Outer God (2)
Originally, I had no intention of teaming up with Yeon Un-il. There was no reason for me to stick my nose into something the Magic Tower could handle on their own. But if the Tower collapsed and the fallout reached Incheon, that changed everything. If it was my problem to fix anyway, better to nip it in the bud before it blew up.
"I'll assign my secretary to you. She'll fill you in on the details."
"Understood."
With the incident time closing in fast, Yeon Un-il and I parted ways after that.
Down on the first floor, a woman in a sharp suit greeted me.
"I'll escort you to the operation site."
"..."
A black sedan parked on the shoulder. I slid naturally into the back seat, and she took the wheel up front. Made me feel like some big-shot corporate chairman. A fresh vibe, different from magic in its own way.
"Commencing briefing. If you could take a look at this..."
"What's this?"
"The operation plan I pulled an all-nighter on."
Hmm. Must've been rough. I was pondering how to respond when she launched right into it without waiting.
"This operation will be a joint effort with the Management Bureau."
"The Bureau? Not the Shaman Association?"
The Bureau didn't hold much sway in Korea. Shamans and monks ran the show here; the Bureau flexed in places like America or Europe. Collaborating with them was unexpected.
"If the Magic Tower falls, the Bureau's in a bind too. Word is they rushed personnel into Korea."
"Ah?"
The Tower was a European outfit, allied with the Bureau. Its collapse would screw them over, so emergency reinforcements. Han-seong Group had lent a hand in the process.
"Of course, without your help, Jin-seok-ssi, even the Bureau would fail."
"Any particular reason?"
"No idea. Probably 'cause the Bureau's incompetent."
"..."
This woman didn't mince words. First time encountering someone like her—refreshing, but kinda draining. Not a bad vibe, though.
"...Is this the plan? Looks kinda half-baked."
"Just your imagination."
Anyway, I flipped through the actual plan. One overriding impression: Way too much faith in me? It basically handed everything to my judgment, with the team just assisting on the sidelines. In short, no real substance.
"We'll figure it out as we go."
"..."
"I'm a field specialist. I can adapt to anything."
So she claimed. I hadn't planned on sticking rigidly to any plan anyway, so no issue there.
"We're here."
"..."
About 30 minutes later, we pulled up to an empty building on the city outskirts. A gyeol-gye barrier sealed off the perimeter, blocking outsiders. The sedan passed through without a hitch and parked beside the structure.
"Just follow me."
"Got it."
We headed straight into the abandoned building. It looked on the verge of collapse from the outside, but the interior was surprisingly intact—cleaned up in advance, with odd devices scattered here and there.
"They said not to touch those. Dangerous."
"Did you try?"
"Just a little zap. Nothing major."
"..."
Devices etched with spells, foreign objects humming with strange powers. Some resembled weapons, radiating serious mana. That level could even tag me.
"This is the temporary ops room."
"Hmm..."
We reached the fifth floor. Unlike the empty lower levels, it was packed. A massive desk overflowed with papers, a whiteboard sported an Ansan map, one wall had cutting-edge computers, and the other stacked firearms.
"Contact with the Tower..."
"Weapons check done..."
"Revise this section..."
Bureau agents hustled about. Pre-op frenzy, no doubt.
"Everyone, I'm here."
"Perfect timing. We were waiting."
As I took in the scene, the secretary exchanged greetings with someone. Turning, I spotted a man in a suit. Same uniform as the others, but his aura stood out—seasoned veteran, like he'd seen countless battlefields.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Martin from the Management Bureau, in command of this operation."
"Likewise, Martin-ssi. Name's Kramer."
Our handshake wasn't ordinary. In that brief moment, we sized up each other's mana and gauged strengths.
Solid skills.
He outclassed me outright—Saga-level baseline, stronger even than the Tower professors I'd faced before. His subordinates clocked in around Legend, too. Fitting for a Tower-collapse containment team.
Interesting.
One oddity, though: his true nature. Surface-level middle-aged guy, but it was all transformation magic. Real age, gender? Unknowable.
"Looking forward to working with you."
"We expect big things."
Didn't matter. One-day gig. I'd slapped on heavy illusion magic and a fake name myself, so we were even.
"By the way, I'm Kim Min-yeong."
"Nice name."
"Whoa, first time anyone's complimented it."
Ended up learning the secretary's name by accident. Min-yeong-ssi it is from now on.
"Alright, let's move out."
"No op briefing?"
"Time's tight. We'll do it en route."
Figured we'd get geared up and briefed. Situation more dire than expected.
"Follow me. Heli on the roof."
"Ooh."
True to Martin's word, we headed rooftop. Sleek choppers sat on the empty expanse; we boarded the first.
"We'll take off first. Follow behind."
"Stay safe, chief!"
"You watch yourselves."
Me, Min-yeong, Martin, and two agents in the lead bird. Rest would tail in others. Quick farewells, rotors whirring to life.
Slow.
First chopper ride ever, but no thrill. I'd zipped around on gliders way faster. Still, gave time for the briefing.
"Explaining the op."
"..."
What's that?
Martin's plan was the polar opposite of Min-yeong's. Insanely detailed, Bureau agents calling every shot. I was basically backup.
"Prophecy says move to this point..."
"..."
"Prophecy dictates engage at this time."
"..."
And every call hinged on the prophecy. Stick to its route, fight its way. If prophecies were ironclad, no issue—but...
The Bureau was screwed.
Their plans would crumble, on-site chaos. Min-yeong's plan was spot-on: my call would matter most.
"Why the stare?"
"Nothing."
But how'd he know? Han-seong Group had too many enigmas. They knew about the Outer God, even its traits. A mere Korean corp out-info'ing the Tower and Bureau?
Secret?
Suspicious, sure, but not immediate worry. Han-seong seemed anti-Outer God, and Yeon Un-il was Yun-hwa's dad. Unless they stabbed us in the back, I'd play ball.
"Landing soon."
"Gear up, everyone."
Lost in thought, we'd closed on the Tower. Massive barrier spell ahead. Last time, I'd smashed through; now, free pass.
Just touch down and...
"Ch-Chief? You gotta see this."
"Hm? Something off...?"
Mid-approach, the pilot suddenly hailed Martin. Stone-faced, Martin hit the cockpit. Seconds later, his scream ripped through:
"Everyone, jump from the chopper NOW!!"
"????"
Everyone aboard floated question marks. Martin dashed inside, grabbed a chute but ditched it, scooping agents and leaping.
I panicked a bit but followed suit, scooping Min-yeong under the arm.
"Hold tight so you don't fall."
"No worries. I'm killer at clinging."
"..."
Dove with her tucked in. Icy wind whipping cheeks, blue sky blooming underfoot. Then—a flash.
"What the hell?"
KABOOM!
Glancing up, the beam-vaporized chopper smoldered in view. Source? The Tower itself.
No way the Tower fired on allies unless... one conclusion.
"The Tower's already fallen?"
Made no sense, but the Tower had been wiped out quietly.