Chapter 403
Chapter 403
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 404
Chapter Title: The Archive's Secrets
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Chapter 404
Lunchtime.
Lee Seo-jun, along with Yoo Ah-ra, had come to the employee cafeteria on the eighth floor of the Association.
The employee cafeteria was set up like a buffet, similar to the school cafeteria at the Wizard Academy, but with the difference that top-tier wizard chefs were employed to cater to the picky tastes of the staff and executives.
"By the way, there aren't many people here at this hour."
Lee Seo-jun muttered as he set down his tray and looked around.
Just as he said, despite it being lunchtime when it should be packed, there were plenty of empty seats.
"Everyone's busy with the Ten Demon Society investigation."
"...That's true, but there are way fewer than I expected."
As they chatted like that and sat down at an empty table, someone took a seat right next to me.
I thought it was Yoo Ah-ra, but when I turned my head, it was an unexpected person.
It was Yang Ji-tae, the chief examiner of the professional wizard certification exam and an agent in the Intelligence Team.
"Kim Sun-woo? Congratulations on A-Rank."
"...Ah, yes. Thank you."
I nodded awkwardly at the sudden greeting.
Yang Ji-tae soon turned his gaze to Lee Seo-jun.
"Ah! Congratulations to you too, Lee Seo-jun, on A-Rank. Your performance in the exam was truly impressive. And..."
He shifted his gaze to Yoo Ah-ra, who was sitting across from him.
Yoo Ah-ra met his eyes, and a faint unease rose in hers as she recalled what happened between us that morning.
"Uh, um... Yoo Ah-ra, you got B-Grade, right?"
"...Yes."
Yoo Ah-ra nodded.
"Ahem. Congratulations to you too, Yoo Ah-ra, on becoming a... proper professional wizard."
"...Yes. Thank you."
Yang Ji-tae cleared his throat lightly and turned back to me.
"So, Sun-woo. Have you thought about the proposal I gave you last time?"
"Proposal?"
Lee Seo-jun looked back and forth between me and Yang Ji-tae with puzzled eyes.
"Oh, I didn't mention it? I proposed that Sun-woo join the Intelligence Team. We've prepared better conditions than the Special Task Force."
Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra's eyes widened in complete surprise.
The Intelligence Team had a history of occasionally poaching exceptional talents from the Special Task Force, making it a rather sensitive issue within the Association.
"What? Why didn't you say anything?"
At Lee Seo-jun's question, I let out a small sigh.
"Because I'm not going anyway."
"...Huh?"
Yang Ji-tae narrowed his eyes at my response.
This was a good chance to make it clear.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of joining the Intelligence Team."
"Hmm... May I ask why? I don't think the Intelligence Team is inferior to the Special Task Force in any way."
At those words, I glanced at Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ah-ra.
The reason was obvious: all the main characters were going to be in the Special Task Force.
I had to stay by their sides to follow the story's flow and respond to any potential variables.
Yang Ji-tae saw my expression and looked surprised.
"Is it because of your friends?"
Then Lee Seo-jun spoke up.
"Nah, don't worry about us. I might feel a bit bummed, but we're all in the same Association anyway..."
"What are you saying? I just want to stay in the Special Task Force. No other reason."
...That's what he said, but the look in his eyes told me he didn't quite believe me.
After all we'd been through, I was used to it by now.
Think whatever you want.
Yang Ji-tae let out a short sigh at my firm refusal.
"Hmm. Since you're so decisive, I can't push it. I'll come find you again later when you're less busy."
Yang Ji-tae stood up from his seat.
From his attitude, it seemed he hadn't given up yet.
Not that it would change my decision.
Just then, Yang Ji-tae flashed a small smile once more.
"Oh, and the gift I gave you last time—you can use it freely, regardless of the proposal."
With that, Yang Ji-tae disappeared somewhere.
I watched him go, fiddling quietly with the temporary Intelligence Team ID in my pocket.
After lunch, during the short free time.
['Kim Sun-woo' confirmed.]
Using the temporary Intelligence Team ID, I arrived at the 'Records Archive' on the 24th floor.
I'd always wanted to use the 'Archive,' but until now, I hadn't qualified. Thanks to the Intelligence Team's gift, I could access it legally.
"Amazing."
The entrance barrier faded away. I stepped inside slowly.
Just as described in the original work, the Records Archive was a circular space resembling a cave.
The walls were covered in intricate magic formulas, and at the center sat a massive orb—the core of the Archive.
['Records Vault Entry' achievement unlocked.]
[3,000 points acquired as reward.]
"...Hmph."
As expected, it wasn't an ordinary space, so simply entering granted an achievement.
I dismissed the message and infused mana into the central orb.
['Archive' activated.]
['Please state the name of the document you desire.']
A voice rang in my ear.
I cleared my throat and spoke.
"Spirit Materialization Ritual."
Spirit Materialization Ritual.
It was absolutely necessary to obtain the 'Seed of the Origin,' a material required for crafting the [Holy Grail].
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this was the sole reason I sought out the Archive.
Soon, the voice responded.
['Spirit Materialization Ritual' document is classified as 'Top Secret.']
['Kim Sun-woo's Association rank is insufficient for access.']
"As expected."
It was the anticipated result.
It didn't make sense that accessing the Archive would let me see everything.
Of course, it wasn't impossible.
I slowly examined the formulas etched into the wall.
The Archive was just a machine operated by formulas.
And I had [Outsider's Benefit], the ability to freely alter formulas.
"In other words, hacking."
I immediately infused mana into the formula. A strong light burst forth, and its shape began to distort.
['Irregular access detected in 'Archive'...']
Woooong—
[...'Archive' reactivated.]
['Please state the name of the document you desire.']
Ding!
['Stealthy Hacking' achievement unlocked.]
[5,000 points acquired as reward.]
"...Phew. Got it."
Fortunately, I succeeded without any major alerts. The achievement was a bonus.
I let out a short breath and spoke again.
"Spirit Materialization Ritual."
['Accessing 'Spirit Materialization Ritual' document.']
A massive light emanated from the orb, and a complex formula materialized in the air like a hologram.
I stared at it blankly, feeling a slight tremor.
How should I describe it?
It was chaotically intertwined to the point of being chaotic, yet it evoked a sense of beauty.
How could such a formula exist?
Was this really created by humans?
['Ancient Formula Discovery' achievement unlocked.]
[5,000 points acquired as reward.]
[Discovered an ancient formula and fully comprehended it.]
[Formula comprehension greatly increased.]
[Formulas can now be implemented more quickly.]
[Future changes detected.]
[Karma increased by 0.5.]
"...What?"
The sudden rewards left me momentarily dazed.
But only for a moment.
I quickly refocused and examined the formula's structure.
"...Okay."
I memorized it perfectly in my head.
It was so complex that replicating it from sight alone would be difficult, but thanks to my memory trait, I committed it to memory in one go.
"Now that I've got the formula."
As if recognizing my words, the Archive's voice returned.
['Archive' deactivation.]
"No, wait. Reactivate."
The dimming orb lit up again.
"This is a rare chance—I need to milk it for all it's worth."
...After that, I recalled future events and fired off questions.
The method to craft the Holy Grail, spirits' weaknesses, other ancient formulas...
And once all questions were done, I used Outsider's Benefit to restore all the formulas to their original state.
Not entirely satisfying, but I definitely gained something.
As I prepared to leave, an alarm rang from my smart student handbook.
[The King's plan is set. Be careful.]
The sender was Ha-ryeong.
It likely meant that the plan to assassinate me—the suspected Child of Prophecy—had been finalized.
Even though I'd been excluded from the Special Task Force operation, it didn't bother me much because of this.
The King believed I was the Child of Prophecy and would stop at nothing to kill me.
As long as Yoon Ha-young and I prepared accordingly...
Then another alarm rang from the smart student handbook.
A message from Yoon Ha-young.
[Sun-woo! We're all doing a commemorative party on professional certification awarding day—you're coming, right?]
I chuckled at the message.
"...Not knowing what might happen ahead. She's so carefree."
...Two weeks passed like that.
As announced, the Association assembled a team to punish the Ten Demon Society and deployed them to the field immediately.
They also dispatched a seven-member elite investigation team of S-Rank hunters for intelligence gathering.
"Team leader. The mana trail cuts off here."
"...Is that so?"
In some snowy area of Baekdu Mountain, where white snow fell unusually early due to mana anomalies.
Jeong Hyun-soo, the temporary team leader of the intelligence investigation team, halted his steps.
They were tracking the whereabouts of a recently missing intelligence agent using a [Mana Trail Tracker] to follow a specific person's mana signature.
They were certain that tracing him would lead to clues about the Ten Demon Society's base.
But the trail ended here.
In other words, evidence that he likely died right at this spot.
"No signs of battle?"
"No, the mana-infused snow seems to have erased all traces."
"...Tch. Figures. Who would've thought they'd come all the way to Baekdu Mountain."
Jeong Hyun-soo slowly surveyed the surroundings.
Baekdu Mountain was famous for its numerous mysterious phenomena of unknown origin.
S-Rank beasts roamed freely, making it a forbidden zone off-limits to civilians.
The fact that the missing agent came this far strongly suggested a deep connection between the Ten Demon Society and Baekdu Mountain.
Their hideout might even be concealed here.
"Agent Park. Still no comms?"
"Yes, completely cut off due to the mana phenomena."
"...Should we head back?"
Jeong Hyun-soo pondered for a moment.
Continue the investigation here, or return to the Association, report progress, and proceed safely...
"Let's investigate a bit more..."
Though Baekdu Mountain was a forbidden zone teeming with beasts, they were top agents who had individually reached S-Rank.
As long as they didn't encounter a disaster-class mana beast, there wasn't much danger.
Above all, they couldn't return empty-handed after coming this far.
"...Let's press on."
"Yes!"
Jeong Hyun-soo moved forward.
Crunch, crunch...
Stepping on the pristine white snow.
Right then.
Jeong Hyun-soo felt a chilling aura from somewhere and stopped in his tracks.
He wasn't the only one.
Everyone hardened their expressions, sensing something ominous in the air.
Soon, goosebumps rose, and an indescribable terror surged from deep within their chests.
"...T-Team leader?"
"Everyone, battle ready!"
At his shout, they all drew up their mana and entered combat stance.
Then, black demonic energy erupted from somewhere, enveloping the surroundings.
In that instant.
One agent's eyes rolled back, and he began spewing blood.
He had been killed by demonic energy that moved too fast to evade with their senses.
The fountain of blood was absorbed into the darkness manifesting before them, and the agent turned into a mummy.
"U... Uwaaak!"
As one S-Rank wizard died so pointlessly, deep fear filled the other agents' eyes.
One agent, instinctively sensing death, turned and bolted backward.
But black thorns erupted from beneath his feet, claiming his life in an instant.
The gushing blood was once again absorbed into the darkness.
At the same time, the demonic energy from beyond the darkness grew even stronger.
That 'something' had grown one level stronger by devouring an S-Rank wizard's blood.
The identity of that ability was 'Bloodfiend'...
An innate trait of demons who lived by consuming blood.
"Wh-what is this..."
As Jeong Hyun-soo glared into the darkness, black smoke billowed, forming a shape.
It soon took on a human form.
Jeong Hyun-soo muttered under his breath, sweat beading coldly.
"...The Demon King."
Everyone in the Association knew the King was strong. But the power he displayed now surpassed his expectations by far.
At the same time, a single thought took root in his mind: He had to inform the Association of the King's strength.