The Magic Tower's First Slave
"I'll show you a 1-level Ether Shot, so this job's on the house."
I fetched an ether container lodged in the corner of the ruins and set it down on the rubble. As I twisted open the valve, ether billowed into the air.
"No way, you're really gonna do it? Shattering the stadium with a 1-level Ether Shot? That's just..."
[1-level Projection]
Ether Shot
Before Malgeum could finish, a three-billion-won Ether Shot powered by the entire massive container rocketed skyward.
A colossal Ether Shot, rivaling heavy machinery in size, hurtled into the heavens.
Fwwoooosh— It flew so fast that the surrounding air compressed, whipping up a gale.
"Insane..."
Malgeum watched the ether mass pierce the clouds and vanish into the distant sky, her eyes flicking between it and me. Her face screamed utter bewilderment.
"Th-that's an Ether Shot? Kid, what are you?"
"Good. Then the job's free."
Startled, Malgeum grabbed my hand.
"W-wait a sec~ You were joking, right~!"
She was sweating bullets—her palm was slick against mine.
"A verbal contract is still a contract."
"Ahh~ If you're serious, I'll do this restoration for free."
Malgeum's voice echoed from the staff in my tiny hands.
"......"
She collapsed to the ground, her face like the world had ended.
Her expressions were so vivid, teasing her was irresistible. I grinned at her pitiful look.
"I didn't say it'd be free—just that I don't have cash on hand right now."
"On credit, then?"
"And on second thought, I might not need restoration magic forever."
"So?"
I tossed out the bait casually.
"How about joining the magic tower for some research?"
Malgeum's eyes lit up.
"A magic tower? I'm only a 4-level mage, not 5!"
Usually, only high-level 5-level mages joined towers, so her surprise was understandable.
"Didn't you say your restoration magic is the best in the country? That earns bonus points."
"But restoration magic's useless in the Abyss..."
"Who knows? Continuous research might uncover new uses."
Not just fixing the training ground—repairing damaged weapons, too...
And above all...
"Master, she's a high-potential mage! Bring her on board now!"
...the frivolous staff kept buzzing incessantly.
Bzzz—bzzz—
"Where's that phone ringing from?"
I shook the staff and made my pitch to Malgeum.
"It's a magic tower, but a brand-new one without even an office yet. Still in?"
"Oh. Like that?"
Disappointment crossed Malgeum's face.
"But..."
"?"
"It'll have ether business rights."
My loaded words made her eyes widen.
"Huh? Wait, does that even... make sense? For a startup tower?"
"Did that Ether Shot make sense?"
She glanced skyward again. Clouds floated with a massive hole punched through them.
"Once word spreads, it'll be too late. Better grab the bus before it leaves, no?"
"Grab the bus before..."
As realization dawned, Malgeum seized my hand like she was entranced.
"Y-you're that once-in-an-era genius who popped up recently, right? The Li... wait, her name was Lee something?"
"...If you mean Isara, that's five years ago already."
Malgeum scratched her head.
"Oh, has it really been five years...?"
"So, will you join the tower?"
"Got it. If you need me, startup tower or one-man show, doesn't matter. I'm in."
"Good."
I nodded at her words.
"I want to build the tower on that big plot next to the stadium."
"The tower? But why tell me..."
"What do you think?"
"Uh...? I-I'm a restoration specialist, not construction..."
As I eyed her slyly, Monica chimed in from nearby.
"Why~? You're an expert in both restoration and construction magic, Malgeum."
Malgeum tore at her hair.
"Aaaah! Monica unnie! Building a magic tower isn't a joke?! It's really hard!"
"Why~? Isn't your dream to build one~? With your personality, you've probably got blueprints ready."
"B-but a 4-level mage building a tower? That's... I mean, a tower..."
Malgeum's eyes spun in circles.
"Please take care of it, Malgeum."
"Wha...? Don't blame me if it goes wrong!"
"It's fine. Folks who say that always deliver."
*
After dumping both stadium restoration and tower construction on Malgeum, I hummed my way back into the Foundation.
Who needs a tower or whatever—I'm already swamped as it is.
In truth, my plate was overflowing. Tower setup, ether business rights, managing the growing population in Byeolbada City, Secret Transmission Dynamics training, Foundation League prep...
Five major tasks at once—even two bodies wouldn't cut it.
"So, miss, you're... enforcing some discipline here...?"
[1-level Control]
Wave of Stars
Whoosh—
A massive tidal wave surged from my hand, arcing far into the distant sea.
"Y-you're not aiming that at the magic village, right? Right?"
The five-meter behemoth had everyone on edge, exchanging glances.
Shasha, Nikola, Lea, Yupri—the four reps of Byeolbada City nodded at the wave.
"Yeah, she was bragging about her ancestors being the best, then smashed the ether factory..."
Shasha nodded, sweating profusely.
"Right, miss, there's a reason for it all..."
[2-level Projection]
Salvo
Truck-sized ether orbs materialized above my head, then barraged seaward.
Kaboom—
A ferocious storm raged, Lea's orange hair flapping like a flag.
"G-Guide? You're not mad, right? This is just magic practice, yeah?"
Lea rolled her eyes desperately; I nodded.
"I'm swamped with tower construction, ether business setup, Secret Transmission Dynamics training, and Foundation League prep. Two bodies wouldn't be enough."
"M-Mayor, we know. Our bad..."
"But the folks here who just eat, process ether, get drunk, brawl, and wreck factories?"
[2-level Control]
Abyssorium
Infused with emotion, I swept up so much nearby ether it vaporized.
Crunch—grind—
The vast sea slowly compressed into a massive sphere.
Yupri bowed before me.
"Mayor! Sorry. It's all my fault—take my head to vent."
As Yupri knelt resolutely, I glared at Nikola.
"Me? I-I did nothing wrong? Our King Peterwas the strongest, fact..."
Nikola's words made Lea and Shasha slap their foreheads in unison.
"Peter's esteemed descendants have no intention of following Byeolbada's rules?"
I pumped more ether in; the sea-sphere hit its limit, starting to glimmer.
"Uh, uh, if you leave that, it might b-blow, miss?"
Ignoring Shasha, I fixed on Nikola. He alternated glances between the shining orb and me, then bowed.
"B-but... stripping us of King Peter's pride leaves nothing..."
He looked wronged, eyes welling up.
Crying over what? You did great.
As I went to scold him, my hand rested on his head. He peeked up slyly.
"Right? You think King Peter was the strongest too? Look at me—strongest here."
Nikola's reverse eyes brimmed with anxiety.
Seeing his shaky gaze, I recalled the nomadic group—barely forty strong.
Ah, Nikola's crew has the smallest numbers.
Half the others', no wonder he was jittery.
The compressed sea dispersed back to normal, peace returning.
I patted Nikola's head.
"Nikola, acting so anxious makes you seem weak."
"...?"
"Yours are the elite warriors, no? Show composure and respect. True strength shines naturally."
Shasha shot me a you did that? look, but Nikola seemed inspired.
"Strength shines naturally...?"
"Think: the guy yelling his power everywhere versus the quiet one everyone fears."
"......"
"Who's the real powerhouse?"
Nikola's eyes sparkled.
"Got it, Guide. From today, ahem, we'll keep it low-key. Ahem."
I eyed Yupri meaningfully.
See? Butter 'em up like this.
She scratched her cheek and nodded.
"Lea, same for you. Strut as an Iolde warrior again, and you know."
Lea shook her head vigorously.
"Aigoo, I've seen your skills up close, Guide. I'm just good at ghost hunting."
Her oddly fawning tone made me glance at Shasha.
"Why look at me...?"
"Just... you both grovel to the strong in such a similar way."
Lea and Shasha jumped back in sync.
"I'm a proud Iolde warrior! Don't lump me with her!"
"I'm offended! I'm the protector of my kin! Not some half-baked wannabe!"
As they squawked, I beckoned Yupri and Nikola. Yupri to Lea, Nikola to Shasha—they quieted.
"I don't expect three races to bond like family overnight. But think of the common foe. The Spectrum draws near."
At "Spectrum," Nikola and Yupri tensed.
"Got it, Mayor."
"Leave it to us, Guide. We'll hold the line."
I smirked at their faces. Nothing unites like an external threat.
"Dismissed, then. Time for training."
I waved; the four reps bowed and headed back to the village.
Recalling the inscription, I roused the staff.
"I am near to those who beseech me"
"The answer to those who yearn truly"
"Guide to all seekers"
As I intoned the words, Janggil awoke.
"Hey, master, I helped in the middle there, right?"
"The Abyssorium?"
"Yeah, primitive but tasty magic."
"Anyway. Let's start with Secret Transmission Dynamics."
"Hmm... I can't show my true potential without a proper stage."
At Janggil's bashful words, I pinched my brow.
"Janggil, are you messing with me?"
Seeing my face, Janggil cleared its throat.
"But if you screw this up... the whole village we built here might go boom?"
"Then let's begin with simple 1-level Secret Transmission Dynamics."
"No, even 1-level is..."
"?"
I blinked, not grasping it at first.