Management Bureau (4)
Management Bureau (4)
"I apologize for attacking you recklessly...!"
Go Jae-joon, now freed from the ice, bowed his head in remorse.
"That troublemaker is actually apologizing...!"
"First time I've seen this."
"Should we take a picture?"
The agents around them murmured in astonishment.
Click.
I held out my hand to him.
Jae-joon flinched at the gesture before eagerly grabbing it with both hands.
"Are you forgiving me? Thank you!"
"What? No, I meant hand it over."
He seemed to have mistaken it for a peace offering. I corrected him and pressed for the promised reward.
"Ah... here it is."
Though he hesitated briefly—understandable, given the item's value—he handed it over without further protest.
"Looks a bit worn."
The Bandage of Purification.
At first glance, it just seemed like an item that blocked curses. But if it was considered valuable, there had to be more to it.
"Yes... that's correct. If you channel mana into it, its durability increases, and you can manipulate it freely."
Jae-joon answered my unspoken question politely.
So it does have other functions.
I tried using the bandage like a talisman, imbuing it with my will. Fwoosh. The bandage floated into the air, its long fabric undulating like a flying serpent.
"Si-woo."
At that moment, Lee Ye-rim approached with measured, dignified steps.
"Captain...!"
"Disciplinary action for this incident will be postponed. But don't expect leniency—wait quietly for your punishment."
"...Understood."
Jae-joon bowed deeply at her icy tone, which was so cold it sent a shiver down my spine, before leaving.
"...I truly apologize. It's my fault for failing to manage my subordinates."
"It's fine."
"Then let's proceed. There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Ye-rim and I pushed through the crowd of agents and employees before entering an elevator tucked away in a corner.
Beep—
[Administrator privileges confirmed.]
The elevator doors closed as soon as Ye-rim pressed her palm against the panel.
Thud.
We began descending.
"Did you invite me just to introduce me to this person?"
"Yes. More precisely, to show her the lantern you possess."
"What's so special about this lantern?"
"...She'll explain."
The conversation lulled, leaving an awkward silence. I glanced around.
The elevator's interior was stark and utilitarian. There were no floor indicators—just how deep were we going? Despite the long descent, the elevator showed no signs of stopping.
"Are you the only mage here? I haven't seen any others."
"I'm the only one in my unit, but most operatives in other Disposal Units are mages."
"And you can actually control them?"
Her answer made a question pop into my head. Every mage I'd met so far had been... eccentric, to say the least. Sure, there were exceptions like Gu Se-chan and Ye-rim herself, but still.
"Given how recently you awakened to the Mysteries, it's natural to wonder. Yes, it is difficult. Mages tend to be highly individualistic. But that doesn't mean they break the rules."
"They follow rules?"
I couldn't help but make a face. Even if some were normal, the likes of Joo Gi-hyeok and the necromancer had left such a strong impression that I couldn't picture mages as law-abiding.
What kind of punishment awaited those who stepped out of line?
Ye-rim continued, reading my expression.
"It's not about strict discipline. Magic is something you awaken to in an instant. Most mages come from ordinary backgrounds—they're just regular people. Even if exposure to the Mysteries erodes their manners and social skills, they still know where to draw the line."
Her words reminded me of the middle-aged mage who'd given me the finger in the container yard. Rude, sure, but not insane. The others there had been the same.
"So Gi-hyeok and the necromancer were just born crazy?"
"Family mages are different."
Ye-rim's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Arrogant, believing magic is the only truth—they weren't raised in normal society. The Families are gatherings of those raised in magical society, steeped in elitism. In short, a den of lunatics."
"I see."
I nodded, absorbing the information. This was invaluable to someone like me, who had no background knowledge. You wouldn't find posts like this on the Mage Gallery.
"Speaking of which, I heard rumors recently about a 10th Class Mage appearing."
"...Right."
The sudden mention of the 10th Class Mage threw me off—because it was me she was talking about.
"I haven't verified it myself, but it seems credible. If you use the community forums, it'd be best to avoid them for a while."
"Why's that?"
I kept my face neutral.
She glanced at me before answering flatly.
"Because if you catch his attention, you'll die."
"But it's an anonymous forum."
"That doesn't matter."
She shook her head.
"No one knows what kind of Mysteries a 10th Class Mage can wield. Anonymity won't save you."
"Couldn't it just be some hacker messing around?"
"Impossible. The forum itself is a phenomenon. If someone hacked it using magic, they wouldn't still be alive."
"Wait, so the forum's admins would track them down...?"
"No, the forum itself would retaliate. Plenty have tried to forcibly interfere with the system—none survived."
"What does that even mean?"
"It's complicated, but just know this: the forum doesn't tolerate those who try to tamper with it."
"Got it."
"Anyway, I just hope that 10th Class Mage doesn't side with the Families."
She turned her gaze back to the elevator doors.
"Because whoever stands against him will fall."
Ding.
The elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.
"We're here. Follow me."
I trailed behind her as we stepped out into a hallway.
After a long walk, we reached a massive door.
Ye-rim placed her hand on the keypad beside it, and with a mechanical whirr, the door unlocked.
Beyond it lay a laboratory filled with all manner of experimental equipment.
"Oh? It's been a while!"
A small woman in a white lab coat—looking every bit the part of a researcher—greeted Ye-rim from the center of the room.
"Doctor. It's good to see you."
Ye-rim gave a slight nod in return.
"What brings the busy captain all the way down here?"
"I have someone to introduce."
She cut straight to the point.
"Oho? You brought a man? A potential suitor?"
"...No."
"Hmm... Then why bring him to me?"
The woman called "Doctor" hopped down from her chair and scurried over, circling me like a curious cat before her eyes locked onto the lantern at my waist.
"This is...!"
She gasped, then snapped her head up to stare at me.
"Hey, hey! Where did you get that?!"
"It was found inside a world recreated by a magic book."
Ye-rim answered for me.
"What?! That's not where it should be! Hold on!"
She dashed off somewhere before returning moments later with an ancient-looking tome.
"Look at this!"
Crash!
She shoved aside the clutter on her desk and spread the book open.
"This matches exactly the magic tool once used by a man called the Emperor!"
The page depicted a man in resplendent robes holding a lantern aloft, illuminating his surroundings.
"I don't know how something like this ended up inside a magic book's world, but this is huge!"
I watched as she excitedly tugged at her own hair.
Cute in appearance, but her behavior screamed mad scientist.
"I invited him here to consult you. So it is that item."
Suddenly, the doctor stepped right into my face, scrutinizing me.
"But what price did you pay to wield something this dangerous?"
I shook my head.
"Nothing. I've just been using it."
"Hmm... Really?"
She sucked on her candy thoughtfully before pacing around me, hands behind her back.
"Sentient magic tools always demand a price. And the end result is always the user's ruin."
She stopped in front of me.
"And this one is special. An ancient magic tool once wielded by a man who ruled an era."
"Couldn't it just be a replica?"
"No way. Craftsmen don't make replicas of dangerous artifacts—curses could spread."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Just so we're clear—this isn't just any Calamity-grade magic tool. Even calling it that feels inadequate. No other artifact compares."
It was undeniably powerful.
I tapped the lantern hanging quietly at my waist. It responded happily, while the cursed book in my pocket vibrated in protest.
The doctor stared at the lantern.
"...But this seems different."
"How so?"
"It's completely subservient to him. I've never seen anything like it."
"...Could it be his talent? He hasn't even awakened his Unique Magic yet."
"What? Seriously? That's surprising! But the odds are slim. No ancient artifact would obey just because of talent."
"...But what if his talent is beyond standard parameters?"
"It's more plausible that he's a descendant of that Emperor."
Ye-rim and the doctor were deep in discussion.
But it was dragging on. So I cut in with the reason I'd come here in the first place—my sister's illness.
"Do you know of any magic tools or mages who can heal diseases?"
"Huh? Let's finish this first—"
"It's important."
She studied my face before relenting.
"What kind of illness?"
I described my sister's symptoms—and the Thousand-Year Tree Sap the necromancer had mentioned.
"Hmm... I'm not sure. Magic might not even work. And I'm a researcher, not a doctor."
"I see."
Just as I began to despair—
"I have heard about the necromancer's activities years ago. Haven't seen the sap since. But you're in luck—there might be a way to get it now."
"There is?"
"Yeah. It's the prize for the upcoming Magic Performance Festival, hosted by the Three Families."
"Magic Performance Festival?"
"Yep. Win it, and the sap is yours."
She grinned, sucking on her candy.