Making a Partner in Crime 1
“Ughhh!”
A dizzying warp in space. Adel von Kryber, hailed as the continent's genius, crawled on the floor and hurled her guts out.
The stench of rancid sewage and mold assaulted her nose. It was a far too wretched environment for the empire's treasure, a grand mage.
“Y-you crazy... kidnapping bastard.”
Adel lifted her head, her face a mess of tears and snot. Her purple eyes blazed with murderous intent.
“My lab, my three years' worth of golem budget, my figure collection!”
“Shut up. Can't you hear the echo?”
I picked at my ear with my pinky, replying indifferently.
“Know where we are? An abandoned sewage treatment plant. Scream all you want; only your throat'll hurt. Suck it up with the smell. It's got that lived-in vibe, right?”
“This is lived-in? It's rotten! Open the door right now! I'm outta here! I'll go straight to Isha and spill everything!”
Adel staggered toward the iron door. I didn't stop her. I just plopped onto the sofa and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper from my pocket, flapping it casually.
“Gonna go? Fine by me. But don't you need this?”
“...?”
Adel's footsteps halted abruptly.
“What's that?”
The full formula she'd been agonizing over in the library, tearing her hair out.
“The solution to the mana backflow control equation.”
“What?”
Adel's pupils shook in disbelief.
“D-don't scam me! That's been an unsolved problem in academia for a hundred years—”
“Substitute variable X with the imaginary number system and twist the third mana circuit in reverse. Boom, output efficiency jumps 400%. Not curious?”
I pretended to fold the paper into a paper airplane and launch it.
She'd stopped, but still stood there with arms crossed.
“Not curious? Fine. Guess I'll use it for kindling since you don't need it.”
“Wait!!!”
Adel rocketed back at light speed and snatched my arm. Hard to believe this was the same girl who'd been puking moments ago.
“Sh-show me. No, please show me! I beg you, Master!”
“Master? We're partners in crime, remember?”
“Right! Partners in crime! I'll be your partner! Just give me that paper!”
Genius types have a clear weakness. Pride goes out the window in the face of unknown knowledge. Regressed or not, Adel was the same in that regard.
I slapped the paper right onto her forehead.
“Good girl. Obey me from now on, and I'll show you the next chapter. High pass straight to 7th-circle grand mage.”
“Hic!”
Adel clutched the paper to her chest like a treasure and bolted to the rickety desk in the corner.
“Insane. Imaginary substitution was really the answer? Wow. This design is god-tier. A human thought of this?”
She was already muttering to herself, scribbling furiously with her quill. Kidnapping? Forgotten.
I left her to her verification and scanned the surroundings. Two priorities. First: Secure a hideout to shake Isha's pursuit. This place would do for now. Check. Second: Massive funds to save the world. Or rather, to live large.
“Money's the issue.”
I checked my phone's balance—my entire frozen assets.
Balance: 3,420 won
Pathetic for a world-saving hero's wallet. Not even enough for a convenience store lunch. Oh, and with two people? Forget it.
“Adel.”
“Don't touch me! Inspiration's hitting! Talk and you're dead!”
“Let's go make some money.”
“No way! Money's nothing! Finishing this equation changes the history of magitech!”
“To change history, don't you need a supercomputer and mana stones?”
“...Yeah. True.”
Adel turned with a blank look.
“Gonna need money for that. Your pension's probably seized.”
“Ah.”
Her face paled.
“My money... my research funds...”
“That's why we go earn some. Robbing bad guys to fund righteous research? Peak national pride, right?”
I grabbed the tattered jacket off the wall.
“Get ready, partner.”
“...Bad guy.”
Here's the situation rundown:
□ Isha raids the Western Magic Library.
□ Runs smack into Lee Han there.
□ But library director Adel was eating pizza with Lee Han <<< ????
□ Isha flips, swings her sword.
□ Lee Han grabs Adel's waist and warps out.
Key question: Is Adel a hostage? Or accomplice?
Forensic team says security system was normally disengaged. Meaning Adel opened the door herself.
The mighty Adel caving to threats from some F-rank hunter? No way. 100% something's up between them.
Normal criminal would hide, right? But caught on Gangnam CCTV just now. Strutting openly? In a coat probably modded by Adel?
This guy's enjoying it. Taunting Isha like 'catch me if you can'.
Seoul Gangnam. G Tower's garish neon blazed in the night streets. Most imposing among them, right in front of G Tower.
I straightened my clothes and tapped my in-ear.
“Adel. Hear me?”
-Yeah, I hear you! Loud and clear! My eardrums are gonna burst. But we're really raiding this place? Gold River Investment Advisors? Sign looks fine?
“Flashy facade. Actually Black Moon 3rd Branch's money laundering front. Basement vault's rotting with cash stacks.”
-B-Black Moon? Those are the worst villains in the alliance! Crazy? We're two, they're hundreds!
“Correction. I'm going in solo. You tap keys from the car.”
Prep done, I entered the lobby. Suit-clad guards blocked the way. I knew their batons hid poisoned daggers instead.
“What do you want? No reservation means no entry—”
“Delivery.”
“Delivery? Didn't order any.”
“Fresh fist delivery.”
Thwack!
My fist sank into the guard's solar plexus. The burly guy flew like paper, slamming the lobby wall.
Strength stat crushes the enemy.
“Intruder!!”
Lobby turned chaos. Black-suited men poured from elevators.
“Adel, drop security.”
-Ugh, fine! Hold 10 seconds!
Click-clack—her cheerful typing echoed in my ear. Faith in Adel: she'll deliver.
“Kill him! Some stray bone!”
Lead guy hurled poison-laced sword aura. B-rank hunter level. To my eyes, slow-mo perfection.
I didn't dodge—charged straight in, coat flapping.
“Wh-what?”
My hand seized his face.
“Not stray bone. Dragon bone.”
I hurled him like a bowling ball at the followers.
Rumble! Crash! Strike. Ten-plus hunters toppled like pins.
-Breached! Central elevator to B3 free pass! CCTV's toast!
“Nice, partner.”
I strolled into the open elevator. Villains' shocked faces peered through closing doors.
Basement Level 3.
Ding—the doors opened to a different scene. No offices: massive iron bars and vaults. Armed guards formed ranks to protect it.
In the center: A man lounging arrogantly on a sofa, legs crossed.
Black Moon 3rd Branch Chief. Viper Park Cheol-woo.
“Wondered what madman crawls into the tiger's den. You, huh.”
Park Cheol-woo stubbed his cigar and rose. His eyes narrowed like a snake's.
“Face from the news. Let me see... Lee Han with 3,420 won?”
Cackle—the troops laughed in sync.
“Aww, our Dragon Slayer can't even afford a meal? Belly aching?”
“Right, boss. I'd chip in, but only coins. Here!”
Clink—a 500-won coin rolled, tapping my shoe before settling.
Park Cheol-woo smirked in satisfaction.
“Chased by Isha, nowhere to go, so here? Wanna join us?”
He spread his arms welcomingly.
“Black Moon welcomes talent. Hand over the Dragon Heart data you stole, that mage girl—I'll make you an exec. No more empty belly. Promise.”
As the viper's tongue wagged, minions snickered, tightening the encirclement.
I picked up the sleeping coin at my feet.
“Conditions aren't bad. But...”
I stepped forward.
“My price tag's way higher.”
“What?”
“Wanna play villain? Do it right. Money laundering while acting tough? Lame.”
My eyes flashed gold.
Crunch—the coin in my hand folded in half.
“Trash.”
Heat surged from my heart.
Dragon's Intimidation