Deception: A Tactician's Card

Agony's Borrowed Memories

"Sigh..."

"Yukti!"

I could hear Agony's voice across the end of the hallway I'm in. Are they finished? That was fast— the face of anxiety? What is wrong with Agony?

"Excuse me for a bit."

"Wait, what are you—"

"[Memory Share]."

A surge of memories came in my head, overflowing and mingled with my own.

•••

"Ah. Should I try and participate in the examination or not? Ah, I'm so nervous."

I could see a crowd in front of me.

It's the annual Bureau Elite Examination.

I left my home early in the morning. My sister Michaela and I were searching for our last missing sister.

As for why we knew about it, our stupid father, or whatever that thing is called left his cell card in his shabby home on an island kilometers away from here. I managed to snatch it, and we managed to gather intel about our sister's existence.

Michaela and I agreed to do what we can to stay undetected by that bastard of a father. Michaela has a cunning mind when it comes to economics so she paved the way for various financial successes we have now. As for me, I know a thing or two when it comes to fighting, and it's a perfect asset in this chaotic world. Wars were rumored to arise, whether it's a civil war or war between countries.

I planned to join the Bureau since I could get access to more detailed information about the world. It is said that the Bureau often hid information from the public, to avoid panic, of course. But the Bureau was co-founded by our father. In a sense, if I manage to hide in his shady information net, it would be great. That guy doesn't know our identity yet, and I even come face to face with him as he walked along the streets of that previous city I'm living in, but he just service smiled as our eyes met during that time.

I was so nervous during that time.

Welp, let's do this.

The crowd slowly thinned in numbers, and so I could now get to the reception counter.

The female receptionist greeted me promptly and shared every basic thing that I need to know as a newbie when a rude customer showed up.

"Hey pretty! Give me a registration form!"

"But sir, you're cutting in the line. I humbly request you to please wait patiently and fall in line just like the rest."

Yep. Rude as ever.

"Now, now... I think you're mistaken about something lass. Can't you see my potential? I thought the receptionists of this place could see our potential as Bureau assets."

"If I may sir, your potential is initially three out of ten. You only have the sheer force with those biceps of yours. I would assume that you're a melee fighter, relying on brute force and heavy equipment like a great sword perhaps. I wouldn't say that it's not a good thing, but we're also basing it on your capabilities. We can't just judge you by the physique alone, sir."

Yeowch. That hurt.

Even the guys behind me were snickering at that guy. I can not blame them though. What I saw in him is too low. His body may be ripped, but his overall capabilities are way too low.

My eyes could see the overall potential of anyone I laid my eyes upon. It's not an effect of a rune card but it's from my lineage, my maternal side. Elves are well known for seeing the potential without the need of using a rune card.

"What are you saying, you woman!? Do you wanna get f****d!? Huh!?"

"Eeek!"

"Hold on for a moment."

"Huh, who the hell is talking to me, the great— Gah!"

I stepped in, kicking the guys aimed at the nuts.

My late mother often told me to kick it for an easy victory. It's the first time I did it and I must say she's right.

Are those "nuts" their weakness?

"Gaaaahhhhh! What have you done!?"

"You're the one who asked the receptionist to look at your potential. It's not her fault at all, Mister 'Gah!' or whatever your name was."

"Are you making fun of me? I will show you that you shouldn't mess with me!"

"No! Please stop! No fighting inside the Bureau!" yelled the receptionist.

"Too late for that!" said the short-tempered guy. He even draws his sword.

The guys who were behind me distanced from us as we were about to have a showdown. They're pretty fast to do that. They're not bad guys though. I know that they're staying out from this and they even cheered for me from their new positions.

"Go, lady! Hit him hard!"

"Show that guy what you're made of!"

Geez, thanks, guys. But can't you help me out to settle this mess?

"DIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!"

"Yeah, right. You're free to kill me—not. [Wooden Scythe]."

[Wooden Scythe], as the name implies, is a scythe made of wood. It's not ordinary wood though. It's from a durable thousand-year-old tree and this weapon helped me out for a long period focusing mainly on survival.

"What? My blade couldn't cut this toy!?"

"Yes. It might be a toy for you, however, this is sturdy enough to stop your weapon made of metal. I'm wondering which of the two is a toy now?"

I break the locking of our weapons and backed a few meters from him. His balance was unstable after my action so he plunged his sword to the ground. I then dashed forward to hit him with the base of my scythe -- come on, I don't want to go to jail. I don't know about this country's preferences but killing has always been taboo for any country, am I right?

I hit him again on the side, making him grunt from the pain, and crouched from it, holding the part which I hit hard. I maneuvered my scythe, more like a dance, before pointing its tip at the guy's neck.

"Ugh..."

"I don't want any unnecessary bloodshed. I'm but a pacifist, after all."

I lowered my weapon before I reverted it to a rune card and turned my back.

Turn my back with a scoff after a quick battle, check.

The audience was all cheering and clapping with glee.

"Damn, lady! You are a legend in the making!"

"Woohoo! Serves him right!"

"We might be accomplices if we pass in this examination, so let's have this mess be a water under the bridge."

I walked back to the reception counter to take my registration form when the cheers were changed to warnings from the crowd.

"Lady! Behind you!"

"Eh?"

I looked behind, just to see the guy lifting his giant sword with both of his arms, about to pummel me with it.

I can't make it in time!

I could only close my eyes.

"That's enough."

Eh? Who just said that?

I opened my right eye before the other and saw the sword was plunged at my side, only a hair's breadth away from a certain fatal injury. The unknown guy was clad in a black robe and a mask that covers his face. He's standing between us, facing the swordsman.

"This is the Bureau. And we have no interest in someone who occasionally swings his sword for a small feud."

"Who the f**k are you!?"

"You're supposed to be my examinee, right?"

What? He's our examiner!? But how?

I looked at him and see that his stats are way too low for a Bureau examiner!

"There's no need for you to continue looking at my capabilities", said he as he turned his attention towards me.

Eh? How did he know?

"Elves are known to be able to see the capabilities of a being, from physical prowess, intelligence, and many more. However, one deficit of this is that you elves heavily rely on that that it often hinders your combat, just like now."

I can't deny that. It does hinder my way of battling a lot.

"How...?"

"I just pushed your blade from the side. Musclemen often do that kind of attack with sheer force. Just kick the side of the blade, and that would be the result. Heck, I don't have the same strength as you have. It's all about how you use it and just relying on it. Anyway, let's wrap this up. Miss receptionist, if you would."

"Ah, yes! Everyone back to your lines. As for you kind sir, please go to the end of the line. It won't take too long sir, I guarantee."

The guy nodded, his temper gone, and went as requested. After I got my registration form, I chased the man in black to say my thanks.

"Ah! Mystical Man!"

"Hmm, are you referring to me? Oh, aren't you the one... What is it?"

"May I ask who you are? Ah but before that, let me thank you for saving me."

"Don't sweat it. I couldn't tolerate that kind of action here. You fill up that registration form now. I'll see you later.

I nodded happily, as he entered an area not authorized to an outsider like me.

"Ah! I forgot to ask his name!"

A small plate with a number engraved on it was given to us to be pinned. I pinned my number on the shirt near my left chest (it would be stupid of me if I try to pin it on my skin, right?)

The exam was commenced. It was split into two events. The first was the written exam and the second one was the actual combat against any experienced Bureau members with their names drawn from a box.

I managed to fight toe to toe against one of them. He's fairly strong against me if it weren't for me trying my best to keep my real strength in check.

Putting that aside, I couldn't see him, that guy dressed in all black.

Maybe he's just an observer? Who knows.

We were in the last phase of the exam. It's already afternoon and all of us, the Bureau officers included, were assembled in a large hall.

One of them approached the podium and was about to announce the ones who passed.

"...or so I say, but I'll have one of our observers remove the cheaters here."

What? Did some guys cheat? That's hilarious!

"Welcome."

Huh? Wait, what just happened? Why am I in a room with several others?

"Hey, what's the meaning of this? I didn't cheat at all!"

"Yes! The same goes for me!"

"Explain this!"

They verbalized my thoughts exactly.

Am I going to fail due to false suspicion!?

"Sigh. Douse your anger for now and listen to me first."

A voice came from behind. We turned our heads to see two figures behind us. One of them is wearing the same as the other Bureau guys were wearing -- a suit, white collared shirt underneath, black trousers, and a pair of black shoes.

The other is that guy. The one who saved me.

"We did say cheaters, but not in a literal sense."

"Indeed. We refer to 'cheaters' as individuals with exemplary results that it's out of the norm."

Ah? So that's how it is?

The two of them were in front of us and they're about to demonstrate something for us when Mister Mystical Guy tugged his companion.

"Huh? What is it, Tactics?"

His name is Tactics? Hmm, that doesn't sound right. Maybe that's his nickname or something like that?

"I'll mentor her", he said as he pointed at me.

"Eh? That's unusual coming from you."

He placed his hand on my shoulder and tap it once.

"Could you use [Teleport] and bring us to Sector 15?"

"Oh. Sure thing. [Teleport]!"

"Eh, wait—"

In a blink of an eye, my surrounding changed, and the masked guy, clad in black was few meters away from me.

"You know, you're oddly familiar. The way you stare, that is."

"Eh? What do you mean by that?"

"Let me ask you something. Are you perhaps seeking revenge?"

"What are you—"

"Just answer me."

This guy has some sharp senses! What if he's that bastard's goon?

This ain't good. Let's not be hysterical and just answer his question properly.

"Indeed, I am. What of it."

"Nothing. It's the same expression I always do before I managed to fend off a pair of scoundrels from my home."

He removed his mask and hood, and with that, I could see his face. He's still young, yet he became a Bureau Elite? And his voice changed from rough to a little childish yet melancholic tone.

"Why did you take off your mask?"

"It's better this way. You can't trust anything coming from someone who never reveals his identity. But then again, it doesn't apply to all circumstances."

"I'm afraid I can't follow the flow of conversation."

"Who knows? Well, neither do I. Probably."

Then why are you talking about it in the first place!?

"Anyway, that kind of revenge won't solve anything."

"What did you say?"

"I'm basing it on experience, I'll have you know. Killing someone out of spite won't solve the problem."

"Then make me."

Without further ado, I dashed at him to hit him with my scythe. He didn't budge from his spot and just tried to accept it with open arms.

Is he underestimating me? Then I'll show you that I'm serious.

He ended being split in enough.

Goddamn. He's way too weak. How did he become a Bureau Elite if he was THIS weak!?

"Sure thing."

"What the—"

And then I saw him behind me, unharmed. I look back at the one who just got sliced in half.

It's still there.

What's the meaning of this?

"Let me tell you something. Seeking revenge out of spite would only result in a temporary form of happiness and then the next day you could never sleep in days."

"What do you mean by that? You know nothing about me. And stop with this roundabout way of talking. It's creepy."

"Of course I don't. But if what you're seeking revenge on is a family member, I understand that much. The feeling, that is."

I lowered my guard after seeing him speaking in such a remorseful manner. Seeing that I'm less tensed, he smiled wryly and sat down on the floor. The place is all but a space.

"You could sit wherever you want."

"O-okay..." mumbled I as I sat on the ground adjacent to him.

"Now then, where do I start? I'll explain why I chose you to be my partner."

"Wait, I'm your partner now?"

"Not in a romantic sense, thank you."

"The audacity..."

"Jokes aside, I made it this way for you to be not interrogated by that guy. He could tell how much hatred you have in your heart. Anyone being detected would end up being roasted and be brought to those normies you guys were with...that hall."

"Why are you helping me?"

"Just as what I said, I suspected that you bear a grudge against a family member. I altered your registration form to be seen as a Lore. It doesn't seem much, but I'm trying to help. Casting that thirst for revenge, you're that rumored 'Kory Branz', right? Nobody knows your face yet. It's only that name of yours circulating."

"Wait— How did you...?"

"To put things simply, I'm an information gatherer s***h tactician. Of course, I know a thing or two about you, though I didn't dive deeper. I knew that your father is a co-founder of the Bureau. I saw you once when you and Mister Co-Founder met, your glare could even pierce through bones, and yet that guy just shrugged it off when I asked him. That's when I decided to follow you...and saw a wall where a lot of imprinted photos and some printouts. I'm glad to see that you came to the Bureau to register."

"You didn't answer my question yet. Why are you helping me?"

"Why am I helping you? That's simple. I don't want anyone to experience the same feeling of disappointment I experienced during that time. I'm just a fellow revenger. Anyway, I'll help you out, but you need to exert your capabilities to their utmost potential."

I nodded and he gently smiled this time. He told me that I was registered as "Cory Lore". This guy sure is a great one. I hope people like him live longer and their life more prosperous.

We partnered for a long time and I'm happy and contented with what I experienced. I made friends with an incredible individual, one who doesn't attack physically or magically, but a unique offensive trickery.

His real name is Yukti, the Ghost Tactician.

Time flies, and we've found the whereabouts of our youngest separated sister. Yukti helped me out, but his usual trope is to not dive when it comes to my personal affairs.

I hugged my two sisters with absolute happiness and swore to protect them against all odds.

Even if it costs my life.

•••

"Gasp!"

"Yukti! Are you alright?"

"I'm not."

Those memories... They're from Cory, isn't it?

"How did you... More importantly, why didn't you tell me sooner? We could've traced Cory's trails during her lifetime with that."

"I don't honestly think that you would believe me. I mean, we've known each other for weeks, but it's not enough for someone to trust anybody. Also, I recently acquired this rune card. Anyway, let's instead scoop this place, just like that factory?"

"For what reason? I don't see the worth of keeping this place standing?"

"Let me add that this place is the real place where Cory died."

What did she just say?

"Is that for real?"

"I know you still have doubts about my words, but at least trust me on this one."

Now I'm getting second thoughts.

"Very well then. Eight, could you contact the chairperson?"

"On it."

I did an exasperated sigh and looked upon the ceiling.

"This will be one long hectic day."