Chapter 122
Episode 39: The Unexpectedly Useful Jet Rolls In (Part 1)
When Jin dismantled Tesing, he sent three separate tips to three different agencies.
To Bimont, he sent a tip containing the slave registry; to Zipple, one with the illegal transaction ledgers; and to Akin’s newsletter, the client list of Tesing at that time.
And in each tip, he included Jet’s name. Because of that, Jet was dragged in by investigators from both Bimont and Zipple and interrogated. Yet, thanks to Bimont’s witness protection laws, he had managed to survive until now.
Back then, Jin had hoped Jet would start a new life with his young son.
But seeing Jet show up at Tikan looking like this, Jin realized just how naïve he had been.
“I get it now. Bimont’s witness protection is far sloppier than I thought. He must have been chased by Zipple’s trackers all the way here.”
Jin didn’t feel much sympathy. In his past life, Jet had been a thug who had stabbed him in the back multiple times in Akin, and in this life, he had even tried to poison him the moment they met.
If it weren’t for Jet’s three-year-old son, Jin probably would have told Kashimir to just kick Jet out.
“Well, I suppose we should hear him out first. Bring him in.”
The burly guards dragged Jet up to Kashimir’s office.
He looked a mess—bruised and battered as if someone had beaten him all night. Dried blood crusted parts of his face.
Standing before Kashimir, Jet lowered his eyes politely, though his gaze was anxious. The guards maintained a hostile atmosphere.
Jin, meanwhile, still leaned against the window with his back turned, careful not to be recognized.
“Hmph. I thought you might be some old hand from Chilsaekjo, knowing about one of our secret bases. But you’re a complete stranger. Where the hell did you crawl out from?”
Kashimir’s tone was sharp and cold.
He was on edge, worried that internal information from Chilsaekjo might have leaked.
“I’m Jet, an information broker from Akin.”
“Akin? Then you must have worked under Tesing. Since Tesing’s gone under, I suppose you’re out of a job. How do you know about our secret base? Your life depends on your answer.”
Jet surprised Kashimir with an answer he hadn’t expected.
“…For an information broker, security is everything. I can’t reveal that until I become one of your men, Lord Kashimir.”
“You insolent fool! Who do you think you’re bluffing? Tell me the truth—how do you know about our base?”
“That’s the only bargaining chip I have to deal with you, Lord Kashimir. You can beat me to death, but I won’t tell you.”
Jet’s eyes burned with determination.
“Also, I have valuable information not only about Chilsaekjo’s secret base but about a recent case they’ve been obsessing over.”
“What?”
“Please give me a chance. If I don’t prove my worth within a month, I’ll accept whatever fate you decide for me.”
“You’re quite the stubborn one… and you even know our intelligence division is split into three grades.”
Kashimir’s expression softened slightly.
“This deal is risk-free for you. I intend to be a loyal subordinate, but if you don’t like me, you can get rid of me anytime.”
“Hmm, Gongja, what do you think? He’s suspicious, but knowing Chilsaekjo’s security details does pique my curiosity.”
Kashimir called Jin over, and Jet’s gaze shifted to him. From the moment he was dragged into the room, Jet had been watching Jin closely.
“As far as I know, the owner of Tikan is definitely the swordmaster Kashimir. But this guy, who just stares out the window in front of Kashimir… who is he?”
When Jin slowly turned around, Jet felt his heart drop.
“Y-you, you’re…!”
“Long time no see, information broker Jet. I think I gave you quite a few jewels before we parted. Where did you sell them all off to end up looking like this?”
“You con artist! What scam are you trying to pull on Lord Kashimir this time? Don’t be fooled! This man is the one who impersonated Veradin Zipple and destroyed Tesing! He’s from Bimont’s special task force!”
Jet suddenly exploded in rage.
It was understandable—he was convinced his life had fallen apart ever since meeting Jin.
Not entirely wrong, either. In his past life, Jet had been a major information broker in Akin, living a life envied by many. Though back then, he was clearly a villain.
A brief silence fell before Kashimir and Jin both chuckled.
“Gongja… haha, I didn’t know you were part of Bimont’s special task force.”
“Jet, you must have mistaken me for a special agent. Well, I can see why. But do you really think Sir Kashimir is working with me without knowing who I am?”
As soon as Jin finished speaking, Jet’s face went pale.
“Th-then… could it be that the collapse of Tesing was because Lord Kashimir sent you after me…?”
At that moment, Murakan burst into the office, slamming the door open.
“Hey! You little pest! Where’s that red book I told you to keep safe? It’s been days… huh? Who’s this guy?”
“Uh…?”
“That’s the punk who poisoned our drinks in Akin, isn’t it? Pest, what’s he doing here?”
Jet’s mind was thrown into utter chaos.
“Wait, he just called Lord Kashimir a pest and talked down to him!?”
And as far as Jet remembered, this rough, intimidating man was definitely the con artist’s subordinate.
Jet’s head spun wildly.
“Kashimir is the owner of Tikan. But this ignorant fool disrespects Kashimir. And this fool is the subordinate of the con artist. So who’s the highest-ranking person here?”
The very con artist Jet had been cursing inside.
The one Jet had to beg to hire him was none other than Jin.
With a thud, Jet nearly collapsed to his knees.
“Oh, my lord, I was such a fool back then and even now. Ha, ha. Bimont special task force? Con artist? How absurd! Please forgive this ignorant one for not understanding your true intentions!”
“Oh ho, now that’s more like the Jet I remember.”
“Oh dear, you may not know, but after leaving Akin, I went through hell! But thanks to you, I, who was nothing but a street thug, have become a hero for Akin’s public good!”
Jet’s sudden change in attitude was fueled by a welling hope, just like when he had once believed Jin was Veradin Zipple.
“I don’t know who you really are anymore! I really don’t! But you’re someone who commands Kashimir. If I join under you, my life can turn rosy again!”
“I knew you were exceptional from the start! A scion of the Zipple family, no less. Please give me a chance to prove my loyalty. I’ll serve you in any way.”
Jet’s words echoed from the underground auction where Jin had impersonated Veradin.
“Let’s forget all the hardships I suffered being deceived by you. After all, you did give me a pile of jewels when we parted. You’re not such a heartless man!”
Jet rubbed his hands together eagerly, looking up at Jin.
“Hmm, you do seem to have had a rough time. I’ll take that into consideration… So, you want to join Chilsaekjo?”
“Yes! You know from experience, Lord, that I’m quite useful. Didn’t I serve you well back in Akin?”
“Well, that’s true… You did help things go smoothly back then. Fine. If Lord Kashimir agrees, I’ll take you on as a low-ranking member of Chilsaekjo. But first, answer a few questions honestly.”
“Ask anything!”
“First, how did you come to know about Chilsaekjo’s secret base?”
“When I ran my information brokerage in Akin, I happened to get hold of a Chilsaekjo agent’s notebook. Out of curiosity, I decoded the cipher and discovered one of the secret bases.”
“Hah! You said you wouldn’t tell us even if we beat you to death, but now you’re spilling it to Gongja like it’s nothing. Are you not scared of me, but scared of Gongja?”
Though he said that, Kashimir wasn’t really angry at Jet’s confession to Jin.
What surprised Kashimir was that Jet had decoded Chilsaekjo’s cipher on his own. That was something only a truly ‘useful’ person could do.
“Alright, then. Second question—what happened to your son? You’re not telling me you sold him off somewhere while on the run, or lost him, are you?”
“You probably saw me as some lowlife thug. And, well, that’s not entirely untrue. But, Your Grace! I care deeply for my son. He’s currently at the Tikan daycare. I spent the last of my money to keep him there.”
Jett had come to Kashimir, prepared to face death, because he was certain that once the daycare period ended, he wouldn’t be able to provide for his son.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but if you were to kill me, I was hoping you might at least look after my young boy… I’ve heard you’re a man with compassion.”
Jin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
If anything had happened to Jett’s son, it would be because of her time loop—and the guilt would have been unbearable.
“Last question. If I like your answer to this one, you might just have what it takes to join the Chilsaekjo.”
“Please, ask away, Your Grace!”
“When you spoke with Lord Kashimir earlier, you mentioned having some useful information about a recent Chilsaekjo contract. What’s the nature of that intel?”
For the first time, a smile tugged at the corner of Jett’s mouth.
The contract he knew about was very likely connected to Jin.
“The target your Grace brought down… Tesing’s leader, Alu the Spiderhand. The Chilsaekjo have been digging up information on him lately. And I happen to know a bit about his past.”
Jin nodded with satisfaction.
She had just stumbled upon the key to a long-standing mystery at the most unexpected moment.