Chapter 190: A Moment in Barbara
Chapter 190: A Moment in Barbara
There’s an old saying: “Birds hear the words of the day, and mice hear the words of the night.” It means you should be careful what you say, even when you think no one is listening. People in the modern world might not take it seriously and just laugh it off, but in the Hall Plain, at least, you absolutely had to watch your mouth. This was especially true in a place teeming with Users like this.
Most Users hold magic power within their bodies. This magic moves along the magic circuits established in their internal settings, and these circuits spread to every corner of the body. Of course, there are individual differences in the thickness, durability, and purity of these circuits, as well as the precision of the flow down to the finest energy channels. But from a fundamental perspective, they are naturally connected to the eyes and ears. And by sending magic to those parts to amplify them, one could temporarily enhance their functions to a superior level.
In other words, in a place with so many Users, it was possible for someone to secretly channel magic into their ears and eavesdrop on our conversation. While this technique was typically used during dungeon explorations or group battles, quite a few Users employed it for other purposes. Anyone with a certain amount of magic power could do it. That fact alone was enough to make one uneasy. If I could do it, so could other Users.
There was a spell commonly used to alleviate such anxieties and prevent important information from leaking: a spatial-range spell called Blocking Field.
A Blocking Field forms an intangible barrier that arbitrarily isolates a User-designated area from the surrounding space. This significantly reduces the chance of one’s words leaking out, ensuring a higher level of security. However, since it blocked not only words going out but also sounds coming in, it was a bit awkward to use in a pub or restaurant.
After all, wouldn’t a table with a Blocking Field up be more likely to be discussing matters of greater importance than other tables? Of course, it was a tall order to pierce a Blocking Field simply by enhancing one’s hearing. But it wasn’t entirely impossible. And so, I planned to use my Third Eye to search for any tables with a Blocking Field deployed.
“Soohyun. The prices are pretty steep…”
“It’s fine. It’s good to save gold, but we need to splurge like this sometimes.”
Or so I said. In truth, now that we were in a high-end pub, I intended to get my money’s worth. The reason I’d activated my Third Eye was to gather as much valuable information as I could. If I happened to stumble upon one good piece of intel, it would be a profitable venture indeed.
Without looking back at Hayeon, I quietly closed my eyes. She must have realized I was concentrating on something, as she gently released the arm she was holding. I then began to slowly scan the entire first floor.
“……”
Just as I thought. I confirmed that two tables were covered by an intangible barrier. One was at a relatively close table to our side. Judging by the mediocre quality of the Blocking Field, they didn't seem to be very high-level Users. The other one, however, was distinctly different. It was at the far end of the room, diagonally across from us, and the barrier was considerably thick.
To cast a Blocking Field of that strength, their sheer magic power had to be roughly on par with Vivian’s. I was intensely curious who they might be, but I decided to save the pleasure of finding out for later. For now, I quietly stirred my magic power and sent it flowing toward the pub floor. Soon, the magic that seeped into the floor formed a single stem, which then split into two branches, each extending toward its target.
The action I was about to perform using my magic was called Occupy. The second stage of magic emission. To put it simply, I was going to make my magic melt into the field they had cast and seize control of the area. The moment my magic mixed in and took over the domain, a sort of passage would be created in the Blocking Field. In other words, if I could just open that passage, I alone would be able to hear the conversations happening inside.
Of course, two major conditions had to be met. First, my magic power had to be overwhelmingly greater than that of the User who cast the spell. Second, my magic control had to be exceptionally good. I had to blend in stealthily without disturbing the flow of the spell. If I approached too cautiously and fumbled, the opposing mage would likely notice. I needed to envelop them in an instant, before they even had a chance to sense that something was wrong.
In my first life, I had reached the realm of a Sword Master with a Magic Power stat of 48. While there was no set line for becoming a Sword Master based on stats, there was still an average. Considering that average was in the mid-to-late 70s, I was definitely an exception. Back then, I had eventually given up on raising my Magic Power stat, which wouldn’t budge no matter how hard I tried, and as a backup plan, I had practiced my control to death.
I could now handle my current Magic Power stat of 96 without difficulty. And thanks to the painstaking efforts of my first life, I had the ability to put into practice the things I had only ever been able to imagine.
I composed myself and focused all my attention on the extending stems of magic. The first stem reached the table to our side. It discreetly burrowed into the faint Blocking Field. At that moment, I matched the flow of magic just as I had read it with my Third Eye, and smoothly melted into the intangible barrier. And then…
“…It’s not like that. It’s an open secret anyway.”
“That’s true.”
Soon, I was able to follow the flow of magic without much trouble. A sideways glance revealed the Users, still talking with serious expressions. Now that the passage was open, all I had to do was listen. I could already hear them faintly, but I quickly drew my magic toward my ears.
“Something doesn’t feel right. It seems like they’ve been suppressing a lot of things, both known and unknown.”
“Ah, this is driving me crazy. What do we do? This is a real disaster. It was just the other day he was boasting that they’d succeed, I still can’t believe it.”
“Ha. My friend joined the expedition team, too. I don’t know what happened to him. Oh, did you hear? They said only three distress calls have come in so far.”
“Excluding duplicate signals?”
“Yeah. I overheard one of our clan’s senior executives talking. They said it was practically a total wipeout.”
“No way. That can’t be right. A wipeout is too much. They were from all the top clans, and they took only their elites. How could they fall so meaninglessly? It hasn’t even been a week.”
“I don’t know. I just overheard it.”
After listening for a while, I immediately withdrew my magic from their area. I’d heard some talk about the expedition, but it was nothing of substance. So this time, I decided to focus on the table diagonally across from us. It was much thicker, so I felt a bit tense, but I had my magic stem gently wrap around the barrier, like a Venus flytrap catching an insect.
Since they were quite a distance away, I focused my hearing even more intently in their direction. Various sounds flooded in simultaneously, and a sharp voice struck my ears. Besides that, there was a cold woman’s voice and a man’s low-pitched voice.
“Where did you hear that?”
“It’s what the User who sent the first distress call said. We barely managed to get our hands on it. Of course, he was rambling, so it’s hard to take it at face value. But if you piece it together, it seems like there’s been no contact with the advance party at all.”
“Really? So you’re saying they were all wiped out? Not a single one left?”
“There’s a high probability. Wasn’t Park Hyunwoo leading the advance party? Tsk, tsk. Acting all high and mighty because he was an executive, and now he’s gone in an instant.”
“Park Hyunwoo? Ah. But a guy like him seems like he’d be able to make it back alive. What about the main force and the supply unit?”
“I don’t know that much. I just don’t understand why they split the main force and the supply unit in the first place.”
“Wasn’t it to have the advance party scout a safe path? I heard the main force was to clean up the stragglers, and the supply unit was separated to secure the route.”
“That’s why it’s stupid. Just how sky-high was their confidence to arrange their formation in a way that was perfect for getting killed? Hahaha.”
“You… seem to be enjoying this a little too much.”
“Hehe. Why? It’s satisfying, isn’t it? Pfft.”
“In that case, I should make you feel even better.”
“What is it, what is it? Tell me.”
“This is top-secret. Apparently, one of the distress calls came from a User in the main force. And in the main force, that Golden Lion Clan…”
“Wait. Lee Chan-woo. Shut your mouth.”
“Huh?”
“Hey. The Blocking Field right now…”
Just as I was listening intently, the conversation was abruptly cut off. I reflexively withdrew the magic I had connected. It seemed there was a mage with a Magic Power stat in the high 80s or even over 90. If it was over 90, there’s no way I wouldn’t know them. I tilted my head for a moment, but soon a disappointed sigh escaped me.
I had been getting my hopes up when they said it was top-secret information, but it seemed a sharp User had noticed me. Still, since I already knew the future, it would have just been a simple confirmation of facts. I decided to let it go. I had already confirmed the information I wanted to, so I had no major regrets.
“Phew.”
“Kim Soohyun. Why the sigh?”
“I’m hungry.”
“Hmm. Come to think of it, I’m hungry too. I hope the food comes out soon.”
Vivian nodded with a solemn expression. I wanted to ask how her research was going, but I decided against it. Seeing her react to my sigh after being so engrossed in her research, it seemed she was being mindful of me in her own way.
“Did you order?”
“Yeah. Oppa. We decided to just get something simple.”
There was a strange thorn in Yoojung’s voice. Seeing her shoot a glare at Hayeon, it seemed her spirit of frugality had been exercised once again. Another sigh, this one with good reason, escaped my lips. Of course, it wasn’t a sigh directed at Hayeon, but at the others.
Just then, as if the food was ready, a waitress I hadn’t seen before approached our table with a lilting gait. She probably saw our group and, thinking she could get a big tip, snatched the order. This kind of tyranny existed everywhere. The waitress who first guided us was probably crying somewhere right now.
“Oppa~. Unni~. Your food is here~.”
Despite having stolen the order, the waitress beamed as she placed the tray on the table. It struck me again that a common trait of expensive restaurants is their incredibly small portions. On the tray before us were eight sandwiches, each the size of a woman’s palm, and eight cookies. There were eight of us. Who was this supposed to feed?
I licked my lips and lightly flicked my finger. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to stiff her out of spite, but it wasn’t my place to interfere. With a practiced hand, the waitress snatched the coin that flew up. When she looked at her palm, her face bloomed. The tip I gave her was 1 silver. Seeing her bright smile, I was suddenly reminded of Ahn Hyun kicking around gold coins and jewels. Was that during the Chaos Mimic incident?
“Oppa, you’re so cool! Thank you! Thank you so much! Enjoy your meal, and if you need anything else, please call for me!”
With an excited face, she bowed deeply and then ran off with steps so light she seemed to be flying. Even though the tray was on the table, no one reached for the food. I really wish they would fix this habit. I’d mentioned it once before, but they all just smiled vaguely and no one listened. According to a secret tip from Shin Sangyong, the female Users in the clan apparently wanted to see my vaguely flustered expression whenever they started a meal.
Hayeon picked up a fork and neatly speared a sandwich. It was so small that it stood up straight without drooping. Holding it, she slowly closed the distance to my mouth and spoke.
“We’re not going to be here long anyway. I think it’s better to just have a light snack here and eat a proper dinner at the inn.”
“Hm? Ah, yes. I see.”
“I heard the Honey Meat Sandwich here is very delicious. I haven’t tried it, but they say it has a taste quite similar to the honey we had on Earth, just as the name suggests. Here, have a bite.”
“““……”””
Lately, or rather, ever since Ko Yeonju’s recruitment was confirmed, Hayeon’s actions had been growing progressively bolder. And seeing this, Ko Yeonju suddenly cracked her neck. I could see the corners of Lee Yoojung’s eyes curve up slightly. Ahn Sol took out her Improved Guardian Shield and gripped it tightly, as if afraid it would break. Vivian was just drooling, her eyes fixed on the sandwich.
“I-I’ll eat it myself. Please give me the fork.”
Only after snatching the fork from her was I barely able to suppress their actions and glares. And as Shin Sangyong watched this scene unfold, I could have sworn I saw a thick bead of sweat roll down his head.