Wizard Gallery (4)
I had a rough idea of what a gallery was. It was like a masquerade ball where anonymous people communicated through posts and comments. Sure, calling it a ball might be a stretch since it was pretty low-rent, but you get the idea.
"It's a dopamine dump."
I'd wandered into galleries a few times while surfing the net—whether for game guides or hilarious memes. I'd dipped in myself a handful of times, and each visit was a culture shock, for better or worse.
"Sanity down! Emergency!!"
Why the hell post nude granny pics on public fights? The memory hit me, and I felt my mental state crumbling at warp speed. I needed to picture Shin-nim quick to recover—her cute form, squishy tentacles, healing voice, the works.
"Phew..."
Thanks to Shin-nim, I barely staved off a breakdown. Then I clicked the link Kim Gwa-jang sent and entered the Wizard Gallery.
The site looked identical to any other gallery. The posts were standard fare too.
No useful posts, just endless bullshit. But dig a little, and you'd find gems. Like this one.
(Selfie wrapped head to toe in bandages)
Doctor says 2 weeks recovery. How the f** am I supposed to do this month's homework? I'm freaking out, don't troll me...
Seems like a normal brag post, but it's not. Because I put that guy in the hospital. His face is mostly hidden, but I can tell.
Scrolling further, I spotted something intriguing. Wizard Hunter... Yeah, that's me who beat him, but I'm not the Wizard Hunter.
"Hmm..."
My gut screamed this was the key to the incident. Time to search "Wizard Hunter" in the gallery.
(Friend in hospital bed photo)
Wanna get revenge so bad but no way to do it. FML why am I a non-combat mage? So depressed.
Wizard Hunter. True to the name, some mystery figure hunting wizards. Over 30 victims, even "professors"—powerful mages—couldn't catch him. A vicious criminal, top priority target for the magic society.
...And everyone thought I was that guy.
"Why?"
No matter how I racked my brain, it didn't add up. The Magic Tower wouldn't peg someone just on similar looks or spells. There had to be more to the mix-up.
I needed to dig deeper.
"..."
After another 30 minutes, one brutal truth hit home.
This setup? Impossible not to mistake.
"What the fuck."
Wizard Hunter's traits: Ordinary looks, sea magic. Favored by an evil god, controls sea monsters with it. Spot on... That's me and Shin-nim, plain as day.
Shin-nim, you sure...?
I asked if it tied to Shin-nim or her minions. She denied it vehemently, more words than ever.
Figured as much.
I wasn't serious anyway. Plenty of sea anomalies out there besides Shin-nim. Probably one of those linked to the Hunter.
"So now what?"
Investigation done, no answers. I knew why they targeted me, but no fix yet. Clearing it up seemed bureaucratic hell. Ignoring? I'd clash big with the Tower soon.
"Gotta be a way..."
I pondered, and two solid ideas surfaced. Neither easy.
First: Hide.
Conceal my deep-sea aura. Mages tracked it to find me, so mask it deliberately. They'd lose me, back to normal life.
Eh, no.
Fatal flaw: Unresolved misunderstanding means endless hiding. Too annoying.
One option left...
"I'll catch the Wizard Hunter."
No room for misunderstanding there. Drop him at the Tower, misunderstanding gone, identity safe. Even smooth over beating their students.
"Easier said."
Sounds perfect, but huge snag: How? Hunter vanished three years ago. No clue if alive or where.
"Damn it."
No choice. Hybrid plan: Hide short-term, hunt long-term.
Decision made, I powered off my phone and hit the bed.
"Gotta work though."
Mages or not, bills don't pay themselves.
****
Next day, I slept poorly from worrying. Kim Gwa-jang looked rough despite full rest.
"You okay, Gwa-jang...?"
"Manageable."
Mentally drained maybe, but body prime. Today's meeting crucial—mandatory even half-dead.
"Han-seong today, right...?"
"Yeah. No screw-ups, stay sharp."
Han-seong Group. Top-five Korean conglomerate, one of our big clients. No sweat though—just a branch. Real deals probably Nam Bu-jang's gig.
"Let's go."
"Yessir..."
Chit-chat over, we boarded the bus to Han-seong branch. Out to Ansan's edge. Spotted a shiny massive factory.
Almost worked there.
Sight triggered memories. Nailed resume and interview, basically hired. But got drunk with Nam Bu-jang at a job fair, ended up at Han-seol on impulse. No regrets then or now.
"Here..."
"Yep."
Daydream over, arrived. Han-seong factory next to their branch building. Ansan outskirts, but bustling. Han-seong's presence boomtown-ifies the area.
"From Han-seol Tech? I'll guide you."
"Thanks."
Met staff at entrance, greetings exchanged, inside. Corporate polish everywhere—gleaming interiors, sharp employees. Enviable as a rival firm, but no intimidation.
"Fourth floor."
"Ah... Roger."
Obviously elevator up. Awkward, but boarded. Luck held—no incidents, reached meeting room smooth.
Guide dipped, we entered.
"..."
"..."
Spacious conference room, employee by the window. Backlit, hard to see, but approached for greetings.
"Hello, from Han-seol Tech, Lee Jin—"
Mid-reach, brain froze. Body locked.
Why is she here?
The woman was a mage. Not shocking—I was one too, office drone. Shock was awkwardness.
Forget it fast.
She was the half-naked mage from the elevator days ago.
Felt Shin-nim's piercing glare from behind.
I really didn't see anything, Shin-nim...