44. The Power Ignites
“Heh heh… Heh heh heh heh.”
My shoulders kept twitching with suppressed laughter. I'd achieved my goal of grabbing the Parachao Fan and getting out. Stella had played her part exactly as I'd planned. As reliable as Angelica, even.
“Now that we've got the Parachao Fan, we can go fetch the Fire Spirit Core, right?”
—Is Master a genius?
My cheeks itched at the flattery. All I'd done was exploit Stella's personality, and here I was getting called a genius. Zhuque must really be desperate for that Fire Spirit Core. How had it held out this long?
Anyway, back at our lodgings, I filled in the others. Lee Gun's eyes went wide.
“Hmm? Why not? In my eyes, no one's more suited for this than you, Kim Jeongha.”
“Eh, it just kinda worked out that way.”
“If it's an urgent matter, I'll lend a hand.”
Then Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol and Kasumi stepped up too.
“If you need me, I'll go with you, sunbae.”
“Your wish is still valid, Kim Jeongha.”
I waved them off in a panic.
“No, no, no! You don't need to. It's just personal business.”
“Hmm.”
“Is that so?”
“Hrm.”
They all gave me puzzled looks but didn't pry further. I asked Section Chief Lee Jun-yeol to pass the word to Kim Hansu about my absence, then turned on my heel.
I headed for the forest that had appeared when we first hit Floor 15 yesterday. The starting point linked back to the company.
“Escape.”
Escaping the 'Cannibal Village' stage.
Teleporting to the lobby shortly.
10, 9, 8… … 1, 0
The countdown ended, and a brilliant light enveloped my body.
Flash!
* * *
Another message popped up in front of me as I materialized in the lobby.
Stage escape complete.
Penalty applied.
Unable to enter Underground Floor 15 'Cannibal Village' stage for the next 5 days.
Stage escape penalty received. That meant at least five days of forced vacation.
Anyway, I now stood before the central pillar for entering stages. The company felt eerily peaceful, as if the fierce battle I'd just fought was a lie.
A strange feeling. Employees passing through the central plaza glanced my way. Team members entering and exiting stages was routine, so they just shrugged it off.
“Time to get ready.”
—We're going now, right, Master?
“Yeah. Reports first.”
I halted on my way to the Health and Welfare Department. I'd basically scored five days off anyway. They wouldn't even know I was back yet.
With that thought, I headed straight for the Safety Planning Department instead. I grabbed a passing subordinate and asked about Robert, finding him soon after.
He scanned me up and down with raised brows.
“Hm? Section Chief Kim Jeongha? What brings you here?”
“Came as a messenger.”
“Ah, so you've already reported in.”
“Yes.”
I nodded slightly and got to the point.
“Anyway, looks like it's time to head to Floor 14.”
“Figured that's why you're here. Let's go.”
Robert agreed coolly. We stood before the central pillar again.
“Diving back in right after escaping a stage… I doubt there's anyone else like you, Section Chief Kim Jeongha.”
“Got my reasons.”
“Something precious, you said.”
“Yeah. Very precious.”
Though I still wasn't sure. But if Zhuque was this desperate, it had to be a valuable inner core. If not… well, brutal retribution awaited.
Soon, the pillar's door opened. Robert and I leaped inside.
* * *
Blazing phantom pain scorched my body like fire. Much like borrowing Zhuque's power. But compared to last time, it was more bearable. The floor was cleared, and I'd grown stronger since.
“Angelica. Help me out.”
—You only call when you need something?
“Hurry!”
—Fine, fine. Here!
Afflicted with Hallucination Curse.
Resisting phantom pain.
It still hurt like hell, so I needed Angelica's help. I was about to ask Robert for aid too, but shut my mouth. He chanted a spell, his face calming as he asked,
“Do you remember roughly where you lost the item?”
I silently pointed to the far end with my index finger. The military factory and Zhuque's crater.
Robert let out a groan.
“Hmm… You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Sigh. Alright. Let's find it quick and head back. Wait here a moment.”
“Sure.”
Quick, he says, then wait? As I opened my mouth to ask—
His magic split in two, enveloping us both. Whoosh. A vortex wrapped my body, reminiscent of Blood Cycle.
Suddenly, my body felt much lighter. I dashed forward, calling back,
“Nice spell.”
“Hard to teach.”
I probed lightly, and he caught the implication, denying it flatly.
“Understood.”
“It's not really a secret. Every mage in my world could use it.”
I got it without him spelling it out.
“My talent?”
“I won't deny it. No ill intent—don't misunderstand.”
I knew better than anyone I was talentless in magic. I'd heard it plenty in my past life, so it didn't faze me. Just piqued my curiosity.
“How'd you know?”
“Mana sensitivity test.”
“Mana sensitivity?”
“Spread specially processed mana and see how it reacts to the target. Judges talent.”
“And mine?”
“……The mana avoided you. Like an uncrossable wall.”
He seemed reluctant to say it.
“Common?”
“……Do you really need to know?”
“It's my talent. I have a right.”
Robert shook his head.
“First time I've seen it. Never even heard of it in my old world. Sure, tales of once-in-a-millennium geniuses where mana clings naturally… but.”
So, once-in-a-millennium dunce? Robert continued consolingly,
“Still, you've got martial talent. Maybe you traded magic aptitude for that.”
“……”
I held my tongue. If millennium dunce in magic, probably 500-year in martial arts too.
While probing my talents, we reached the volcano peak crater. Magic-boosted agility, no fights—blazing speed.
I pulled out the hand mirror, used Cromwell's key to open a passage. Gaze at the desired item in the mirror, reach in—voilà, it's in hand. This key doubled as inventory artifact. I figured that was its hidden function.
I drew the Parachao Fan and told Robert,
“Robert. Cast Super Save on me.”
“That ultimate? Why suddenly…?”
I pointed to the surging heat of the crater.
“What I'm after is right in there.”
“……Are you insane?”
Robert looked genuinely shocked.
“Tell me the problem. I'll fix it.”
He thought I had mental issues.
“Not crazy. It's real. In that lava.”
“I'd abandon even a loved one's keepsake.”
“Can't.”
“Know how deep that crater is?”
I shook my head, waiting.
“Measured it before. At least 300 meters. Even ultimate shields stacked won't save you.”
Words wouldn't convince him. His stubbornness stemmed from concern—I couldn't just bulldoze.
Robert nodded at the fan.
“What's that leaf-fan thing?”
Seeing beats hearing. I approached the crater.
“H-Hey?!”
He tried to grab me.
“So deep, huh?”
But with Parachao Fan?
I swung it hard into the crater. A literal storm erupted.
That instant—
“Hngh…?!”
I clutched my dantian instinctively. What the—?
The mystery solved fast. Like a dam bursting, power flooded from my dantian to my right hand, sucked into the fan.
“Hahk, hahk.”
Half my energy gone in a flash—vision spun, head throbbed. But the effect? Undeniable.
Whiiiiiing—!!!
The roaring wind threatened to shred my eardrums. I pulled up remaining energy to shield my hearing.
“Grgh…! Wh-What the…!”
Robert jammed his staff into the ground to brace.
Whiiiing…
When the wind died, I peered in. Grinned.
Magma level visibly dropped. Not just flames—molten rock vaporized. True immortal treasure.
I caught my breath.
“See? Worth a shot now, right?”
“Hmm… You came prepared.”
“Obviously. Diving into magma.”
“How precious is it…? Can't imagine.”
I wondered too. I'd committed a Stamina Recovery Capsule for this. Already used one for the fan. If Fire Spirit Core wasn't worth two, Zhuque and I were settling scores.
He sighed.
“Fine. I'll help.”
I spread my arms wide.
“Hit me. Ultimate.”
“But I'm coming too. Can't watch a comrade who saved me dive alone, no matter how reckless.”
No reason to refuse.
“Got it.”
Robert began chanting. Zhuque spoke up.
—Master. Just out of concern.
“What?”
—Once you get the Fire Spirit Core, never eat it. Absolutely.
“Why suddenly?”
—It's not like spirit beast cores. Humans can't handle the divine power. You'll die.
Zhuque's tone dead serious.
“Got it. Worry not.”
Bzzz!
Robert's spell finished. Defensive ultimate coated our skin. We plunged into the crater.
Whoooosh— Freefall relying on the shield alone. Onrushing heat from air resistance stabbed like knives. But the ultimate let surface energy layer prevent burns.
Target: The ledge exposed when I blew away magma with the fan.
Thud!
Hit ground fast. From above, unseen scale up close—vast magma lake.
No time to gawk. I steadied myself, caught staggering Robert.
“Whew, thanks. Close call.”
Almost tumbled in. Solid mage, but physical stats lagged mine.
“No problem. Let's start.”
I raised the Parachao Fan high. Robert extended his hand.
“Give me that magic tool fan. Better I use it.”
“Hm.”
Mage like him outclassed me with artifacts. No escape worries now. Handed it over gladly.
Robert took it, chanted long. His mana seeped into the fan, amplifying power. Magic illiterate me could tell.
Already energy-hungry—could he handle boosted?
I watched silently. He had a plan.
“Hah!”
Chant done, he swung with a kiai.
“Whisper of the Winds!”
Screeeeech—!
Sharper whoosh than before! Then, the miracle.
Blade-straight compressed storm cleaved the magma lake's center vertically, swelling to erase it from inside. Even exposed the lakebed.
“Gasp.”
I muttered, awestruck.
“It parted the lake…?”
Godlike feat beyond me—jaw wouldn't close.
Robert folded the fan neatly, offered it back.
“Here.”