Chapter 107: 19th Floor. Magic World (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 107: 19th Floor. Magic World (2)
[Title: 19th Floor...]
[I ended up finishing without doing a single thing. I just hung around the Magic Tower, and the quest cleared itself.]
[Maruima Atsuya (20th Floor): That’s the case for most people. I never imagined they’d make it so we couldn't even get close to the quest location.]
* * *
Kang Jun-hyeok and Tia traveled a short distance from the Magic Tower to a nearby mountain.
It was a moderately sized peak nestled between the clouds and the earth. At a glance, it looked like any other ordinary mountain one might find in the surrounding area.
However, that mountain was currently swarming with people.
This was the site of the tomb of Weed, the Great Mage from a thousand years ago. Tia spoke up spiritedly.
“Let’s go!”
“Yes.”
As they approached the mountain, they found it protected by a massive, shimmering magical barrier. Two mages blocked their path as they neared the entrance.
“This area is currently under the protection of the Magic Tower. Outsiders are not permitted to enter. Please turn back.”
“Oh, I’m a mage too!” Tia said confidently.
The mage gave her a skeptical look. “...You’re a mage?”
He scanned Tia from head to toe. Her face still held a bit of baby fat, and she barely reached the man’s chest. She looked more like a young girl than a woman.
The mage’s expression softened into a patronizing smile.
“Listen, kid. I’m sorry, but this area is off-limits. I know you’re curious, but please go home. Where are your parents?”
Tia’s face turned bright red.
“I—I really am a mage! Look at this!”
Tia thrust forward the token that proved her status within the Magic Tower. After inspecting it, the mage’s eyes widened in surprise.
“It’s real. I’ve confirmed you’re a mage. However, you still cannot enter. Only the most exceptional among mages are allowed inside.”
“That’s not a problem either!” Tia declared with pride. “I am Tia Lirinet, the School Master of the Arcana Gem School. And the man beside me is my direct disciple, Kang Jun-hyeok.”
“Arcana Gem?”
The mage’s eyes nearly popped out as he searched his memory. “Wait, could it be that Arcana Gem School?”
“That’s right.”
“I—I am terribly sorry for my rudeness! Please, enter!”
The mage bowed a full ninety degrees. Tia was actually the one taken aback by the sudden shift in treatment.
“Ah, thank you.”
As they stepped onto the mountain, Tia whispered softly, “I’ve never been treated like that before.”
“People are finally starting to recognize your worth.”
“Hehehe.” Tia scratched her head, looking pleased.
They entered the area protected by the barrier. Dozens of people were moving about. Tia let out a gasp as she recognized the faces in the crowd.
“Harotoran. Geshak. Altsrun... they’re all School Masters from the Magic Tower.”
Only the highest-ranking mages recognized by the Magic Tower were present.
The tomb of the Great Mage Weed from a millennium ago was not a place for just anyone. Kang Jun-hyeok wore a complicated expression.
To think I’d actually enter this place.
In his past life, he hadn't even been able to get close. Unable to obtain mana, he had spent his time on the 19th floor doing nothing but menial chores at the Magic Tower until the floor ended.
His clear rate back then had been 0%.
It was a floor that had yielded nothing but disastrous results.
Now, he had reached the very heart of that same 19th floor. As he was lost in a strange sense of sentimentality, someone approached them.
“Lady Tia and Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok, you’ve arrived.”
“Ah, Lord Alprain!”
The direct disciple of the Tower Master—a genius said to appear once in a millennium—was greeting them personally. Tia hurriedly straightened her clothes and showed her respect. Alprain shook his head.
“Lady Tia, you are the Master of a school. I am still merely a disciple. There is no need for such formalities.”
“Ha, hahaha...”
Tia let out a dry laugh. No matter if she was a School Master, the status of the Tower Master’s direct disciple was on another level. Even if she was technically higher in rank, she couldn't afford to be careless with him.
However, Alprain seemed sincere as he greeted them with polite etiquette.
“I am interested in the Arcana Gem School you’ve established. Would it be alright if I visited your school later to talk?”
“O-Of course! You’re welcome anytime!”
“Thank you. I hope Mr. Kang Jun-hyeok will be there as well.”
He had suffered a crushing defeat at Kang Jun-hyeok’s hands, yet the look in Alprain’s eyes wasn't one of hostility or wariness, but genuine curiosity. Jun-hyeok nodded.
“We would be happy to have you.”
“Thank you. Since we’ve met like this, allow me to guide you.”
“T-Thank you!”
Tia hurriedly followed behind Alprain. Jun-hyeok asked him, “How was it discovered?”
“A mage was passing through this mountain and lost his way. He wandered all over the place until he discovered a clearing halfway up the mountain.”
There was an inscription in the clearing. It was a very primitive text, carved into the ground. Normally, it should have been buried by the wind and soil until no trace remained.
However, the writing remained vivid. The mage, puzzled by this strange phenomenon, investigated the text and was soon struck with shock.
“The inscription read as follows.”
[To the one who has found this place, congratulations.]
[I am the Great Mage Weed. I was once the Master of the Magic Tower. As I cast everything aside and ascend, I have left one gift for you all.]
[Solve my riddle, find my tomb, and take the final legacy within.]
“May we see it for ourselves?”
“I am leading you there now.”
Alprain grinned. Soon, they heard the sound of a commotion and saw dozens of mages gathered together. When Alprain asked for passage and stepped inside, the inscription carved into the earth came into view.
“Whoa...”
Tia groaned as she traced the letters. “Magic... it’s engraved into the earth itself.”
“It’s mana that hasn't faded for over a thousand years.”
“My goodness.”
He had left an indelible mark on the world itself.
It was magic impossible for anyone other than the Great Mage of a millennium ago. Jun-hyeok read through the inscription.
“It seems the part below is the riddle.”
[One may build a fire, yet cannot ignite one.]
[One may cast a gaze, yet cannot send one.]
[One may walk the path, yet cannot illuminate one.]
[Find this place.]
“Have you found any hints?”
“Unfortunately, we haven't.”
At Tia’s question, Alprain shook his head with a regretful look.
“For the past few days, brilliant mages have scoured the entire mountain. Every detection spell imaginable has been cast. But we haven't found a single trace.”
“I suppose it means his legacy isn't something that can be found so easily. Very well. I’ll lend my humble assistance!”
“I look forward to it.”
Tia pumped her fist spiritedly.
The mages were desperately casting spells, trying to locate the tomb.
Meanwhile, Kang Jun-hyeok strolled leisurely through the mountain. Tia asked with a puzzled face, “Jun-hyeok? What are you doing?”
“I’m looking for the tomb.”
“...It looks like you’re just taking a walk?”
Jun-hyeok was moving with a relaxed gait, as if out for a stroll. He hadn't cast a single spell.
The hidden tomb of the Great Mage. To find it, one needs magic—that was what everyone believed.
But Jun-hyeok knew that line of thinking was the wrong answer.
I believe it was around here.
[Pixie’s Treasure Intuition.]
A skill, not magic, was activated. Simultaneously, something caught Jun-hyeok’s senses. A hidden, secret space.
Here.
Jun-hyeok rummaged through the bushes. Tia followed him with a bewildered expression, and Alprain approached a moment later.
“What are you doing...”
“Shh.”
Jun-hyeok silenced him and expanded his senses. As he reached into the bushes, his fingertips caught on something.
Click.
He pulled it with force. Immediately, a mechanical sound began to rumble.
Rumble, rumble...
“Huh?”
“W-What is that?”
Other mages heard the noise and came rushing over.
The bushes parted. The earth rose, revealing a massive mechanism. It began to take shape with a series of metallic clanks.
“...Ah?”
“Uh...”
A hidden underground passage that had been concealed within the bushes revealed itself.
In the silence, Jun-hyeok gave a simple answer.
“This must be the Great Mage’s tomb.”
* * *
After a long silence, Alprain spoke with a groan.
“Not a single mage could find it, so how...”
“Because the method of searching was wrong from the start. It’s not something you find with magic.”
[One may build a fire, yet cannot ignite one.]
[One may cast a gaze, yet cannot send one.]
[One may walk the path, yet cannot illuminate one.]
[Find this place.]
The meaning of the riddle left by the Great Mage was quite simple.
You can physically build a fire, but you cannot ignite one with magic.
You can cast your gaze with your naked eyes, but you cannot send your vision through magic.
You can walk the path with your feet, but you cannot illuminate it with magic.
Use your body, not magic. That was the answer to the riddle. Alprain groaned after hearing the explanation.
“...It was so simple.”
The reason they couldn't find the answer was also simple. To them, magic was everything. The option of searching without magic simply didn't exist.
“My god. Jun-hyeok...”
Tia, Alprain, and the other mages looked at him with awe. Jun-hyeok smiled silently.
My conscience is pricking me a bit.
He wasn't the one who had solved the riddle. He had merely acted according to the memories he had heard in his past life.
But since it hadn't happened yet in this life, he figured he could just shamelessly accept the credit.
At the entrance of the underground passage, a single sentence was written.
[This is a dungeon for you.]
[But it is not a dungeon for you.]
“What does that mean?”
“Hmm...”
People rested their chins on their hands, lost in thought. Meanwhile, one mage hurriedly stepped forward.
“There’s no time to ponder! The Great Mage’s artifacts are inside! I’m going in first! Follow me, disciples!”
“Yes, Master!”
A crowd of people rushed in after the mage. Alprain spoke cautiously.
“Shouldn't you stop them? Since you’re the one who found it, Mr. Jun-hyeok, you have priority. Even though he’s a Master of an influential school, I can help you.”
“There’s no need. They’ll be back soon anyway.”
Jun-hyeok spoke nonchalantly. Alprain soon realized what those words meant.
“H-Help me!”
“Eeeek!”
Not even a few minutes had passed before the mages who had entered the tomb came running back, screaming.
“M-Magic doesn't work in there!”
“What?”
Alprain’s eyes widened. The mage shouted while gasping for breath.
“Magic won't activate! The mana just dissipates!”
This is a dungeon for you, but it is not a dungeon for you.
What the mages desired was at the end of this path, but they would never be able to reach it through magic.
“It’s quite cruel.”
Not that it matters to me.
Jun-hyeok hummed as he stepped inside.
“J-Jun-hyeok?”
“Follow me if you’re coming. You too, Lord Alprain. I can’t protect anyone other than you two.”
“O-Oh...”
Before they knew it, Jun-hyeok had disappeared into the underground. Tia, fidgeting anxiously, let out a shout and ran inside. Alprain hurriedly followed behind her. The other mages could only mill about, unable to bring themselves to enter.
Rumble...
Soon, a golem appeared before Jun-hyeok. Alprain, who was about to use magic, froze in place.
“...Magic really doesn't work.”
His magic was impossible to use.
However, the Arcana Gem School dealt with gems. He thought they might be able to use magic. That must be why Jun-hyeok had entered so confidently. With that thought, Alprain looked at Tia.
“I-It’s not working!”
But Tia was also flustered, fumbling with her gems. Alprain’s eyes widened.
“What?”
“The magic won't activate! What is this?!”
“W-Wait!”
Even Arcana Gem magic didn't work?
Then why! In the midst of their panic, the golem lunged forward. Just as Alprain and Tia were about to scream and run, Jun-hyeok’s fist moved.
BOOM!
The golem shattered into fragments, scattering in every direction.
“...Huh?”
“Eh?”
“Let’s keep going.”
Leaving their stunned expressions behind, Jun-hyeok walked deeper into the tomb.