Beast in the Woods, Deep in the Night - Chapter 17.2

Chapter 17.2

‘If she deliberately told me her grandfather’s story to give me a clue… that’s clever. It wasn’t excessive enough to arouse suspicion.’

In particular, if Edgar hadn’t informed him in advance of her affiliation, he could have been fooled by her innocent voice as she spoke as if she knew nothing.

For Isaac, the Golden Horseshoe Guild wasn’t a place of interest. However, it would have been a mistake to treat their so-called elite guild members at the same level.

“After hearing your story, I think I need to review the operation a little more. It’s a request for someone very important, so we can’t fail.”

“It must be burdensome to have someone important as your client.”

“They’re also a long-time friend of Edgar’s. It’s quite burdensome. Ah, since that person said they would stop by the guild’s banquet in ten days, they might say hello to you as well.”

“It must be a wonderful person to be friends with. I hope I have the chance to say hello.”

Christine ended the conversation after making a subtle appeal to Edgar’s intimacy.

As she left the guild master’s office and went back to Edgar, she had a few thoughts.

‘For now, I don’t think Duff will earn any money in this life from betting.’

She didn’t know what was in the report related to the Golden Horseshoe Guild, so she thought it would be best not to let her guard down for the time being.

She was curious about Edgar’s identity, as he was someone even the guild master respected.

Besides that, the client’s story that Isaac had told also strongly stimulated her curiosity.

They were called a guild because they had many businesses and their scale was big; but because they were actually stronger than most mercenaries, their pride was considerable.

Unlike the Golden Horseshoe Guild, which did all kinds of commissions as long as there was sufficient compensation, the Black Fang Guild did not accept requests from just anyone.

She had always wondered how wealthy and prestigious those who could commission this guild were, and she might even meet the client in ten days.

‘Who the hell is Edgar, and why is he even friends with someone who commissions an operation involving so much money and manpower?’

She returned to Edgar and reported that she had delivered the documents he had entrusted her with. Then, she asked a few questions, hoping to get some information.

“Edgar, I heard there will be a guild banquet in ten days… Can I attend as your partner?”

“If I come back before then.”

“What?”

If he comes back? Anyone who heard it would think that Edgar was going somewhere far away. Christine, who desperately needed to spend every day with him, couldn’t help but ask back,

“Are you… going somewhere?”

“It’s a commission. I’m a member of this guild.”

“Lies. Even the guild master addresses you respectfully.”

“That’s just his taste.”

“Where are you going? How long will it take? Is it dangerous?”

Christine’s voice was filled with concern as she poured out questions. But it wasn’t a concern for Edgar.

The man in front of her looked as strong as if he could not only survive being dropped in the middle of the desert, but also gather forces and form a tribe.

What Christine was worried about was herself.

‘If I stay away from Edgar, the curse symptoms may worsen again.’

After spending one night together, the symptoms of the curse had subsided so amazingly that it was possible to live a pain-free life just by brushing against him several times a day.

But she didn’t know what kind of discomfort would come back if she stayed away from him for several days. Recalling the feeling of her heart being squeezed and her fingertips trembling against her will, Christine became nervous without realizing it.

“Are you going for a long time?”

“At least a week. Ten days at most.”

“No… It’s too long. What if I forget your face?”

“…”

“No. Good-looking people are hard to forget, so I think your face will be fine.”

“…”

“Still, it’s too long. You can’t come any sooner, can you?”

Christine was almost crying.

Edgar didn’t know why she was so deeply upset when he said he was going away on a commission. Even the kids who followed him did not express their regret in front of him like this.

“It’s not like you have to go and move around for a week, so what’s so bad about it?”

So, he blurted out.

And at his question, Christine told the most magnificent and plausible lie that could be told in this situation.

“… Because I like you.”

Edgar was speechless for a moment at how her voice trembled slightly, as if it had been squeezed out from the depths of her heart, while avoiding his gaze.