Demolition Bliss and the Explorer's Return
Thud—thud—the turtle barreled forward, its overwhelming mass smashing through the surrounding buildings. The drugged-up addicts scattered like startled sheep, fleeing in a panicked herd. The buildings collapsed completely, leaving the area spotless. Ah, what a refreshing sight for a crisp morning.
The doll poured me a cup of tea and held it out. I took it, sipping slowly and savoring the aroma. Maybe I'll try rolling this time. Sensing my intent, the turtle flipped onto its back. One roll, two rolls. The buildings crumbled like cookies. All the stress I'd built up melted away in an instant. This was pure bliss. This is life.
Just like that, the turtle rolled through the area, clearing out a full kilometer around us. My shop stood tall and alone amid the barren expanse. Watching from the rooftop, I felt utterly refreshed. I'd dreamed of this ever since setting up shop here—leveling everything nearby. But I'd lacked the mana and strength to make it happen... until our lovely turtle read my mind and did it for me. This father is deeply moved. Of course, I was the one controlling it.
The turtle let out a mighty roar.
It had been nearly two months since I'd finished crafting it and emerged from the workshop. That profound unity during creation had been a fleeting epiphany. Afterward, our connection gradually faded until now, only a faint thread remained. But that was enough to maneuver it. Especially since the seedling in my chest adored the turtle. Whenever I controlled it, the seedling would seep into the link, acting like a natural remote control.
Thanks to that, I could pilot it with the same instincts I'd used to fly drones in my past life. Through the whole process, I could feel the seedling budding a new spell. No telling when it would bloom, but with enough mana and insight, it would unfurl into a fresh unique magic.
I gleefully steered the turtle around. My usual dolls had their own mana hearts, so they didn't need my direct control—an extreme pursuit of convenience. I'd always made them that way, so puppeteering like this felt wildly inefficient. But trying it hands-on? It had a certain tactile satisfaction. Plus, controlling it seemed to sharpen memories from my past life that had stayed dormant. Maybe because it felt so familiar.
Once the job was done, I summoned the turtle back and sucked it into my space pouch. The pouch, which had once felt endlessly vast, was cramped for the turtle. Stuffed to its limit, it hung heavy as lead.
I sipped my tea, gazing at the open landscape. Yes, this leisure—this is the happiness I crave.
"Hey there!"
A voice boomed from the sky, and something thudded down beside me. The stench of iron hit me hard. I wrinkled my nose and pinched it shut. It was the sword nut.
"I swung by about a month ago, but you were out. Heard you were up to something fun, so I came back!"
He was a muscular middle-aged brute with five swords strapped to his waist—the boss of that sword gang huddled in the slum's heart.
"What do you want, sword nut?"
"Aw, c'mon, not 'sword nut.' Call me Evan, like I told ya. Ahaha!"
He swung his palm at my back like he owned the place. The doll pouring my tea reached out to block it—and its hand shattered on impact. His strike landed unhindered, rocking me forward. That muscle pig.
I unleashed a swarm of flying beetles. They shot toward his chest in a flash, but before they could explode, he snatched them in his fist, crumpling them like paper. He tossed them back with a booming laugh. I recalled the beetles before they could launch again.
Damn, not a single angle to win. This is why fighting's not my thing. What's the point of mastering some fancy attack spell when guys like him just swing a sword and wipe it all out? Screw sword nuts—I hate swords the most.
"So, what's the deal?"
"This guy—the doll I bought last time? It's busted again."
Evan dumped the massive pack mule doll off his back onto the ground. A four-legged hauler built purely for transport. When had he bought it? About a year ago? I'd even loaded it with mana stones infused with my power—it shouldn't have broken yet.
Busted? I glanced at it. Clean sword cuts marred its body in several places. My eyes narrowed. This bastard had slashed it up.
"You prick—how many times did you scratch this thing?"
"What're you talking about? It just keeled over on its own!"
I levitated the doll with mana and shoved it in his face, pointing out the cuts.
"Can't you see these? Sword marks, plain as day."
"Sword marks? Doesn't look like it to me..."
"Huh?"
"Ahem, well, maybe I got carried away fighting some beast and grazed it a few times."
I scowled. No way—that thing was programmed to flee at the first sign of battle nearby. Pressing him, he finally spilled the truth.
"Well, y'see, riding on its back was just so damn comfy. Used it in fights too much, and... eh heh heh!"
That animal. I swallowed my rage. Talking sense to him would be pointless anyway. I stimulated the mana, waking a few dolls inside the shop. They climbed to the roof and hauled the pack mule away. They'd take it to the workshop on their own.
"Ten mana stones."
"Whoa, that's steep!"
"Fifteen mana stones."
"Jacking the price like that—what gives?!"
"Twenty mana—"
"Fine, fifteen! Fifteen's plenty. Here!"
He tossed me a pouch. I peeked inside. Mmm, that concentrated mana scent. Real deal.
"Come back tomorrow."
Fixing it was no big deal—the mana heart wasn't sliced, so a new body would do. But this sword nut pissed me off, so I jacked the price.
"Got it. Oh, by the way, I heard something interesting."
Evan grinned slyly. Bad vibes.
"You met my girl at the exam last time, right?"
I spat out my tea. He cackled. Girl? Did this pig have a daughter? Nah, probably one of his gang members. Like my island dad, he treated all his underlings like kids.
"She passed the university entrance this time! First from our sword crew in nearly thirty years. All the brothers threw a big celebration. But your name came up there."
The dread intensified. I didn't want to hear more—might give me a rage stroke. I tried blocking my ears with mana, but too late. His words wormed in.
"She said it was all thanks to you! You popped a ton of dolls, and slicing 'em gave her some big epiphany. Made the exam a breeze after that. Eh heh heh!"
Fuck—that sword bitch from the exam! Fury boiled over; I hurled my teacup. He dodged effortlessly. The world is so goddamn unfair. Some pour their all and still fail, while others swing a sword a few times and pass. Me, sacrificed for her breakthrough.
"Knew it was you the second she mentioned the dolls. She wanted to thank you before heading to uni—we came together, but you were gone. Heh, seducing a girl twenty years your junior already? Real player."
That mouth of his. I glared at it, spewing bullshit nonstop. No shutting it—anything I tried, he'd shrug off. He came to mess with me on purpose.
I sealed my ears with mana. But somehow, he pierced the barrier; his voice kept droning. Damn.
"Y'know, I thought about it—you've failed ten times now, right? Double digits! Came to console you. My girl aced it first try, of course. Heh? Saw her and knew instantly: talent like that doesn't belong here."
My mind reeled. Was this payback for hiking the stones?
"Not saying you're suited here or anything. Just talking about my girl. Uhaha!"
His booming laugh rattled my ears.
"Just fuck off already!"
I yelled and leaped off the roof. But he zipped over, grabbing me. The dolls didn't even react to his speed. I thrashed in shock, but couldn't break his grip.
"Hear me out first, pal. I got into uni on my third try, but half this street's mages are rolling in the dirt for a shot. You're standout among 'em. Just a shame—your magic's got this... damp vibe."
Dangling from his hand, I endured his endless ramble. Couldn't even pass out—his mana kept my brain sharp. Over thirty minutes, frozen in place. Blood trickled from my ears; my eyes burned red. Fuck, fuck, FUCK. I hate sword nuts. They all deserve to die.
Finally satisfied, he shut up. I collapsed. No energy left to complain. This is why mages need power. With strength, you can treat underlings like dirt—no consequences. Who'd bitch about kicking ants?
Fuck, I'll get stronger than you if it's the last thing I do, just to vent this grudge. I glared at his smug grin. He caught it and laughed louder. After guffawing forever, he scanned around and lowered his voice.
"That was all just messing with ya. But I've got real news."
Messing? Half-killed me and calls it messing? But his next words stole my breath.
"The Explorer's back."
That monster? My body shivered instinctively.
The slums were split between two gangs: this sword pig's crew and the drug lords who turned people into junkies. The gutter trash were originally the druggies' slaves. That balance held for nearly fifty years. Then three years ago, the drug lords vanished overnight. No trace, no word—just gone.
Everyone freaked, scrambling for answers. I learned first—she came to my shop and told me herself. "They jumped me, so I killed 'em all." Still vivid: her grumbling about a busted doll amid the carnage. She'd bought from me often. Knew she was a strong mage, but that strong?
Later rumors said the drug lords coveted her treasures, ambushed her, and poof—gone. Common in the magic world: gangs, villages, even cities wiped out overnight. But when it hits close? Different story.
We all watched her moves after. She left like nothing happened; sighs of relief all around. And now she was back.
"Ahem, she seems to like your dolls. Figured I'd warn ya—not to screw up. She'll be here soon."
I got it: too scared to host her themselves, so dump it on me. No retort—Evan was right. Every two or three years, she'd hit the slums and buy dolls by the load.
Wait—why was I stressing? No reason. She was a golden customer. Always bought heaps, even cleared out those tax-collecting drug scum once.
"Yeah, if she asks for me, send her my way. I'll treat her right."
I said it magnanimously. Tension gone—I even grinned. Evan eyed me weird, but whatever. Time to dash down and spruce up the shop. Gotta impress the VIP!
I leaped inside. Evan yammered from behind—ignored. Wonder what she'll buy this time. Polish all the dolls beforehand. Clean shines best! Time to rake it in. Money time!