Exposing the Black Mage's Ritual
While the couple kept the black mage's attention by talking about the kids up for adoption, I carefully crept toward the direction Ina was pointing.
The space was bigger than I'd expected, and the creaky wooden floor slowed me down even more.
"…Is this really the place?"
"Peep…"
We'd reached the spot Ina mentioned, but there wasn't a trace of black magic anywhere. Sure, it was abnormally spacious with no furniture at all, but that alone wasn't solid proof the Sage was a black mage.
Circumstantially, it looked like a spot for casting black magic, but he'd probably cleared it out to avoid getting caught.
Then I need to find some other clue.
Ina had said this place had ironclad evidence, but honestly, any proof of black magic would do the trick.
I searched every corner of the house slowly, but no evidence turned up. He'd hidden anything related to black magic thoroughly.
"Ahem! The weather's been getting hotter lately—please watch out for heatstroke, Sage."
The couple exaggerated their concern for the black mage's health. It was their secret signal that they couldn't hold his attention any longer.
I hadn't found proof of black magic yet, but it was time to pull back.
I slipped out of the house without the black mage noticing and waited at the rendezvous point for the couple.
"Adventurer, did you find evidence of black magic?"
"…Unfortunately, it looks like he's already hidden it all."
"Oh no…."
We decided to do more investigating later and headed back to the orphanage. If I stayed away too long, I'd draw suspicion too.
One night in the slammer was enough….
But what if she's still crazed about the Sage?
The last time I'd seen her, she was raving like a lunatic praising him…. Well, if her brain's still checked out, I can just bail again.
I hopped the orphanage wall when no one was looking and slipped back into the building naturally.
"There you are—I was wondering where you'd gone. Lunch is almost ready, so just wait a bit."
The Orphanage Director greeted me warmly. It seemed her psychotic episodes were limited to when the Sage came up.
Until we resolve this, better not mention him and just lay low….
I plopped down in a chair and entered solo strategy mode.
If I couldn't prove the Sage was the black mage, I'd have to consider the notoriety hit from the NPCs to take him down. Or assassinate him and sneak Kim Ha-yeon out….
Not sure if that's even possible….
The problem was, the orphanage wasn't a great spot for deep thinking.
The kids' chaotic shouts and approaching footsteps grew louder. By the time I noticed, I was surrounded by orphanage children.
Oh crap…! Already surrounded?!
Did the black mage set a trap? If so, I'd have to use Physical Enhancement to escape, so I gauged the kids' mood.
"Guys, this big sis is super pretty…!!"
"Sis, wanna play hospital with me?!"
Luckily, my worries were unfounded—the kids seemed fine as long as no one brought up the Sage. Way more docile than expected.
"Sis's hair is so looong!!"
"It smells nice from her hair!!"
The issue was, docile or not, kids were kids—they swarmed me, clinging and touching everything.
Their hyper energy was dizzying, so I calmly sorted them out and shooed them away.
I sighed, feeling utterly drained after the brief chaos, when I noticed a few kids lingering, fidgeting like they had something to say.
"…Sis is so pretty, you'll get adopted quick."
What…? Were they hanging back just to say that?
This kid clearly envied adoption. Living as one of dozens in the orphanage versus being doted on one-on-one? Yeah, big difference.
Adoptions weren't blind, so it made sense she'd think that.
Even if they were tower NPCs, making a living, breathing kid in front of me feel bad? Cold-blooded.
I racked my brain for something encouraging.
"Don't worry. They say there's tons of rich folks beyond that hill over there. They adopt kids from here all the time."
Before I could speak, a boy nearby jumped in.
Wait…. Lots of adoptions?
That smelled fishy. Maybe rich folks really did adopt a bunch, but the world didn't work that neatly.
Something was being hidden. But how to uncover it?
As I pondered and glanced around, I spotted the orphanage adults bustling in the kitchen. The director set some papers on a side table while checking them, then headed to help in the kitchen.
Could that be it?
Not all her papers were adoption-related, but that wasn't reason enough not to check.
Touching unauthorized documents felt criminal, but this was an emergency, and my youthful look might help. Probably.
Snatching the papers while she wasn't looking, I saw they were adoption records. Jackpot.
They looked normal at a glance, but given the suspicions, I scrutinized them.
Who knows—maybe something useful?
But they were utterly ordinary: child's name, adopter's name, destination, time, age….
…Huh?
One odd detail caught my eye. Every child's destination was the same place.
Even with different adopters. Hadn't the director noticed?
I memorized the location, returned the papers unnoticed.
A couple's kid goes missing, orphanage kids all head to one spot….
And the director oblivious, like under mental interference.
Only one being could pull this off: the black mage…!
The puzzle clicked into place.
With the location set, no time to waste. Kim Ha-yeon must be stir-crazy—gotta hurry.
While the adults were distracted in the kitchen, I hopped the wall again.
The spot on the papers wasn't far; hustle and I'd be there soon.
Should tell the couple too, since I had the lead.
"Ina, go fetch that couple from earlier. Got it?"
"Peep peep!"
I sent Ina and headed to the location.
"No way…. What kind of house is out here in the boonies?"
It matched the papers, but it was a remote shack far from the village. No way kids would thrive here.
Obviously the black mage's lair.
One problem, though.
If a ritual goes down and some strange kid fights the Sage, who do the villagers suspect?
Obvious answer. Even with my baby face, they'd cry "demon-possessed!" and turn on me.
Not blaming them—they were brainwashed.
Honestly, this isolated spot means fight noise won't reach the village.
But then I'd lose the perfect excuse to free Kim Ha-yeon.
Best case: villagers witness the black mage's atrocities, snapping their brainwashing. No notoriety—in fact, fame—and justification to release Kim Ha-yeon vanishes.
Plus, I'd claim the kill reward sweet.
For that, the black mage needs to think no one's around and go full black magic in public.
I just expose it to the villagers.
"Huff, huff. Adventurer! You found suspicious activity from the Sage…?"
"Of course. Stay quiet for now…."
The couple arrived right on time. As locals, villagers would trust them more. Key players in the plan.
Prep complete. Just wait for the black mage to show his true colors.
After long surveillance from afar, the couple grumbled uncomfortably.
"Standing here forever… it's too hot."
"Here, take this."
I handed them scale-based heat protection potions. Not sure if they worked on NPCs, but they're human-ish—should be fine.
They downed them and looked relieved.
"Adventurer, are you an alchemist? Never seen potions like this—insanely effective."
"This'll hold us for a while."
"Good. Now, let's—huh?"
Mid-chat, the black mage appeared. Oblivious to watchers, he emerged with a corpse slung over one shoulder.
The couple stared in shock at the true face of their revered Sage.
"Bring the villagers. As many as possible!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
Seeing the ritual wasn't plan's end. Best shared spectacle.
Everyone needs to know it's the Sage's doing before the fight.
After the couple left, the black mage started the full ritual. Piling corpses—men, women, kids—on a blood-soaked magic circle, intoning blasphemies.
"We're he—gasp…!"
They returned with way more villagers than expected. Shocked by the horror, but the real stunners were elsewhere.
Plan left: confirm brainwashing broken, then fight.
The trigger was Sage talk, right? Probably.
"Everyone! That's the Sage's true form!"
I bellowed loud enough for all, dropping the keyword.
No one spouted Sage praise. Spot on—brainwashing lifted.
The young vigilante from before was among them.
I approached him quick: "The person you locked up earlier. Release her now. Go!"
"Wha—yes, ma'am!"
Didn't want village chaos exploding. No clue on Kim Ha-yeon's patience….
No more fame loss—hunt time.
Kim Ha-yeon said black mages are tough, 15th-floor level?
But no worries. All stats average C-rank. Prime skills, solid gear. Gave me confidence.
Once the vigilante frees her, she'll join.
I soared toward the black mage's shack without hesitation.
A few wingbeats landed me before him; his eyes widened slightly.
The black mage glanced at the noisy, confused villagers, then spoke.
"Ha, not bad for a brat—you used your head."