Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Barrier Stone Deal
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One of the disciples picked it up and brought it to his master.
"Do you know what this is?"
The face of Magic Tower Lord Rodian, who was examining the crystal from every angle, furrowed ever so slightly. The faint flicker in his eyes was profoundly meaningful. But it lasted only an instant, so to everyone else, Rodian appeared utterly impassive throughout.
'What a sly old fox.'
So Gun-ak sensed the aura of a seasoned martial arts master from Rodian. But no one could evade the hawk-like gaze of So Gun-ak. He instinctively knew the Magic Tower Lord recognized the crystal's true nature.
"Where did you get this?"
"I can't say."
He couldn't reveal his subordinates' locations when he didn't even know yet if the thing could be melted down.
"Do you know what it is?"
So Gun-ak stared into Rodian's eyes, urging an answer. Rodian calmly met his gaze, then parted his lips.
"It's a space-time barrier stone."
"What? A space-time barrier stone?"
"Heavens, a fragment this large!"
Not just Rodian, but all six disciples seemed to know it well.
'Jackpot.'
So Gun-ak inwardly cheered. Now that its identity was known, there had to be a way to melt it.
"Can you melt it or cut it?"
The Magic Tower Lord nodded.
"It's possible."
So Gun-ak rose from his seat.
"Let's make a deal."
Irina, who had been sitting there anxiously, jumped in surprise at his abrupt move. How could anyone be this brazen?
"My subordinates are trapped inside that space-time barrier stone. Save them."
Everyone in the conference room was stunned. How could a person even get trapped in a space-time barrier stone?
"What nonsense! A space-time barrier stone only leaves a tiny pinch of powder where a mage teleports from. Occasionally, it forms into a finger-sized pebble, but it never grows large enough to trap a person!"
So Gun-ak deemed Foxcon's shout unworthy of a response and ignored it. His eyes remained fixed on the Magic Tower Lord.
"What's your price?"
At the question, one corner of So Gun-ak's mouth curved upward.
"I'll protect this city."
Magic Tower Lord Rodian smiled as well.
'What an interesting fellow.'
Rodian stood from his seat.
"Shall we talk privately?"
"Gladly."
So Gun-ak followed Rodian to his private chambers. Once they left, the remaining disciples erupted into a cacophony of divided opinions.
"Hah, that guy's obviously lying."
"Not necessarily. We've got a barrier stone this big right in front of us, don't we? Maybe it formed through some new method."
"Ridiculous! Barrier stones only form from teleportation magic."
"Hmm, either way, he doesn't seem like someone sent by the kingdom to steal Logius's core."
"You're seeing it wrong. What mercenary group could possibly defend all of Lights City? He's just bluffing to steal our research data when the chance arises."
"Heh, you seniors didn't see it, so you wouldn't know. I went up to the walls with Master and saw it clearly. If Master makes a deal with him, it'll be a huge help against this orc horde."
"I can't believe he has the power to defend the entire city alone. Did the priestesses assess how much force he commands?"
All eyes turned to Irina. She had magnified her view with magic eyes, but having witnessed his exploits up close, her evaluation would be the most accurate.
Irina tensed as the attention focused on her and answered.
"He handled the Luk Raiders like children."
"Luk Raiders?!"
Luk Raiders were among the top-tier orc warriors. To treat them like children...
"He took down ten of them in an instant. He just reached out his hand, and one dropped with a thud. Turns out he'd thrown a flying dagger."
"He killed a Luk Raider with a throwing knife?"
These were orcs with reflexes surpassing wild beasts. Irina, though not the one acting, got excited recounting it.
"It was incredible. Then he leaped off his horse and dashed over, jumping onto a Luk's back."
"Come on, Irina. Be reasonable. How could a human run faster than a horse?"
Irina's eyes widened in protest.
"It's true! Don't you believe me, Vice Tower Lord?"
Vice Tower Lord Norian, Rodian's eldest disciple, shook his head.
"Keep going."
"Then he drew the greatsword from his back and started slashing through orc warriors like they were nothing. Even their shields couldn't block it."
Everyone could picture So Gun-ak's feats in their minds. Then, the sixth disciple Rolling, who had been with his master on the walls, spoke up.
"I saw the rest. He pulled a small blade and leaped from Luk back to Luk, slitting their throats."
"Huh? Is Luk hide that weak?"
"Even spears can't pierce it easily..."
As the mages expressed doubt, Irina vouched for it.
"Really! I thought I was done for, pinned under a Luk. After he finished the last charging one, he said something to me."
"What?"
All eyes locked on Irina's lips. She savored their anticipation for a moment, pressing her pounding chest, then declared proudly.
"He said he came to save Lights City."
Some clenched their fists in resolve, while others continued shaking their heads in disapproval.
Irina clasped her hands tightly, her expression dreamy as if reliving a fantasy. She seemed to be basking in the lingering thrill.
Armina, the only female among Rodian's disciples and the fifth, who lectured advanced mages on magic theory, gave a knowing chuckle at Irina's demeanor.
"Heh heh. Irina, you've fallen for him, haven't you?"
"Huh? P-Professor, what do you mean?"
Irina snapped to attention and averted her eyes from Armina. Armina and the other mages burst into laughter. They were all too old to care, but Irina was the most beautiful sorceress in the tower—the dream girl of every young male mage.
Moreover, if they knew her true identity, known only to those six and the Tower Lord, the pursuits would intensify. But Irina brushed off every suitor, showing no interest in men.
Nearly every young mage in the tower had courted her, and not one succeeded. Her aloofness only boosted her allure, making her an idol everyone adored but none dared approach.
For such an Irina to lose her heart to a man...
Armina watched the indignant, protesting Irina with fondness.
'Enjoy it while it lasts. These youthful days won't come again.'
Given her status, Irina had likely never felt love for a man. Her only passion was magic. Even if she was past marriageable age, obsessed with spells, it was natural for a twenty-year-old maiden to be drawn to a man.
Especially one who saved her life in a crisis—it was no wonder her heart fluttered.
Armina, who thought of Irina like her own daughter, grew even more curious about this mercenary called So Gun-ak.
Drip, drip.
A pale blue tea poured into the cup, filling the Tower Lord's room with a refreshing aroma. So Gun-ak closed his eyes, savoring it quietly.
The two sat at the table, enjoying their tea in silence. Rodian's face bore an amused smile that wouldn't fade, as if he found something endlessly entertaining.
To Rodian, So Gun-ak seemed utterly unique. His brief combat display evoked a veteran knight, yet now he resembled a scholar appreciating fine tea.
"How's the tea?"
"Excellent. One of the top five I've ever had."
"Hahaha, hearing that makes me want to treat you again sometime."
So Gun-ak merely smiled faintly and sipped his tea.
"Ah, but you probably can't taste any tea from your world again."
At Rodian's words, So Gun-ak froze mid-sip, then set down his cup and met his eyes.
"Where are you from?"
So Gun-ak figured Rodian knew a great deal. Perhaps he could even learn a way back from him.
"From the Central Plains."
"Hmm, the Central Plains... First time seeing someone from another dimension."
"......"
"But there are more like you? Probably the subordinates trapped in the barrier stone?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"A hundred."
"Hmm, one hundred."
Rodian took a sip of tea. So Gun-ak grew impatient in the inscrutable silence, but he waited patiently as well.
"This might sound funny, but how did you get here?"
So Gun-ak hesitated before answering.
"A dragon appeared in our world. Next thing I knew, I was here."
"Hmm..."
Thoughts weighed heavily, breaking the conversation often.
"Do you know what it means to be trapped in a space-time barrier stone?"
"No."
"It means they're caught between your world and ours. They're close to this side but blocked by the final barrier, unable to cross. That's more precise."
"They're alive?"
"Of course. However!"
So Gun-ak tensed. Rodian continued.
"Breaking the barrier stone requires vast materials. If we use everything in the tower, we could save about fifty. But no more..."
"Then just gather more materials."
"Hahaha, we just developed something after years of research—something both kingdoms covet. Even selling it wouldn't cover what you need. The materials are that rare and expensive."
"I have plenty of money."
Rodian looked shocked at So Gun-ak's words. He knew he came from another dimension, but had he brought wealth too?
So Gun-ak planned to fetch the dragon's hoard. Rodian, however, didn't seem to consider that.
Facing Rodian's puzzled expression, So Gun-ak wrestled briefly. Reveal the truth or hide it?
The answer hinged on whether he could trust Rodian.
"I can't say how, but I have enough wealth to buy a kingdom."
Rodian smiled again. Whether bluff or not didn't matter—So Gun-ak would need to produce the money first.
"Very well, I'll grant your request. We'll save fifty first, gather more materials, then rescue the rest."
So Gun-ak shook his head gravely.
Saving fifty first would leave the other fifty vulnerable, their location exposed. Ambitious foes might target them.
"One hundred—no, ninety-nine subordinates. We save them all at once."
Rodian gazed steadily into So Gun-ak's eyes. He saw only unyielding resolve in those deep depths.
"Fine. We'll take the money later. What will you do for us in return?"
So Gun-ak inwardly shouted in triumph. Now he could definitively rescue the Black Dragon Corps trapped in the barrier stone.
What could he offer Rodian and the Lights Magic Tower in exchange? His own strength was all So Gun-ak had to give.
Rodian pressed.
"Show your hand. How much of the orc horde can you stop?"
Rodian wasn't expecting So Gun-ak's personal prowess. He sought the power of those connected to him.
With such boasted wealth, he must have ties to this world's magnates. Rodian guessed So Gun-ak had been here long, given his association with the Red Wolf Mercenaries.
So Gun-ak delivered an answer that met those expectations.
"Not a single orc will cross Lights City's walls."
Rodian smirked at the bold declaration. What a bluff.
"How?"
"Give me a thousand troops. And someone familiar with the Plains of Silence."
"Hmm?"
Rodian gulped his tea in confusion. So Gun-ak wondered if Lights City lacked even a thousand soldiers, looking puzzled.
But Rodian's shock wasn't from lacking troops.
"You're serious?"
"Would I lie?"
Rodian grew bewildered at So Gun-ak's earnest eyes.