They Called Me Trash? Now I'll Hack Their World Chapter 124: You Bastard

The sun was dipping toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose.

A cool breeze swept through the street, carrying the scent of woodsmoke.

The evening air felt crisp against my face, refreshing after the warmth of the manor.

I was walking back from the Glimor manor with a lighter step than I’d had in days.

I turned my head and saw Agnes walking beside , her small bag slung over my shoulder. She’d insisted on carrying it herself, but I’d taken it anyway.

That went better than expected.

I sighed internally, relief washing through .

The Duke had examined the red hairs I’d given him with surprising thoroughness.

Held them up to the light, compared them against so description he had written down, even called in soone who seed to know about identifying beastkins by their physical traits.

"It’s her," he’d said finally, satisfaction clear in his voice.

And just like that, the deal was sealed.

Agnes’s contract was mine. The advance paid off. She was free to leave.

"Young Master?"

Agnes’s soft voice pulled from my thoughts.

"Hm?"

"Where are we going?"

"To the inn I’m staying at," I said. "It’s not far. Just a few more streets."

She nodded, falling into step beside again.

We walked in comfortable silence for a mont before she spoke again.

"You’ve grown so tall," she said, her voice carrying a note of wonder. "I can barely recognize you from the boy I used to take care of."

"It’s only been a year, Agnes."

"A year can change a lot." She smiled up at . "And handso too. The girls at the Academy must be lining up."

I felt heat creep up the back of my neck.

"They’re not... that’s not—"

Before I could finish out a denial, her hand ca up and ruffled my hair affectionately.

Just like she used to do when I was younger. When I’d done sothing she was proud of or needed comforting.

I froze mid-step, caught completely off guard by the gesture.

"Agnes," I muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing completely.

She just laughed, her hand falling away.

"Sorry, Young Master. Old habits."

Exhaling through my mouth, I composed myself and began walking.

We reached the inn a few minutes later.

The common room was bustling with evening activity, warm lamplight casting a golden glow over the crowded tables. The sll of roasted at and fresh bread filled the air.

I led Agnes inside, catching the innkeeper’s attention at the bar.

"A al for one," I said, gesturing to Agnes. "Whatever’s good tonight."

The innkeeper nodded. "We’ve got roasted chicken and vegetables. Fresh bread too."

"That’s fine."

I turned to Agnes, who was looking around the common room with quiet uncertainty.

"Sit here and eat," I told her, pointing to an empty table near the hearth. "Take your ti. My room is upstairs, number seven at the end of the hall. I need to pack my things."

She blinked up at . "You’re leaving already, Young Master?"

"We’re leaving," I corrected. "Tomorrow morning. But I need to get everything ready tonight."

Understanding crossed her face, followed by sothing that looked like relief.

"Of course."

I set her bag down by the table and headed for the stairs.

"Eat properly," I called back over my shoulder. "Don’t rush."

"Yes, Young Master."

I climbed the stairs to the second floor, the noise from the common room fading as I walked down the quiet hallway.

Room seven. End of the hall.

I unlocked the door and pushed it open.

The mont I stepped inside, chills ran down my spine.

I blinked, pausing mid-step.

What?

The room looked empty. Nothing out of place. Just the bed, the table, the window with curtains drawn.

But sothing felt wrong.

The air itself seed different. Heavier sohow. Like the room had been disturbed recently, though I couldn’t point to any evidence of it.

I scanned the space more carefully. The curtains hung perfectly still. The bedcovers looked exactly as I’d left them this morning. Even the dust motes floating in the dim light seed ordinary enough.

Yet my instincts scread at to turn around and leave.

"Am I feeling guilty for what I did to Scarlet?"

The thought ca unbidden. Maybe my conscience was finally catching up with for using her to—

The door slamd shut behind .

"I knew it was you!"

A low growl rumbled directly behind , so close I felt the vibration against my back.

Shit!

Before I could turn, before I could even process what was happening, sothing lunged at from behind.

"You bastard!"

Weight crashed into , driving forward. I stumbled, arms windmilling, trying to catch my balance.

But I didn’t make it.

I hit the floor hard, my hands barely breaking my fall before Scarlet’s weight pinned down from behind.

Her legs locked around my waist, one hand fisting in my hair while the other wrapped around my throat.

Not squeezing yet.

But the threat was clear.

"At least listen to—" I tried to say, thrashing beneath her.

Her grip tightened, cutting off my words.

"You betrayed , you absolute asshole!" she snarled, her voice thick with fury. "You sold out to that bastard!"

"I didn’t—"

Claws raked across my shoulder, sharp enough to sting even through my shirt.

I cursed, twisting, trying to buck her off.

But she held on.

Her breathing was ragged against my ear, each exhale hot with anger. I could feel her shaking, whether from rage or sothing else, I couldn’t tell.

"Scarlet, just listen for a second—"

"No!" Another swipe, this one catching the side of my neck. "You told him! Do you have any idea what he’ll do if he finds ?!"

Desperate, I activated my debug vision.

Her stats appeared in my peripheral vision, overlaid on reality.

[Weight: 52kg]

I focused on the number, ntally editing it.

The change was instant.

Her weight vanished almost completely, like she’d suddenly beco made of air.

I rolled.

She yelped in surprise as I flipped us both, her back hitting the floor with a thud that would’ve been harder if she actually weighed what she should.

Now I was on top, pinning her wrists to either side of her head.

"Listen to for a minute!" I said urgently.

"Get off !" She thrashed, trying to knee , to headbutt , to do anything to break free.

But with her weight reduced, she had no leverage.

"I didn’t ditch you!" I said, holding her wrists tighter as she bucked beneath . "I told him I sighted you sowhere on the other side of the city! That’s all!"

"Liar!" She twisted violently, managing to get one wrist free.

Her claws raked across my chest this ti, tearing through fabric.

I cursed, grabbing for her wrist again, but she used the montum to flip us.

Her weight returned to normal as my concentration broke.

Suddenly she was on top again, straddling my waist, both hands going for my throat.

I grabbed her wrists, trying to hold her back, but she was stronger.

We rolled again, crashing into the leg of the table.

She ended up on top again, breathing hard, her red hair falling around her face like a curtain as she leaned down.

One hand pressed against my throat.

Her eyes were narrowed to slits, fury and betrayal burning in them.

"Liar," she hissed.

"I’m telling the truth!" I said, my voice strained. "I didn’t tell him you were here! I just gave him enough to keep him satisfied so he’d let Agnes go!"

"No, you are lying!" Her grip tightened slightly. "He is looking for all around!"

"No! I just told him I saw you near the eastern district, that you were probably already gone—"

"You expect to believe that?!"

"Yes!" I t her eyes directly. "Because I still can help you! I can—"

Then suddenly, the door opened.

And we both froze.

Agnes stood in the doorway, her eyes wide, her mouth falling open as she took in the scene.

, pinned to the floor.

Scarlet, straddling , hands on my throat, hair falling around us both.

For a second, nobody moved.

Nobody even seed to breathe.

Agnes’s face cycled through several emotions in rapid succession. Shock. Confusion. Understanding. Then sothing else entirely that made her cheeks flush slightly.

Then Agnes’s mouth closed.

Opened again like she was going to say sothing.

And closed again.

Her face went bright red.

Then... she slamd the door shut so hard the walls shook.

And ran down the hallway.

I could hear her footsteps retreating rapidly, practically fleeing down the corridor.

Scarlet and I stared at the closed door.

Then slowly, very slowly, Scarlet looked down at .

I looked up at her.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and awkward.

"That’s—" I started.

"Shut up."

She climbed off quickly, backing away toward the window, her face flushed now too.

I sat up, rubbing my throat, and sighed.

"Great. Just perfect."