Marble Without a Medium
I hadn't expected it to be easy, but this was disappointing.
This time, he cast Lighting with one-hand magic.
It took seven minutes. Fortunately, he managed to shoot a light upward, but it was as feeble as a candle flame—hardly a success.
Yeom Sang-taek repeated Lighting.
Of course, still with one-hand magic.
Yeom Sang-taek executed Lighting a hundred times. The results were dismal. His success rate was 5.5%.
Am I not skilled enough to learn Fusion Magic?
All sorts of thoughts flooded his mind, anxiety building, but he suppressed it. Training now would make a small difference. Those changes would accumulate until one day, growth exploded.
Kim Jun was proof of that.
As he cast Lighting another fifty times or so, a message window appeared.
Jang Geon-ho, grandson of the Crazy Buffer Yang Hee-seon and leader of Roulette Team, which had joined Uramata Guild, was a Raider who trained frequently at Jangyang Academy just like Yeom Sang-taek.
Yeom Sang-taek opened the chat window.
Yeom Sang-taek hit the invite button.
Moments later, Jang Geon-ho appeared in full raid gear. He looked around and burst out laughing.
"Training in a place like this actually works better?"
"I pick a different spot every day. Yesterday it was Times Square in New York."
Even as he answered, Yeom Sang-taek felt a twinge of annoyance inside. Jang Geon-ho was a fun guy, but sometimes he gave off this vibe like he was looking down and smirking.
"What kinda training?"
Yeom Sang-taek started to say it was basic buffer magic but changed his mind. Jang Geon-ho might have advice on one-hand magic.
He'd learned late that Jang Geon-ho was a Triple Genius.
Someone who could handle dealer, tanker, and buffer roles was called a Triple Genius, and Jang Geon-ho was exactly that kind of Raider.
Yeom Sang-taek laid out his current situation honestly.
"Learning Fusion Magic? You?"
"Can't I?"
"It's not impossible, but Fusion Magic is a tricky skill. Plenty of people learn it, but aside from Moon's buffer Mun Hyo-rin, hardly anyone uses it in real combat. Oh, right—Granny picked it out for you? Then yeah, you've got potential. Granny's got an eye like no one else."
This guy dished out the insult and the compliment in one breath.
Yeom Sang-taek felt a bit better.
"I'm trying Lighting with one-hand magic, but it's too hard. Any tips?"
"Show me. I'll watch."
Jang Geon-ho stepped back and crossed his arms.
Yeom Sang-taek nodded and channeled mana solely through his right hand to cast Lighting. Jang Geon-ho's sharp eyes missed nothing in the process.
The result was a decent success, but the light was barely a firefly's glow.
Jang Geon-ho tilted his head and stepped forward.
"Why aren't you using a marble?"
"A marble?"
Yeom Sang-taek deflated a little. He knew what a marble was, but he hadn't even dreamed of making one.
A marble was a condensed orb of mana. Invisible, of course. Unlike the standard mana bath where you compressed mana fresh for each spell, a marble was semi-permanent.
Marbles were essential for mid-level or higher magic, and the more you had, the stronger your spells.
"Don't tell me you don't have one."
"……."
"Dude! No marble means you can't even start Fusion Magic. How the hell are you casting Lighting with one-hand magic?"
"I-I just kinda... managed somehow……."
Jang Geon-ho grabbed Yeom Sang-taek's shoulder firmly.
"Granny knew it! Casting magic one-handed without a marble? You've got real talent. Make a marble, and two-two magic will be a breeze."
Two-two magic was the second stage of Fusion Magic.
Yeom Sang-taek stared at the excited Jang Geon-ho. Talent? Me? That excitement seeped into him.
"Let's go."
"...Huh?"
"To Insadong. I'll help you make a marble."
"For real?"
"Clean up and come on."
"Yes!"
Yeom Sang-taek was thrilled.
A yellow Lamborghini roared down the road.
Jang Geon-ho glanced at Yeom Sang-taek in the passenger seat. He looked like a kid on a field trip, buzzing with excitement.
He still couldn't believe it. Even if Lighting was basic magic, pulling it off one-handed without a marble?
Yeom Sang-taek wasn't the type to lie. Timid, sure, but straightforward—no cunning.
Jang Geon-ho tossed out casually, feigning disinterest.
"How's Team Leader Kim doing?"
"Oh, Jun? He's fine. That guy's recovery is insane. The guild doc was shocked again."
"Good to hear."
Jang Geon-ho hid the shock he'd felt from Ju Shin's announcement. Just thinking about it still rattled him.
As Yang Hee-seon's grandson, he knew mega-guild dynamics better than most. Ju Shin, with its top-dog pride in Korea, wouldn't back Kim Jun—or hype him up—with no reason.
What the hell did that guy do?
What could make mighty Ju Shin publicly endorse Kim Jun?
No one could trash his past as a carrier anymore. Ju Shin's guarantee made him a recognized Raider to everyone.
Jang Geon-ho was dying to know why.
He'd subtly asked Guild Master Go Cheolmin. The master claimed ignorance, leaving him speechless. Was he being played? No, the master's demeanor showed he was just as curious.
He'd casually approached Yoo Min-jeong and Choi Muhyun.
Yoo Min-jeong gave nothing away, but Choi Muhyun clearly didn't know—he'd even asked Jang Geon-ho if he knew.
He hadn't asked Kim Jun directly.
Something told him that guy would see right through his intentions.
Arriving in Insadong, Jang Geon-ho parked and led Yeom Sang-taek to his usual shop.
"You going dark attribute?"
"Yeah!"
Yeom Sang-taek's bright reply.
Jang Geon-ho was sure dressing this guy in yellow would make him look like a chatty kindergartener.
"What for the medium?"
"Never thought about it."
He nearly snapped.
Jang Geon-ho couldn't fathom Yeom Sang-taek's attitude. If you're committing to buffer, go all in—why no marble?
And never even considered a medium?
The medium was key for making marbles, varying by attribute—usually living creatures.
You infused mana to raise it.
After time, you bonded—a tough process, but success brought you close to marble creation.
Simply put, a marble was mana-forged pearl.
Like how an oyster coats sand with secretions to form a pearl, injecting mana into a medium transformed it via its core into an orb. Unlike oysters, the bond between medium and owner was crucial.
"They've got tons at the shop. Pick carefully."
"Got it."
Jang Geon-ho turned the corner toward Palace of Magician, the magic item haven.
A massive crowd swarmed the front—two hundred, no, three hundred people.
Some big shot like Lee Hwan here?
If top-ranked Raider Lee Hwan showed, this turnout made sense.
Up close, even more packed the rear space. A thousand... maybe two thousand.
"Whoa!"
Yeom Sang-taek gasped in awe.
Jang Geon-ho chuckled.
Palace of Magician was a wizard's palace, truly.
Spanning basement 5 to 9 floors above ground, it sold everything—from FR (Fantasy Raiders) cards with Raiders' faces to high-end items.
As Jang Geon-ho approached, fans recognized him, snapping photos.
"It's Jang Geon-ho!"
"Triple Genius!"
Palace of Magician drew more civilians than Raiders—a hotspot.
Raid fans flocked; paparazzi camped from opening, waiting for celebs.
"Look over here!"
"Oppa, you're so cool!"
Jang Geon-ho waved like a photo-op star, scanning the crowd. Oddly, no one clocked Yeom Sang-taek behind him.
Despite his recent broadcasts.
Jang Geon-ho eyed Yeom Sang-taek, who looked a tad bummed, aware of it.
Jang Geon-ho pointed at him and announced loudly.
"This guy's Yeom Sang-taek, buffer from Uramata Guild's Pink Team. Here for some gear today."
"Pink Team? The one with Raider Kim Jun?"
Nodding, Jang Geon-ho drew all eyes to Yeom Sang-taek.
Flashes popped.
"Heard he was badly hurt—is Kim Jun okay?"
"Strict as team leader?"
"What's Kim Jun's favorite food?"
Questions rained down.
Jang Geon-ho hustled stunned Yeom Sang-taek inside. Down to the basement, buff guards blocked tails—Raider-only zone.
"What's with the crowd outside?"
Jang Geon-ho eyed a familiar guard.
"FR cards dropping today. They're queuing."
"Dropping? FRs come out at New Year's."
"Special edition today. Makes sense—it's huge news."
The guard's eyes burned with passion. He was gunning for one too.
Then it clicked for Jang Geon-ho.
Kim Jun's FR card—that's what drew the horde! FRC (Fantasy Raiders Company) churned out his card in three days flat.
That popularity rivaled Lee Hwan.
"Whew, scared me."
Yeom Sang-taek wiped sweat with a handkerchief. Jang Geon-ho laughed, slinging an arm over his shoulder.
"Get used to it. You'll be famous too."
"Me?"
"Pink Team, right?"
Saying it, Jang Geon-ho hoped his face didn't twist. No telling if it worked. Kim Jun's fame would spotlight Pink Team.
One light brightens its spot, dimming the rest relatively.
Folks would know Pink Team but draw blanks on Roulette Team. Even as senior leader, he'd get the short end.
His phone buzzed.
Checking the number, Jang Geon-ho told Yeom Sang-taek,
"Browse around."
As Yeom Sang-taek gawked wide-eyed at displays, Jang Geon-ho stepped aside to answer.
"It's me."
Roulette Team's tanker Shin Jong-su barked.
"Just found out."
"Like what?"
Jang Geon-ho grinned. Shin Jong-su thought the same: Can't let Pink Team lap us.
"Got it."
Laughter escaped.
Never imagined Kim Jun's rocket rise would spark this. Shin Jong-su calling first to push team training?
The laugh left a bitter aftertaste.
I need to own Roulette Team as leader. My influence should drive it. Shin moved by Pink Team's leader, not me.
No time to slack.
Boost Roulette's power somehow—or pray Pink Team slips.
There was Yeom Sang-taek.