Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: First Guest
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Moon Byul waited outside for Han Yu Seong for quite some time.
"What kind of relationship does he have with Mr. Han Young-beom?"
The man who had bumped into Iru Ri and dropped his envelope was, surprisingly, on his way to the Association.
When Moon Byul suggested they go together since they were headed the same way, he joined them on the trip to the Association.
He said he was going to meet his benefactor and hero, and he seemed quite urgent about it.
Even on the way, he talked about his hero—how amazing the man was and how the Association would surely clear up any misunderstandings once they saw the envelope.
"It'll just take a moment! I... I have something I absolutely must tell him."
"I'm sorry, sir, but regulations..."
As expected, the Association refused to allow a meeting between Mr. Han Young-beom and Han Yu Seong.
"Is it because he's a criminal, so even visits are difficult?"
Moon Byul had come without any prior arrangements himself, so he figured that was why the meeting was denied.
"I thought we'd just apply for a visit here and that would be it."
As Moon Byul pondered this, Iru Ri stepped forward.
"Mr. Moon Byul, stay here with the gentleman for a moment."
Iru Ri casually headed to the lobby and spoke with the staff. When she returned, Moon Byul asked out of curiosity,
"What did you say to them?"
"I told them to open the door since Han Yu Seong's visitor was here."
"...There's no way that worked."
Moon Byul stared at her in disbelief.
"It wouldn't have worked if it was just you and the gentleman."
"What do you mean?"
She glared at him with an expression like he'd just offered her a rotten potato.
"Mr. Moon Byul, you need to understand your own position."
Iru Ri delivered this cryptic remark before turning on her heel.
My position?
"A peculiar human living inside a grimoire with top-notch magic skills."
What else could it be? Or maybe the Wolverine Guild held a higher status in the country than he'd thought?
He was a member now, after all. But wasn't the Association supposed to be the big boss?
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a sturdy-built elderly man approached.
"Nice to meet you. Ms. Iru Ri."
"Hello, Chairman."
Ah, so this was the Association Chairman. So Seori had mentioned him.
"Pleased to meet you for the first time, Mr. Moon Byul. I'm Kim Seok Hyun, the Association Chairman."
"Nice to meet you, Chairman."
After a brief chat and explaining the situation, the chairman readily gave permission.
Was it special treatment just for him? Because he lived in a grimoire?
"You can be considered a direct victim, so you more than qualify. I'll allow the companion as well."
Apparently not.
"It's all right now, sir. Let's go together."
"......"
Even with permission granted, Mr. Han Young-beom hesitated.
"Um, handsome young man, I have a favor to ask."
He pulled a crumpled envelope from his pocket.
"If you're considered a victim, it seems I don't need to go myself..."
"You've come all this way. Why not go together?"
"No... Could you deliver this for me instead?"
He held out the very envelope they had picked up and returned to him earlier.
"And tell him I'm rooting for him. Tha... no, thank you. Just that much."
Moon Byul smiled and took the envelope.
"Of course."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "He was wearing prosthetic legs."
Moon Byul recalled Mr. Han Young-beom's appearance.
There were burn scars here and there, but the high-quality prosthetics made his gait perfectly natural.
Few would even notice he had them.
"Was he a firefighter?"
It was just a guess, but it was odd for an ordinary person to have so many small burn scars.
"Or maybe family."
The affection Moon Byul had felt toward Mr. Han Young-beom resembled that of a parent for a child even more.
An orphan might not know, but even orphans could sense that much.
He had stood there for quite a while. Even accounting for time for Han Yu Seong to compose himself, it was starting to feel like enough.
As expected, Han Yu Seong was waiting calmly.
"You didn't have to come fetch me."
"...... I felt too embarrassed."
"...... Your speech has changed?"
"I've decided to."
Moon Byul couldn't quite grasp it, but he understood at the same time.
Probably some change of heart.
He handed the envelope to Han Yu Seong and relayed Mr. Han Young-beom's words.
"Thank you..."
Upon hearing them, Han Yu Seong flashed the brightest smile Moon Byul had ever seen from him.
"...That man was my hero. Still is."
Han Yu Seong said matter-of-factly.
"Once I get out of here, I should go see him."
"......"
Moon Byul didn't respond. He knew it wasn't meant for him.
Seeing Han Yu Seong's expression, he simply refilled the empty teacup.
"That's some amazing magic."
"The principle is simple."
They drank tea in silence again. But it felt more comfortable now.
"Sorry for attacking you. I mean it this time."
Han Yu Seong suddenly apologized to him.
"I knew you meant it before too."
"......"
Moon Byul took a sip of tea. Han Yu Seong stared at him without drinking. Moon Byul asked,
"Didn't you ask why I came earlier? I just realized the answer. Want to hear it?"
"Yes."
"I think I came because I wanted to hear those words from you. Thank you for apologizing."
"......"
"But you apologized right away, so I had nothing left to say. I was just going to pay for the magic stone and leave, but here I am, still drinking tea."
"...Magic stone payment here? Do you know how much they cost?"
This time, they drank together.
"Not the exact price, but I can guess. Four... pieces?"
Moon Byul held up four fingers.
Han Yu Seong interpreted it as 400 million won.
"Haha, even at the cheapest, it'd be ten times that."
"'Decorative rocks cost 400,000 each?'"
Even used for energy, he doubted they'd yield that efficiency. Or maybe they did?
The unexpectedly high price startled him a bit. There seemed to be even more misunderstandings he wasn't aware of.
Suddenly, Moon Byul worried whether what he'd prepared would satisfy Han Yu Seong. Would it be of equal value?
"Well, better late than never. Let me settle the overdue promise first."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Moon Byul pretended to grab something, and the space rippled as the grimoire appeared.
He placed it on the table and extended his hand.
"I should at least give back what I received. Sorry, but I don't have magic stones or money, so I'd like to repay in another way."
Han Yu Seong absentmindedly took the offered hand.
As Moon Byul opened the grimoire, a blinding light forced his eyes shut.
When he opened them again, he was in vast space.
"This is Etoile—my home, for now."
Han Yu Seong stared blankly at the lone palace floating in the cosmos.
And the endless universe unfolding around it.
Constellations twinkled in connection, stars wandering freely like clouds.
"Whoa..."
The name "Cosmic Grimoire" really fit—whoever came up with it was spot on.
What was the word? A miniature universe. Yeah, that captured it perfectly.
"You use some interesting magic, Mr. Han Yu Seong."
Moon Byul snapped his fingers, and a small star appeared before them.
"Want to try attacking that star?"
Han Yu Seong silently unleashed a slash toward it as instructed.
Thang!
"What the..."
A dull sound rang out, and his attack bounced harmlessly away. Not just any rock—it was insanely tough.
"Hmm, you don't usually use weapons?"
"I didn't have any usable mage gear."
"Slashing with your hand is inefficient."
Only then did Han Yu Seong understand Moon Byul's point.
"My magic doesn't work that way."
It seemed like he was suggesting infusing slashes into a weapon—not that he hadn't tried.
No metal could withstand his slashes, and anything but his hands made fine control difficult.
Swords or staves broke after three uses.
No suitable staff for his unique magic either, so he'd abandoned weapons and focused on artifacts.
Moon Byul handed him a saw shaped like a sword, apparently understanding or not.
"What's this?"
"A small saw I made myself back when I used it as a tool."
"......"
Moon Byul clearly didn't get it.
Paying for magic stones with a random tool from home? Economic sense seemed lacking. Well, what could you expect from someone living in a grimoire?
"Give it a try."
With a smile, refusal felt awkward. Better to show than tell.
Han Yu Seong gripped the sword-saw and aimed at the small star again.
Infusing it with mana, the blade began to spin.
It sharpened itself like a hand on a whetstone and extended the cutting edge.
"'Huh? This...'"
He instinctively knew it was different from any weapon he'd used before.
With all his strength, he swung the saw-slash—faster, sharper.
Shwick.
The small star that hadn't even scratched before split cleanly in two.
"......"
Speechless, Han Yu Seong stared at the saw. Not a nick or crack.
"What do you think? Self-repairing blade. If it's not to your liking, I have others. Or I could make something custom..."
"This one."
He was certain. No weapon suited him better.
"You like it? If it's not enough for the magic stone..."
"No. This... this is perfect."
"...Really?"
He'd received something money couldn't buy.
Expecting more for mere magic stones would make him a thief.
Moon Byul snapped his fingers, returning them to the original place.
The only change was the sword-saw in Han Yu Seong's hand.
"You're really okay with just that?"
"Of course. That settles the accounts. If anything, it's too much."
"Hmm, alright."
Moon Byul tilted his head oddly at the reaction.
"Ah, one thing—promise me. Never use it on people."
"Of course."
Moon Byul's voice lacked the mana from before. This was a human promise.
"Your new way of speaking still feels a bit awkward."
"Where are you going?"
"...... Never mind."
Moon Byul snapped his fingers, and the teacups and grimoire vanished.
"I'll be going now. See you next time."
"Thanks for the tea leaves too."
"Take care."
He paused at the door and looked back.
"When you get out of here someday, I might be able to keep the rest of my promise."
"The rest? What's left?"
Moon Byul pointed at the sky.
"The tower. No guarantees, but I feel like I could really help. Come find me."
"I definitely will."
Moon Byul left without lingering.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After Moon Byul left, Han Yu Seong lay on his bed, examining what he'd received.
His benefactor's envelope, the new weapon, delicious tea leaves.
The tea leaves nagged at him most.
"I know I've seen them somewhere."
This unique shape.
Artificially engraved patterns, perfectly uniform like copies...
Han Yu Seong bolted upright.
"......"
He stared at the leaves for a long time. Really long.
No? Yes? No? Yes? No way?
After about ten minutes, he finally snapped out of it.
"The tea... I drank..."
His hand trembled holding the leaves. He'd just realized what he'd drunk two cups of.
"Six... no, seven trillion... and I..."
The mental shock made his newly healthy body feel frail again.
Still.
"Debt paid."
He'd said to do as he pleased... Selling them should be fine, right?
"'Yeah, Mr. Moon Byul must've given them expecting that.'"
Han Yu Seong's arrogant assumption.