Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Decoys
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After Panpan, Lee Si-woo also proclaimed his innocence, causing Yahalong to shout, his blue skin flushing red with agitation.
“Then how did those mages find out and come flocking here?! We're the only ones who know the location of these ruins...”
Lee Si-woo cut Yahalong off without a shred of mercy.
“Yahalong, calm down and take a close look at the entrance to the ruins. You'll see. We weren't the only ones who knew about this place.”
Seemingly calmed by Si-woo's composed and gentle voice, Yahalong examined the entrance to the ruins.
A massive black door stood proudly on one face of the rocky mountain.
Yahalong stared blankly at the door, which was adorned with a golden magic circle, and then gasped.
“The magic circle... it's been changed?”
Even though Yahalong was a pure-blooded mage from the Senior Magic Tower, he was still just a fledgling 2nd Circle Expert.
As a result, he had lost his composure and judgment in the rapidly changing situation, failing to carefully assess his surroundings.
So much so that he hadn't even noticed the magic circle at the entrance had been replaced entirely.
Yahalong examined the door, his expression grave.
'I thought someone had leaked the ruins' location, breaking the concealment magic my family had placed and exposing the door. But that wasn't it. This door... someone has already been inside. No, more than that, they tried to replace the concealment magic circle with a different one.'
Yahalong's knowledge of magic circles was still insufficient to identify the altered one, but given that the concealment spell had been broken, it seemed someone had attempted to destroy the entrance.
Otherwise, there would have been no reason to tamper with the magic circle of a well-hidden and preserved entrance.
He was just inexperienced; Yahalong wasn't a lost cause by nature.
Once he focused, he not only grasped the context but also began to understand how the situation was unfolding.
'One thing is certain, though: the people who were in the ruins before we arrived probably aren't the ones who leaked its location. Those who were trying to smash the entrance to bits wouldn't have run their mouths before finishing the job. This means... someone backstabbed both them and us.'
Yahalong's gaze drifted unconsciously toward Lee Si-woo.
At first, he'd thought Si-woo was just a useful fellow, a winner of the selection tournament, but the more time he spent with him, the more extraordinary he seemed.
His Talent, which had barely been able to handle a 2nd Circle Beginner during the tournament, had grown so rapidly that even Yahalong felt threatened. His divination to avert crises and the mind-reading that had killed a comrade in a single blow were enough to give him chills.
'This is bad. This is very bad. I could end up doing all the work just for someone else to reap the rewards. Besides, even if it's just a hunch, I feel like Si-woo was the one who spread the rumor about the ruins. Reasons aside, he's the most suspicious person around me right now.'
Yahalong had been fond of Lee Si-woo, but that was only when Si-woo was a pawn he could control.
He had wanted a capable subordinate who was easy to handle and exploit, not some enigmatic, unidentified bastard.
'No matter what anyone says, the Elemental Stone is mine. If anyone gets in the way of me obtaining it...'
Yahalong clenched and unclenched his fists, a sinister light glinting in his eyes.
Yahalong probably never imagined it.
That as he was sharpening a blade of intent deep within his heart, Lee Si-woo was already seeing through the colors of his emotions with his three-star Talent, Antennae.
Watching Yahalong from the corner of his eye, Lee Si-woo leaned his head against a tree and collected his thoughts.
'Red for anger and a dark green for selfish greed... a mix of both...'
His mind made up, Lee Si-woo retracted the thin, transparent, thread-like antennae from his forehead and spoke.
“There were people trying to destroy the ruins.”
As Lee Si-woo began, the attention of both Panpan and Yahalong turned to him.
Si-woo walked leisurely between them as he continued.
“But they failed. Someone revealed the ruins' location, messing up their plans. So, why would they want to destroy the ruins in the first place?”
Panpan, who had been cautiously watching to see if Yahalong's anger had subsided, spoke up carefully.
“Wasn't it to monopolize the Elemental Stone that's supposed to form inside?”
Lee Si-woo smiled and nodded.
“Exactly. So, be careful, Yahalong. Since this was your family's training ground, I assume you have a map of the interior...”
At the mention of a map, Yahalong's expression subtly hardened.
Indeed, he had thrown a fit and wheedled a map out of his grandfather the moment he'd entered the mountain range.
'...Damn perceptive bastard.'
Lee Si-woo looked at Yahalong's sullen face with unwavering eyes and continued.
“The hidden enemies will surely try to interfere with any mages attempting to get the Elemental Stone.”
Yahalong scoffed.
“To hear you talk, one might think you're going off on your own.”
“You'd be right. I'm not going.”
At Lee Si-woo's bombshell of a statement, Yahalong's expression turned peculiar.
He couldn't fathom what scheme this crazy bastard was plotting.
“You're not going? Why?”
“Because someone has to lead the pursuer away.”
“The pursuer? Haven't we already lost them? With this many mages around, there's no reason for them to chase small fry like us, is there?”
“This pursuer is obsessed enough to plant a mechanical centipede in Van's head. They won't give up that easily. So, for a successful expedition to get the Elemental Stone, someone needs to act as a decoy. And with my ability to use divination, I'm the most suitable for that role.”
Yahalong was speechless.
His mind was in turmoil.
He never expected Lee Si-woo, the very person he suspected, to make such a move.
While Yahalong struggled to sort through the tangled mess of his thoughts and emotions, Lee Si-woo took an emerald necklace from his inventory ring and handed it to Panpan.
“Panpan, take this. It's a necklace of tranquility I made using my divination. My skills are still lacking, so it won't be a huge help, but it's better than nothing.”
Deeply moved that Si-woo was not only acting as a decoy but also offering him a necklace imbued with mystical magic, Panpan's face crumpled as he spoke.
“Oh, Sir Si-woo. Please don't do this, let's go together. It's for the best. I wasn't that interested in the Elemental Stone anyway, so I'll follow you and help however I can.”
Was Panpan's seemingly genuine concern for him unexpected?
Lee Si-woo gazed at Panpan silently, his eyes deep and profound.
Panpan seemed burdened by Si-woo's gaze, which felt like it could pierce right through to his soul, and he averted his eyes, glancing away.
Seizing that brief moment, Lee Si-woo summoned his translucent antennae and peered into Panpan's emotions.
'Purple for corruption and decay? Interesting. Just like a goblin, trying to pull a fast one. It's almost cute.'
Panpan was probably being sincere when he said he wasn't interested in the Elemental Stone.
A timid goblin like him would never dare to covet an Elemental Stone sought after by so many brilliant talents.
But a goblin so cowardly he'd pass up treasure was now willing to risk danger to help him?
Not a chance. He would undoubtedly use Si-woo as bait and slip away at the first opportunity.
Lee Si-woo said with a slight smile.
“Panpan, I truly appreciate the sentiment, but why should two of us foolishly walk into the jaws of death? Don't worry about me. Go with Yahalong. His path won't be easy either, so he'll need someone to assist him...”
Despite Si-woo's kind words, Panpan couldn't let it go, his eyes as pitiful as an abandoned puppy's.
“But still, to let you go alone...”
As Panpan continued to cling to Si-woo, Yahalong, guessing his true intentions, frowned and called out in a heavy voice.
“Panpan, that's enough. Si-woo said he's fine. Or... surely you don't want to avoid going with me?”
At Yahalong's insinuation, Panpan jumped up in a fluster.
“What? What are you saying? Of course not!”
“Then be quiet and follow me. Before I lose my temper.”
Forced by Yahalong, Panpan lowered his head with a sullen look.
“...Understood.”
Watching Panpan, Lee Si-woo smiled to himself.
'He's just trying to cover his bases, afraid Yahalong might retaliate later. But what can you do? I'm the one who'll be in trouble if you don't go with him.'
The cord of the necklace of tranquility that Lee Si-woo had given Panpan was made from the wreckage of the mechanical centipede.
In other words, it was the perfect item to attract the pursuer's attention.
Of course, that didn't mean Si-woo had lied.
The gem itself had been crafted with the sincere wish for the wearer's well-being.
It was unfortunate for Panpan and Yahalong, but what could be done?
The most effective lies are always mixed with a little truth.
As Yahalong stared at Lee Si-woo with a complicated expression, a tremendous roar echoed through the air.
*CRASH!*
The mages gathered at the entrance finally broke down the door, and the passage swung wide open.
Yahalong glanced back at the entrance like a puppy desperate for a treat, and Lee Si-woo spoke with a good-natured smile.
“Go on. Leave the rear to me. Just remember one thing: what I did for you today, Yahalong.”
Seemingly moved by Si-woo's words, which sounded like those of a supporting character sacrificing himself for the hero in a movie, Yahalong replied with a solemn face.
“Don't worry. I will never forget this. Just make sure you survive. If I get the Elemental Stone and make it out of these mountains, I'll take care of you from now on.”
Panpan, inwardly grumbling at the cringeworthy display between the two men, narrowed his eyes as he saw Lee Si-woo's expression.
Why was that?
Why did he have this nagging feeling, like going to the bathroom and forgetting the toilet paper?
Something about Si-woo's cheerful eye-smile rubbed Panpan the wrong way.
* * *
The moment the door to the ruins shattered, mages swarmed in like a pack of hyenas.
Staring into the dark passage, which resembled a sealed tunnel devoid of light, the mages exchanged hesitant glances.
The thick darkness of the tunnel, like the waiting maw of a wolf, held them back.
Just as no one dared to take the first step, a blue-skinned troll and a goblin dashed into the ruins.
Yahalong and Panpan, who knew the layout of the ruins, had taken the lead.
Their movement was like the pulling of a trigger.
Mages poured into the ruins like a pack of dogs in heat.
Yoana, who had just arrived at the scene of chaos, tilted her head.
The trace on her tracking system had split into two paths.
'One of the three traces has split off. Two lead to the ruins, and one to the mountain's peak... Which one is Moomyun? Who should I follow?'
As Yoana deliberated, a musical note icon appeared in the corner of her vision, and a ringtone echoed in her mind.
*Trill.*
Pressing a spot behind her ear to answer the call, Yoana asked in a dry, mechanical voice.
“What is it?”
A gruff voice with a rigid tone answered her question.
“Lady Yoana, the Spider Matriarch has given an order: annihilate every last one of the insects who have trespassed in the ruins, not knowing their place.”
After a brief silence, Yoana asked.
“What about the Elemental Stone?”
“It is the Matriarch's will that the sealing of the ruins must proceed flawlessly, even if it means losing the Elemental Stone.”
“Reinforcements? Surely you don't expect me to handle all those mages by myself?”
“There are no reinforcements. Additional personnel are unable to enter due to the barrier... However, do not worry. We have released a portion of the Parasite's living tissue inside the ruins.”
At the mention of the Parasite, Yoana couldn't hide her shock.
Yoana asked back, her voice grave.
“You released the Parasite, one of the Four Calamities of the Infinite Worlds? Even if it's just a portion... did the Matriarch approve this?”
“Yes. This should tell you how displeased the Matriarch is with the insignificant creatures who dared to invade Moomyun's ruins.”
“If anything goes wrong, this entire mountain range could become a land of death.”
“It will be fine. It is only a portion of the tissue, so its lifespan will last until tomorrow at the latest. All you need to do, Lady Yoana, is clean up any who manage to escape the Parasite.”
“...Understood. I'll see to it.”
Ending the call, Yoana turned her gaze toward the ruins.
A constant stream of people flowed into the ruins.
Watching them fly toward the flame, ignorant of their fate like moths, Yoana let out a low groan.
Her tracking system had picked up traces of the brainwashing bug.
'Even the remains of the brainwashing bug lead to the ruins? I suppose... I have no choice.'
For a moment, her gaze flickered toward the mountain peak where Lee Si-woo's trail led, but it quickly returned.
With every sign pointing her toward the ruins, considering another path was pointless.
'First, I'll deal with the ruins.'
Yoana started walking toward the ruins.
Lee Si-woo had used Panpan and Yahalong as bait to survive, and his plan had succeeded.
And that wasn't all.
By revealing the location of the ruins, he had passed off the danger that might have befallen him onto countless others.
It was a move to eliminate as many potential threats as possible, in case he himself had to enter the ruins the next day.
Yes, even if it meant turning the ruins into a tomb.