Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Shadow Pursuit (2)
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Tracking down the black mage—that was the punishment handed down to me.
The reasons could fill a long list, but to put it simply:
Given the nature of the drug, it could spread across the entire empire, like poisoning wells or something similar.
To prevent such terrorism, they decided to root it out completely.
Of course, no one expected me to actually take down the black mage.
They just wanted me to handle the tracking, then report back to the lieutenant colonel for the rest.
Honestly, I saw it coming the moment I was first dragged in.
When they found out the author Prometheus was really Edn Rlangbur, I figured something like this was inevitable.
...Not that I'm pretending it makes sense or anything.
Anyway, since I had to track the black mages, I got dragged off to Lieutenant Colonel Lirun.
"I'll give you all the support you need. Not many are expecting much from you, but they can't get in your way either."
"Thank you. Then, let's start with the test subjects."
The poor flesh lumps that were still left—I needed to find something from them that could lead me to the black mage.
I approached the few remaining test subjects and began examining them carefully.
I'd seen black magic plenty of times before, but I still didn't fully understand its principles.
I knew what results it produced, but not the process behind it.
"If I could figure it out, it'd be a big help."
Hmm, should I start by unraveling the principles first?
I asked Lieutenant Colonel Lirun for some materials.
He prepared them quickly, and I recalled a spell to analyze the black magic.
For starters, this was different from the black magic on the golem.
I was certain of that, so I couldn't use the intel from the golem.
Plus, testimony confirmed they'd used drugs to induce the changes.
So whatever black magic was blended into those drugs remained unknown territory.
"Can't tell what kind of black magic it is."
But I might be able to grasp the principles.
After all, any mage can reverse-engineer a spell.
Every spell has a foundational structure, from which branches extend outward.
Trace it backward, and even a brand-new spell reveals its core principles.
Black magic falls under the spell category too, so it can be reverse-engineered and analyzed.
"Let's extract a bit of the black magic first."
I began transferring it into an empty mana crystal.
Fortunately, the black magic's energy—or mana—stored well in the crystal.
Though it thrashed around wildly.
Next, I cast a spell to make the crystal easier to view.
Think of it like partial integration in math.
In other words, simplifying it to show only the parts I wanted.
"With this simplification spell..."
Done.
The wildly surging mana stabilized, leaving only the pure formula intact.
Now that it was viewer-friendly, time to take a look.
I infused my mana and began observing the black magic.
I spread out paper beside me and jotted down what I saw with a fountain pen.
After about an hour, the outline started to take shape.
"Wow, this is surprising. Is all black magic like this?"
"How's it going? Find anything?"
The lieutenant colonel, who'd been watching from the side, approached and asked.
I nodded and showed him the formula I'd written down.
"We can't track with this. It only uses the caster's mana at the initial activation—after that, it draws from ambient mana."
"In other words, the original caster's mana is long gone."
Just as he said, the original owner's mana had dissipated ages ago.
So we'd have to track it differently, but even tracking spells wouldn't work.
As everyone knows, spatial magic barely exists in this world—not even the concepts.
Tracking spells work like a hound following a scent, not jumping across space.
The lieutenant colonel smacked his lips in disappointment and patted my shoulder.
"Can't be helped. I'll handle the rest. I've formed a pursuit team, so we'll hear something soon."
He told me to rest easy and went off to do his own work.
But I couldn't just sit still.
This was important to me too.
The punishment I'd been given was light if you thought about it that way, heavy if you thought about it another.
Purely as a tracking mission, it was light.
But tracking a black mage is tough right now, so heavy it was.
This kind of punishment only came because of my track record so far and the Prometheus author bit.
That's why I had to prove myself.
Otherwise, I'd be handing ammo to all those who looked at me sideways.
To them, it didn't matter the severity—I'd failed in my role.
"Modify a tracking spell?"
The assumption that the original mana was gone was just that—an assumption.
Based on the formula structure and mana flow.
But what if the original caster's mana lingered in those flesh lumps?
Or if it was mixed with ambient mana?
Sure, the reverse-engineered formula suggested otherwise, but it was worth a shot.
"So, how to modify the tracking spell..."
Should I eat first and think about it?
I got up, grabbed a bite nearby.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As I said, tracking spells don't leap across space.
If they could, they'd be used everywhere.
No, spatial concepts wouldn't be so absent in the first place.
Anyway, standard tracking spells weren't enough.
So I pondered for days, but no breakthroughs.
"Argh, if there was even one spatial thing, I wouldn't be stressing like this."
I scratched my head and gave up.
No point agonizing here.
That's why I headed to the capital's black market.
Surprisingly, even in the capital, it was massive.
The emperor tacitly allowing it, maybe?
Well, thanks to that, I didn't have to go far.
"Gotta find something here."
I didn't come to the black market for any grand reason.
Just that rare stuff I couldn't get normally circulates here.
And right now, I had plenty of money.
Nothing compelling from legit channels.
Hoping for inspiration, here I was.
"Of course, no spatial stuff here either, probably."
Still, might spark something?
With that hope, I ventured into the dark alleys.
Wearing a dark robe, hood pulled low.
Moving slow but steady.
Already felt eyes on me from the entrance.
Sizing up if I was a newbie or not.
"Worst case, I can just wipe them out."
Brought parchments for that.
Last resort, but use if needed.
"Best not to, though."
How long had I walked?
Suddenly, garish lights came into view.
Drawn like a moth, I approached—night market vibes, vendors on mats hawking wares.
Under bright lights, illegal goods galore.
"...Man, getting caught here would be bad."
Just looking screamed illegal.
Like not watering roadside plants back in Korea.
Obviously, this wasn't my destination.
Just the entrance—nothing too rare.
The real flower of black markets is the auction.
I crossed the streets toward it.
Vendors shouted to check their stuff, but I ignored them.
Peddling illegals, why bother advertising?
They didn't grab me as I headed deeper.
Finally, a building ahead.
Flashy lights, even a red carpet.
Blatant advertising—no missing it.
Not a club or anything.
Approached the entrance, spoke to the bouncer.
"Want to join the auction."
"Money."
He stuck out a thick hand, bold as brass. Baffling.
Is this how it works?
Or just dissing me?
Got annoyed, but not here to fight—paid up meekly.
Satisfied with the amount, he nodded and stepped aside.
"Have a good time."
"Uh, yeah."
Suddenly polite.
Some things money can't buy, but plenty it can.
Passed security, entered.
Inside was dark, unlike the flashy exterior.
I sat in a regular seat—spotted VIP rooms, but whatever.
Here incognito, didn't know about them.
Even if I did, no plans to go.
Can't leave traces of me visiting.
Leaned back comfortably when someone approached, handed me a pamphlet.
"Today's auction lineup. Hope you snag something good."
"Thanks— ahem, sure."
Took it; he flashed a friendly smile and left.
I opened the pamphlet to check the items.
"Hero's Sword, Alligator's Tear, Frostflower's Scream. Oof, names give zero clue."
Plus obvious fakes jumped out.
Decided to judge on sight—stuffed the pamphlet in my pocket.
About 20 minutes later, the host appeared.
Flung arms wide with exaggerated flair, bellowed:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Your host for today, Pelhel!"
His booming voice echoed; polite greetings followed.
Bowed deeply, then cheerfully:
"No long speeches—let's start with the first item!"
The shrouded object was unveiled.
And the black market auction began.