Ambush (2)
Im Sol's lab.
"Like... this."
With a rustle, as Im Sol poured her mana in, the lab filled with a magic circle.
"It's complete."
Thanks to Lee Ho-yeon's help, she'd finished it right away. Freely manipulating the mana flowing from her hands, Im Sol sat down.
"Heh heh heh."
A chuckle escaped her lips as she gazed at the completed document. The thrill that came when finishing a new magic research project. The moment she realized her skills had advanced another step. The joy of being the mage Im Sol. That was why she was so obsessed with magic.
"Hoo... Huh?"
But what was this? Even after months of work to complete the research, the ecstasy didn't come. Well, it was good, sure, but... somehow...
"...?"
It felt like she'd been satisfied with this level of accomplishment all along. This was lacking. No, more than lacking. A corner of her heart remained unfilled. It had been enough until now, so why this emptiness? Im Sol furrowed her brow, analyzing the cause.
But how could she figure it out? Magic research had been her life's driving force.
She took a sip of the instant coffee on her desk and suddenly realized.
"...Was it always this bland?"
Whatever. She always kept chocolate cookies stocked. Crunch.
"..."
Im Sol came to a realization. The refreshing coolness that used to ease her stuffiness with every sip of coffee was gone. The sweet energy from every bite of cookie had vanished.
"...Tch."
She smacked her lips. At least she knew the reason for this.
Lee Ho-yeon. His semen was delicious. Sweeter than instant coffee, than chocolate cookies. Sweeter even than magic research.
"Pfft..."
To think that right after finishing a magic project, she'd crave a man's semen. She'd changed a lot. Or maybe it wasn't the semen. It was because it was him. Researching magic with him was fun. Debating magic with him, or when he'd squeeze out his semen as a "reward." It was enjoyable. A different kind of pleasure from magic research—one she'd never felt before.
"...What a great disciple."
Giving his master this much joy. Heh heh. Now that she'd pinpointed the source of her stuffiness, that was enough. Im Sol dumped two extra sugar cubes into her instant coffee and stirred vigorously. This should make it a bit sweeter. Then she thought about next week's magic expo.
"...Wonder if it'll be fun?"
Truth be told, she wasn't that interested. She was just tagging along because her disciple wanted to go. Like praising a student who'd aced a test. After all, there wouldn't be any magic on a higher level than hers and Lee Ho-yeon's.
But... if she enjoyed it with her disciple—or just being with him—maybe she could look forward to the expo.
"Ah, hold on. I just had an epiphany."
"That's plenty. Now go make my baby!"
Rebecca had been clinging to me nonstop since we left the training grounds. She wanted to squeeze more out of me before sex... and dig deeper into the possibilities of the Rune Barrier. I was still hungry, too.
"Great genes. Handsome face. The perfect baby daddy. Our kids are blessed. To think I'd meet a man like you!"
Rebecca pressed her excited face close to mine.
"We haven't even made them yet..."
"If we start with twins, we could play catch, right? In my old age, I want to watch our kids play soccer inside the Rune Barrier."
"..."
Was she already thinking of grandkids before we'd even held hands? Seeing it for real, she was kinda scary.
Riiiing!
My smartwatch went off like crazy. Just as I was debating whether to give in once.
"Huh?"
This alert was from the magic circle I'd installed in the dorm. The original magic stone was junk, so I'd swapped it for a good one.
It never went off before...?
And this circle wasn't for petty thieves. It triggered only on unregistered mana at S-rank or higher.
"...Gotta go. Now."
I moved immediately. No time to waste.
"What's that? A call?"
"One sec, Rebecca. Something big's happening at my place. I need to check."
"You're just running away, aren't you?"
Rebecca pouted a bit, grabbing me. Her face said I'd taught her magic—how could I leave now?
"No, this is serious. It's a defense magic circle. And it only rings for S-rank or above."
"...Big trouble?"
"Yeah. Gotta hurry."
"Hmph... Fine. I'll come with."
"Uh..."
Not a bad idea? Liliana and Nam Da-eun wouldn't mind another girl anyway. And if the intruder's too strong, she'd help...
Damn it. Not the time to think like that.
"Got it. Hurry. As fast as possible."
"Okay. Let's get there in a flash."
"This the place?"
Male Dormitory at Victoria Academy. The mine in the skull mask hid in the tree's shadow.
His current target, Lee Ho-yeon, was out. He wanted to finish quick and grab a girl, but no choice. He'd already been paid upfront. Had to complete the job flawlessly.
Waiting here until Lee Ho-yeon returned, then ambushing him at home—that was the safest, quietest way.
So damn boring. Tch.
But just as boredom crossed his mind, he sensed something off. A delivery had arrived at the target's door.
The target lived alone in the dorm, so packages weren't unusual. But the problem? The dorm door—despite no one around—creaked open slightly.
Lives alone, doesn't he?
The skull mask narrowed his eyes and focused his mana on his hearing. Young women's voices leaked through the door crack.
- Oh, it's finally here. The stuff I ordered? It's sooo good...
- Liliana, he said not to open the door till Ho-yeon gets back...
- It's fine, it's fine. We've done it a few times...
Who the hell?
The skull mask peered harder at the door. Moments later, a woman peeked out cautiously, checked for people, and grabbed the package. No prior intel on her.
Should abort and gather new info... but that glimpse of her looks awakened his instincts.
"...Kid's got girls shacked up with him, huh?"
That dog. Some of us wait hours in the blazing sun.
Hold up.
They were there already, so they were targets too. Had to eliminate them for Lee Ho-yeon's assassination. Might as well clear them early. They could interfere. Minimize obstacles.
And most importantly...
...If they're gonna die soon, might as well sample 'em first.
Decision made, the skull mask slipped into the dorm via the shadows.
Meanwhile, Liliana hummed as she opened the package. Inside were snacks and frozen foods—looked tasty for sure.
"This'll be good, right? See? Told ya."
"Yeah, looks that way. But Liliana...?"
Nam Da-eun, humoring Liliana's glee, sensed something off. Her recent training had elevated her realm, naturally expanding her spatial dominion.
From the window, unfamiliar hostility prickled.
"..."
"Sis, sis! Look at this one."
"Da-hee."
Nam Da-eun smiled at Nam Da-hee approaching with potato chips.
"Huh?"
"Wanna wash up before eating?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah. Gotta eat clean. I'll prep while you go first."
"Mmm, okay!"
"Wash thoroughly. Got it?"
"Yup yup!"
After Nam Da-hee entered the bathroom, Nam Da-eun grabbed the sword from the living room. The one Lee Ho-yeon had prepared when he was discharged.
"...Liliana, you didn't invite anyone, right?"
Liliana, who'd been thrilled over snacks, had already hardened her expression. She scratched her head irritably and raised her mana.
"House owner's got a lotta enemies. Gotta get used to it if you're living here."
"For Ho-yeon, I can handle that."
"Right? Guy like Lee Ho-yeon needs enemies for balance."
The two women shared a faint smile, then turned to the window.
"Can't be helped. Butterflies gather 'round flowers."
"Tch. Wanted those snacks, though."
As Liliana clicked her tongue and set down the box, mana flooded the dorm.
Crack—Boom—Shatter!
The torrent of mana shattered the windows, glass shards raining toward Liliana and Nam Da-eun.
"No!"
Whoosh—
"We're fine."
Nam Da-eun swept away the flying glass with a casual horizontal slash.
"Broken windows mean it'll get cold!"
"Ho-yeon'll fix it, right?"
Thud thud. A man in a skull mask stepped through the broken window.
"...Who are you?"
"Sorry, ladies. Someone wants your boyfriend dead."
The skull mask ogled Liliana and Nam Da-eun, barely hiding his excitement.
"Ah, and with the barrier up, scream all you want—no one's coming~."
"Told ya Lee Ho-yeon brings trouble. Who'd you piss off this time?"
"Shoulda picked your side better, girls. Come to me now? I'll spare one good cocksucker."
"...Filthy mana. You're a mine."
"Heh, figured that out, huh? Oh well."
The skull mask was relaxed. They knew he was a mine, blocked his attack—so they had some skill. But against an S-rank mine like him? No chance. The stoic woman's mana was weak, and the tail-wagging one next to her had almost none.
"Sss. Pretty. Heh. Wonder if your moans are pretty too? Hold out long, yeah? Premium goods like you don't come often."
"Hmm..."
Nam Da-eun quietly eyed the skull mask, searching for an opening.
"What? Don't like me? Then you die."
"My body isn't mine anymore anyway..."
Slash—
"What the—huh?"
Nam Da-eun swung her sword through empty air. Simultaneously—
Splat—
The skull mask heard wet clay hitting the floor. Following the sound downward, he saw his severed left shoulder and arm.
"...Huh?"
Space Slash. A cut transcending space. Using Nam Da-eun's authority.
"Insult me all you want. But not Ho-yeon."
"Grrraaah?!"
Realizing his arm was gone, pain surged. He clutched his spurting shoulder with his remaining hand.
"Whoa, you're badass."
Clap clap. Liliana applauded Nam Da-eun, incongruous with the situation.
"Need backup, Liliana. Keep damage inside the room."
"Okay."
She could handle that much. Didn't want to get caught here either.
"Y-You bitches... Gah?!"
Liliana's black mana coiled around the skull mask's feet.
"Bitches? Says the ugly fuck. Dirty talk's Lee Ho-yeon's only."
Via the Hell's Maniac Summoning Contract, Liliana's mana stayed slightly below Lee Ho-yeon's. Meaning as he grew stronger, so did her usable mana.
"Whoa, why am I so strong now?"
Liliana felt good seeing the tough-looking foe panic from her casual spell.
"What the... You whores..."
The skull mask scanned around in shock. An S-rank mine like him, cornered by two women?
"Whore... Hearing it like this ain't bad."
"In our line of work, whore's a compliment~."
Shing—
"Let's end it quick, Liliana."
Bzzz—
Nam Da-eun's sword brimmed with mana, ready to cleave space.
"Gotta finish before Da-hee comes out."