Shattered Prophecy
The Management Bureau's prophecy. Seeing how the agents revere it, its accuracy must be pretty damn high. Maybe it hasn't missed even once.
"But the prophecy didn't say anything like this?"
"...."
Was that why? Now that the prophecy had gone off the rails, the agents couldn't hide their confusion.
"Maybe something went wrong in the transmission?"
"Or perhaps we made a mistake somewhere."
"Hmm...."
Even as we plummeted from the sky above the magic tower, not one of them considered the prophecy itself might be flawed. They were exchanging opinions like they were in a conference room.
"Jin-seok-ssi, I want to stop falling now."
"Why?"
"My perfectly styled hair's getting messed up."
A fall from this height was no threat to people like us. Yi Min-yeong, plastered to my back, didn't even blink.
I guess I'll have to handle this.
Looking at the agents deep in debate, it seemed handling the fall was on me.
I immediately surged my mana and began the incantation.
"Come on out, any damn beast you want."
⟨ Casual Summon ⟩
Monster Dragonfly
It had been a while since I'd used insect magic. Now I could cast most spells without incantations.
As the chant ended, a black egg materialized in midair, hatching in an instant into a monstrous dragonfly.
"Sorry about that. Got distracted during the op."
"No problem. That's why we're here, right?"
Officially, Min-yeong and I were here to assist the Bureau. Even if we'd go solo later, I planned to help as much as possible.
"Everyone, hold on tight. Here we go."
I looked up at the magic tower. Through the breached walls, I could see mana cannons charging. They weren't just repelling us—they aimed to confirm the kill.
"You can dodge it, right? I believe in you."
⟨ Trust Command ⟩
Enhanced Evasion
I poured a hefty dose of mana into the dragonfly, and just then, cannon fire erupted from the walls.
A rainbow of spells streaked across the blue sky. Each one packed the mana of dozens of mages—devastating power.
Dodgeable.
Last time, I'd closed in before they could charge. Facing them head-on for the first time, it was easier than expected. Immense destructive force, but slow angle adjustments.
Monster dragonflies ranked among the fastest grotesque. Plenty dodgeable.
-[Golem Alerts]
"What's that?"
But the tower wasn't run by idiots. They wouldn't leave the breached defenses undefended. A new system: golems filling the walls, bows in hand, arrows enchanted with serious magic.
Incoming Arrow Barrage
"!?"
A rain of arrows blotting out the sun. Archers on walls were siege basics, but seeing it for real? Never imagined.
Not much threat, though. At dragonfly speed, we'd evade before they landed.
"...They're following us?"
"You'll see."
But that prediction bombed. Enchanted arrows curved on their own, chasing us relentlessly. Mana cannons kept firing too. Chaos everywhere—I had to focus on piloting.
"Having trouble breaking through?"
"You could say that."
I was holding back my power. Trying not to use deep-sea magic in front of Bureau agents made piercing the barrage tough.
"I'll help."
"How?"
Martin showed, don't tell. Mana torrent from behind—cold, unyielding, metal clangs echoing.
"Assemble: nimble wings, sturdy beak, sharp talons."
⟨ Steel Eagle Summon ⟩
Steel fragments appeared midair. Selected ones moved, assembling into a steel eagle.
"Go peck them."
⟨ Assault Command ⟩
Steel Eagle Dive
Loaded with mana, the eagle rocketed to the walls, talons slamming down.
Boom... Part of the wall crumbled, some arrows losing power and dropping.
-Wall Section Destroyed
The eagle didn't stop: pecking with beak, slashing with wings, battling golems fiercely. Arrow count dwindled; some cannons got caught, powering down.
"Finally made it."
"Touching ground feels delightful."
Seizing the gap, we flew straight in, successfully entering the tower. Dizzy from the frantic flight, but now I could breathe.
Golem Surround
"Still not giving up, huh."
Momentarily paused, golems encircled us. They dropped bows, drew swords—adept at close quarters, a pain to deal with.
"Swarms of beasts, arise."
⟨ Insect Horde Summon ⟩
So, decisive from the start. I boiled mana full throttle, deploying powerful insect magic.
A bizarre sweet scent blanketed the area, rustling sounds spreading endlessly.
Insect Swarm Deployment
Black specks swarmed the air—tiny eggs hatching into larvae that grew rapidly to small-dog size. But their numbers tripled the golems'.
The walls turned to pandemonium in seconds. Golems swung swords at intruders; bugs swarmed fanatically. Both sides numerous and tough—victory would take time.
"Let's slip through now."
"Impeccable cleanup. Impressed. With golems distracted, we pushed inward."
Dropping below the walls, we dashed to the inner keep. Empty plaza. Last time, chimeras here. Nothing visible now, but a creepy hunch said otherwise.
"Kugh?!"
"Urk!"
And sure enough. Something halted us. Lead runner Martin got blasted away; the follow-up hit me too, slamming me aside.
The implication stunned: an attack too fast and sharp for Legend Upper me and Saga Mid Martin to react.
"What the hell is that monster?"
I eyed the beast blocking the entrance. Over 5m tall, massive body—inky black skin rippling like liquid. But those teeth in the huge maw looked unbreakable; one wrong step, and no bones left.
"Saga rank."
Mana dwarfing Legends—stronger than the professor I'd fought before, even Martin. Absurd to meet it at the entrance.
"What now?"
"Pondering."
Martin's face was grim, calculating odds nonstop.
I stood beside, gauging lightly.
We can win... yeah.
Assuming no deep-sea magic. With me, Martin, and agents cooperating, it'd fall easy. Even without me, Bureau wins.
But...
"Too late?"
"Seems so."
Tower still intact? No, already ransacked. No time to dawdle here. Delay more, and something irreversible might happen.
"...."
"Hmm."
With prophecy busted, call was Martin's. Tower's fate on his choice—understandable hesitation.
Unable to watch, I lightened his load.
"I'll buy time."
"Pardon?"
Martin's surprised look. No point arguing—I'd show.
"Hoo..."
Black monster charged instantly. Razor claws could shred me to ribbons. But I didn't budge a step.
Full mana surge, summoning the disaster beast here.
"Do-cheol, take this and chow down."
⟨ Disaster Summon ⟩
"You called! Huh? Did I hear wrong?"
⟨ Do-cheol Response ⟩
Normally just mana for Do-cheol, but this time a rare gem. No idea where from—found it somewhere. Key: his magic scales with sacrifice value.
"Break through or die."
⟨ Do-or-Die Order ⟩
"Tr-trust me!!"
⟨ Defense Chant ⟩
Mighty shout, barrier deployed. Tougher than ever, it tanked the monster's strike—cracked but held.
"Gluttonous beast, come to this banquet laid out for you."
⟨ Gluttony Summon ⟩
Simultaneously, I poured every ounce of mana into another spell. Black magic circle in the sky, sucking in everything around: mana, moisture, nutrients, life force.
Beelzebub Manifestation
Crude body... but not bad.
Devouring all, a crowned fly emerged from the circle. Fly King, Archdemon of Gluttony—Baalzebub appeared.
"Fine flesh you have. I'll sample you first."
⟨ Baalzebub Taunt ⟩
The unknown monster and Baalzebub clashed instantly. Infinite flies formed fists, swung; monster shook them off, lunging.
Naturally, inner keep entrance cleared.
"Whoa..."
"Not going? No second chance."
I urged shocked Martin. Baalzebub was mighty grotesque, but nerfed far below true power. Seemed dominant now, but could flip anytime.
"Understood. Let's hurry."
"Go careful."
Martin caught on, snapped to, dashed inside. Agents followed.
Left: just me and Min-yeong.
"Min-yeong-ssi not going?"
"My duty is assisting Jin-seok-ssi."
I glanced at her; she stared back, unblinking.
...She knows as much as Yeon Un-il?
"How much do you know about me?"
"That you're newlywed."
"You know everything."
Tested just in case—she even knew about Shin-nim. No need hiding then.
I slashed my wrist, drew a blood magic circle, grinned.
"Now I can breathe easy."
No more watching for Bureau eyes.
Time for real solo action.