Clearing Karma
The sun had already set by then, so the barrier gates were surely closed. For that reason, Woojin and his group spent the night camping.
The sun rose once more.
They gathered their bags. It was time to part ways with Logar.
"I'll be heading out now."
Logar said as much.
His role had been to escort Woojin and his companions to the barrier city. With the mission complete, he needed to return to ogre territory.
Woojin expressed his gratitude for the hard work.
"You've done a lot. See you later."
"Yes. Call on me anytime."
Logar bowed politely before climbing onto the war rhino's neck.
The ogre warrior headed north.
Woojin watched his retreating figure quietly... then suddenly turned his head as if remembering something he'd forgotten. Toward the southern barrier.
"Shall we head into the city?"
"Sure."
They started walking.
As they approached the gates, a line of people came into view. Folks who had arrived before Woojin. They seemed to have camped right by the gates.
Lucky for them, waiting like that...
The line wasn't long, so it was Woojin's turn soon enough. The nearby guards gave a light nod, then quickly checked their bags and belongings.
In the midst of it, a guard's gaze lingered on Koko. The silver squirrel tilted its head, its beady black eyes staring right back at the guard.
The guard beckoned at the squirrel.
"This... isn't a demonic beast? It's too big to be just a squirrel."
Koko was about the size of a cat. Small for a demonic beast, but twice the size of a normal squirrel.
Woojin answered nonchalantly.
"Just a regular pet."
"A pet?"
"Yeah. It even knows how to say hi. Watch."
Koko waved one paw like it was greeting him. The guard was impressed.
"Whoa... it's really well-trained."
The guard dropped his suspicion.
A bit big, sure, but just a squirrel at worst. Letting something like that inside the walls wouldn't cause any issues.
With that in mind, the inspection went smoothly. The guards soon stepped back.
Lucky it went off without a hitch.
Woojin had been worried he might need Arwen's charm if things went south. Glad he didn't have to bother with that mess.
They stepped through the gates.
What they faced next was a city so massive it was hard to believe their eyes. Arwen and Koko gawked at their surroundings in stunned silence upon entering Yurgis.
They'd visited pioneer cities before, but this was on another level entirely. The grand cathedral was so enormous that, with a bit of exaggeration, it felt like stumbling into a city built by giants.
"I-it's... really huge..."
"Yeah."
Honestly, even Woojin was impressed. It had been so long since his last visit that he'd half-forgotten how massive Yurgis truly was.
No time for sightseeing, though. They pressed on aimlessly for now.
Where was it I could rent a carriage again?
As he retraced his steps in his mind...
A metallic clank caught his ear. The rhythmic ching of armor as soldiers marched. Six or seven hundred troops crossed the plaza in formation.
Their footsteps allowed no deviation. Iron discipline, steel gleaming under the sun. They looked like reinforcements for the third expedition.
Striding alongside them was a massive lizard demonic beast, a tarasque. Large ballistae were mounted on its broad back, one per beast.
They've made siege ballistae mobile.
Something Woojin himself had done in the past.
He'd loaded ballistae onto drakes and seen results, so the church alliance must have deemed it effective and replicated the idea.
They're investing heavily in the third expedition.
I wonder how it'll turn out.
As he watched the troops pass, Arwen sidled up and suggested quietly.
"Should we take another route?"
She eyed the soldiers with unease. Like a thief afraid of their own footsteps, she seemed wary of the alliance forces given her past as a Dark Priest.
Woojin accepted without hesitation.
"Yeah, let's go around. The plaza's too crowded anyway; I was thinking of another path."
They quickened their pace.
With a look around, memories of the local layout started returning. Woojin walked with growing confidence.
Before long, they reached the carriage guild. Woojin stated his destination.
"To the Magic City, please."
After the mage tower, they'd head to the port city where Cindy was staying.
They boarded the carriage.
The wheels jolted now and then. Arwen and Koko, fascinated by the ride, pressed against the window to watch the scenery roll by.
Woojin felt nothing special. He yawned widely and half-reclined.
Might as well nap.
Carriages were far slower than wolves. It'd take ages to reach the Magic City, so he figured he'd sleep away the boredom.
As he dozed off...
The destination drew near. Peering out the window, he spotted a massive city in the distance, dominated by a single tower at its center.
Another hour or two, and we'll be there.
Time to sleep again.
But after napping half the day, sleep wouldn't come. His eyes felt dry and gritty.
Resigned, he sat up and rested his chin on the window sill, watching the passing views.
The city loomed closer by the moment.
A strange feeling stirred in Woojin—excitement laced with unease.
I hope Claire's doing okay.
He could only hope so.
The carriage entered the city. Woojin snapped his fingers with a click.
"We're here. Wake up."
Arwen and Koko stirred groggily from the opposite seat. The priestess and squirrel yawned in unison.
The carriage halted. Woojin and the others grabbed their bags and stepped down.
"Where to now?"
Arwen asked, stretching. Woojin pointed ahead.
The towering mage tower.
"We're heading there."
They walked toward it.
It had been ages since his last visit, but finding the way was easy. Just look up, and the tower was in sight.
Soon, they stepped inside.
"What brings you here?"
A male mage at the reception desk spoke up. Woojin got straight to the point.
"I'm here to see a friend. A female mage named Claire. Could you call her for me? I'd appreciate it."
"Hmm?"
The mage's expression turned odd. He eyed them suspiciously.
Woojin asked.
"Something wrong?"
"Mages in the tower aren't exactly idle. We can't just summon them on a whim... Are you really close with Lady Claire?"
If it was a lie, there'd be consequences. The mage warned as much.
Woojin thought for a moment before replying.
"We're friends. Assuming she still considers me one. Just tell her a hunter's here."
"Not giving your name?"
"Personal reasons."
With that, he pulled an item from his pocket. Elder Bow's letter of recommendation. The mage panicked upon seeing it and shot to his feet.
"Please... wait just a moment."
The mage scurried off.
Woojin watched him go, tucking the returned letter away.
Works like a charm.
He'd only shown it to avoid pointless arguments, but the reaction was dramatic.
Even haughty mages had to respect the church alliance's authority. Especially a low-ranking one like that guy.
After a short wait...
The mage returned, glancing nervously at Woojin before speaking.
"Lady Claire is out right now. She went to the city's public library."
Claire was away.
They'd just missed each other, but Woojin was satisfied. At least he confirmed she was still in the city.
"Where's the library?"
"Head left as you exit; you'll see it soon. Left from the main entrance."
"Thanks."
Better go right away.
Recalling the directions, he walked and soon spotted a large building. The Magic City's two-story library, managed by the market guildmaster.
Couldn't bring a pet into a place like that. Basic courtesy.
"Arwen, wait here with Koko."
"Yeah, probably best."
Woojin entered alone.
He scanned the area. Bookshelves stretched like a maze, with people weaving between them.
This could be tricky.
The library was vast, packed with visitors. How to find Claire here? As he pondered and looked around...
He spotted something odd.
A white blob of light hovered around the shelves. It resembled a hand. Like a translucent ghost hand floating in the air.
Woojin quickly realized what it was. A type of magic.
Cat Hand spell.
Cat Hand.
A spell named after the saying about borrowing even a cat's paw in a pinch. It conjured hands in the air to assist with daily tasks.
The hand darted between shelves. Woojin followed it, entranced.
He found someone.
A woman in a stylish librarian outfit. She hummed softly, pushing a cart loaded with books.
Shaaah—
Eight cat hands floated beside her. Each glowing hand picked up a book from the cart and flew to the shelves, slotting them neatly into place.
The female librarian sorted books with magic. Woojin watched her back quietly.
Steeling himself...
"...Claire."
He called her name softly.
Claire turned. Their eyes met. Woojin tried for a cheerful smile... but quickly read the room.
Claire's gaze was fierce. The mage stared at him with a blank expression.
...What now.
The angriest person was the one who'd never gotten mad before.
Woojin shrank back, swallowing dryly as he scrambled for words. But Claire crooked a finger at him first.
Shaaah—
One glowing hand flew over. It grabbed his collar roughly, dragging him along like a spellbound puppet.
They stood face-to-face.
Claire extended both arms. It didn't look like a hug.
Kwak!
Like grabbing a disobedient large dog, she seized Woojin's face with both hands. She muttered in a chilling tone.
"You said you'd come early."
"...Sorry."
Nothing else to say.