Chapter 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 010
Chapter Title: Subjugation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Before sending his purchase recommendation for the water and wind attribute scrolls to Kim Ji-seok...
Park Ha-jun had finally achieved a destruction power of 1 for the remaining two attribute scrolls as well.
[Magic Scroll─Water Magic Bullet]
Baseline Destruction Power:1
[Magic Scroll─Wind Magic Bullet]
Baseline Destruction Power:1
Changing attributes might seem simple, but it required tremendous versatility.
Park Ha-jun, who had encountered countless geometric scenarios, was able to pull it off in such a short time.
However, his curiosity didn't stop at fully understanding the four attributes...
'Each attribute has its own unique knot structure. So... what if I weave these knots together?'
Using his geometric intuition, he disassembled and analyzed only the knots for [Fire] and [Wind].
Knots twisting and tangling in his mind. The result.
'Connecting the knots. It doesn't seem impossible.'
In truth, this was the dilemma of fusion attribute magic that 3-circle mages began to grapple with upon reaching that level.
An incredibly complex issue that left countless mages frustrated and giving up.
'I still need to think more about how to connect them, but I get the feeling.'
Park Ha-jun had glimpsed fragments of the answer through a 1-circle circuit.
That was the power of intuition. Grasping possibilities intuitively for problems logic alone couldn't touch.
If other scroll makers or mages had seen it, they would have been astonished by Park Ha-jun's achievement. His reaction, however, was understated.
"...Interesting."
Mages buried in their labs, racking their brains, might have coughed up blood if they heard.
'What's so interesting about it?' they'd curse, and he'd be lucky if that was all.
But it was still just fragments, and with plenty to handle right away, he tabled it for later.
'Time to sell off the scrolls I've made.'
Held Gold:5,855,000G
To unlock 2-circle magic, pay 10,000,000G.
Thanks to Kim Ji-seok, unlocking the next circle was just around the corner.
If he sold off his held scrolls and researched the [Purification] circuit, he could probably unlock it.
If these two scrolls sold for 800,000 gold each, it was definitely doable.
'Should I list them on the Auction House?'
It would be the easiest, but there was a problem. No telling when they'd sell.
[Magic Scroll─Neutral Magic Bullet]
500,000G
Even the Neutral Magic Bullet he'd listed last time still hadn't sold.
'Re-registering on the Auction House periodically is a real hassle.'
Instead, he decided to check with Kim Ji-seok first. The elemental golem subjugation required all four attributes anyway.
[Let me know if you need the water and wind attributes too.]
'If no reply, I'll sell them cheaper on the Auction House.'
But that wasn't necessary.
Sender: Ji-seok
I'll buy them if you list them!
Kim Ji-seok bought them decisively this time too.
Your listed Magic Scroll─Wind Magic Bullet has sold.
He earned an additional 1.6 million gold.
Held Gold:7,455,000G
"Whoa."
Roughly 7.5 million gold. That's 75 million won in cash.
All accumulated in less than a week.
The daze was fleeting.
At this point, even Park Ha-jun, clueless about the industry's ways, had to notice.
'My ability isn't just vaguely good, is it?'
Overwhelming numbers and insane growth speed.
He'd wondered about his F-rank, but the synergy of geometry and Park Ha-jun was far beyond F-rank.
If he could craft a decent [Purification] circuit too, he could register as an Awakener with the Association.
Registration would open up diverse ways to earn gold. Dozens of ideas came to mind immediately.
'I could contract with a guild, or start my own to sell scrolls systematically.'
And above all...
Held Gold:7,455,000G
He could convert that pie-in-the-sky gold into cash.
'It's satisfying now, but...'
Coldly assessing, reality hadn't changed yet. Aside from small joys.
Piling up gold in the system wouldn't alter his bank balance or department funding.
'Wasting this ability like this would be a shame.'
Time to prepare for Awakener registration.
While unlocking 2-circle, he needed to learn the industry's ropes.
'Ask brother Ji-seok?'
No, no need for unnecessary risks.
As a professor, he could investigate without risk.
'...That's enough for today.'
Tomorrow was topology week 2. The most exciting yet nerve-wracking class.
It could get canceled if he's not careful, so no all-nighters like before.
Thus, Park Ha-jun tidied his workshop at the early hour of 9 PM and went to bed.
Topology week 2 class.
In a classroom with just three students, Park Ha-jun called roll.
Two from Mathematics.
"Kim Ye-rim."
"Yes!"
"Lee Ji-hwan."
"Yes!"
And one from another department.
"Kang Eun-ho."
"Yes."
But Park Ha-jun spotted something odd in the attendance sheet's 'Department' field.
"...You're from the Magic Department."
"Haha... I'm really weak on theory. I heard from seniors that this class helped..."
Magic Department students had taken it the year before last and last year.
Most dropped after midterms, which had been disappointing.
'It helped, huh. Unexpected.'
Park Ha-jun chuckled and teased.
"Helps with magic, eh... I'll ask after class if you still think so."
"Huh?!"
"Just kidding."
The math students burst out laughing.
But their gazes toward Kang Eun-ho held respect and envy.
Park Ha-jun eyed Kang Eun-ho briefly, calculating yesterday's plan's feasibility, then.
"Class begins."
He proceeded calmly.
Thanks to Lee Soo-ji's materials, the students followed well.
Park Ha-jun periodically checked Kang Eun-ho's expressions. More eager than the math kids. Taking notes word-for-word.
His attitude was likable. But separately, his face showed he barely grasped the content.
After class, he called Kang Eun-ho.
"Kang Eun-ho, got a moment?"
"...Pardon?"
He smiled softly at the flustered student.
"Personal matter. If you're busy, next time's fine."
"Personal?"
He nodded, and Kang Eun-ho scratched his neck.
"I've got a tight schedule today. Can I visit later?"
"Of course. Anytime."
Park Ha-jun packed up and left without lingering.
He needed time to organize his thoughts anyway.
That evening.
Kim Ji-seok's subjugation team received permission for the B-rank gate─Golem Temple.
Competitor leader Hwang In-su, hearing the news, couldn't accept it.
He'd swallowed his pride and called industry standards, yet Kim Ji-seok rejected it to bet on scrolls.
And the higher-ups approved that plan.
'Can't understand it. The Association's a mess these days.'
Hwang In-su grumbled and sought his college senior in upper management.
"Senior! Who the hell approved that insane plan to tackle a B-rank gate with 1-circle scrolls?!"
The superior replied calmly, as if expecting him.
"Keep it down. Trouble if overheard."
"But─! It makes no sense. Even with multiple 3-circle mages it'd be tight, blocking golem rampages with 1-circle scrolls? In a gate maybe tampered by Corrupted Awakeners? Ugh, whoever approved it clearly knows zilch about magic."
The superior sighed.
"It's not like that."
"What do you mean─"
"The Association President. He read the plan and granted permission. Your 'idiot'."
"...Pardon?"
The Association President. Korea's sole S-rank Awakener, great mage on the cusp of 6-circle.
A being beyond norms, overseeing both Awakener and Mage Associations.
"The President... personally approved it?"
To mages, the President's name alone was an insurmountable existence.
"Yes. So drop the suspicions and wait quietly. There's reason."
Hwang In-su shut his mouth, but doubt lingered.
'What did he see in that absurd plan...'
B-rank gate─Golem Temple.
Melee DPS (Kim Ji-seok), aggro tank (Lee Hyun-ho), ice mage (Shin Ye-ji), mage support and control (Im Ji-hoon).
The solid team processed golems per plan.
Lee Hyun-ho charged with shield, blocking a golem's kick.
Shin Ye-ji froze the foot-bound golem. Kim Ji-seok, waiting behind, stabbed the core.
Crack.
The powerless golem crumbled to rubble.
Approaching rear golems were kited by Im Ji-hoon's arrows.
Stable team. B-rank regulars were no obstacle.
'Golems are normal. The variable must be the elemental golem.'
Judgment made, Kim Ji-seok upped the pace.
"Ji-hoon, focus on trap detection now. Everyone else, move a beat faster!"
They cleared golems swiftly.
Soon reaching the temple's depths.
Sand winds blew. Heat and cold churned chaotically.
At the end loomed a massive golem. Elemental auras on crown, arms, legs─an elemental golem.
"Eyes sharp, everyone! This is where it starts."
Kim Ji-seok warned. Even normal ones were tough; this might be tampered by Corrupted.
"Ji-hoon, control it. Hyun-ho, approach slow, just pull aggro!"
Team moved in sync at team leader's command.
Bam─!
Lee Hyun-ho blocked the kick. Flames erupted on his shield.
"Ngh!"
The elemental output seemed stronger than usual.
Definitely Corrupted meddling.
But intel was needed.
"Hang in there! Dodge when it wraps cold, don't block! Ji-hoon, slow its attacks!"
Im Ji-hoon disrupted punches with heavy arrows.
Elements on fists and feet changed each time.
Earth, wind, water, fire.
Confirming all four, Kim Ji-seok judged.
'Overall elemental power boosted. Corrupted touched the elemental core.'
Output needed to suppress rampage had risen, as expected.
No other variables.
'Subjugation's fine then.'
He had asd123's scrolls.
"Good work, Hyun-ho! Ye-ji, cast Frostwind!"
3-circle fusion magic. High-difficulty water-wind blend; Shin Ye-ji began chanting.
Lee Hyun-ho clung desperately.
Kim Ji-seok regulated breath for the decisive blow.
Suddenly. Shin Ye-ji shouted.
"Ready!"
Tzzzzzt─
Frostwind raged. Ice shards pierced golem gaps. Movement slowed sharply.
Lee Hyun-ho collapsed, exhausted.
Kim Ji-seok, breath honed for one thrust, shot forward like lightning.
Sword extended straight.
Krunch!
Pierced the core. Light burst from it soon after.
Rampage precursor. Elemental fusion reaction.
Team swallowed hard watching the glow.
As Shin Ye-ji recast Frostwind, Kim Ji-seok unfurled asd123's scroll.
"Positions!"
If it failed, flee as planned.
[Magic Scroll─Fire Magic Bullet]
Baseline Destruction Power:1
Mana Cost:40
Attribute:Fire
If this failed, only the Association President could subjugate.
Moment Kim Ji-seok infused mana with conviction.
Fwaaah.
Mana flowed through the circuit. Perfectly designed attribute shapes converted his mana properties.
Fwoosh.
A fireball launched. Slammed the elemental core.
'...Please!'
Kim Ji-seok watched tensely.
That instant.
Like inscribed letters erasing, red light vanished from the core.
"It worked!"
He clenched his fist. A mere fireball had cracked the B-rank boss's key gimmick.
To magic-illiterate Kim Ji-seok, the simple-looking blaze was impeccably clean.
'...If even a martial artist like me thinks magic looks easy, the mage's dilemma baked into it must be insane.'
But it was a scroll's effect, not raw magic. asd123 must've slaved to craft that circuit.
'...Monsters everywhere.'
Reflecting on his own laziness, he repeated for earth attribute.
"Ye-ji, finish it."
Handed off to Shin Ye-ji.
She nodded grimly. More tense than her Mage Association exam.
'I can do it... I handled 1-circle scrolls before.'
She'd heard the destruction power was 1, but not the pure elemental output details.
Kim Ji-seok's call not to shake her before key subjugation.
Of course, she didn't know remaining attributes also had asd123 scrolls.
His scheme to restore her shattered confidence.
Shin Ye-ji chanted longer than before. Sweat beaded on her brow.
Finally, after endless chanting.
Tzzzzzt.
Fiercer Frostwind blew. Ice shards embedded in the core.
Yet sky-blue and blue lights lingered.
'Please...'
She poured desperate magic, maintaining. Kim Ji-seok trembled like it was his own.
All prayed for success.
'Please...!'
Shin Ye-ji squeezed every drop of mana, fighting for life.
Tug-of-war dragged. No quick end.
In eon-like time, all watched anxiously.
'...Just collapse already!'
Suddenly.
Fwaah─
Sky-blue and blue vanished from the core. Powerless elemental golem crumbled.
"We did it!!"
Kim Ji-seok yelled excitedly.
"Whoa! Our team's getting A-rank promoted!"
Lee Hyun-ho cheered purely.
"Great job, Ye-ji."
Im Ji-hoon thumbs-upped her.
But drained Shin Ye-ji slumped, lost in thought.
'No, my magic... wasn't as clean as asd123's scroll.'
Clear her completion lagged the scroll.
Unlike past blind dismissal of scrolls.
'If scrolls can wield such perfect magic...'
Rank limits might be surmountable walls?
Mages say B-rank ends at 3-circle. But Shin Ye-ji realized via asd123's scroll.
'...I'll challenge 4-circle. Somehow.'
Memorizing the chillingly perfect asd123 scroll,
She casually V-sign'd her teammates.
"Hehe, team dinner tonight, right?!"