Chapter 246: Scheme (1)

Chapter 246: Scheme (1)

Scheme (1)

Erent wrestled with her thoughts in the office.

Should she use it or not, cast the dice or not?

She hadnt even started the revisions her senior had assigned, just circling the same thoughts in her head.

Then, abruptly, she stood up.

She looked towards the editors office, the desk. Inside the partitioned glass, Editor-in-Chief Frank and a few reporters were present.

Gritting her teeth, she walked over.

She pushed open the door.

What the what do you want?

Bald Frank furrowed his brow upon seeing her. The senior reporters beside him just rolled their eyes in bewilderment.

Erent spoke up.

I have an exclusive source.

Ugh. Get out.

Frank waved her away. Erent didnt budge. She watched them puffing away at their cigarettes, thenbang!

She pounded the desk with her fist.

Shit, you scared me. Are you out of your mind

Senator Syrimus has a hidden son.

The expressions of Frank and the others stiffened slightly.

But soon enough, they looked unimpressed, as if to say, so what?

The mere fact of a hidden son was hardly a blemish for a politician backed by Vern.

Erent added more.

Hes a criminal.

Alright, get out for now

And more!

Having a few criminal records wasnt enough to bring down a Senator.

A childs scandal might be juicy material for the media to tear apart, but in the grand scheme, its not the Senators own wrongdoing. Everyone knows raising kids can be tough.

However, the corruption Erent had uncovered about Syrimus went beyond that.

Hes received a monster graft, a chimera procedure.

Thats when everyone froze.

Youre spouting some crazy bullshit.

Franks face contorted with disdain, but she presented part of her source.

His name is Luke. Hes been suffering from a rare disease since birth. The monster procedure was because of that.

Belatedly, Franks complexion turned pale. He scanned Erents source with his own eyes.

Did you tell the bureau chief about this?

Not yet. Im about to.

Its not fact-checked.

Erent, feeling her heart pounding more than ever, said,

Isnt that what Im going to do?

* * *

Before his regression, Hannah Erent was an editor-in-chief.

Once, she soared as a star journalist, thriving on the crumbs from the political and business elite. But at the most critical moment, she maintained her integrity, and the price she paid was death.

The people I choose, and will choose, are mostly like that.

They have at least a minimum sense of justice.

Therefore, they can stand upright independently, not just as cogs in Libras wheel.

What are you thinking about?

Suddenly, Zias voice came through the Libra phone.

Im thinking about what to have for lunch.

I sat on a bench, sipping my takeout coffee.

Hmm you see, my sister wants to give you a gift in person.

That so.

Zias sister is, of course, Johanna.

It means Im about to receive an A-grade R-elix.

The bidding was quite high

The Johanna I know values life highly.

Shes firm with rewards and punishments, but shes also too immersed in materialism.

Where are you now?

I sent my coordinates. A park bench in the capital, Edsilla.

Okay. Ive passed it on.

Thank you.

Zia ended the call.

I waited quietly.

After about 30 minutes, someone sat down next to me on the bench.

At first, I thought it was one of Johannas attendants.

What are you staring at?

But it was Johanna herself.

She slid her sunglasses down slightly and handed me a magic box.

Take it. Its the R-elix.

Thank you.

However, before you take it.

She paused, looking at me with something to say.

I nodded, facing her.

Would you consider it?

She handed me a piece of paper.

It was no ordinary paper.

The Libra family crest was watermarked on it, and Johannas personal seal and signature were scrawled in her own handwriting, a document entrusting a top-secret mission to a Chaser in her direct lineage.

Beckman is no different from my vassal. Hes a founding contributor. Its been nearly 15 years now. Hes made quite a bit of money for me.

Johanna explained this with a somewhat bitter tone.

So I cant dismiss him myself. For my own dignity, for the trust and relationship with the remaining balancers. After all, he hasnt done anything wrong yet, has he?

She looked up at the sky.

But if theres a hint of something off about him, or if he eventually goes mad and tries to do something.

Her blue gaze slid sideways, meeting mine.

The day Shion Ascals mother died.

At that moment, Elises composure shattered. Unknowingly, she drew upon her magic power. The journalist stepped back, startled.

Do you not value your life?

No. I value my life. Thats why I came to sell it.

Sell it?

Her voice sharpened like a thug.

Yes. But seeing your reaction, you already knew? Have you been staying close not because you liked it but out of pity?

The journalist smirked. Elise followed suit. She smiled with a thick murderous intent.

Do you want to die?

Ah, Im actually under a real threat of death.

And then he pointed to his chest.

My laptop is connected to my heartbeat. Ive written a separate will too. So, if I die, all related materials will be delivered to Libra. To Libra, and to Chaser Shion.

Elise glared at him silently.

Just buy it without any fuss. What I want is simple. Just about 20 million Ren? Installments are possible too. A lump sum of 20 million Ren, or 3 million Ren in installments over 10 years. Just in case, Ive already sent the documents to your father, Ken Petra. Hes probably reading them right now.

You insane bastard!

Elise stepped forward with a burst of magical power. Irving hastily stepped back.

Anyway! Its a fact that would have come to light even without me. You know that, right?

Besides, I can help bury this story forever, just for some money. Im serious.

A headache began to throb at Elises temples. She couldnt tell if it was anger, exasperation, or sorrowemotions swirled chaotically in her mind.

So make your choice wisely. Do you want Libras promising Chaser to find out how his mother died?

He spat out his final words.

There will be a war if he does.

Then he turned and hurriedly ran off.

In the dark night.

Left alone, Elise steadied her ragged breathing and trembled.

* * *

I arrived at the dormitory. I placed the document Johanna had given me on the desk.

Everything that happens within a 10-meter radius of this document, from the living room to the bedroom, is transmitted to Johanna.

Its a rather annoying artifact.

I lay down on the bed.

Thump- thump- I tapped the dormitory wall with my fingers, waiting for the prearranged call.

Drrring

My smartphone rang just in time.

I got up from the bed to answer the call.

Its Jake.

Its Grawl.

Im about to perform a certain act with this guy.

Yes. This is Shion.

Johanna assigned me a mission, intending to monitor me.

She suspects me and probably wants to find out what kind of person I am.

Also, to find out what I think of Johanna herself.

I plan to consistently satisfy her needs moving forward.

Ive received the details about the mission, but monitoring a Balancer is a dangerous task.

Is that so.

You would know better, Mr. Shion. A Balancer is not an ordinary opponent. If youre discovered, youll be counterattacked.

I made him say it as if this mission itself is a huge burden to him.

Of course, considering Beckmans character, it is indeed a dangerous mission.

Even so, please proceed.

I answer firmly, almost stubbornly.

Haa may I ask why?

This guys acting skills are improving day by day.

Indeed, Ill soon be receiving an A-grade R-elix, so naturally, I have to work hard.

The reason

Yes. Lady Johanna is not your lord, Mr. Shion.

At that, I let out a low chuckle.

Pretending to think of the person named Johanna.

Its because shes lonely.

Lonely?

Yes. There are too many people around her.

Johannas power is not inferior even when compared to Dereks. Especially now that shes almost gotten the Golden Casino shares for free.

However, she trusts none of them.

She trusts no one. Thats why shes obsessed with money, and why she cant easily cut off Beckman.

Lady Johanna stands alone in that place. In that lonely void, alone, in solitude

Johanna would certainly be listening to this conversation.

Youre alike.

It was an unexpected ad-lib from Grawl.

Not in the script.

Yes.

I almost frowned but continued with an ad-lib of my own.

Perhaps. I dont trust people either.

We fell silent for a moment.

This matter could lead to our downfall.

But this bastard keeps ad-libbing.

If he overdoes it here, it might actually arouse suspicion.

Its okay. Im prepared. Thats all for now.

Yes. See you later.

Jake, Grawl hung up the call.

I turned off the light and lay down on the bed.

Im not sure what Johanna will think about this conversation today

If she has any feelings, I should be able to draw them out sufficiently.

The plan is to proceed step by step.