Insect Sorcerer's Lair Conquered
I'd finished exploring the insect sorcerer's hideout. I'd snagged the oomukade's inner core from there, and succeeded in grabbing the magic tome that was my original goal. Do-cheol's magic tome. I'd have to take a look to be sure, but there was a high chance it specialized in defensive magic.
"Let's check it out."
[Humming resonance]
I sat on the sofa in the main hall and opened the ancient tome. Sure enough, it had more content than before. Tacked on after the insect magic section was a new spell—this had to be Do-cheol's magic. Should I give it a try?
"Lord of Sloth, King of Depravity. I offer tribute—grant me your grace."
⟨ Do-cheol Summon ⟩
As I boiled up my mana, the tome started shuddering violently, like it was filled to bursting. It slipped from my hands and floated into the air, pages splaying open as it spat something out.
[Oink! squeal!]
[Guh-ack...!]
What the tome spat out was Do-cheol. About the size of a housecat, with barely any mana left. Soaked in seawater and shivering like a drowned rat. No one from Cheon-do Association would recognize this as Do-cheol, even if they showed up.
"You with us?"
[O-oh, you monster! Stop tormenting me!]
"???"
I'd just said a word, and the guy was convulsing, diving under the bed. Who're you calling a monster?
"What'd you do to him?"
[Hmm?]
I asked the tome, but it averted its gaze and played dumb. Something must've gone down inside. My guess? A one-sided beatdown to establish the pecking order.
Trouble.
I didn't care if Do-cheol got pummeled, but if his mental state was shattered to the point he couldn't use magic, that was a problem. Do-cheol's spells traded tribute for defense buffs. He had to take my offerings and convert them to power to complete the magic.
"Do-cheol."
[...Why call me?]
I tried talking to coax him out. His voice trembled with fear—pitiable, almost. But his appearance was such a mangled mess that any sympathy evaporated. Humanoid face on a pig body? Grotesque as hell. My tentacle cutie was a hundred times cuter.
"Cooperate, and I'll give you some leeway."
[Y-you mean it?]
"What if I don't? Wanna go back in the tome?"
[....]
Speechless. Well, it wasn't a total lie. I'd grant minimal conveniences—like nagging the tome every three days instead of daily.
[What do I do?]
"Cast protection spells on these people." I showed him photos of my inner circle. Not thrilled about flashing them to one of the Four Evils, but with him trapped in the tome, he was in my palm.
"Make 'em the strongest you've got."
[Got it.]
"Screw up even a little, and I'll make you suffer for eons."
[I said I got it!]
Trembling with fear, he still cast the spell. As expected of one of the Four Evils—a complex, advanced ritual unfolded. The room filled with a sticky, heavy Do-cheol aura.
Soon, he extended a front hoof. [Hand over the tribute. Can't finish without it.]
"You won't skim off the top?"
[Zero commission—just give it!]
"Fine."
Zero trust in the guy, but the tome was glaring daggers behind him, so I handed it over. The oomukade inner core from the sorcerer's lair. More than enough value as tribute.
[Good. Activating spell!]
"Hurry up."
[Deep resonant hum]
The core vanished, and Do-cheol unleashed his strongest spell: impenetrable defense that blocked all attacks and reflected them back. The magic pierced the ceiling, shot into the sky, then split into six streams, streaking off. The directions matched my protected targets perfectly.
"Done? Back in you go."
[Wait, can't I stay a bit longer?]
"Nope."
[Kraaaah!!!]
Business over—no need to stick around. The tome gulped him down, and I dispersed the mana to cleanse the foul Do-cheol aura.
"Finally over."
I lounged on the sofa, sensing the faint presences of my family and allies. Now shielded by defensive magic, any threat would ping me instantly.
"Just Gong-gi left."
Preparations complete. All that remained was beating Gong-gi. And of course, I had full confidence. Whatever he prepped, I'd smash it thoroughly.
Even with my loved ones secured, one worry lingered: civilian casualties in this mess.
"Won't end quietly."
The cultists' mini-terror nearly killed hundreds of civilians. Gong-gi's handcrafted plan would be bigger, flashier. Maybe city-scale.
"Hmm..."
I had to guard Yeon Yu-hwa—no time for civilians. But I didn't want innocents dying. They were distant connections, after all.
"She's the one, right?"
Mid-deliberation, I recalled the person I'd tapped for similar help before.
"Got a sec?"
[What now?]
"Like last time. But bigger."
[For real?]
"Yeah, for real."
A deep sigh from the other end. Sudden call like this would rattle anyone. But duty's duty for a civil servant.
We set a meet at that cafe from before.
"Long time."
"...."
Downtown tavern—met I Se-ah and exchanged greetings. She didn't look thrilled, but I ignored it. No beating around the bush.
"Massive terror attack in three weeks, today."
"...Not joking?"
"Why joke about this?"
Like the apparel factory incident, I needed Daehan Mu-dang Association help. With shamans, we could counter cultists targeting civilians.
"Who's behind it?"
"Gong-gi."
"Uwaaang! No more Cheon-do Association crap!!"
I Se-ah clutched her neck, sick of them. Totally got it. Those bastards split into four factions just to screw with everyone.
"Got the terror intel. Any specifics?"
"Gong-gi himself's coming."
"Fuck."
Last chaos descent was the leader's tantrum. This? Gong-gi's blueprint. Who knew what freakshow it'd unleash.
"Wish the Four Evils were all dead..."
"Tell me about it."
She writhed in frustration, but I couldn't help. Blame the cult, not me.
"So you'll cooperate without fighting directly?"
"Ahaha..."
Tricky. With them gunning for Yu-hwa, I had to fight. Handing her to the shamans was an option, though.
Can't trust 'em fully...
Despite anomalies galore, never crossed paths with shamans. Handled it solo, bumped Management Bureau once. Impressive with their White Tiger, but no personal feel.
"Gotta go. Time's tight—no slacking."
"Work hard."
Chat wrapped; she left first, I followed. Then it hit me: I Se-ah was a connection too, right?
Owe her big. Direct and indirect help, three times already. Her death would bug me.
"Hold up."
"What? More?"
Snippy, venomous tone. I tapped her forehead, cast a spell.
"Do-cheol's flask shall not shatter. Nor shall you."
⟨ Do-cheol's Protection ⟩
"...What're you doing?"
"Nothing."
She didn't notice. Still green—needs more training. Better insure her; she'd croak otherwise.
"Hey, what was it? Spill!"
"Secret~"
Ditched her easily, strolled home leisurely. Last worry gone. Only the Gong-gi showdown left.
Three weeks flew by. Like calm before a typhoon, first true peace in ages. No anomalies? Miracle.
"Today's the day."
I glanced at the clock. 11 PM. One hour till the heart-binding contract expired. Assault imminent. Block it, kill Gong-gi—end this cursed saga.
"Let's see..."
At Yeon Yu-hwa's place, I called her. We'd team up; I'd guard her all day. She didn't know about Gong-gi yet, but she'd understand with explanation.
"...."
*Riiing... Riiing...*
No answer. Early bedtime? Or focused? No time either way—I scaled the wall, broke in.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Reached her place. Empty. Lights off, smartphone dead on the bedside.
"...."
One crucial detail: her talisman sword from before. Likely infused with Gong-gi's power—only the scabbard remained.
Murderous aura everywhere. He'd projected power through the sword, hypnotized her away somewhere.
"Fucked."
Looks like I was properly screwed.