Black Market Showdown
There's that saying: if money can't buy it, you just don't have enough money.
'No doubt about it.'
Thirty thousand ards—a staggering sum that could build four mansions. And I'd earned it by uprooting the biggest gambling den in the black market, so yeah, it had to be that much.
"Master."
"Hm? What?"
"But did you really have to bid on that?"
Right after the auction ended, as I picked up my winning bid, Lilia asked with obvious curiosity.
"Well, this fragment is nice to have."
"No, not that. The one in your left hand."
"Oh."
In my left hand was a pure white vial filled with red liquid. Even sealed inside, it radiated an intense presence.
"Well... truth be told, I just didn't want to hand it over to that guy more than anything."
"Eh? Really?"
"Yeah, something like that."
Barhen, the professor of Practical Magic at the academy. He was infamous for his foul temper and brutish ways, but that wasn't the reason.
Barhen might seem like small fry, but in the first act's finale, he causes a major incident. Not that I planned to stop it or anything. I just happened to be right there, so I messed with him.
"I see... I was wondering why you'd buy it, Master."
"That big a deal?"
"Of course! It's unicorn's blood, isn't it?"
Unicorn's virgin blood. A high-tier elixir that even gets a solid rating in the game. Just drinking it boosts your physical stats and divinity like crazy... The downside? The Curse of Chastity. After drinking it, you'll only feel desire for 'virgins.'
In the game, no biggie. But in reality? Kinda off-putting.
'But whatever. Who cares about a curse like that when the stat boost is insane?'
I'd lived with a far worse curse for ten years. Some virginity hex? Pfft.
"Anyway, how was your first time out? Like it?"
"The air feels nice after so long."
"Right?"
She was in spirit form now, but earlier she'd been materialized. Must've felt good wandering around in the flesh after ages. Materializing isn't easy, after all.
'I made out pretty well myself.'
I'd dumped a ton into the fragment and unicorn's blood, but still had cash left. And with the leftovers, I snagged a few more items... Not top-shelf, but solid enough. Perfectly practical.
'Neutralized holy water or that chipped black sword—decent picks.'
Not elixirs, but useful in a pinch. Good enough.
"...This is a bit unexpected, though."
On the way out of the black market toward the academy, a man blocked the dim alley.
"No idea who you are, but blocking the road here won't end well for you."
"...Tch. Stealing my prize and still so cocky."
"Your prize? I won it fair and square at auction."
I locked eyes with him slowly. Dull, soulless gray pupils stared back.
Barhen's eyes.
"Hand over the unicorn's blood, and I won't touch you."
"Saying that just makes me wanna keep it even more, you know?"
His murky gray eyes sharpened. Circle-enhanced focus. He was going for brute force theft...
'Can't just hand it over.'
I smirked, slowly stirring my mana.
Mana flowed through my body, senses sharpening. Full immersion.
"Think you can win? Against me?"
Five circles materialized behind Barhen. Even a theory prof hits at least 5th Circle, huh.
'Tough bastard.'
Me? Barely 3rd Circle. Two circles behind him. At 5th Circle, you're elite firepower.
"Lose? As if."
Of course, that didn't mean I'd lose.
"Such arrogance."
In an instant, the five circles behind him spun, tracing runes. Mana boiled, air scorched.
"Don't expect mercy from a street mage."
"Then don't whine like a bitch on the street?"
Academy rules limit me to peak 3rd Circle spells. But out here? Different story.
Magi (魔人): Converts demonic energy into mana
Mana Affinity assists you
Insight assists you
Mana surged from within. Demonic energy—the origin of mana. A handful births endless mana.
"You're no ordinary mage..."
"Nope. Gonna give up now?"
"A mere 3rd Circle!!"
Brilliant flames erupted from Barhen's magic circle. Each packed serious punch.
But—
ZZZCRACKLE!!!
"Wha—what?!? Backlash!? You dispelled my spells!?!?"
Barhen gaped in shock. No wonder. A 3rd Circle nullifying 5th Circle magic.
'Not really backlash. Nothing that complex.'
Even with Insight, reversing a 5th Circle mage's full arsenal is tough. Possible, but slow.
So I went simpler...
"Why overthink? I just overloaded your circuits beyond limit."
"...Impossible!! My mana reserves—by you!?"
Sadly, mana wars? I win every time.
Any spell fails if overcharged past its limit.
"Fine. Block this, then."
"Oho."
Spells deployed sequentially behind him. Chaining to dodge one-sided shutdown.
'Pure mana speed? He'd win.'
But I have tricks.
"Lilia."
I'm not the only one casting here.
"What the—!!"
Barhen trembled as his spells vanished one by one. Mages live by spells. Nullified? Helpless.
"Told ya not to mess with passersby."
I snapped my fingers. A dark crimson circle bloomed in the air.
Just 3rd Circle. Basic spell. But to a spell-less mage? Terrifying.
'Lightning Spear.'
ZZZING!!!
In a flash, the black-red bolt pierced Barhen's left shoulder.
Some protective charm minimized damage, probably...
"GAAAAAH!!!!"
He screamed, tumbling back pathetically.
Might as well finish him now.
As I approached the fallen Barhen—
WHOOOOMMMM!!!!
"Huh?"
He vanished before my eyes.
"Teleport charm, huh."
"Guy's got good gear. Professors got perks."
Plenty of chances for top artifacts. And teleports ain't cheap.
"But if you want him dead, Master, you could anytime, right?"
"...Maybe."
Outside? Sure. But in academy? Tricky. Using demonic energy risks detection.
'Pure magic duel? I'd say 60-40 my favor.'
Conditions matter. Killing a prof casually? Nation's doomed. Chairman's an archmage.
"Eh, whatever. Got my haul—good enough."
Unicorn's blood, fragment, extras. Bonus if Barhen chickens out on his plot.
"Head back?"
"Yeah! Master."
A dark lab, lights off.
Barhen gnawed his nails, leg jittering.
'What was that...? Human? Really?'
That split-second terror. No human could emit that.
A mage's primal dread. The danger he chased in his ideal.
"...Lost the unicorn's blood!!"
His life's research. Final step needed that prize. Stolen.
Should've killed and taken it back then.
'...Can't kill him. Best find a substitute.'
He needed blood. Pure, explosive virgin blood for the research.
30 years down the drain over one ingredient? Unacceptable.
"You'll regret it, punk. You'll learn who you fucked with."
Moments ago trembling in fear, now Barhen smirked up at the ceiling.
Black void, nothing visible.
Yet in that darkness, Barhen clearly saw something.
'No blood? Then mine...'
Whatever it takes, he'd earn salvation.
Even if his blood, flesh, or worse.
".........Glory to the Genesis."
Barhen murmured softly.