The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 189 Aftermath (4)

With the Attack exams near, Vikir came for a part-time job interview. Sinclaire, having heard about Vikir’s situation, decided to take him to the manager’s office right away.

Vikir quietly pondered to himself, ‘It’s not the right time to use CindiWendy’s resources yet. I should wait until ‘that moment’ arrives before establishing any connection. Her substantial resources are meant for a very critical moment. Revealing our connection prematurely is risky as it might lead to the exposure of our agents.’

“Shouldn’t we keep some hidden cards for the Bourgeois family?” Vikir muttered quietly.

At this, Sinclaire, who had been walking a bit ahead, turned her head with an odd expression and asked, “Vikir, what did you just say?”

“Oh, it was nothing,” Vikir replied.

“Really? Did I mishear you?” Sinclaire asked.

Vikir realized Sinclaire was a brave student who didn’t give in to peer pressure. She believed that if there was a wall, it could be easily broken through.

Back to their previous conversation, Sinclaire enthusiastically explained the benefits of working in the café to Vikir.

She mentioned the low hourly wage but emphasized that it was a comfortable job, free from trouble, and you could even make yourself something to eat from the leftover ingredients if you wanted.

The café was close to the dormitory and lecture halls, and it was relatively empty in the evenings, making it suitable for personal study, though not for napping.

Sinclaire ended her enthusiastic speech by saying, “And most importantly, the uniform is really cute.”

Vikir was tempted by the offer but was firmly rejected. Sinclaire tried to convince the café owner, Pringles, to hire Vikir by pointing out his handsome appearance, but Pringles remained steadfast in his belief that only female staff should be hired, claiming that women’s meticulous and delicate hands were essential for making the best coffee.

Sinclaire was not one to back down from a challenge. She decided to try and break the wall with a weapon even stronger than a concrete wall—Vikir’s looks.

“But sir, just look at how handsome my Big brother is!” Sinclaire proclaimed, as she reached out and styled Vikir’s hair, revealing his handsome face.

At this, Pringles stroked his beard and changed his stance, offering Vikir a job with a three-month probation period, where he would be paid 70% of the hourly wage. Sinclaire was elated and mentioned that the café usually didn’t hire male staff, but Pringles had made an exception.

However, Vikir declined the offer, mentioning that he didn’t have the time to work part-time with such a low wage, and he was already planning to hunt monsters during the upcoming break.

Sinclaire didn’t give up easily and tried to convince Pringles to hire Vikir without a probation period, but Vikir once again declined the offer, and Pringles suddenly regretted his decision to hire only female staff.

Vikir remained resolute in refusing the various offers from Pringles, who desperately tried to persuade him to work at the café, even doubling the hourly wage, but to no avail.

Sinclaire did her best to intervene, but Vikir’s decision was final, as he had other plans for earning money.

Disappointed, Sinclaire realized that most part-time jobs in the area preferred female workers, whether it was in a café, theater, or bookstore.

“Wouldn’t it be okay to try working here? It might not be so bad,” Bianca suggested, her expression surprisingly serious.

But Vikir shook his head and replied, “It’s okay. I already have another part-time job in mind.”

Sinclaire’s eyes widened in curiosity, but Vikir chose not to reveal the part-time job he had in mind, keeping his real motive for wanting to earn money a secret.

Just then, Dolores, who had been waiting at the table while eating her parfait, suddenly stood up in alarm, holding a newspaper that an owl had thrown through the café window.

[Breaking News] Night Hound Strikes Again! The Unknowable End! – The worst villain in history, ‘Night Hound,’ strikes again. Early this morning, students from the Varangian Academy on a field trip to Venetior were attacked by the Night Hound, resulting in significant casualties… Thirty were injured, including Major [Name], the commander of Varangian’s Military Academy… On the other hand, it has been revealed that the Night Hound had a different initial objective and engaged in conflict with the brave Varangian students who noticed the suspicious figure… Furthermore, no fingerprints were found on the only piece of evidence left at the scene, a shattered vodka bottle…

Dolores appeared shaken as she read the news, her hands trembling.

“Could it be another ‘Immitator’!?”

‘WHAT!’

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ㅇㅇ(Cold Department, 1st Year): Whoa, it seems like the Varangian kids got hit…

ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 2nd Year): Seriously, it felt safe inside the Academy until now… It doesn’t feel the same when our peers are affected.

↳ ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 1st Year): These days, I’m too scared to walk the streets at night…

ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 1st Year): Really, that criminal need to be arrested quickly.ㅠㅠㅠ

ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 2nd Year): Wow, it’s kind of cool, even though he’s a villain.

↳ ㅇㅇ(Cold Department, 1st Year): This guy is insane…

↳ ㅇㅇ(Cold Department, 1st Year): Is he a psychopath???

↳ ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 3rd Year): This guy needs a psychological evaluation, seriouslyㅋㅋ

↳ ㅇㅇ(Cold Department, 1st Year): But there are quite a few Night Hound fans in the Academy, surprisingly.

↳ ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 2nd Year): Yeah, it’s an anonymous forum, so people are freely expressing their views; be careful not to reveal your identity.ㅡㅡ

ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 3rd Year): I’m a Night Hound fan! I support him! Ring the alarm in this rotten society!!

↳ ㅇㅇ(Hot Department, 2nd Year): Royal Guards, we need you here!!!!

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Dolores grew angry as she read the newspaper.

“This isn’t the work of the Night Hound! Someone is imitating him! A real villain!”

She quickly got up from her seat and approached Vikir, Sinclare, and Bianca.

“Sorry, guys. Something urgent came up, and I think I need to go. Let’s talk about the attack exam later.”

“Yes, President.”

Sinclare and Bianca nodded obediently.

Meanwhile, Vikir was slightly impressed by Dolores’s keen observation.

‘Did she notice that it’s the work of an imitator? Impressive.’

Vikir also read the newspaper article Dolores left behind.

It seemed like some lunatic was running around causing havoc outside.

“No, not just one, but two?”

Two imitators. One had become less active recently, while the other continued to rampage.

And now, with the increased attention, Vikir’s situation had both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages were that his alibi became even stronger, the investigation got more confusing, and if things went well, he could shift his own crimes onto the imitator.

But there was one significant drawback that couldn’t be overshadowed by these advantages.

“Being a Night Hound now is going to get even more challenging with tighter security.”

This would mean potential disruptions in assassinations.

As the social elite became more cautious, the number of security personnel would increase.

“…”

Vikir quietly made up his mind.

If possible, he’d go after the imitators, the knock-off Night Hounds, right after the attack exam tomorrow.

He had to find a part-time job, study, take the exam, go on assassination missions, and eliminate the imitators… Vikir’s college life was incredibly hectic.