Mana Stone Mine Commission - Part 2
To secure evidence, they began extracting mana stones buried throughout the mine and storing images within them. Starting with detailed records of the confessions and the process, they captured most of the information. After obtaining statements from all four men and compiling them, they subdued and imprisoned them.
An So-mi volunteered to guard them. As a 2nd gen black mage equivalent to a 5th Circle master in terms of circles alone, there was no issue with her handling it.
Our commission consisted of two tasks: sealing the core and measuring the mine's depth. Thus, Geum Seong-chan and Go Yu-jin had no choice but to press onward.
"Are you worried about An So-mi?"
"I know she'll do fine, but... I'm still anxious. If there's no progress, they might send reinforcements, and if So-mi ends up spilling blood... this whole mine could collapse."
He thought she said something horrifying far too casually, but it wasn't wrong. An So-mi's prowess in destruction magic was something even he had to acknowledge.
Those who shone on the battlefield were given epithets. Just as Go Yu-jin had earned fame as a Golem Meister, An So-mi had been dubbed "Rhythm of Ruin"—a somewhat literary title.
The reason was amusing: her explosion spells sounded like music. In truth, though, it stemmed from her relentless deployment of destruction magic, like playing a continuous melody.
Her mana reserves were impressive, but her efficiency was exceptional, allowing prolonged barrages. As a black mage, she could also burn her own life force to fuel spells. A rampaging An So-mi would unleash destruction until she was half-dead, with Go Yu-jin always pulling her back from the brink. It was no wonder she worried.
"If you're that concerned, you can head back. I can handle this alone."
"How do you know how deep it goes? What if forks keep branching off? You can't manage that solo."
"No need to go alone. I can just summon familiars."
"It's amazing, really. How do you wield all black magic so naturally?"
"That's why I suffer double mana consumption as a penalty. It's not all upside."
"But the power scales perfectly with the mana invested, right?"
It was a forced amplifier, but from the perspective of mana waste, it was the worst flaw for a battlefield dominator.
I've turned the tide many times, but only in those crucial moments...
Chronic mana shortages prevented prolonged deployments, and the strategic need for escorts drew ire from many. Without guards, he might have pushed himself recklessly and ended it, but instead, he bore the constant burden amid glares.
Notably, even in those exhausting efforts that reversed battles, he rarely overexerted to the point of collapse. The "unnecessary" escorts just fueled resentment.
Toward war's end, he operated solo, rejecting all aid—and succeeded brilliantly, only for allies to shun him, fearing he'd steal their glory.
In any case, the long war had ended ages ago, leaving him to a leisurely life. In most memories, Geum Seong-chan was just a faded hero from long ago.
But now, that penalty barely mattered.
No need to strain mana like on the battlefield.
"How many familiars can you handle?"
"Isn't three standard for everyone?"
"...I can only manage two. And that's the average."
"...Why?"
They stared at each other in bewilderment, until Go Yu-jin asked outright.
"How many can you do?"
"Around seven. Basic arithmetic for me."
"Monster. You sure you're human?"
"...It's difficult, and I handle more than most, but 'monster' is a bit much, no?"
"You really don't know yourself."
How many know me better than I do? Wondering if her view stemmed from flawed info, he probed common knowledge.
"Familiars average two per mage. Who's the record holder now?"
"Five. That's the max I know."
Summoned beasts and familiars differed starkly. Summons were mana-fueled patterns calling entities under simple commands.
Familiars, however, shared empathy and judgment. They could even infuse souls into beings or objects—his preferred method.
His familiars were all soul forms, bound to hosts. Like summons superficially, but with autonomous decision-making via linked minds and souls. Few dared split their souls thus.
"Seven... Unimaginable. Why not report it officially to the Association?"
"Didn't know I had to. Thought it was normal."
"Right..."
Go Yu-jin eyed him like a frustrating enigma.
Later queries on multi-casting drew gasps.
"Triple casting's impossible?"
"...You're the weird one. How do you cast three spells at once?"
Some could, but rarely.
What if she knew about penta-casting?
It involved computing one spell while expanding related patterns in tandem—like solving 1+1 alongside another 1+1, then layering a third. Many spells shared patterns, enabling this synergy.
Odd that it's not standard.
Likely poor technique or insufficient practice.
They chatted amiably on such norms until a fork appeared deep in the mine.
"Monsters are getting tougher. What now?"
"These things aren't that strong anyway."
He conveyed they'd scout separately to Go Yu-jin's confident nod. Mapping meticulously en route, the depth and layout suggested days more. They upped their pace accordingly.
An So-mi was bored. She periodically replenished mana to maintain their spells, varying patterns to thwart escapes. Freeing one man's mouth, she chatted.
"Tarox operates overseas mostly. Why take government work?"
"...Wasn't our choice. Refusing wasn't an option... We had no say."
She tilted her head at the unexpected reply.
"They have dirt on you?"
"..."
As he hesitated, An So-mi pressed.
"We're not exactly cozy with the government either. Everyone knows black mages are scum."
"Info loses value the more who know it. But the subjects hate wide awareness and hide it at all costs. Dangerous for you too."
"Now I'm curious. Who'd threaten us?"
She meant it. A firm run by 1st and 2nd gen black mages—with one absurd oddball employee. Who'd target them?
"Your job's destroying the core to shut the mine. Industrial Affairs Vice Minister commissioned it, and he wields heavy influence... But something's off."
"What're you getting at?"
"Why would a group like yours grovel to some vice minister?"
The man flinched, glancing around. Confirming her bullseye, An So-mi continued.
"His backer's the issue, right? Someone higher up. Who?"
"If I say... I'm dead."
"Don't worry. They'll shatter in our hands before you drop."
He gulped. Just then, one paralyzed man's eyes rolled wildly. Glancing over, An So-mi spotted the problem—his gaze's direction.
Sensing danger, she snapped up a Dark Barrier. A dagger slammed into it, ricocheting into the wall.
"Tch. One idiot ruins everything."
"Impressive, even caught off-guard. You're strong."
Her ambusher scratched his head.
"Release him, and we'll back off. No profit in blood."
"Trying to salvage your failed job by swarming later?"
"Maybe. But if we'd known your involvement, we wouldn't have taken it."
"You know us well."
"They staked everything on this, so we had to dance to their tune. Didn't expect restricted info. Best to bail now."
It clicked. The four behind stirred in confusion, marking the intruder as high-ranking.
Didn't sense him approach. Without instincts, I'd be hurt bad.
Her gut screamed: clashing meant blood, possibly mine collapse on her terms. Sighing, she proposed.
"Take them. But... tell me the vice minister's backer. That's the price for release."
"Tch, don't push it. Deeper ties hurt us both."
No dice. As she flared mana to intimidate, he smirked.
"Assemblyman Choo Myeong-hun. Try if you can handle it."
The name froze An So-mi solid.