The Illusion Demon

"W-We meet the great existence! Thud."

Upon learning that Kim Jehyun was a dragon, Alvis immediately prostrated himself flat on the ground. His body trembled violently—he seemed genuinely shocked. He wailed about his grave sin with a voice so loud it echoed everywhere.

After that little commotion settled, Alvis's attitude toward Jehyun became exceedingly deferential.

"All-knowing and almighty member of the great clan…"

"Too long. Just call me Jehyun-nim."

"Yes, sir! Call on me anytime if you need anything, Jehyun-nim. I'll be on standby around the clock!"

Jehyun chuckled softly at Alvis's rigidly disciplined posture. The excessive courtesy was over the top, but he could understand it.

'Not only did I save their clan, but I forgave his rudeness too.'

In truth, Alvis was deeply grateful to Jehyun. He sincerely wanted to serve him with utmost devotion.

After sending Alvis on his way, Jehyun inspected the temporary dwelling the dwarves had built.

"…Not bad."

The place where Jehyun was staying was so impeccably finished that it was hard to believe it was just temporary.

"It's no different from a new house."

The dwarves' craftsmanship was legendary for a reason. Though they kept apologizing for housing him in such a humble spot, to Jehyun's eyes, it was more than ample.

"Alright, then… let's check the rewards."

Jehyun first opened his status window to confirm his accumulated points.

It had just barely crossed the one million mark. That secured him one ticket to the Dragon God Temple.

"Good. Next up…"

Jehyun pulled a glowing pure-white box from one corner of his inventory.

Jindo's Treasure Chest+7.

"Let's go, Dragon God Temple ticket."

―I'd love to call that nonsense… but hmph, with you, who knows.

Even Alkasha had come to accept that Jehyun might beat the outrageous odds.

Feeling a strange tension, Jehyun opened the Jindo's Treasure Chest.

Whoosh!

Amid the pouring light, the silhouette inside the box came into view. Jehyun and Alkasha's reactions diverged sharply at the sight.

"Ah…"

―Uhahaha. Yes. Balance and harmony demand this.

The silhouette revealed wasn't the familiar shape of a Dragon God Temple ticket they'd seen before.

With a hint of disappointment, Jehyun picked up the fully revealed item.

"No Dragon God Temple ticket, so what came out instea—huh?"

―What's wrong? What did you get… Eh?!

Jehyun and Alkasha gasped in unison ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at the scroll from the box—their emotions polar opposites.

"Whoa, something like this exists?"

―No, why did this come out!

What emerged was [Dragon God's Shop Exchange Voucher-1].

"Oh, I can just exchange this for another Dragon God Temple ticket."

―Who are they kidding! A temple ticket would've been better!

Though limited to a 1 million point value, it could be swapped for a Dragon God Temple ticket or any other item up to that cost. Jehyun now had more options than just buying the ticket directly—he could grab something else or focus on leveling in the temple.

"Jackpot!"

Jehyun shouted with a delighted grin.

Shaaa.

A mystical energy flowed from Jehyun, who sat cross-legged. As he finished meditating and opened his eyes…

Flash.

Prismatic light gleamed from them.

"Oh…"

A low murmur of admiration escaped Jehyun's lips.

When he acquired Princess Sayo's soul, he'd delved into her memories, gaining insight into her illusion-type magic abilities. Organizing those revelations had boosted his proficiency dramatically.

"Soul Collect has perks like this too…"

―I told you. Eventually, you'll wield the souls' abilities directly.

―Right now, with low skill level, it's just proficiency gains.

"Whoa, awesome."

Jehyun's eyes sparkled. He could now vividly imagine acquiring the elves' absolute defense, or Princess Sayo's intangible poison, petrification, illusions—debuffs galore.

'If that happens…'

It'd be like sprouting wings on his back. He could reverse-sweep that masked foe who'd threatened him before. The gap with the Tower Master would shrink too.

"Nice. This fires me up."

Jehyun eyed Alkasha with burning enthusiasm.

"First, before the Dragon God Temple, I need a vessel for Princess Sayo's soul."

Her debuffs would hugely aid clearing monsters within time limits.

―Your synergy with her debuffs should be excellent, as you think.

Alkasha agreed.

"Alright, let's ask the dwarves."

Entrusting golem blueprints to them promised superior results. With Soul Collect leveled up and the elf core upgraded, he'd upgrade the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠elf golem core too.

Jehyun rose and headed straight for Albad.

"We can upgrade this golem core as you requested, sir."

Albad examined the elf golem core Jehyun handed him. But seeing the blueprint for Princess Sayo's vessel, he spoke apologetically.

"To craft this perfectly, we'd need not ordinary magic stones, but illusion magic stones… We don't have any on hand right now."

"Illusion magic stones, huh…"

Jehyun stroked his chin at Albad's words. He knew what they were: magic stones infused with illusion energy, the power source for illusionists and illusion mages.

'They're rare to begin with.'

Hard to find even on the market. Money couldn't always buy them.

'Still, gotta hunt one down.'

Using a regular magic stone for Sayo's vessel felt wasteful. From Albad's explanation, it'd barely channel half her power.

"If we get the illusion magic stone, can you craft it right away?"

"Yes, sir."

Jehyun nodded and put the golem core on hold. He then pulled a communication orb from his pocket and handed it to Albad—for emergencies.

"Oh, and this is the wand made from the Dark magic stone you entrusted."

Jehyun took the wand from Albad. About 50cm long, its tip embedded with the fused Dark stone.

He immediately checked its info via Dragon Eye.

'Jackpot!'

Jehyun inwardly cheered at the perfected Dark Wand. He'd expected good ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠results, but this exceeded imagination. He'd tossed in a Stage 5 Dark stone, and they'd fused it into a Stage 6 legendary weapon. Like investing 1 million won and getting 10 million back.

"We did our best, but with scarce materials and poor workshop facilities, rushing it… We're sorry for the subpar result."

"…"

Jehyun gazed at Albad with moved eyes. Calling this crude?

'Impressive.'

So this was dwarf prowess—like a magic money-making club.

―Huh… That guy's master craftsman level among dwarves.

Albad was a top-tier dwarf artisan. Jehyun smiled at the windfall.

"With oriharcon, we could've perfected it… Only mithril available, so many regrets. Once facilities and materials are ready, we'll show true mastery."

"…Good. I look forward to it."

Jehyun hid his glee for decorum.

'Unlock Dragon Fang Necklace too, and how many legendaries?'

He glanced at the necklace around his neck.

The sixth legacy necklace was unsealing. Just holding the Dark Wand boosted his power noticeably. Add the necklace and Sayo's vessel…

'Power-leveling in the training chamber seems feasible.'

Jehyun's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Dwarves meant easy top-tier magic tools forever. Bushy-bearded Albad looked prettier than any beauty.

"Looking forward to working with you, Albad. Great expectations."

"We'll give our all, great existence."

Jehyun smiled warmly at the bowing Albad.

Back at the Magic Tower, Jehyun scoured for an illusion magic stone. As expected, none surfaced easily.

"Is this all?"

"Yes, that's everything we have."

"Any top-grade incoming?"

"Well… Supply's low, reservations backed up. Hard to say."

Jehyun shook his head at every response.

'Black market says no stock for a while…'

―Hmm. Can't wait forever. Make the vessel with regular stone or skip Sayo for the temple.

'Tch. Feels off.'

Jehyun sighed in regret.

Bzzz!

His phone vibrated.

'Chief Kang Byungwoo?'

Superhuman Crime Investigation's Kang Byungwoo. Long time no contact.

Jehyun tilted his head and answered.

"Yes, I'm good. Uh… illusion magic stone?"

His eyes widened at Kang Byungwoo's words.

Superhuman Association Crime Investigation Bureau.

Jehyun met Kang Byungwoo there.

"Long time. Hear about you now and then. Still soaring high?"

"Nah."

Jehyun chuckled, taking the coffee. They caught up over drinks.

As it cooled, Kang got to the point.

"Proposal's as discussed. Contribute decisively to catching Illusion Demon Kim Su-han, and we'll award you a commendation plus an Association illusion magic stone."

Simple: Help nab the Illusion Demon, get the stone as reward. Jehyun's search must've reached Kang's intel network.

"Can I inspect the stone's quality?"

"Haha, sure."

Jehyun wanted to check the grade. Following Kang into the warehouse—ten levels, his clearance only to the third.

The stone was there.

"Wait here."

Kang returned with a box.

"Can't take it out, so check here."

Jehyun nodded, opening it. Various illusion magic stones inside—the largest caught his eye.

'Top-grade!'

The Association had premium stock. But more:

'Those…'

Small chunks beside it. They had those too?

"These small ones…"

"Ah! Those? Weak illusion energy lumps mixed in."

Kang's demeanor suggested they didn't know their use.

"Can I take these too?"

"Them? Why? Trace illusion energy, but too little for anything."

"Just experiments."

"Ah, got it."

Kang nodded.

"Fine, I'll note them for your reward. They were slated for disposal anyway—should be easy approval."

"Thanks."

Jehyun inwardly cheered nice!.

After more chat, he left the Association.

―Why grab those tiny chunks?

Jehyun's lips twitched.

'They make top-grade illusion magic stones.'

―What? From those?

'Yeah. Buthalic discovered it. In the future, called illusion chunks. Special process turns them into top-grade equivalents.

―Then… five chunks mean five extra top-grade stones?

'Exactly.'

―…

Alkasha was speechless. One top-grade already meant full Sayo power vessel. Five more? Upgrade to SS effortlessly.

―Insane!

Alkasha reeled at Jehyun's cascading luck.

"Oh! He's here."

"The real Kim Jehyun?"

At the rendezvous, the waiting group gawked at Jehyun.

They were trackers pursuing Illusion Demon Kim Su-han.

'Chasers.'

Chasers: Specialists in tailing. Superhumans, mages, even normals—mages rarest, low-circle at that. Not a glamorous job.

"Whoa, Mage Kim Jehyun! Saw your Superhuman Chaos feats."

"Those Black Snake punks getting wrecked? So satisfying."

They warmed to him. His splashy feats helped, but networking a high-circle mage like him was gold.

"Thanks. Any ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠progress updates?"

"Of course!"

They handed detailed pursuit logs with explanations.

"And… after the crime here, trail went cold."

The Illusion Demon trapped victims in dreams, draining their essence. Last victim fell here.

Jehyun scanned the room, stroking his chin.

"Lunch soon—favorite food? Our treat."

They held low expectations. Eat, build rapport.

'Even we vets found no clues… 6th Circle or not, impossible.'

'No tracking rep for him… Association's call? Whatever, schmooze a top mage.

They figured Association added him for magic muscle, no real hopes.

"Hold on."

Jehyun spoke softly. All eyes on him.

His eyes flashed faint amber as he scanned.

Step step.

He approached a corner aquarium, adult torso-sized.

'Aquarium why?'

Puzzled stares followed.

Ignoring them, Jehyun opened the lid, plunged his hand in, and pulled a white pebble from the center.

"…!"

Presenting it, their faces filled with shock.