Second Hobby: Revenge - Part 1
"The situation isn't looking good."
The two leaders, each commanding twenty operatives, faced off. Their gazes locked, and Go Yu-jin waited for Geum Seong-chan's response.
"Word is the Chinese are swarming toward Incheon New Port. Seoul's clearly their target. Which means we lure them into Yeonsu-gu and force urban combat."
"They might launch a massive assault and kick off the invasion."
Geum Seong-chan shook his head at Go Yu-jin's concern before replying.
"They're using stealth spells to slip in precisely because they don't want to draw attention."
The Chinese mages infiltrating Incheon New Port had hidden themselves deep underwater in the sea, approaching undetected. They'd stationed an aircraft carrier farther out at sea and sent only the mages in. Outwardly, it looked like their forces were holding a standoff at the border, but China's moves were far more covert and calculated than expected.
"Why New Port of all places?"
Geum Seong-chan pondered her sudden question, then answered with a faint smile.
"Their goal is chaos. Our forces are quietly dispersed across the islands right now, and they know it—so they can't just sail in openly. But what if a handful of high-rank mages pop up in the rear?"
"...Chaos would ensue. If we pull forces back, the front lines collapse, letting their fleet through. Ignore it, and the capital gets hit..."
Much of their strength had shifted to Gyeongsang and Jeolla Provinces. The reason was straightforward: Japan had seized Jeju Island and was probing invasions from multiple fronts.
Geum Seong-chan declared confidently.
"The moment they surface, we'll hit them with lightning strikes."
Go Yu-jin opted to handle defense, as their position would be too exposed otherwise. They spent the tense hours until the stealthy incursion began. How much time passed? The quiet lapping of waves shattered as massive bolts of lightning rained down, engulfing the area. A sudden roar and chain of explosions signaled the battle's outbreak.
Go Yu-jin signaled her unit, and they scattered to their zones, tracking and eliminating enemies caught in pre-set search spells. They took heavy losses, but secured a decisive victory—their damage not even a quarter of what the Chinese suffered. Amid it all, Geum Seong-chan celebrated with the same bright, dashing smile from before.
The war intensified from there. Go Yu-jin was rushed to the front as reinforcements against Japan, while Geum Seong-chan held the capital's coastline. Months passed. Disgusted by the endless conflict, Go Yu-jin finally pulled herself from the battlefield and returned to the capital—where she crossed paths with Geum Seong-chan again.
"Long time no see."
His businesslike tone, the utter lack of emotion on his blank face—no trace of warmth—left Go Yu-jin flustered. Reading her expression, Geum Seong-chan spoke.
"I apologize for not showing proper delight at our reunion."
"N-no, it's fine. But... what happened to you?"
"I touched the Necronomicon."
That single sentence explained everything. It was a famous tale. The Necronomicon exacted a toll from its user—not some urban legend, but cold reality.
"...What did it take?"
"As you see, my emotions. Thanks to it... I gained much, and lost just as much."
"No regrets?"
"Just one."
Go Yu-jin tilted her head curiously. Geum Seong-chan forced a smile before continuing.
"Regret that I can't express my joy at seeing you again."
It felt romantic, his effort striking just the right chord to stir her heart. But in that instant, Go Yu-jin spotted a blinding beam hurtling toward them. In a flash, she yanked Geum Seong-chan aside and blocked his path.
Foolish... dying like this?
A sharp, unfamiliar agony hit her—a pain she somehow recognized. Death loomed, but before her fading consciousness, she glimpsed a lightning bolt streaking faster and sharper toward the attacker. Seeing Geum Seong-chan unharmed brought inexplicable relief. Amid closing eyes and ringing ears flooded with info, her gaze caught his twisted expression—new to her—and she relaxed.
Why... does your safety bring me such peace...?
She was transported to a capital hospital, fully severed from the front. She heard occasional updates on Geum Seong-chan: tales of his battlefield exploits spreading infamy among Chinese and Japanese forces alike. But hearing the rumors and epithets, Go Yu-jin burst out laughing.
She whispered softly.
"Most Vicious? Doesn't suit him somehow... He's got a pretty nice smile, that guy..."
"More nonsense! Think I'd be thrilled if you got hurt that bad? Huh?"
Go Yu-jin chuckled lightly at An So-mi's scolding, who stared back in exasperation. Then Go Yu-jin made a proposal.
"How about we start a gate cleanup business? We're out of the war anyway—gotta make a living."
"Focus on recovering, whatever. Sneak attacks happen, Miss High-and-Mighty almost died."
Go Yu-jin laughed it off, and An So-mi dropped the nagging to respond.
"Do it or don't. I can't go fieldwork, so I'll handle the office. Got it?"
Didn't even bother hiding their tracks, leaving mana traces like this...
It wasn't some grand spell. Just layered heat upon heat—multi-overlap magic. High mana cost, but it generated immense thermal output, punching through the defense array.
Never thought bypassing hierarchy like this was possible. They're dead serious about arson.
Ridiculous situation, but the massive mana made tracking easy. Using pursuit spells, he followed the trail for over thirty minutes until it led upward. He clicked his tongue, gazing at the destination.
"Divide and conquer?"
The trace pointed to the Black Mage Association. He scratched his head.
Black mages aren't exactly thrilled with me—I've contributed to their bad rep, after all. But four years later? Not many lunatics would suddenly come for revenge.
To check if it was just a false trail or the real culprit, he entered the Association. A black mage who recognized him rushed over, blocking the way.
"Th-the Chairman's away!!"
Gazes converged at the urgent shout. Others swarmed, forming ranks. Tense, they awaited his word.
"What, am I the plague or something? This welcome's too much."
"Th-the Chairman..."
The stammering mage prompted him to clamp a hand over his mouth.
"Not here for your Chairman today. Clear the way. I've got a grudge to settle."
Mention of a grudge heightened their tension. Then a familiar voice rang out.
"Everyone, stand down. Provoking him gains nothing. I'll handle it."
"V-Vice Chairman..."
The other black mages relaxed at the woman's arrival. Standing before him, Jeong Do-bin asked.
"Not a grudge against the Chairman, right? Then it's about that?"
"You know my house burned."
He surged his mana intimidatingly. She took it calmly, waving it off casually.
"If you're tracking mana traces, I can help. But know it's not the Association's doing."
Jeong Do-bin, Vice Chair of the Black Mage Association, was formidable. If she got serious, he'd be stalled at least half an hour—not to mention the swarm of black mages. Interference would doom his goal. He nodded readily. When she asked where, he pointed.
"Hm, that elevator's low floors only. A guest, maybe?"
Jeong Do-bin inferred, and he shrugged.
"Guest or mage, once I catch 'em, I'll turn their limbs to core to ash like my house."
"Still as vicious as ever..."
She shook her head, and they rode the elevator up, tracing the mana layer by layer. At the tenth floor, a thick trace hit him—he knew the culprit was here.
"Mind if things get a bit broken?"
"Troublesome. But what can we do? You're Association too. If one of ours gets hit and we don't help, trust crumbles."
He hadn't seen it as such an extreme, but nodded agreement. She clapped, announcing brightly.
"All black mages, secure your workspaces. To our guest: stay put. Move or act suspiciously, and you might die."
Passing her cheerful face, he entered the tenth floor amid murmuring black mages. Tracing carefully, he confronted one man.
"...What's this about?"
Clearly a visitor, feigning ignorance. But sensing hidden hands and swirling inner mana, he spoke.
"What grudge against my house that you had to burn it?"
"..."
Perplexed faces around, but sweat beaded on the mage's brow. Pressing,
"Even if you hated my house, settle it with me."
"N-nonsense! Accusing me of what?"
"So that's your answer?"
"Urgh!"
Hands thrust toward him, flames manifesting, warping space between them with intense fireballs. But then—
Snap!
The magic vanished like mist. To the flustered mage, Jeong Do-bin said,
"Better if I catch you. That guy's mercy went out with the war."
"I-I, no way I'm getting caught!!"
His body swelled, lights bursting from orifices. She sighed.
"Always asking for the whip..."
Another snap, mana stripped. He collapsed, looking up—not at her, but him. Eyes met. Reading his desperation, the mage spun to her, yelling,
"I-I surrender! Taking me in!!"
Begging for life, but he grasped the mage's wish and honored it. Snap—he unleashed memorized multi-overlap magic, identical to the arson. Black flames consumed the body from limbs inward, sparing the head. Amid screams, he conveyed,
"Vengeance for my house is paid."