Chapter 359: Valentina Sasha Danilova (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 359: Valentina Sasha Danilova (2)
There are many ways to speak ambiguously.
One of them was to omit the subject.
The moment I heard the Tower Lord’s words, my mind was filled with wicked thoughts.
The milky-white curve of her breast peeking through her dress, her firm thighs—every line of her body clouded my mind.
The celibacy of the last two days had been nothing short of torture.
Yesterday was especially bad; I almost got into serious trouble when I got a random erection while walking down the street.
An English woman I made eye contact with sent me a suggestive glance, but I exercised superhuman patience and refused.
Having a one-night stand with a stranger wouldn't be right to my girls.
And so, the libido I had barely suppressed through meditation and Qi circulation crumbled like a sandcastle before the White Tower Lord's indecent figure.
‘...Ah.’
It was only for a moment that I lost my reason, but there was no way a woman of the Archmage's caliber wouldn't notice such an insolent gaze directed at her.
As cold sweat trickled down my spine, I instinctively realized I was fucked.
Sure enough, when I cautiously looked at her, the Tower Lord's gaze was several times colder than before.
A chill and pressure that would have sent any normal person to the hospital with hypothermia filled the air.
The fortunate thing was, the Tower Lord didn't seem to have any intention of pointing out my mistake.
If I had to put it one way, it felt more like she was forgiving me just this once.
-This is your last chance.
-...Yes, ma'am.
I inwardly thanked the Tower Lord for her ocean-like generosity.
“Um, what do you mean by substituting it with something else...?”
“Exactly what I said. Tell me what you desire.”
“?”
Again, there are many ways to speak ambiguously.
One of them is a way of speaking that confuses people.
‘It doesn't seem like she's doing it on purpose...’
It goes without saying, but I didn't have the slightest intention of demanding a physical relationship with the Tower Lord.
Just a few seconds ago, I almost departed this world for letting my eyes wander. Anyone in their right mind wouldn't dare say something so crazy.
After a moment of thought, I came up with a pretty good idea.
“By any chance, do you have an elixir that contains a sinister energy?”
“Sinister energy?”
“Yes, I've recently started researching black magic, so I'm interested in that area.”
Getting involved with black mages is considered an act of terrorism under international law, but ironically, researching black magic itself is legal.
The reason black mages are internationally wanted isn't because they use black magic, but because they are ‘demon worshipers.’
Even using black magic wasn't illegal, though it would certainly draw disapproving looks from others.
If you were unlucky, you could even find your life threatened by those who hunt black mages.
“I do not possess such a thing.”
“Is that so?”
I swallowed my disappointment.
I thought someone of her stature would have something like that.
“Then I'd like to receive a magic tool or artifact with detoxification effects. Oh, and of course, I don't mind if you substitute the entire fifty million pounds with items.”
Even a Rare-grade one would be fine.
What I need right now is a support artifact to buy me time before I can burn away the poison with my Black Flame.
Of course, even that will become unnecessary once my Black Flame's grade increases by one more level.
“Of course, I'm not asking for it right now...”
“I'm sorry, but I don't have that either.”
“...What?”
For a moment, I wondered if I'd misheard and asked again, but the Tower Lord's expression remained unchanged.
She was just giving me the same endlessly cold stare as when we first met.
“I've disposed of all the artifacts and magic tools I originally owned, so this is all I have on me right now.”
Saaaa-
The moment the Tower Lord reached into the air, pure white snow began to fall from nowhere, gathering toward her fingertips.
The snow clumped together into a familiar shape, eventually revealing its presence as a staff.
Seeing its form, I once again felt the same emotion I had when I faced Han Lael's Tenemora.
As I stared intently at the staff, the Tower Lord subtly took a step back.
“I cannot give you this.”
“...I have that much of a conscience.”
A body like white jade and a jewel holding a beautiful blue radiance.
It was clearly ‘Glacia,’ known as the White Tower Lord's beloved staff.
I had no intention of taking an item valued in the trillions in exchange for a mere fifty million pounds.
I'm not some loan shark.
‘...Anyway, if this is a no and that's a no, doesn't that mean she's going to pay with her body?’
This very rational deduction popped into my head for a moment, but since I had no desire to freeze to death, I quickly erased it from my mind.
Then it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't necessarily have to receive something material.
“...Then how about you teach me?”
I was planning to meet Iris soon, but the woman before me was undoubtedly a powerhouse who had reached the supreme realm of the 8th Circle.
There would surely be plenty to learn from her.
“Are you asking me to take you as my disciple?”
“That's not it.”
I wasn't shameless enough to covet the position of the White Tower Lord's disciple for a mere fifty million pounds.
Besides, to maintain a friendly long-term relationship, neither party should feel like they're getting the short end of the stick.
“Just a few words of advice would be more than enough.”
“...If it's just that.”
The Tower Lord gave a slight nod.
Seeing that, I quietly clenched my fist and smiled to myself.
Not only did I buy the Millennium Hwari's core for a mere 25 million pounds, but now I've sold that core for a golden opportunity to receive advice from an 8th Circle Archmage.
I could feel the goddess of luck smiling down on me.
“However, due to time constraints, it will be difficult right now.”
Swish.
The Tower Lord handed me a business card she'd pulled from who knows where.
At first glance, it looked like a blank white card, but when I channeled a tiny bit of magic into it, I could see it was inscribed with a complex circuit.
“Bring that and come find me at the White Magic Tower later.”
“...?”
“I am occasionally away, but it won't be for long, so you should only have to wait a few days. I'll let the tower know in advance.”
Needless to say, the White Magic Tower is in Moscow, the capital of Russia.
It's only a three-hour flight from London to Moscow, but that wasn't part of my plan.
“Just a few simple words here would be enou—”
“No, I cannot do that.”
The Tower Lord shook her head firmly.
“I know nothing about you. Not your name, age, or nationality, let alone what magic you've learned, what magic you like, or what magic you're proficient in. Giving advice under such circumstances would be worse than giving none at all.”
It was a sound argument.
But I never expected to hear such words from her.
I thought she would just toss out a few perfunctory words of advice and leave.
It occurred to me that she might have an unexpectedly nurturing personality.
“Then I'll see you soon.”
“Alright.”
Stopping by Moscow would delay my return to Korea by a few days, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity.
Of course, with the sudden change in plans, it was as clear as day that I'd be flooded with protest calls from the girls.
I might have to stay up for three whole nights just to appease Noel in particular.
But what can you do?
This, too, is my karma.
The moment I thought I should contact the girls as soon as I got back to the hotel.
“...By any chance.”
“Yes?”
“Would it be alright if I took the core first?”
“Ah.”
Hearing the strangely timid tone in her voice, I smiled and held out the glass box.
“I'll see you next in Moscow.”
“...”
At my words, the Tower Lord's lips twitched, and then she simply turned and walked away.
I stood there for a while, recalling the sight of her departing back.
It's only been three days since I arrived in England, yet I've already met Duke Winchester and the White Tower Lord—two of the only three Archmages in the world.
Constantly running into such unexpected big shots was starting to feel strangely exhausting.
“Should I call this a traveler's luck...?”
It certainly wasn't a bad thing, but it felt like I was only accumulating more headaches in England, a place I'd come to relax and do some sightseeing.
Feeling stifled, I sighed, completely loosened my tie, and roughly stuffed it into my pocket.
No matter how many times I wear one, I can never get used to suits.
“Anyway, isn't it about time you came out? There must be a lot of bugs in a back alley like this.”
I stared into the dark alley, where there wasn't a single streetlight.
I couldn't sense any presence.
Squirm-
At that moment, the shadows spread throughout the alley began to squirm bizarrely before starting to take on a human form.
Before long, the completed female silhouette slowly approached me.
Click-clack-
The sound of her heels echoed softly through the alley.
Just then, the clouds parted, revealing a familiar face in the moonlight.
Gorgeous blonde hair, distinct features, and a sensual body that stood out even through her suit.
“...Since when did you know?”
“Well...”
The one who emerged from the back alley was Rachel, the attendant who had been in charge of me at the auction house.
“...I'm truly sorry for spying on you. But I had no intention of threatening you. I can swear on God's name.”
“Then were you planning to escort me to my hotel?”
I couldn't help but let out a snort at Rachel's words.
It's not like it's some safe-return-home service.
“Actually, an order came from above to recruit you, Mr. Hyun-woo.”
“Recruit?”
“Since you're not affiliated with any guild, it seems they decided they might be able to bring you over to our side if they played their cards right.”
“I have no intention of being bought with money.”
At that moment, the corners of Rachel's eyes curved beautifully.
It was a captivating eye-smile, as if seducing a man.
“There are many other ways in the world, aren't there?”
Rustle-
Loosening her tie, Rachel revealed her fair cleavage and slowly approached me.
When the distance closed enough for me to smell her sweet scent, Rachel whispered in my ear.
“I'm not asking you to sign a contract right now. I'm just suggesting we go back to the hotel together, talk for a bit, and get to know each other.”
“Talk?”
“Yes. If you join our guild, we'll become family. Wouldn't it be nice to get close beforehand?”
“Family, you say...”
Rachel's fingertips traced my chest.
At her blatant touch, I simply stared at her without a word.
“...Well, I suppose that wouldn't be so bad.”
“Then—”
“Before that.”
[Silence]
I cast the spell over the entire alley.
Instantly, Rachel's expression filled with bewilderment.
“Shouldn't family have no secrets from each other?”
Fwoosh!!
I reached out toward Rachel.
Flustered, she tried to pull back in a hurry, but I was faster.
Thud!
“Kuhk?!”
Using Chin Na to subdue Rachel, I slammed her against the wall.
Then, imbuing my fingertips with magic, I tapped Rachel's cheek.
As I did, a transparent film-like layer covering her face began to peel away.
Her gorgeous blonde hair remained, but her overall features changed from those of a Westerner to an Easterner.
It was a face I definitely remembered.
“It's been a while.”
“...How did you know?”
Her identity exposed in an instant, she stared at me in disbelief.
“Next time, don't use a disguise artifact like that in front of a mage. You'll be found out in no time.”
“...Normally, a 5th Circle mage wouldn't be able to notice. You're the strange one, Mr. Hyun-woo.”
She was right; I was uncertain when I first saw her at the auction house.
It must be an Epic-grade artifact.
But up close, I could tell.
The texture of her skin was subtly different from that of a normal woman.
“...More importantly, my arm hurts. Can you let go?”
“Are you going to run?”
“Can I run?”
“If you answer a few questions.”
“...”
She nodded silently, and I released my hold.
“Ugh... I didn't take you for the type. Aren't you a little too rough with women?”
Freed from my grip, she rubbed her arm and shoulder with a pouting expression.
Her name was Baek Arin, an agent from the Superhuman Control Bureau who had approached me during my amusement park date with Noel.