CHAPTER 223

MUNCH.

After taking a bite of the sandwich, Jin flaunted how delicious it was with his loud chewing. Before Julien could respond, Kuzan spoke.

"It probably isn't loyalty."

"What?"

"Apart from the other hunting dogs, Joshua didn't act upon loyalty. He was scared of him. He would shudder even from hearing his voice."

After Kuzan's explanation, Julien shouted through gritted teeth.

"You shut your mouth, Kuzan!"

"Am I wrong? We followed him because of vengeance, and you obeyed because of fear. Well, in the end, none of it mattered."

"I said shut up!"

"If you want to live, I think cooperation is in your best interests."

Julien's pupils trembled. It was clear he was holding in his humiliation and anger.

"Well, fearing the owner isn't anything to be embarrassed of."

Jin calmed Julien down.

"I'm going to say this again, but don't think about retaliating as soon as these chains get off. You don't want to know people scarier than Joshua. Let's eat first."

Grumble…

Julien and Kuzan's stomach rumbled.

They ate without speaking for a bit. Julien constantly glanced at Jin and Alisa, especially Jin.

He had vague memories of when he became the vessel for Peitel's descent, so he knew how much of a monster he was.

And in all of those memories, it was Jin destroying Peitel. He especially felt it since it was his physical body that took most of the shock.

'So it's fear instead of loyalty, eh? This might be easier than I thought.'

Controlling a coward was easy. 

Either he had to get rid of the source of fear, use more fear, or help them overcome the fear.

The first was a little hard, and the third required time and effort. Jin could instantly make the decision since he didn't have much attachment to Julien.

"Seems like you're done eating. Let's get right down to business. Julien, I am Jin Runcandel, the youngest brother of the dogshit boss that you obeyed, as well as Solderet's contractor. This is the Free City of Tikan, my crew's base."

Cough, cough!

Jin Runcandel.

As soon as he heard the name, Julien got the sandwich stuck in his throat. He couldn't tell since he had been busy fighting Murakan.

He knew what 'Jin Runcandel' meant to Joshua.

Jin passed a glass of water to Julien and continued.

"There's no other reason I'm telling you all of this. I want us to get along, but if we can't, then you'll witness the end of your little life. That is all, understood?"

Julien nodded slowly.

But it wasn't out of his own volition. Alisa held his nape and forced him to do so.

"Perfect, I like it. First question, why did you gather at that island at that specific moment?"

Unlike Kuzan, Julien hadn't cleared his mind about Joshua. He only stared at the ground. Kuzan got impatient and answered for him.

"We went to the island to strengthen and sharpen Julien's skills under Joshua's orders. Joshua got a little competitive after hearing about Vamel. Well, we knew that mysterious figure was you at that point."

"Looks like there's a way to enhance the contract with Peitel through Graham's grave. Was this figured out through Julien's connection with Peitel?"

"Not at all. Julien had been under Joshua longer than us. Apparently, he's been going there ever since. Joshua told us about it."

"So he already had some information about Peitel's contractor. He also knew how to enhance the god-given abilities…"

"I apologize, but I do not know anything else. You'll need to hear it from Julien to get more information."

Jin turned his head toward the person in question. 

"I've got something to tell you, regarding that island. In that place, I killed your master."

"…Lord Joshua is… dead?"

Julien's eyes quivered in fear.

"Yep. He used the Runcandel's suicidal Decisive Killing Move, and you almost died in the process. I guess he didn't really care if you died or not. I only brought you because I had some questions to ask."

Silence covered the room, but then…

Julien laughed.

Just from what Jin said, Julien understood the entire situation.

"Why do you laugh? Is it because you haven't seen his corpse?"

Jin tossed the newspaper in front of Julien. On it, Joshua's attendance during the Schucheron Kingdom ceremony.

"I saw him burn to death with my very own eyes. However, he looked to be the picture of health here… It seems like you might know something about this."

Checking the dates, Julien then met eyes with Jin.

"So… I was merely Lord Joshua's toy."

"What do you mean?"

Jin's eyes sparkled.

"In such a situation, I guess he didn't need me at all since Solderet's contractor appeared right in front of him."

"Ah, I get it. If Joshua couldn't obtain my powers, he would've taken yours. Am I wrong?"

Julien didn't respond. He trembled while gripping his fists.

Just as Jin predicted, Julien was only a substitute. In the case where Joshua couldn't steal Jin's contract.

And in Joshua's multiple hideouts, he had more of these contractors ready to go.

So, on the island, Joshua didn't really care about Julien. He decided the chance to get rid of Jin once and for all was more important.

However, with Garmund's entrance, he chose to suicide at the brink of death. He didn't care if Julien became collateral.

Getting rid of Jin was the higher priority for Joshua.

"How in the world would he steal the contract? Reappearing after his death at the island as well, he has to be using some dark magic in the shadows. It'd be great if you can provide some insight upon my theories."

"…If I tell you everything I know, can you guarantee my safety?"

Julien struck a deal.

He didn't want to be saved, but protected. Noticing this difference, Jin nodded.

"As long as what you speak is valuable."

"There is a woman called the prophet."

Kuzan was completely unaware of this.

"Prophet?"

"Joshua's most trusted confidante. I have only met her twice, but it seems that all of his decisions are based on her little fortunes. Graham's grave and strengthening my abilities, it was all her."

"What is she?"

"A monster who always obeys Joshua."

"A monster, you say… Is she that strong?"

"No, I don't know much about her skills in combat. I call her a monster because she is most definitely not a human.You said Joshua died on the island? That must've been the duplicate the woman created."

Jin smiled with satisfaction.

From the very start, he obtained solid information that verified his theories. 

But hearing that Joshua had been duplicated, Jin was pretty shocked.

"Do you know how she duplicates Joshua?"

"I only know that it requires a lot of people."

"What…?"

"They're using Huphester's death row criminals. If they are sent to the prophet, a new body is formed. And Joshua used these extras to deal with henchmen like me. It was in order to keep the contractors from acting up."

Now he understood why Joshua came to the island.

He was stationed there to keep an eye on Julien.

And after seeing all of the lightning around the island, he thought it was a rampage instead of an Incarnation. In a lucky turn of events, he encountered Jin.

'That crazy bastard. He sent himself since he couldn't send any knights.'

Jin gripped his forehead and shook his head in disapproval.

He felt disgusted that he mercilessly used human life to fuel his own strategies, even if they were death row prisoners.

"Whew, I'm sure he didn't just use her for duplication. Do you know how many exist?"

"Don't know. I remember he lost one while trying to keep another contractor in check."

Which meant that multiple clones existed.

Just as Julien said, this woman was indeed a monster.

"I think it's worth finding out if this person is actually human or not. I'm sure the method of taking a contract was also taught by this entity."

In reality, Joshua was in the 'ingredient gathering' phase, but neither Jin nor Julien knew this.

"However, it seems like you knew Joshua would steal your contract if he failed to take mine. Why haven't you left him before that? Too scared?"

"Do you think, with his army, escaping Huphester is even possible?"

"Not impossible. Since you're not an ordinary person, but a contractor. If you reported yourself to Zipfel, they would've swiftly taken you away. Joshua couldn't do anything at that point."

Since Julien wasn't officially part of Runcandel, that meant Joshua couldn't lay a finger on him if he went to Zipfel.

"Maybe your family?"

"My guardian dragon. No family. They all died by Joshua's hand. My entire village as well."

And yet he continued to follow orders, without any vengeful thoughts.

Jin didn't even dare to ask.

Because in his past life, he knew how it felt to live beneath fear every single day.

And most never prevailed over this fear.

Thankfully, Jin realized that it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Thanks to his past life, he had already learned this.

"I bet I look pathetic. That's why Beris always cursed at me. But, Jin Runcandel, I'm sure this was sufficient information, so keep your promise."

"It's not hard to keep you safe. As long as you stay in this city, nothing will happen. But it doesn't look like you want to simply stay put."

"Damn right. Please, rescue my guardian dragon from Joshua. Without them, my life is meaningless."

Without hesitation, Jin shook his head.

"I'll give you an opportunity, so do it yourself."