Chapter 239 : The Meaning of Betrayal (2)

The Meaning of Betrayal (2)

He had found the dynamite material, but Lee Gyeongbok couldn't simply rejoice.

'How am I supposed to show this?'

He knew, but the viewers didn't—he couldn't just suddenly sneak in for no reason.

He needed a natural way to get inside.

"They're handing out food now, but if we start the investigation, the suspect might run. Let's delay reinforcements until later."

Having organized his thoughts, Lee Gyeongbok spoke up.

"Rather than that, I think it'd be better to join the food distribution and investigate that way."

― Are you going to join in over there?

― Are you going to disguise yourself as a vagrant?

― Like how you blended in during the Federal Marshals infiltration?

― Oh, lol, you could just watch the guys approaching the kids?

At the response, Lee Gyeongbok shook his head.

"No, if I were to disguise myself as a vagrant, I'd have to hide all my equipment somewhere. It's better to help hand out the food."

― Oh, right, lol

― If a vagrant is walking around fully armed, that's just too weird~

― The cops might arrest you instead, lol

― For real, that's way too suspicious

― Wise Chu

Between the investigators and nuns distributing food, Lee Gyeongbok searched for the oldest person present.

"Hello, sister."

"Oh, hello. Excuse me, but what brings you here...?"

"I just think you're doing something really good here. I wanted to help."

The nun gave a bright smile at that, but she didn't immediately accept.

"That's a truly admirable decision. However, I'm so sorry but could you prove your identity? Unfortunately, there are sometimes people who try to steal food..."

"Oh, that's alright. I work at the Preston Detective Agency."

Lee Gyeongbok produced his badge. The nun's eyes widened in surprise.

"My goodness! Working for justice and now volunteering too—you're truly blessed!"

"You flatter me."

Lee Gyeongbok replied modestly, then glanced at the remaining food. There wasn't much left compared to the people in line.

"If you're a detective, you must be strong, right? Please, come this way."

The nun led him toward the storage room.

'Just as I thought.'

As things played out as expected, Lee Gyeongbok smiled inwardly. He'd already figured out the food shortage using his divine energy.

The nun opened the basement door and carefully descended.

― So this is the food storage, huh

― Is that flour?

― Wow, look at how fresh those fruits are, lol

― You should keep fruit in a cool place, lol

― Westerners in those days seem to eat better than me?

― Seriously, fruit is way too expensive in our country

She handed him a sack.

"Just pack a reasonable amount of fruit, please."

"Yes, understood."

Lee Gyeongbok took the sack and, once her eyes turned away, discreetly opened one of the inner boxes.

Inside, it was full of fruit.

"Oh, not that one. That's the most recent shipment. We need to take from the older ones first so nothing spoils."

The nun, hearing the noise, approached and spoke.

― Of course, fIFO is a national rule

― Perfect so far, but slips up here, lol

― Showing that human side again?

― Is this the so-called "personality god" thing?

Just as viewers were about to tease him, Lee Gyeongbok adopted a deliberately stiff expression and reached into the fruit.

As question marks flooded the chat, his hand came back up. But it wasn't holding fruit.

-??????????

― What is this, a magic trick?

― What the heck is happening!?

― Why is there dynamite, wTF

― People in the western era must eat dynamite as a staple food, lol

― Oh, so dynamite is like rice cake for the Wild West

― If you grill that over a fire, it'll kill you (literally kill you)

― What kind of nonsense is this, lol

To the confused viewers, Lee Gyeongbok explained:

"I saw a foreign object among the fruit and pulled it out, and there's not just one."

― Wow, how could you see that?

― It's dark down there, but he still saw it, lol

― Eyes! Those eyes!

― The Perfect-Eye did it again?

― But if it's like this, wasn't it an intentional 'mistake'?

― A mistake that turns into success—that's Perfect-Common Sense, right?

― When it's that implausible, it has to be Perfect-Common Sense, lol

As the viewers were in awe, Lee Gyeongbok felt a change.

"A cutscene? Finding the dynamite must have been the condition."

Alex showed the dynamite to the nun. She recoiled in shock and asked,

"W-what is that?!"

"That's what I'd like to know. Why is dynamite hidden inside the fruit?"

"In the fruit?!"

The nun shook her head, unable to comprehend.

"No, I... how could..."

"Sister, where did this box come from?"

"It was a donation."

"Who donated it?"

"I don't know. It was an anonymous donation. But why..."

Alex grabbed the flustered nun. The startled nun's eyes fixed on him.

"Sister, this is really important. Who brought the box?"

"The coachman—the coachman brought it on a cart. Now that I think about it, he personally delivered all the other boxes too... He seemed like such a kind man..."

The viewers were able to piece together the situation.

― The gang bastards tricked the good nun

― They knew no one would be watching the church!

― The nun must be really shocked

― If he carried it himself, the coachman must be a gang member, right?

― Yeah, he just pretended to be nice so he wouldn't get caught

Meanwhile, Lee Gyeongbok sensed another threat.

'This is the vibe of a villain.'

And just then, a voice came from above.

"So many people in need of help today, as always..."

A burly coachman, holding a box and coming down the stairs, stopped mid-sentence. Upon seeing Alex and the nun, he immediately dropped his smile. His gaze locked on the dynamite in Alex's hand, and his expression changed instantly.

"Shit."

With a low curse, he threw the box down. Alex quickly grabbed the nun and leaped aside.

"Are you all right?!"

"Y-yes..."

She was so shocked she couldn't speak properly, but she didn't seem injured.

Alex checked on the nun's safety and immediately headed up the stairs. The coachman was already running for the exit.

As Alex started to chase, the cutscene ended.

― Not just a clue, but the culprit shows up?

― Whoa, look—he shows his true colors right away

― His expression and tone totally change, wTF

― You're dead now, lol

The chat was lit with excitement. They were all certain Lee Gyeongbok wouldn't let the coachman escape.

Just then, the coachman turned and fired his gun, without even properly aiming—the bullets flew wide.

"What, what's happening?!"

"Aaaaaah!"

"A gun!"

"Run!"

The vagrants awaiting food panicked and tangled with each other at the sound of gunfire.

The viewers groaned at the chaos.

― Wow, blocking the path like this

― C'mon!

― Total mayhem, holy crap

― You're gonna lose him like this!

But Lee Gyeongbok didn't slow down. In fact, he sped up, dashing right through the panicking crowd.

― Wow, lol, is he really doing that?

― Insane, so fast, lol

― He moves through so smoothly—is he an eel?

― Perfect-Eel, what's that, lol

― Turns out what looked like a miss was actually a heroic moment?

― Feels like watching peak Jackie Chan action, lol

The people weren't an obstacle at all. Not only did Lee Gyeongbok slip through them, but he even leapt off people's backs as a springboard.

"You son of a—!"

The relieved coachman turned in shock when he saw the pursuit hadn't ended. But then he grinned triumphantly.

― He's gonna get on the tram, isn't he?

― Come on... that's too much!

― Roc&Roll punks, so jealous!

― Is the only option to let him get away?

― This should have been a cutscene if so

The coachman, now aboard a moving tram, smirked at Lee Gyeongbok. No matter how good Lee Gyeongbok was, he couldn't outrun a tram.

Still, he didn't give up.

"Exactly. If it's not a cutscene, it means I can do it."

With that, Lee Gyeongbok kept running—not after the tram, but dashing into an alleyway between buildings.

― What?

― Is he really going to cut through the buildings and catch up?

― C'mon, just look at the minimap!

― Hyung! It's blocked over there! That's not a path!

Despite the chat's warnings, Lee Gyeongbok never stopped. The alley ended in a high wall, but he used his momentum to vault off it, parkouring between the building walls.

"If you can go, it's a path."

He scaled the wall and dashed out the other side. The chat exploded in admiration.

― Only for Godple, not for regular mortals

― So true, lol

― Just because it doesn't show up on the minimap doesn't mean it's not a path—don't be prejudiced like that!

― Ignoring the system? That's just Godple as usual (soaked)

― Don't trust the minimap! Trust Godple!

― Wow, now he's gonna catch the tram!

The mood in the chat had completely turned. As Lee Gyeongbok emerged from the alley, the returning tram came into view.

He casually took out a lasso.

― Look at the gang bastard staring out the back, lol

― Nope, it's not there—you're already caught~

― Now I know what the chapter title meant, lol

-'Betrayal' meant getting stabbed in the back?

― And that backstab was the checkmate, huh lol

The coachman was watching behind the tram and couldn't dodge the suddenly flying lasso.

"Urk..."

Lee Gyeongbok approached the fallen coachman. He'd tumbled off the tram and seemed badly shaken.

Viewers burst out laughing at his pained, bewildered face.

― Is this like a pumpkin rolling into your lap?

― Given how ugly he is, must be, lol

-???: You're under arrest.

― What's with the Crime City joke, lol

― Yes, justice is served!

Lee Gyeongbok grinned at the chat.

He tied up the coachman and hauled him to his feet.

"Let's head back to the agency."

* * *

As soon as they returned to the agency, a cutscene began.

The door opened and Alex entered, bringing in the captured outlaw.

Everyone's attention turned to them. From the receptionist to the detectives, all stared as Alan came running up.

"My goodness! You really did succeed in capturing him alive!"

He burst out laughing at Alex.

"Amazing, really amazing! Honestly, what I heard sounded exaggerated, but now I see you were selling yourself short!"

The chat responded instantly.

― Why does Alan suddenly feel friendly—just me?

― That's exactly how we feel watching Godple

― For real, it's like getting into Q-tube videos and then watching the live stream

― You have to see Godple yourself to appreciate how awesome he is

― Seriously, are there Troopers inside the AI? lol

― If there's no mad scientist, then? If I'm not a brain in a vat?

Alex, in contrast, remained stoic.

"All I thought was that I couldn't let him get away."

"You're truly a model detective. Really, well done!"

"What about the composite sketches?"

Other detectives took custody of the coachman. At that question, alan grinned.

"Oh, no worries. It's all ready just in time. Let's go."

Even as they walked together, alan couldn't stop smiling.

"Since you arrived, everything has been running smoothly. The cruel fate of these outlaws is almost at hand!"

"I hope so."

"It will. It definitely will. Oh, and Light's memory is amazing. Not just the boss, but she identified two others who were with him—three composite sketches in all."

― Oh? Three composite sketches?

― Light-nuna really is smart, lol

― If it's three, they've basically got the whole gang, lol

― Time for revenge!

Both the viewers and Alex were surprised at Alan's words.

"Three?"

"Strictly speaking, four. But didn't we already capture the big guy? Didn't expect him to kill himself, though."

Alan shook his head bitterly and opened the door. Light, who'd been gazing at the desk, turned to them.

"Alex! I heard everything, I'm so glad you're safe."

She confirmed Alex's safety and then gave a wry smile.

"Compared to what you did, drawing these sketches was nothing."

"Oh, don't say that. Both of you are amazing! Come on, take a look. See how detailed these are?"

Alan waved his hand and gestured to the desk. Alex stood next to Light to check the sketches.

― What's this?

― Why can't we see them?!

― Surely they're not ending the chapter here?

― How could it end already, come on

Oddly, the cutscene only showed Alex's face. After scanning the sketches, his face hardened.

With trembling pupils, alex grabbed one of the sketches. His hand shook as much as his eyes.

"Alex?"

"What's wrong?"

The two asked in confusion, but Alex didn't even look at them as he spoke.

"... Is this really supposed to be the boss of the Hired Gun?"

At that, light frowned.

"I checked several times. That's the face. Are you saying you still don't trust me?"

She asked, sounding offended. Alex let out a deep sigh.

― What? What is it!

― This feels serious

― Is something big coming?

― Does this connect to betrayal, maybe?

― Wait, could Jerry really be...?

― No, there's no way

As the chat erupted, alex spoke again.

"Looks like you were deceived too."

"I was deceived?"

"Deceived? What do you mean?"

The others, and the chat, were full of question marks. Instead of answering, alex turned to Alan.

"Where do you keep the composite sketches?"

"Over here, on this shelf."

Alex moved to the indicated shelf. After checking the labels, he pulled out another sketch.

He showed the two sketches to the others.

"No way..."

"What is this?!"

Their horrified reactions filled the screen.

Finally, the two sketches were revealed.

"Huh?"

― Whoa?

― What is this? Same person?

― Just the difference is a beard?

― The hair length is off, lol

― What, is this a spot-the-difference game?

― But why are there two almost identical sketches?

Lee Gyeongbok, as well as the viewers, were baffled. The answer came immediately.

"This sketch is based on my testimony."

Alex spoke with suppressed emotion.

"The Safe Shifter gang member who disguised himself as a Federal Marshal and approached me at that time..."

Perhaps recalling that incident,

Bloodshot appeared in Alex's eyes.

"The guy who called himself 'Romwell'."

At that, the chat exploded.

― Holy crap...

― What a twist!

― How is this happening?

― My head—so many betrayals

–The Roc&Roll gang deserves the honorary Genome-Kicker title

― What's a Genome-Kicker, now, lol

― What, is this like a Ballon d'Or? lol

–Backstab-d'Or Genome-Kicker, lol

It wasn't just the viewers who were stunned.

"No, that doesn't make sense! He said he was the Hired Gun boss! And the others confirmed it too!"

Light protested. She wasn't in a situation to lie.

"Light's right. Alex, light recognized the big guy, didn't she? There's no doubt she met the Hired Gun gang."

Alan voiced his confusion. Alex took a deep breath to calm himself.

"I thought the same. But for the boss of Hired Gun to attack his own gang—there's just no way. There's only one possibility left..."

He stacked the two sketches atop each other.

"These three, including Romwell, lied to Light. They're all in cahoots. Romwell belonged to both the Hired Gun and Safe Shifter gangs."

"In that case...!"

Alan's eyes went wide.

"These three in the sketches, and the dead big guy Johnny as well."

Alex nodded.

"They're the traitors who sold out the Hired Gun gang to the Safe Shifters."

With that, both Lee Gyeongbok and the viewers realized.

"Wow... so that's what the chapter title meant."

― Oh, it fits! lol

― Right, that was the point of the chapter title, wasn't it?

-???: This is betrayal!

― The traitors' identities are out!

― This is awesome, lol

Lee Gyeongbok recalled something further.

There was an overlap: the Hired Gun and Safe Shifter gangs—their targets for revenge.

In other words.

"So if we catch these three, we might be able to take down both gangs at once?"

It meant they held all the information on both sides.

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