Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Mad Black Mage's Tower Strategy
Chapter 109
Seo-jin and Nam-gung Rin ascended the stairs escorted by temple knights.
TCHK-TCHK.
Though called an escort, the knights’ sharp aura felt more like transporting criminals.
“Do you possess any weapons?”
Though asked to disarm, neither Seo-jin nor Nam-gung Rin carried weapons. They were temporarily made to wear mana-suppression rings.
Under strict guard, the two entered the temple. Inside, a massive statue greeted them:
‘The first Sea Folk to defeat a great serpent—Pontos.’
The sea god who repelled Leviathan long ago and protected the 20th floor’s oceans. As one of Pantheon’s deities, Atlantis' priests all served under Pantheon—which was why Seo-jin had confidently come here.
“Remain still. Cause trouble, and you will be executed immediately.”
“……How prickly,” grumbled Nam-gung Rin.
Seo-jin showed no reaction, understanding their wariness. The issue would resolve soon.
After a wait, priests rushed over, gasping.
“Move aside! Step away from them!”
At their shouts, the knights surrounding the two hastily retreated.
“GASP! GASP!”
The lead priest—a flounder-like fish-man—grabbed Seo-jin’s hand. Its slimy touch made Seo-jin recoil slightly.
“Are you the envoys from Pantheon?” the priest pleaded, voice trembling with desperation.
Seo-jin shook his head.
“We are neither Pantheon envoys nor message-bearers. But we can help you.”
He revealed the Valerius' Badge—an artifact from Gabriel granting VIP status in any Pantheon-affiliated temple.
The flounder priest recoiled in shock upon touching it.
“WHOAAA—!”
“You fiend! What did you do?!” shouted the knights.
But the priest scrambled up, barking:
“Halt! Do not disrespect our honored guest!”
Knights retreated. The flounder priest bowed deeply.
“Forgive their rudeness. I shall take you to the High Priestess at once.”
***
In the Temple’s Inner Sanctum.
Unlike the bright marble exterior, the sanctum was dimly lit by deep-sea bioluminescence filtering through a dome.
SLIIIIIDE.
A Sea Folk girl knelt silently under the light. With silver-veiled blue hair and closed eyes, she rose as they approached.
“You’ve come. I awaited you.”
“You knew I would?”
“Yes. Through an oracle. Pantheon’s deities sent you.”
Seo-jin distrusted oracles—they often carried curses disguised as fate—but stayed silent.
“I am Leila, Pontos' priestess. Acting High Priestess,” she said, naming both visitors flawlessly.
Nam-gung Rin flinched.
“No need for surprise,” Leila smiled.
“Though blind, I hear many things. Limited, but true.”
She cut to the chase:
“You seek information about the isolation decree, yes?”
“Correct.”
“Then I must explain the theft of the Tears of the Sea God.”
The Tears of the Sea God was Atlantis' core artifact—repelling sea monsters, stabilizing barriers, and calming magical storms. Only royalty with divine affinity could wield it. Leila, the current wielder, was thus a princess of Atlantis' royal bloodline.
“Months ago, it vanished. Atlantis issued an isolation decree to find the thief.”
“But allowing trade means it could be smuggled out!” Nam-gung Rin protested.
Leila sighed.
“We sealed all traffic initially. But with the thief unfound, citizens—tempted by foreign luxuries—demanded trade reopen. Limited logistics resumed recently.”
Seo-jin’s eyes narrowed. The stench of corporate interference reminded him of Primgard.
“Are nobles colluding with outsiders? Those discontent with royal rule?”
“...Yes. Five of twelve noble houses aid them. Lunaria, chieftain of the Sea Dragon Tribe, holds most of the logistics now.”
Seo-jin nodded grimly. Hanseong was replicating its Primgard strategy: ally with corrupt nobles, overthrow rulers, and monopolize resources.
“Then catch those Sea Dragons!” said Nam-gung Rin.
Leila shook her head.
“Atlantis is a multi-tribal alliance. Attacking one tribe risks fracturing it. Worse, most knights are maintaining the barrier.”
Seo-jin pressed further.
“Tribes?”
Leila’s voice darkened.
“This is Atlantis' shameful secret. Perhaps this crisis stems from... a history of oppression.”
***
Meanwhile, in Atlantis' Back Alleys
Nam-gung Cheon moved through dim alleys under a starry "sky"—perfect for thieves.
SHWISH.
After scouting, he noted the city’s segregated districts:
Lower Districts: Docks, warehouses, aquamarine mines—home to laborer tribes (Octopus Folk, Angler Folk, Watersnake Folk).
Upper Districts: Seven Hills, where royalty, knights, and priests resided.
‘An invisible divide’, he mused.
While gathering intel on corporate ties, he hid behind a trash can.
SHHK.
“UURG... Give it! I’m dying...!”
A Watersnake Folk smuggler kicked away a pleading Octopus Folk.
“No exceptions! Upfront payment only!”
“I’ll pay tomorrow! Pleaaase!”
“Hah! Dream on!”
The Octopus Folk lunged.
“GIVE IT NOW!”
“Addict scum!”
THUD! THUD!
As they brawled, a pill rolled to Nam-gung Cheon’s feet.
SNIIFF.
‘Synthetic drugs. From the outside world.’
‘Drugs in an isolated Atlantis?’
Sanctioned trade during an isolation decree.
Tribal tensions.
Open drug use in slums.
‘This reeks of corporate sabotage.’
Nam-gung Cheon dropped the pill like filth and vanished into the shadows.