Korea's Great Upheaval
One week after the Korea Dropout Revival Matches ended amid the massive upheaval. Korea was hit with a string of shocking incidents. All 60 pro mages had nearly lost their lives, and on top of that, a massive Abyss had almost spawned in Ilsan. The ones who resolved it weren't the 1st Army mages or the Mage Association—it was the American Monica and the 8-year-old mage Yu Eunha.
The culprits behind this near-terrorist act? None other than the Mage Association's Elder Council. Koreans were beyond stunned; they were dumbfounded, at a complete loss for words.
The president weaponized the boiling public outrage and media frenzy to start arresting key Mage Association figures. Especially from the Elder Council—more were hauled off than left behind, revealing just how rotten things had been.
2. Greed knows no bounds
3. Yu Eunha is a god
Disagree? You're wrong. I'm right.
Yu Eunha's evaluation had transcended mere hero of mages into the realm of divinity. And it wasn't just from this incident. The free opening of Bundang Training Ground, exposing the promotion match issues—everything she'd built culminated in this. By now, the entire nation was memorizing her name. Meanwhile, Yu Eunha...
*During the two weeks after Ranking War ended, I spent more time in the Foundation than Bundang Training Ground. Too many people coming to gawk at me there, plus the protective magic was starting to buckle under my training.
Malgeum's tearful pleas—no, more like threats to just kill him—finally made me abandon Bundang.
"Hm. Even the most basic Secret Dynamics overwhelms a 6th-level barrier."
I swung Jang-gil, lost in thought. It was bizarre. Ether Dynamics easily surpassed 6th-level power, yet attempting actual 6th-level spells caused the ether in my body to tangle, forcibly canceling the cast.
'If it was just lack of skill, fine.'
But it felt physically impossible.
"Jang-gil, there must be some trick to 6th-level spells, right?"
Jang-gil didn't respond.
"Jang-gil? Should I churn demon guts with you again?"
I swung him through the air, and Jang-gil grudgingly replied.
[Not talking has its reasons! Geez! This guide helps and you still bitch.]
"So it only counts if I figure it out alone?"
[You know that already, why ask?]
"Hmmm."
Stumped, I plopped down on the beach. Nearby was the sunbed where Monica always lounged.
"...Monica. Already missing that blue hair."
Monica would've said, "This is my secret know-how, but try this approach?"
I sat on the sand, staring at her hut. No replies to KakaoTalk, texts, or calls. Even the government claimed ignorance.
"Sigh..."
Thinking about it, after becoming this girl's body, she was my friend, mentor, parent figure. She meant the world to me.
Jang-gil shifted to human form—a black-haired boy my height with red eyes—and pulled me up.
[Stop moping for Monica and study Secret Dynamics?]
I glared at those red eyes and pinched his cheek hard.
[Huh?]
"I don't know if my family's alive or dead! How can I focus on Secret Dynamics?!"
I shook his cheek wildly; his head flailed.
[Gah! Aaaack! Stop! Got it!]
I let go; he clutched his cheek.
[Can't get her back or rescue without getting stronger. You know.]
"......"
True. Secret Dynamics wasn't mastered enough for real combat. Standard spells topped out at late 3rd-level. The tower climb only yielded a new branch of Secret Dynamics: [Heat]—no new spells.
'Maybe climb the Abyss instead.'
But worried about Monica while in my personal zone.
[Focus. Master [Heat] first. Monica's 7th-level; even America won't mess lightly.]
"Fair."
I concentrated under his guidance. A new horizon in Secret Dynamics: not chain explosions, but pure heat processing.
I opened the Secret Dynamics - Heat manual.
"Why substitute chain explosions with 'heat'? Raw explosions are strong enough."
Jang-gil shrugged.
[Real combat favors pure heat often.]
"To minimize friendly fire?"
[That too, but blasts/shockwaves get blocked by barriers easy.]
"Ah."
[Pure heat pierces or neuters them.]
"Armor penetration attack, got it."
[No waste, silent, minimal traces.]
Perfect for combat. I nodded, gripped Jang-gil, and with his aid, unleashed the new Secret spell.
Secret Dynamics - Heat
Shadowless Star
A scorching heat hit my face like it would melt it off.
Whoosh—
"......!"
The coordinates were kilometers out over the ocean. Yet the heat reached here.
"Hm... Even ether-shielded me feels this..."
The sea below 'Shadowless Star' must be boiling.
Sizzle—
Fish floated up, boiled.
"Uh..."
'Yupri's gonna chew me out...'"How do you mismanage food resources like this?!"
[Felt my guidance?]
"Aye. But too advanced—barely half got through."
He stared blankly.
"What?"
[Nah your speech... Felt something after Slader?]
I pouted. "Guess I need more tries... I think."
He shifted human, ruffled my hair wildly.
[Kuhahaha! Yeah that tone suits that face lol.]
He bounced gleefully.
[You not talking like that makes it tastier.]
"Tasty my ass. Shut up and train more. Like Light series, gotta use Heat solo."
[Hahaha. 10 years too soon, guide! Heat series takes Long Lived Clans a lifetime. You use it this well cuz of me.]
"Tch, pie in the sky then."
I frowned; he grinned sheepishly.
[Said that but... Guides are different. You got Iolde's blessing.]
Ether depleted, I flopped on the sand.
"Such a hassle."
Monica's hut entered view again.
"Gotta wrap Ranking War quick and head to America."
[For real?]
President said not to act rashly. "Half. He mentioned watching Spectrum closely—probably scared of them."
I knew their ways well; frowned.
"The longer we wait, the riskier it gets—for Korea."
Before leaving Orbis, recalled the last recruits: joined for slaughter, no qualms about human hunting. If plotting, smash early.
'Probably overthinking.'
I stood, feeling ether surge.
"Train more. Time's short."
*
Ranking War finals buzzed. Originally 62 competitors, but 20 from dropouts made 80 total.
Hong Jiyeon spotted me in the crowded lounge.
"Ya came! Our hero!"
I nodded. She scratched her cheek.
"Ahaha! All 20 passed? Hilarious!"
As she said, the revival let everyone through. 29 heavy injuries in sim, 11 forfeits from remaining 31—passed the 20 left. New Superintendency Provisional Committee ran league; hard to stir drama.
"Yeah... Unni... Just normalizing..."
Hong Jiyeon gawked.
"Y-you..."
She stammered, flustered.
"Wh-who are you?"