Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 028
Chapter Title: It's Mine Even If I Can't Eat It (2)
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Regin's eyes sharpened.
What he wanted to ask was already decided.
'No need to beat around the bush.'
If there was any part that deviated from the DAT system, he could just ask if the man knew about it.
'This isn't a conversation with Master Nuada.'
Nuada knew the original Regin, so caution was necessary.
Especially in this world where curses plagued Skull Island—revealing he was possessed could lead to who-knows-what.
But this wanderer was different.
From the circumstances, their last meeting seemed to be the first time they'd exchanged names, which meant he likely had no prior acquaintance with the original Regin.
"Hmm."
"Do you know nothing about it?"
Clink!
Just in case he tried to dodge again, Regin quickly tossed some coins into the tin can.
One gold. It was all the money he'd grabbed from his last expedition, just in case.
"Heh heh. One gold is too much for a mere handout, though."
"I've earned it from exploring, so it's fine. If it's a burden, you can save it and spend it wisely."
"That's true enough. Hahaha. You've got me cornered. Even if I wanted to dodge, I can't now, can I?"
"If you know, then answer me."
"You asked if I know DAT?"
The wanderer pondered for a moment before spitting out his response.
"I don't."
For such a simple answer, he'd hesitated too long. As Regin kept his sharp gaze, the wanderer added more.
"It's the first time I've heard the word. I wonder if it's an abbreviation for something."
"It's short for Dungeon and Tower."
"Hmm. Still no idea. But listen."
"Yes?"
"I'll be honest—it's not entirely unfamiliar. I vaguely remember someone mentioning it before."
"......!!"
"Don't take it as gospel. I'm not entirely sure myself. That's why I hesitated to answer."
Regin's mind began racing at full speed.
He focused on the wanderer with the same intensity he'd used inside the tower.
'He might have heard it somewhere...?'
Clink!
This time, he tossed a mana stone into the can. It was worth about 80 silver if converted to money.
"Just one more question."
"Heh heh. Was that one gold your entire fortune earlier? You've suddenly cut back."
"It's still enough to live on for a few days."
"Fair point. Go ahead, ask. I'm interested in your questions too."
"You..."
He knew of the existence of the 6th Tower.
And he might have heard of DAT before.
It seemed illogical, but Regin mobilized everything he knew to analyze the situation.
"Have you ever dabbled in black magic?"
"......!!"
The wanderer's eyes shook, his usual goofy expression breaking.
* * *
He still didn't know how this world was structured or how he'd ended up inside it as Regin.
But if exceptional beings like this wanderer existed, there were hints to be found.
'If he's a black mage... that could explain it within this world's rules.'
Black mage NPCs were famous for their cryptic lines.
Sometimes, they even broke the fourth wall—lines that made it seem like the characters knew they were in a created world.
'There were tons of theories that black mages were either bait characters or Easter eggs added by the developers for fun.'
It felt too meaningful to dismiss as just flavor for their fractured minds.
Of course, even in the late game, nothing much was revealed.
Regin had chalked it up as an Easter egg and forgotten about it.
'Lines that crossed worldviews... as if breaking the barrier between the game world and reality.'
Regin's heartbeat quickened slightly. It felt like he was on the verge of opening a hidden secret note.
The bait he'd never resolved while playing the game... seemed to be unraveling now that he was inside.
'Maybe black mages are aware of DAT and Earth. Black magic is set up as forbidden magic from another dimension in DAT.'
So the wanderer was likely a black mage too. After a pause, the wanderer nodded.
"...Heh heh. Sharp insight. You've got the makings of a beggar."
"......"
"Yes. I've dabbled in forbidden magics."
Clank—
He lifted a foot hidden beneath his robe.
"That's why I'm doomed to wear mana shackles for life."
"......!!"
"After the kingdom caught me, I endured endless torture. Then they slapped these shackles on me... so all I can do is scrounge around."
"......"
"People think black magic just uses others' life force as fuel for spells. And that's partly right—it's the basic structure."
Black magic could be seen as the art of casting spells by paying with life force instead of mana.
That was why DAT and many fantasy worlds cautioned against its use.
"But that's not all there is to it. The kingdom desperately tries to suppress it, but if you learn what's beyond black magic... new things come into view."
"Is that related to the 6th Tower?"
"That's just it..."
The wanderer's words were about to continue.
"Enough."
A cold voice came from behind. The tone was icy, brimming with fury.
"Master."
"Step aside."
Regin's master, the sage known as the wizard Nuada.
"How dare you."
He glared at the wanderer and strode between them.
"Who are you flapping that filthy mouth in front of again, Ferma Vinisis?"
Nuada continued with blazing eyes.
"I told you never to preach your nonsense to my disciple again."
* * *
Nuada's arrival cut short the conversation with the wanderer.
'Voice-control magic?'
With a flick of his hand, Nuada ensured Regin couldn't hear, then exchanged a few words with the wanderer.
Regin couldn't make out the words from lip-reading alone, but the atmosphere was anything but ordinary.
Nuada's disgust and anger toward the wanderer were palpable.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
Nuada led Regin back to his dwelling.
Food Nuada had ordered was laid out on the table, and he sat with an expressionless face.
"You've had a rough time. Mananan said he'd stay longer in the tower before coming back?"
"Yes."
"Good. As an elementalist, he doesn't need much recovery time. Gaining combat experience is more important now."
"He seemed to think so too."
"You came back because you need to craft scrolls, Regin. Smart choice. Both of you seem to grasp the traits of the magics I've taught well."
Nuada spoke as if nothing had happened.
As he gestured for Regin to eat, Regin picked up a spoon but hesitated before speaking.
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Are you acquainted with that man in Fountain Square?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I got the impression you didn't want me talking to him. If there's something wrong, I should know so I can avoid him."
Nuada looked at his food, then nodded.
It wasn't wrong.
If they knew why to avoid contact, his disciples could watch out for themselves.
"It's best not to meet him alone. From a mage's perspective, or even as a citizen of this kingdom."
"......"
"He's one who delved into things he shouldn't have."
"Things he shouldn't have...?"
"A black mage."
Magic fell into two broad categories.
Standard magic, which used the flow of mana.
And black magic, which drew on life force as its resource.
'Black magic is banned and monitored by the kingdom. Officially, it's for ethical reasons.'
If it only cost one's own life force, the kingdom would have little grounds to forbid it.
But as black magic scaled up, it demanded more life force.
Meaning it required pulling in others' lives too.
"It's strange. How can someone like that walk freely in the square? Hasn't the kingdom punished him?"
"He was punished. His magic was sealed. Didn't you see his ankle earlier?"
"...I did."
"That's the kingdom's punishment. He can't use black magic anymore. But his mere presence nearby makes me uncomfortable."
Nuada continued softly.
"Because he spreads his twisted ideas without a care. I don't want my disciples swayed by that."
"So that's why you were so sharp earlier."
"Yes. To be honest, that's the same reason I scolded you for going to Skull Island."
"You were worried I might take an interest in black magic."
"Exactly. Skull Island is frequented by those studying necromancy or black magic."
Nuada shook his head as he took a bite.
"It's gotten to the point where I'd rather you befriend the Nemede school's lot."
"...The Nemede school?"
"They're not exactly normal either, but comparatively speaking."
"You're saying even just talking to him warrants that much caution?"
This was the part Regin couldn't understand.
The kingdom had released that wanderer—Ferma Vinisis—which meant sealing his magic was punishment enough.
'Black mages might know something more.'
Vinisis himself had hinted they might have seen something else about this world.
The kingdom probably didn't know. If they did, they wouldn't let Vinisis blab about things like the 6th Tower.
'Which means Nuada likely doesn't know what black mages know either.'
Was there reason to react so coldly just to conversation?
Talking to a black mage didn't mean you'd learn black magic.
"Ferma Vinisis..."
"Yes."
"...was one of my former disciples."
"......!!"
"He turned that way after contact with other black mages. So I hope you understand my sensitivity."
That still didn't convince Regin fully, but he nodded.
"Part of the reason he made that choice... is my fault too."
"......"
"That's why I must be more cautious. I don't want to repeat that twice."
Only then did Nuada's glare in the square make sense.
It wasn't just anger; he was visibly suppressing deeper emotions.
"Don't worry."
Regin gazed at Nuada steadily before speaking.
"I have no intention of going near black magic."
"...You're serious."
"Yes."
Regin's eyes showed resolute determination.
Nuada, who had lived as a sage for over a decade, could only judge it as sincere.
'Of course I'm serious.'
Regin thought as he belatedly scooped some food.
'I get that black magic holds hints to this world's secrets and Earth's. It was portrayed that way in the game... and here too.'
Vinisis's shackled ankle flashed in his mind.
'But not right now.'
If he dabbled clumsily, everything would collapse along with those shackles.
He'd be unable to survive in this world. All his power and hope blocked by the kingdom.
'Researching black magic...'
...comes after gaining enough strength to avoid capture.
In other words, he needed to build power now.
"So. Any plans for today?"
"Yes."
Regin wiped his mouth with a napkin and nodded.
"I plan to stop by the Spellcrafting Association once I'm ready."
There was only one way for a spellcrafter to grow stronger.
Crafting and researching better scrolls.
* * *
After Regin left Nuada's house, Nuada sat alone, staring at the chair where he'd been.
The events in the square replayed in his mind.
His former disciple, Ferma Vinisis, who had now walked the path of excommunication.
The words they'd exchanged after the voice-control spell lingered.
— What nonsense were you feeding my disciple?
— Puhaha. I was just answering his questions. Would you believe that?
— Questions?
With Ferma Vinisis's distinctive raspy voice, the word he'd heard then popped out.
"...The 6th Tower."
Wrinkle lines deepened on his brow.
Nuada pressed his temple with his finger.
"I need to look into it."
Just as Regin and Ferma had suspected—whether another tower could truly appear.