This House Has A Delicious Restaurant - Chapter 14 - Spy (3) - Part 3

White long pants and a form-fitting black top.

It was a simple design, but it was comfortable to move in and showed off my figure moderately, so it wasn’t a bad style.

I guess it’s because the game’s world setting is based on modern standards. I’m relieved that the clothing standards aren’t vastly different from the real world. I was worried that I’d have to wear long, flowing dresses in a fantasy setting.

Of course, most regular women seemed to wear long skirts down to their ankles.

“I thought you’d like more feminine clothing, but this is unexpected.”

As I spoke while tucking my hair behind my ear, Terisier looked at me. The clothes I was wearing were chosen by Terisier.

Since there were more pretty clothes than I expected, Terisier seemed bored when my choice took a long time, so she looked around and picked these clothes.

If he had been annoyed, he probably would have just handed me any dress, but he picked something that suited me well.

“I prefer clothes that are easy to move in, whether they’re for men or women. Long skirts are just inconvenient and cumbersome.”

I nodded at his simple answer.

Well, women who wear such things are likely to have a more feminine personality compared to me, and that doesn’t seem to fit with Terisier’s character.

Diswen and Phel, who are my colleagues, don’t have feminine personalities either, and Anise seems to have an uncomfortable dynamic with Terisier.

“By the way, who is this person you need to meet? Is it more important than reporting to the leader that Sidon is a spy?”

“Oh, since that topic came up, Sidon’s status as a spy is a secret for now.”

“Why? What if he steals our information or betrays us?”

“Sidon only knows the abilities of the existing members. He knows that Lazis joined, but he probably doesn’t know about Luke or even my ability properly.”

“That could be… pretending not to know.”

“That’s a possibility too. I’m keeping that possibility in mind. But given Sidon’s current attitude, it doesn’t seem like he would particularly join Zerdan. So, under the assumption that Sidon is coming to our side, I’m trying to entice another person.”

“Entice?”

Terisier’s eyes narrowed. It was the same questioning gaze asking if it was another man. I nodded readily but explained that it wasn’t exactly what he might be thinking.

By the way, I wondered if Khan had reported to Zerdan that I was alive.

I grabbed Terisier’s wrist and led him down a secluded alley. Terisier seemed puzzled but followed along without resistance.

As I looked around, I noticed the shadow at my feet. It was faint, but I could sense the peculiar feeling from when Khan implanted his ability.

Could it be because we share the same ability, or is it because I recognize the master of the ability?

I had been told that to call Khan, I should mention Zerdan’s name. But if Khan cared for that kid, he would likely respond faster to a name more personal than Zerdan’s.

“Khan. Ding is in a lot of pain right now.”

The shadow flickered wildly. Terisier looked on in surprise.

I kept my gaze fixed on the shadow.

The shadow stretched out and moved slightly away from me. Soon, a human head began to emerge from it.

A familiar face slowly appeared.

It was Khan, who looked stern. After a long time, Khan approached me and grabbed me by the collar.

“What did you do to Ding?”

“It’s a misunderstanding. It was an action I took unknowingly, and thanks to Sidon, Ding’s condition has improved, so calm down. Otherwise, my group might not leave you alone.”

Terisier, who had transformed into a beast, bared his teeth and glared at Khan. Seeing this, Khan clicked his tongue and let go of the clothes he was holding.

I straightened my wrinkled clothes and smiled at Khan.

“It’s been a while, Khan. It seems you knew I was alive. I wondered when I saw the shadow still here.”

“…You’re quite the talent. The captain already believes you’re dead, so how on earth did you survive? He didn’t handle things clumsily, did he?”

“Well, it might be a miracle. I don’t know the reason myself. But isn’t there something you’re curious about?”

From Khan’s reaction, it seemed that Zerdan didn’t know I was alive yet.

That’s a relief. I’ll be able to surprise him properly later.

Khan looked behind me, perhaps checking if someone familiar was there.

“Ding is currently receiving treatment from Sidon and resting. It seems she has a strong aversion to abilities.”

“Did someone use their ability on Ding?”

“It wasn’t used to threaten her life. By the way, Ding wants to see Khan. Why aren’t you going to visit?”

“That’s not your concern.”

“Oh, I’ve already promised Ding that I’d make sure she gets to see Khan. Ding is very much looking forward to it… So it can’t be helped.”

Khan’s eyes trembled noticeably. His face clearly showed agitation, which surprised me.

I knew he was cooperating with Zerdan because he had someone to protect, but I didn’t expect him to care for the kid so much.

“…I’ll visit Ding later. Not now.”

“Why? If you’re not directly using your ability, it shouldn’t matter. Besides, Sidon is nearby.”

“…….”

“Did Zerdan tell you not to meet? Instead of treating Ding, did he instruct you to stay near him because your ability is useful?”

Khan glared at me. It seemed like I had hit the mark.

This is something. Should I be impressed by Zerdan’s ability to read and manipulate people so well, or should I admire Khan’s pure trust?

“If you’re following Zerdan for Ding’s sake, I have a proposal for you, Khan.”

“A proposal? From someone like you?”

“Yes.”

He scoffed openly, but when I smiled without concern, he fell silent. It seemed my confident demeanor was affecting him.

Moreover, since I mentioned Ding, he must have expected I had something to offer. He was right. And it would be a proposal he couldn’t refuse.

“We’ll recruit Sidon. Then you’ll be able to meet Ding comfortably. Additionally, if Ding stays at Obella’s house, the child’s safety will be ensured. Even if our numbers are small, Khan, you know our abilities are not weak from your own experience, right?”

“Recruit Sidon… Are you out of your mind? He’s already…!”

“Are you going to mention that he was defeated by Zerdan’s ability?”

“…You’re planning to recruit him even knowing that?”

Khan’s face showed shock as if he didn’t expect me to know that. He was older than me but was poor at hiding his emotions.

I nodded and looked at Khan with my arms crossed, speaking calmly.

“It won’t take long. Honestly, if Sidon is on our side to treat Ding, you won’t need to follow Zerdan. Isn’t that right? You may seem indifferent to murder, but you’re not one to enjoy unnecessary killing.”

“…If what you say happens, I might be able to go along with your plan. But do you think it’s possible?”

“Yes. Since what happened with Zerdan was significant, I intend to repay him properly. This is part of that process, so I have to make the impossible possible.”

Even though I liked him, the fact that he tried to kill me hasn’t changed.

I don’t want to kill, but it’s better to repay in kind.

Khan would understand why I’m doing this. After all, Zerdan thinks I’m dead.

“…What’s the proposal?”

He asked in a tone that suggested he would at least listen. But this concession already meant he was yielding to me. I whispered.

“It’s not difficult. Khan, just stay by Zerdan’s side as usual for the time being. And when you gather information, pass it on to me. I’ll determine its importance, so even minor details are worth reporting.”

“You’re asking me to act as a spy?”

“Smart, Khan. There’s no one better suited for this role than you. Zerdan seems to trust you to some extent, so he probably won’t suspect you easily.”

A breeze blew through the alley. I brushed my hair back with a graceful smile.

“Just as Zerdan has Sidon planted as a spy here, Khan, please act as a spy on their side. I want to show that some can rise above those who run.”

Khan frowned. He muttered in a low voice, ‘I thought you resembled the captain, but you’re even more ruthless.’

* * *

After returning home, there were no significant changes for a few days.

Sidon had not yet arrived, and Terisier had kept the fact that he was a spy a secret as I requested.

“We succeeded this time!”

Anise, who had only recently learned to use her ability on Phel, cheered. Phel and Diswen clapped their hands in genuine joy.

“Well, that’s a big task finished now!”

Diswen said with a naive smile. I felt a bit sorry for disrupting the mood with my shaking head as Anise beamed.

“The success rate is still lower than the failure rate, so we need to practice a bit more and see how far the ability can reach. Also, Phel, it would be good to test if Anise’s ability not only significantly enhances your defensive abilities but can also be used on allies who are far away.”

When I pointed out areas for improvement for Anise as well as Phel, Diswen, and Luke, their expressions turned odd.

“You know, I’m the last one to gain an ability, so maybe it’s not my place to say. But isn’t Moa’s ability not suited for fights between abilities? Why do you know so much about this? To be honest, it’s not very convincing.”

Luke’s comment was met with silent agreement from Phel as well.

Yeah, from their perspective, they might think that I’m just boasting with a seemingly insignificant ability.

“Moa Ablon won without a scratch even in one-on-one fights.”

Terisier, who had been out for a walk and entered through the window in his cat form, joined the conversation after hearing Luke’s words. He then hopped onto my lap and curled up.

I petted Terisier, who didn’t refuse and remained still, while Phel and Diswen’s expressions turned to shock.

Especially Phel, who often bickers with Terisier, had her jaw dropped in disbelief.

“Is that cat on medication? Why is it acting like that all of a sudden?”

“Phel, I understand your feelings, but try to hold back on comments like that.”

“No, seriously, isn’t it crazy? Does it think it’s a cat? It’s not even being cute to its owner! Obella, don’t you think so too?!”

Obella, who had been keeping a distance and listening to our conversation, walked over slowly. His gaze was fixed on Terisier, who was on my lap.

“It’s nice to see that you’ve become close. For now, everyone should focus on what Moa Ablon has to say. In my opinion, she’s been more helpful than harmful to us.”

Obella said as he sat on the sofa. He naturally reached out and gently lifted Terisier by the nape of his neck, placing him on his lap.

It was pleasant to see the noble-faced Obella petting the pretty silver cat, but it was rather shocking to see him act so brazenly.

He’s pretending not to care, but he’s very concerned.

Terisier’s expression seemed a bit grumpy compared to before, but he didn’t resist much, perhaps because he was being attended by Obella, whom he followed.

“Sister, isn’t your ability just making the opponent’s body hair stand up? Honestly, it seems like a completely useless ability… No attack, no help, isn’t it just worthless?”

Luke’s question was candid and accurate. I’m sure everyone thinks the same.

Come to think of it, no one has seen me fight directly. They know Terisier and Moa Ablon won in one-on-one fights, but no one has seen it firsthand.

If I don’t demonstrate it properly here, my future suggestions might lack credibility. There will certainly be some who subconsciously dismiss my words.

Anise, who follows me blindly, and Diswen, who has directly taught the application of abilities, remain silent, but the others probably have lingering doubts. Why should they follow what I say?

“Well, it’s true that my ability seems useless. But if you had my ability, how would you use it?”

“Well… Honestly, it doesn’t seem very helpful…”

Phel spoke honestly in response to my question. Despite her candidness, I smiled at her cautious look, as showing is better than explaining.

“There’s nothing extraordinary about it, but even a seemingly useless ability can have its uses depending on how it’s applied. It needs more development, but it can be somewhat helpful in one-on-one fights.”

“How?”

“Shall we try to think of Luke and me as opponents?”

Luke’s eyes widened at being singled out. I smiled and nodded at Luke, who was pointing at himself, and then stood up. Luke also stood up to follow.

“Wait, are we really going to fight?”

“Moa, even if it’s Luke, isn’t it too dangerous if your ability affects him?”

Phel and Anise voiced their concerns. However, the rest of the members remained calm.

Terisier merely swished his tail and watched us, and Diswen, though anxious, didn’t actively dissuade us. It was as if she wanted to see something.

Obella, the leader here, also didn’t stop us, so Luke, who was suddenly thrust into a fight, looked bewildered.

“Hold on, sister! Did I upset you with what I said? If so, I’m sorry! And fighting… My ability is still clumsy, and if I accidentally hurt you, what would happen? My ability can easily cut through trees!”

“It’s okay, Luke. I don’t mind, but just be careful around our group.”

When I looked at Phel, she nodded. With Anise, she began to deploy a protective barrier around everyone except Luke and me, preparing for any potential accidents.

Although it would be better to go outside considering the house environment, I wasn’t planning to drag this out.

Seeing my firm attitude, Luke, who had been hesitating, soon braced himself with determination. He seemed to believe that even though his ability wasn’t perfect, it was impressive.

Indeed, Luke’s ability had strong offensive power and significant potential for development. Knowing this about himself wasn’t a bad thing.

But I knew about Luke’s ability, and he was aware of mine. And he was being careless.

That was the major mistake Luke was making.

“I really won’t hold back even if I get hurt!”

* * *

Luke took a deep breath, his eyes wide open as he focused intensely on Moa Ablon in front of him. When Luke fixed his gaze without blinking, red lines appeared, which allowed him to create holes in objects or cut like a knife depending on how he used his ability.

His gaze was directed at the ends of Moa Ablon’s hair, a fallback strategy to avoid causing direct harm to her body.

Feeling Luke’s focused gaze, Moa Ablon smiled.

At that moment, when Luke furrowed his brows at her relaxed demeanor, his vision suddenly turned black.

“Huh?”

With his voice filled with confusion, Moa Ablon’s figure vanished in an instant. Realizing that his view was obstructed by hair, Luke tried to brush it away with his hand.

But as soon as he felt his body being pushed backward, Luke began to panic again. It seemed Moa Ablon had tripped him with her legs.

He flailed his arms, trying to grab her nearby arm, but it was futile.

The moment Luke tried to get up quickly after falling backward with a loud thud, he felt someone’s foot gently stepping on his arm without hurting him.

“What’s going on, why is someone stepping on my arm…? Huh? Huh?”

As Luke questioned in bewilderment and tried to remove the foot from his arm, he realized that even though the foot presumed to be Moa Ablon’s had been lifted, he still couldn’t move his arm.