Ten minutes… Half an hour… An hour. Baek Yisoo hadn't come out. Atlas's legs were starting to go numb. The clouds covering the sky blocked even the last rays of the moon, plunging the street into near darkness.

  “This can't be,” he said anxiously. His heart was tight, his hands trembling at the thought of possibly losing Baek Yisoo. He opened the map. Seeing that Baek Yisoo was still in the building eased his tension a little. The numbness in his legs turned into painful pins and needles as he moved. He approached the back door of the inn, hesitating briefly about whether to go in. Finally, sighing, he entered through the door.

  It was warm inside, and the smells of the kitchen filled his nose. Surprisingly, he found himself in a narrow corridor. He stepped forward slowly. The corridor opened onto the main hall, and the sounds from there could still be heard, though not as loudly as before.

  When he entered the main hall, he noticed that most of the customers had left. There were only a few people at a few tables. His eyes quickly scanned the room. The table where Baek Yisoo had been sitting was empty.

  “Where is Baek Yisoo?” he muttered to himself.

  A waitress nearby looked at him. This was not the girl he had spoken to earlier; she was an older woman who looked tired.

  “Did you want something, sir?” the woman asked.

  Atlas cleared his throat. “I was looking for Baek Yisoo. He was here a moment ago.”

  The woman frowned. “Baek Yisoo? Yes, he was here, but he went upstairs.”

  “Upstairs?” Atlas looked around in surprise and saw a staircase.

  “Yes, he went upstairs,” said the woman suspiciously. “Who are you to be asking about him at this hour?”

  Atlas's heart raced. He had to save the situation. With a sudden inspiration, he put on a slight smile.

  “Me? I'm Baek Leejin. I'm his brother.”

  The expression on the woman's face changed, suspicion giving way to surprise. “His brother? I didn't know Master Baek had a brother.”

  Atlas shrugged and tried to sound a little more confident. “We haven't seen each other in a long time. We trained in different places. I stayed in Dragon Valley in the south, he went to the center.”

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  The woman still looked skeptical. Atlas, not knowing Baek Yisoo's character, thought his bluff might not work. He quickly changed his approach.

  “Do you remember the face of a brother you haven't seen in years?” he said, his voice slightly angry. “Also, is it your job to interrogate customers?”

  It seemed to work. The woman immediately backed away and bowed her head.

  “I'm sorry, sir. It's just... Master Baek usually comes here alone; we hadn't heard of a family member.”

  Atlas smiled slightly and placed his hand on the woman's shoulder.

  "It's okay. My brother was always... special. I came with big news for him, family business. Now, as you said, is he upstairs?"

  The woman looked fearfully at the hand on her shoulder and shook her head quickly. “Yes, sir. Upstairs, second room from the end. But...”

  “But?”

  “He's not alone,” the woman said, lowering her voice. “He went upstairs with one of Madam Lina's most beautiful girls from the Velvet Flower House, who is staying in the next room.

  Atlas understood. Baek Yisoo had been lured into the room by a prostitute. This both made his job easier and more difficult. With a prostitute by his side, Baek Yisoo wouldn't be on his guard. On the other hand...

  “I understand. The news is important, but it's not urgent. I can wait.” Atlas pulled up a chair, trying to look relaxed.

  “You can go upstairs if you want. You're his brother, after all,” said the woman, looking a little relieved.

  Atlas nodded. “Thanks. Maybe a little later. I'll have a drink first.”

  After the woman left, Atlas took a deep breath. He had never lied like this before. Since there weren't many people around him, he hadn't felt the need to lie. He was a straightforward person who liked to live by the truth. Maybe it was a talent of the body he was in. Or maybe this was a dream where he could shape his character as he wished.

  After making sure that the people around him weren't looking at him suspiciously, he slowly headed for the stairs. The wooden stairs creaked with every step. There was a long corridor above, with doors lining both sides. He stopped in front of the second-to-last room.

  Laughter and whispers came from inside. Atlas pressed his ear against the door. He could hear a man's voice—probably Baek Yisoo—and a woman's voice. He couldn't make out their conversation clearly, but he could tell that both of them sounded drunk and horny.

  Atlas took his gun from his inventory. Now? He would kick the door down, burst in, and shoot... Was it that simple? What about the woman? Did he have to kill her, too? The mission only targeted Baek Yisoo, but leaving a witness...

  “Damn it, this is getting really complicated,” he muttered.

  Just then, he heard footsteps coming from the other end of the corridor. He quickly opened the nearest door and jumped inside. It was a small closet. He left the door slightly ajar and peered outside.

  A young girl was walking down the hallway, carrying towels and a tray. She headed straight for Baek Yisoo's door and knocked gently.

  “Master Baek, your hot towel and drink.”

  Baek Yisoo's voice came from inside. “Come in, the door's open.”

  The girl opened the door and entered. Atlas seized the opportunity immediately. He emerged from inside the closet and quickly made his way toward the room. He paused for a moment in front of the door. The girl hadn't come out yet. He had to make a decision. He couldn't kill the girl, either; it would be too risky.

  Atlas shook his head. He would have to wait a little longer. Waiting in the hallway was too dangerous; returning to the closet was best. Just as he was about to turn back, the door opened, and the maid girl came out.

  The girl paused when she saw Atlas. “Sir?”

  Atlas spoke decisively without hesitation. “I am Baek Yisoo's brother. I have important news for him.”

  The girl was surprised but then bowed slightly. “I understand, sir. But right now... he's busy.”

  “It's urgent,” said Atlas, feigning concern in his voice. “Family business. I must see him immediately.”

  The girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I understand, sir. You can go in, but..."

  “Thank you,” said Atlas, turning toward the door before the girl could finish her sentence. He had made up his mind. As soon as the girl reached the end of the corridor, he would burst in and get it over with.

  As the maid walked away, Atlas took a deep breath. He checked his gun, feeling its weight again. The girl's footsteps faded. Atlas grabbed the doorknob and slowly turned it.

  The door creaked open, and Atlas stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, a few candles flickering. A large bed took up most of the space. Baek Yisoo sat on the bed, half-naked. Next to him was a young woman wearing a silk dress.

  Baek Yisoo raised his head as the door opened. “Hm? Who are you?”

  Atlas pointed the gun. His hand was surprisingly steady now.

  “Baek Yisoo. Your time is up.”