Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Mad Black Mage's Tower Strategy
Chapter 68
"We have to go down into the fissure?"
So-yul, who heard Seo-jin's words through the terminal in her ear, asked back in surprise.
The 'fissure' was the main cause of the magical disasters in The Great Cavity.
The mana flow inside was extremely chaotic, with phenomena like gravity reversal and spatial collapse occurring frequently.
Voluntarily entering that place was literally a suicidal act.
So-yul whispered into the terminal.
"How, how about jumping over the fissure and entering through the passage on the other side instead?"
Even without entering the fissure, they could proceed with exploration through other passages.
So-yul proposed a compromise, but Seo-jin's voice through the communicator was firm.
[No. The passage beyond that is a trap where Luring Fragrance flows out. The only real way forward is through the fissure below.]
"......"
So-yul looked down at the fissure that gaped open like the maw of a giant monster and gulped.
SQUISH-.
The irregular, amorphous wall surface that kept writhing unpredictably.
Setting everything else aside, entering that place would be physiologically impossible.
However, after pondering for a moment, So-yul soon made her decision.
'His judgment always exceeded common sense, but it was never wrong.'
So far, following Seo-jin's words had brought benefits, not losses.
And at this point, using danger as an excuse to refuse Seo-jin's advice and turn back would be absurd.
If she was going to do that, she wouldn't have entered this damn Gamma Route while enduring mockery and jeers in the first place.
Having entered, she had to achieve some results no matter what.
HISS-.
So-yul, having steeled her resolve, put on a transparent mask covering her face and shouted to the team members trembling with anxiety.
"Everyone prepare for descent! We're entering below the fissure!"
At that moment, Team Leader Jung Hee-won shouted loudly.
"Guild Leader! Please reconsider once more!"
She understood well that Taebaek Mage Tower was thirsting for results, and why So-yul was pushing so hard, but she couldn't easily agree to this.
Results or whatever—they had to survive first for it to mean anything.
Not only had they entered this dangerous route, but now they wanted to go inside that fissure.
Her fierce opposition made other team members start to stir.
"That's right, it's too dangerous!"
"We shouldn't have come this route in the first place."
"Even if we suffer some losses, cooperating with other Mage Towers would be...!"
Voices full of complaints burst out from here and there as if they had been waiting.
"......"
So-yul quietly clenched her fists while watching the investigation team's reaction.
She wasn't angry at the team members for not following her control.
She was only angry at herself as a leader who couldn't earn such trust.
What would her sister have done? No, what would her father have done?
Just as the dejected So-yul was sighing, Seo-jin's voice reached her ear.
[Don't blame yourself. Who would want to walk voluntarily into danger? It's natural for them to resist.]
Asking them to follow blindly without explaining anything—it would be stranger if they accepted that.
In times like this, the process of calmly persuading and making them understand the situation was essential.
[Didn't you analyze diligently with me yesterday? Try to persuade them based on that analysis.]
Last night, So-yul had stayed up all night with Seo-jin, putting their heads together to analyze which route would be best to enter, considering danger levels and reserves.
The Gamma Route was included in that analysis without exception.
At that time, she never imagined they would actually enter the Gamma Route, but according to Seo-jin, this path was a route worth exploring, and So-yul had always kept that possibility in mind.
So-yul, who closed her eyes and calmly settled her mind, began her explanation.
"Everyone, attention! Though it's a bit late, I'll explain step by step the reason and basis for entering the Gamma Route."
She manipulated her mana pad to share the previously analyzed data with the team members.
"I'm sorry for sharing this only now. There were security issues."
Since they had previously lost talent to other countries, they had no choice but to keep the analysis data secret until the route was decided.
"......Let's hear it first."
Team Leader Jung Hee-won decided to listen to So-yul's words first before judging, and the other team members followed suit.
As the team members brought up the data screen through their terminals, So-yul began her explanation.
"Contrary to public assessment, the Gamma Route has sufficient exploration validity. Enough to match the risks. In fact, it hasn't been touched by human hands since the Mage Tower was established, so the expected reserves of mana stones are the largest among all routes."
Resources that had been neglected due to utility value and profitability issues could gain value through new research.
Also, there were cases where new discoveries were made in fields that no one had attempted due to vague fear and taboos.
The Gamma Route was close to such a case.
Team Leader Jung Hee-won, who had been silently examining the analysis data, spoke.
"......Even if this is true, that doesn't justify entering the fissure."
Let's say the potential of the route itself was true. But could that be a reason to jump into the danger zone called a fissure?
To this, So-yul pointed to the passage that seemed to connect faintly to the opposite side of the fissure.
"The faint Luring Fragrance flowing from over there. Based on analysis of the bio-magical wave patterns recorded by the detector, there's a high probability that passage is a route leading to a trap. As you all know, it's a location presumed to be a feeding pouch."
Small murmuring sounds could be heard among the team members.
So-yul continued with momentum.
"On the other hand, clear magical waves are detected inside this fissure. There's a high possibility it's a path leading to the center of The Great Cavity. If we succeed in exploration, we'll be able to reach the center faster than other teams."
While saying this, So-yul carefully pointed to the edge of the fissure.
The ultimate purpose of this exploration was to reach the center of The Great Cavity.
The team that arrived first would gain the most benefits, so her explanation was that going through the fissure would be a shortcut.
The team members' agitation subsided somewhat with So-yul's explanation. However, anxiety still remained.
Jung Hee-won still asked with a stern expression.
"Is there a guarantee that hypothesis is certain? If the inside of the fissure is blocked or there are greater dangers, do you have countermeasures for that?"
"......I've prepared some safety measures, but I can't guarantee complete safety."
There was no such thing as complete safety in the world.
Especially for Great Cavity exploration, which could be seen as the cutting edge of unknown magic research.
Pioneering achievements always came with danger, so if you wanted guaranteed complete safety, you'd be better off doing office work outside the Tower.
"So, those who want to return are welcome to go back."
After So-yul's explanation ended, the exploration team members pondered.
Having done this much, So-yul had done everything she could. The rest was for the exploration team members to judge.
Team Leader Jung, who had been discussing with other team members, asked So-yul.
"Guild Leader, what are those safety measures you mentioned?"
"......"
So-yul was at a loss for words at her question.
In truth, there were no safety measures that could convince them.
Seo-jin's existence was the most reliable safety measure of all, but she couldn't openly reveal that.
As So-yul hesitated to answer as if flustered, Seo-jin gave instructions through the terminal.
[Follow what I say. I'll handle it.]
So-yul hesitantly repeated Seo-jin's voice coming from the communication terminal in her ear.
"......Re, recently I've had considerable magical progress. I can respond to most dangerous situations in advance."
"......?"
"For example...... like advising that the place where Team Leader Jung is standing now will collapse in 5 seconds, so you should evacuate immediately."
"Hah."
What kind of nonsense was this all of a sudden?
Team Leader Jung Hee-won unconsciously let out a hollow laugh. She felt foolish for having listened seriously to the explanation.
"Are you saying this place will collapse? Really?"
It was the moment Team Leader Jung snorted and stomped her foot.
RUMBLE-.
As if waiting for it, part of the bedrock under Jung Hee-won's feet collapsed with a loud noise.
"Ah!"
Just as Jung Hee-won screamed and was about to fall down.
Seo-jin, who was nearby, grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her up.
"HUFF, HUFF."
Team Leader Jung breathed heavily, fell to the ground, and staggered backward.
It was a hair-raising situation where she almost fell just like that.
The team members gaped at what happened in an instant.
Jung Hee-won looked down at the collapsed spot in a daze.
'It, it was real?'
She had heard that when mana sensitivity became extremely acute, it was possible to detect environmental changes in advance.
Gu-ren, the Grand Mage of the strategy team, was said to have similar effects with his [Mana Resonance] characteristic.
So-yul exchanged glances with Seo-jin briefly and smiled at Team Leader Jung.
"Perhaps going into the fissure with me might be safer than returning alone?"
***
Before entering the fissure, the team members began checking their ropes and equipment.
Thanks to the charade orchestrated with Seo-jin, all team members agreed to the fissure exploration.
Of course, it wasn't like she had led the team members into danger without any countermeasures.
Seo-jin had the unique effect [Foresight] granted to Tears of Siyul (Time's Law).
[The rock strength at the third anchor point is weak. Change to the fourth one.]
[Possibility of rockfall on the left wall. Guide descent while staying close to the right side.]
When dangerous elements were discovered during descent, Seo-jin would check first with Foresight and relay the response method to So-yul.
So-yul naturally conveyed Seo-jin's instructions heard through the terminal as if she had judged them herself.
"Skip the third anchor point and secure at the fourth! Please stay as close to the right wall as possible!"
With her calm and accurate instructions, the team members gradually regained stability and descended below.
Even during the smooth descent, Seo-jin's warnings continued.
[Mana wind approaching. Tell everyone to lower their posture.]
[Researcher Park's rope needs wear check. Have him attach a spare link and inspect it.]
Miraculous incidents continued to occur, like strong winds sweeping through the bottom of the fissure right after So-yul's warning, or worn parts being found on Researcher Park's rope.
Each time, the team members' eyes changed to a complex light mixed with awe and fear.
"......"
It was suspicious enough to wonder if it wasn't just magical progress, but if a ghost had possessed her.
How much more time had passed?
SPLASH-.
Finally, the lead group reached the bottom of the fissure.
The floor was covered with sticky mucus thick enough for feet to sink deep into.
"My goodness."
One researcher who had safely set foot muttered in horror at the sight inside the fissure.
So-yul was also momentarily speechless at the surreal scene before her eyes.
"What on earth is this place......"
On the walls and ceiling, giant mycelia emitting eerie blue light clung like blood vessels.
That wasn't all. As if this place was some kind of cultivation room, an enormous number of mana sacs were densely embedded everywhere.
Then, the urgent voice of Researcher Park, who was examining the inside of the fissure with a mana detector, broke the silence.
"Guild Leader! Abnormally high-density mana reactions are detected on this wall surface. The energy pattern is different from any previously reported patterns!"
So-yul and several researchers hurriedly approached the wall surface Researcher Park was pointing to.
SQUISH- SQUISH-.
Unlike other walls, this part pulsated particularly violently.
Getting closer, they could faintly see a pouch-shaped organ filled with dark blue liquid through a transparent membrane.
It looked like a mana organ that contracted and expanded at regular intervals like the heart of a giant creature.
"It doesn't seem to be just mycelia or mana crystals."
So-yul muttered while placing her hand on the wall surface and reading the flow of mana.
"It's closer to a mana organ with organic structure. The internal energy conversion rate is...... Oh?"
"Move aside, move aside!"
Right then, Dr. An Sang-su, the eldest member of the exploration team and a bio-magical studies expert, pushed through the researchers and shouted with a trembling voice.
His eyes were completely fixed on the organ in the wall.
After staring at it silently for a long time, Dr. An shouted loudly!
"Ma, Mana Conversion Storage Sac! I can't believe this actually existed!"
"Storage sac, you say?"
"That's right! It's a biological organ that refines mana absorbed from the outside, stores it in an extremely stable form, and can use it organically!"
"......?"
When the team members remained still as if they didn't understand, Dr. An shouted with a voice full of joy.
"You blockheads! Think of it as a Dragon Heart!"
Dr. An's exclamation spread like a contagious disease.
"Dr, Dragon Heart?"
"Is, is it real?"
The researchers opened their eyes wide and fixed their gaze on the storage sac.
If Dr. An's words were true, this alone would be sufficient compensation for risking the dangers of the Gamma Route.
Even Team Leader Jung Hee-won, who had opposed the descent, swallowed dryly while looking at the storage sac in the wall.
"......"
Meanwhile, Seo-jin watched the rejoicing investigation team from a distance.
'Dragon Heart, that's not entirely wrong either.'
The Mana Conversion Storage Sac was a byproduct of the 'Energy Core' Seo-jin was looking for.
That organ was a lump of mana that could be used as a substitute for a mana heart in emergencies.
It boasted mana efficiency incomparable to mana stones and was used as a synthesis material for all kinds of high-level items.
The existing hard crystal structure of mana stones was suitable for storing mana, but energy efficiency varied greatly depending on purity, and energy exchange with the outside was difficult.
However, such biological mana sacs enabled more organic energy exchange.
Just properly researching this would ensure Taebaek Guild's finances for several years.
Also, the discovery of mana sacs meant that the demon's Energy Core was also intact and existed nearby.
The discovery of the storage sac was good news for Seo-jin as well.
Seo-jin looked at the investigation team and then turned his gaze toward the darkness beyond.
"......"
He didn't want to spoil such a good atmosphere, but threats worthy of valuable items always lurked nearby.
Their appearance was inevitable.
Seo-jin quietly murmured into the communication terminal.
[Prepare for battle. Hostile creatures appearing.]
"......!"
So-yul, who had been grinning with joy at the unexpected achievement, snapped to attention and shouted.
"Eve...... Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Even before her voice could fully echo.
THUD THUD THUD-!
Heavy sounds rolled in like waves from the darkness beyond.