The Crow's Triumph and the Shadow of Power
Returning to his hotel room, Jinwoo shed his robe and collapsed onto the bed like a corpse the moment he crossed the threshold.
The fierce battle with the Outer God's hunting dog had pushed his body and mind to their absolute limits. His muscles screamed as if they were about to tear, and the aftermath of the mental assault left his head throbbing with a splitting headache. Eyes closed, he lay utterly still, drawing only ragged breaths.
[Unbelievable... This is an utterly absurd situation!]
The Magic Grimoire's voice, hovering at his side, carried a rare undercurrent of fury.
[To dispatch a hunting dog directly from an Outer God just to eliminate a fledgling mage on this backwater planet? It defies all logic! Those entities concern themselves only with the birth and death of universes—they have no reason to bother with a lowly creature like you. Something... some colossal variable we don't know about is at play here.]
The Grimoire calmed its rage, then addressed its sprawled master in a steady, proud tone.
[And yet, you prevailed, my lord. You faced the shadow of an Outer God—its minion—head-on and emerged victorious. Not through brute force alone, but with split-second judgment, adaptability, and unyielding resolve before an overwhelming presence. A flawless triumph. You have proven yourself worthy to become a true mage.]
Too drained to respond, Jinwoo raised a hand and fumbled for the remote. With a beep, the wall-mounted TV flickered on, flooded—as expected—with breaking news about Masakado's Head Mound.
"Moments ago, the mysterious fog that blanketed Otemachi's skies suddenly lifted! According to the Self-Defense Forces on site, it happened right after a figure presumed to be the 'Crow Sorcerer' entered. The shrine interior is now completely clear, with nothing found!"
The anchor's excited voice accompanied footage from helicopters and nearby buildings filling the screen. Clips repeated: a figure vanishing into the torii gate, followed shortly by the fog dissipating like a lie.
In low-res videos shot by onlookers beyond the cordon, his ghostly appearances—confronting the SDF, handing something over, then vanishing—evoked not just mystery, but outright awe.
At that moment, the Magic Grimoire pulled two heavy bags from its new subspace, dropping them onto the bed with a thud. One bulged with gold bars, the other with stacks of dollar bills.
[These are the fruits of your victory, my lord.]
The Grimoire gestured alternately between the TV and the bags.
[Behold. In a single battle today, you repelled an Outer God's threat, broadcast your fame across the world, and claimed the wealth these primitives prize like their lives. Power, honor, riches. All that a conqueror must possess, seized by your own hand. Rest now. And take pride in it.]
Jinwoo's weary face cracked into a faint smile at the Grimoire's sincere encouragement. Slowly, he pushed himself up and grabbed his smartphone from beside the bags. As expected, Mystery Gallery was already in full festival mode.
Watching NHK live rn, the Otemachi fog just vanished completely. SDF says it was about 30 mins after someone looking like the 'Crow Sorcerer' went in. Helicopter footage—fog gets sucked straight up into the sky like smoke. Wtf, felt like a movie. Chills.
That guy really went on an expedition to Japan. Real life??
Summary:
1. Japanese gov officially admits defeat, posts bounty on historically massive incident where spec ops got wiped.
2. Crow Throne sees it and actually goes to Japan.
3. Solves it in 30 mins, even collects and returns the dead SDF heads. (Respect)
Good so far, but doesn't this prove one person's power > a nation's army? Saved Japan today, but tomorrow if he decides to smash it, who stops him? Same for us. Human stepping into god territory is getting scary.
Japanese gov says anything he wants? Lololol
Honestly probs not into mundane stuff like money.
1. Tokyo Tower ownership transfer
2. Right to PM duel
3. Lifetime tax exemption + extraterritoriality in Japan
4. Nah, he'll just ask for lifetime Whirly Peter Studio free pass lol
Jinwoo dragged his exhausted body upright and picked up the smartphone on the bed. Mystery Gallery was ablaze with a frenzy of celebration, awe, and fear. He scrolled blankly through the surging posts.
Praise calling him 'world-class,' dread at a power surpassing nations, jokes about claiming a 'Whirly Peter Studio free pass' as bounty. Wild speculations and delusions everywhere. In their eyes, he was a mystical savior, a potential catastrophe, or a ridiculous otaku. No one knew the truth: that he was merely a starving predator moving for mask materials and cash.
Spotting the 'Whirly Peter' comment, Jinwoo finally couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.
The chuckle echoed in his weary frame, erupting like a dry hack.
At the same time, in the crisis management center beneath the Prime Minister's Office.
The massive screen that had been streaming live footage from Masakado's mound now displayed video feeds of the Cabinet Office Vice Minister, the Public Security Intelligence Agency director, and the Prime Minister. Relief mingled with deep concern on their faces.
"In conclusion, codename 'Crow' has fulfilled our 'request.' Casualties were heavy, but the worst-case scenario was averted."
The Vice Minister reported calmly.
"His compensation is prepared."
The Prime Minister spoke, his expression complex.
"The issue is what comes next. Today, we witnessed one individual surpassing a nation's military might. How do we handle such a being?"
"He didn't receive 'orders'—he made a 'deal,' Prime Minister."
The PSIA director pointed out sharply.
"He's beyond our control. But his patterns suggest he'll gladly 'cooperate' for clear payment. A threat, yes—but an unprecedented opportunity."
"So, building cooperative relations like this is best?"
"Precisely. We mustn't provoke him. Guarantee his anonymity, pay what he demands, remain a friendly 'client.' He's the sole fixer for disasters we can't handle. We must monopolize trust with him."
After deep thought, the Prime Minister nodded.
"Understood. Elevate this to top-secret National Security Council priority from today. All 'Crow' communications require my approval. And..."
His eyes gleamed coldly.
"This 'card' must belong to Japan alone."
As if to prove his words, the very next day, Japan's Foreign Ministry received an urgent intel-sharing request from Korea's National Intelligence Service.
The content was succinct.
In Tokyo's Foreign Ministry building, the Vice Minister faced the Korean embassy's intel officer with polite but firm resolve.
"We understand your request. Regrettably, no such 'information' exists to share."
"What do you mean? No data on the man who resolved your SDF wipeout?"
"He didn't respond to official government request. He appeared like the wind, solved the problem, took his promised pay, and vanished like the wind. We know no name, nationality, or face. Only the 'results' he left."
The Vice Minister spun his lie with a gentle smile.
"Rather, we'd like to ask Korea. If you know anything, sharing would greatly aid bilateral security."
The Korean officer's face hardened at the brazen reply, but he could say no more.
Japan had no intention of showing its ace 'Crow Sorcerer' card to anyone. The Korean government could only watch in humiliation as a presumed citizen played fixer for the neighbor.