They Called Me Trash? Now I'll Hack Their World-Chapter 123: Got It

I walked through Greyford’s streets as the sun began its descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and deep purple.

My hand was still tingling from where I’d shaken Duke Glimor’s hand. Sealing the deal. Making the promise.

"I’ll help you find her."

The words replayed in my mind on an endless loop, each repetition making my stomach twist tighter.

What the hell did I just agree to?

I’d bought myself time at least. Told the Duke I’d need a few days to gather information, ask around, see if anyone had spotted her. He’d accepted that readily enough, probably assuming I’d have no luck anyway. Just another young noble making promises he couldn’t keep to get what he wanted.

But he didn’t know I’d already met Scarlet.

Didn’t know she was the one who’d led me to Agnes in the first place.

I turned down a side street, avoiding the main thoroughfare where crowds still lingered.

"She’s property."

He’d said so casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"A stolen asset that needs to be recovered."

Like she was a piece of furniture. A tool. Something he owned and had every right to reclaim.

My jaw clenched involuntarily.

The slave mark on her neck. The way she’d frozen when she thought she saw someone from the estate. The absolute terror in her eyes.

That’s what I just agreed to help with. Finding her so he can drag her back to whatever hell she escaped from.

I ran my hand through my hair, frustration building with every step.

"What should I do now?" I muttered to the empty street.

A passing merchant gave me an odd look. I ignored him.

I need Agnes out of that estate. That’s non-negotiable.

But to do that, I need to either pay gold I don’t have, or hand over Scarlet.

Except I don’t even know where Scarlet is anymore.

That was the cruel irony of it all. Even if I wanted to betray her, and I didn’t, despite barely knowing her, I couldn’t. She’d disappeared after our last encounter. Vanished completely after giving me the information about Agnes.

Smart. She knew he was looking.

And now I’m supposed to be part of that search.

I reached the inn as the last rays of sunlight faded behind the buildings. The common room was busy with evening traffic, voices and laughter spilling out into the street.

I climbed the stairs to the second floor, my footsteps heavy, mind still churning through impossible options.

The hallway was quiet. Most guests were downstairs at dinner or already settled in for the evening. I reached my door, pulled out the key, and unlocked it.

Stepped inside.

And froze.

Scarlet was sitting on the edge of my bed.

I blinked.

"You’re back?"

Her face flushed immediately, a bright red that spread across her cheeks and down her neck. She stood up quickly, almost defensively.

"It’s not like I need your help or anything," she said, the words tumbling out fast and sharp. "I was just tired. Needed a place to rest for a bit. I’ll leave soon."

I raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

Just nodded slowly, closing the door behind me and locking it.

Why is she here?

The question circled in my mind as I moved further into the room, setting my coin pouch on the small table.

She’d been so insistent about staying away. About our deal being done. About wanting nothing more to do with me.

And yet here she was. In my room. Again.

Then it clicked.

I glanced at her, still standing tensely by the bed, clearly ready to bolt if I made the wrong move.

"So," I said carefully, keeping my tone neutral. "The Duke has his men searching for you around the city. And this is the only safe space you have, right?"

Her eyes widened slightly.

Then narrowed with suspicion.

"How do you know about that?"

I shrugged. "I figured that much."

Her expression shifted immediately. A low growl rumbled from her throat as she stepped back, her tail appearing and lashing behind her.

"That’s not... I just—"

"Then why did you come back?" I asked, cutting through her fumbling excuse. "You could have taken your little rest anywhere. An abandoned building, a stable, literally anywhere in this town."

Her face flushed deeper, embarrassment mixing with anger in her green eyes.

"I... because—" She stopped, jaw clenching. "Fine! You know what? I’ll just go then!"

She spun toward the door, her hand reaching for the handle.

Then paused.

Her fingers wrapped around the handle but didn’t turn it.

She looked back at me over her shoulder, her expression conflicted.

"I’m really going," she said, almost like she was trying to convince herself.

I nodded, keeping my face neutral even as amusement tugged at the corners of my mouth. "Okay."

She turned the handle.

Opened the door a crack.

Then closed it again.

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She didn’t turn around, her back still to me.

"It’s getting dark," she said quietly. "And I’m... I’m hungry. Bring me something to eat."

"Why should I?"

She whirled around, glaring at me. "Because... because I helped you find your stupid servant! You owe me!"

I couldn’t help it. A small smirk tugged at my lips.

"I already paid you for that. Thirty silver, remember? More than we agreed on."

"That was for information!" Her tail lashed more aggressively now. "This is... this is different!"

"How is it different?"

"It just is!"

I leaned against the table, crossing my arms, enjoying watching her squirm.

"You’re asking me to bring you food, in my room, where you’re apparently planning to stay despite saying you were leaving. Seems like you need me more than you’re willing to admit."

Her eyes flashed dangerously.

"I don’t need you for anything!"

"Then why are you still here?"

She opened her mouth to retort.

Then lunged at me.

I barely dodged to the side as she came at me, her claws extended. She was fast, but I’d seen her fight before. I ducked under her swipe, moving around the bed to put it between us.

"Alright, alright!" I raised my hands in surrender, still grinning. "Fine. Stay here. I’ll bring you something to eat."

She stopped mid-lunge, breathing hard, her eyes still narrowed with suspicion.

"You mean it?"

"Yes. Just don’t destroy my room while I’m gone."

She straightened slowly, her claws retracting. Her tail stopped lashing quite so violently.

"...Fine."

I moved toward the door, grabbing my coin pouch from the table.

As I passed by where she’d been standing, I noticed a few strands of red hair on the floor, from when she’d lunged at me.

I bent down casually, pretending to adjust my boot, and palmed them quickly.

She didn’t notice, already moving back to sit on the bed with her arms crossed.

I stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind me.

Once I was alone in the corridor, I pulled out the strands of hair and tucked them carefully into my pocket.

A grin spread across my face.

All done.

Now I just needed to figure out how to use this without actually handing her over to the Duke.

I made my way down to the inn’s common room, the noise and warmth hitting me as I descended the stairs.

The evening crowd had settled in properly now. Merchants finishing their day, travelers looking for a hot meal, locals stopping by for a drink. The air smelled of roasted meat, fresh bread, and ale.

I approached the bar where the innkeeper was pouring drinks.

"Two meals," I said, sliding a few copper across the counter. "Whatever’s hot. And bring it up to my room."

The innkeeper raised an eyebrow. "Got company?"

"Something like that."

He pocketed the coins and nodded. "Give us fifteen minutes."

I turned away from the bar, finding an empty spot near the wall to wait.

My hand went unconsciously to my pocket, feeling the strands of red hair tucked safely inside.

This was a terrible idea.

Using Scarlet’s hair to prove I’d "found" her without actually turning her in. Convincing the Duke I had a lead while keeping her safe. Buying Agnes’s freedom without betraying the one person who’d helped me find her.

It was risky. Complicated. Could blow up in my face spectacularly.

But it might just work.

The Duke would want proof, of course. He wouldn’t take my word alone. But a few strands of hair with that distinctive red color? That might be enough to convince him I was making progress. Enough to keep him patient while I figured out a real solution.

I watched a group of travelers settle into a nearby table, their laughter cutting through the din of conversation. They looked carefree, unburdened. I envied them that simplicity.

My problems felt like they were multiplying by the hour.

I leaned against the wall, watching the crowd move around me, and allowed myself a small smile.