Pizza Breaks the Seal
I snapped the bag shut with satisfaction.
"President Park. Isn't business all about trust?"
"I-I'm sorry! I committed a grave sin deserving death!"
"If you know it's a sin deserving death, then you should die."
I raised the steel pipe high.
"Eek!!"
Park ssi screamed and squeezed his eyes shut.
Clang!
A sharp metallic ring echoed out. Park ssi cautiously opened his eyes. Right next to his head, the steel pipe was embedded in the scrapped engine compartment, spewing steam.
"……."
"Consider yourself lucky. I'm too lazy to dispose of a body right now."
I patted the frozen man's shoulder.
"Tell the Association."
"Y-Yes? W-What?"
"That Lee Han headed to the Western Magic Library. In a huge rush."
Park ssi stared blankly. He was clearly thinking, Why would he deliberately reveal his location?
I didn't bother explaining further. The clues I'd intentionally left at the goshiwon would have her chasing me for sure. And above all, she had to.
I left the junkyard without looking back. I heard Park ssi sigh in relief behind me, but it didn't matter. Terror-stricken, he'd parrot my words like a mindless bird anyway.
If so, everything would unfold exactly as I'd planned.
The saintess set down her smartphone and shot a sideways glare.
"……Is this the full report?"
Isha von Estelle's voice rumbled low. The forensics chief bowed, sweat pouring down his face.
"W-We apologize. The dagger only showed… factory lubricant residue. No mana traces, not even fingerprints—perfectly wiped."
Isha snatched the evidence bag. A cheap 50,000-won dagger you'd find at a convenience store.
[Made in China.]
This scrap metal had slit the dragon's throat and parried her Holy Sword.
"I'll take this."
"P-Pardon? But evidence must be preserved by protocol…."
Her red eyes pierced the forensics chief, silencing him. She stashed the dagger in her subspace.
She could feel the stubborn obsession clinging to it—and the arrogance of that man mocking her. She'd return this blade to his heart.
"Saintess! We found it!"
An intel agent rushed in with a tablet.
"Cross-verified the goshiwon wall memo with the informant's statement. His next target matches what you said!"
"Western Magic Library."
"Yes. He stole the administrator key from an info broker."
The Western Magic Library. Empire's vault of all magical knowledge. Lee Han was surely heading there.
Isha turned on her heel.
"Mobilize the Estelle Knights."
The library approach road was a warzone. Heavily armed hunters and riot police blocked the street, swarming cars like ants for inspections.
"Pop the trunk! ID out!"
Civilians waiting fumed with irritation.
"What the hell? Catching one perp and they pull this crap?"
"I've been stuck 30 minutes! If I get fired, you covering it?"
Shouts erupted, but inspectors held firm. Though they weren't thrilled either.
"Ugh, damn… Hot as balls out here."
Low-level inspector Kim ssi wiped sweat with his cap, grumbling.
"I get the saintess is pissed, but making us spin wheels? Starving to death here."
"Shut it. Knight vice-captain's eyeing us."
His buddy signaled, but Kim ssi's mouth ran.
Vroom-vroom-vroom!
A jaunty engine buzzed as a beat-up scooter slid to the checkpoint. Pizza delivery bike with a "Bullet Delivery" sticker.
"Hey! Stop! Entry banned!"
Kim ssi blocked it. The helmeted rider braked in panic.
"Huh? Delivery to the library director's office? VIP order…."
Young, flustered voice. Kim ssi waved him off.
"VIP my ass—can't you see? Turn around."
"Aw man, really? I'll get fired if late. Boss said deliver no matter what…."
The rider dismounted with a pout, opening the rear warmer box.
"Heh, still hot. Why's there an extra pizza?"
Golden, fresh-baked aroma wafted out—cheesy, greasy bliss. Kim ssi, fasting since dawn, twitched.
"You guys busting ass for the country—want one?"
"……?"
"Order screw-up, extra pie. Would've trashed it anyway, and boss'll chew me out. Our bestseller: Super Supreme Gold Rich."
The rider grinned amiably, shoving the box into Kim ssi's arms.
"Nah, can't take stuff on duty…."
Grrrrowl.
His stomach betrayed him.
"C'mon, no one's watching. Cools to garbage anyway. Take it—fuel up."
Kim ssi couldn't push away the heavy, warm box.
'No way that scrawny delivery kid's the Dragon Slayer, right?'
The rider's slumped shoulders tugged at him.
"Fine. But hustle in and out. Any funny business, you're nabbed."
"Yes sir! Thanks, bro! Three minutes—drop and dash! Loyalty!"
Vroom-vroom-vroom!
The scooter zipped past barricades to the library gate. Kim ssi gulped, popping the box.
"Whoa, loaded toppings. Grab a slice, guys. Before the saintess shows."
Screech.
Library underground parking. I shoved the scooter in a corner and ditched the helmet. Swept back sweat-matted bangs, wiped off the innocent smile.
"Security breached by a free pizza. Isha'd faint if she knew."
But what can ya do? Man's three great urges trump saintly authority.
I headed to the admin-only elevator. Target: bottom floor, director's office.
Treasures there:
1. Ancient grimoire to efficiently control Dragon Heart mana.
2. Adel von Kryber. Empire's youngest grand mage, future conqueror of the magic world. Unmatched genius.
But now? Severe social phobia hikikomori glued to the library.
Pre-regression, she solo-blocked monster hordes till near-apocalypse. No allies. Pure solitude.
That's why—maybe chewing loneliness for the director gig.
'This time'll be different.'
I hit the button. Doors closed, reflecting my face.
'Adel. Time to kidnap you soon.'
Her talent. Her magic knowledge. All vital to my plans.
Not just a sidekick—my ace in the hole.
Ding.
Basement Level 20. Director's Office.
A massive magic-alloy door loomed. Nuke-proof absolute defense.
I didn't smash it—knocked lightly.
Knock knock.
A irritable voice from inside: "Not buying! Get lost! Hate people! All scram!"
As expected. I whispered to the door.
"Pizza."
Silence inside. Then—a rattle. A peephole opened, one eye peeking. Purple iris with dark circles down to her chin.
"……Extra pepperoni?"
Password check. I loaded her desired reply.
"Loaded to the brim."
Clunk, creeeak!
The fortress door—even Isha would've struggled—swung wide like a joke.
"Gimme!! My pizza!!"
The disheveled purple-haired girl lunged like a starving beast. I held the box high, dodging her grab, strolling in.
"Customer pays first."
"Ugh, fine! Here's cash! Swipe card! Hurry!"
Adel couldn't peel her eyes from the box. Hard to believe this was the future continent-ruler grand mage.
I tossed the box on the desk. As she tore it open, my hand flashed.
A battered old tome rolling in the corner.
Kleptomania (Rank: B)
Mission accomplished.
"Enjoy, Grand Mage."
I left Adel stuffing her face, sticking my prepared note to the pizza box lid. Isha arrives? Showtime.
"……Munch munch. But mister, who're you?"
Cheeks bulging, she asked. I scanned her bookshelf.
"Can't tell? Pizza delivery guy."
".......Munch. Knew I could trust ya."
"These all your old books?"
"Oh. Left at door, corner cabinet. More drawers there."
Helpful kid. Good girls get rewards.
"Order again. Next time, cheese crust freebie."
"For real? Promise!" she yelled behind me as I headed to the cabinet.
Time till Isha von Estelle arrives: five minutes.
'Plenty.'
Couldn't wait to see the saintess's face twist.