Chapter 327
Chapter 327
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 327
Chapter Title: Ugly Duckling
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"Feels like I've become an ugly duckling."
"...?"
Mercian turned to Soo-hyuk as if wondering what that meant. Soo-hyuk asked in disbelief.
"You don't know the ugly duckling? It's famous."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm the only different one, right? Everyone else is dark and drab. Just me, all bright and shiny."
Soo-hyuk had even taken off his hat. Unlike the other Black Tower mages whose faces looked somewhat ashen, Soo-hyuk's face alone shone brightly.
"And no one dares say a word to me."
"...Isn't an ugly duckling supposed to get picked on? And it's not because of you, Soo-hyuk—it's because they're scared of me."
"I sure know how to pick my friends."
Mercian let out a small chuckle at the unexpected banter.
"Is this your real personality?"
"What kind of personality did you think I had?"
"You seemed more serious on the stream."
"I'm different when I'm making money and when I'm not."
As they chatted, Soo-hyuk followed the black mages' guidance into the Black Tower.
The interior of the Black Tower was like a small world unto itself. The surprising part was that, unlike the other towers he'd visited before, it wasn't particularly dark inside.
"I hate drab colors a bit."
Mercian's explanation, having realized what Soo-hyuk was thinking.
The Black Tower Lord hates drab colors. Whether to call that unique or normal, he couldn't tell.
"There sure are a lot of people."
Innumerable people were bustling about inside the Black Tower.
"Are all these people mages?"
"Yes. All black mages."
"...How many? Tens of thousands?"
This seemed more than the combined mages from the Red Tower, Blue Tower, and White Tower.
"Black magic is easier to learn than other magics. Though it comes with a price."
It was common knowledge. Black magic was easy to learn, powerful, but demanded a heavy toll.
That's why black magic was shunned by regular mages. They saw it as an evil path.
Mercian, who had seemed like a leisurely orphanage teacher, felt like an entirely different person now that he was back at the tower.
He met various people upon returning. Most looked quite old and held significant positions in the Black Tower.
"Those Nine Dragon punks have been acting up lately. Time to clean up their territory a bit."
"That trading company connected to us in Runeterra? Place a new order there. We're running low on Dark Seal seeds."
"I told you not to make ledgers for scroll purchases. If word gets out that the Black Tower's keeping books, who'll buy our scrolls at premium prices?"
"Nine Dragons again? That Gu Ja-ok bastard—I need to pay him a visit soon."
It was truly unexpected.
Mercian's handling of affairs was even more meticulous than imagined. As if to show that a guild this massive didn't run itself, he personally oversaw every aspect of the Black Tower.
The Black Tower, composed of tens of thousands of black mages. And the land they ruled, the Deep Sea.
They made money in countless ways. Soo-hyuk toured the tower with him, watching the processes with great interest.
Then.
"We've got a new improved version of Blood this time. So, I think we need to expand the business."
Soo-hyuk's eyes lit up. Mercian nodded, either aware or not of that gaze.
"Rename it slightly and sell it in Murim too."
"Don't they already have other products there?"
"Exactly why it's perfect. Match the name roughly so existing customers take interest."
"Understood."
Having finished his tasks, Mercian finally looked at Soo-hyuk. Back to his orphanage teacher self, he smiled warmly.
"Must have been boring. Let's go have some tea."
"Is it poisoned?"
Mercian nodded at Soo-hyuk's question.
"Yes. It is."
No excuses, no fluster. Not even a 'what's wrong with that?' reaction.
His utterly matter-of-fact response left Soo-hyuk speechless for a moment.
Then it hit him.
The man before him was the Black Tower Lord. The kind orphanage teacher who cherished children was just an illusion.
With some time freed up, Mercian guided Soo-hyuk to a reception room. A steaming pot of tea was already prepared, as if ordered in advance.
Soo-hyuk didn't sit. Mercian sat alone and sipped his tea unperturbed.
"Looks like you had some expectations or illusions about me."
He sensed Soo-hyuk's attitude toward him had changed.
"Guess I did. Saw only the good sides."
When they first met, he'd said it: 'I'm only this bad.' But he'd end up trying to look even worse.
"We do anything that makes money. Sell illegal scrolls, drugs. Sometimes even kill people."
"You take assassination requests too?"
"Plenty want to hire black mages at high prices. And we're reliably skilled."
Mercian showed no sense of right or wrong. If it profited him, he didn't care what it was.
"Why? Disappointed?"
"Disappointment requires expectation or trust."
"As expected. You have good eyes."
"So, I can't drink this without trust."
Pour—
Soo-hyuk lifted the teacup and dumped the tea on the floor.
"I know you need me."
Mercian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Mercian hadn't brought Soo-hyuk from the orphanage here for a mere tour.
"More precisely, you're trying to use me."
No reply came. He just smiled again.
"You want me to dance in the palm of your hand?"
"That's what I thought at first."
"At first?"
"You're not small enough to fit in my palm. So I changed my mind. Decided to just let you flow."
Mercian eyed the spilled teacup. He flicked his finger lightly.
The tea that had flowed across the table and onto the floor returned to the cup.
"The tea's good. Try it."
A gesture to trust him once?
Soo-hyuk looked at the restored cup. But soon, without drinking, he turned and left the reception room alone.
Mercian didn't pursue. As if confirming his words, he truly didn't interfere no matter where Soo-hyuk went.
Gazes turned to Soo-hyuk as he emerged alone.
Numerous black mages recognized him and bowed in greeting.
Thanks to wandering the tower all day under the name of Mercian's friend.
'So that's what he helped with.'
To let him roam the Black Tower freely.
Soo-hyuk decided not to overthink it.
He didn't know what Mercian wanted. But regardless, he knew exactly what he needed to do here.
With no one to hinder him, Soo-hyuk strode forward unimpeded.
His footsteps led to the base of the Black Tower.
Where Ye-ryeong had said the underground door was.
The orphanage after Soo-hyuk and Mercian left.
Si-woo received a message.
Something in the orphanage basement. And the Black Tower Lord resided there.
It screamed suspicious. Mercian was so thorough he'd laid a magic circle to prevent intrusions while away.
Si-woo checked the message and approached the orphanage.
Looking up at the entrance, he let out a hollow laugh.
"He expects me to go in this?"
It looked like an ordinary orphanage entrance.
But the moment he stood before it, a strong urge to turn back surged.
'First stage.'
Making unwanted intruders leave on their own.
Nine out of ten wouldn't even notice the magic circle.
Mind-affecting magic was never easy. Yet it was just the first stage.
Si-woo reached toward the entrance.
Tzzt—
An invisible force repelled his hand. Instinct told him something enormous awaited inside.
"Well made."
It was as if the magic circle lived and spoke.
Really coming in? You'll die if you do.
Si-woo looked at the entrance again.
Unlike before, he saw it clearly. A black void with mouth agape, fangs bared. Ready to swallow and chew everything that entered.
'Not made just now. Too intricate for that. Pre-made, triggered by conditions.'
Then the trigger was Mercian's departure.
Mercian had prepared thoroughly for his absence. Despite appearances, this orphanage was inviolable territory.
"Thought I'd get to play around. But the hardest part's mine."
Grumbling, Si-woo stepped into the magic circle.
Tzztzt, the magic repelled his body. Black energy stabbed like needles.
Second stage. Fail to endure, and his body would turn black, crumbling to sand.
Tick, tidick. The pure white barrier around Si-woo protected him from the black magic power.
Despite his complaints, his steps were unhindered.
A few steps in, the scenery changed. He'd passed the door, so the orphanage should show—but a black cave appeared instead.
Grrrrowl—
Keeeaak—
Countless eyes gleamed in the cave.
Two-headed wolves, bats larger than humans. Even colorful centipede monsters crawling the walls.
Truly numerous. If the cave was full, thousands to tens of thousands of monsters lurked.
Arf, woof—!
Keeeaak—!
Wolves & Bats Charge!
No escape from all directions
The wolf monsters and bats charged at Si-woo en masse. Attacks from all sides, even overhead—no room to dodge.
That instant.
Kadudud—
Pure white frost bloomed beneath Si-woo's feet.
Whoosh—!
The frost blanketed the entire cave. The charging wolves and bats turned white and froze in place.
Si-woo, walking slowly, flicked a blocking bat corpse with his finger.
Tick, it shattered, scattering across the floor. The pitch-black cave turned into an ice cavern in an instant.
Walking through it, Si-woo muttered in the same complaining tone as before.
"See? The hardest part's always mine."
