The Eve of Victory - Part 1
The work itself isn't difficult.
You simply emit mana over a wide area, inject a pattern into that mana, and manifest the desired magic. The patterns are imbued with various meanings; the first is usually a pattern imprint that determines how to conceptualize a specific power. Generally, the basic framework begins by inscribing the ‘attribute’ pattern first.
You build up various patterns as if adding flesh to that skeleton; that is the process of imprinting. You erect a massive pillar that forms the attribute, then carve into it by imprinting various patterns, as if sculpting. The manifestation stage is the moment that single, completed form—crafted into its various shapes—is revealed.
It might sound simple, but the process is incredibly complex. It requires utilizing various calculations and formulas, and you must establish the framework through what is known as the Magic Language. Consequently, computational ability—the capacity to process everything in your head in an instant—is essential. However, once you become accustomed to it, you can push your skills to the point where you can do it in the blink of an eye.
Right now, I was emitting mana and processing that entire sequence simultaneously. When the spreading mana diffused into a consistent pattern and settled into the desired positions, it formed the shape of a massive Magic Circle.
“It’s fascinating, no matter how many times I see it.”
Ahn Somi approached, her curiosity evident. Go Yujin also finds my method of using magic incredibly intriguing. In reality, Go Yujin’s skill level corresponds to a 7th Circle Beginner, but the magic she can actually cast is limited to the 3rd Circle. Even then, the only magic she can handle at a 6th Circle Master level is golem-related magic.
To draw out one’s true potential, one must master at least three different branches of magic, but Go Yujin was stuck in a state where she couldn't advance to a true 7th Circle user because she found that difficult. In practice, it’s more accurate to view her as a 6th Circle Master.
“Does it look efficient from your perspective, Ahn Somi?”
“I don’t think there could be a more efficient way to manifest magic than this.”
Right on cue, Go Yujin nodded in agreement.
“She’s right. Geum Seongchan, you often say you’re ordinary, but people like us are the ones who are actually ordinary. Isn’t that right?”
“Exactly. It’s to the point where even comparing us feels like an apology to you.”
After checking the mana I had spread out, I flicked my fingers. Brilliant light surged, and the magic manifested rapidly. An enormous amount of mana had been consumed, but that was only equivalent to two full-scale spells. Since I had used Dead Rise to encompass this entire massive field, the monsters across the whole area rose simultaneously as zombies.
Watching them move toward a single point according to the set pattern, I spoke to the two of them.
“I have no intention of dispelling them one by one. Why don’t you two put in the effort today?”
“...Is this training?”
Go Yujin’s expression was one of resolve.
“That’s right. The Curse Dispelling spell exists in the gap between the 3rd and 4th Circles. It seemed like the necessary training method to cultivate your current skills, Go Yujin.”
“Thank you. For being so considerate.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Then, I had one request for Ahn Somi.
“Ahn Somi, I’ll leave the work of sorting the dispelled byproducts by part to you. If you’ve truly overcome your issues, you should be able to handle this well, right?”
“You don’t trust me, do you?”
When I nodded confidently, Ahn Somi clicked her tongue.
Afterward, the work proceeded. While observing the two of them working diligently, I spread my mana over a wide area to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, keeping a close watch for anything out of the ordinary. It was because there was a chance that the Doomsday Cultists might be involved.
However, there were no particular anomalies inside, and as we spent our days without incident despite repeating this work for a long time, it seemed I could finally relax a little.
‘I suppose it’s only natural that things have gone quiet, since most of the guys in the leadership have been eliminated.’
There were still issues to deal with regarding the Tower, but the situation wasn't light enough to settle things with them right now, so I decided to handle it gradually while watching how things unfolded.
The work finished even faster than expected. It was then, while waiting for Go Yujin to finish discussing the cleanup with government officials, that she approached me.
“What do I need to do to reach the 6th Circle?”
“That’s a trivial question.”
“It’s not trivial at all!”
I emitted mana and created various geometric shapes in the air. Then, I started my explanation by making them collide.
“These are mana resonances. Usually, it’s strength against strength, being against being colliding, and we can pattern the waves created from those collisions into various forms. You have to become proficient at this to gain the foothold to reach the 6th Circle. Simple, right?”
“You crazy bastard!”
Was it because of the ‘it’s so easy’ style of explanation? Just then, Go Yujin, who had finished coordinating with the government officials, walked over, understood what I said, and explained it herself.
“He’s not wrong. You have to be able to do that to use 6th Circle magic.”
“...Ugh, I really hate these geniuses!”
It wasn't that Ahn Somi lacked talent. It was because she had been unable to grow, fearing her own nature because her reason would shatter and she would go into a frenzy whenever she saw blood.
In fact, Go Yujin and Ahn Somi were quite famous figures even among dark mages. Go Yujin had made a name for herself as a 1st generation mage, and she was someone who might have reached even higher realms if she hadn't placed restrictions on herself. However, for some reason, she had left the battlefield, and her growth had stalled. Ahn Somi had also left the front lines around the same time as Go Yujin.
For reference, Ahn Somi was also a famous figure among 2nd generation awakened as a genius dark mage. She had stood out since the beginning of her awakening and had been active as a 5th Circle user. But one day, she couldn't manage herself as she began to go out of control, causing harm to her allies, and she started to feel the burden. As a result, she failed to cross the barrier from 5th Circle Master to 6th Circle, and her growth had been stuck for years.
‘They call them the twisted geniuses, don’t they?’
They were two people who were the subject of much talk in the industry for various reasons.
Regardless, since Ahn Somi wasn't someone who was lacking enough to be called a ‘genius’ in a derogatory sense, I told her:
“If you try it, you’ll understand why I treated it as a trivial question. Let’s start by focusing on actually doing it.”
“I won’t! I can’t!”
Ahn Somi shouted and ran off. I wondered how on earth I could fix that childish personality of hers.
“Please understand her. Somi has tried quite hard in her own way, but it just hasn't worked out well.”
“But she’s shown results recently, so isn't it going well?”
“That’s true, but…. No, never mind. Let’s go.”
With the work finished, Go Yujin followed after the retreating Ahn Somi. Walking slowly behind the two women, I felt how much my life had changed.
Various projects were underway in the city, and the time for the festival, which was being focused on, had arrived. In October, a grand festival would begin, starting with the Eve of Victory, where fireworks would embroider the Han River.
It was a festival to commemorate the historical moment when the Republic of Korea was able to survive thanks to the heroes who suddenly appeared and their sacrifices, back when the remnants of North Korea, which had collapsed early in the crisis, along with China and Japan, were cornering South Korea and causing enormous damage.
‘Is it already the 4th anniversary?’
It was a festival marking the 4th year since the war ended, and today, Go Yujin spoke to me confidently.
“Will you be my partner today?”
The Eve of Victory carries the meaning of commemorating the emotion of the moment when close connections enjoyed the festival together, having survived and returned alive, so many couples enjoy this time. However, both Go Yujin and I had participated directly in the war and had contributed to the victory.
Although Go Yujin and Ahn Somi had disappointed many by leaving the battlefield six months before the war ended, no one could curse them for it. They were two people whose names were proudly listed among the heroes who had defended Busan.
Anyway, Go Yujin wanted me to enjoy the festival with her today, and I readily accepted.
‘What should I wear...?’
Most people enjoyed the festival in neat attire. However, since it was a date, I thought that dressing shabbily would be a rude act that would only bring disappointment to Go Yujin. I had no intention of disappointing her, as she had clearly put her heart into this, so for the first time in a while, I took out some clothes from my Subspace and laid them out.
But they were all dark, gloomy clothes.
‘There isn't a single bright piece of clothing...’
It wasn't that I wanted something flashy, but since I didn't want to look like I was attending a funeral or cosplaying as a grim reaper, and suits were the norm, I eventually put everything back into the Subspace and headed to the city center.
With about three hours left until the appointment, I planned to buy some appropriate clothes.
As I walked out onto the street, countless couples were strolling around with bright smiles. Many people had put in a lot of effort to protect those smiles, and even now, the majority of people live lives like a war on the front lines. Among the couples, I often saw awakened couples or cases where only one side was awakened, but it felt like everyone had come out to the streets as ordinary lovers, at least for today.
‘I’m envious. And it’s good to see...’
After experiencing the war, I had thought I wouldn't be able to live a proper life due to PTSD. During the height of the war, there were so many painful experiences that my mind had been shattered to the point where daily life was impossible, and even now, I couldn't say I was whole. I often had nightmares, and there were many times I would wake up in a panic, covered in cold sweat, not even knowing what kind of dream I had been having.
However, the fortunate thing was that perhaps because I had lost so many emotions, it was less painful.
‘If it hadn't been for Han Sang-gil’s help, I might not exist as I am now. I might have oxidized on the battlefield... as one of the dark mages called the most terrifying.’
My connection with Han Sang-gil was quite deep, and thanks to that, I was able to protect my sanity enough to live my own life. I had been saved by the Necronomicon, that ‘evil book’ called a cursed object.
Lost in thought, I walked until I found a suitable clothing store and confidently demanded what I wanted from the clerk.
“Excuse me. I’m going on a date with a beautiful woman, is there anything that would look good on me?”
The clerk stared at me blankly for a moment before covering her mouth and laughing. Even a woman who was looking at clothes and a couple passing by on the street all smiled. I didn't know the reason.
“How is the lady planning to dress?”
“I don’t know. She’s someone who only wore drab clothes, so I wanted to show her a slightly different side of me. I’m an awakened, and I have some issues, so I’m clumsy at expressing emotions.”
Was it too direct? The clerk looked flustered, but soon, her expression hardened with resolve as she spoke.
“Leave it to me. I’ll dress you up so that your partner will be very satisfied!”
I was taken aback by the tone, which felt like a strange sense of resolve, but since it was what I had requested, I had no choice but to nod.