Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 011
Chapter Title: Ji Ye-won (5)
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There is no magic in this world. However, the power known as mana did exist.
Mana.
It was the energy contained within the magic stones at the core of monsters, the power that all superhumans harbored within their bodies, and the resource consumed when using superpowers.
The superior physical abilities of superhumans and their inexplicable superpowers, defying scientific explanation, were all thanks to this force called mana.
However, at this point in time, humanity knew nothing about the concept of mana.
Even frontline scientists researching superpowers had only grasped its vague outline.
The general public wouldn't learn of mana's existence until well into the mid-story of the original novel.
That said, the original novel's protagonist, Ryu Tae-hyun, had a faint inkling of mana from the very start of the story. The ability within his talisman directly manipulated mana.
'A superpower that allows unlimited use of other superpowers.'
The true nature of this ability was to absorb and refine the mana dispersed in the atmosphere through the talisman as a medium, making it usable like internal mana.
In simple terms, it could be called 'Mana Absorption'.
Thanks to possessing such an ability, the protagonist could vaguely sense mana's presence. This gave him a superior edge in sensory aspects compared to other superhumans.
Not only was the ability itself overpowered, but it came with these additional effects too, making the protagonist's smooth sailing through the early story all but inevitable.
'But why the hell is it showing up here?'
The problem was that, for some reason, this talisman wasn't with the protagonist but with Ji Ye-won.
Something was clearly wrong. Very wrong.
'Let's think calmly.'
Calming my chaotic heart, I quickly reviewed the original story.
'How did the protagonist get this talisman? Right, around chapter 300, there was a flashback episode that mentioned it—'
Ah.
The moment that thought hit me, a flash of inspiration struck my mind.
The winter just before the protagonist enrolled in the Academy. A Sunday night. The mysterious woman who entrusted him with the talisman.
Puzzle pieces clicked together in my head. My gaze naturally turned toward Ji Ye-won.
In that instant, I pieced together the full picture of the event.
'That's why Ji Ye-won, who doesn't even appear in the original, turned out to be a key player.'
I was mistaken. Ji Ye-won did appear in the original, albeit as a minor character with little screen time. But she undeniably played a crucial role.
'The woman who handed the talisman to the protagonist. That was Ji Ye-won.'
In the original, where she never met the Security Force, she would have gone to the abandoned building tomorrow to retrieve the talisman and encountered the Dawn Corps assassin there, engaging in a fierce battle.
After barely escaping, she would have coincidentally run into the protagonist who was out jogging and handed it over to him to prevent it from being taken.
Since she never appeared again after that, she probably died to the Dawn Corps assassin.
Yes, exactly as described in the original.
Everything fit perfectly when viewed that way.
It fit perfectly, but...
'Damn it.'
I tore at my hair in frustration at the hopelessly tangled situation.
I knew every type of opportunity revealed in the serialized chapters and the exact procedures to acquire them. As long as I had the minimum ability to back it up, monopolizing them all would be a piece of cake for me.
However, I had no intention of stealing the opportunities meant for the protagonist.
The protagonist was the core of the story. No matter how strong I became, if he weakened, problems would inevitably arise somewhere. All events revolved around him.
'That bastard Blissful Heavenly Demon...'
Even as I resolved that, what was this twist of fate?
I was on the verge of snatching the talisman—the most important opportunity for the protagonist.
'No, it'd actually be better if I took it. If things continue like this, the Security Force will definitely confiscate it.'
I needed to somehow slip the talisman to the protagonist or find a way to use it myself.
As those thoughts raced through my mind, Ji Ye-won and Chae So-yeon finished preparing to leave.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
"...Yeah."
Urged by the two, we left the studio apartment. The three of us piled into Chae So-yeon's car and headed straight for the abandoned building where the talisman was hidden.
"...Why's your face been like that since earlier?"
Ji Ye-won asked with a worried look. She was wearing the stockings I bought her, along with the spare Defensive Coat.
"It's nothing."
"Nothing my ass. Your face soured the moment I mentioned the talisman."
She nailed it. But I couldn't just spill everything. As I stayed silent, she gave up and turned away.
I gazed at the streetlights flashing by outside the window, organizing my thoughts.
'For now, focus on the quest at hand.'
I could sort things out later. Right now, priority was retrieving the talisman and ensuring Ji Ye-won's safety.
-Screech.
Just then, the car stopped at a crosswalk signal.
Seizing the moment, Chae So-yeon turned to me and Ji Ye-won in the back seat.
"Once we retrieve the talisman, we'll head straight to the safehouse. If a fight breaks out in the meantime..."
A brief pause.
As the signal changed, she faced forward again and continued casually.
"I'll buy you time. Ahn Su-ho, you get Ji Ye-won out of there."
"Buy time? You?"
Wouldn't it be better to fight together? I retorted, but Chae So-yeon just smirked.
"I told you. I may not know much else, but I can handle a fight."
Based on what I'd seen so far, I had my doubts, but if she was that confident, she must have something up her sleeve.
"...I've got some insurance too."
Chae So-yeon's mutter faded into the air.
About 30 minutes later, after taking a roundabout route to shake any tails, we finally arrived at the abandoned building hiding the talisman.
"Let's hurry."
Ji Ye-won led the way into the building, with me and Chae So-yeon following. Passing the desolate lobby, we headed straight for the rooftop.
-Clunk.
Pushing open the rusted door, a gloomy night rooftop greeted us.
"Here?"
Chae So-yeon asked, and Ji Ye-won nodded. As she rolled up her sleeve, a key-shaped tattoo on her inner arm began to glow faintly.
She slowly advanced across the rooftop, the tattoo's light growing brighter with each step.
Finally, reaching the center.
"Open."
With that short incantation,
"Open." ⟨ Release ⟩
a pure white rift sliced through the empty air.
'Whoa.'
I couldn't help but stare at the fantastical sight. It looked just like CG graphics. Ji Ye-won extended her tattooed hand, and the rift parted left and right.
She reached in, and when she pulled her hand back out, it held a small ring case.
I swallowed hard, tension gripping me.
The talisman containing the 'Mana Absorption' ability that should have gone to the protagonist.
My fist clenched involuntarily at the thought of it being right there in front of me.
Ji Ye-won opened the ring case to check inside, then nodded slightly and turned to us.
"No issues with the contents."
"Let's move now."
Ji Ye-won and Chae So-yeon turned to leave. I started to follow them toward the rooftop stairs.
But at that moment.
A system message popped up before my eyes.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Quest information has been updated.] [The progression of events has greatly deviated from the original plot! Due to uncertain factors, the remaining time until the incident occurs has changed!] [Remaining time until incident: 0 hours 0 minutes 5 seconds.] My thoughts froze.
It took about 2 seconds to process the message.
Without time to think, I bolted toward Ji Ye-won, who was ahead.
"Ji Ye-won!"
3 seconds left. She turned at my shout.
2 seconds. Chae So-yeon looked back with confusion.
1 second. A small flash in the corner of my vision.
0 seconds. As if sensing something ominous, Chae So-yeon opened her mouth to say something.
-Thud!
A dull sound rang out, and Chae So-yeon's body flew back, tumbling across the ground.
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
-Bang...
Our exclamations overlapped, followed by the delayed, heavy gunshot from afar.
'Sniper!'
The moment I realized it, Ji Ye-won had already ducked behind the building's shadow.
"Get over here quick!"
As I ran to her, my head turned instinctively toward where the white muzzle flash had originated.
Suddenly snapping to, I realized my right arm was already extended in that direction.
-Whoosh!
Unconsciously, my superpower activated, and black smoke erupted from my right hand. It spread instantly, shrouding my body.
Right after.
-Crack!
-Bang...
Another gunshot echoed, and concrete shards exploded where I'd stood moments ago. Using the smoke to block the sniper's view, I quickly slid next to Ji Ye-won.
"Direction: southwest! Distance: at least 500 meters! No tailing—this bastard knew this spot from the start and was waiting for us!"
Ji Ye-won's words felt distant. My heart pounded wildly, breath coming in short gasps.
Clutching my racing chest, I glanced sideways.
Far off, Chae So-yeon lay face-down, head turned unnaturally.
A massive hole gaped in her chest. Blood surged out, soaking the ground in seconds.
"Chae So-yeon?"
No response.
She lay utterly still.
A chill of dread hit me.
She's dead.
Dead?
No way.
Really dead? From one shot?
My brain refused to accept the sudden turn. Heart hammering madly, breath ragged, mouth dry, nausea rising.
-Slap!
A sharp sting on my cheek.
"Snap out of it!"
I turned. Ji Ye-won must have slapped me.
"Don't freeze up! If you keep hesitating, we're both dead! Got it?!"
Her sharp command and the stinging pain cleared my head a bit.
"What was that smoke just now? Smoke grenade?"
"No, my power."
"Can you use it again?"
I nodded, and she jerked her chin toward the rooftop stairs.
"When I signal, blast the smoke with everything you've got. Luckily, there are plenty of buildings around, so once we get off the rooftop, the sniper can't hit us anymore."
"Got it. I'll do it."
My superpower was still unfamiliar, but I could manage that much.
"What about Chae So-yeon?"
"...We'll take her. She might still be alive. I'll carry her—you just—"
"Drive. Since I'm the only one who knows the safehouse location now."
"Right. On three, activate your power. One..."
I prepared as Ji Ye-won counted down.
'Wait. Something's off.'
A sudden sense of wrongness hit me.
The sniper knew we'd come here and was positioned far away in advance.
But as Ji Ye-won said, with all the surrounding buildings, descending from the rooftop would put us out of sight.
That was the odd part.
'Why choose such an uncertain sniper shot?'
The sniper had to know the buildings would block the view. So why opt for sniping?
Assuming Ji Ye-won was alone? One shot to finish her?
Something didn't sit right. A Dawn Corps assassin wouldn't be so sloppy...
"...Three!"
The countdown ended mid-thought. I unleashed the smoke full force toward the sniper's direction.
'Think later. Escape the sniper first.'
As Ji Ye-won went for Chae So-yeon, I headed for the stairs first.
And in the next moment, I realized what was wrong.
'No guarantee there's only one assassin.'
A man was climbing the stairs, as if waiting.
I immediately drew my taser gun and aimed.
Aimed, but—
-Thump!
A dull impact sent my body flying through the air.
"Urk!"
I tumbled several meters across the concrete mercilessly. Air whooshed from my lungs, leaving me breathless for a moment.
"Gah! Heok!"
Finally catching my breath, I looked ahead.
"Who the hell is this guy? Another one popped up?"
The man who attacked me stepped into view.
A young man with a sleazy vibe overall. His hair was dyed bright yellow, his clothes festooned with outdated accessories, and in his hand gleamed a sharply honed axe.
"Ahn Su-ho!"
A beat late, he spotted Ji Ye-won at his shout. Turning to her, a wicked grin spread across his face.
"Nice to see you, traitor. Came to collect the goods."