.

The devil felt the winds. It knows that I, Carl Schurtafen, am in Fog Valley.

If the Great Devil was nearby, wouldn’t it have appeared to kill me right away? No, it would have. From their perspective, I’m an archenemy they’d love to tear apart.

I infused mana into the amulet and showed Hepate the season that doesn’t exist in the world while explaining my plan.

“This… I feel worse than when my body was covered in filth.”

Even Hepate shuddered. Originally, the discomfort intensifies twice as much when two people enter.

“I understand your plan, but doesn’t it ultimately depend on aligning with the Empire’s intentions? Even if that’s the case, I don’t know how you plan to encounter them in this vast eastern region.”

Hepate’s words were seemingly correct.

“That’s why I plan to move in a straight line. When they decide to provide support, the Empire will also come in a straight line. If our thoughts align.”

“Hmm…”

There’s no need to worry. I was taking this risk knowingly. If Erendil and Count Campbell don’t think the same as me, we can just escape as is.

And if they’re thinking the same as me, they’ll fly in a straight line from where the imperial army is breaking through.

In the latter case, considering the possibility of not meeting me, there will likely be Sword Masters on the dragon.

Even if we slightly miss each other and encounter the devil, it’ll lead to a fight they can handle on their own.

What I need to do is lure the devil westward. Rather than immediately revealing myself, it would be better to send signals from a distance.

I thought it would be effective to appear at regular intervals and leave traces, making them think the amulet has limitations.

‘Whether they overtake us or follow us, I don’t have to worry about being in danger.’

Well, if the devil thinks it’s a trap and backs out midway, I can just escape safely. The only loss would be a bit of information about the amulet being passed on.

This decision was made after considering all these pros and cons. For now, I had no choice but to trust Erendil.

“…If that’s what you think, go ahead. I feel like you’d do it even if I tried to stop you, wouldn’t you?”

“That’s right.”

“You don’t even bother with empty words.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Hmm. As we continued talking, I felt Hepate speaking in a strangely friendly manner. It was his way of speaking. I could see he was trying to increase his familiarity with me.

A thought crossed my mind. Originally, he was someone who thought of himself more than the Empire and tried to make me a trading partner.

I thought he had become lighter because that goal had disappeared, but it might be something else. After all, I am the Emperor’s most trusted confidant.

No matter how much he’s returned, his position within the Empire would surely be ambiguous. Because he had once left the Empire.

Even if Hepate was an elite agent, if he really had an important position within the Imperial Intelligence Agency, he would have been doing administrative work by now.

In other words, Hepate might think that if he builds a rapport with me now, he could one day rise to become the Empire’s Chief of Intelligence.

“Do you want to become the Empire’s Chief of Intelligence?”

“…”

Hepate silently looked at me. There was hardly any change in his expression, but the atmosphere was subtly different.

“Well, I guess I’ve lost my edge too.”

“You were too hasty.”

I looked at Hepate closely. Despite having his intentions exposed, he didn’t seem particularly flustered.

“Or did you intentionally let yourself be discovered?”

I think it’s more likely that there was an intention rather than losing his touch just from being away for a while. Hepate smiled.

As I thought, my guess seemed to be correct. I think I know why he did it too.

“You didn’t rise to that position for nothing. You’re sharp.”

“It’s not a bad idea. It’s better for you, Hepate, who has connections on both sides, to rise rather than someone from the Empire’s side.”

Even knowing Hepate’s true intentions, it would be good for him to become Chief of Intelligence. He could help Haisen more, knowingly or unknowingly.

“You brought this up anticipating even what I would guess, didn’t you?”

“Hehe.”

Instead of denying it, Hepate let out a dry laugh. Well, I think that resolve is admirable. To have foreseen this far right after coming back from the brink of death.

“Let’s think about that issue after dealing with the Great Devil. For now, we need to figure out how to handle the devil.”

“Indeed. Duke Brusek has raised someone scarier than himself.”

“…Let’s go.”

***

We traveled for 3 days before leaving traces. It was more difficult than I thought. We moved while hiding our appearance in forests and fields, then blatantly used the main road, but honestly, we almost turned back.

To leave traces, we needed something, but we didn’t even encounter any people.

It seemed to be due to the timing and the fact that we were near Fog Valley. Fortune came when we were seriously considering going back and touching the edge of the encirclement.

We spotted a group approaching us. Their appearance was suspicious from the start. They had armed themselves and had haggard faces.

‘They were clearly devil worshippers.’

This was the encirclement that had been set up since chasing the agents. Fatigue had accumulated, and the people coming now were clearly replacement personnel.

We had also seen devil worshippers leaving Fog Valley while escaping.

They also spotted us and narrowed their eyes. It was strange for people to come out from inside Fog Valley.

We didn’t look like devil worshippers either. A fight was inevitable. I moved first. It wasn’t a difficult battle.

I subdued them with winds and cleanly dealt with them using Moonlight, in case they had some unknown ritual tool I didn’t know about.

They would notice something was wrong within half a day at the earliest, or a day at the latest. Because the replacement personnel who were supposed to come didn’t arrive.

‘I’ve definitely left traces, and now it’s just a matter of waiting for the devil.’

To be honest, they would probably be suspicious too. The devil had certainly sensed me. I’m not the kind of person who would leave such traces.

There are two possibilities. They might think it’s another agent who escaped while we drew attention, or they might pursue me knowing it’s a trap.

Considering what we’ve done so far, I think the devil might make a cautious choice too. Because I’ve driven them into tight spots before.

They might even think I planned to lure them from the moment I came to Fog Valley.

‘It would have been nice if I had really planned it in advance.’

But at that time, I felt it was dangerous just for me to go, so I didn’t have the luxury to think about that. I also moved quickly.

The story digressed a bit, but I think there’s a significant possibility that the devil will pursue me even knowing it’s a trap.

We increased our speed a bit. And two days later, at noon, I bid farewell to Hepate.

“Let’s part ways here.”

“Will you be alright?”

Hepate didn’t question it, as if he had expected it. In fact, parting ways here was the right choice. It’s enough for me alone to lure the devil.

There was no need to move with Hepate. It would only slow down our moving speed and create a burden in case of emergency.

We’ve escaped the encirclement, and there’s no contact to escort, so Hepate should be able to escape on his own.

The reason we traveled together for two more days was to ensure some safety until I left the second trace.

‘The devil might chase after Hepate if they find out a little faster.’

Soldiers were visible in the distance. They looked like a patrol from a nearby territory. You might think they’re innocent, but the military in the east was soon to be the enemy.

I left the second trace after watching Hepate leave. They’ll figure out the direction I’m moving tomorrow.

That means I might encounter the devil tomorrow night or the day after tomorrow. Based on what I experienced in the north, its flying speed is faster than a dragon’s.

I set up camp early after moving a bit more. You need to rest when you can.

‘Because I don’t know how much I’ll be able to sleep from now on.’

The devil’s flying speed is beyond imagination, and if it really decides to pursue me… It’s fair to say I won’t be able to sleep much from now on.

It’s nearly impossible to sleep in a season that doesn’t exist in the world. Even Buddha couldn’t fall asleep enduring that discomfort.

But if I sleep outside and get caught in the devil’s search, it’s goodbye to this world. I finished my meal heartily too.

Since I don’t know what will happen with meals, I ate as much as I could, leaving only a minimum amount.

***

I was flying straight up into the sky from the ground, not from a mountain. The bite came faster than I thought.

Originally, I expected to meet the devil around evening, calculating the time and distance for communication.

But in broad daylight, I felt a chill coming from behind me. Even though I was looking back almost every 10 seconds, the goosebumps came before the sight.

A black dot appears in the blue sky. And in the blink of an eye, the black dot had grown to the size of a fist.

Next, I could see the outline of the devil. The killing intent in its intense gaze was beyond measure. All my hair stood on end.

‘Damn, it’s fast.’

One second could be fatal to my life. I immediately infused mana into the amulet. A hazy world unfolds. At that instant, my body staggered. It was due to the dizzying sense of direction.

On the ground, you’re standing on solid earth, but the sky was a different matter. Being in the sky, even the outline of the ground became faint.

I had thought about the dangers of going underground, but I hadn’t considered it in the sky. It was like driving without being able to see ahead.

Moreover, even if I turned the steering wheel left, I couldn’t be sure if I was really going left.

I gathered my wits. If I’m not careful, I might die in the amulet rather than by the devil. Should I get out now?

I thought about it, but it seemed unwise to give the devil too much information about the amulet.

‘Stay calm.’

I focused only on my body’s condition. Let’s slowly descend for now. Just until I can see the ground. Though I’m not sure if down is really down.

I remembered the altitude exactly. If I can’t see the outline of the ground after descending a certain height, I’ll have no choice but to get out.

Kuung-, the opaque and hazy things shook for a moment. Although nothing was transmitted to my senses, I felt a heavy vibration.

It seemed like the devil had done something towards where I had disappeared. For it to be felt in a season that doesn’t exist in the world. I steeled myself. It can’t harm me.

Fortunately, I was soon able to find the outline of the ground. I carefully set foot on the ground. For now, I’ve achieved my goal.

I’m not sure how the Empire will respond, but the devil has taken the bait.

‘Now I need to slowly guide it.’

I’ll have to move in this terrible world for the next few hours, but it’s a pain worth enduring if we can catch the devil.

I just hope the devil doesn’t drop out midway. I can’t drag this out too long. The devil won’t keep pursuing forever either.

I took a step in the hazy world. Hoping that the Empire would take many steps as well.