I Don't Need To Log Out

Chapter 168 Trap

"We need to move now. Where did they go?" Leon asked, scanning the area with a hint of urgency.

"June said they'll come on their own," Lei replied.

She had used the system's chat function to send a message, explaining that they had something to take care of and would meet up at the next location by themselves.

It wasn't an unusual decision, but it still left a moment of uncertainty.

Arlon had only taken June and Nyx with him, leaving "Arlon the guide" still present with the group. Without delay, he stepped toward Leon and leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

After a brief exchange, Leon let out a sigh and rubbed the back of his neck. "I see... I get it now." He glanced at the others, then nodded. "We have time anyway, so let's go."

He didn't press further. If Arlon had explained it that way, there was no reason to question it. Zephyrion trusted him, and that alone was enough.

With that, they moved toward their next destination.

---

The man led Arlon and June through a series of narrow, winding streets, the path growing more desolate with each turn.

The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and decay, and the further they walked, the fewer people they encountered. Eventually, they stopped at a dead-end alley.

Discarded crates, broken bottles, and piles of garbage lined the walls, adding to the filth of the dimly lit passage.

A rusted backdoor to what looked like an abandoned store stood at the far end, its wood warped from years of neglect.

The man turned to face them, his expression unreadable. "We're here," he said. "Before we go in, I'll need to take your weapons.

If you enter armed, everyone inside will be hostile toward you." His tone was firm but not threatening, as if he had given this warning many times before.

Arlon and June exchanged a brief glance.

If June took her staff from her inventory, it would expose her as either a player or a high-level mage. Spatial magic wasn't something just anyone could use.

But a high-level mage would be well known in Trion, and she couldn't simply hand over the Infernal Spire—it wasn't an item that could be entrusted to just anyone.

Lying about not having weapons wasn't an option either. They were with the saviors, and it was expected that anyone working with them would carry weapons.

If they claimed otherwise, their guide would grow suspicious.

Arlon subtly sent a message to June through the system, instructing her to stay still.

Nyx was tracking them from above, out of the man's sight, so she remained an unseen advantage.@@@@

"Sure, here you go," Arlon said casually, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out two short wands and handed them over. "We just got them repaired today, so I was carrying both."

The man eyed the wands, then looked back at them. "Are you both mages?"

"Of course. We're red-grade Maguses," Arlon replied with confidence.

And yet... he didn't know them. Not really.

That alone was enough to make him cautious. It was easy to trust individuals like Wok, people he had spent time with and could judge based on their actions.

But the higher-ups? At least one of them could have their own agenda, operating in the shadows while the others remained unaware.

Especially now that he had learned about the Kri Folk—the shapeshifters. That knowledge changed everything.

He would start with this place since it was where anti-saviors were born.

"Now that I think about it... didn't you reveal your status as an anti-savior a little too quickly?" Arlon said, his tone casual yet probing.

The man stiffened slightly but kept his expression neutral.

Since Arlon was clearly the superior here, he had every right to question those beneath him. And he intended to use that authority to his advantage.

"I mean," he continued, tilting his head slightly, "I could have been an administrator trying to trick you into exposing the other anti-saviors." His voice was calm, almost amused as if he found the idea ridiculous—but the implication was there.

Arlon wasn't actually trying to threaten the man or make him afraid. That wasn't his goal at all.

Instead, he wanted the man to think he was outsmarting Arlon.

Arlon already knew that no administrator in this region could force anyone to betray the anti-saviors—doing so would create a much bigger issue.

The man likely knew that too, which meant this was the perfect opportunity.

As expected, the man scoffed. "I would never reveal the headquarters' location. Even if they killed me." His words were firm, carrying the conviction of someone who believed himself unshakable.

Inside, Arlon smirked. He was in.

"But you told me you were an anti-savior without hesitation," Arlon pointed out. "I didn't even have to pressure you."

The man blinked, then quickly shook his head. "B-because I knew you were one of us! I could tell the moment I saw you, sir."

He was lying. That much was obvious. But Arlon wasn't about to call him out on it—at least, not directly.

Instead, he simply let the silence linger for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Still... it was a bold move. Not everyone in our line of work is careful. If you had been wrong, it could've cost you."

The man shrugged, trying to appear unfazed. "I don't make mistakes like that."

Arlon's expression shifted, his brows furrowing as if in irritation. For a second, it seemed like he was about to push further—but then he sighed and shook his head as if finally conceding.

"I understand," he muttered.

To the man, it looked like Arlon had tried to corner him, but he had dodged the questions flawlessly—his superior intelligence winning out. And in the end, Arlon had no choice but to accept it.

Satisfied with his own cleverness, the man relaxed, his shoulders loosening. He thought he had just outwitted someone above him.

Exactly as Arlon had planned.