The Mage's Nest
Kim Jihyuk's mad hymn of praise didn't end as mere fodder for some obscure online community. Like a spark tossed onto dry grass, it spread uncontrollably.
The first to react were the mystery-focused YouTubers. Among them, Mystery Reporter Kim, who had skyrocketed his subscribers by deeply dissecting the "Arizona Skyfall Incident," seized the opportunity. He pulled an all-nighter to produce a video.
Uploaded with a sensational thumbnail, the video began by capturing and displaying the original post and comments from the Mystery Gallery. Backed by epic music, the YouTuber dramatically wove together Jihyuk's desperate comment spam and the miraculous return that followed.
The video rocketed to the top of trending videos, racking up millions of views. The incident was no longer underground chatter.
Amplified through YouTube's massive reach, the story soon became prey for mainstream media. Tabloid internet outlets churned out clickbait like:
Major broadcasters soon picked it up in their evening news slots.
The news aired an interview with Kim Jihyuk. His hollow eyes brimmed with hope and fanaticism as he teared up before the camera, expressing gratitude to the Crow Mage.
"...He is the true savior. No one—not even the police—could find my sister... but he did. How can I ever repay this grace... All I can say is thank you..."
Victim Kim Sea's brief interview followed, though she seemed still dazed.
"It was a scary place... But then... a man in a mage's hat appeared..."
She trailed off, unable to continue. Her confused testimony only amplified the mystery, igniting the public's imagination.
By now, the South Korean government could no longer ignore the situation. An emergency strategy meeting convened in an underground bunker conference room at the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
According to the report, this "Kim Sea Return Incident" has a 90%+ probability of involvement by the unidentified entity from the previous "Arizona Skyfall Incident," codename Crow.
The NIS deputy director presiding over the meeting hardened his expression at the agent's briefing.
"Locating people through supernatural means and even teleporting them to specific locations... If true, this is a 'human asset' with strategic value surpassing nuclear weapons. Or it could be an uncontrollable ultimate threat."
"The problem is, we have zero intel on this 'Crow's' identity, motives, or ability limits."
The director drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought.
"The media and public hail him as a 'savior' or 'hero,' but we must assume the worst. What if he's Korean? This is both opportunity and crisis."
"Prioritize identifying 'Crow' with all available resources. Eavesdrop on communications, analyze CCTV, trace the Mystery Gallery post's IP—do everything possible."
His voice carried cold resolve.
"And if we confirm his identity... approach quietly. Start with dialogue, seeking cooperation for the nation. His power is essential for national security. We can't let such a great force for protecting citizens be used privately. Appeal to his 'patriotism' and bring him under government control. If talk fails... we'll resort to other measures."
The conference room grew icy.
Unaware that the target of their invisible net was a victim abused and discarded by the state—one who would never cooperate, even unto death—the South Korean government began casting its vast web to secure the unknown savior for the nation.
While the South Korean government spread its invisible net, its target, Jinwoo, huddled in a dark, deserted alley corner.
He laid out the last remnants of victims' belongings pilfered from the mountain spirit's belly—gold rings, necklaces—and gripped an industrial torch in one hand. Scanning his surroundings once more, he flipped the switch without hesitation.
Tsssss—!
The alley's silence shattered as blue flames roared out. Jinwoo pressed them to the jewelry.
The ornate craftsmanship melted away in seconds, collapsing into shapeless, glowing red molten metal that coalesced into a grotesque lump.
He knew handing raw stolen goods to a fence would fetch less than market value, but something mattered more.
The risk of tracing.
Intact engravings could lead back eventually. But formless gold ingots? Impossible to prove origin.
Gazing into the flickering flames, he recalled the army uniform he'd worn in the nightmare—the worn-out old "frog combat fatigues" the military was discarding. He'd chosen those over modern digital camo for the same reason: obsolete gear had spread worldwide as fashion for terrorists and rebels, minimizing detection risk. He erased himself meticulously.
Once the ingot cooled to dark red, he pocketed it in his shabby bag and vanished into the shadows.
His destination wasn't Jongno's jewelry district but a dingy pawnshop in a shady back alley. The "Top Prices Paid" sign rang hollow as the elderly owner eyed the mangled lump suspiciously, weighing it repeatedly.
"Two million."
"......"
"Can't give more with it like this. Selling?"
"Yes."
Jinwoo replied curtly, pocketing the thick wad of cash. Twenty million won. Combined with the five million from the Rolex minus a million in living expenses, he now had twenty-four million—a fortune. Enough to escape the moldy semi-basement forever.
He fired up a real estate app. His goal was clear: outskirts far from the city, ignored by people, with space for his own magic workshop. One listing caught his eye.
A rundown villa on the city fringes. Absurdly cheap rent. Notes read: Arson incident 3 months ago. Many vacancies.
Perfect. Rumors would deter neighbors—zero interference. Any magic experiment noise or strange lights? Blamed on "ghosts."
He signed the lease that day, put down the deposit, and called a moving truck with the rest. His belongings— a few clothes and an old computer—made it quick.
Stepping into his new home, Jinwoo inhaled faint char and felt profound liberation. Vast compared to the sunless basement, with his own kitchen and bathroom. Cursed as a haunted house or not, this was his first true nest.
He stood in the empty living room savoring it, then smiled and headed out—to Yongsan Electronics Market.
Without hesitation, he sank most of his remaining cash into a top-spec custom PC. Installing the massive tower and high-refresh-rate monitor filled him with utter satisfaction.
Powering it on bathed the room in dazzling LED glow and hushed fan hum—a symphony to his ears. Then, the Magic Grimoire at his waist hummed softly.
[How's the new nest, master? You seem quite pleased.]
"Perfect."
Jinwoo replied shortly, linking his smartphone to the PC. A few clicks transferred videos and photos from the past days to the massive screen. He double-clicked PurificationRitual.mp4 first.
The 4K clarity revived that day's memories vividly. Kim Sea's innocent face, deceived by the false savior, yielding in fear and shame.
The unfamiliar waves of pleasure rising under his touch. Her moans as resistance crumbled to ecstasy.
Up to the moment she lost her virginity, climaxing in screams. All unfolded like artwork on the monitor.
He flipped through photos in slideshow: her passed out, defiled by his semen and virgin blood; close-ups of her glowing red lewd mark on her lower abdomen.
Proof of his perfect victory.
[Digital records are fine, but don't forget the true trophy commemorating your first conquest.]
The Grimoire whispered. Its pages rustled open on their own, dark red energy rising. When it cleared, two small items rested there: a glass vial of swirling crimson virgin blood, corked shut; and a transparent orb preserving a tiny flesh fragment—her hymen.
Jinwoo swallowed. He lifted the trophies carefully. Cool, smooth glass. Holding the vial to the monitor's glow, Sea's on-screen cries overlaid the sparkling proof of her purity in his palm.
"This is..."
He murmured in awe. Beyond video or photos, the tangible weight brought overwhelming possession and conquest.
His eyes traced the dormant flesh fleck in the orb, rolling it gently. Once her most intimate gatekeeper, now eternally his.
Gazing between her violation on-screen and her purity in-hand. Perfect domination. Total ownership. Smiling in satisfaction, he placed the trophies lovingly beside the monitor.
Now, time to build the magic workshop.