God of Tricksters

"It's been five years, Phyrill, Ellen." Theo smiled at this reunion.

"Is that really you?" Phyrill and Ellen gasped, not believing that Theo was actually the man that had shaken the world once again, Joker. Despite Joker's mask having been taken off, no one could find his identity as if his face wasn't real.

Still, the Death Reaper had confirmed that it wasn't a face mask or even an illusion, so it must be his real face. Yet, it didn't change the fact that no one could find his information. He was so mysterious that many people had many conspiracy theories about him.

And to think Joker was Theo this whole time. On the one hand, they could understand his extreme progress that surpassed anyone's imagination. On the other hand, they simply couldn't believe Theo was Joker.

"Everyone here already knows about me anyway." Theo shrugged.

With Nella as the biggest proof, Phyrill and Ellen had no choice but to accept it.

"This…" Phyrill looked down, still feeling skeptical about it.

So, Theo said, "The first time I met you, I was chased by you simply because you were interested in the man who Alea tried to recruit."

"Ah!" Phyrill widened his eyes since that was the only thing that Theo and Phyrill only knew. He looked at Ellen with a serious expression. "He's real."

"…" Ellen gulped down and stared at Theo, hesitating to say something.

"Anyway, do you have anything that you want to bring from the institute? I'll send my people to bring it back while threatening them of course."

"Hmm…" Phyrill thought for a moment. "All of my stuff is something that I can buy again, so I don't think I have one. Going back there will expose me to a certain risk, especially after this incident. I'm already sure that we won't have a good ending without you, so I can go anywhere since I know that my family won't face any problems."

"All the most important stuff is with me, but there is an important necklace that I haven't brought with me. So, I think I need to go back to get it." Ellen shook her head helplessly.

"Well, you don't need to go back. Since that's the case, I can just ask my people to bring everything back with them." Theo assured her.

"Still, what do you mean by recruiting me?" Phyrill asked as this was the biggest question in his mind. Theo went all the way to get the reason to bring him out of the institute, so Theo must have something in mind.

"Well, your ability is useful to my group."

"My ability? Are you talking about my current ability, which is very lacking compared to the people here? Or…" Phyrill paused, but the meaning was clear. It was the ability that he used in the dark because there were too many people skeptical about such practice.

Theo didn't say anything. He just put on his mask as the answer.

Phyrill felt a slight tug on his hand. He knew it came from Ellen, so he lowered his head and said, "I apologize, Theo. It's just… I have been trying to stay away from this kind of practice. After living with her for a while, I don't want to…"

Phyrill closed his eyes regretfully and said, "Well, you must be disappointed, right? I'm grateful, but I guess I need to disappoint you. If you abandon me here, I don't have any complaints."

Theo closed his eyes for a moment and said, "That's good enough."

"Eh?" Phyrill widened his eyes in confusion.

"You shouldn't have any problem teaching me about it, right?"

"That's… I don't think it's a problem."

"That's good. Teach me about it later. In that case, your job will be different from my original expectation, but it's still useful for me." Theo explained.

"Eh? You still want to recruit me even though I'm useless now?"

"Yeah. Why not? As I said, you're still useful to my group, so I don't have any reason to take back my offer." Theo shrugged. "Of course, I'm going to pay you less, but I think you should be able to live comfortably with that money. As for your lodging, I'll take care of it."

"This…" Phyrill somehow felt bad that Theo ended up accommodating him. "If you value me that much, I don't have any reason to reject you. And Ellen also has shared her interest, so we'll gratefully accept your offer."

"Why so formal?" Theo shrugged.

Phyrill scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. "You're already a person of this level, so just my instinct. I'm still shocked by the fact that you're Joker, you know… Let me get used to it first."

Theo chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Anyway, with this, our group has been completed. I'll just focus on strengthening it."

"Tsk, it seems I'm not chosen." Nella clicked her tongue, complaining with a pout. She had been expecting to be chosen, but in the end, she didn't.

"Don't say that…" Theo chuckled. "I'll give you my personal number later. I can allow you to participate in some, but just be satisfied with it, okay?"

"Fine." Nella still pouted. Of course, she was disappointed. She had been thinking about Theo this whole time. Whether it was due to the side effect of the Mind Elder's power or her own thoughts, but she felt at ease when she was together with Theo.

"That's right. Do you mind if we talk later? Just the two of us." Phyrill asked.

"Sure, I don't really mind." Theo agreed without hesitation. "For now, let's go back to our hotel first. And since you need to pick up your baggage from your room…"

Theo glanced to the side and asked, "Ryo, do you mind escorting them for me? Ergene will stay with me. We're going to return to the US as soon as possible."

"Understood." Ryo nodded.

"Are we going to stay in the US for a long period of time?" Phyrill asked.

"No. Our base won't be there." Theo shook his head. "There's another place I have in mind. For now, we'll live there for the time being, and after you settle down, I'll explain the details of our development."

"Got it." Phyrill nodded.

"Alright. Let's go back then." Theo smiled.