Chapter 312
Chapter 312
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 313
Chapter Title: The Full Moon Night Begins
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“Why won’t it eat this?”
In a Seoul apartment.
I was looking down at the T-shirt laid out on the floor and the Formless in its basic form placed on top of it.
When it first received clothes, it had devoured them like a living creature, but now it just sat there without eating.
As if it were dead.
[The Formless is feeling full.]
[It refuses to feed.]
“So it’s full, huh.”
Of course. It had eaten five outfits just for design storage. No wonder it was stuffed.
At that moment, the Formless wriggled and spun around with a flourish—whoosh—kicking away the plate(?) T-shirt.
The T-shirt flew at high speed and smacked Gretel right in the face.
Thwack!
“Wah!”
Gretel toppled backward with a thud.
Worried she might have hurt her head, I shot her a concerned glance, and she staggered back to her feet.
“Wah!”
Gretel yelled at the Formless.
Good thing she wasn’t hurt.
I turned my gaze back to the Formless.
It was bent at the edge like a living snake, looking up at me.
“...Hmm. Is it like an ego weapon?”
Among crafted items, some occasionally manifest egos like this the moment they’re named.
Since all magical artifacts contain a ‘mysterious ego,’ it’s not so much that an ego is born, but rather that it becomes able to express its ego outwardly.
And items with such egos have the property of growing on their own.
[Formless (S)]
►Devour
Swallows and grows.
Wearer’s additional mana control ability: 1%
Wearer’s additional stamina recovery ability: 0.1%
Wearer’s additional mana: 0.05
Formless elasticity: 0.6%
Formless ego: 2%
The additional effects born in the Formless were proof of that.
Of course, aside from the 1% boost to mana control from the first feeding, the stats it gained were pathetically low...
But if mana control went up 1% per meal, that would be an absurd cheat item.
“Anyway, this thing’s got some attitude.”
From tossing the clothes just now to being picky with other outfits.
A newborn brat with a nasty personality.
“Come here.”
At my call, the Formless flew over like a magic carpet, wrapped around my waist, and stuck perfectly.
Light poured out, transforming it into everyday clothes.
“It listens well, though.”
Good personality or bad?
I switched it to one of the designs from the clothes I’d fed it beforehand.
In a brief flash, it shifted into a white shirt and dress pants. Even the shoe shape changed.
Like overlaying a new skin.
“Nice.”
For someone like me who uses multiple identities, this was incredibly useful.
Far superior to any other ‘disguise’ clothing effects.
There would be moments during the Full Moon Night when I’d need to switch between Kim Sunwoo and Kim Jinwoo, and this would eliminate a lot of hassle.
Saturday, 10 a.m.
The day of the summer’s biggest event, the ‘Full Moon Night,’ had finally arrived.
With all preparations complete, I arrived at the appointed spot: Incheon International Gate.
“Kim Sunwoo!”
As I scanned the international gate, Lee Seo-jun’s voice rang out.
Kim Deok-hyeon, Jung Hyun-su, Lee Seo-jun, Baek Ye-jin... including them, seven special forces agents were already gathered, waiting for me.
Approaching them, Baek Ye-jin looked me up and down.
“You came dressed pretty casually, junior?”
“No need to dress up formally. It’s just a festival or event, right?”
“Eh, still, lots of people will recognize you. Gotta mind your image.”
She spun around to show off her white dress.
Looking up at me with eyes expectant of praise, I gave her what she wanted.
“Yeah, looks great.”
“...Put some feeling into it if you’re gonna compliment me.”
Baek Ye-jin pouted. Then she lost interest in me and turned to Kim Deok-hyeon.
“Eee~ I’m so excited. Let’s go already, sunbae!”
“You’ve been singing about wanting to go since three days ago... Someone’d think we’re on vacation.”
“Eh, how can people just work? We work and play. And it’s not just anywhere—it’s the floating island where the full moon rises. Isn’t it normal for a wizard to be excited?”
Lee Seo-jun gave her bold words a dubious look.
“What’s a floating island got to do with wizards?”
“It’s a kind of massive ruin, that’s why. You know what a floating island is, right?”
“An island floating in the air.”
“Right. A massive mystery born from nature’s mana disaster.”
As Baek Ye-jin said, the floating island was a mysterious place created by nature’s mana, like the Isle of Mist.
Similar to ruins, but on a grander scale—that makes it easy to understand.
After that, Baek Ye-jin showed off her knowledge.
As expected of someone set up as a history-savvy mystery researcher, her explanation flowed smoothly.
“The floating island was discovered 52 years ago, but it’s still famous for its unsolved secrets because it hasn’t been fully conquered.”
“Why not? It’s been open as a tourist spot for ages.”
One of the special agents chimed in.
“...Sigh. You came without even knowing the background of this op?”
Kim Deok-hyeon cut in exasperatedly. The agent shrugged, looking stung.
“It doesn’t make sense. It’s been a tourist spot for over 50 years and still unconquered?”
“Because of the central island’s barrier.”
“Central island? Oh! You mean the Full Moon Barrier!”
The barrier in the center of the floating island.
The stage for this episode.
This barrier is special.
Made from nature’s mana, it only opens in a specific environment.
And that environment is when the full moon rises.
“Most things you could call ruins on the floating island are inside the Full Moon Barrier. That’s why they remain unconquered.”
“But the full moon rises once a month, not once every ten years. Fifty years should be plenty.”
“That’s because of the Hansung Clan.”
Kim Deok-hyeon said snidely.
“52 years ago, the floating island was discovered, and the Hansung Clan, obsessed with mysteries, bought the whole thing. After that, they controlled access to the barrier—no one got near it.”
“...Why would the Hansung Clan do that?”
“Plenty of reasons. Now they say it was for tourism after it got famous, but the truth is, the Hansung Clan is as mystery-obsessed as the Jaun Clan.”
Kim Deok-hyeon continued.
“That’s why this event draws so much attention from wizards and mystery researchers. After Chairman Han Dae-hyeon’s death, the interior of the Full Moon Barrier—hidden for 50 years—will be revealed for the first time.”
We rode the gate to the floating island.
Cool air, blue skies veiled by clouds, and a blue sea at the edges came into view.
Turning around, buildings adorned with dazzling lights dotted the surroundings.
Trees with unique shapes lined the streets like avenue trees, and not far off, a Ferris wheel spun like at an amusement park.
First impression: as the name suggests, a ‘tourist spot.’
“Wow. Way more sophisticated than I thought.”
“Yeah. Even a Ferris wheel.”
After the Hansung Clan bought it, they turned everything except the central island with the barrier into tourist areas.
That’s why crowds of tourists filled the surroundings.
Of course, more than usual due to the Full Moon Night event.
“Look, it’s the special forces team.”
“Wow... Check out Lee Seo-jun in person.”
“Kim Deok-hyeon’s presence is no joke compared to TV.”
Whispers from tourists who spotted us reached our ears.
The agents, used to this, showed no reaction.
We walked the floating island’s roads to the entrance. A staff member at the gate bowed.
“Welcome to the floating island. Now, please show your tickets.”
We presented Full Moon Night invitations instead of tickets.
Seeing them, the staff said,
“You’re guests invited to the Full Moon Night event.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The staff pulled a paper from their pocket and handed it to us.
“This is a floating island map given only to Full Moon Night invitees. It marks the special lounges and hotels provided for guests, plus ruin sites for personal research.”
“Oh. Ruins!”
Baek Ye-jin snatched a map excitedly. I took one too and checked it.
As promised, hotels and ruins were marked.
There were also special ruins accessible only to VIP invitees.
“This concludes the guidance. You may enter.”
We stepped inside.
The hotel was quite a distance, so we took a floating island shuttle.
About 15 minutes later,
we arrived at the hotel.
“Huge~”
The hotel exceeded my expectations.
Across from it, far in the distance, loomed a massive palace silhouette.
Beside it, countless buildings clustered like an ancient cityscape.
Lee Seo-jun stared blankly and muttered.
“That’s the ‘central island,’ huh?”
“Yeah.”
The island, faintly glowing blue, encircled by the Full Moon Barrier.
Concentric bridges connected it to the floating island.
It evoked the legendary sunken land, ‘Atlantis.’
“Wow. Up close, it really looks like ruins.”
“Yeah. Massive.”
The other agents gazed at the palace in childlike wonder.
“When’s the moon rising?”
“In about 9 hours. They say observation suppression magic makes it appear late.”
Due to the floating island’s mysterious mana, full moons are observed later here than elsewhere.
The mana phenomenon suppresses lunar observation to protect the barrier.
It’s a complex theory to explain, but since it involves ‘mysteries,’ don’t try to grasp it with human common sense.
“Gawking later. Check-in first.”
At Kim Deok-hyeon’s words, we entered the hotel lobby. Countless people filled it.
Star wizards and mystery researchers we’d seen on TV.
“...Kim Deok-hyeon?”
A man approached Kim Deok-hyeon. A familiar face. Lee Seo-jun recognized him too, looking pleased.
“James.”
The man was James, Wigen’s security team leader and a special examiner for the National Magic Games.
“Long time. Six years?”
“About that.”
James and Kim Deok-hyeon had been special agents together in the past.
Not super close, but they’d exchange greetings.
Then James’s gaze turned to me and Lee Seo-jun.
“The stars of the National Magic Games. Heard you joined as special forces trainees. Fancy meeting here.”
“Hello.”
Lee Seo-jun bowed lightly in greeting.
I followed suit.
James smiled faintly and turned back to Kim Deok-hyeon.
“But what brings you here?”
“Invited. Vacation combo. You?”
“Came as a Wigen researcher to investigate the central island. Rare chance.”
“Makes sense for a mystery researcher.”
Kim Deok-hyeon, uninterested in research, responded tepidly.
James smiled lightly.
“Great seeing you. Busy, so I’ll head out. Catch you at the event.”
With that, James vanished somewhere.
Left alone, Baek Ye-jin glanced around and said,
“So, free time now?”
“...Free time? You here to play?”
“Ah, why? Event’s in 6 hours.”
The full moon was 9 hours away, but the event started in 6. Kim Deok-hyeon narrowed his eyes.
“I mean don’t just goof off. Scout around, look for AY’s chairman too.”
“...How do we find Shin Hyun-gyo in this huge place? Wait till the event starts.”
The floating island’s area rivaled Seoul’s.
Even for special agents, eight people couldn’t cover it.
“...Wander freely, but report any suspects.”
“So, act independently?”
At Baek Ye-jin’s words, Kim Deok-hyeon nodded.
“Yeah. Regroup here in 5 hours, generously.”
“Got it. See you.”
“Five hours!”
The agents dispersed one by one.
Lee Seo-jun looked around and said to me,
“Kim Sunwoo. Wanna tour together?”
I shook my head at his offer.
“Nah, gonna go solo.”
“Why? Together’s better. Won’t be boring.”
“I like alone.”
Plus, things to do separately.
He stared at my face, then nodded.
“...Fine. Guess I’ll solo too.”
Lee Seo-jun stretched and headed out.
Soon, only Kim Deok-hyeon and I remained in the lobby. I cleared my throat lightly.
“Ahem. I’ll be off too.”
As I moved to head to my planned spot,
“Kim Sunwoo.”
Kim Deok-hyeon called my name.
I stopped and turned. He eyed me oddly.
“What?”
“...Nothing. What’re you planning for the rest of the time?”
I said casually,
“Just sightseeing.”
Once free from the group, I shifted to Kim Jinwoo’s appearance and headed straight to the [Floating Island Comprehensive Research Lab].
I had an appointment there with Han Se-yeon.
For reference, the [Floating Island Comprehensive Research Lab] was a special area accessible only to VIP invitees.
There, one could view the [Full Moon Barrier Investigation Report]—something poorly handled as a MacGuffin in the original, so I personally wanted to see it.
The reason ‘Kim Jinwoo’ was attending the Full Moon Night event was this VIP invitation.
VIP invites granted major privileges here.
Unrestricted ruin exploration, academic seminars, record access... and deep dives into the central island under the full moon.
“...But I’m lost.”
Thirty minutes into walking toward the Floating Island Comprehensive Research Lab.
The paths were so convoluted, I still hadn’t found the way.
Map was no help.
Grab a random person and ask?
As I scanned for staff,
Far off, I spotted a man in a hat walking.
In that instant, my heart pounded.
A distance invisible to others.
But with Pilgrim’s Blessing, his face was clear.
Before I knew it, my legs instinctively chased after him.
“Kyaa!”
Some people yelped at my movement, but no time to care.
However, only for a moment.
I had to stop.
The man I was tailing vanished in the blink of an eye.
Calming my racing heart, I bit my lip.
“...Why is Kim Chang-hyeon here?”