Reader of the Novel’s Extra

After finishing their meals, Hajin and Lee headed out back to the streets of Paris.

But the moment they were out of earshot of any of the staff at Goût Céleste, Lee sighed and said, "As expected, I can't enjoy any of this fancy stuff."

Hajin literally stumbled on a rock at the nonsequitor and looked back at Lee. "What? You mean you didn't like any of that? It was by the Cooking Hero! The man who's said to infuse the flavor of mana itself!"

Lee nodded. "I understand that. It's pretty good too. But my palate isn't suited for it. I'm very much a steaks, burgers, and barbecue guy over pastas, delicate dishes, and entrees."

Hajin stared at Lee. Then he shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever understand you, Lee..."

"You don't have to. We just have to get along." Lee gave Hajin a thumbs up.

Hajin chuckled. "True..."

It was 2 PM now. Saturday, April 12th in Paris.

Although the trip was supposed to be for the Traveling Club...

Lee took a look around at the streets of Paris. And especially at the complete lack of Cube Cadets. Then he said, "You know, for a travel 'club'... this seems a lot like just an excuse to vacation using Cube's money."

Hajin laughed. "Well, you aren't wrong. The club leader made the trip here because he's dating Natasha, a Hero specializing in healing from Paris."

"So the club leader's just using it as an excuse to go on a date with his girlfriend on Cube's money, huh? Ballsy."

Hajin nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty bold. But it's technically nothing against Cube's policies. Paris is still a center of activity for Heroes with its own Hero Academy, so visiting it for experience lines up with the purposes of Cube's policies."

"You say that, but you realize that the moment Yeonha realizes you can pull things like this, she might start up a club like 'Hero Mental Wellness Club' where she throws money at the club members to go do whatever they want as long as they write a report about it?"

"..."

"See?"

Hajin started to sweat and said, "W-Well, you have to be at least a second year Cadet anyway..."

"And Yeonha will be a second year Cadet with a baby to nurse. Which will give her all the incentive in the world to make a club like that so she could nap and skip classes."

Hajin groaned. "You're right. You're so right... Guess I'll look into it."

Lee chuckled.

The streets of Paris bustled with activity. Since it was a weekend, most of the active Heroes and Cadets were taking a break, so the crowds were lively. And there were some tourists around too, probably family of various Cube Cadets.

As a result, although Hajin and Lee were in Cube's uniform, they didn't really stand out other than getting a few appreciative glances.

Hajin noticed and said, "You're really good at moving through crowds."

"And you're really terrible at them. You should spend more time outdoors instead of cooped up inside all day, Hajin."

Hajin laughed. "True. I think Yeonha's working on that though. She said she planned to drag me out to a few more places when we got back."

"Oh yeah. There's still like a week left of break, right?"

"Mmhm... Grades still haven't come in yet either, so we can't really do too much yet." Hajin sighed. "I'm kind of worried about my ranking."

Lee blinked. "Why?"

"Well. If it's too high, I'll definitely start getting Guild offers and scouts coming my way, right? Yeonha's not going to like that."

Lee paused. "Ah. That's fair." Lee rubbed his chin and said, "You didn't make it explicit that you're taken... Well, I guess everyone in Cube knows, but not many outside of it."

"Yeah." Hajin sighed. "The guilds go off public data, and the only real thing public about me would be my ranking and the exam recordings since Yeonha was overprotective about me."

"More like a dragon coveting her hoard than simply overprotective."

"If she heard you say that, she'd definitely say something."

"And I'd say... am I wrong?"

"...Anyway." Hajin took a look around. "Help me scout a bit. Is it normal? Or are there 'those' people mixed into the crowd."

Hearing Hajin's change in tone, Lee focused.

Like Lee had seen earlier, it was mostly just the usual folks. Tourists, Heroes on vacation, and more.

But...

"...Ah. I see."

...There were a few mixed in.

People with distorted and decaying mana. Some that felt like brimstone and sulfur...

In short, Djinn.

"Hm." Lee idly swept his gaze across the crowds before murmuring, "There's at least a dozen."

Hajin's eyes widened. "A dozen? Here?"

"Yeah." Lee furrowed his brow. "What are you expecting to happen?"

If Lee was being honest, at this point he had, literally and metaphorically, lost the plot.

The only thing he remembered from the Novel's Extra at this point was that there was a major Tower that would appear at some point that gave some goodies.

But for Hajin to act like this...

'I must've forgotten more than I thought.'

That, or the Co-author was playing speedchess with plot developments.

At this point, could be both.

Hajin frowned and said, "Something is supposed to happen at a masquerade party later tonight."

Lee blinked. "...A masquerade party."

"Yeah. It's happening at a castle owned by a rich magnate around 5 P.M. Originally, Yeonha wanted to go since she was invited, but since she's not here..."

"...If you're inviting me as your partner, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am very much into girls, even if I can crossdress."

"Wh-What?! Of course not- Wait. You can crossdress?"

"Of course." Lee nodded. "Every guy should learn how to properly apply makeup at some point in their life. And it's nice to look pretty every once in a while."

"..."

"..."

"...Are you messing with me?"

"Nope. I'm still saving it to mess with Rachel one of these days."

"...Forget it." Hajin sighed. "But no. I wanted to ask since you infiltrated 'that' place." He looked up and said, "...How do you feel about pulling off another heist?"

Lee hummed, idly brushing the necklace hidden underneath his shirt. "Well. We could always use a bit more notoriety..."

===

In a hotel room in Paris, after a quick shopping spree.

Hajin gave Lee a blank stare as the guy adjusted his black suit. Specifically, Hajin stared at the white morphsuit he was wearing. "...Are you seriously going in wearing that?"

"What?" Lee shrugged. "Slenderman is a viable disguise. And it's pretty popular after the incident a few days ago. I'm sure I won't be the only one. You know rich people. They always ride a fad. Besides." He looked at Hajin, amusement clear on his face. "I'm not the one wearing Batman's cowl."

Hajin coughed. "...They didn't have Black Panther in stock."

"...I think that would have been racist, so good call."

"What? Why?"

"...Because Wakanda Forever? Also, Black Panther like, legitimately means something...?"

"It does?"

"...Oh, my poor ignorant friend. Before you go to America, remember to have Yeonha brief you."

Hajin gave Lee a weird look. But then he shrugged and started checking his loadout. "Don't plan on heading to America any time soon anyway, so it should be fine."

"You say that, but you're a walking magnet for story flags..."

"And you keep talking like you're a guy from beyond the Fourth Wall or something."

"I'm not Kim Dokja, so don't worry."

"...Who the heck is Kim Dokja?"

"Huh? You've never heard of Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint?"

"...No?"

"Wow. Missed out. Also explains why you're a terrible writer."

"..." Hajin sighed and adjusted his own suit. "Well, whatever. Are you ready though?"

Lee nodded. "You got our invites, right?"

"Hacked them in an hour ago. We just have to show up. Got a limousine arranged too."

"Great. Then we'll walk in Bruce Wayne style since you're Batman. Well, Bruce Wayne and Kent Clark? Huh. Aren't you both right now? You got the money AND the getting stronger from the sun thing."

Hajin sighed. "Is everything fictional to you, Lee?"

Lee just smirked.

Hajin rolled his eyes. "Alright." He checked his smartwatch. "It's 4:30 PM. Masquerade starts at 5 PM, but the main event will probably be around 6 PM. Let's get going."

===

Hajin was tense as he walked through the entrance with Lee.

True to Lee's thoughts, no one batted an eye at Lee despite the odd costume. And that was because there were a lot of others dressed up as Slenderman and Batman.

'I guess the Chameleon Troupe's heist was more popular than I thought.'

It made sense.

The Chameleon Troupe was usually secretive, so for them to move so boldly and openly... the upper class must have been inspired and wanted to ride off their coattails.

'If it was my story, Boss would have been annoyed by that. The others too. But...'

Hajin glanced over at Lee. Then his eyes shifted towards the necklace that Lee had hidden under his shirt. The proof of being the Seat of Black.

'...I guess this works out?'

Lee being the Seat of Black was something that Hajin never expected... but at the same time, didn't surprise him.

Although Hajin still wasn't sure exactly what or who Lee was, Hajin knew that one constant in Lee's life was making sure Rachel and Evandel were protected and secure.

And obviously, the simplest means to do so were to secure an alliance with a strong party.

Guilds wouldn't work since Rachel had her own as the heir to Britain.

But a mercenary troupe like Jeronimo, and a hidden power in the shadows like the Chameleon Troupe definitely were on the table.

Lee noticed Hajin staring and said, "What? Impressed?"

"Just realizing how ridiculous you really are."

It wasn't a lie.

Lee had definitely bootstrapped and got himself up to a level that Hajin couldn't even conceive in terms of connections and secured assets.

Hajin wasn't sure how much of that translated into pure combat ability since he'd never seen Lee go all out... but Lee was definitely skilled enough to toy around with people.

And he had survived Yeonha's dad, so...

Yeah. Ridiculous was the right word.

Lee chuckled and said, "Don't worry. If Yeonha has her way, you'll be more ridiculous than me in terms of what you have later. You'll always lose in a one-on-one fight with me, of course, but you'll have more resources at your disposal."

Hajin felt his pride ruffled a bit at that and said, "Oh yeah?"

"100%. You don't have the temperament for battle."

Hajin wanted to protest.

But then he remembered how Lee rushed into fights. How calm he was in fighting both Suho and Hajin. Then how he walked around as if daring the world to try him...

"...Okay, fair point."

After a bit more chat, the two showed their IDs to the bouncer at the front of the castle doors. Then they walked inside.

Lee rolled his neck, seeming calm. But Hajin could sense that Lee was on edge.

And Hajin didn't blame him. Because...

> Modified setting: The Djinn group, Evil Society, has identified Homer's Ring!

> Modified setting: Evil Society has decided to muster its forces en masse to acquire Homer's Ring due to the requests of their masters in order to figure out the location of relevant future Dungeons!

> Modified setting: The resistances of Djinns have been reset to the baseline of Darkness Affinity Physique, nullifying magic and mitigating physical damage!

> Modified setting: Evil Society has prepared to sacrifice a great number of their forces to have Homer's Ring! Be careful, Author!

...The co-author was directly warning him about the danger. And Hajin could see it for himself.

A casual sweep with Observation revealed that half the guests in attendance were Djinns.

Hajin came to a stop in the center of the ball room.

Lee did as well.

Hajin glanced at Lee. "Well..."

Lee looked back. "Mission start?"

"Mission-"

*BOOM*

"...Start."

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