Chapter 41
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 041
Chapter Title: Mage Enoch
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‘...This won’t do.’
Mage Enoch had been backed into a corner.
A failure. It was a tiresome label, but now even the chance to hear it was rare. To think he’d hit a wall at just the fourth circle...
His mastery of magic was lacking, and his research record was far from impressive. At this rate, he’d end up as the lowly spell-slinger everyone had always mocked.
‘It’s time to seek out a new opportunity.’
To break free from his fated path, he needed to introduce some variation. In that sense, the Church Alliance’s Demonic Realm research initiative was a golden chance.
A public notice had gone up recruiting volunteers for field research in the Demonic Realm. But most mages showed little interest.
It was only natural.
Leaving the safe, abundant city for the monster-infested Demonic Realm seemed like utter madness.
As a result, few signed up for Demonic Realm duty. Enoch and a handful of other failures set off for the pioneer city.
And the Demonic Realm they encountered was...
‘...Fantastic.’
Enoch shuddered as he stepped into the Demonic Realm. Every glance around revealed endless subjects ripe for study. A bizarre world that shifted and evolved with every moment.
What achievements could he accomplish here? His heart pounded wildly with excitement.
‘Everyone’s going to see me in a new light.’
Brimming with dreams, the mage began his research.
...But reality hit him fast.
Whenever something valuable or rare was discovered in the Demonic Realm, it was preserved in solution and shipped off to the Magic Tower. Enoch’s role was merely overseeing the process as a middleman.
Opportunities slipping away right before his eyes, every time. The injustice burned so hot he went to confront his superiors.
“Why send everything to the Magic Tower? Give it to me—I can handle it just fine!”
The passionate young man pleaded. The Church Alliance priest responded calmly.
“Enoch, this city doesn’t have a proper lab. No alchemy equipment means research here is impossible.”
“That’s why I keep begging for support! When we first arrived, you promised equipment if the chance came up!”
Enoch’s voice rose in agitation. The priest forced a kind smile.
“It’s proven more difficult than expected. Funds are tight. Still, considering your position, I’ll put in a special report.”
“Same old story every time! It’s been over three years already. How much longer?!”
“...Hah.”
The priest sighed. His demeanor turned noticeably cynical.
“Listen, Enoch. Between you and the Magic Tower, who do you think they’ll choose? Obviously the latter.”
“...”
Enoch was speechless. In his anger, the priest pressed on with what he’d always wanted to say.
“Handing promising work to an unpromising person? Unthinkable. Demanding it outright is just shameless. Grow up already.”
The priest took a sip of tea, then—realizing he’d gone too far—added some consolation.
“I’ll report to the higher-ups and get your salary bumped. Save up enough coin, head back over the wall, and you’ll be fine.”
“...Yes, sir.”
Enoch shuffled out.
It felt like a slap to the face. A tangle of emotions churned in his chest: rage, sorrow, emptiness...
...Only one thing could soothe it.
“One bottle of mugwort distillate, please.”
Entering the tavern, Enoch ordered his favorite drink. No snacks, just straight booze as he reminisced on his foolish past.
The day his brother inherited the family estate.
He’d scraped together his own inheritance and used it to enter the Magic Tower. Enoch had been just thirteen then.
Cocky dreams of returning a success. Obsessed, he’d studied magic relentlessly. Never touched a woman, never indulged in luxury.
But he had no talent.
...That was it.
“Heh heh heh.”
Enoch laughed like a madman, blowing across the bottle. He downed the entire distillate in one go and ordered another.
As he poured it into a glass...
“That stuff any good?”
A voice came out of nowhere.
Enoch whipped around like a kid caught sneaking snacks. His eyes met a female mercenary gazing at him with curious eyes.
Dark brown hair and irises. Her skin was fair and smooth, unmarred by her mercenary life. The playful smile on her lips muddled his mind.
“...Something on my face?”
She tilted her head slightly. Flustered, Enoch stammered.
“N-No... nothing.”
“Good to hear.”
She smiled and beckoned.
“Mind if I buy a round?”
And so their bond began.
The mercenary’s name was Daisy. Enoch thought it suited her perfectly.
“Whoa... You’re a Magic Tower mage?! That’s amazing!”
As they chatted, Daisy lit up at the mention of the Tower. Enoch gave a wry smile and shook his head.
“Doesn’t mean much when I’m a dropout.”
“Just learning magic is incredible! I dreamed of joining the Tower as a kid... Mind sharing more details?”
“No trouble at all.”
Daisy loved Magic Tower stories.
Whenever they drank together, she’d make him spill Tower tales as appetizers. Her eyes sparkled like a child’s every time.
Ridiculous as it was, those were the most fulfilling moments since joining the Tower. Sometimes he wondered if he’d learned magic just to meet her...
‘...Should I really be telling her this?’
Enoch hesitated.
Daisy’s questions unwittingly brushed against sensitive secrets: Tower layout, high mages’ backgrounds, lab locations...
Sharing them was risky, but one look at her smile melted those worries away.
‘It’ll be fine.’
Conversations with Daisy fueled his life. In the end, he spilled everything.
Then one day...
“...Hey, wanna take a night stroll?”
Daisy asked shyly, a blush on her fair cheeks. Enoch swallowed hard without thinking.
“This late... Where to?”
“There’s a spot perfect for viewing the full moon.”
Taken by the hand, Enoch followed her out of the pioneer city.
“Going out at night’s dangerous, isn’t it?”
“Trust my skills for once.”
Daisy grinned and patted her sword. Enoch dropped his protests. She was a skilled mercenary, and he was a mage with his share of spells.
...Truth be told, he mostly didn’t want to sound like a whiny coward.
The two reached a hilltop.
“Cheers to a fun night.”
Daisy pulled mugwort distillate from her pack. Enoch clinked glasses with her and tossed back the pale green liquid.
“...Guh?!”
Enoch’s body went rigid. The mage collapsed face-first into the dirt.
The witch’s lips curled up.
“Tired of playing house. But now that it’s come to this, I should check, right?”
She rummaged in her pouch and produced something: a black potion swirling with ominous hues. Tiny parasites wriggled like dust motes inside.
Drip.
The black potion splashed onto Enoch’s eyes. Thick as ink, it coated his vision in pure darkness.
In the void, minuscule larvae swarmed. They latched onto spots throughout, then curled up like pill bugs.
Shaaa—
The coiled larvae erupted in white-hot light. Amid the pitch-black, they glimmered faintly.
This sight was like...
‘...The night sky?’
The thought crossed his mind.
Boom!
A crimson burst exploded at the sky’s center. Red stars poured from the blast, flowing like a galaxy to form a peculiar shape.
...The Rose Nebula.
The red cluster flared. Reality returned. Enoch’s eyes snapped open.
“Gack! Hack!!”
He coughed like a drowning man pulled from water. The witch stared down at him in surprise.
“...What did you see?”
She demanded.
Enoch tried to speak, but no voice came. The poison still paralyzed him.
“What did you see?! Speak!!”
The impatient witch slapped his face, then punched until his lip split. Fire blazed across his skin.
The beating ignited Enoch’s temper. He couldn’t take it without cursing. Mustering all his strength, he forced out words.
“...Rose... You fucking bitch.”
Her demeanor shifted back to Daisy’s.
Smooch.
Daisy leaned down for a kiss. Her tongue slipped past his lips, tangling like snakes. The metallic tang of blood from his battered face.
After the deep kiss...
She pulled back. Her blood-smeared lips glistened like ruby lipstick.
“Enoch. You’ve received the outer god’s baptism.”
Swish, rustle—
Whispering, Daisy shed her clothes.
Under the full moon, her silhouette gleamed ghostly white. Beauty any man would dream of. She straddled him.
“Enoch, you’re incredible.”
“Enoch, new gatekeeper of the night...”
“You’ll lead the god’s army as general.”
Daisy whispered endlessly. Enchanted, Enoch murmured back.
“...I’m incredible.”
It felt like a long-held dream fulfilled.
His eyes opened.
Waking, Woojin stared at the ceiling. He needed to sort through what he’d seen, heard, and felt in the dream.
But it wasn’t easy.
‘...Ugh, my head.’
Lightning’s aftereffects? A dull headache throbbed relentlessly. He should step out for some fresh air.
Deciding so, Woojin quenched his thirst with kettle water and headed outside.
‘Where to?’
He wandered aimlessly, no destination in mind.
Loafing about, Woojin drew eyes. Soon, a man approached.
Commander Albert hailed him.
“Awake at last, Jin. Feeling alright?”
“Not bad. Feels like I slept a good long while... How much time passed?”
“Three days, including today. We were all worried—you slept so deeply.”
Longer than expected. Safe and comfy bed let him sleep straight through.
‘That’s why I’ve recovered so well.’
Some headache and aches lingered, but far milder than anticipated. A few more days’ rest should nearly restore him.
Gauging it, he spoke.
“Detailed report in two days. My thoughts are still jumbled.”
“Take your time. The spider cave rift core’s purified—plenty of breathing room now.”
Albert was all graciousness. The spider mention sparked a question.
“What happened to the spider monster corpse I brought from the cave?”
“Held it for you to decide after waking. Probably in that warehouse... Let’s check while we’re at it.”
Albert led him to the supply warehouse. Inside, Woojin scanned around. A long shelf caught his eye.
Rows of large glass jars lined it. Approaching, he peered into each.
Spider arms. Legs. Torso. Guts... And head. Dismembered by body part, preserved in clear solution.
“Couldn’t let it rot, so we preserved it. Magic Tower mages want it for research. Your call?”
Albert asked from beside him. Woojin silently studied the spider.
The jarred head. Maybe imagination, but... its mouth seemed to smirk faintly.
“...Do as they ask.”
Mage Enoch returns to the Magic Tower.