The Freak Show Foreman

Maya had a cat named Wally when she was young. Wally was a Caste breed with a dense blue background and a pattern of red and white crossing each other.

Wally was the only presence that could bring even a faint smile on her face, excluding her father that is. However, within a year of raising him, Wally met with a terrible accident and left the world.

It was the first death of a loved one she had cared for. Maya remembered how she coped with the grief. She did nothing. She left the deceased cat in its place and returned home, locking the door to the outside world. She built a fortress of logic in her mind about life, relationships, individuals, and death.

After days of contemplating alone, she managed to bury her emotions deep within herself. Then, she wrote a death report for Wally, describing the facts in a dry and cold style, devoid of sadness, regret, or pain. She felt relieved but also a sense of regret.

The memories of Wally's voice, the scent of his fur similar to freshly baked cookies, and the sensation of stroking his back and belly had all faded from her recollection.

However, today, for the first time since that day, the cry of the cat she thought she had completely forgotten echoed from beyond her memory. The emotions she believed she would never feel again surged from the depths of her heart. The object of her emotions was a man, staring at her with a perplexed smile, dressed in the attire of a hooded monk.

"Absorbing Debulroots, Maya? It seems there's a misunderstanding. I'm just…"

"Don't think you can deceive me. I've seen everything."

Her firm tone indicated that Maya had confidence in her suspicions. Wonderstein abandoned his plans to explain vaguely. Speaking and acting meant Maya was sure and had evidence.

'I need to be careful about this…'

The moment Maya exposed his secret, he tensed up internally. He couldn't determine how much she knew and what she might reveal. In the TTT perspective, the Curse Plague victims in the game were known as "victims of Wonderstein's power." It wasn't some unknown disease. Everyone in the game knew that all those appearing were due to the curse of the black mage.

Now, he had to be cautious. He had to choose his words carefully, as any unintentional clue could reveal his identity.

"You must have a lot of questions."

Wonderstein decided to gauge her reaction first. Fortunately, Maya wasn't currently trying to uncover a truth but expressing surprise and pointing out the danger of him absorbing Debulroots.

She seemed unaware that he could manipulate them.

Wonderstein let out a relieved sigh internally.

The plague debulroots that were raging through his body.

If he used the Galaxy, he could certainly stabilize his body.

But it didn't make sense to spend money to get rid of the debulroots he acquired.

However, explaining to her, 'I am a mage who utilizes debulroots as a resource,' was too risky.

He couldn't provide her with any more clues here. With her sharp mind, she could reach conclusions with minimal information.

Preventing her from passing this clue to others was also crucial.

It was a prerequisite for the success of the TT0 strategy that Wonderstein's true identity remained undisclosed until the main story.

Whether it was the 'Black Mage' or the 'Mastermind of the Curse Plague,' revealing such facts would disrupt the progress of the competition.

Maya must remain clueless until the main storyline.

'Even if I have to be a bit cowardly, there is a surefire way for this,' he thought.

Smiling at her with a mischievous grin, he said, "Maya, didn't you tell me? You promised to help with anything to repay your debt."

Maya's face showed a trace of embarrassment. Could it be?

A sly smile formed on the man's lips.

"I'll use it right now. Forget what you saw today."

Wonderstein knew Maya well.

She was self-centered and rational, but once she spoke a word, she always kept her promise.

His judgment was correct.

Whether he asked for everything she had or not, Maya couldn't object after making the proposal.

She bit her lip slightly, displaying a resentful expression.

"…Ruthless."

"Didn't Ella mention it? I'm originally a ruthless person, hehe."

He revealed a playful smile toward Maya, who sometimes wanted to squeeze him, understanding Ella's frustration.

She had hoped he would agree, prepared to fulfil any request he had, but he used this opportunity.

He seemed to show a smile, reassured that she understood or didn't.

"Don't worry. The debulroots that I absorbed won't harm anyone nearby."

Foolish person.

Stupid person.

Who would worry about that?

She didn't care about it at all.

She knew better than anyone that he didn't harm others, even if he continued to damage his own body.

"But people won't think that way. So please don't tell anyone around you."

"…I know."

People didn't view kindly those carrying the curse plague factor in their bodies.

It was hard enough for the leader who led the circus with the strange members to be treated like a contagious disease patient.

"Never speak of it again. Endure for just two years."

Two years.

The remaining time until the Circus Grand Prix main event.

She understood his intentions.

"Alright. I won't ask anymore. But you must keep your promise. If it gets even slightly dangerous, I will stop the ringmaster, no matter what happens."

The cry of Wally from the distant memory ceased.

It hadn't disappeared.

After looking at the owner with satisfied eyes, it returned quietly into the darkness.

"Of course. I promise."

Wonderstein replied confidently.

After all, he had no intention of letting go of the debulroots he had taken into his body until it was completely subjugated.

Even though his body might ache a bit, and he wouldn't be able to use the power of the system for a while, he was prepared to endure until the end.

Maya looked at him with a cold gaze for a moment and let out a short sigh.

"I understand. With this, I don't owe anything to the Ringmaster anymore."

"Thank you, Maya."

Maya's expression, as if satisfied with something deep inside, somehow seemed mocking.

She hesitated to step aside for him at the door.

One last curious question lingered.

"Will you keep it a secret from the Assistant Ringmaster too?"

Maya, who always seemed to revel in knowing things about the Ringmaster that others didn't, was not to Ella's liking.

Regardless of the facts, it had always been uncomfortable for her that Wonderstein seemed to rely on her, his admired mentor, as if he was struggling with a young girl.

Two people sharing some secret, seemingly unaware of the facts.

How about this time?

Would the Ringmaster just confide in her, after making her promise with even an oath?

Looking at her, Wonderstein smiled and said,

"Of course. This is a secret between Maya and me."

Upon hearing his words, Maya turned her head abruptly and left the room before he could say anything.

Wonderstein scratched his cheek awkwardly.

What to do about this?

The only member with whom he could truly feel at ease, and now the distance was growing again.

There was no room for excuses.

She had made a promise in her own way, and he had used it to keep his secret. It must have hurt her pride considerably.

With today's events, she must have realized that he was no longer just an ordinary circus Director.

How long would the bit he got away with using the promise last?

Checking the status window as he left the room, fortunately, the affinity didn't drop.

But it would be difficult to raise it further from now on.

He left the room with a somewhat gloomy heart.

At the entrance of the inn, Knight Ivanenko and Maya were waiting for him.

She smiled at him, still something that others couldn't recognize.

"Let's go. People who need help are still waiting."

[Maya's Affection has increased by 2. Affection is now 30. As a trusted one with Affection 30…] Due to a status window error, he couldn't read the message properly, but it clearly stated that Maya's affection had surpassed 30.

Hmm…

Maybe he hadn't understood Maya properly yet.

Silently contemplating, Wonderstein urged his steps towards the village church.

Maya followed him quietly, lost in thought.

Wonderstein had asked her to forget what she saw today, but her brain couldn't comply.

What she saw and heard in the room replayed automatically.

Casually transitioning the conversation, she stopped at a certain point.

"The Director has to take the Galaxy Injection right away."

But now that she thought about it, it was strange.

She had witnessed his suffering from the accumulated debulroots.

Wouldn't it be better to use medicine to remove it rather than endure it silently?

"Endure it for just two more years."

An uneasy intuition pierced her mind.

The reason why he could nonchalantly accumulate debulroots.

The reason why he couldn't use the Galaxy.

The two-year deadline.

All the answers were connected.

After all, he wouldn't live long.

So, he couldn't shorten his remaining lifespan with Galaxy.

Because his dream was to stand on the Circus Grand Prix before he died.

The remaining period was precisely…

Maya looked at Wonderstein's face, leading the way.

His face looked remarkably calm, and his smile showed no shadows.

That couldn't be the face of a person going to die.

She erased her unreasonable speculations from her mind.

He promised.

That up to 200 people, he wouldn't be harmed.

So, he refused the Galaxy.

There was no reason to endure the side effects.

He would not do that.

Certainly not.

Wally made a clattering noise in the darkness.