Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Law of Total Luck - 3
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"Ho... what's this?"
"Do you know something about it?"
Spirits really were spirits, huh?
He looked a bit unhinged, but he'd figured out the situation in an instant.
"Hm. It's not uncommon for entertainers to tamper with luck to seize opportunities. But what does that have to do with me?"
"I want you to take on the price they should pay instead."
"Ha. Why should I? Sure, I love virgins. But that doesn't mean I'd accept just any virgin tainted by magic, does it?"
Damn, he's picky.
"Fine. Tell me your conditions."
"Heh heh. All of you must remain virgins for life, with no men in your lives."
This crazy bastard!
"Hey, hey. Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"That's what happens when you defy causality. If you don't like it, forget it."
"..."
"Or there's another way."
He smirked.
A sleazy grin spread across the unicorn's muzzle.
I wondered how a horse head could pull off a smile like that, but...
"If you three surrender your virginity to me, I'll take on the price. How about it?"
Makes me crave some horse meat.
"No. Wait. Don't you love virgins?"
"Exactly. I love them so much I want to make them mine."
"Room for negotiation?"
"None!"
Got it.
Normally, I'd have to endure a boring, pretentious debate, coaxing and persuading him.
"Then die."
A top mage always has a Plan B.
I summoned Arthur right away.
"Puhihihihi!! Evil wizard! You thought those like you were gone?! Eek! Let go! You filthy shadow!! Only pure women can touch my body!!"
-Grrrrr!!
Arthur looked pissed too, so I needed to end this quick.
Spirit or not, this thing counted as a beast in monstrous form.
Perfect. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio had just the spell.
"Mencius said: Beasts lack benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and holiness; they know no joy, anger, love, hate, desire, shame—they differ from humans."
Light from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio enveloped the unicorn.
It was a spell that defined beasts as separate from humans, preventing them from daring to attack us.
"Pathetic!!"
The unicorn's horn glowed, resisting my magic.
"You think I'll fear this petty spell?!"
"Nah. Not scared of you specifically—just protecting these folks."
Getting caught in the unicorn's magic would be a headache.
He resisted a few more times but eventually fell under the spell.
"You who would deceive good women, like the demon O Tong-sin. In Man's name, I banish you here."
According to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, the demon O Tong-sin tried to rape a woman but was slain by Man, master archer.
The spell manifested based on that legend.
"Kyaak?! Th-that's?!"
Now he sensed the danger.
Pinioned by Arthur, the unicorn trembled in terror.
"W-wait! Let's talk! Solve this with words!!"
You little shit.
"Too late, asshole."
I mimed drawing a bow and nocked an arrow.
In an instant, a light arrow materialized from thin air, flashing straight through the unicorn's forehead.
And that was it.
The unicorn's body melted into light.
-Thud.
All that remained was its single horn.
I picked it up and turned to the three.
"Wh-what happened?"
"Is... is this okay?"
"That was scary..."
"Sorry. I thought he was a useful spirit, but he pulled this crap."
"N-no."
"Mr. Mage decided for our sake..."
"Hng... Mr. Mage. That was scary..."
Looking at the teary-eyed trio, I thought.
Plan Unicorn failed.
But no real problem.
"A unicorn horn is valuable material and perfect payment for this mess. So let's try another way."
"Another way...?"
"We'll summon a demon."
"What?! B-but aren't demons dangerous?"
Of course.
But that's only if you're clueless contracting one. A mage like me can do it safely.
"Summoning the unicorn first was partly to snag this if things went south. With it, no issues."
Even with a dragon horn instead, an ignorant fool could get screwed by a demon.
But a knowledgeable mage? No worries.
Like buying a used car with an expert along—you won't get ripped off.
"Ah. Um. R-right."
"Okay, let's summon a demon then."
I drew the magic circle and placed the summoning materials.
First, for a demon without malice toward humans: Offer human-made goods.
"This cake from the fridge. Mind if I use it?"
"Huh? Sure."
"And... this Ottogi Three-Minute Curry. That too."
"You use stuff like that for demon summoning?"
"It's human-made spices. Demons love scents."
I added sulfur and extras for insurance inside the circle.
"In the name of the Great Lord, I call the nine thousand nine hundred demons of Hell. Let one come forth to converse."
Chanting from Secrets of Light and Shadow, light burst from the circle.
A thick rose scent filled the room.
It was a female demon with a spear.
A beauty in rose-red hair and armor.
Her dangerously alluring charm could captivate men—and women alike. I turned away immediately.
"...Hey. You know me, right?"
"...Wrong person."
Leraje.
Why the hell did she show up?
"Hey! You bastard! You dare summon me!? I was bored today—perfect! You punk! Rematch!"
"Nah. Pass. You lost last time."
What's the point of beating a loser again?
"You...!! I see that face!! Just you wait!!"
After sending the thrashing Leraje back, I turned around.
The three beauties stared at me awkwardly.
"My spell randomly summons one of Hell's nine thousand nine hundred demons... Plenty of materials left, so another one."
Of all people, why her?
Replenished materials, chanted again.
"Did you summon me? I am Andromalius, demon who served Solomon. Tell me—are you righteous?"
"Oh."
Jackpot this time.
A male demon with a snake coiled around one arm.
Sharp eyes behind thick glasses, looking diligent and serious.
"You who summoned me must be righteous. And those around you have accrued good karma. Yes, summoner. What do you desire?"
Good vibe. This'll work.
"These women suffered unintended magic fallout. Please save them."
"Intended or not, they gained luck through foul means. How is saving them righteous?"
"Debating justice? Then, Earl of Hell—what is justice?"
"Justice is conviction. Justice is goodness. Justice is rightness."
"Justice shifts with eras. But I don't deny your view. I know accruing good karma is justice."
"A summoner who reasons. I thought mages mere con artists cheating God's scales."
"Evil deeds aren't for true men."
Andromalius grinned.
"Good. But this is a deal. A fair price is required."
"How about this?"
I offered the unicorn horn.
Examining it, he smiled.
"Horn of an evildoer. Excellent. For this, I'll bear their impurity. But remember one thing."
"What?"
"I can help because they've good karma. Should it turn to evil, our contract ends."
"Deal."
Andromalius produced parchment.
A demon contract.
Checked for traps—none, true to a justice demon.
"Clean. Ladies, take a look."
Explained the terms.
No virginity clauses like the unicorn.
No soul after death.
Just: Accrue good karma in life.
"Okay..."
Fearful yet careful, they signed the parchment.
It burst into flames upon completion.
"Henceforth, live as worshippers of justice."
With that, he eyed me.
"And you, righteous mage."
"Speak."
"Your path won't be smooth."
"Why?"
"Leraje hunts you."
Ugh.
She's obsessed.
"I'll handle it."
"Beware. The outer realms call you."
Outer realms.
About the new grimoire?
-Woooooong!!!
-Shrarararak!!
My grimoires freaked out, sensing it.
Andromalius chuckled.
"Beloved by grimoires. May justice bless your future."
With that, he returned to Hell.
"Good work, everyone."
"I-is it over?"
"Yes. But accrue good karma from now on."
Per Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, good karma preserves luck; evil brings misfortune.
"Especially Luna. You borrowed future luck, so more for you. You know how scary credit card revolving is, right?"
"Y-yes... But how do we accrue good karma?"
"Simple. Help the needy. Easiest: Donate. Hunter Association aids rift victims—homes lost, families gone, injured. Donate there."
Most transparent spot.
"Volunteer too."
"...Got it."
Luna jotted notes diligently, face serious.
"Mr. Mage, you've helped us so much."
"Brag about it later."
"Huh? Don't people hide stuff like this?"
Why hide?
I worked hard.
"The Lord said not to let your right hand know what the left does. But I'm not that holy."
Attention's always thrilling and fresh.
Why hide this goodness?
"Though... better hide the luck spell part. Say you got cursed, and mage me lifted it."
"Got it...!!"
Luna beamed, relieved no more dangers.
"And a warning."
"...Yes."
"Never use spells like that again. You saw how bad it gets."
"Yes. Never again."
"Never! If sis tries, I'll stop her!"
"Believe us!!"
"Good work, all."
My job was done.
I stood smiling; Luna gently tugged my hem.
"Um... Mr. Mage."
"Heh. Date? Take a number first. Lots want to see me..."
None really.
But gotta play hard to get.
"...Huh?! N-no, not that?! J-just... join our agency? See you often... treat you to dinner as thanks..."
Chimchim soup chugged.
"Wanna go solo for now. Dinner later."
Celebs buy better grub, right?
"Ah... Okay..."
"See ya!!"
Heading home for grilled meat today.
I added a comment.
"Mr. Yoo Wol-young. What're you doing?"
"Ah. Nothing."
"Rift entry soon—focus."
After Poyoo, tackling the tower during break. Association called.
Offered rift run. Hunter itch scratched, accepted quick. Entry imminent.
"Rift newbies, focus!! Rifts are deadly!"
"Yes~."
"This one's easy, no worries! But no freelancing! Keep formation!!"
"Yes~!"
"Entering!"
Twenty-ish folks plunged into the aerial rift.
My turn.
Wonder what a rift's like inside?
Stepped into the ominous tear, another world.
That instant—
-Meeeh~.
An eerie sheep bleat echoed from somewhere.