Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Meeting the Archmage Gandalf
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"Golden Lane originally started as lodging for the guards defending Prague Castle and the gatekeepers! Around the 16th century, as commerce developed, goldsmiths and alchemists began living here, and that's how it officially got the name Golden Lane! Alright, everyone, go ahead and explore freely! You have one hour! Make sure to gather back here right on time!"
The guide leading the students shouted like he was yelling at kids who had already zoned out.
'Heh heh heh, where else can you find fun like this? A man has to play in the big leagues. Uhahaha!'
Just two months after getting into Daehan High School—known as Korea's top prestigious school, surpassing even Gyeonggi High—I boarded a plane for the first time in my life.
My dad was a hotshot fund manager, and my mom was a music professor, but they were both hardcore misers.
They traveled the world for one or two months every year, but to me—the eldest grandson of the 45-year-old limitless Kang clan—they were utterly heartless.
When I rebelled during my stormy puberty, asking why they treated me like a picked-up child, my parents crushed my anger with simple smiles.
Dad's absurd philosophy: 'A male has to grow up tough to survive.'
Then Mom followed up: 'Every penny you're spending right now is the blood and sweat of your dad and mom. Do you want to be the ungrateful son of this era who wastes it carelessly?'
It wasn't some safari breeding simulation game, but they raised their one and only son way too harshly.
After that, I learned there's no one in the world you can trust(?) and studied my ass off every day, nosebleeds and all.
And I chose Daehan High School.
The high school where the chairman of Daehan Group—Korea's top, no, the world's premier mega-corporation—is the chairman of the board.
From the moment you enter until graduation, they cover all school expenses and pocket money.
That's how I got into Daehan High School, which is even harder than Seoul University.
And now, I was enjoying this paradise-like 10-night, 11-day school trip to Eastern Europe as a perk.
"Hyuk, let's go check it out. Heh heh."
While I was spacing out, Jung-hyun—the guy with the comfy, next-door-neighbor vibe—wiggled his thick butt and pulled me along.
"Sure. Heh heh heh."
Even if my parents were miserly cousins, it was still the school trip of their one and only son.
I had enough generosity to buy at least one souvenir for them.
'Alchemists? Did people like that really exist?'
As we entered Golden Lane, there were cute little buildings and all sorts of eye-catching handmade goods visible through the windows.
Thanks to the goldsmith and alchemist ancestors, the various decorations caught my feet just by glancing at them.
"Wow, so pretty!"
"Looks like gold crafts."
"Hee hee, it'd suit me perfectly."
Clear, feminine voices rang out as Jung-hyun and I wandered, checking things out.
Seo Ye-rin.
The incarnation of beauty representing the first-years at Daehan High School.
Height 167, long straight hair, big eyes, transparent jade-like skin, and a calm, refined personality. A goddess.
The ultra-rare item any guy would want to claim.
Today, too, she bloomed as a single elegant lily, shining brightly amid the chattering weeds.
Her long straight hair neatly tied with a simple blue headband, smiling more beautifully than the moonlight in May.
She was checking out a hairpin through a small glass window with a few other girls.
Her distinctive pale white skin matched perfectly with her shining black eyes.
"Anything good? Heh heh."
Jung-hyun, bolder than most guys and closer to the girls, casually dragged me into their midst.
Flutter.
At that moment, the girls turned their heads, and by chance, my eyes met Ye-rin's.
Swish.
As I appeared, Seo Ye-rin gave a soft smile at the corner of her mouth.
'Whoa? Is she smiling at me?'
I had graduated from middle school—where hormonal lion cubs grew up ferociously craving the opposite sex after elementary.
To get into Daehan High School, I had distanced myself from girls, so it was a dream high school in itself.
The old formula that pretty girls were bean paste cousins if you studied well was broken; there were quite a few cute ones here.
The saying "a dragon rises from a stream" was outdated.
These days, with such pollution, you need first-class water quality management for dragons to even settle.
In this harsh, specialized world, the water for dragons was managed that way.
"Wow! So pretty!"
Before I knew it, Jung-hyun was in the middle of the girls, eyeing a platinum hairpin studded with blue gems.
'Well made.'
Compared to my mom's jewelry hairpin collection, it was intricately antique.
The long shell-patterned hairpin was tempting even to me, a guy.
"Gasp!"
But I sucked in a breath at the naturally attached price tag.
'$10,000... Holy crap!'
Over ten million won for a hairpin.
My jaw wouldn't shut.
"Hyuk, isn't it pretty?"
While I stood there with my mouth agape in shock, a hallucination rang in my ear.
A woman's voice like mystical silver bells rolling, sweetly calling my name.
"Yeah?"
Seo Ye-rin, like a freshly bloomed elegant lily.
A being with beauty and intellectual charm surpassing any member of the hot girl groups these days, calling my name.
"Looks decent, I guess."
But my blurted response was shockingly nonchalant, even to me.
"Yeah? I think it's just pretty...."
The lily seemed hurt by my words and fell into thought.
'Kyaa, on you, it'd make you the goddess of beauty.'
Talents like Ye-rin, with both beauty and wisdom, needed national protection.
'$10,000.... Tsk.'
I wanted to buy her one.
But this young lion cub wasn't leveled up enough to produce money yet.
"Seo Ye-rin, want me to buy you one as a souvenir?"
'What the hell is that obnoxious voice?'
In this sacred spot of my first conversation with Ye-rin, an arrogant, cocky voice intruded.
Flanked by two wolf cubs, a rotten lion cub swaggered in.
'Hwang Sung-taek.'
A first-year like me, but lording over us as the Oseong Group heir nicknamed Crown Prince.
The punk, barely alive in the world, had ennui written all over his face.
And his hyena eyes were lewdly groping my lily's body.
"No thanks."
As soon as Hwang Sung-taek spoke, Seo Ye-rin bristled with thorns, turning into a rose. She left a cold remark and walked away.
"Haha! Just say the word anytime. My broad chest is always empty for you."
Hwang Sung-taek spat a cringy line at her retreating back.
'What a shame.'
It was the perfect chance to get close to Ye-rin.
A steamy emotional exchange with Seo Ye-rin in a foreign land.
It hadn't even started properly before the chili powder showed up.
"Let's go, Jung-hyun."
"Huh? Y-yeah."
No reason to hang with Hwang Sung-taek and his lackeys.
"Kang Hyuk, want some advice?"
As I moved away with Jung-hyun, Hwang Sung-taek's cold voice rang out.
"What?"
At 185 cm, with certified 4th dan in taekwondo and 3rd in kendo, I had no reason to flinch.
I turned and looked down at the scrawny Hwang Sung-taek, barely over 170.
"Seo Ye-rin is mine. If you want to enjoy school life intact, stay out of my sight."
Hwang Sung-taek, puffed up relying on his two wolf cubs.
He knew squat about me.
Under the heavens, the only things I feared were our family motto 'honesty' and my parents.
I smirked and lightly patted Hwang Sung-taek's shoulder.
"Hwang Sung-taek. Do you know who you owe your cushy life to?"
"..."
He faltered at my sudden words.
"Me? I'm a major shareholder owning a whopping 10 shares of Daeo Electronics. You shouldn't act so uppity when you're living off a shareholder's grace."
Hwang Sung-taek made a ridiculous face at my words.
"If you keep blowing money like this, as your shareholder rights... your esteemed grandfather..."
Swipe.
I drew my hand across my throat instead of words.
"Do well. Do good."
Pat pat.
I patted his skinny shoulder again.
Then turned away.
"H-hey, stop, you brainless fuck!"
But I didn't stop.
My life wasn't that reckless.
Whoosh!
The wind of a fist flying from behind.
Pop!
My leg instinctively whipped around in a kick.
"Hurk!"
A wolf cub froze, unable to breathe, staring at my foot stopped right at his jaw.
Puppy dogs were barking in front of a roaring lion.
"Warning once. Next time... you're dog food."
No need for long talks.
Not even worth punching these sub-thug losers.
"Tch."
Golden Lane, with hundreds of kids unleashed.
Exclamations burst everywhere as kids had fun.
And in the crowd, Jung-hyun had vanished.
The usually filial guy went to pick a gift for his mom.
'Why is this alley so quiet?'
Escaping the kids splashing cash with generous allowances from parents, a small alley caught my eye while browsing.
No different from others, but no people in sight.
No, other kids seemed blind to it, rushing past indifferently.
'Heh heh, good stuff's in places like this. Idiots.'
Even if my parents were heartless to me, they were the world's best.
Time to get them a gift.
Tomorrow we head back to Korea, so today was the last shopping chance.
"Man, even here they have Korean."
Before entering the alley, familiar Hangul—King Sejong's creation—boldly written in front of shops.
After English and Japanese, Korean was there, testament to how many Koreans had passed.
'Cheap. Look around. But no haggling.'
My face burned.
The embarrassing feeling was indescribable.
"Great Magician? Archmage?"
As I scanned the deserted alley with my flushed face, a small shop appeared.
Dark blue tinting blocked the view inside.
But 'Archmage' in English on the door.
'What? Descendant of alchemists?'
It piqued my curiosity.
'Go in?'
Darkest under the lamp—such a quiet spot might have something good.
Especially with my wallet dust-thin.
Ding-a-ling.
The thick wooden door opened with a clear bell chime.
'Oh yeah!'
An involuntary exclamation.
Looked like a nothing shop from outside, but inside was packed with masterful handmade crafts at a glance.
From jewelry boxes to earrings, necklaces, hairpins, all sorts of accessories, plus antique-looking pottery and knick-knacks fit for medieval nobles.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly.
'Jackpot.'
And a kindly-looking old man dozing off, bowing his head.
White beard like movie Gandalf down to his belly, stylishly wearing an ivory robe.
'This could be huge.'
Like internet news stories, treasures for life-changing finds pop up in antique shops like this.
A thrilling anticipation buzzed through me.
'Kekeke, total mark.'
The Czech grandpa looked kind-hearted at first glance. He bowed repeatedly at a large crystal orb.
"Ahem! Ahem!"
I cleared my throat to wake him.
Raised in courteous East Asia, I announced my arrival as customer first.
'Huh?'
But Gandalf didn't blink at my cough.
Like 'what dog barking?', he kept dozing, ear-picking, eyes shut.
'M-master?'
They say top merchants judge wealth by customer's scent alone.
He knew I entered but didn't rise—clearly pegged me as broke.
But I wasn't one to back down.
Snagging even one item meant no 'rude' label from parents.
"H-hi!"
I waved, flashing a Western-style friendly smile.
No money, but kindness might score something.
Flash.
Then, the dozing Gandalf's eyes snapped open like saucers.
Followed by a shocking line.
"Where'd you learn that rude hi? Bow your head quick when you see an elder. Tsk tsk, kids these days...."
Pure, flawless Korean in my ears.
If not for his face, I'd believe he was a neighborhood tiger grandpa. The old man's Korean was impeccable.
"You, broke, right?"
Gandalf landed critical hits in succession.
My body flinched and froze.
Under Eastern Europe's foreign sky, this faux-Czech grandpa.
Even fearless me overloaded at the suddenness.
'H-how'd he know I'm Korean? And that native fluency!'
First time feeling utterly outmatched. Second, after parents' breeding sim talk.
I stared blankly at Gandalf's golden eyes.
"Kekeke. Wondering how I knew you're Korean? And how I speak it so well? Right?"
'Western shaman?'
How else read my mind without possession? I nodded unconsciously, then snapped to.
'H-he a real mage? Nah, no way....'
The 'Archmage' sign flashed in my head.
But no way a mage in this century that builds tombs on the moon.
"Yeah, I'm a mage."
"Gasp!"
'No way... impossible!'
Mind-reading too? And brazenly claiming mage, not street magic trick.
Definitely rode the sedan chair and got the general spirit.
"Who are you?"
I swallowed dry spit, probing his identity. No sane person raised sans fantasy education claims mage.
Especially at that age, closer to death than life.
"Tsk tsk. Kids don't believe elders anymore. You think I'd spout nonsense at my age after expensive meals?"
Purely folksy speech pouring out.
Felt like a Korean shop, not Czech.
'I'm possessed. Must be kimchi withdrawal.'
Couldn't adapt to Gandalf's mother tongue.
'Dangerous.'
A chill warning raced down my spine.
Weird aura from the self-proclaimed Czech mage, and now I noticed shop's unknown letters and shapes.
Rune language from fantasy novels?
My feet inched toward the door.
"Why, leaving? I might give something for free if you're broke...."
'Free!' trumped danger; my retreating feet halted against my will.
'Yeah, global era, foreigners speak languages. Mind-reading? Old guy learned it.'
Self-consolation surged.
I flashed an innocent Kang Hyuk smile at Gandalf's mysterious eyes scanning me.
"H-ha ha! Your Korean is incredibly fluent."
While speaking, my eyes frantically searched.
Old folks don't lie.
Hunt the priciest item.
'Luck's good today.'
Started with Ye-rin chat, stumbled into Archmage shop. Owner's just a fantasy otaku—no other issues.
"It's on the house. Pick the one you like most from here as my gift."
Gandalf, like the Lord of the Rings movie version—friendly mage grandpa. My mouth gaped at the outrageous offer.
'Kuhaha! Jackpot!'
Never dreamed this in our cutthroat world.
"No need, really. But since you insist, I'll humbly pick one."
Before he could retract, I snatched the silver bracelet that yanked my soul from first sight.
'Big chunks—even fakes worth cash. Heh heh, huge score!'
Silver bracelet engraved with unknown patterns and letters. Midway silver-platinum sheen, top-tier rare item at a glance.
Plus diamond-like sparkles embedded inside.
Fakes would still fetch good money.
'Weirdly draws me.'
Plenty gold stuff, but this silver bracelet uniquely appealed.
Faint heat-haze aura emanated from it.
"Kekeke. Yes, that's it. Of course."
Gandalf nodded oddly as I picked it, muttering nonsense.
'Bail!'
Like pre- and post-bathroom mind, he might cancel.
I bowed 90 degrees.
"Thanks, I'll take it graciously."
Well-raised manners; I thanked sincerely(?).
Then turned.
'Puhaha! What a steal!'
Really liked the bracelet.
Holding it felt like instant riches.
Clunk.
'Huh?'
But that was it.
Door wouldn't budge no matter how hard. My strength, yet handle stuck like super-glued.
"Heh heh...."
Sinister laugh echoed.
Hair stood on end.
'Ch-cheapskate. Won't ask back, right?'
Force? Gandalf no match.
But deny, I'd have to return.
Tempting, but Czech prison slop? Pass.
"Got your gift, now let's go."
"Yes?"
Gandalf's sudden 'let's go' spun me around.
"Gasp!"
My body stiffened again on the spot.
Fsssh.
Gandalf held a weird stick, pouring intense blue light into the room.
"W-why? Isn't this free?"
Lips trembled beyond control.
"Free? Of course free. Provided you survive. Kuhahahahaha!"
Now hands shook.
Gandalf transformed.
His body radiated true archmage glow.
'Ffuck! What kimbap-side-burst action is this?'
Gandalf's immense presence choked my words.
Just a friendly line in my ear.
"Sleep!"
Fantasy novel chant.
My body engulfed in massive energy wave.
I squeezed eyes shut.
Still clutching silver bracelet, reluctant to ditch freebie.
' screwed....'
Short sigh amid unknown terror, I plunged into deep sleep.
Oblivious to coming future, lost in first taste of magic's ecstasy(?).