Protagonist Knows Everything

Chapter 5: I bet only to Win - 2

What are you talking about?

See the party sitting over there? They just came in.

Dirk looked towards me and nodded.

Kate and I dont know the other one.

Thats pretty good. Kate was a C-class adventurer. The fact that a big-shot like Dirk memorized the name of a C-class adventurer meant he was somewhat competent. In a way.

I nodded and said.

The other one is called Eris.

People believe they share a strong bond, like a family.

Dirks eyes narrowed. He seemed to think that I was treating him as a child, maybe that displeased him.

After a while, he spoke.

I remember hearing that.

I think its a lie.

Lie?,

Look, you dont have talent, unlike Sain or me.

Then theres no harm in trying.

Fine.

Kate keeps partying with Eris even though shes dead weight, why do you think she does that?

Of course, to receive high-level quests.

When adventurers organize a party, they can receive high-level quests, higher than their average rank will allow.

However, if that were her only motive then theres no need to play all nice with Eris.

There was another thing Kate was aiming for.

Exclusive contract.

Adventurers are freelancers.

However, if they go up to class B or even higher, they will achieve the basic conditions for signing an exclusive contract with a guild.

The guild pays money each month in the form of a monthly salary and binds them to quests exclusive to their guild because the number of adventurers B-rank or higher is really low.

That fixed salary. That mustve been Kates motive.

Please offer Kate an exclusive contract.

And say its only for Kate.

If Kate abandons Eris and accepts the offer, wouldnt it be proven? That the relationship between the two wasnt as strong as the rumors suggested.

Dirk pondered for a moment, I am a man of my word the only thing is that

She is still a C-class.

You can say that there was an error later, right?

No, the guilds reputation will be tarnished.

Whats in it for me though?

If Kate says she wont accept the contract without Eris, then for sure Ill admit that your skills are way superior and voluntarily join the Wyvern Guild.

Dirk laughed.Your f𝒂vorite stories on 𝒏ov𝒆lb𝒊n(.)c𝒐m

Why would I go that far to hire a general receptionist?

Its not just me. I come with a good gift.

A good gift?

You have a nephew, right? Ill buy you a congratulatory gift.

Dirk tilted his head, not understanding what I was saying.

In the meantime, I checked his information.

[Family Relations: Sister-Luna Wilson. Nephew-Keira Wilson (born 2 weeks ago)]

Huh!

Dirk suddenly got up. His face was hardened with surprise.

How did you know?

Thats none of your concern.

My younger sister married a feudal lord.

Their place is 2 weeks from here on the carriage.

She was in critical condition while giving birth. Its only this morning that I was delivered the news about my nephew! How do you know about it?!

I said that as a fluke but coincidentally he actually had a nephew.

I shrugged once and answered.

You need a good intelligence network to perform such feats.

I have confidential information regarding the Hagnut Guild. If I lose the bet, I will bring that in as a congratulatory gift.

Dirk seemed a bit overwhelmed. I dont know why but this guy, or maybe the Wyvern Guild, was very wary of the Hagnut Guild. Wary enough to scout me, as a new employee.

After a while, Dirk spoke.

Taylor Mason.

Dont call me by my full name. It feels weird.

A month ago, when the two of them took a quest from our guild, I was next to them.

He spoke in a confident tone.

That quest failed. I heard that Eris made a mistake. As always.

Hmm.

Do you know what the first thing was that Kate did after reporting the quest failure?

She said sorry to Eris. As the party leader, she was apologizing for failing the quest.

Okay. Thats great. But I dont think you were curious about Eriss mistake. This was a well-known trick.

When a team member makes a mistake, the leader apologizes in their stead, then the leader is highly praised for his generosity and a strong sense of responsibility This is a technique often used by people in corporate jobs.

Then Dirk said, I accept the bet.

With a serious tone, I replied, If I win, youll have to answer my questions.

Dirk replied, frowning.

What do you want to know?

Why is your guild so cautious about the Hagnut guild?

Its weird, no matter how you look at it, the Wyvern guild shouldnt be this cautious of a small guild such as the Hagnut guild.

Dirk nodded with hesitation.

Good. Ill tell you as much as I can.

Fair enough.

Dirk slowly got up from his seat. Then he began approaching Kate and Eriss table.

Meanwhile, the waiter put my order on the table.

I couldnt even serve food, the atmosphere was so tense. What happened?

I grabbed my drink and muttered, No popcorn?

Huh?

Nothing.

An interesting situation is about to unfold, lets pay attention. The show was spectacular.

Shortly after Dirk approached Kates table, the base acting began.

Leave Eris?!

Eris rolled her eyes in anxiety.

Dirk asked one more time as a courtesy.

I may seem rude, but Ms.Eris is not eligible to accept the contract.

If you cant, then I wont force you. Both of you are a family after all. If you dont want to accept then thats fine

Perhaps Dirk thought he won. He turned confidently.

And the next moment Kate grabbed his sleeve.

Okay, wait. Why did you turn around so quickly?

Huh? You just said that youve been together for years and are a family now.

Thats just

Kate looked at Eris for a moment and said.

I will accept it.

Dirks expression changed.

They got busy in a conversation, but I kept looking at Eris rather than the leading actors.

No. In a waythe main character.

Dirk said in a surprised voice.

You are accepting it? Eris is not allowed to accept the contract you know?.

I know.

But youve been together for so long.

But I cant handle it anymore!

She looked straight at Eris and spoke in a harsh tone.

Do you know how much this child has troubled me?

She can do nothing right! Even in quests, she keeps making mistakes!

With that tears began to form in Eris eyes.

Ka.., Ms. Kate. I am

Staying with you was the most uncomfortable time of my life.

The only reason I stayed with you was to get an exclusive contract.

Kate said that with an expression full of relief.

Im going to accept it on my own. Leaving you is a benefit.

Ms. Kate

Its only rational to cut-off the deadweight

Eris couldnt stand it and covered her face, as she started sobbing.

While biting her lips, she said in a trembling voice.

Kate. Ill do better. Please dont leave me.

Shut up. I have already decided.

Ms. Kate

Mr. Dirk. When should I sign the contract?

Kate had already lost interest in Eris.

When asked, Dirk responded with great embarrassment.

Well, um. So wait a minute.

He stepped back and came toward me as if he was running away. And he said in a child-like voice.

I lost.

But after that, his tone came back.

Nothing is better than the hopeless face of your enemy.

Of course, I had to pretend to be sad, so I replied with a sad voice.

Actually, I was also doubtful. Im sorry for this.

Dont lie. Whats so doubtful about them?

Because the two are famous among the adventurers, I got fooled. How did you know?

I just smiled.

As long as Im the winner, I dont need to answer any of your questions.

Now as we agreed.

Keep your promise. Why is the Wyvern Guild so interested in the Hagnut Guild?

I will tell you later. First of all, I have to clear the situation

Just wait, I dont go back on my word.

Dirk said while nodding his head.

You might not have noticed but we have a lot of eyes looking at us.

First of all, Ill take Kate to the Wyvern Guild as it is. After that, Ill figure something out. You please comfort Ms. Eris.

She buried her face on the table while sobbing.

I replied.

Yeah. Ill take care of her.

Well then. See you later.

Dirk turned and approached Kate, and they started to whisper something.

Kates face lit up at once, he mustve asked her to go to the Wyvern Guild to sign her contract.

Kate got up and said, Ill go. Bye.

Eris was still sobbing.

Eris, you have no talent to be an adventurer, take my advice and find a different job.

Coming here was worthwhile.

Dirk and Kate exited the adventurers bar together.

After that, the adventurers around us who had been holding their breaths relaxed a bit.

Then their discussion started.

Wow. I saw a really rare scene today.

So thats how it was? Those two.

Kate, I havent seen her like that before

Poor Ms. Eris, someone go and talk to her.

Oops.

You cant. No one is allowed to interrupt us.

Now then, the time I was waiting for. I got up and approached Eris. She didnt even know I was approaching, and she was still crying with her head on the table.

I sat down across her and whispered.

Pretending to cry is hard, right? Ms. Eris.

After that, all of a sudden, her weeping stopped.

Did I startle you with my reaction?

I was hoping for a fresh response, but her next move was well within my expectations.

With her resentful eyes, she held her head up and hissed at me.

Its you!!

I saw you with Mr. Dirk earlier. Because of you two, Ms. Kate changed so much. Why did you do that?

I replied while laughing.

For fun.

What part of it was so funny?

Your acting. Mr. Eris.

Or should I say

A-class adventurer, Ms. Kasha Flame.