Missing
“This... this can’t be possible!”
Choi Deok-hwan’s eyes widened in shock.
“Are you really... a monster? How did you even come up with something like this?!”
Exclamations of awe poured from his lips nonstop.
And it was no wonder. The incantation Kim Jehyun had handed him was a revolutionary paradigm in magic formulas—something even he had never conceived of.
‘To think there was a method like this... Hah! I really wasted my life studying magic.’
As he read through the formula again, goosebumps prickled across his entire body. He was a formidable 7th Circle mage himself, yet he could never have dreamed up an incantation like the one Jehyun had written.
Watching Choi Deok-hwan’s reaction, Kim Jehyun’s eyes gleamed too.
‘This guy seems to have grasped that formula in one go?’
―It looks that way. He truly has considerable expertise in golem studies.
The incantation Alkasha had provided was far more advanced than any known magical formula. For Choi Deok-hwan to understand it immediately meant he possessed exceptional magical prowess.
“It’s like all my blocked meridians just burst open! If we apply this formula, we might complete a new type of golem in no time!”
Choi Deok-hwan spoke with excitement bubbling over.
Jehyun grinned at him and sketched out one more design to show.
It was the basic framework blueprint for the 3rd Generation Golem that Alkasha had described.
“Would you like to take a look at this too, by any chance?”
“This is...”
As Choi Deok-hwan pored over the blueprint Jehyun handed him, his pupils trembled like they were caught in an earthquake once more.
The day after taking the 5th floor Ascension Tower exam.
Jo Yeonho of the Jupiter Faction headed out of the Magic Tower with several faction members.
“You’re sure we can really get the Thunder Protection Jade, right?”
Jo Yeonho, with his sky-blue hair and pale white skin, asked with eyes sparkling eagerly.
“Of course. The deal with the Isu Clan is already done. We just need to go confirm it’s the real thing and bring it back.”
“Yes!”
“You seem thrilled.”
Kim Hee-yeon smiled warmly at Jo Yeonho.
His innocent, beaming grin made him look utterly adorable.
‘The faction leader’s son could be a child actor if he wanted.’
Kim Hee-yeon, who adored cute things, found herself smiling unconsciously whenever she was around Jo Yeonho.
“Once I get the Thunder Protection Jade, I’ll train even harder and get as strong as Yeon-su hyung or Jehyun hyung!”
Jo Yeonho clenched his small fists, eyes twinkling.
The Thunder Protection Jade was renowned as an artifact that excellently amplified lightning attributes. It was said that the Lightning Lord—one of the world’s top thirty superhumans—had worn one since childhood.
With it, Jo Yeonho might achieve far greater heights in the future.
‘That’s why we shelled out such a fortune for it.’
Kim Hee-yeon had been stunned by the price when purchasing it from the Isu Clan.
‘Counting all those zeros was a chore in itself.’
Legendary magic artifacts were said to be priceless, and this proved it. It had cost nearly 300 billion won. Even for the wealthy Jupiter Faction, it was a massive expenditure for a single artifact.
‘It shows how much hope they’ve pinned on Yeonho.’
And Jo Yeonho had the talent to live up to those expectations.
“We’re here! That’s the Isu Clan!”
Jo Yeonho shouted, pointing at the nameplate on the massive building. He was practically bouncing with excitement.
The Isu Clan headquarters was a bit removed from downtown, but it boasted vast grounds and land. From the entrance to the main building stretched an expanse so wide it was hard to say if it was a garden or a sports field.
“Welcome. It’s an honor to host the mages of the Jupiter Faction.”
Isu Clan leader Seo Jang-won and his son Seo Cheol-hee greeted the Jupiter Faction members with great fanfare.
Nearly a dozen people had come, led by Jo Yeonho and Kim Hee-yeon. Originally, it was meant to be just five or so, but Jo Yeonho’s insistence on joining had required extra escorts, swelling the numbers.
“I’ve heard the Isu Clan has been thriving lately, and seeing the clan leader’s aura, I can tell why.”
“Haha, you flatter me. Thank you.”
Seo Jang-won smiled warmly at Kim Hee-yeon’s words, expressing his gratitude.
But her praise wasn’t exaggerated. Seo Jang-won’s aura surpassed A+ rank—it felt like true S-rank power, approaching 7th Circle.
‘No wonder the Isu Clan rose to mid-tier so quickly. The leader’s the key.’
It made no sense for an S-rank superhuman-led clan to remain small-scale.
‘That’s how they got the Thunder Protection Jade too.’
The Isu Clan had conquered a dungeon called the Forgotten Shaman’s Tomb by chance and obtained the jade from its boss. With no lightning specialists, they’d sold it through the Jupiter Faction.
After some brief pleasantries, they brought out today’s purpose: the Thunder Protection Jade.
“Now, allow us to show you the item.”
“Oh, so this is the Thunder Protection Jade.”
Even at a glance, overwhelming lightning energy poured from it.
Gulp.
Kim Hee-yeon swallowed involuntarily as she stared at it. The jade’s lightning mana was a fatal temptation to those who wielded such power.
“Wow...”
Jo Yeonho gawked at it, completely entranced.
“Well then...”
It was at that moment.
KABOOOOM!
“...!”
“W-what was that?!”
A massive explosion rocked the ground, shaking the earth.
“This... what in the world!”
Choi Deok-hwan stared at the blueprint, screaming in disbelief.
It was insane. Nothing else came to mind.
This design was even more advanced than the next-generation golem he himself had planned. As a lifelong golem researcher, he could recognize it immediately: the immense value of the knowledge contained within.
“D-did you... really design this yourself?!”
“Yes. I thought it might be worth trying something like this.”
He’d copied Alkasha’s knowledge directly, so there was a twinge of conscience, but since acquiring Alkasha was his own achievement, even that faded.
―What a guy with hundreds of strands of conscience hair...
Alkasha seemed to grumble, but Jehyun let it go in one ear and out the other.
After all, his thinking wasn’t wrong.
“Hah... truly... you’re no mere monster. What are you? I can’t believe it even as I see it. Never thought I’d get goosebumps like this at my age.”
Choi Deok-hwan’s hands trembled faintly—a testament to the thrill Jehyun inspired.
“If we make the golem core according to this design, I think it could transform into any form once completed.”
“Yes, and it even has self-repair. As long as the core isn’t destroyed and energy remains, it could regenerate indefinitely.”
Choi Deok-hwan swallowed hard before continuing.
“And... it can gradually grow stronger too. A growth-type golem... Hah hah. I can’t tell if this is a dream or reality anymore.”
The more he read, the harder it was to stay composed. Wasn’t this the ideal golem he’d only dreamed of?
One that could morph its body freely, self-repair any damage, and grow endlessly—a perfect all-purpose golem!
He’d thought his generation wouldn’t see it. He’d hoped some distant descendant might achieve it if his legacy endured.
Now, he might witness it himself.
No, he would. He was certain. Though he hadn’t grasped every detail, he could tell this design was genuine.
“You... thank you so much. Truly.”
Suddenly, Choi Deok-hwan seized Jehyun’s hands, tears streaming like chicken droppings.
“It was my lifelong dream... Sniff.”
Seeing him cry, Jehyun understood his feelings.
From what he recalled, even before regression, Choi Deok-hwan was renowned—solely for his golem obsession. He’d reached 7th Circle through sheer passion for better golems. His love for them was beyond words.
“But there’s one issue.”
“What problem? Is there a flaw in the incantation?”
“No, not that... It’s just that the materials for the golem core, as listed in the blueprint, won’t be easy to obtain.”
Yopi leather. Lycan fangs. Drake hearts, wyvern bones, Sea Serpent scales—rare dragonkin materials.
Building even one would cost a fortune.
“Don’t worry! I’ll get them somehow. I’ll complete this golem and repay your genius. I’ll uproot the faction’s foundations if I must—don’t fret!”
“N-no, you don’t have to go that far...”
“Nonsense! This is a one-of-a-kind treasure! We must bring it to the world ASAP, or it’d be a sin.”
The Golem Faction leader’s determination burned fiercer than ever, filled with zeal to gather the materials.
Jehyun couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. It showed how deadly serious he was about golems.
Bzzzzt.
“Tower Master?”
Jehyun’s smartphone vibrated. The caller: Matapju.
Jehyun paused his talk with Choi Deok-hwan to answer.
“Hello, Tower Master. To what do I owe the call?”
Usually, messages or emails sufficed for contact. A personal call felt unusual.
―No time for chit-chat—it’s an emergency. Can you come to my room quickly?
At Matapju’s summons, Jehyun parted from Choi Deok-hwan and headed straight to the top floor.
―Once I gather the materials and finish the golem, I’ll contact you.
Choi Deok-hwan promised to notify him upon completion and assured him the blueprints and incantations would be registered under Jehyun’s copyright—no leaks.
―With your help, it’d go faster, but...
‘Can’t be helped. The Tower Master’s call takes priority.’
He didn’t know the details, but Matapju’s voice had carried a subtle anger.
When Jehyun arrived at the Tower Master’s office, several figures were already gathered.
“Come in. You’re earlier than expected. Take a seat over there.”
Jehyun followed Matapju’s direction to an empty chair.
En route, he spotted Song Jiseok and exchanged nods.
‘These people all seem extraordinary. What’s going on?’
By aura alone, he felt the weakest here. Even Song Jiseok’s 6th Circle presence seemed mild, meaning everyone was at least 6th Circle or higher.
“Everyone’s here, so let’s get to it.”
Matapju stood, opening gravely. Jehyun appeared to be the last arrival.
His face was stern.
“Moments ago... the Isu Clan was attacked by unknown assailants and annihilated.”
“...”
“...!”
Some faces showed they’d heard; others were stunned.
‘What? The Isu Clan?’
Jehyun fell into the latter group.
The Isu Clan was a rising mid-tier force, whispered to potentially join the majors soon.
For it to be wiped out overnight? Unheard of, even pre-regression.
Not just Jehyun—everyone looked ready to ask questions.
But the next revelation was more shocking.
“Of the 1,102 Isu Clan members, 819 were present. Of them, 536 were found slaughtered on-site. Of the remaining 283, 229 suffered severe injuries and were rushed to medical facilities. The other 54 are missing—including clan leader Seo Jang-won’s heir, Seo Cheol-hee.”
“What about Clan Leader Seo Jang-won? He’s an S-rank powerhouse. With him there, how could it happen so easily...?”
Matapju shook his head at the question.
“He... died at the scene.”
“...!”
“My God!”
Shock rippled through the room.
What force could raze over 800 members and an S-rank in half a day? Only a top major or super-major rivaling the Magic Tower.
They grasped the gravity then.
And worse followed—the reason Matapju had summoned them.
“Also... fifteen Jupiter Faction mages from the Magic Tower were there.”
Gasp.
“...!”
Everyone stared at Matapju in true astonishment.
“They were there to receive goods from a deal with the Isu Clan—Jupiter Faction leader’s son Jo Yeonho included.”
“Tch.”
Someone ground their teeth. Jehyun recognized him and understood.
‘Jo In-hu.’
Jupiter Faction leader and Jo Yeonho’s father. His suppressed groan was relatable.
Jehyun recalled the boy offering a tiny hand with the Fear Stone during the 1st floor exam, proposing a bet. Then trailing him, calling “hyung” endlessly.
‘Jo Yeonho got caught in this?’
Jehyun’s face hardened. Their time together was short, but the kid’s pure admiration had wormed into his heart.
“What... happened to the Jupiter Faction mages?”
Someone asked cautiously, glancing at Jo In-hu.
“Eleven of the fifteen were found dead on-site.”
“Th-then, does that mean...?”
The questioner’s voice shook. Everyone knew what he meant.
Matapju spoke heavily.
“Jupiter Faction leader’s son, Jo Yeonho...”
Gulp.
Someone swallowed audibly.
“Whether it’s fortunate or not, he wasn’t at the scene.”