Wizard Gallery (1)
I'd come to Ansan on a business trip. I planned to stay here for a while, handle some work, and hold meetings with various partner companies.
"Manager Kim... what do you want for dinner...?"
"How about some pork soup?"
"Sounds good... let's head there right now..."
We took the bus for about two hours and arrived in Ansan. Since there was no work on the first day of the trip, we went straight to eat. Kim Gwa-jang and I had similar tastes, so picking a menu was no problem.
"Auntie! One pork soup here!"
"One beef soup..."
We filled up on a bowl of soup at the restaurant. But I lost rock-paper-scissors like a dog and ended up covering not just the meal but also ice cream costs.
"Heh heh... thanks for the meal."
"Damn it."
After eating, it was time to find lodging. Somewhere not too far from the work site with decent facilities would be ideal. And since the company would reimburse it, cost wasn't an issue.
"Where to?"
"Hmm..."
Kim Gwa-jang and I walked along a street lined with accommodations. Neon signs flashed brightly, and the faint smell of booze tickled our noses.
Feels kinda weird.
I knew it was rude to think that, but walking with androgynous-looking Kim Gwa-jang felt a bit off. Come to think of it, this was my first time coming to a motel with someone. When I'd gone on a trip with Nam Bu-jang, his company had provided the lodging.
"What're you thinking...?"
"Nothing much."
"Ahem~"
Kim Gwa-jang reacted oddly, as if he'd read my mind. Of course, that was impossible. Reading minds meant using magic, and with my magic eyes, I could see it. He was just being his usual weird self, like always.
"No decent places around."
"Yeah..."
We kept walking, but couldn't find anywhere suitable. Some had crappy facilities, others had sketchy guests. We found a good one, but it was full.
"How about that one...?"
"Hm?"
As I pondered spending just one night and finding something tomorrow, Kim Gwa-jang pointed to a rundown motel in the corner of the street. It looked abandoned at first glance, but there was a sign, and faint light leaked from inside. It gave off a weird vibe, but we decided to check it out.
"Hello."
"...."
We entered and approached the counter. A gruff-looking middle-aged man was watching TV, but he didn't respond to our greeting. Ignoring it, I got to the point.
"Two rooms, long-term stay possible?"
"How long."
"About a month."
The man nodded at my question, rummaged in a drawer, and handed over two keys labeled 5-A and 5-B. I paid by card, pocketed one, and gave the other to Kim Gwa-jang.
"Hold on."
"What's up?"
As we headed up to rest, the motel owner's voice called from behind. Turning, he pointed to a paper on the wall.
"Break the rules, you're out."
"...."
Rules, huh. It felt off, but we'd already paid. Awkward to ask for a refund over a bad vibe, especially late at night. I approached the wall to read them.
[Charlotte Motel Rules]
1. No damaging furniture
2. No causing disturbances
3. No fighting between guests
Pretty standard rules for any motel. My magic eyes didn't detect any tricks, so I memorized them roughly and headed upstairs.
"See you tomorrow."
"Good night..."
We reached the fifth floor and entered our rooms. The motel room was surprisingly decent. Clean, with a comfy-looking bed and some amenities that set a nice mood.
"What the hell is this."
Of course, there was something weird. A small hole in the wall—leading to Kim Gwa-jang's room. A peephole. Peeking through, the view was pretty wide. Should I ask the manager to switch rooms? But hey, guys together, who cares.
"I'll mention it when I leave."
I shrugged it off, stripped, and showered. Finished in super speed five minutes, toweled off roughly, and stepped out of the bathroom. As I drank some water and checked my phone—
A message from Kim Gwa-jang popped up.
The peephole I'd just checked. Guess he'd seen me naked through it. Not embarrassing since we're both guys, but it pissed me off anyway.
"What the fuck."
Kim Gwa-jang seeing me was tolerable. He's always been a troll, pulling sly pranks. But me seeing his naked body? No way in hell. I'm not gay.
"Hah hah hah."
Winning a verbal spar with Kim Gwa-jang was damn near impossible. He just blurts out stuff that'd make anyone else choke on propriety. No wonder people avoid him.
"Time for bed."
It was just wasting energy. I had an early meeting tomorrow, so I decided to sleep.
"..."
I turned off the light, lay in bed, and closed my eyes. Then, rustling from the side. Like a sneak thief, but I knew what it was.
"Come on in."
With permission granted, the stone slab slipped into my arms. My adorable wife, who'd childishly followed me because she couldn't bear being apart on my trip.
"What now."
Shin-nim was sulking for some reason. But I was tired today, so I couldn't comfort her and just fell asleep.
That night, as usual, I had a dream.
-"Where're your clothes?"
-"No need between us."
-"I think we do."
-"Quiet. Get over here!"
I ended up bound by Shin-nim, every inch of me inspected.
****
The next morning, my body was rested, but my mind was wrecked.
"....."
The nightmare from last night felt too real; my face was still burning. What can you do? Couples see each other naked sometimes. Shin-nim was often naked too (divine clone, of course). Shake off the embarrassment and snap out of it.
"Time to get ready."
I cracked open a canned coffee from the motel fridge, downed it, and started prepping for work. Quick shower, changed clothes. Done by 7:10. Meeting at 8:30, so pretty efficient.
I messaged Kim Gwa-jang, but no reply—he must still be asleep. Weak in the mornings, huh?
"Oh well."
He kept time well, so I'd grab breakfast alone. Wallet checked, door open to the hallway. Down the hall to the elevator...
"Hmm."
Suddenly, I hesitated on the elevator. Yesterday with Kim Gwa-jang, no big deal, but now it bugged me. Memories from that last incident flooding back.
"Just take it."
Avoiding elevators forever would be insane. How long had it been? Can't dodge places every time something weird happens.
"...."
Resolved, I called the elevator and stepped in. Then immediately regretted it.
"Yaaawn. Body feels stiff."
"...."
A woman in just a T-shirt and exposed panties—a total perv—got in.
What the fuck.
My brain froze. What situation was this? Did I open a door by mistake? No, it's the elevator. Adjusting my gaze carefully, confirmed. So she was really a perv? But her reaction was off.
"Hurry up and get in, forget your phone or something?"
"...."
No pervy vibe from her; she looked at frozen me like I was weird. And that was self-talk, like she assumed I couldn't see her.
Wait, no way.
I pondered briefly, then realized. Perception distortion magic? I activated my magic eyes with minimal mana—yep.
A wizard.
Faint mana flowed over her skin, 1cm thick. Systematic flow, different from monsters or shamans—this was wizard-style.
"...."
"...."
What to do? Just get in. Letting the elevator go would tip her off that I noticed. Discovering a hidden wizard? Fight could break out anytime, so play dumb.
"Bra's digging in, did I gain weight?"
"...."
"You're pretty hot, huh? Eyes feasting this early."
Less than a minute felt like torture. Old motel elevator was slow as hell—hated it. And damn, her face and body were top-tier...
Judge, I saw nothing.
I saw nothing. Nothing there, just an ordinary guy without magic eyes.
"Phew..."
Ding! Finally, first floor. Sigh of relief as I exited to the lobby, the crazy perv following. Trailing behind me after. Not stalking—just to the entrance.
"Bye, handsome oppa~"
"...."
She paused at the door, turned with a greeting. Short incantation, and a broom flew from somewhere, caught under her butt, soaring sky-high. I glanced up, following her, and spotted it floating in the sky—had to gape.
"...Goddamn it for real."
Clear blue sky, not a cloud. There, a massive castle floated lazily. Scientifically impossible, barely explainable as an anomaly. An utter enigma right before my eyes.