Chapter 18
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Research on the Road
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‘Lately, it feels like the workload has suddenly spiked.’
This had been on Ian’s mind for the past few days.
He’d thought it was just his imagination at first, but no—it really had increased.
Even setting aside distant dispatches like the unidentified monster incident or the mana explosion in Kaindel, there had been a slew of minor investigation tasks lately. And that was before counting the routine mana measurements at facilities, mana stone replacements, and inspections.
He didn’t hate having more work, but that didn’t mean he was thrilled about it either. After all, with the hefty salary came the obligation to earn it.
The real issue was that the busier he got, the less time he had for his hobbies.
‘When was the last time I even did alchemy?’
Thinking back, there had been no progress since creating Lara. It had been over a month since he’d stalled out.
It was a shocking realization.
‘Unbelievable. Have I really been this lazy?’
Even when swamped with work, he’d at least tinkered a bit. But to completely drop it?
Feeling a sense of crisis, Ian made a resolution.
‘I need to do alchemy research during missions.’
With that in mind, his first step was buying a subspace backpack.
Sure, he had the player’s inventory privilege, but its slots were too limited for carrying alchemy materials everywhere.
To research anytime, anywhere on the move, a subspace backpack was essential.
Ian gazed at his new purchase with a satisfied glint in his eyes.
Plenty of capacity, and the design was sleek too. Perfect.
The only downside? The insane price.
‘Subspace backpack, we’re counting on you from now on. Be my portable lab, okay?’
He was staring at it with honey-dripping adoration when a woman came sprinting from across the way. Lena, the junior investigator assigned to this mission with him.
“Mr. Ian! S-sorry! Am I super late?”
“Nah, it’s fine. There’s no set time anyway.”
“W-well, if I can make an excuse... I was so excited about the mission that I couldn’t sleep last night...”
“Huh? Excited enough to lose sleep?”
“Yeah! You get that, right? When you’re too pumped to sleep?”
Ian’s expression turned baffled at Lena’s sparkling eyes.
‘Workaholic?’
Maybe she just had a thing for field assignments?
“I’ve always wanted to team up with you, Senior Investigator Ian! Opportunities like this don’t come often!”
“Me?”
“Of course! You’re a legend among us investigators! Perfect mission success rate over the last four years! The core talent of the division! I’ve been dying to know your secret.”
Ian chuckled at Lena, whose eyes shone even brighter.
So, she wanted to pick his brain for tips, huh?
“What secret? There’s none.”
There really wasn’t. It was all skill.
Though lately, it felt like skill had nothing to do with it.
“So humble! Anyway, looking forward to working with you. I’ll do anything you say!”
“Anything, huh? There is one thing I could use you for.”
“What is it?!”
“Bail on this mission.”
“Pardon?”
“I wanna go solo. Head back, yeah?”
“Ehhh?”
“I can handle it alone, so you go write up those overdue reports.”
Lena’s eyes widened in confusion, then settled back.
“Phew, you got me. I thought you meant it.”
“I do mean it.”
“I know, you’re just worried about us juniors. You don’t have to say it outright.”
“I’m serious.”
“As expected, as caring as they say. Honestly, I’m touched. Willing to shoulder all the hardship for your junior’s safety—I get it!”
“No, that’s not...”
“But don’t worry! I won’t let you suffer alone!”
Lena clenched her fists, flames practically shooting from her eyes. Ian let out a bemused snort.
‘What nonsense. With you around, I can’t focus on alchemy research. Just go home.’
Unfortunately, he couldn’t say that aloud, so he just nodded.
“Whatever.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Well, at least I won’t have to lift a finger thanks to you.”
“Exactly! Just tell me what to do!”
She was enthusiastic, that was for sure.
Not just Lena—all the juniors he’d teamed with were like this.
“Let’s go. Lots to do.”
“Yes, sir!”
With that, Ian and Lena headed for the warp portal.
Ian’s assignment this time was the southern imperial city of Batra.
A modest small city without even a warp portal station, so they had to walk from the nearest one.
A three-day trek.
Finally spotting the city, Lena muttered weakly.
“Ugh, we’re here at last. That was brutal...”
She rubbed her limbs. After days of walking, they ached—of course they did. And as a non-combatant mage who didn’t even exercise, it hit her extra hard.
“You’re amazing, Senior Investigator. Not tired at all? I’m dying here... Huh? What are you doing?”
Lena’s eyes went wide at the sight of Ian. Eyes closed, hands fidgeting as he walked.
What kind of bizarre behavior was this?
Looking closer, thick mana gathered in each of his hands.
“N-no way, training?”
Her eyes sparkled. This must be a glimpse into his success secret.
She’d suspected some trick, but this was beyond imagination. Using scrap time like this for magic practice!
‘But is that even possible? Meditating while walking?’
How precise did your mana control have to be?
Didn’t matter if it worked or not.
Screw appearances—focus on the essence.
No matter the position, he was a mage at heart. Magic skill was paramount, and Ian knew it.
‘That’s why he’s recognized. No one upstairs complains about his attitude because of that effort!’
Lena watched with eyes full of admiration, but Ian wasn’t practicing magic at all.
Research Project: Attribute Extraction successfully completed!
Your knowledge of souls deepens.
You now know how to extract special powers contained within souls.
Skill ‘Attribute Extraction’ awakened!
Research success. Ian savored the euphoric rush washing over him and opened his eyes. Man, it had been too long—felt incredible.
‘Yes, this is it. This rush.’
Nothing beat the high of completing research.
‘Now I can extract special attributes from soul stones.’
Having extraction meant he could make use of even junk soul stones. Super encouraging.
What if he cherry-picked desired attributes and fused them?
Custom top-grade soul stones weren’t a pipe dream.
Not that it’d be easy.
‘That demon bastard. Did it revive?’
Ian smacked his lips. Since he was already on this mission, he hoped the demon had come back.
“Ahh, wanna catch a demon.”
“Pardon?”
“Grab that demon bastard, rip out its attributes... Tsk.”
“Ehhh?”
“Can’t wait. Let’s hurry. Get a room and go demon hunting.”
“Ah, yes!”
Ian broke into a run. Lena followed, eyes sparkling.
‘So impressive! That confidence against a demon!’
With the lord’s help, Ian and Lena unpacked. Batra’s ruler was Baron Batra, a minor noble who’d governed the city for years.
Lacking great power, he was polite to them. Ian might be a commoner, but he was a central bureau official—and a mage to boot.
“Make yourselves at home. Treat it like your own house! Hahaha!”
“We appreciate it, but we won’t be staying long.”
“Why not?”
“No time to waste. What if the demon really revived?”
“Ah, right. Of course. I forgot the obvious.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you show us where the revival traces were found?”
“Certainly. Follow me.”
The baron led with his escort knight, Ian and Lena trailing.
After crossing vast farmlands, a mountain appeared. Bare, with few trees—more hill than peak. Climbing halfway revealed an open vista.
Farmlands below to the left. A majestic gorge to the right.
“Down in that gorge. Too dangerous to go all the way, but definitely demon traces.”
“Mm. Got it.”
“Need more guidance?”
“No, we’re good. Rest up. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Very well. Take care. Victory to you.”
As the knight and baron left, Lena shuddered.
“Eek, creepy. Feel it, Senior Investigator? This demonic energy?”
“Yeah.”
“Coming from below. A real demon’s down there.”
Lena hesitated, her initial enthusiasm replaced by fear. Ian smirked and nudged her back—she wasn’t descending.
“Hurry down.”
“B-but—kyaa! D-don’t push! I-it’s scary!”
“You said you’d do anything. Get moving. Not gonna work?”
“I-I will... Ughhh.”
Trembling, Lena descended. Her ponytail blonde hair fluttered.
‘Still, she’s got skills. Sensing it from this far.’
Proof she wasn’t just lucky to be an investigator.
‘Might be useful.’
Deep into the slope, they reached the gorge entrance. Unlike from above, the sky darkened sharply. Ian narrowed his eyes.
‘Demonic energy has territorialized.’
Sunset was hours away—no natural reason for this gloom. Ominous sign.
‘Communicator’s dead.’
His portable communicator failed. Mana flow inside was distorted.
‘No wonder senses are muffled.’
Two possibilities.
A real demon.
Or a black mage with comparable demonic power.
“Ugh, Mr. Ian... The demonic energy’s too thick. M-maybe we should head back? Our job’s investigation, not demon slaying!”
“And go without confirming?”
“B-but it’s too risky.”
“Relax. I won’t let you die.”
“Mr. Ian...!”
Lena’s eyes misted dreamily, but Ian ignored it.
‘Demon bastard. Get ready. That soul’s mine.’
He licked his lips. What rank would a demon soul be? Even low-tier ones outmatched aura knights—probably high-grade.
‘Heh heh. Demon soul, I’ll put you to good use...’
Ian froze. Lena halted behind him.
“Mr. Ian, hear that sound?”
“Yeah.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Earth-shaking roar. Earthquake?
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Footsteps. Massive ones. Like a giant’s.
Getting closer.
“D-demon!”
Lena paled.
“It’s a demon! There’s a demon! W-what do we do?!”
“Not a demon.”
“It is! Definitely! Hiii!”
Lena stomped in panic, squeezing her staff and unleashing mana. Fireballs erupted—five of them, no chant. Fireball spell.
‘Oho. Five fireballs without casting?’
Yep, she had real talent. No fluke hire.
But pointless.
Because it really wasn’t a demon.
Ddol Ddoli is delighted!
Ddol Ddoli detects your mana and comes rushing excitedly!
The booming neared. Then the source appeared.
-Ma... ster. Knew it was you. Ddol Ddoli happy! Master came to see Ddol Ddoli!
Ian let out a hollow laugh at beaming Ddol Ddoli.
‘Why’s this guy here?’
Baffling, but then he recalled—the location tracker he’d planted hadn’t pinged recently.
‘Trapped in the territorialized demonic zone, maybe.’
Just as he chuckled dryly, something in Ddol Ddoli’s right hand caught his eye.
A bloodied corpse-like thing.
No, groaning and twitching—it was alive.
“Hey, Ddol Ddoli. Been good?”
-Been good.
“How’ve you been holding up?”
-Caught bad guys. Lots of bad guys here, good. Ddol Ddoli caught many bad guys here.
So, it had holed up, smashing monsters and black mages alike?
Not trapped?
“So, what’s that in your right hand, Ddol Ddoli?”
-This bad guy. Hit and hit, doesn’t die. Weird bad guy.
Ian’s head tilted.
A weird bad guy that wouldn’t die no matter how much you hit it?
‘Holy— that’s a demon!’
Ian’s face twisted in disbelief. So it had been beating on a demon?