Chapter 369
Chapter 369
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 370
Chapter Title: The Wizards' Association President's Office
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Chapter 370
Top floor of the Wizards' Association, the 'President's Office.'
Kim Jin-cheol was receiving Kim Deok-hyeon's report while gazing out the window with a clear view of downtown Seoul.
“President, the intelligence agency reports that they've failed to track the disaster-grade beast.”
The intelligence agency, an organization under the Wizards' Association.
It was famous for never losing track of a beast once it had latched onto its trail, thanks to the secret magitech device 'Eye of the World' that could detect a beast's mana.
At Kim Deok-hyeon's report, Kim Jin-cheol showed a slightly surprised expression.
“...The intelligence agency lost it? Impressive. I never imagined it could shake off the Eye of the World.”
“I didn't expect it either. It must have completely erased its presence and mana using some method.”
Erasing one's presence is basic training for any pro wizard.
But beasts are different.
Even with 'camouflage,' the innate presence and mana they possess meant there were limits to fooling the Eye of the World completely.
“As expected, it's no ordinary beast.”
“But President. Are you really planning to take it down alone?”
Kim Jin-cheol nodded at Kim Deok-hyeon's question.
“Yeah. If people tag along to help, it'll just distract me and make things more annoying. I prefer going solo.”
Kim Deok-hyeon shut his mouth. With Kim Jin-cheol speaking so firmly, he had nothing more to say.
If it were anyone else, he might have tried to persuade them further, but the opponent was Kim Jin-cheol, called the world's strongest wizard.
He couldn't even picture Kim Jin-cheol losing, even if five disaster-grade beasts teamed up.
“Well, don't worry too much. I've lived my whole life without ever knowing defeat. Heh heh.”
With a chuckle like that, he muttered softly.
“More importantly, what bothers me is that 'judgment' the thing mentioned.”
That a disaster-grade beast was an apostle of mystery was something he'd vaguely known while studying the world's laws.
He also knew what the 'judgment' it spoke of meant.
It was probably an act to preemptively eliminate the buds of existences threatening the world's laws.
What he was curious about was who that 'bud' was that the world feared.
The candidates that came to mind right away were three.
Lee Seo-jun, Kim Chang-hyun. And... Kim Sun-woo.
“...I wonder who. Maybe that guy after all.”
“Hm?”
Kim Deok-hyeon asked at Kim Jin-cheol's mutter.
“Nothing. Don't mind it.”
Kim Deok-hyeon felt a twinge of doubt but soon nodded.
“Oh, and we've scheduled the subjugation of the hidden S-Rank demon uncovered through the secret document investigation. It's tomorrow at 10 PM.”
“That took longer than expected.”
“Gathering solid evidence for the operation took more time than anticipated.”
“It's fine. Better to be thorough and safe than rush it. So, what's the guy's identity?”
Kim Deok-hyeon handed over a document.
Kim Jin-cheol took it and read through the contents carefully.
Inside was a photo of a woman with a glamorous appearance.
Kim Jin-cheol smirked at the photo. It was a face he recognized.
“Elina Kim, owner of the Cheongil Opera.”
“...This is interesting. Who would've thought the famous singer who once shook Korea would be an S-Rank demon.”
Kim Jin-cheol let out a small laugh.
The Wizards' Academy, having finished its second midterms, was abuzz with preparations for the school festival, the 'Taehwi Festival.'
Decorations to beautifully adorn the streets and parks for the school were starting to appear, and the students were spending busy yet enjoyable days practicing for the events they'd participate in at the Taehwi Festival.
Even the third-years, busy preparing for the pro wizard qualification exam, were no exception.
As it was their last festival, they all had to join the cultural arts contest and were having hectic days.
And.
“...Why do I have to do this?”
Yoo Ah-ra, forced to participate in the third-year play—a Taehwi Festival tradition held every year—was venting her complaints while sitting at a restaurant.
In her hand was a script titled *Four Systems*.
“Keuk keuk keuk. It's a Taehwi Festival tradition. Since you're doing it, go all out. You even got a cool role.”
Shin Young-jun spoke with a teasing laugh.
As he said, *Four Systems*, the play depicting the life of the great wizard 'Taehwi,' was a tradition passed down to third-years every year.
After all, the Taehwi Festival celebrated the birth of Taehwi, who had established the four systems of magic 150 years ago.
“I don't know how to act at all.”
For reference, Yoo Ah-ra had been assigned the role of Taehwi's arch-nemesis from 150 years ago, the 'Witch of Death,' who terrorized the world.
It was a role requiring some charisma, and it suited Yoo Ah-ra pretty well.
Including her perennial runner-up status, always losing to 'Taehwi' in the end.
At Yoo Ah-ra's deep sigh, Lee Seo-jun, who had the role of the 'Great Wizard Taehwi' in *Four Systems*, gave a wry smile.
“Yeah. I'm terrible at acting too, so we're in trouble.”
With a sigh uncharacteristic of Lee Seo-jun, he turned his gaze to me.
“Sun-woo. You're good at acting. Got any tips?”
“...Tips? I don't know either.”
The inspired acting(?) I'd shown in disguise class was thanks to [Overimmersion].
“What? So it's just natural talent? Well, you'll be fine since you're good at it.”
“Oh, right! Kim Sun-woo, you're in it too?”
“Huh? Even you, Sunbae?”
Shin Young-jun, Choi Seo-yoon, and Yoon Ha-young's gazes focused on me.
I met their eyes and nodded.
“...Somehow I ended up joining too.”
I could've refused if I'd really wanted to.
But there were the theater team's repeated earnest pleas, and I wanted Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra to get the [Luck Stone], the first prize in the cultural arts contest.
Plus, the 'points' I could gain from this outcome were dangling temptingly before my eyes.
I'd even filmed a documentary for points, so what's a play?
“What's your role?”
“Porter.”
In *Four Systems*, it's the henchman of the Witch of Death, meeting a miserable end at Taehwi's hands.
It might seem insignificant, but thanks to the tenacious personality and the pitifulness of getting beaten regularly by both Taehwi and the Witch of Death, it had a subtle fanbase(?) and was a popular role.
I don't know why it got assigned to me of all people, but since the screen time is minimal in the story, I'll be satisfied.
“...Wow. I'm looking forward to it. I like that porter.”
Choi Seo-yoon looked at me with sparkling eyes.
Meeting that gaze full of anticipation brought an indescribable deep sense of pressure.
“But where are the other sunbaes performing? Third-years have to participate in the contest, right?”
Choi Seo-yoon asked Yoon Ha-young and Shin Young-jun.
“I'm in the practical arts contest. I'm pretty confident in that.”
“I'm doing the singing contest.”
At Shin Young-jun's words, Lee Seo-jun grinned mischievously.
“You're terrible at singing.”
“Hey. Singing is about confidence.”
As Shin Young-jun shot back, Choi Seo-yoon blinked.
“...Sunbae, you're doing the singing contest too? I'm entering that one.”
“Really?”
Everyone showed surprised expressions. I was a bit surprised too.
In the original story, Choi Seo-yoon hadn't entered the singing contest.
“But why enter? Second-years don't have to, right?”
“Uh, well... People around me kept egging me on, so I got forced into it.”
Choi Seo-yoon gave an embarrassed smile as she looked at us.
Just then, by pure coincidence, our eyes met. But only for a moment. She suspiciously avoided my gaze.
What?
Then Yoon Ha-young asked.
“Wow, Seo-yoon, are you good at singing?”
“...Hmm. Average? I don't really know.”
“Saying average means you're probably good. Decided what to sing?”
“I have, but I'll tell you later.”
At Choi Seo-yoon's words, Shin Young-jun narrowed his eyes.
“Hey. I'm singing too—why treat her different from me?”
“It's about expectations.”
Lee Seo-jun said with a playful smile. Then he turned to me.
“Right. *Four Systems* practice after school today, yeah? What time you coming?”
“I'm not going.”
“Huh? Why?”
“As a condition for joining the play, I negotiated to skip all practices.”
We're approaching a plot point where various incidents will erupt soon. I don't have time to waste on acting practice.
Sorry to the others, but my priorities are elsewhere.
At my words, Lee Seo-jun looked puzzled.
“Still, shouldn't you memorize the script?”
I smirked and answered his question.
“I've already memorized the whole script.”
Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra's eyes went wide at my words.
“You got it today?”
After all classes ended, after school.
While everyone was busy with Taehwi Festival prep, I returned to the dorm alone and stood by the window, gazing up at the night sky.
Winter was approaching, so the sky had already darkened to pitch black. Amid it floated a single round moon.
[Moonlight received.]
['Embrace of the Moon' effect activates.]
[All recovery and resistance effects increased by 200%.]
[All stats quadrupled.]
I clenched and unclenched my fist, feeling the energy rampaging inside my body.
Today was the once-a-month important day when I received the 'Moonlight' effect.
As an SS-Rank trait, to pull its full potential, I needed to be active on full moon nights.
I looked again at the document in my hand.
[Elina Kim]
[36 years old, female]
[CEO of Cheongil Opera]