Chapter 5
The monster legion itself was already unprecedented, and it had to happen in Seoul of all places. For real, it seemed like a serious situation, so I did some recon from a high vantage point. Spotted it right away—not just any legion, but the golems were top-tier A-grade ones. The bureau's hunters were all heavy hitters, so I figured they'd manage somehow. But the biggest golem had insane regeneration; it just wouldn't die. Things started looking dicey, hunters getting injured one by one. Thought we were screwed, it was pushing back hard. Then I saw a girl with horns on the big golem's shoulder. Suddenly she drops to the ground, and the golem slams its fist into the earth full power—ground shatters, smoke everywhere, can't see shit. Then out of nowhere, the golem just crumbles without warning. And that was it. Situation over.
(That mage with the "what the hell" face meme)
What the actual fuck was that? Did the bureau have a secret weapon hidden?
Horned girl << I saw her too. Situation wrapped up right after she showed. Horns + tail = demon, yeah. But demons are such a weak race, being on a battlefield like that is sus,, Similar stuff happening around Yongsan-gu means something's up at the Seoul bureau for sure.
I scrolled through the community posts, checking them out. Wild speculations about me everywhere. My day's activities were clearly paying off.
"Ehehehehe… Already popular? What if someone I meet on the street asks for my autograph?"
[Unlikely. If you don't run away first, that'd be a win.]
"What?"
I puffed out my cheeks, glaring at Book. "Jealous? You see me getting famous and can't handle it?"
[Ridiculous.]
"Even if you say that, it doesn't change how awesome I am. The hunters at the scene hyped me up. It's official."
[The atmosphere made it impossible not to.]
"But they still said I was awesome, right?"
I blinked. Book just stared silently. Annoyed, I punched its cover.
Thwack!
[Gaaak!]
Book tumbled across the floor. I nodded, satisfied. "Phew. Becoming popular is tough. Even getting this lame jealousy."
[You insane demon…!]
I ignored Book, sat at the desk against the studio wall, and pulled out a pencil and paper. Thought about autographs, but nothing came to mind. I grabbed my phone, logged into the community, and posted.
Gonna be a global superstar no one can ignore. Drop autograph recs in advance, I'll use 'em. Thanks for reading!
"Hm."
Comments made me happy, but no real help.
Arriving at the bureau, a few uniformed hunters guarded the door.
"Hello."
"Uh, y-yeah. Hi."
They parted awkwardly after my greeting. I tilted my head, passing by. Not far in, I heard murmurs behind me.
"We just let that kid through?"
"Newbie, huh? Department Head said never provoke her, treat with maximum courtesy. Touch her and who knows what happens."
"R-right."
I tilted my head at the excessive treatment and attention. Better than panic and screams before, though. I wanted even more comfort.
I pulled Book from my pocket. It floated beside me in the air, as always.
[They can hold conversations at least. Makes the bureau seem decent, no?]
"Hmph. I want them totally at ease with me."
[Impossible.]
"Friends would fix that."
Can't be buddies with everyone at once. Target one, expand from there. Until tons are my friends.
I walked the halls under stares, grabbing passing hunters for questions.
"Hi. Know where Shin Chae-ah is?"
"Uh, Chae-ah? Pr-probably third floor."
"Thanks."
Bowed politely, kept going. Up the stairs to the third floor—glass-walled office visible. Inside, Department Head and Shin Chae-ah talked. My name popped up now and then.
"Checked what’s known about Seoul Magic Control Bureau, Lee Seo-ah, and demons… Some sightings of her."
"Yeah. She’s active, hard to hide. Management Bureau Chief’s seat empty, tricky to act."
"News soon probably. For now—"
I approached the door, hearing them. Lock visible. Tilted head, forced it open with mana.
Crack!
Eyes snapped to me. I blinked, bowed politely.
"Hello."
Third greeting today. Brief silence, then murmurs.
"H-how’d she get in?"
"Sh-should we go on alert?"
Shin Chae-ah startled, rushed over. "L-Lee Seo-ah?"
I bowed. "Just came by."
"A-ha. Yeah."
Department Head smiled warmly, approaching. "Seo-ah. Should’ve called; we’d have chocolate ready."
"Forgot."
"Happens. Want something?"
"Something sweet."
"Got it, wait a sec."
As she turned, I spoke up. "By the way, heard my name. What were you talking about?"
Silence. I tilted my head. She smiled gently.
"People starting to know you. We’re a big org tied to the state; unavoidable."
"Aha."
"So, visitors might come. Okay with that?"
I nodded. "Sure."
"Thanks."
She mentioned Seoul hunter guilds as examples—powerful, gov-backed. I didn’t care.
Chat done, she gestured to nearby hunters, headed to side room for sweets. They slunk back to seats. Shin Chae-ah led me to an empty desk. I sat with Book in hand.
"So, just dropping by? No business?"
I paused. Had something for her.
"Said I wanted to be friends last time. But just friending feels unfair."
"Uh, r-really…?"
She flustered. I continued. "Yeah. So, gift for you. To boost goodwill intentionally."
"A g-gift?"
"Yep."
"Can I ask what?"
"Heung. You don’t get it. Fun’s in the anticipation till you get it."
"A-haha…"
She laughed awkwardly. I puffed my chest proudly, nodding expectantly.
[I feel bad for her.]
I ignored Book.
Seoul Jung-gu. Dim interior of a certain building. Men in black cloaks gathered. Skull pendants dangled from their necks. They looked up at a suited man in a skull mask.
He bellowed. "Black Magic Cartel! As your leader here, I declare: the time has come!"
A massive magic circle on the wall before him flashed.
"Success implementing the otherworld summoning circle. The circle to call forth the Great Demon King—our ultimate power to rule the world!"
Woooah!
Cheers erupted. Since gates and hunters appeared, these black mages evaded law, plundered, built their group. Goal unchanged since ancient times: dominate with power.
For that, summon an otherworld Great Demon King far stronger than monsters. Collected materials per the Devil's Magic Tome. Final stage now.
Circle complete. Summon ready.
One ritual left: a demon's horn.
Earth demons weak but rare, unseen usually. Recently, leader got intel. He held up a paper plastered with text and photos.
"Intel says Seoul Magic Control Bureau has a demon."
Eyes locked on.
"We raid the bureau. Find the demon. Kill it, harvest the horn."
His eyes gleamed. "Summon the Great Demon King. We rule this world!"
Thunderous cheers filled the room.