Chapter 5
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Sneaking Mage
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But the promising openings were slowly sealing shut.
The officer would occasionally seek out Tae-jin and hand him clippings from newspaper articles.
It seemed the rumors about Tae-jin's story becoming a public issue back in Korea weren't just hot air. The officer passed along a hefty stack of scraps from various news outlets.
Tae-jin sorted the articles chronologically and read through them slowly.
'A government unconditionally blocking mage entry—is that truly the right call?'
'A government failing to protect its citizens'
'Kim Tae-jin, caught in a rights blind spot—what will become of him?'
Most of the pieces were slanted in Tae-jin's favor. Good. With public opinion like this, he might be heading home sooner rather than later.
Trapped in Gate Frontier City, Tae-jin had nothing to do.
At first, he'd borrowed a few books through the soldiers and read them. He even tried some offline mobile games.
But he tired of it all quickly. He couldn't escape the reality weighing on him. Tae-jin grew bored again, anxious again.
Whenever that happened, he'd grab a chair and head out to the Great Plains, staring blankly at the horizon to kill time. In those moments, watching the swaying grasses, he could forget everything and find a sliver of peace.
One day, amid these idle days, a thought struck him. Since I'm stuck here anyway, why not learn some magic?
But a twinge of unease washed over him.
'What if they refuse my return just because I've gotten good at magic?'
Of course, the mainland media hadn't shown the slightest interest in his actual skill level. All that mattered was that he was a Korean mage.
Still, diving straight into magic lessons felt off. What if, just maybe, they decided he was too skilled to let through the Gate?
In the end, Tae-jin's curiosity shifted toward simply observing magic up close.
The spot he visited most was the magic research facility near the Gate. He'd chat idly with the young researchers—guys around the age of his older brother or uncle—asking this and that to pass the time.
"So, you still haven't figured out the principles behind magic? No real breakthroughs?"
"That's right. But like always, the scientists will crack it eventually. The equipment we're getting is improving by the day, and there are more tests we can run. I don't think it'll take much longer."
The young scientist spoke with fervent passion. His confident tone had a way of swaying listeners. Tae-jin found himself nodding along unconsciously.
"I hope all the secrets come to light soon. Though I'll probably be home before that happens."
"Even so, swing by if you ever get bored later. I'll explain everything."
The hopeful words lightened Tae-jin's mood.
With renewed optimism, he headed to the Great Plains and stared at the horizon until he was sick of it. The plains rippled green as always.
One morning, Tae-jin headed to the Gate area as usual. The military base and labs were all clustered around it.
But he quickly sensed the unrest rippling through the Gate military base.
It was that distinct atmosphere of a unit hit by some major screw-up—like when a recruit went AWOL from the neighboring battalion, and their vibe had been exactly like this.
Whatever it was, the officers were probably playing hot potato with the blame right now.
Tae-jin scanned around and spotted a familiar face: Sergeant Lee Hong-cheol. Same age as him, they got along like buddies most days.
Tae-jin sidled up and probed casually.
"Hey, Hong-cheol. What's going on? Atmosphere's weird."
Sergeant Lee Hong-cheol wore a grim expression as he pulled Tae-jin into a corner.
"We can't talk about this anywhere else."
"What is it? Someone go AWOL?"
"Nah, worse than that."
Tae-jin felt a chill.
"Should I even be hearing this? Classified?"
"Technically, yeah, I shouldn't spill. But it might involve you. Better to give you a heads-up."
A shiver ran down Tae-jin's spine.
"Spit it out already. Don't scare me like this. You're not just messing with me, right?"
Tae-jin desperately hoped it was just typical military hysteria.
But what came out of Hong-cheol's mouth was beyond imagination.
"Word is, the mages guarding the Gate got distracted for a second the day before yesterday, and one cast Invisibility Magic and slipped through."
Tae-jin laughed soundlessly. This was seriously fucked.
A mage crossed the Gate and caused trouble? At this timing? A mage, of all things?
But he couldn't let this chance slip. Not many would tip him off out of goodwill.
Tae-jin fired off a question at Sergeant Lee Hong-cheol.
"What the hell did he do over there?"
"Snuck around sightseeing, got nabbed in a back alley yesterday."
"Jesus, why the fuck didn't they have countermeasures for that?"
"Invisibility Magic's high-level stuff. The Gate guards yesterday didn't detect it properly."
Tae-jin's vision blurred white. He clung to his sanity and asked again.
"That make any sense?"
"Guess they got complacent with no incidents lately. Slipped in using Invisibility amid the naturalizers, hid his presence, and crossed."
Tae-jin pressed desperately.
"Come on, he didn't assault anyone, kill, steal, nothing like that? Just sightseeing till caught?"
"That's the story, but the mood's still tense. First time a mage's infiltrated successfully. Our platoon leader says it feels like the old days of armed commando raids. Hope we grunts don't get swept up in the disciplinary action."
Tae-jin sank to a crouch, clutching his head. The world was too cruel.
Just then, the Gate shimmered faintly, and seven people burst through. Tae-jin and Sergeant Lee Hong-cheol looked up.
Six in uniforms escorted one in the middle.
The central figure wore a baggy gray robe, hood pulled low over his downturned head.
His arms and torso were bound with rope, handcuffs locked behind his back. Anyone could tell: this guy was the criminal.
Even an idiot would know. That was the mage who'd sneaked across.
Tae-jin's mind went blank. That fucking bastard! Because of you, I might never get home!
As Tae-jin trembled with rage, the bound mage's gaze shifted to the protesting mages by the Gate. He shouted something at them as he was marched away.
Pity the hood hid his face.
Tae-jin grabbed a nearby mage.
"What'd that fucker... I mean, the mage just yell?"
"Nothing much."
"Tell me anyway. I'm dying here."
The mage, seeing Tae-jin's desperation, gave a weird look but spilled it.
"I saw beyond the Gate! Jealous, you fucking losers!" Something like that.
It pissed Tae-jin off so bad he regretted asking. For the first time, murderous intent surged through him.
You fucking prick! Someday I'll beat the shit out of you!
Tae-jin trailed the escort. The mage was hauled to the magic research lab by the Gate.
No proper jail for mages, and the lab had the manpower and surveillance.
Plus, they could run experiments on him while at it.
Tae-jin slipped inside after them and approached a friendly researcher.
"Hyung, mind if I chat with the mage they just brought in?"
"Why? Something up?"
"Just got some questions."
Tae-jin poured all his effort into hiding his quivering voice of fury.
It worked; the researcher noticed nothing amiss.
"Hang on. I'll check with the director."
The researcher vanished briefly and returned.
"Okay, Tae-jin. It's fine. But no one-on-one—too risky. Short talk through the bulletproof glass in the lab, and I'll be there."
It was a bit of a stretch, but the researchers obliged. They knew his situation well and bent over backward for reasonable requests. This was one.
Tae-jin had never been so grateful for their pity.
Still disappointing, though. Like in movies, it'd be perfect with just a table between interrogator and suspect.
Alas, Tae-jin lacked the power to punch through bulletproof glass.
Better than nothing. He waited a bit, then entered Lab 1.
The setup was simple: a classic movie-style room split by massive bulletproof glass.
Tae-jin rapped on the glass. The mage looked up. As Tae-jin geared up to unload a tirade, the mage stared right at him.
The mage mumbled briefly, then spoke.
"Hey, long time no see. Doing well?"
What the fuck does this bastard think he knows? Tae-jin was about to unleash hell when a nagging familiarity hit him—this voice, he'd heard it before.
Something was off. The only mages Tae-jin knew were the Gate protesters. None would greet him so chummily.
Wait, actually, there was one. Tae-jin's body shook with rage.
"Why so quiet? Been practicing your magic?"
The mage shook off his hood.
And an unforgettable face appeared before Tae-jin.
Middle-aged, brown hair, blue eyes, crow's feet crinkling the corners.
The mage from the night market on his first day through the Gate.
"You fucking bastard!!!"
Tae-jin screamed and blacked out.